"Light the lamps! Meet the enemy!"
Dou Rong snapped awake from his deep sleep, pushed himself upright, and roared, "The Zhou Army is attacking by night! Fight to the death!"
"How is that even possible?"
Below the pass, Lei Zhenzi's beak fell open. It was already so late at night-why was Dou Rong still keeping watch on the walls?
More frightening still, not only did the man go without sleep day and night, he remained constantly on guard. Almost as soon as the first volley of arrows flew, he had organized an effective counterattack.
"As expected..." Nangong Shi showed no panic, merely issuing his orders. "Reaching the foot of the walls with so few casualties is something we haven't managed in all these days of attacking the pass. Now our troops are massed below the walls. Even if the Shang Army holds the pass, what have we to fear under cover of darkness?"
"All troops, advance! Storm the pass!"
"I'll lead the charge!"
Nangong Shi's household officers and personal guards, Nangong Jia and Nangong Yi, shouted in low voices and advanced with their blades raised.
Arrows rained endlessly from the walls. Although the Shang Army had organized a counterattack immediately, the soldiers had had no time to test their bows in their haste. After abruptly drawing them two or three times, their hands were already dripping with blood.
Yet when they saw Dou Rong, still visibly exhausted but stubbornly directing the battle, they gritted their teeth against the pain and kept drawing their bows and firing.
"All officers, heed my command!" Dou Rong forced himself to rally and bellowed, "The Zhou Army is only taking advantage of the darkness to attack! Dawn will be here before long! Kill them!"
"Kill!" The Shang soldiers on the walls roared in unison.
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