The city gate guards and soldiers had already been bribed, so the goods were transported smoothly into the city and into the merchant's warehouse.
Boss Zhou only knew that this batch of "goods" consisted of more than sixty people who had been staying at the trading company for the past few days, with the company taking care of their food, drink, and other needs.
But he was unaware that this shipment also included a batch of armored vehicles!
Boss Zhou approached a martial monk, a smile plastered on his face, and cautiously asked:
"Master, what... what are you trying to do?"
His voice was trembling violently.
The monk gave him a cold look but didn't answer.
At that moment, a person emerged from the shadows deep within the warehouse, their voice aged yet steady:
"Amitabha Buddha, some people in this city have committed grave sins and have fallen into demonic ways. This old monk's journey is solely to subdue these demons. Benefactor Zhou, your assistance will bring you good fortune in the future."
As Mr. Zhou saw who it was under the lamplight, he could no longer hold on and collapsed to his knees with a thud, his whole body trembling like a leaf!
At 3:45 AM, the city had already awakened.
Early risers set up stalls along the street, and the number of pedestrians on the street gradually increased.
Although the city gates were sealed, life inside the city had to go on as usual.
The back door of the trading company slowly opened, and more than a dozen trucks drove out one after another, their cargo boxes piled high and covered tightly with thick cloth.
The drivers kept their heads down and drove the carts toward the north gate.
Meanwhile, on the official road outside the north gate, more than a hundred riders were galloping, the dust kicked up by their hooves forming a yellow dragon in the morning light.
Leading the group was none other than Lin Qian, the former head instructor of the Imperial Guards!
He rode a white horse, wore chainmail, and carried a long spear.
On his left and right were Zhigang and Liang An. Zhigang was also wearing a set of iron armor, with a steel staff hanging on the side of his horse; Liang An was only wearing a set of leather armor, with two swords at his waist.
When the group reached a fork in the official road north of the city, Lin Qian suddenly reined in his horse. The white horse neighed loudly, and the more than one hundred riders behind him slowed down.
Lin Qian looked at the woods on the left side of the official road ahead, and several figures emerged from them.
These men carried weapons and had black headscarves wrapped around their heads. They ran with light and quick steps, clearly demonstrating their considerable martial arts skills.
The leader rushed to Lin Qian's horse, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "We have been waiting here for the heroes of Mount Liang for a long time on the orders of the abbot!"
Liang An asked, "How many of you came?"
"Five hundred men, all elites from the temple!"
The monk turned and waved his hand towards the forest.
A moment later, more people emerged from the woods. These people were all dressed in full leather armor, carrying weapons, and many also carried powerful crossbows with quivers hanging from their waists!
All of these people had black headscarves wrapped around their heads. Five hundred people standing together formed a truly dark and solemn mass.
Seeing this, Liang An's gaze lingered on the headscarves of these people for a moment, then he sneered and turned to Zhigang, saying, "Your senior brother is a bit too scheming."
Zhigang pursed his lips, said nothing, and only looked at Lin Qian.
Lin Qian nodded. "Since Ciwen has already made the arrangements, let's go and see if the brothers can have breakfast in town today?"
Having said that, the group spurred their horses on again, and the five hundred warrior monks followed behind, heading towards the Yi Prefecture City.
On the Yi Prefecture City, the sentries on the watchtowers had long since noticed the commotion on the official road, and the gongs rang out urgently, one after another!
The soldiers guarding the city rushed to the city walls, some drawing bows, some carrying arrows, and some shouting for help, creating chaos.
Upon receiving the news, Xu Dengyun led a group of personal guards and quickly ascended the north gate tower.
He looked down at the city walls and saw more than a hundred riders rushing out of the dust in the distance, followed by hundreds of men with black turbans covering their heads. Beyond that, he could see no more soldiers.
Xu Dengyun frowned deeply. "They dare to attack the city with such a small force? What makes them think they can do that?"
Even if Mount Liang has many skilled fighters, with such a small force and no siege equipment, what makes them think they can attack the city?
The city walls were over three zhang high (about ten meters), and there was no such thing as light-body skills in this world. Even if First Rate top-notch master wanted to attack the city, he would need the cooperation of a large army.
Xu Dengyun couldn't understand it, but felt a vague unease in his heart.
"Prepare the ballistae and start boiling water! Tell the police to assemble at the city gate! Also, send someone to inform the governor and ask him to organize men to patrol the streets to prevent any disturbances!"
Despite his doubts, Xu Dengyun still issued the orders methodically.
He held onto the edge of the battlement and peered carefully down.
The hundreds of troops outside all stopped, staying out of the range of the arrows, and there wasn't a single ladder or battering ram.
Meanwhile, on the street near the North Gate Tower, a dozen or so trucks belonging to the merchant guild were stopped by a group of soldiers.
"Halt! The governor has ordered that no one is allowed to enter or leave the city during the lockdown! What are you doing?"
The leading soldier, with his hand on his sword, demanded an explanation.
Before the driver could reply, the tarpaulin covering the truck behind him was suddenly pulled off.
One by one, figures clad in heavy black armor jumped out of the vehicle, drawing their blades!
132 The King's Flag Changes Atop the City Wall
On the street, the tarpaulins on the back of trucks were lifted, and monks dressed in black armor jumped out of the vehicles.
Upon landing, the armored vehicle emitted a dull thud.
These monks were completely shrouded in iron armor, so no one could see their faces, nor their bald heads or ordination scars.
Before the soldiers blocking their way could react, the enemy had already drawn their swords and charged at them!
The leading monk swung his sword horizontally, and as the blade swept across, half of a soldier's arm flew off along with his sword, splattering blood onto the bluestone slabs.
The remaining soldiers were then awakened and immediately thrust out with their spears.
But the spear tips only sparked a few flecks when they struck the iron armor. The monks neither dodged nor avoided, and like dozens of iron-cast demons, they crashed into the crowd!
As swords flashed and screams filled the air, the streets were quickly stained red with blood.
On the city wall, Xu Dengyun saw this scene from afar, and his expression changed drastically.
He immediately pulled a firecracker, about the thickness of a thumb, from his pocket, lit the fuse with a tinderbox, and tossed it into the air.
The firecrackers whistled and shot into the sky, then with a loud crack, a ball of red flame exploded above the city gate, the sound carrying far and wide.
The Xu residence.
Xu Rangzheng got up very early. After two maids helped him wash up, he was having breakfast in the front hall.
Just as Xu Rangzheng picked up his bowl and took a sip of porridge, he heard the firecracker. He stopped holding the bowl and his expression changed.
He immediately got up and went outside, looking towards the north gate.
These firecrackers were arranged by Xu Dengyun in advance with the Xu family. Once they were set off, it meant that the situation was urgent and the Xu family had to send experts to provide support immediately!
"Go and summon Master Cheng!"
Xu Rangzheng gave the instructions.
Soon, a man in his fifties strode into the front hall. He was stocky with broad shoulders and a thick back, standing there like a low mountain, exuding a sense of power.
"Master."
Cheng Yi clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
He was a retainer hired by the Xu Family, First Rate master who had been famous in the martial arts world for many years, and he was in charge of many of the Xu Family's businesses in the martial arts world.
"Something's happened at the North Gate. Take your apprentices and ride there quickly. If anything happens, follow Deputy General Xu's orders!"
Xu Rangzheng said to Cheng Yi.
Cheng Yi hesitated for a moment. "Master, is the manor safe?"
Xu Rangzheng his head, his expression serious. "The city gate is the most important thing. Once something goes wrong, everything will be over!"
"Yes!"
Cheng Yi turned around and strode out of the front hall.
The grain shop in the east of the city was almost empty by now.
Behind the trading company was a teahouse. A middle-aged man in a brocade robe sat on the second floor by the window, drinking tea while staring in the direction of the north gate.
He was the only guest on the entire second floor, accompanied by several burly attendants.
This man is none other than Hong Zhanming, the renowned manager of Yi Prefecture City!
He didn't know when he had quietly entered Yi Prefecture City and had been hiding in this teahouse ever since.
When he saw the firecracker explode in the distance, a smile appeared on his face, "It's started."
His plan was to have Ciwen secretly infiltrate the city with his men beforehand, waiting for the right moment to seize it.
If they were to confront the enemy directly at the Mist Hidden Mountain, and Wu Shuangren and his mother, who possessed First Rank martial arts skills, were to arrive together, Ciwen would also be in danger if the two of them joined forces.
However, if they were to seize Yi Prefecture City with the monks from the temple before the Mount Liang army arrived, it would be too high-profile.
Even if Mist Hidden Temple intended to join Mount Liang, they should have left themselves a way out.
In the future, will the imperial gazette say, "First, the Mount Liang rebels broke through Rong Province City, then the Mist Hidden Mountain bandits broke through Yi Prefecture City," or will it say, "The Mount Liang rebels first broke through Rong Province City, then broke through Yi Prefecture City"?
The difference is significant!
Hong Zhanming used these two reasons to persuade Ciwen.
But there is actually a third reason—
If Yi Prefecture City had been captured early on, Wu Shuangren would have inevitably chosen to retreat, given the city's impending fall and the imminent arrival of Mount Liang's forces.
Only by making the enemy mistakenly believe that the city is under our control and by taking the manor at the foot of Mist Hidden Mountain, making them feel that victory is within reach, will they not leave in a hurry and will try to stay and continue the fight.
Only in this way can Wu Shuangren be gradually driven to his death!
A sinister smile appeared on Hong Zhanming's face. He downed the tea in his cup in one gulp and laughed loudly:
"Bring me more wine!"
At the north gate, Xu Dengyun sent several people to notify various places and request reinforcements.
Then he led all his personal guards and the garrison on the city wall down the city tower, and led everyone to line up in front of the city gate below, blocking the armored warrior monks who were charging in.
Sixty armored monks charged rapidly toward them, the two sides now less than a hundred paces apart.
"Release the arrows!"
Xu Dengyun gave the order.
Ordinary arrows were useless against these enemies clad in infantry armor. His seven personal guards raised their crossbows and pulled the triggers at the charging enemies!
According to the military inventory, there should be no fewer than a hundred crossbows available in Yi Prefecture City, but in reality, there are less than thirty crossbows in the city at present.
There were only seven crossbows on the north gate side, which Xu Dengyun's personal guards took down from the city wall.
Seven crossbow bolts were released almost simultaneously. The sound of the bowstrings snapping was dull and short, and the arrows tore through the air, flying forward with a sharp whooshing sound.
Several men staggered and fell, both layers of their armor pierced, blood gushing from the gaps between the arrow shafts and their armor. Others, though wounded, were not fatally injured and continued charging forward, swords in hand!
The crossbow was slow to cock; it required stepping on the crossbow body and using the strength of the waist to cock the string. Therefore, even with all their might, the seven guards could only fire two volleys of arrows before the enemy got close, killing a total of five enemies.
The two sides are about to collide.
"Form ranks! Push forward!"
Xu Dengyun roared.
In front of the city gate, hundreds of guards stood in three rows, spears in hand, with shields at the front and spears held horizontally, aimed at the charging enemy.
The armored monks neither dodged nor flinched, but charged straight in!
Spears pierced their chests and abdomens, the shafts bending and the tips slipping on their armor plates.