A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, Shahzaam, Varun Madhu, kevin Williams, Jose Carrillo, Jose Sierra, Silver, Archer, ManyEB, Acedia, Zhandos Kauzhanov, Kylo Ren, Mursuland, Vora, kurtis newman, 66835.
You can read 50 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
—————————————————————
"I think we might have encountered a bit of trouble..."
Cui Hou, flipping through the account books, spoke to Huang Xianliang.
Huang Xianliang was taken aback for a moment, then turned and asked, "Administrator Cui, what is the matter?"
"The number of merchants coming here has decreased over several consecutive days. Five days ago, it was 371 people; three days ago, 229; and today, it's less than a hundred..."
Huang Xianliang said, "Could it be because the consumption of goods during this period has been too high, requiring them to restock?"
Cui Hou nodded, then shook his head. "That is a possibility, but it shouldn't mean most merchants go to replenish stock at the same time... It's clearly unreasonable..."
Just then, a sudden commotion erupted in the market on the opposite shore of Shanjin. The clanging of alarm gongs and the abrupt sounds of killing cries reverberated across both banks!
The sudden clash of weapons frightened Cui Hou so much he nearly threw the account books. He quickly stood up and followed Huang Xianliang out of the tent.
On the market grounds across the river, a contingent of soldiers and horses had appeared, having already broken through the checkpoint at the valley entrance and were now charging towards the market within the valley.
"Administrator Cui! I will take men to secure the suspension bridge. You guard the main camp!" Seeing the situation turning sour, Huang Xianliang urgently ordered drums beaten to summon the soldiers.
Although it wasn't his first time seeing blood, this was Cui Hou's first experience on a battlefield. His hands and feet felt awkward, unsure where to place themselves. Seeing Huang Xianliang preparing to lead troops out of the camp, he suddenly remembered something and shouted, "Platoon Leader Huang! There are still my Cui family clerks and guards on the opposite shore!"
The soldiers assaulting the valley entrance were clearly well-trained and very fierce. After scattering the checkpoint guards, they methodically surrounded the remaining sentries, gradually eliminating them, and then began pressing towards the pontoon bridge at Shanjin...
Huang Xianliang hurriedly led the camp soldiers towards the pontoon bridge. As he advanced, he began to feel that something was amiss!
Huang Xianliang's gaze swiftly scanned the scene before him:
Across the river, enemy troops were encircling and killing the checkpoint soldiers and slowly pursuing the Cui family guards and clerks fleeing from the makeshift shelters. Behind these enemy soldiers, a figure who looked like a commander sat on horseback, looking towards their position...
At the pontoon bridge, the Army Hou guarding the bridge had already formed up his troops on this end of the bridge. Around ten personal guards stood beside him, also watching Huang Xianliang's approach. On the far end of the bridge, a few quick-witted Cui family clerks had already stepped onto the bridge, fleeing for their lives towards this side...
Something's wrong!
The eyes of the enemy commander and the eyes of the Army Hou guarding the bridge gradually seemed to align...
Huang Xianliang had no time for detailed analysis. Relying on instinct honed from hunting beasts in the mountains, he called his Squad Leader over as they walked and gave a few low-voiced instructions...
"Lieutenant Zhao!" Huang Xianliang hailed the officer guarding the bridge. "Do you know who these attackers are?"
Lieutenant Zhao looked at Huang Xianliang and shook his head. "I don't know either..."
Just as Huang Xianliang was about to reach Lieutenant Zhao, he suddenly raised his hand and pointed behind Zhao, shouting loudly, "What is that?!"
Lieutenant Zhao instinctively turned to look but saw nothing unusual. Realizing he had been tricked, he was just about to shout an order when he felt a chill on his neck, accompanied by a slight stinging pain. A gleaming ring-pommeled sword was already pressed against his throat...
"Platoon Leader Huang, you... what is the meaning of this!" Lieutenant Zhao stiffened his body, his eyes darting around as he barked. His voice was loud, but he dared not make any significant movements, fearing Huang Xianliang might accidentally slit his throat. "How dare you assault a superior officer! Aren't you afraid of military justice!"
Zhao's personal guards also rasped their swords from their scabbards. However, with Lieutenant Zhao in Huang Xianliang's grasp, they dared not act rashly, standing off against Huang Xianliang and his few men...
"Release the fire oil and burn the bridge!" Huang Xianliang shouted at Lieutenant Zhao.
"What?!" Lieutenant Zhao was stunned.
"Give the order now! Set the bridge on fire!" Huang Xianliang increased the pressure in his hand. The sharp blade bit slightly into the skin of Zhao's neck, blood trickling down the blade. "Lieutenant Zhao, you haven't done anything yet, so don't make a mistake you'll regret!"
Lieutenant Zhao glared at Huang Xianliang, feeling the increasing pressure and pain on his neck. Finally, he gave a defeated order: "Set the fire! Burn the bridge!"
Huang Xianliang kept his eyes on Lieutenant Zhao, only slightly tilting his head. The Squad Leader behind him understood the meaning, called a few men together, and followed Zhao's messenger, hurrying off...
The enemy commander across the river noticed something was wrong here. He repeatedly barked orders for his soldiers to quickly withdraw from the market, concentrate, and hasten towards the pontoon bridge...
The Huang family Squad Leader stood at the bridgehead, jumping and shouting frantically, urging the Cui family guards and clerks on the bridge to hurry over...
Those Cui family guards and clerks who had stepped onto the bridge saw the jars and torches in the hands of the soldiers on this side. Their faces instantly turned deathly pale, and they mustered every ounce of strength to rush towards the bridgehead...
Over a dozen jars of fire oil were smashed onto the deck of the pontoon bridge. The oil splattered everywhere instantly, and then several torches were thrown down. Immediately, the bridgehead turned into a scene from hell as flames roared skyward with a thunderous roar. The last of the Cui family guards and clerks who couldn't avoid it in time, along with the enemy soldiers closely pursuing them, were instantly engulfed by the raging flames. They let out inhuman screams, fell into the torrential river, and were swept away in the blink of an eye.
The enemy soldiers not yet reached by the flames scrambled back in panic, colliding with those pressing forward from behind. The two flows instantly jammed together on the bridge, causing many soldiers to lose their footing and also fall into the great river, screaming as the current swept them away...
The enemy commander on the far shore reined in his horse and turned his gaze across the river. His eyes met those of Huang Xianliang, who stood holding the knife behind Lieutenant Zhao, their gazes colliding in the air above the great river.
After a short while, the enemy commander suddenly smiled at Huang Xianliang, nodded, then turned his horse and ordered a retreat.
Huang Xianliang watched the fierce fire that had even turned the bridgehead's iron chains red-hot, finally letting out a deep breath. Only then did he realize his back was completely soaked with cold sweat. He sighed softly and slowly lowered the knife in his hand.
Lieutenant Zhao quickly retreated several steps before becoming aware of the searing, unbearable pain on his neck. He touched it with his hand and found it covered in blood...
"Men!" Lieutenant Zhao's face twisted ferociously as he loudly commanded, "Seize this reckless scoundrel who disregards military law and assaults his superior!"
The soldiers who had come with Huang Xianliang were unwilling to comply. They all drew their swords in response, confronting Zhao's soldiers. It seemed another conflict was about to erupt...