Chapter Nine: Defending the City

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Lu Xingchen spoke in a deep voice, "How much time does the enemy have before they reach the city walls?"

"Two hours," Lin Wanqing replied solemnly, looking at Lu Xingchen.

"Lu Dazhuang, I suggest you immediately lead your troops to retreat. Evacuate as much grain and supplies as possible, and burn everything that cannot be transported. Leave not a single grain for the Fengming Kingdom."

Lu furrowed his brow, pondering for a moment, then said gravely, "We cannot retreat. Zigui City is the largest grain supply base for our army. If it falls into Fengming's hands, our forces will panic without a fight and fall into a passive situation."

"More importantly, the two nations have long-standing grudges. Historically, whenever Zigui City was captured, the Fengming troops would massacre the city. What will happen to the hundreds of thousands of civilians inside?"

Lin Wanqing was taken aback for a moment, then shouted, "What can we do then? Lu Dazhuang, the enemy has over ten thousand troops! With your one thousand new recruits and my cavalry archers, how can we possibly hold them off?"

Lu Xingchen said, "My one thousand recruits are enough. Miss Wanqing, thank you for coming to deliver the message. Now you may leave. I, Lu Dazhuang, would rather die than flee!"

Lin Wanqing was stunned by these words.

In her eyes, Lu Dazhuang was just a somewhat capable recruit.

She never expected him to possess such grandeur of spirit.

To resolutely defend Zigui City was something she didn't even dare to imagine, yet he dared to do it.

Seeing Lin Wanqing dazed, Lu Xingchen said nothing more and turned toward the gate, preparing for battle.

At that moment, Lin Wanqing grabbed Lu Xingchen's hand.

He paused slightly and asked, "Miss Wanqing, is there something else?"

Lin Wanqing said earnestly, "I will stay and defend Zigui City with you!"

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen was overjoyed.

Lin Wanqing had already reached the rank of a three-star martial artist, and with her cavalry archer squad, they formed a formidable force.

Although he did not understand why she made such a choice, having help was certainly better.

Lu Xingchen nodded firmly, "Thank you, Miss Wanqing. Prepare for battle!"

An hour later, the enemy army arrived at the city walls.

The massive force surrounded Zigui City, leaving no gaps.

Lu Xingchen stood atop the walls, checking his system panel.

[Host: Lu Xingchen]
[Level: Ten-Star Warrior]
[Experience: 120/150]
[Exchange Points: 510]
[Talents: Eagle Eye (20), Strong Strike (11), Berserk (16), Blade (11)]

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[Profession: None]

With the great battle imminent, Lu Xingchen sought to maximize his combat power.

He considered carefully and spent all remaining talent points to upgrade "Blade" and "Strong Strike" to level 20.

Then he browsed the system shop.

Lu Xingchen hesitated.

He wanted to buy both low-tier mysterious swords and alloy arrowheads, both of which would be invaluable in the upcoming fight.

After a moment's thought, he chose to purchase one hundred alloy arrowheads.

In a siege defense, archery played a more decisive role than close combat.

After these preparations, Lu Xingchen expanded his voice with fighting qi and shouted, "Warriors! The Fengming Kingdom's army is despicably attacking Zigui City by surprise. Our great general will never turn a blind eye. We only need to hold on for three days; reinforcements will surely arrive."

"Then, with coordination inside and outside the city, we will utterly crush the enemy and become heroes of the Great Yan Nation! Hold on for three days!"

"Hold on for three days!" the soldiers shouted in unison.

With just a few words, Lu Xingchen rekindled their fighting spirit.

At that moment, an enemy commander rode a horse alone to the city gate and shouted, "Defenders of Zigui City, I urge you to give up resistance and not act foolishly. If you open the gates and surrender, I, Wu Gang, guarantee your lives will be spared!"

Lu Xingchen drew his bow and nocked an alloy arrow, shooting directly at Wu Gang.

Wu Gang did not expect Lu Xingchen’s range to be so far and was caught off guard. The arrow struck his shoulder, knocking him from his horse.

Two martial artists from the enemy quickly lifted Wu Gang and carried him away.

Witnessing this, the new recruits on the walls were greatly encouraged.

"Captain Lu, you are mighty!"

"Victory is certain!"

For a moment, the morale of the Great Yan forces surged again.

The siege defense officially began.

The enemy had marched swiftly and secretly, bringing no heavy siege equipment—this was Lu Xingchen’s chance.

Ladders were erected, and both sides engaged in close combat.

The battle quickly reached a fever pitch.

Lin Wanqing’s cavalry archers played a crucial role.

Their aim was generally precise; each arrow could kill an enemy soldier.

Lin Wanqing herself wielded a snow-white longsword to destroy the ladders. Ordinary enemy soldiers could not withstand a single strike from her.

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Each ladder toppled caused heavy casualties among the enemy.

Lu Xingchen sat in the center atop the walls, holding the Purple Morning Bow.

Thanks to the "Eagle Eye" talent, he could see every enemy on the walls.

Every shot he fired was precise, halting the enemy’s advance.

[Congratulations, host has slain a one-star warrior, gained one experience point and one exchange point!]

[Congratulations, host has slain a five-star warrior, gained five experience points and five exchange points!]

...

[Congratulations, host has advanced to one-star martial artist, gained fifteen experience points and fifteen talent points!]

The battle raged on all day until the sun set, when the enemy finally sounded the retreat.

The city walls were piled high with the bodies of soldiers from both sides.

Lu Xingchen walked over to Lin Wanqing and said gravely, "Miss Wanqing, you’re wounded."

Lin Wanqing’s face was pale, with a deep wound on her right shoulder.

Lu Xingchen immediately opened the system shop and exchanged 200 points for two second-grade Rejuvenation Pills, handing one to Lin Wanqing.

Lin Wanqing took the pill, examined it carefully, then exclaimed, "Second-grade pill?"

"Lu Dazhuang, there are very few second-grade alchemists in the entire Great Yan Nation. Where did you get the confidence to have such a pill?"

Lu Xingchen smiled lightly, "If we survive this battle, I will tell you."

"Deal!"

Lin Wanqing swallowed the pill in one gulp. The bleeding from her shoulder wound quickly stopped and began to heal.

Lu Xingchen shouted loudly, "Wang Xing, report the situation!"

A few minutes later, Wang Xing hurried to Lu Xingchen’s side.

"Captain Lu, after today’s battle, we lost over three hundred men and more than two hundred are seriously wounded. The cavalry archer squad suffered no casualties. Effective combat strength is about six hundred."

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen’s brow furrowed deeply.

"This won’t do! This is only the first day, and the casualties are already so high. The longer the battle drags on, the fiercer the enemy's assault will become. At this rate, we won’t last even two days, let alone three!"