Chapter 247: Chapter 144 Siege_2 "Boss Zhao, you’ve hidden well indeed. To think you could enlist the help of two Copper Bone masters at the same time. Father, we’ve made the right bet this time!" The speaker was a young man in the Blood Refining Realm, Small Success stage, looking to be in his twenties. His features bore a seven-part resemblance to Zhao Qingcheng—he was none other than Zhao Qingcheng’s youngest son, Zhao Yu. Zhao Yu, in his youth, only saw the surface of the situation. Zhao Qingcheng, on the other hand, had a mind sharpened through years of toil and scheming. At this moment, his brows were knitted with worry. Leaning close to Zhao Yu’s ear, Zhao Qingcheng whispered, "Did you deliver the letter to the Red Cloud Prefecture family head as I instructed?" After scanning the surroundings, Zhao Yu replied in a low voice, "Father, rest assured. When have I ever failed in the tasks you’ve assigned to me? Honestly, I think you’re over-cautious. From what I see, you didn’t need to pay such a great price to gain their favor. With our current strength, we’re definitely capable of taking Canghe County city by ourselves!" Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingcheng’s face betrayed his exasperation. He shot Zhao Yu a disapproving glance and answered in a hushed tone, "What do you know? Do you think Zhao Honglie can be trusted in any way? If we don’t prepare well, we’ll be devoured whole, bones and all! Learn from this, will you?" "Pass the order to the clansmen: During the offensive, only exert fifty percent effort. Prioritize preserving our strength above all else!" ... With Qian Jin and Bai Yuqi joining his side, Zhao Honglie’s confidence swelled to unprecedented levels. This time, he didn’t even bother hiding his movements and brazenly led his troops toward Canghe County city. For the past while, Canghe County city had heightened its defenses. Even though the bright moon now hung high overhead and most of the city’s inhabitants had retreated into their dreams, the tall city walls were illuminated by blazing torches. Fixed guard posts lined the walls every few meters, complemented by mobile patrols scrutinizing the entire city. "Hmm? What’s that noise?" The squad captain overseeing tonight’s shift atop the walls suddenly heard commotion in the distance. Given the current circumstances, he quickly ascended the tallest lookout tower, using observation equipment to investigate the source. Through his instruments, he saw heavy dust clouds stirred up along the main road outside the city—dark shadows flitting about. After dozens more breaths, faint moonlight revealed the source of the clamor: the sound of galloping horse hooves. Instantly pale-faced, the squad captain hurriedly shouted instructions to the wall’s soldiers. "The Black Sand Gang is attacking! Sound the alarm!" "The Black Sand Gang is attacking! Sound the alarm!" By now, the Black Sand Gang’s forces were barely one or two miles from Canghe County city. Even the soldiers atop the walls could begin to discern vague silhouettes below. The guards sprang into action immediately. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The alarm bell rang out, its urgent and deep sound reverberating through Canghe County city. More and more soldiers rushed to the city walls, prepared for battle. Ten minutes later, Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen arrived at the wall in haste. At a distance of roughly three hundred meters from Canghe County city, the Black Sand Gang’s forces halted. Zhao Honglie reined in his warhorse and gazed at Liu Yuanhu atop the city walls with a smug expression brimming with derision. With Qian Jin, Bai Yuqi, and years of meticulous preparation on his side, Zhao Honglie now regarded Canghe County city as a prize already in his grasp. "Lord Liu, considering the history between us, if you open the gates and surrender right now, I might spare your life. Better yet, if you pledge loyalty to me, I might even find a new position for you." A murderous gleam flashed in Liu Yuanhu’s eyes, but just as he was about to unleash a torrent of insults, his words caught in his throat. Two unfamiliar figures emerged from behind the Black Sand Gang’s ranks. Feeling the Copper Bone Realm energy radiating from them, Liu Yuanhu froze in dismay. Qian Jin and Bai Yuqi rode warhorses forward and flanked Zhao Honglie from left and right. Upon seeing Bai Yuqi, Mo Chen’s expression changed abruptly, "The Pale Scholar! Why is he here?" Liu Yuanhu recognized the apprehension in Mo Chen’s tone, and his expression grew increasingly grim. "Who are these two? How could Zhao Honglie have managed to recruit them?" Mo Chen shook his head, "I know the Pale Scholar. In Red Cloud Prefecture, among loose cultivators, he’s rather well-known. Apparently, he used his handsome appearance to cozy up to a female elder of the Mad Saber Sect, milking her for considerable benefits. Rumor has it she even taught him a top-tier martial art called the Thousand Feather Sakura Illusion Kill. His strength is impressive; in a one-on-one fight, I wouldn’t dare say I could defeat him! As for that fat one, I don’t recall anyone like him among the Bone Refining Realm fighters from Red Cloud Prefecture." Seeing Liu Yuanhu hesitate, Zhao Honglie’s lips curled into a smirk. He drew his long blade and bellowed, "Since you refuse, don’t blame me for disregarding old ties!" "Brothers, attack!" With that, Zhao Honglie charged forward atop his horse, followed closely by Qian Jin and Bai Yuqi. Mo Chen stepped forward, a stern look fixed on Bai Yuqi. "Bai Yuqi, do you realize what you’re doing? This is akin to aligning with rebels! You’re defying the court! You’re on a path to ruin. There’s still time to repent. Don’t let greed drive you to self-destruction!" Bai Yuqi burst into laughter at this, "Defying the court? That’s too grand a label for my shoulders. I’m merely performing a job for pay, resolving troubles for others. Besides, given the current state of affairs, invoking the court won’t intimidate me! "Da Liang is plagued by internal strife and external threats. Its governance is in disarray, and the court’s influence over far-flung territories like this is fading fast. "Moreover, as long as Liu Yuanhu and his men are subdued, the news won’t spread, and it won’t matter." "I’ve heard of your name, Mo Chen, the Iron-Fisted Mo Chen of Red Cloud Prefecture’s elite forces. My ears have practically grown calloused hearing it. Tonight, let me see if the chatter is justified!" A mocking smile played on Bai Yuqi’s face. Without wasting words, he wielded his feathered fan, lunging toward Mo Chen. Bai Yuqi’s fan was rather unusual—instead of feathers, a flick of its surface revealed gleaming steel spikes protruding from the fan’s spokes. Mo Chen dared not underestimate Bai Yuqi. After donning a pair of gauntlets, the two engaged in fierce combat. Bai Yuqi, wrapped in a flowing white robe, cut an elegant yet fragile figure. Yet in battle, he unleashed a ferocious style—his fan swiping, chopping, stabbing—a whirlwind of unpredictable maneuvers. Mo Chen, serving as Centurion of Red Cloud Prefecture’s strongest military unit, naturally had solid skills. His gauntleted fists met Bai Yuqi’s strikes head-on without fail. Their fight raged with intensity, sparks flying in the dark, and the clatter of metal resonating unceasingly. Every move they exchanged targeted fatal areas, cruel and decisive. However, their evenly matched styles meant neither could gain the upper hand any time soon. With Bai Yuqi leading an example, Zhao Honglie was inspired to match his ferocity. He swung his long blade, venting the anger he’d bottled up over days past. "Liu Yuanhu, face me!" Liu Yuanhu knew retreat was no longer an option. Unsheathing his weapon, he turned to his loyal confidants, Zhang Guangqun and others, and ordered aloud. "Hold off that fat bastard at all costs! As long as the gates remain secure, we still have hope!" Seeing Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen both embroiled in combat, Qian Jin grinned cheerfully. "Heh, they’ve handed me the leisure job. Not bad." Though Liu Yuanhu lacked an equivalent Copper Bone Realm fighter in his camp, he did boast two with Blood Refining, Perfect stage, and several others at Small Success or Great Success stages. Quickly organizing themselves, Zhang Guangqun and another Blood Refining Perfect stage cultivator circled Qian Jin, their blades drawn. Outnumbered, they hoped to wear Qian Jin down through coordinated rotation tactics, aiming for a chance at his downfall. "Kill!" Zhang Guangqun roared, charging toward Qian Jin head-on, his gaze ablaze with fighting spirit, showing no trace of cowardice despite facing a Copper Bone master. Such audacity itself was remarkable! Qian Jin, however, remained unimpressed. He wasn’t here to risk his neck but to earn money. Wearing a sly grin, he retorted. "Buh-bye, folks!" With that, he activated his Shadow Concealment Skill. Given the ongoing battle, the flickering torchlight atop the walls was already fading—a perfect complement to Qian Jin’s stealth abilities. Only ten meters apart, yet Zhang Guangqun and his men still missed their target entirely. While they fumbled in confusion, Qian Jin had already silently slipped into the city. Spotting the three thick, custom-forged gate bolts, he couldn’t help but chuckle. "Once these bolts are undone, the job is pretty much done! This payday couldn’t be easier!"