Chapter 703: Open the City Gates

Chapter 703 -701: Open the City Gates

Mu Qing helped Princess Ningyang ascend the city wall.

Elder Zhong’an followed close behind, holding the Little Emperor. After them came the Left and Right Ministers and a contingent of guards.

The night wind howled, sending Princess Ningyang’s cloak fluttering. Her once meticulously styled hair bun was now slightly disheveled.

Two military generals hurried over and saluted Princess Ningyang and the Little Emperor.

As Princess Ningyang spoke with the generals, Li Qiong furtively glanced away.

The top of the wall was in chaos. Archers continuously drew their bows and loosed arrows. Catapults had also been readied; soldiers hauled stones to them, which were then launched toward the base of the wall.

Catapults were a highly effective tool against a besieging army.

Unfortunately, in the hazy night and from such a distance, it was difficult for the catapults to hit their targets.

Moreover, transporting the stones was a time-consuming and laborious task, so they couldn’t be fired with the same frequency as arrows.

Thus, their primary purpose was to intimidate the enemy army, warning them not to advance any closer.

Li Qiong gazed into the distance.

In the pitch-black night, he could see nothing clearly.

But he knew in his heart that five hundred thousand Xuanjia Guards lay dormant in the depths of the darkness.

Once they attacked with their full might, it was only a matter of time before these walls were breached.

At a signal from Princess Ningyang, the Celestial Capital’s defenders ceased their attack and quickly hoisted a white flag of truce.

The night wind made the white flag snap and crackle.

To ensure the Xuanjia Guards could see the flag, a military general had the soldiers gather their torches.

In the blazing firelight, the white flag stood out starkly against the dark night.

It was visible even from several miles away.

Bian Ziming, struggling to advance under the cover of his shield, suddenly noticed the enemy attack had ceased. Filled with suspicion, he cautiously peeked out from behind his shield.

Through the hazy night, he saw the white flag hanging from the top of the city wall.

The single word “Truce” was written across its enormous surface.

‘They’re requesting a ceasefire.’

A scout hidden in the darkness also saw the flag of truce. More than that, he saw Princess Ningyang and the Little Emperor standing atop the city wall.

The scout immediately turned and sprinted back to camp with all possible speed.

“Reporting! The enemy has raised a flag of truce and is requesting a ceasefire!”

Upon hearing this, the generals of the Xuanjia Army couldn’t help but feel a sense of smug satisfaction.

It seemed the Celestial Capital’s defenders knew they couldn’t win and had raised the flag as a sign of weakness.

They all turned to Li Liao, awaiting his decision.

Li Liao asked for the specifics.

Li Liao’s expression changed the moment the scout mentioned seeing Princess Ningyang and the Little Emperor.

He gave the order, “Have General Bian temporarily withdraw his troops. See what the Celestial Capital’s defenders are planning. Report back as soon as you know.”

“Yes, sir!”

The scout hurried back, his feet swift as the wind.

Atop the city wall, everyone waited anxiously for the outcome.

Princess Ningyang prayed for Li Liao to appear quickly and for nothing to go wrong.

Li Qiong, however, was silently hoping that Li Liao would not appear.

‘As long as he doesn’t show up, I still have a chance to turn this around.’

Just as everyone was holding their breath in tense anticipation, a sudden cry of alarm came from below the wall.

“Who goes there?!”

A series of bloodcurdling screams followed immediately after.

Everyone was startled.

The Left Chancellor asked urgently, “What’s happened?”

A soldier with an injured arm staggered up the ramparts, fell to his knees with a THUD, and cried out.

“Your Majesty! Your Highness! There are Xuanjia Guard spies in the city! They ambushed us when our guard was down and killed several of our brothers!”

The color drained from the faces of everyone present.

One of the military generals couldn’t stop himself from cursing, “Those despicable bastards! To think they planted spies among our own men.”

Princess Ningyang, ever the seasoned veteran of court and crisis, remained composed even at a moment like this.

She asked in a low, steady voice, “How do you know the attackers were Xuanjia Guard spies?”

The soldier was taken aback by the question and couldn’t answer for a long moment.

At that moment, Li Qiong spoke up coolly.

“Who else but the Xuanjia Guards would attack us at a time like this?”

The two military generals immediately chimed in, “Your Majesty is absolutely right!”

Just as Princess Ningyang was about to say more, the soldier kneeling on one knee suddenly drew a dagger from his sleeve and lunged at her.

The move was too fast. Given her age, Princess Ningyang had no way to dodge.

Mu Qing, who was closest to her, reacted instantly, grabbing the soldier’s wrist in a firm grip.