Chapter 341: No One Is Immune to Death, and No One Cannot Die
The top of Yanmen Pass was covered with pits smashed by boulders, filthy blood, and various scorch marks.
At this time, fifteen days had passed since Xiao Mo began defending the city.
During these days, the Zhei Kingdom’s army fiercely attacked Yanmen Pass.
Fortunately, Yanmen’s city protection formation was quite durable, and Xiao Mo commanded the defense from the city walls day and night without the slightest negligence.
So after five days had passed, the Zhei Kingdom’s army still hadn’t made any progress.
Zhei Kingdom general Guo Xin was already becoming anxious.
For every day that Yanmen Pass held out, the remaining eleven cities in the southern territory became increasingly endangered.
Although Xiao Mo’s army lacked military provisions and various supplies were extremely scarce, did the Zhei Kingdom’s eleven southern cities have abundant supplies? They were merely half a pound to eight ounces compared to Yanmen Pass.
Moreover, the more the siege dragged on, the more it wore down morale on his side.
In a major battle, morale was extremely important. Without morale, the army would be like scattered sand, not only difficult to command but also shattering at the first charge!
So in the following days, Guo Xin employed various methods.
Guo Xin attacked the city continuously for three days during daylight, retreating when night fell but on the fourth night, in the dead of night, Guo Xin launched a major assault on the city but unexpectedly, Xiao Mo had already prepared. Countless fire arrows shot down at them, and the entire battlefield seemed to be burned as bright as daylight.
When the night attack failed, they dug tunnels.
The city protection formation of every city generally had “flight restriction” and “protection” functions, only managing the ground and sky, unable to control underground.
So digging tunnels was indeed quite suitable. However, every tunnel they dug was not only discovered by the Northern Frontier army, but Xiao Mo even turned the tables on them, waiting for some Zhei Kingdom soldiers to emerge from the tunnel openings, then directly eliminating them.
Moreover, within Yanmen Pass there was a type of poisonous fierce beast called the Giant Killer Bee.
As the name suggested, these fierce beasts were firstly gigantic, four times larger than ordinary hornets, and secondly their venom could kill people.
Although these Giant Killer Bees couldn’t be eaten, they now had some use.
Xiao Mo directly threw these beehives into the tunnels, and the Zhei Kingdom soldiers continuously let out miserable screams.
Finally, when Xiao Mo felt it was about right, he had people seal up the tunnels.
On the night of the tenth day of defending the city.
The Zhei Kingdom army camp was completely quiet, with only regular soldiers on patrol.
Inside the tent, Guo Xin, who hadn’t slept well for several days, was still troubled by the siege but just then, various noisy sounds, sword clashing sounds, and horse hoof sounds rang out from outside the tent.
“Night raid!”
“Northern Frontier army night raid!”
“Northern Frontier army attacking!”
Shouts arose from within the military camp, and Guo Xin hurriedly walked out of his tent.
The Zhei Kingdom camp soldiers quickly put on their armor, grabbed their weapons, and engaged the enemy.
In the distance, under the moonlight, Xiao Mo led three thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry charging through the camp.
“How does Xiao Mo dare?!”
Guo Xin’s expression froze slightly.
He hadn’t attacked the city at night, so shouldn’t Xiao Mo be resting with his troops?
Yet he dared to risk bringing cavalry for a night raid?!
“This is bad!”
When Guo Xin saw Xiao Mo continuously charging toward the rear of the military camp, his heart leaped in alarm, and he immediately understood what Xiao Mo intended to do!
“Stop Xiao Mo! Don’t let him advance any further!” Guo Xin roared but before long, Xiao Mo still led the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to the rear of the Zhei Kingdom camp, found various siege equipment, and Xiao Mo destroyed everything he saw.
For those things he really didn’t have time to destroy, he set them on fire.
After doing all this, Xiao Mo also found the Zhei Kingdom army’s granary.
The three thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry brought two hundred storage bags.
Xiao Mo ordered them to fill the storage bags completely with grain.
Because spatial storage artifacts were expensive to manufacture, the entire army didn’t have many storage artifacts, let alone Xiao Mo’s detached force.
So these two hundred storage bags were already all that Xiao Mo currently had, and these were what Xiao Mo had plundered after capturing Mati City, along with specifically requesting some from Xiao Shi.
Moreover, the storage bags weren’t high grade. Most storage bags had a capacity of only a small room, and the largest storage bag was just a space three zhang in length, width, and height but still, having some was better than having none.
They loaded as much grain as they could.
Although the Zhei Kingdom army’s granaries were distributed in various locations, and the few granaries Xiao Mo burned didn’t deal a major blow to the Zhei Kingdom, not to mention the Zhei Kingdom’s supply line was continuous but at least it could humiliate them, strike their morale, and make them uncomfortable.
After quickly filling the storage bags, for those granaries they hadn’t finished loading, Xiao Mo ordered them to set fire to the granaries, then led the three thousand cavalry out of the Zhei Kingdom camp.
“Xiao Mo! You think you can leave!”
Guo Xin personally led the army in pursuit of Xiao Mo but the three thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry that Xiao Mo led were all elite among elites, and before departure they had specifically eaten plenty of spirit beast flesh to replenish their blood qi, and the horses had also eaten and drunk their fill and rested well, making them difficult for the Zhei Kingdom to catch up to.
Just when Guo Xin could only watch Xiao Mo and his men run farther and farther, Xiao Mo suddenly led five hundred cavalry back to charge and kill for a while, then Xiao Mo departed at leisure again!
When Guo Xin pursued them to beneath the city walls, there was only that tightly closed city gate!
“Xiao Mo, you wretch! I will kill you!”
Guo Xin roared beneath the city, his voice echoing across the wilderness.
After returning to the city, Xiao Mo counted the grain and the flesh of fierce beasts and spirit beasts he had brought back.
For the entire city, even being frugal with these things wouldn’t last long, mostly just enough to hold out one or two more days, and after this raid, the next time would be difficult but no matter what, one or two days was still time!
The next day, the Zhei Kingdom army attacked the city like mad.
The Northern Frontier army still held firm.
Before they knew it, thirteen days had passed since Xiao Mo began defending the city.
The Northern Frontier army originally had nine thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry plus surrendered soldiers totaling fifty thousand infantry, but now only seven thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and thirty thousand infantry remained.
Moreover, because spirit beast flesh to replenish blood qi was scarce, and the enemy attacked day and night, the Northern Frontier army soldiers were all very exhausted but even so, in their eyes, Xiao Mo saw only resolute light!
“Brother Mo, please sleep for a while. You haven’t closed your eyes for thirteen days and nights straight.” Xiao Gui said to Xiao Mo worriedly.
Although Brother Mo was a Golden Core realm cultivator, Brother Mo fought major battles every day, extremely consuming spiritual power and stamina.
Although Brother Mo could recover some through closed-eye meditation, how could that be enough?
Whether mortal or cultivator, sleep was still the best way to recover spiritual power and stamina.
“I’m fine, I’m not tired.” Xiao Mo shook his head. “Is there any news from the twelve southern cities?”
“No.”
Xiao Gui shook his head.
“Among the twelve southern cities, Mati City should still be in our hands, it’s impossible to let go, but the other eleven southern cities have also surrounded Mati City.
Xiahou Nan has sealed off the road to Yanmen Pass at any cost, even setting up flight-restricting formations with blood qi military formations along the way. We truly are an isolated island.”
“Mm.” Xiao Mo nodded.
Just as Xiao Mo was about to continue reviewing the documents sent by various generals in the army, Li Jing walked quickly into the city lord’s manor.
“General, Xiahou Nan has sent an envoy.” Li Jing spoke with a complex expression.
“Xiahou Nan’s envoy?” Xiao Mo paused, then smiled and said, “Summon all the generals to the city lord’s manor hall to welcome their envoy together.”
“Yes!” Li Jing clasped his fists in salute and withdrew.
An incense stick’s time later, Xiao Mo sat high in the main seat of the city lord’s manor, with Northern Frontier army generals standing on both sides.
The Bichui City envoy walked before Xiao Mo with his attendants and bowed, “This humble one is Yang Zhu, paying respects to General Xiao.”
“I wonder what matter General Xiahou has? Could he also be sending me a skirt?” Xiao Mo said with a smile. “Let me see what color it is and what material.”
“General Xiao jests.” Yang Zhu straightened up and said slowly, “My general sent this humble one here to deliver a letter.”
As he finished speaking, Yang Zhu took out a letter from his sleeve.
Xiao Mo glanced at Xiao Gui, “Xiao Gui, read General Xiahou’s letter to all the generals.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Gui stepped forward, received the letter, and began reading aloud.
“General Xiao is unparalleled in courage, outstanding in intelligence, whether in military campaigns or martial cultivation talent, all are rare in the world.
Now General Xiao is trapped in Yanmen Pass, besieged from within and without, and Nan deeply sympathizes but does General Xiao truly believe he can withstand my Zhei Kingdom for thirty days?
If this continues, I fear a genius will fall, truly lamentable.
Nan cherishes General Xiao’s talent.
If the General surrenders to my Zhei Kingdom, not only can he escape danger, but the title of nobility bestowed will certainly be higher than the empty title of ‘Frost Prince’ given by Qin Kingdom. My Zhei Kingdom’s ruler can even marry a princess to General Xiao to show my Zhei Kingdom’s sincerity.
Afterward, when my Zhei Kingdom counterattacks Qin Kingdom, all lands the General conquers will belong to General Xiao.”
After Xiao Gui finished reading, all the generals looked at Xiao Mo together.
Xiao Mo chuckled, “The conditions General Xiahou offers are truly generous. However, please tell General Xiahou that the Zhei Kingdom princess is not as beautiful as our Qin Kingdom princess, so this matter of surrender can be forgotten. However, if General Xiahou surrenders to our Qin Kingdom now, it’s still not too late.
Otherwise, when Bichui City falls, regret will come too late.”
“If that’s the case, then please take care of yourself, General Xiao.” Yang Zhu sighed.
Xiao Mo smiled, “The same to General Xiahou.”
“However…” Yang Zhu’s eyes narrowed, “I believe that in a few more days, General Xiao will certainly change his view.”
“Hehehe, we’ll see when that time comes.” Xiao Mo looked at him. “Does Envoy Yang have any other matters? Our city lacks grain, so we cannot invite you to a meal.”
“I heard that General Lian is still in General Xiao’s hands?” Yang Zhu asked.
“That’s correct.” Xiao Mo nodded.
“General Lian is General Xiahou’s niece. General Xiahou had me bring General Lian’s favorite peach blossom wine and some dishes. If possible, I hope General Xiao can accommodate this.” Yang Zhu said.
“General Lian is a prisoner of our Northern Frontier, and General Xiahou is a turtle in a jar, yet he still thinks of sending food to his niece. How touching.” Xiao Mo said with a smile.
“After all, General Lian went out to battle to lessen her uncle’s pressure. My general naturally feels guilt, and if he can make amends, he will make some amends.” Yang Zhu ignored Xiao Mo’s mockery.
“Leave the wine and dishes.” Xiao Mo waved his hand, no longer speaking with him. “Someone, see the guest out!”
“Thank you, General Xiao. We take our leave.”
Yang Zhu bowed and turned to leave.
“Cough, cough, cough.”
After Yang Zhu left, Xiao Mo coughed several times, reached up to wipe his mouth, and the back of his hand was covered in blood.
“General…”
Li Jing and the others said worriedly.
“It’s nothing.” Xiao Mo shook his head. “Everyone return to the city walls. Zhao Guang, go recruit soldiers in the city. Recruit as many as you can, all voluntary, don’t force conscription. Conscripted soldiers are unusable.”
“Yes, General.” Zhao Guang bowed and hurried to carry out Xiao Mo’s order.
Xiao Mo took a deep breath, picked up the food box and wine, walked out of the city lord’s manor hall, and headed for the dungeon.
“General!”
The soldiers guarding the dungeon saluted Xiao Mo with clasped fists upon seeing him.
“Mm.”
Xiao Mo nodded and continued forward.
In the dim and quiet dungeon, Xiao Mo’s footsteps echoed between the stone walls.
This was Yanmen Pass’s death prison, but now, only one person was held inside, and she was a woman.
Lian Li was meditating in the prison cell. Upon hearing movement, she slowly opened her eyes.
When she saw it was Xiao Mo, those sword-like eyes flashed with sharp light, as if she wished she could poke several holes in Xiao Mo with a spear.
“I know I’m good-looking, but you don’t need to stare at me like that.”
Xiao Mo sat down in front of the cell bars, opened the food box, took out the dishes inside, carefully inspected them to ensure they were safe, then arranged them one by one before the gaps in the cell bars, and even poured her a cup of wine.
“What are you trying to do?” Lian Li asked.
“As you can see, delivering food to you.” Xiao Mo rolled up his sleeves. “These were all sent by your uncle through an envoy. This food box is inscribed with formations, so the food is still warm.”
As he finished speaking, Xiao Mo reached the chopsticks through the gap in the iron bars and handed them to her.
Lian Li glanced at the food box, then glanced at Xiao Mo, but didn’t accept the chopsticks.
Xiao Mo didn’t mind her, and simply rested the chopsticks on the bowl’s rim.
“What did my uncle say to you?” Lian Li asked again.
“What else could he say? He urged me to surrender, saying if I surrender now, I’ll be enfeoffed as a lord and minister, and even the Zhei Kingdom princess will marry me.”
“Will you surrender then?”
“What do you think?”
“…”
Lian Li shook her head, “Xiao Mo, although you’re shameless, your martial talent and military strategy are both top-tier in the world, not to mention you’re so young. Someone like you shouldn’t die here.”
“Then in your view, who should die here?” Xiao Mo looked directly into her eyes. “The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, or the common people in the city?”
Lian Li said nothing.
“Lian Li, no one is immune to death, and no one cannot die.” Xiao Mo took out a letter from his chest and tossed it to Lian Li.
“What is this?” Lian Li asked again.
“After I die, take this letter and find an uncle called Huang Shan. Tell him, ‘Xiao Mo said my talent is acceptable, and he told me to find you to learn the spear. Your disciple died, but he’s returning you a disciple.'”
“Huang Shan… that Spear Immortal?” Lian Li said in surprise.
“Should be.”
Xiao Mo answered no more, stood up, patted his bottom, and walked toward the dungeon exit.
Watching Xiao Mo’s retreating back, Lian Li’s brows furrowed tightly, her palm gripping her clothes tightly. As Xiao Mo walked farther and farther away, she shouted loudly, “Xiao Mo! Surrender! It’s not too late to surrender now!”
“Surrender?”
Xiao Mo turned around and smiled at Lian Li.
“Surrender? Of course I’ll surrender.”
“Eh?” Lian Li blinked, staring blankly at Xiao Mo. “What are you planning to do…”
Xiao Mo didn’t explain, only showed an unfathomable smile, turned around again, and walked out of the dungeon.
On the fifteenth day of the siege battle at Yanmen Pass, in the Zhei Kingdom military camp.
A soldier rushed into the tent shouting, “General, a Northern Frontier army envoy has arrived!”
“Northern Frontier army envoy?” Guo Xin paused, suspecting he had misheard.
“Yes, General!”
The messenger soldier said excitedly.
“The Northern Frontier army envoy has come to see the General. Yanmen Pass requests surrender!”
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