Chapter 283: Taking Action, the Grim Reaper of the Night!

Chapter 283: Taking Action, the Grim Reaper of the Night!



The bright moon hung high in the sky, its radiant light bathing the earth like flowing water.

At this moment, every corner of the city was illuminated by the moonlight, as bright as day, making it possible to read and write.

On the western wall of the inner city.

Torches were lit here as well, casting a flickering glow, and figures hurried back and forth, constantly arriving from various parts of the inner city.

Soldiers were continuously pouring water on the outer side of the wall.

In the midst of this cold winter, with temperatures dropping below zero, the water poured out froze as it slid down the icy wall, quickly turning into ice.

This made the wall extremely slippery, making it difficult even for martial artists to climb over the smooth ice layer.

"Sir, look!" A soldier who was pouring water on the wall suddenly spotted a figure rising swiftly from the direction of the outer city, moving so fast it seemed to float in the air.

He immediately shouted out.

As his voice rang out, everyone's attention was drawn to him.

Xiao Chen, who had been constantly patrolling the wall and instructing the various defense commanders, also leaned out from the battlement.

Then, he saw the figure approaching the base of the wall.

"Don't panic, it should be Commander Jiang!"

Just then, footsteps approached from behind him.

"Xiao Chen, what's going on?"

At the same time, respectful greetings echoed from behind Xiao Chen.

"Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!"

"Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!!"

"Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!!!"

"..."

Upon hearing the title 'Commander-in-Chief', Xiao Chen immediately turned around and saw Ge Zhengyuan, the Commander-in-Chief of the City Guard Command, who had just climbed up the wall with an urgent expression.

The City Guard Command was in charge of all the defensive forces in Luo Shui County.

"Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!" Xiao Chen, upon seeing Ge Zhengyuan, also cupped his hands in respect.

Just then, Jiang Ning leaped onto the wall, swiftly flipping over the high battlement and landing on the top of the wall.

Ge Zhengyuan, who was about to ask more questions, was suddenly captivated by Jiang Ning's figure rising like a great phoenix from the base of the wall.

As one of the most influential figures in Luo Shui County, holding a seventh-rank official position and being one of the few martial artists in the county to reach the seventh rank, Ge Zhengyuan was well aware of the skill required to ignore the vertical angle of the wall and climb it using only the flat surface.

Moreover, Jiang Ning's leap onto the wall was clearly not a result of brute force alone.

"How strange, Jiang Ning only became a disciple of Wang Jin last year, but he already possesses the demeanor of someone who has mastered both internal and external skills. Could it be that his apprenticeship with Wang Jin was a ruse, and he has another master?" Ge Zhengyuan muttered to himself.

He clearly remembered how Jiang Ning's performance at the apprenticeship ceremony had made him view the younger man with newfound respect.

This newfound respect was reserved for the younger generation, but now, Ge Zhengyuan found Jiang Ning's skills beyond his understanding.

This agility was like that of a soaring phoenix.

It was not something achievable through brute force alone.

Even he, a seventh-rank martial artist, could leap over the wall if given some support.

For this reason, the walls were kept exceptionally smooth, and every few years, they were polished to maintain their slipperiness.

This made it challenging task even for martial artists to climb over.

Unless one had a deep internal breath, could land on their stomach from a great height, and possessed a lightness like a swallow, allowing them to leap over a ten-zhang-high wall in a single bound.

At this moment, Jiang Ning's performance clearly fell into the second category.

This was the basis for Ge Zhengyuan's judgment that Jiang Ning had mastered both internal and external skills.

"Commander Jiang, did you just return from the outer city?" Ge Zhengyuan asked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning's gaze fell on Ge Zhengyuan, and he immediately recognized the other man's identity.

In Luo Shui County, Ge Zhengyuan was one of the few officials with a higher rank and status than Jiang Ning, but as the head of the Inspection Office, he also held certain privileges.

In terms of position and power, he was not inferior to Ge Zhengyuan.

As for strength, there was no longer any need for comparison.

"Commander Ge," Jiang Ning cupped his hands and replied, "Commander Ge, you should make preparations quickly! The Black Mountain Riders have broken through the western gate of the outer city and are now charging straight towards here."

"The Black Mountain Riders?" Ge Zhengyuan's expression turned to one of astonishment, and he hurriedly asked, "Commander Jiang, are you sure it's the Black Mountain Riders who have entered the city?"

"Of course, I'm not mistaken!" Jiang Ning replied calmly, "There are a total of thirty-four riders from the Black Mountain Riders approaching on horseback."

"Thirty-four riders..." Ge Zhengyuan took a sharp breath.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the City Guard Command in Luo Shui County, he was naturally familiar with the Black Mountain Riders.

Thirty-four riders represented at least thirty-four eighth-rank martial artists, seasoned veterans with a hundred battles under their belts, and well-trained cavalry.

This alone made them a formidable force, not to mention the presence of seventh-rank martial artists among them.

The seventh-rank martial artists within the Black Mountain Riders were far more formidable than those in the county.

From the rebellion in Da Ming Mansion to now, traveling thousands of miles, one could say that they've emerged from a pile of corpses, having experienced a hundred battles. Compared to the Martial Artists in the county town, who live in comfort and luxury, these soldiers are far superior in both willpower and experience.

As such, they are naturally much stronger than the Martial Artists in the county.

And this is just in a one-on-one situation.

The soldiers are most adept at fighting in groups.

If the numbers reach ten or more, even if the Martial Arts skills are similar, it will still be a one-sided slaughter.

Upon hearing this news from Jiang Ning, Ge Zhengyuan immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

Currently, Luo Shui County is at its most vulnerable time of the year.

The strongest force in the county, the Inspection Office, is mostly comprised of personnel from other cities. Due to the New Year's holiday, most of them have returned to their respective cities and homes.

As a result, the overall strength of Luo Shui County is at least half of what it was a month ago.

At this critical juncture, the Black Mountain Riders launch their attack on the night when the defense is at its weakest.

It's evident that they have meticulously planned this assault.

Ge Zhengyuan is well aware that, as the highest-ranking official in the City Defense Office, he bears the heaviest responsibility.

If Luo Shui County is completely conquered, his life will undoubtedly be at stake.

Therefore, for him, abandoning the city and fleeing is not an option.

With this in mind, he takes a deep breath and turns to Jiang Ning.

"Commander Jiang, how many Black Mountain Army soldiers are following the Black Mountain Riders?"

"I don't know!" Jiang Ning's gaze falls on the outer city area shrouded in darkness, and he replies calmly, "I immediately returned to report after seeing thirty-four Black Mountain Riders from a distance."

"But it's obvious that with the presence of the Black Mountain Riders, they must have gathered a group of Black Mountain Army soldiers. Together, they number around a hundred, or even more!"

Hearing Jiang Ning's words, Ge Zhengyuan nods in agreement.

"Indeed!"

"Currently, the defensive forces in the county town are weak, and the situation arose suddenly. Many colleagues are still on their way."

"This Black Mountain Army was well-chosen. They are formidable!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning quietly observes the direction from which the Black Mountain Riders came while slightly nodding.

"Indeed, it's a well-chosen time!"

Suddenly, Jiang Ning speaks up, "They're here!"

"What's here?" Ge Zhengyuan is taken aback.

Jiang Ning explains, "The Black Mountain Riders have arrived!"

At the edge of their vision, Jiang Ning has already spotted the Black Mountain Riders.

"Where are they?" Ge Zhengyuan is startled again, and then he listens intently, finally hearing the sound of horse hooves.

He immediately focuses, "They're truly here!"

Then he turns to Jiang Ning and bows, "Later, I will need Commander Jiang's assistance in defending the city. I ask for your help."

Jiang Ning nods slightly.

Ge Zhengyuan bows in return and then leaves to make arrangements for the city's defense.

This night is crucial for him, not only concerning his official position but also his life.

At this moment, people start arriving on the city wall from various parts of the inner city.

However, Jiang Ning has lost interest in what's happening behind him.

He is well aware that the upcoming stretch of road is his best chance to strike against the Black Mountain Riders.

On the other side.

The Black Mountain Riders are galloping along the main road leading from the outer city to the inner city.

They are also aware that every moment they delay, the defensive forces will grow stronger.

consent of both parties.

They are racing against time.

If the people in Luo Shui County fully react and fortify the city, it will be difficult for the Black Mountain Riders to break through, even with the support of the Black Mountain Army.

"This is our last chance!" The leader of the Black Mountain Riders, seeing the towering city wall in the distance, has a grave expression.

The outer city is easy to breach.

But the inner city is a different story.

The routine defensive forces in the inner city are several times that of the outer city.

Moreover, due to the warning from the outer city, the inner city has already made some preparations.

To break through the city, we need to forcefully scale the walls.

He dares not waste a moment.

Among the entire group of Black Mountain Riders, only four, including him, can forcefully climb the ten-zhang-high city wall but also the hidden Saintess of the sect.

In other words, these five individuals must swiftly ascend the city wall, clear any obstacles, and then open the inner gate from within.

Only by achieving this can they lead their brothers-in-arms into the inner city.

With the support of their brothers, they can hope to succeed.

But even then, it's merely a possibility!

Because one can never know how deep the waters run in a place or if there are hidden experts.

Similar incidents have occurred before.

In one instance, a group of rebels laid siege to a county town, and just as they were about to breach the city gate, an old man emerged, holding a tree branch.

His sword aura was like a river, instantly turning the rebels at the gate into a sea of blood.

One man with a sword effortlessly slew thousands of enemies, averting the crisis of the city's fall.

As for the rebels who survived that battle, only three out of ten remained.

This was because the Fist Master didn't wish to cause excessive bloodshed.

As the inner city wall came into clearer view, the ice layer outside the wall reflected the cold moonlight.

The leader of the Black Mountain Riders grew increasingly tense.

Today's siege plan was mainly suggested by the Black Lotus Saintess in secret.

Before this, he had never entertained such a thought.

With just a hundred men, attacking a county town was sheer madness.

Even with tonight's perfect opportunity, it was still an insane move.

But the Black Lotus Saintess, though not as highly ranked as the others, was a newly appointed substitute Saintess, and her status was far beyond that of a captain like him.

"I hope everything goes smoothly tonight!" The leader of the Black Mountain Riders prayed silently as he gazed at the approaching wall.

Just then, a thunderous explosion reverberated in his ears.

He turned around and saw one of his brothers, who had followed him through thousands of miles, torn to shreds, his Black Nightmare Horse also shattered into pieces.

"Iron Mountain!" His eyes instantly turned red.

In less than a breath, another explosion thundered in his ears.

He turned to see another brother, his Black Iron Armor in tatters, and his Black Nightmare Horse torn into large chunks of bloody flesh.

He quickly turned to look towards the wall.

There, standing on the wall, was a figure with a fully drawn bowstring.

"Take cover! There's a divine archer!" he shouted.

At that moment, Jiang Ning stood atop the wall.

Boom!

His arrow flew, disappearing without a trace in the darkness of the night.

In less than a breath, another thunderous explosion sounded, and a Black Mountain Rider of unknown strength was blown apart like a cannonball, his body torn to pieces.

Jiang Ning nocked another arrow.

Beside him, as the Black Mountain Riders drew closer, they fully appeared in everyone's sight. All were already on high alert, waiting for the riders' assault.

Ge Zhengyuan, as the head of the City Guard Command, paused his busy work and drew the precious sword hanging at his waist, beginning to polish it.

He knew that without any siege equipment, the Black Mountain Riders could only rely on their strongest warriors to forcibly scale the walls and open the gates from within.

From the front, these thirty-odd riders had no chance of breaking through the gates.

On the other side of the wall, elite soldiers were loading their large Divine Crossbows with piercing arrows.

The Divine Crossbow was a military weapon designed to counter martial artists.

Its small arrowheads, about ten centimeters long, were forged from ten-fold refined iron, capable of easily piercing through several centimeters of refined iron.

Even a Sixth Rank Martial Dao expert wouldn't dare to block these arrows with their flesh.

Only the top Fifth Rank Inner Strength experts could briefly ignore the piercing arrows with their inner breath, but as their inner energy depleted, they would still be wary of blocking with their bodies.

This weapon was also a controlled military item.

Ordinary people daring to possess it would face the death penalty.

Only the imperial military could legally possess such controlled weaponry.

Just then, Jiang Ning's consecutive arrows flew, their piercing sound like a sharp whistle.

The explosions sounded like thunderclaps in the night.

The commotion instantly caught the attention of those on the wall.

They watched as Jiang Ning nocked another arrow.

Boom!

Jiang Ning released the arrow.

It vanished from sight, and they heard a series of sonic booms as the arrow disappeared, leaving a cloud of white mist where it had been.

"Silent Arrow!"

"Captain Jiang's archery is so powerful!"

Everyone witnessing this whispered to each other.

Ge Zhengyuan, standing nearby, was overjoyed.

He understood the impact a silent arrow-shooting divine archer could have in a defensive battle.

In his eyes, it was like an emotionless reaper of lives.

Especially in the darkness of night.

Though the moonlight was bright, it was still night.

Vision in the shadows was far worse than during the day, and ordinary martial artists would struggle to track the arrow's trajectory with their eyes alone.

Add to that the silent arrows, whose piercing speed exceeded the speed of sound, making it impossible for the attackers to rely on their ears for early warning.

This further amplified the terror of the divine archer.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end