Chapter Ten: United in Life and Death

Wang Xing forced a bitter smile. “Captain Lu, our achievements have already been substantial. The Phoenix Nation has suffered at least two thousand casualties—four times our number. The brothers have done their best.”

Lu Xingchen replied sharply, “Don’t give me that useless nonsense. What I want isn’t a rich harvest of victories, but to hold Ziguicheng and keep the city's people alive!”

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Xingchen suddenly lifted his head.

“Dismantle the civilian houses. Bring the stones and timber from the rooftops up onto the city walls. One stone thrown down can injure a whole cluster of enemies—much more effective than arrows.”

Wang Xing was stunned. “Captain Lu, we can’t! The Grand General issued a strict order: no matter the battle situation, civilian property must not be damaged. Anyone who violates this, regardless of rank, will be executed on the spot!”

Lu Xingchen waved his hand decisively. “I don’t care about that. All I know is, if the city falls, no one—young or old—will be spared in Ziguicheng! Tell the people that once we repel the enemy, I, Lu Dazhuang, will personally rebuild their houses!”

He paused, then continued, “Distribute grain to the people. They can take as much as they want. But one thing—once they’re full, they must come up to the walls to fight.”

“Bring every man, even every dog in the city, to help defend!”

“Understood!”

Without another word, Wang Xing turned to make preparations.

Lin Wanqing stared intently at Lu Xingchen, her voice dazed: “Lu Dazhuang, you’ve truly made me see you in a new light.”

“In the face of such a great enemy, to remain so calm and decisive… In my life, I only respect two people: General Lu and you.”

Lu Xingchen chuckled lightly. “To receive such praise from the greatest martial prodigy of the Dayan Kingdom is an honor beyond words. Alright, go rest now. We’ll need your strength the next time the enemy attacks.”

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. “You are the real martial genius. I remember when I first met you, you were only a Third-Star martial artist. Now, you’re already a Master. How did you improve so quickly?”

Lu Xingchen smiled softly. “Everyone has their secrets. Forgive me, but I can’t say more.”

“Fine. If you won’t tell me, I won’t pry. At least for now, we’re comrades.”

With that, Lin Wanqing turned and left to tend to her wounds.

Lu Xingchen lay directly atop the city wall, ready to respond at any moment.

At dawn, the enemy launched their second assault.

Thanks to Lu Xingchen’s measures, the soldiers’ casualties were far fewer than the first day, and not a single enemy breached the walls.

Half an hour later, the enemy commander sensed something was wrong and revealed his trump card.

A massive battering ram appeared from the enemy ranks, charging toward the city gate.

“How the hell did they get that battering ram here?” Lu Xingchen was alarmed.

Lin Wanqing was equally shocked. “Our defending forces are already insufficient. If that battering ram breaks through the city gate, we’re finished!”

Lu Xingchen immediately shouted, “Mounted archers, concentrate fire! Stop that battering ram!”

Over a hundred mounted archers fired in unison, felling many soldiers around the ram.

But still, the battering ram pressed forward relentlessly.

Lu Xingchen hesitated briefly before saying gravely, “Miss Wanqing, I’m handing you command of the battlefield. I’m going to deal with that battering ram.”

Lin Wanqing was stunned. “Lu Xingchen, are you mad? The foot of the city wall is swarming with enemies. How do you expect to destroy the battering ram? Even if you succeed, how will you get back?”

“Are you not afraid to die?” he asked softly.

“A man travels the world; anywhere can be home. To die anywhere is to be buried among the green hills of the world,” he said calmly.

With that, gripping his high-grade Yellow-Rank spirit sword, he leapt from the wall, leaving Lin Wanqing with nothing but his solitary figure.

Her lips parted slightly as she stared blankly, admiration filling her heart.

Lu Xingchen descended the ladder and sprinted straight toward the battering ram.

Protected by the personal inner armor his father gave him, soldiers at the martial artist level could not pierce his defenses.

Slashing through enemy ranks, he arrived at the ram, already drenched in blood.

He leapt onto the battering ram, preparing to strike.

Suddenly, four martial artist elites charged toward him.

One was a Five-Star, two were Three-Star, and one was Two-Star.

The lead Five-Star shouted, “Charging alone into enemy ranks, boy, I admire your courage. But my greatest respect for the enemy is to slaughter them completely!”

The Two-Star martial artist was Wu Gang.

He stared at Lu Xingchen in disbelief.

“Lu Dazhuang? You were only a Third-Star martial artist a dozen days ago. How did you advance to Master so quickly?”

Lu Xingchen snorted coldly, “Wu Gang, remember the archery squad captain you killed? He was my friend. I swore to offer your head in his memory!”

Without further words, Lu Xingchen raised his sword and charged forward.

Outnumbered four to one, and with the enemy’s strongest a Five-Star Master, the pressure on Lu Xingchen was immense.

With his right hand wielding his sword, he unleashed the “Li Fire Sword Technique,” while his left hand held a dagger, engaging in fierce combat against all four.

Lu Xingchen knew well the saying: it’s better to sever one finger than to injure all five. He focused most of his attacks on Wu Gang.

Wu Gang, the weakest of the four, was still recovering from an arrow wound Lu Xingchen had inflicted the day before.

He felt immense pressure as life and death hung by a thread.

After exchanging over a hundred moves, Lu Xingchen finally seized an opportunity and killed Wu Gang with a single sword stroke.

However, he suffered three fighting energy marks, spitting blood.

His long sword was knocked away by the Five-Star martial artist.

Three enemies swung down on Lu Xingchen simultaneously.

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out nearby: “Lu Xingchen, catch the sword!”

Lu Xingchen glanced toward Ziguicheng and saw Lin Wanqing leaping down from the wall, throwing him a crimson long sword.

He immediately sprang up, catching the sword and blocking the attacks of the three assailants.

Holding the sword, Lu Xingchen felt its extraordinary power.

It was a Mystic-Rank spirit weapon!

Though only low-level Mystic-Rank, it was far superior to his previous sword.

Lin Wanqing had broken through enemy lines and now stood beside Lu Xingchen.

The tide of battle shifted. The three Masters cautiously retreated, eyes wary of the two.

Lu Xingchen gave a bitter smile. “Why did you come?”

Lin Wanqing arched an eyebrow. “Who says women are inferior to men? You get to step forward alone, but I’m not allowed to fight?”

“Alright, alright! Since that’s the case, then today we live and die together!”

“Live and die together!”

Four more martial artist elites charged up from beneath the battering ram, encircling Lu Xingchen and Lin Wanqing.

Two faced Lin Wanqing; two faced Lu Xingchen.

It was clear the enemy intended to concentrate their strength to eliminate Lu Xingchen first.

Lin Wanqing frowned slightly. “One against five, Lu Dazhuang, do you have confidence?”