Chapter 1051: She Came

He Lingchuan was on a special operation tonight. Yuheng City had long ago announced a curfew, forbidding large crowds from gathering on the streets after dark.

This incident also highlighted the difference between Yuheng City and Panlong City. Had Panlong City caught fire on a curfew night, residents would merely glance out their doors, and if the blaze wasn't threatening their own homes, they would remain indoors.

The operation to apprehend the arsonist had already commenced.

The city guard acted swiftly. By the time the large fire was extinguished, the arsonist had been apprehended. He claimed to be a displaced person who had crossed the border from the east. Someone had offered him three taels of silver to burn down a grand residence, thoughtfully supplying him with several oil bottles containing "exploding fire talismans" that would ignite and detonate upon impact. He was promised another three taels of silver upon completion. Blinded by the prospect of money, this individual brazenly carried out the act, disregarding the curfew, and was completely oblivious that the target was the city governor's residence.

Wen Daolun also rushed to offer condolences to Zhao Linyang; the two had been old acquaintances in Panlong City and shared a good relationship.

"Something significant is likely happening tonight," Wen Daolun remarked, his brows tightly furrowed. "My divinations over the past few days have frequently shown the Thunder hexagram, indicating that a shocking change is imminent."

Zhao Linyang gave a thumbs-up. "Old Wen, your divination skills are still impressive."

At that moment, a personal guard sprinted in from outside and whispered a few words into his ear.

Zhao Linyang's expression darkened. He immediately turned to Wen Daolun and said, "Your hexagram has proven true; something is happening now."

Without time to offer further explanations to his guest, he strode out, issuing commands one after another.

The woodland south of Yuheng City.

Hong Ming, Fu Shanlie's adjutant, led several hundred men, lying in wait in the darkness. They lit no torches and remained absolutely still.

These were the elite forces of the Jintao Kingdom and Fu Shanlie's personal guard.

The two thousand river bandits had been deployed in Longchuan to draw the Yuheng army's attack. Ultimately, the only men Fu Shanlie dared to send here for this mission were his most loyal subordinates, brought directly from Beijia.

He had only brought a dozen or so elite soldiers from the Xiji puppet army, who were to return with him to Beijia after this campaign.

They had been lying in wait here for most of the night, and many of the Jintao men were yawning uncontrollably.

"Are we going to attack or not?" they wondered. "Dawn is only an hour away."

Just then, an owl arrived, carrying Fu Shanlie's latest verbal message:

"He Lingchuan is personally leading the suppression of Longchuan. Your operation begins!"

"Time to begin! Time to begin!" Hong Ming's spirits lifted. He called two Jintao messengers. "Tell your men to heed our signal arrow as the sign!"

Fu Shanlie's orders quietly disseminated under the cover of night.

A quarter of an hour later, everything was ready.

Hong Ming pulled a meticulously tied knot from his pouch.

They had inside agents already positioned within Yuheng City. Breaking this straw knot would be the signal for them to initiate their actions within the city.

At that moment, the night's second large-scale melee would commence!

However, before he could break it, a scout from the front suddenly sprinted back with an urgent message:

"People are approaching from outside Yuheng City!"

Visitors arriving unexpectedly in the dead of night? Startled, Hong Ming rushed to the nearby hilltop to observe. True enough, he saw a cavalry unit slowly approaching the south gate of Yuheng City.

The area beneath the city gate was wide open. He could tell at a glance that the contingent consisted of approximately sixty to seventy individuals.

Every mounted rider wore dark red light armor and carried a long spear, exuding an imposing presence. Their aura was distinct from that of the Yuheng City army; though numbering only around fifty, their audacious and overbearing bearing seemed to eclipse that of hundreds or even thousands of elite cavalry.

The leading general also wore red armor, almost completely encased from head to toe, sporting a demonic mask, with grotesque beasts perched on each shoulder of the armor.

Under the torchlight, that battle armor gleamed with a gilded brilliance, further enhancing its mysterious and majestic appearance.

Behind him, a large flag was held aloft, bearing a single character.

Before others could react, several elite soldiers from the Xiji puppet army blurted out:

"General Hong!"

"That's General Hong from Panlong City, the butcher who captured our capital!"

After the fall of the Xiji Kingdom, the Xiji puppet army had continued to resist stubbornly for several months, repeatedly worn down by the Great Wind Army. Upon seeing this red-armored, masked figure, they shuddered. Shameful memories flooded their minds, and half of their initial murderous intent evaporated.

The impression was too profound. In that instant, they lost all desire to advance another step.

Hearing the name, Hong Ming was half-skeptical and half-convinced as he meticulously scrutinized the leader.

Dark red battle armor, a scarlet cloak, a demonic mask, and a red falcon perched on his shoulder.

Although he had never encountered General Hong on the battlefield, this iconic attire was legendary even in distant Beijia.

It had always been associated with a formidable reputation.

Could this truly be General Hong?

Why would General Hong appear specifically tonight?

Someone from that contingent shouted up from below the city walls.

Soon, Yuheng City lowered its drawbridge and permitted the contingent to enter.

"Should we attack?" a subordinate asked Hong Ming.

"The drawbridge is down; what an excellent opportunity!"

Hong Ming's mind was in turmoil.

Not attack?

Not attacking would likely mean missing a prime opportunity, and General Fu Shan had already ordered the assault on the city.

However, if the uninvited guest at the city gate truly was General Hong... she was a demigod!

Once the plan was initiated, what if it were thwarted by such a formidable figure, preventing it from achieving its intended effect?

Seeing the cavalry flow into the city through the gate, others couldn't help but press him again:

"Lord Hong?"

Hong Ming clenched his fists, several conflicting opinions warring in his mind. Ultimately, caution prevailed.

"Let's not rush for a moment or two. Send an owl to scout inside and see if it's truly General Hong!"

The drawbridge slowly retracted, and 'General Hong' entered Yuheng City.

The open space inside the south gate was filled with people, but no torches were lit. All the soldiers stood ready in the darkness.

Outside the city, 'General Hong' and her dozens of men crossed the drawbridge unhurriedly;

Inside the city, everyone was fully armed.

If the ambush outside was not intimidated and seized the opportunity to attack, then the great battle for Yuheng City would immediately commence.

But even after the drawbridge was fully raised, the area outside the city remained utterly silent.

Those privy to the plan breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Linyang strode forward to greet them, followed by Wen Daolun. Both men bowed to 'General Hong':

"General!"

In truth, Wen Daolun was quite perplexed, unable to fathom why General Hong had suddenly appeared in Yuheng City.

At this moment, shouldn't she be on the northwestern front, combating Xianyou? The journey from there to Yuheng City is quite considerable.

"You may rise," 'General Hong's' deep voice resonated from beneath the mask. "Both of you, please step forward."

Zhao Linyang stepped forward as instructed, but Wen Daolun couldn't help but be taken aback.

This voice... this isn't General Hong's voice!

But Zhao Linyang subtly tugged at him.

Wen Daolun stiffened, then quickly stepped forward.

The three huddled together, protected by Great Wind Army soldiers.

They then heard the 'General Hong' before them say urgently: "There are ambushes outside the city. Fu Shanlie is employing a 'lure the tiger out of the mountains' stratagem, preparing to launch a sneak attack on us!"

"Commander He believes the recent fire was the work of spies within the city. Once the battle ignites, they will undoubtedly coordinate their efforts from both inside and outside."

Wen Daolun suddenly recalled: this was the voice of Liutiao, the female warrior who served by He Lingchuan's side!

Zhao Linyang's face showed no surprise; instead, he nodded repeatedly. "Yes... yes... this subordinate understands."

Wen Daolun understood at a glance: Zhao Linyang had also received the message and was cooperating with the charade.

Immediately afterward, Zhao Linyang called over several generals and quietly gave them instructions. They nodded and went to carry out their duties.

Before long, the number of guards at the south gate visibly increased.

'General Hong' and Zhao Linyang, surrounded by guards, ascended to the high wall of the south city gate.

This was done to ensure enemy forces, both inside and outside the city, could see her more clearly—

that is, if there truly were ambushing forces hidden in the somber mountains and fields beyond the city gate.

The city gate was quieter and offered a more expansive view. Wen Daolun quietly asked 'General Hong': "Where is Commander He?"

"He has other arrangements."

"What if the enemy is intimidated by 'General Hong' and retreats?"

"Commander He said that would be for the best. To subdue the enemy without fighting," Liutiao chuckled. "We will certainly capture Longchuan tonight. Even if Fu Shanlie returns, he will have no stronghold and will be forced to leave this area."

He Lingchuan had instructed her to impersonate General Hong specifically to achieve a deterrent effect.

If Fu Shanlie could be frightened into retreating—though the probability was very low—tonight's military calamity for Yuheng City would be averted entirely.

If not, it could at least delay the enemy's offensive, buying He Lingchuan more time to reach his destination.

Zhao Linyang nodded. "That would be for the best."

It wasn't that he was trying to embolden the enemy or undermine his own side, but Panlong City had yet to defeat a Beijia general. Was Commander He about to be the first to accomplish this feat?

Wen Daolun was not so optimistic. "To retreat without firing a single arrow is not in Fu Shanlie's character."

He had served as city governor here for over half a year, and even if he wasn't directly in command of troops, he had some understanding of Fu Shanlie's tactics.

Liutiao pointed forward. "If there truly are ambushing forces ahead, then Yuheng City will be the main battlefield tonight."

Zhao Linyang whispered, "You guard the south gate; I will go down and make arrangements for the east and north gates."

Wen Daolun also offered to help. "I'll go down with you."

Hong Ming and his men remained hidden in the dark jungle, observing the figures on the south city gate.

Suddenly, a dark figure silently emerged from the woodland behind them, quickly drawing near.

"Who's there!" Everyone instantly became alert.

However, Hong Ming immediately stepped forward and whispered:

"General!"

The newcomer was none other than Fu Shanlie himself.

Although Yuheng City had dispatched covert troops to guard the northern waterways in Longchuan, they could not stop Fu Shanlie, who was skilled in water escape techniques.

He slipped out of the Yuheng army's encirclement, then used his evasion techniques to travel upstream, before switching to a swift horse and galloping all the way to this location.

"What's going on!" He had barely stopped before he demanded, "Didn't I send word to begin the attack?"

After confirming He Lingchuan's presence in Longchuan, he had immediately dispatched the owl with his orders. He had expected a fierce battle to be raging here, but to his surprise, after all his arduous travel to reach the city gates, he found only silence!

The battle hadn't even begun!

What exactly had happened? Why had his carefully laid plan gone awry?

Knowing Fu Shanlie would be furious, Hong Ming quickly pointed towards the walls of Yuheng City. "General, General Hong has arrived."

"Who?" Fu Shanlie was taken aback, wondering if he had misheard, his voice rising several octaves.

"General Hong from Panlong City," another subordinate leaned in and confirmed. "We just witnessed her arrival at the south gate with dozens of people."

Fu Shanlie gazed intently and indeed saw several figures on Yuheng City's gate tower dressed in dark red battle armor. One of them wore a demonic mask, and their cloak flapped in the wind.

The others were gathered around her.

"That's General Hong? How can you be certain that's General Hong?"