Chapter 2005: Retreat

There was a hollow on the side of the city wall, originally a collapse from years of disrepair, but now it proved useful. Tu Shanfang grabbed two axes and fiercely swung them at the hanging ropes of the bell.

"Everyone, come hack at the ropes, quickly!"

Seven or eight guards nearby, obeying the command, ignored the enemy and rushed over to chop at the ropes. However, these ropes were woven from the strongest hawsers, with a hardness comparable to millennia-old wood, making them impossible to cut through quickly.

The situation below the city gate was critical. The guards desperately held the small gate of the barbican, with both sides locked in a fierce struggle in this confined space. The only good news was that the barbican was too crowded, preventing the giant beasts from entering or maneuvering. However, something seemed to be stealthily attacking within the crowd, moving very quickly, causing the front-line guards to fall one after another. Although they advanced despite casualties, this was not a sustainable solution.

Though the city's defenders fought bravely, they were no match for the powerful enemy. The enemy surged forward like a tide, pushing them back step by step. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of enemy soldiers and dozens of monstrous creatures had stormed into the city, killing anyone they saw and eagerly heading towards the city administration office. The city's defenders could only spare two small teams to pursue them; the rest had to remain blocking the barbican.

The situation was critical; the city was on the verge of falling. On the city wall, Tu Shanfang was drenched in sweat, frantically using a torch to set the ropes alight while simultaneously hacking at them. Fortunately, the wind was exceptionally strong that night, making the flames on the ropes burn fiercely. Everyone worked at full capacity, also dealing with enemy soldiers who lunged at them, but eventually, they managed to cut through the thick ropes.

With a resounding clang, the massive bell dropped onto the city wall's walkway, shaking the entire wall, then rolled along the ground's depression towards the battlement. Ignoring the enemies lunging at him, Tu Shanfang propelled himself forward, slamming into an inconspicuous square brick on the battlement, causing it to indent. Then, this entire section of the battlement sank. This was a small new design incorporated during the city wall's reinforcement, intended to add a "gate-breaking stone" to the barbican.

Tu Shanfang still had time to lie prone on the edge, shouting down below: "Everyone below, clear out! Clear out!" With the obstruction gone, the giant bell rolled down from this opening. With a tremendous clang, it landed precisely outside the barbican gate, rolling around a few times. Those who couldn't get out of the way were crushed beyond recognition. Finally, the giant bell stopped just outside the small barbican gate, not completely sealing it, leaving a gap over three feet wide. But the defenders of Mian City cheered—the difficulty for the enemy to break into the barbican had significantly increased.

This massive bell had been cast without any shortcuts; it was practically impervious to blades and spears, and its thick circumference made it impossible for anyone to attack the defenders behind it. Everyone quickly pushed several large carts, overturning them to block the gap, then piled sandbags on top.

Tu Shanfang spared a moment to glance westward. The night was quiet elsewhere, but here there were constant explosions. The Black Armored Army nearby must have heard it, right? Yes, he knew the Black Armored Army was lurking nearby, waiting for an opportunity. In tonight's fierce battle, as long as Mian City survived the initial waves of attack, reinforcements were sure to arrive!

However, the enemy's recent fierce assault had also allowed many rogue soldiers to breach the city, causing chaos everywhere as soon as they entered. Some headed straight for the government office, others set fire to granaries, and some simply robbed and killed civilians nearby, primarily engaging in wanton destruction. With attacks both inside and outside, the pressure on the city's defenders was immense. The adjutant told Tu Shanfang, "We can't hold out much longer." The barbican gate had only temporarily avoided being breached.

Tu Shanfang jumped down from the wall, divided his men into several small teams, and rushed into the city alleys to eliminate the enemy soldiers.

The county office was very close to the city gate. Fan Shuang climbed to the second floor of the county office to watch the battle for the city, his heart pounding in fear. He could even hear a colossal crash as the city gate was shattered. That sound was like a death knell. Immediately after, enemy forces surged in from the barbican—both humans and monsters. Fan Shuang's vision immediately blurred: *It's over.* He had escaped the deadly peril in Yaodu, only to face this catastrophe here! It seemed fate truly wanted his life, and it would claim it anywhere.

At that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Fan were also at the government office, trembling with fear alongside their son. Father Fan rushed over, saying, "Strange, County Governor Huang is gone!"

"I just saw him and Assistant County Governor Yu from Hao County leave the office." Fan Shuang knew things were bad. "We need to quickly organize an evacuation. Our Assistant County Governor Wang is still directing from the city wall."

"Evacuate to where?"

"There are over two hundred thousand people in the city; where can they evacuate to?"

"Perhaps County Governor Huang knows, but his whereabouts are currently unknown."

"The mine caves in the back mountains! It should be the mine caves in the back mountains." Fan Shuang had heard Tu Shanfang mention it several times: the mine tunnels leading to the back mountains could pass through the mountains directly to Cihua County, offering a defensive position or an escape route. "Perhaps that was Mian City's pre-arranged escape route."

"Alright, alright, let's hurry."

The county office was in chaos. Fan Shuang and his father shouted, claiming Captain Tu had ordered an evacuation. The two were well-known figures in the office and were responsible for material distribution, so the other officials didn't doubt them. They obeyed and arranged for the citizens to withdraw through the two rear city gates.

Before long, two messengers ran from the front, intending to relay the order to evacuate the city, only to find the office empty when they arrived. Organizing an evacuation for over two hundred thousand people was no easy task. The government office couldn't mobilize door-to-door, so they could only bang gongs along the streets, notifying everyone to leave immediately and emphasizing that only those who took the main roads would receive escort and avoid congestion.

The road leading to the west city gate quickly became bustling, packed with fleeing crowds. Like other officials, Fan Shuang and his father stood at a street corner, directing and guiding people. Screams often echoed from a distance, and fires broke out in places. Fan Shuang knew it was the enemy army wreaking havoc after entering the city. It seemed they were heading this way.

Madam Wang rushed over from behind, her face filled with worry. "You two should leave quickly; the pursuers are almost here!" Before she could finish, a monster resembling a crocodile but with long, slender limbs suddenly emerged from the alley's shadows. It casually bit a senior official, flung him aside, and then charged towards Madam Wang. Judging by its gaping maw, if Madam Wang were bitten, she would lose at least half her life. Madam Wang instinctively screamed. In the nick of time, a long saber from behind struck first, piercing the monster's eye with force. The monster let out a pained howl and stumbled away. A contingent of soldiers rushed over from behind, led by none other than Tu Shanfang! He had thrown that flying saber. Fan Shuang remembered him saying that his excellent throwing accuracy was honed from ambushing passing merchants in the past. But back then, he threw stones and tripwires; now, it was a saber saving lives.

"Brother Tu!" Everyone who saw him clung to him like a lifeline.

Tu Shanfang, however, asked them, "Where is County Governor Huang?"

"No, I don't know. He hasn't appeared."

"Then who organized the citizens' evacuation? That was very timely."

Fan Shuang stammered, "I...it was me. I issued it using your name. Mian City had practiced evacuations several times, so officials and citizens knew what to do. I just shouted a few commands."

"Well done!" Tu Shanfang clapped him on the shoulder. "To the mine caves!"

"I know." Seeing Tu Shanfang turn to leave, Fan Shuang quickly called out to him, "Brother Tu, when will the reinforcements arrive?"

"Soon, soon! Perseverance is victory!" Tu Shanfang replied with extraordinary conviction.