Chen Ping's Sword

Chapter 375: Chapter 181: Fire in the Backyard, Dead Star Shines on Fate

The early morning sun had just risen, and the temperature was pleasant. A few soldiers at the city gate leaned drowsily against the thick rammed earth wall, nodding off.

On top of the city wall, dozens of people patrolled back and forth, not paying much attention.

Due to Xingqing Prefecture sending troops to fight the East Wood Army, the four gates were locked, and the drawbridge was raised. Unlike usual times, the city gates were not opened early to let the rural folk enter.

With the gates raised, each gate had officers guarding, and not far away, in the city, there were Xuanwu and Xianzhen camps ready to provide support at any time. Logically, nothing should go wrong.

These people, whether patrolling soldiers or gatekeepers, did not notice that a dozen or so of their colleagues were slowing down, whispering among themselves with strange glances.

"Senior Brother Hua, do we really have to do this?"

"Raise soldiers for a thousand days to use them for a moment. We brothers were originally refugees, and it was the Zhang Family who gave us a way to live, not only teaching us to read and write but also sending us to Shifang Martial Arts Hall to learn martial arts. Such grace is like the sea, how can we not repay it?"

"But..."

"You want to say that after General Chen took control of Xingqing Prefecture, our lives have improved, right? You’re confused. You haven’t even looked at whose lives have improved and whose haven’t."

Senior Brother Hua covered his mouth with his hand, his brows furrowed, and his eyes filled with resentment.

"Back then, when our few brothers gained private residences and bought some servants, with the Zhang Family’s support, once we finished our studies, at the very least, the main family would favor us and give us a minor official post.

But now? It seems like everyone is treated equally without harshness towards us, but look, who are those with similar status to us? Wangg Erniu, who used to kneel down to lick my shoes when he saw me, is now the City Gate Captain and gives me attitude from time to time.

And Li Dajun, who once shamelessly sent his elder sister to warm my bed. Now, you see, he’s all pompous, became a Decurion, and not only spat in my face before but also beat you with ten military rods. Junior Du, you may tolerate it, but I can’t."

As Senior Brother Hua finished speaking, someone echoed beside him, "Exactly, who among us hasn’t benefited from Longchang Trading Company, who doesn’t dream of making a great achievement one day to win Miss Ruoxue’s favor? But, the young lady is dead."

"Not only is the young lady dead, but Master Zhang even offered up three hundred thousand taels of silver, 2,000 mu of irrigated land, and countless grain to aid the Chen Thieves in appeasing the people of Xingqing and buying hearts.

Do you think the master was willing? He had no choice. Seeing the enemy who killed his daughter, he still had to smile broadly, imagine how hard that must be.

If the Chen Thieves were still in Xingqing Prefecture with the army, we naturally wouldn’t think of anything else, just obediently be subservient.

But now, they’re in deep trouble, with masters allied in an assassination attempt, wanting to eliminate that monster. With such a heaven-sent opportunity, wouldn’t we be fools not to seize it?"

Senior Brother Hua slapped his thigh, tears streaming down as he said with reddened eyes, "Brothers, are you willing to, for the rest of your life, fight for food from the same trough with those lowly peasants, never thinking of being high officials and riding fine horses?

As long as we succeed today, both Master Zhang and the Cui Family promised to give us at least an official position, and in the future, three wives, four concubines, fertile land, and luxurious houses wouldn’t be out of reach."

"Seek wealth in danger, let’s do it."

With Senior Brother Hua’s loud cry, more than a dozen people behind him drew their weapons and launched the attack simultaneously.

Amidst the whistling weapons, more than a dozen city gate soldiers were slaughtered.

Senior Brother Hua took the lead, his longsword emitting a thin mist as he leaped onto the drawbridge and slashed at the iron chain.

Normally inconspicuous and not showing his cultivation, now he unleashed his full strength. Qi Mechanism flowed around him, the saber’s edge imbued with Inner Qi, extending half a foot.

The fine steel blade, under the heavy Inner Qi, seemed like a Divine Weapon, cutting through the iron chain with a whoosh.

The drawbridge began to sway.

"Thieves, how dare you."

The team of patrolling soldiers on the gatehouse was already alarmed by the screams and sounds of fighting.

One of them drew a broadsword from his waist, his body emitting a dark glow, and spun around, crashing downwards.

This man was already at the Late Stage of Primordial Technique Iron Body Realm, his body as strong as ironstone. As he leered down, he didn’t defend himself, attacking with a life-for-life posture.

It was none other than City Gate Captain Wangg Erniu.

With his angry roar, hundreds of defending soldier soldiers launched an attack simultaneously, swarming forth.

Senior Brother Hua let out a long howl to the sky, his long saber slashing in all directions, blocking Wangg Erniu’s Sword Light. He laughed, "Erniu, I’ve been letting you off, making you bold, but think, without the Primordial Martial Arts Hall, how could this captain position be yours, you lowly bastard."

This person’s mind was cunning, his Ten Directions Saber making an impenetrable defense openly, while secretly he maneuvered his Extraordinary Meridians, stealthily drawing a short blade from his waist and flinging it without a sound.

Clang...

Another iron chain of the city gate had already been severed.

The city gate’s drawbridge fell to the ground with a boom.

In the distance, a mass of cavalry and infantry surged forward.

The leading general, still thirty zhang away, drew three long spears from his shoulder.

He exerted force and threw them.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

As the spears flew, a wisp of pale cyan light swept by.

Exploding with a bang.

The True Qi detonated, sending shards flying.

A dozen or so city gate defenders were killed.

Seeing this, Wangg Erniu’s eyes nearly popped out in rage, and with a long cry, he ordered, "Send a signal, call for reinforcements."