Chapter 50: Dark Clouds Looming?

Under the moved and grateful gazes of the soldiers and citizens, Liang Xiao turned his horse around and led his three thousand and one men toward the military camp outside the city.

Zhongli Wanxue gazed deeply at Liang Xiao's departing back, her eyes welling with mist.

It was only this morning that she learned Liang Xiao truly intended to lead troops into battle, which was why she had rushed over in a flurry of anxiety.

Those three thousand-plus men of his were almost entirely raw recruits; their combat effectiveness might even be inferior to that of bandits!

And she, a mere woman, other than protecting Ningyan for him, what else could she possibly do?

Madam Qin, perceiving her beloved daughter's thoughts, comforted her, "Even if you wished to fight shoulder to shoulder with him, there is no way he would ever agree. However, your father has already dispatched fifty family guards to support him in defending the city. Your father has always been doing his part, so let us simply wait for his good news..."

Zhongli Wanxue nodded silently, her eyes unable to conceal her deep worry.

Madam Qin had a flash of inspiration and asked, "The way he broke an arrow to swear his oath just now—could that be considered flying into a rage for a beauty?"

Hearing this, a faint blush bloomed across Zhongli Wanxue's delicate face beneath her veil.

Flying into a rage for a beauty?

Pity that she could not yet be considered his beauty.

Yet, even the sight of him in anger was enough to leave her utterly intoxicated...

Her family had already done their utmost to support Liang Xiao; she dared not harbor any further extravagant demands.

When the mother and daughter returned home, they found Zhongli Xiu in the courtyard, putting on thick cotton-padded jackets alongside ten young men.

Over the outer layers of these cotton jackets, a layer of tough oxhide had been securely bound.

"Father, what is the meaning of this?" Zhongli Wanxue asked in surprise.

Zhongli Xiu did not even raise his head.

"Your father at least studied martial arts and once served as a deputy military commander; I had already made an agreement with Lord Liang beforehand. If Lord Liang truly rides out to battle, I shall lead the men to defend the city! Do not worry! We will mind our safety, and the enemy bandits' arrows will not be able to reach us!"

Madam Qin was instantly left between laughter and tears.

Her husband had reignited his fighting spirit, yet it had to happen during such a perilous moment—she hardly knew whether she should rejoice or grieve.

While deeply moved, Zhongli Wanxue had a sudden brainwave.

As long as she followed her old father, would she not be able to ascend the city walls to assist in the defense?

At the Wu Residence:

"Zhongli Xiu has sent dozens of guards to support Liang Xiao??"

Upon receiving the report, Wu Wenting was a mixture of shock and fury.

"Master, there is no doubt about it. The Zhongli family acquiring the Wu family's properties at rock-bottom prices was definitely instructed by Liang Xiao!" the steward sighed.

"This old fox can no longer conceal his intentions! Since you show no benevolence, do not blame me for lacking righteousness! Send men to keep a close watch on the Zhongli family, especially Zhongli Wanxue. Once the city falls, I shall make sure Chief Gou annihilates the entire Zhongli family!" Wu Wenting laughed in rage.

Patrolling government soldiers still roamed the main streets, preventing them from sending men to fan the flames and stir up chaos.

For now, the Wu family could only pray that the Black Cloud Stronghold would achieve total victory at the earliest.

At noon, Zhongli Xiu, accompanied by eleven guards, arrived at the city walls to rendezvous with Liang De.

Liang De immediately introduced Zhongli Xiu to the eight imperial government bailiffs.

"I am under orders to patrol. From now on, Family Head Zhongli will be responsible for leading the troops to defend the city. Gentlemen, if anyone refuses to obey orders, I must trouble you to enforce the law for Family Head Zhongli!"

These eight bailiffs were merely going through the motions. Originally assigned by Wang Teng, they had only been waiting for the appointed time to return to the capital and report. Having now accepted bribes from Liang Xiao and given their support to the city defense, they readily agreed to Liang De's request.

Zhongli Xiu accepted Liang De's command flag and command sword. Gazing at Liang Xiao's troops outside the city, his heart surged with boundless emotion.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that, past fifty years of age, he would have another day to set foot on a battlefield!

In extraordinary times, Pei County was in desperate need of military commanders!

And the current Zhongli family could by no means allow Pei County to fall.

Pei County's sortie force was stationed at a temporary military camp north of the city, standing in strict battle array as the afternoon wore on.

The walled cities of the Wu Dynasty were mostly situated on flat terrain, and Pei County was no exception.

However, the ground where Pei County stood was slightly elevated compared to the surrounding plains, granting it a distinct tactical advantage in height.

Liang Xiao possessed extraordinary eyesight, and coupled with the elevation, he could assess the enemy's situation much more swiftly.

The biting wind howled while the soldiers on the scene rubbed their palms together, eager for action and ready to strike at any moment.

Cao Chen, clad in light iron armor, commanded the center army, his hand gripping his long saber trembling slightly.

This was his chance to prove himself to the county magistrate!

To prove his loyalty and his capability!

Zhuo Zifang accompanied Liang Xiao to the highest vantage point, gazing into the distance with a solemn expression.

He could already faintly make out a vast, dark mass of troops rushing toward them from afar.

The main force of the Black Cloud Stronghold had turned out in full strength, numbering over ten thousand!

Knowing that Liang Xiao possessed extraordinary vision, Zhuo Zifang asked, "The enemy is about to arrive. What is the situation?"

Liang Xiao said in a deep voice, "A rabble of mobs, nothing to fear! However, our own army is likewise a rabble of mobs, so you must ensure your own safety."

Zhuo Zifang nodded solemnly.

Fighting against overwhelming odds with a handful of men—anyone else would have been paralyzed by fear and dismissed Liang Xiao's words as empty bravado.

Yet he never doubted Liang Xiao.

To the north, the massive host of the Black Cloud Stronghold kept closing in.

Catching sight of the ramparts of Pei County, the bandits of the Black Cloud Stronghold all lit up with greedy excitement.

"Brothers! Pei County is right before our eyes, yet the enemy army consists of a mere three thousand raw recruits, and they actually dare to ride out of the city to meet us in battle! Liang Xiao knows neither time nor tide, and deserves to be utterly crushed!"

"Once we take Pei County, all the wealth, grain, and women within will belong entirely to our Black Cloud Stronghold!!"

Chief Gou rode atop a dark steed, shouting to boost morale.

The surrounding bandits raised their arms and cheered in unison.

"Avenge our blood debts!"

"Take Pei County!"

"Kill Liang Xiao!!"

Chief Gou gazed at the military camp outside the city, his mood wonderfully elevated.

In the past, out of respect for Yuan Bailong, he had only occasionally brought men outside the city to plunder and burn before retreating, leaving Yuan Bailong to smooth the matter over and keep it unreported.

That way, it neither alarmed the imperial court nor exhausted their source, allowing them to plunder captives continuously and grow the strength of the Black Cloud Stronghold.

Now that Yuan Bailong and Gou Ming were dead, that past balance was utterly shattered.

"This time, we must pull off a massive score! Even if the imperial court dispatches troops to encircle and suppress us, we can simply abandon the stronghold, flee north, and throw in our lot with the Xiongnu!"

"Once this job is done, we shall have wealth, grain, and women to enjoy without end!"

Gou Bai made up his mind, cast a glance around him, and burst into wild laughter.

The other chieftains of the Black Cloud Stronghold wore equally blazing gazes and rubbed their hands in anticipation.

On the city walls, Zhongli Xiu, aided by the bailiffs, organized the defense while keeping his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Liang Xiao's military camp.

The enemy bandits in the distance drew ever closer, on the verge of laying siege to the city!

"Master..."

A muffled call came from his family guards behind him. Turning around, Zhongli Xiu nearly jumped on the spot. "What are you doing here?"

It turned out to be his daughter, Zhongli Wanxue, accompanied by four female family guards. All five of them were disguised in men's attire and wearing face masks. Mimicking the soldiers, they wore cotton jackets wrapped in a layer of oxhide as they walked toward him.

"Mother did not object! Father, you know how it is..." Zhongli Wanxue said in a serious tone.

Zhongli Xiu could only manage a helpless, bitter smile.

This daughter of his possessed extraordinary martial arts prowess, and her physical strength was even more astonishing than her mother's.

Now that the man of her heart had ridden out of the city to meet the enemy, how could she possibly sit still!

Seeing that her aging father offered no objection, Zhongli Wanxue breathed a sigh of relief. She took up a position beside her father, acting ostensibly as his personal bodyguard.

Outside the city, the Pei County army had already formed its battle array.

The distant enemy forces loomed like dark clouds pressing down upon a city.

Liang Xiao, mounted on a white steed and wielding a silver spear, stood at the very front of the formation, personally supporting Zhuo Zifang as he issued commands.

"The enemy forces have traveled far and are exhausted. Strike when they are unprepared—full army, charge!"