Chapter 73 Sneak Attack

The bonfire shot into the sky, sparks flying into the air, flames dancing wildly in the air, and crackling sounds of burning came from the fire. Accompanied by the increasingly loud cheers of the crowd, groups of young men and women stood up, formed a large circle around the bonfire, clapping and spinning.

Pulled along by her husband, Sister-in-law Hu greeted Changning and joined the dance. The orange firelight illuminated everyone's faces, and each person beamed with a happy smile.

Old Li shoved Lin Changning: "What are you standing there for! You idiot, come over and jump with us."

Lin Changning stumbled from the push, and when she looked up, she saw several young women looking at her and laughing, whispering among themselves.

Lin Changning silently walked back to Qi An'an's side and rolled her eyes at Old Liu: "I'm not going, it's no fun."

Old Liu looked at Lin Changning, then at the group of girls staring longingly at them by the campfire, and said with exasperation, "You brat, you're such a blockhead! I wonder who you took after."

Commander Zheng teased, "He's just like our commander, hahaha. Wasn't he exactly the same as the commander during those years? No wonder he trained soldiers like him, equally clueless about romance, hahaha."

Commander Ma laughed, "This lad doesn't know how good it is to have a wife, kids, and a warm bed."

Zhou Baihu patted Lin Changning on the shoulder: "This kid is probably still a virgin, he has no idea what it's like~"

Lin Changning was speechless. Lin Changning didn't want to pay attention. Lin Changning wanted to leave, but Lin Changning was held down by the shoulder and couldn't leave.

Qi Rong coughed lightly: "Alright, stop teasing Liu Lang, go find your own family to play with."

The heatwave and jubilation intertwined, giving this war-torn city a unique vitality.

Lin Changning brought a small gourd containing Old Liu's favorite wine. He bought half a jin of the wine for Old Liu when he passed by today.

Sitting next to Old Liu, listening to his rambling on about how she was useless, how she was too thin-skinned, and how she would never be able to find a wife, Lin Changning listened with a smile. Halfway through his rambling, she took out a gourd, opened the lid, and waved it in front of Old Liu: "Uncle Liu, if you keep rambling, there won't be any more wine to drink."

Old Liu fell silent instantly, snatched the wine gourd, took a small sip, and shook his head with relish: "Oh, that's good. You little rascal, you even know how to be filial to me."

Lin Changning smiled as he watched Old Liu smack his lips contentedly: "Look at you, so stingy. You drank it all in big gulps, half a jin!"

Old Liu shook his head and said, "What do you know? Wine is meant to be sipped slowly to appreciate its flavor."

After playing with her friends for a while, Qi An'an ran to Lin Changning and asked, "Brother Xiao Liu, can I bring Da Huang out to play for a while?"

This place is not far from Lin Changning's home. Hearing this, Lin Changning nodded: "Take Zhiqi with you and go. Don't wander off."

Old Liu looked at Qi An'an with a loving smile: "An'an, do you want some candied hawthorn?"

Qi An'an hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently: "Is that okay?"

Old Liu stood up and patted Qi An'an's head: "Of course, Grandpa will go buy it for you now, and An'an will be able to eat it when we get back."

Qi Rong watched this scene silently without saying a word. On the last day, he didn't want An An to spoil the fun.

Qi An'an's face lit up with a smile when she saw her older brother didn't speak. She smiled like a cute porcelain doll: "Thank you, Grandpa Liu." After saying that, she pulled Xiao Ya and ran out. Zhi Qi bowed slightly to Qi Rong and followed.

The crowd was in an uproar when, after a short while, a soldier covered in blood stumbled out from the north gate, shouting as he ran: "Enemy attack!! Commander! Enemy attack!! All the guards at the north gate have been killed! Tell everyone to run! Run!! The north gate has fallen!!! The patrolmen are holding it down!!! Everyone, hurry! Go home and block up the doors and windows!!"

The crowd fell silent instantly...

Qi Rong's expression changed, and he shouted loudly, "All civilians, go home! Block up the doors and windows! All soldiers, follow me back to camp, grab your weapons! Slay the enemy!!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted into chaos. Lin Changning's heart skipped a beat, and he looked worriedly in the direction Old Liu had left. After finding Shilang in the crowd, he grabbed his clothes and said, "Shilang, go to the market and check on Old Liu. He just went to buy candied hawthorns for An'an. If you can't find him, hurry home and hide in the cellar. Don't come out until I get back. Stay hidden!"

Shilang nodded and tightened his grip on Lin Changning's hand: "Sixth Brother, come back safely."

Lin Changning nodded, turned around, and quickly followed the soldiers back to the garrison. The north gate was still some distance away, but hopefully they could make it in time.

Qi Rong took the lead and quickly reorganized the troops. Fortunately, there were still a hundred people on duty every day. The guards rushed to the north gate and stopped the Tartars from coming down, buying them precious time.

Lin Changning didn't even have time to put on his armor before he mounted his horse and charged out closely following Qi Rong.

Before the group even reached the North Gate, a number of Tartars had already entered the city, numbering in the hundreds at a glance, with blood-stained corpses lining both sides of the road.

Qi Rong charged ahead, brandishing his longsword and roaring, "Follow me! Slay the enemy! Kill!"

Lin Changning rode Moyun closely behind, his blade flashing like lightning, slicing open the throats of the Tartars wherever it passed. His phoenix eyes flashed with a calm yet bloodthirsty light, each strike aimed straight for the Tartars' vital points. The Jin soldiers clashed, even sparking a string of sparks.

Lin Changning and Qi Rong were like two tigers descending the mountain. Their fierce aura made the surrounding Tartars pause, and they lost their lives in an instant.

Commander Ma protected the two men from behind, slashing at the Tartars who came close with his sword. The infantry behind them followed the openings created by the men, forming a battle formation to kill them. In the darkness of the night, Lin Changning glanced at the wide-open door, then looked at the dwindling number of Tartars around him and suddenly realized something was wrong.

"Commander!! The numbers are wrong! The main force of the Tartars isn't here. Autumn harvest, yes, autumn harvest! They're after the grain supplies!!"

Qi Rong killed a Tartar who tried to approach him with a single stroke: "Lin Changping! Take a thousand men with Commander Ma and drive these Tartars out of here! The rest of you! Follow me to the granary!"

Lin Changning ducked, dodging a blade behind him, and shouted, "Yes!"

After saying that, he turned around and killed the Tartar who had ambushed him with a single stroke. The man died with his eyes wide open, unable to close them in peace.

Qi Rong and his several thousand men had only been gone a short while when flames began to rise from the granary.

Lin Changning gritted his teeth and became even more ferocious. Commander Ma was accidentally slashed on the shoulder, and his hands trembled so much that he almost dropped his sword.

Seeing this, Lin Changning turned back to support Commander Ma, shielding him behind him. After killing several Tartars who tried to get close, Lin Changning shouted, "Wan Jin!"

Wan Jin was not far behind her. After responding, he rode over on his horse.

Lin Changning, watching the dwindling number of Tartars being killed, coldly ordered, "Guard Commander Ma well!"

After saying that, he led the infantrymen around him to the north gate and swiftly dealt with one Tartar after another along the way.

The general at the gate, seeing Lin Changning charging towards him with a murderous aura, and then glancing at the corpses scattered along the way, seemed intimidated by Lin Changning's imposing presence. He waved his hand and ordered, "Retreat!"

Their mission was accomplished. The general on the other side didn't seem easy to deal with, and he was very menacing. Staying with them would only increase casualties.

As soon as the general finished giving the order, the remaining Tartar soldiers fled towards the outside of the city.

Lin Changning gave chase and saw an archer shouting, "Give me the bow and arrows!"

Upon hearing this, the archer immediately unloaded his bow and held it high in his hands. Lin Changning took the bow and arrows with her. In the firelight, she could clearly see the location where the enemy general had fled.

Draw your bow!

Nock the arrow!

A whooshing sound followed, "Whoosh!" "Thump!"

The Tartar general fell to the ground in the darkness. Lin Changning was about to give chase when Commander Ma suddenly shouted, "Changping! Don't chase! Close the city gates!"

Lin Changning watched with a hint of regret as the Tartar general was helped onto his warhorse. After reining in Mo Yun, Lin Changning shouted, "Close the city gates!"

Two squads of infantrymen quickly ran over and pushed the city gate shut.

Lin Changning turned around, his red robe stained with blood, his face filled with murderous intent: "Commander, I'm leaving this place to you. I'll lead the team to provide support and command!"

Commander Ma nodded: "Go ahead, I'll take care of things here." Changping is highly skilled in martial arts, so keeping him around to guard the city is not very useful. It's better for him to go and help with the command.

Lin Changning raised his sword: "Wan Jin! Gao Zhuang! You two lead the team and come with me to support the command!"

"Yes, Commander!"