As the evil man and Wang Jian and others left, the soldiers also dispersed one after another and returned to their respective tents to regroup. Although night had not yet fallen, a restless and murderous aura had already enveloped Rao City.

Erniu rubbed his swollen, red back as he jogged toward Chun Ning. Chun Ning was talking quietly with several lieutenants. Seeing him approach, she stopped talking and turned to look at Erniu: "After being whipped, you can still run?"

Erniu grinned and forced a smile, saying, "No matter how much it hurts, I have to keep obeying orders. Didn't the Grand Commandant say that we're going to attack Jicheng tomorrow? We can't leave me behind."

Chun Ning stopped mocking him and her expression softened slightly: "This time, your elder brother has given you a small punishment as a warning. In the future, you should think more carefully about everything. When you go on the expedition with the team tomorrow, please don't be impulsive again."

"Thank you for your care, Lord Chun Ning." Er Niu clasped his hands in a fist and said in a strange tone, which made Chun Ning laugh and scold him.

As night deepened, the streets and alleys of Rao City remained brightly lit, and the military camp was bustling with activity.

The soldiers gathered in small groups around the campfire, chatting and laughing. Some were polishing their armor, while others were sharpening their swords. Their weapons gleamed coldly, and they were just waiting for dawn to break so they could drink the enemy's blood.

The following morning, as dawn broke, the Qin army gathered outside the city gates of Raocheng, fully armed and ready to go. The sounds of horses neighing and swords clashing filled the air as the soldiers stood in a state of high alert.

The wicked general rode in from within the city. His gaze swept over the entire area, and seeing the disciplined military bearing, he nodded in satisfaction.

"With one burst of energy, march on Jicheng and seize the glory of destroying the country!" he shouted sharply, and spurred his horse forward.

Generals Wang Jian and Wang Tian followed closely behind. The Qin army moved instantly, like a surging torrent, bursting forth from Raocheng and heading north, step by step approaching the capital of Yan.

Clouds of dust billowed from beneath the horses' hooves, enveloping the unstoppable, ferocious army. Everyone knew that today was the final step in completing the conquest of two nations.

At this moment, Prince Dan, imprisoned in the rear guard, was on the verge of death, his eyes filled with a complex mix of despair, helplessness, and pain.

He also knew that today... the Yan Kingdom was doomed to destruction!

......

On the city wall, the rising sun, like blood, illuminated the silent, empty city, while the wind howled, as if mourning the impending demise of the Yan Kingdom.

King Xi of Yan sat slumped on his throne, his eyes lifeless. The courtiers around him all looked somber, as if they had already foreseen the impending calamity.

"Your Majesty!" a senior minister couldn't help but speak up, "If the Qin army truly comes, they can reach Ji City within three days by marching day and night. Given the current disparity in troop strength, we should quickly discuss a plan!"

A hush fell over the court; no one dared to speak. Everyone knew that once the Qin army arrived, they would face the same bloody fate as Lingshou and Raocheng. Even in a decisive battle, no one dared to predict whether Jicheng could withstand the Qin army's overwhelming force.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the palace gate. A general rushed in and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty! When I patrolled the city last night, I found that many people in the city had fled with their families. Rumors are spreading that Ji City is in danger of being defended, and many people have taken advantage of the night to escape."

King Xi of Yan closed his eyes and gave a bleak smile: "The people's hearts have been lost—this is my loss, and also the calamity of the Yan Kingdom."

At this point, he suddenly stood up, forcing himself to look at the assembled officials: "Very well, issue an order to all the armies: after dawn, the entire city will be under martial law, and no one may leave the city gates. Anyone who dares to desert will be treated as a traitor! With the nation in peril... how can we abandon our country?"

The civil and military officials in the hall responded in unison, but everyone knew in their hearts that this was the last chance for the Yan Kingdom, and they still had to make plans as soon as possible!

---

Two days later, at dawn, Jicheng was under heavy guard.

The arrow sacks hanging on the high walls were neatly arranged, and the archers were deployed so tightly that they were impossible to move. The people in the city were either in a state of panic or crying in fear, and everywhere in the back streets and alleys, there were people hurriedly packing their belongings. Even though a ban had been issued, some people still took the risk and wanted to escape from this isolated city.

King Xi of Yan stood on the city tower, gazing northward. He knew that not far away, an iron cavalry was pouncing like a tiger, and these last few days would be the life or death moment for the Yan Kingdom.

"Report!" A messenger, panting, ran up the city wall and clasped his hands in greeting to King Xi of Yan. "Your Majesty, the Qin army passed Qinghe Pass last night and should arrive outside the city by tomorrow evening at the latest!"

Upon hearing this, King Xi of Yan's expression suddenly turned cold: "Tomorrow... Alright, order all the garrison to take their positions immediately and prepare for the city's defenses. If the enemy forces press in, then fight to the death."

Upon hearing this, the courtiers felt a deep sense of sorrow and grief.

---

at the same time.

"Speed ​​up." The wicked man, mounted on his horse, glanced indifferently at the prison cart, then cracked his whip. "If anyone obstructs us, kill them without mercy."

Wang Jian followed beside him and whispered a reminder: "Grand Commandant, although the defenses of Ji City are not to be feared, it is, after all, the capital of Yan, with high and thick city walls, and should not be underestimated."

The wicked man smirked, "So what? No matter how high the city walls are, they can't stop the Qin army's iron hooves. Once we take Ji City, I'll make Prince Dan see for himself the price Yan paid!"

He glanced contemptuously at Prince Dan in the prison cart, "When the city falls, I will publicly execute him so that the world will know the consequences of being an enemy of Qin."

Chun Ning rode up and bowed to the wicked man: "Grand Commandant, scouts report from the front: Ji City has been under martial law for several days. Many people tried to escape, but were caught by Prince Xi of Yan. There are many complaints in the city, but no large-scale riots have occurred."

The wicked man nodded: "Ha, want to defend the city to the death? They'll only suffer a worse fate!"

Having said that, he spurred his horse on, increasing its speed. Rolling hooves thundered across the land, dust billowing, heading straight north. Before long, the army had reached the official road leading to Ji City, less than a hundred li away.

The march of 300,000 troops is incredibly complex. If they were as swift and agile as the Black Dragon Armored Army, they could have reached Jicheng tonight.

Inside the cage, Prince Dan strained to lift his eyes and gaze at the distant mountains, his thoughts churning. Just a few days ago, he had been earnestly advising the Prince of Yan, but now he was imprisoned, at the mercy of others.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at the Qin army's imposing formation and chilling weaponry. His heart felt heavy—Qin was powerful, how could the Yan army resist?

Amidst the thunderous roar of iron cavalry, the wicked man's army drew ever closer.

As night turned to dawn, the midday sun shone on the earth, yet it offered no warmth whatsoever. The world seemed shrouded in the sharpness of the Qin army, as if one were in the dead of winter.

The two armies faced off, and the atmosphere was tense.

"Grand Commandant of Qin, you have broken your promise!" King Xi of Yan, surrounded by his personal guards, arrived at the city wall. Looking at the Qin army poised for battle, he mustered his last bit of courage and began to rebuke them.

The wicked man curled his lips into a chilling smile, "We've always kept to ourselves, so why did you insist on seeking death by repeatedly attempting to assassinate the Princess and me, the Grand Commandant?"

"Is it your Yan state that is arrogant, or my Qin state that is weak?"

"Enough with the nonsense. If the city gates are not opened within three breaths, we will breach the city and massacre the inhabitants. If the soldiers and civilians inside do not wish to die innocently, open the city gates immediately and welcome us into the city."