A hero in his twilight years
This battle was extremely difficult. Both the soldiers and the cannons faced great hardship in their fight against the enemy. Even the gods in the heavens did not help them, and snow began to fall at this moment.
Wu Qi manipulated the cannon unicorn to fire the sixth shot at the enemy artillery. Sure enough, the enemy cannon unicorn was unable to escape and exploded. Sparks met frost and snow, and for a moment it was impossible to distinguish between the beauty of nature and the remains of corpses.
The enemy's cannon turret was cleverly positioned; after it was detonated, it also destroyed another cannon turret next to it.
He Qi seemed to be very concerned about the fact that he had not hit the enemy's cannons before, and he hit the enemy's cannons every time he bombarded them.
Although they hit the enemy, the enemy also hit them. Wu Qi, for example, was hit by three cannon shots. The blasts made him grab his seat and almost lose his bearings. His ears were ringing for a while before he came to his senses. It seemed that he could smell the smoke and fire of the battle even through the crystal wall.
Wu Qi hadn't drawn the crystal walls on the blueprint used by the enemy, so from a distance, the enemy's cannon scales appeared to be made entirely of iron and copper.
They seemed to want to learn Wu Qi's tactics, attacking only one cannon scale, wanting to know how many shots it would take to destroy one cannon scale, and also wanting to know how many shots could be fired at one cannon scale. Wu Qi deliberately kept these things from them.
Wu Qi pushed the control lever, moving closer to the enemy's cannons.
Suddenly, she asked in confusion, "What is this? A hole?"
The enemy's cannon blades appear to have two holes, but Wu Qi did not draw these two holes on the blueprints.
This time, the enemy's cannon scales were not made entirely of iron and copper; instead, two holes were carved into the crystal walls to allow them to see the outside world. The holes were also somewhat strange, as if something was blocking them from the inside. Unless one knew the cannon scales intimately, they wouldn't be noticeable without close inspection.
Wu Qi guessed that they had added an extra piece of iron and copper inside the cannon fin, specifically in the control room, for protection.
"I drew the blueprints myself, I know exactly where each screw should be, and you still insist on drilling two holes for me?" Wu Qi pushed the control lever forward again, trying to get a better look, but when she turned her head, she saw that the enemy's cannons were already aimed at her.
She jolted awake and quickly retreated, simultaneously lowering her armor to protect the crystal wall.
The deafening bombing was right next to her ears. Wu Qi even suspected that her control room had exploded. After another ringing in her ears, she opened her eyes and said, "It didn't hit!"
The enemy seemed to have their sights set on Wu Qi, aiming their cannons at her with every shot. Wu Qi didn't even have time to dodge before she was hit by another cannon shot, this time hitting her cannon fin and nearly breaking her head.
Then, the students of the pavilion realized that their target was Wu Qi, so they manipulated the cannon unicorn to protect Wu Qi behind them.
In the control room, Yi Shen fired a shot and then stared intently at the unusual spot on the enemy's cannon blade. He had assumed that Wu Qi's blueprints were drawn that way and that the enemy hadn't modified them. However, he had just noticed that Wu Qi was staring at that spot, seemingly looking at it.
Previously, this place should not have existed.
Could it be that this wasn't designed by Wu Qi?
Just as the enemy's cannons were aimed at Yi Shen, Yi Shen remained calm and, just before the cannons fired, maneuvered the cannon away. As the smoke cleared, Yi Shen had already brought the cannon to the enemy and pushed the control lever.
The cannon's iron-copper hand clenched into a fist and punched the two holes in the enemy cannon's fin.
The cannon moved swiftly and with great force, smashing right into the two holes and completely destroying them. Before the enemy could maneuver the cannon away, Yi Shen pushed the control lever and punched the same spot again.
The iron and copper plates fell, revealing the faces of the control room and the enemy soldiers.
That spot became completely rotten.
Upon seeing this, the enemy soldier was about to push the control lever when he was shot in the forehead by an arrow and died slumped in his seat.
The cannon unicorn was destroyed, and the person who operated it died.
Yi Shen looked back and saw General Wei sitting on his horse, holding a bow and crossbow, his body stained with blood and another wound on his face. His hair was also disheveled; years of fighting had made his hair coarse and stiff, no longer soft, giving him a tragic air of a hero in his twilight years.
The enemy's cannons in the distance seemed to understand the principle of capturing the leader first; the man sitting in the control panel pushed the lever and aimed at Wei Mao. He pushed the lever, and the last cannon in the cannon seemed to have a purpose.
It swept through the wind and snow, heading straight for Wei Mao.
The horror of the battlefield lies in the fact that no one knows where a hidden arrow will come from. It may come from behind, from someone who has fallen and is dying, or from someone far away who is too busy to pay attention to.
The sound of horses' hooves suddenly became sharp and fierce. Wei Mao severed the neck of an enemy soldier with a single sword stroke, grabbed the reins, and subconsciously glanced back.
artillery.
He quickly loosened the reins, dismounted, and rolled away into the distance before he could even stand up.
It was all in vain. The heatwave had already arrived. Wei Mao could smell the stench of halberds and cannons, so pungent, like the punishment brought by the Black and White Impermanence when they came to claim his life, punishing him for his excessive killing. Yet, just as easily, a few frosty snowflakes fell on his cheeks, carrying a chill, washing away his decades of bloodshed and sin.
He opened his eyes, and before him were swords and blades, and beyond the swords and blades was a clear blue sky.
His beloved is in heaven.
The clouds also transformed into the appearance of his lover, still vibrant and young, but with delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, lips curved straight, and face full of worry, as if to say—how did she get hurt like this?
Wei Mao reached out, wanting to touch Yun, wanting to touch his lover. His lips moved again and again, wanting to say—Pingyi, you've come to pick me up. How have you been all these years without me by your side?
He also wanted to say, "I listened to you, so I didn't investigate the cause of your death, nor did I open the letter you wrote to your son."
However, all words were swallowed up by the blood, bones, and cannon fire on the battlefield.
A dull thud sounded, and someone was rushing towards him. He didn't know who it was. Iron and copper mingled with frost and snow, and the smoke and fire of gunpowder grew closer and closer. Wei Mao had no chance of escape. He couldn't bear to close his eyes, unwilling to look at the face of his beloved in the sky.
That was the person he had been thinking about day and night for many years.
The bombing began, the frost and snow seemed to stop, and the wind also calmed down.
Until the sound disappeared, the smoke cleared, the frost and snow fell, and the wind dispersed the mist, striking the iron and copper.
One man piloted the cannon and stood in front of General Wei, taking the hit for him.
That person is Wu Qi.
The rapid movement and artillery bombardment left Wu Qi no time to lower her armor. In the critical moment, she turned around and took the blast with her back. She slumped into her seat, her hands gripping the control stick tightly, her consciousness hazy. When she opened her eyes, she was met with complete darkness. She could hear no sound, as if she were in a state of primordial chaos, where day and night merged.
She recalled her father telling her when she was young: "Weapons are man's weapons. If it is worth it to exchange the fact that the descendants of my Wu family will not enter officialdom in exchange for the peace of the people for generations to come."
Later, as she grew older, even though she knew that halberds and weapons were taboo in aristocratic families, she couldn't suppress her love for them and secretly watched and learned from them. One day, her mother discovered this. It was after that that her mother and father began to travel the world.
Only when they are not around can she study the halberd and weapons in peace.
Afterwards, she entered Cizige, investigated the corpses in Peach Blossom Forest, stepped into Pingwu City, entered Yueduo Camp, developed the cannon fin, went to the battlefield, and was between life and death.
A single thought can bring life, and a single thought can bring death.
Wu Qi's cannon remained motionless for a long time, and the enemy's cannons all aimed at Wu Qi, causing everyone to secretly cry out in alarm.
Seeing that Wu Qi's cannon unicorn had not moved for a long time, Yi Shen felt afraid and manipulated the cannon unicorn to come to her side and call her name.
"Xiao Qi!"
"Xiao Qi! Wake up!"
"Xiao Qi! Open your eyes!"
Wu Qi's fingers, which were resting on the joystick, suddenly twitched. It was as if she heard someone calling her name from the darkness. She moved her fingers, trying to see clearly, but all she could see was nothing.
Who is it?
Who is calling my name?
"Xiao Qi! Wu Qi! Look at me! Okay?"
Who, who entered her control chamber?
A warm sensation touched her cheek; someone was cupping her face. Something brushed against her cheek, and something else landed in her hand.
That person seemed very nervous about themselves.
Wu Qi's fingers twitched slightly before being grasped, followed by a series of kisses on her hands. The fragrance of cold plum blossoms wafted over, cleaving through chaos, separating the sun and moon, and ushering in the light.
The veil brushed against her cheek, and tears fell onto her hand.
It is easy to be cautious.
It was Yi Shen, the man she loved.
Wu Qi opened her eyes and saw Yi Shen standing before her. She had never seen Yi Shen so nervous and fearful. She pointed and touched Yi Shen's hand, saying, "Yi Shen... you almost became a widower."
Yi Shen held her in his arms, gently kissing her hair, unable to utter a single word.
"Where is General Wei?" Wu Qi asked.
Yi Shen hugged her tightly, speechless, and simply pushed the control lever with his hand, causing the cannon to lower its head, allowing them to see the scenery outside the cannon.
The students from the pavilion school manipulated the cannons to surround them, firing their cannons while being bombarded. They seemed to have realized the weakness of the enemy cannons, so they stopped bombarding the heads and legs of the cannons and instead bombarded the two holes.
Two punches are enough to smash open that place, revealing the control room and the person controlling it. Without even using a cannon, one can destroy a cannon fin.
For a time, they gained the upper hand.
Push the joystick forward, and the cannon bows its head again.
This time, Wu Qi saw Wei Mao.
He was covered in blood, one of his arms had been blown off, and his usually stern face would never show a smile again. Blood was still flowing from his face, dripping into the snow beneath him and forming a small, crimson ripple.
He opened his eyes and looked up at the sky, as if waiting for something.
His armor was scattered in pieces around him, and he gripped his sword tightly, which he never let go of.
Wei Mao died; he was killed by artillery fire.
"I...I didn't have time to save him."
Wu Qi lowered her eyes and stopped looking. She leaned into Yi Shen's arms and burst into tears in the blink of an eye.
"I wanted to save him. I was ready to save him as soon as I saw him, but... I didn't make it in time."
Without a moment's hesitation, Wu Qi pulled the control lever all the way down. She was willing to take that shot for Wei Mao. At that moment, she didn't even realize that she would die as well.
Wu Qi said, "He shouldn't have ended up like this."
In his twilight years, a hero should have returned home in glory, earning eternal praise, but instead he fell on this frosty, snowy day, dying outside the city, among many other remains.
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