Chapter 54: Thunder of Destruction
(Hey babies, I was a little excited when writing these two chapters! If you understand, you will understand! If you like it, please give me five-star book reviews! Bow~~ Thank you! Your feedback is my motivation to write!!!!)
The tall gates of the capital slowly creaked open. The golden glow of the rising sun shone across the bluestone pavement and upon the armoured troops outside the city, ready for battle. Banners fluttered, swords and spears formed a forest, and a solemn, murderous atmosphere permeated the air.
At the forefront of this steel jungle, a jet-black, exceptionally majestic snow-walking warhorse is particularly eye-catching.
On horseback, Prince Yong Nangong Ye was dressed in black armor, his black hair was tied up high, and his face was as cold as an ice sculpture. Only the arm he held around the person in front of him revealed a hint of imperceptible tenderness.
The person he held firmly in his arms was none other than Princess Fuxing Dongfang Yuning, who was wearing a scarlet riding habit and whose face was flushed with excitement.
"drive!"
Nangong Ye shouted softly, neighing loudly as he stepped on the snow, his hooves flying, and he rushed out of the city gate like an arrow! A strong wind blew towards her, blowing Dongfang Yuning's hair into the air. She was not afraid, but instead opened her eyes wide, which were surprisingly bright. She felt the speed and power of the wind and could not help but cheer in her heart:
Ahhhhhhhh~~~ The feeling of taking off! This feels so good! I wish I could just grow wings and fly to Rock Castle right now! System! Do you understand? This is a historic moment!
It might be a parallel timeline, but who cares! Fu Ying and these scumbags are a real eye-sore! They must be given an eye-popping feast they'll never forget!]
The little person in her heart was rubbing his hands with excitement, as if he had already seen the scene of Fuying's army being wiped out in the "surprise".
[Beep—Detecting a continued surge in the host's adrenaline and heightened excitement. I understand the host's excitement at witnessing or even creating history. But please be safe and hold on tight, Prince.]
The electronic voice of System 118 carried a hint of helplessness.
Following closely behind Nangong Ye was the Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng, riding a chestnut horse and wearing silver armor. He should have been the image of a majestic general.
However, the aura emanating from his body at this moment... was filled with a thick sorrow that was almost tangible!
He stared intently at the small figure on the horse in front of him, his mind frantically scrolling through his thoughts:
[Little sister~Ning'er~Big brother's saddle is also very spacious and comfortable!Big brother's riding skills are no worse than that black-hearted fox!
How did he take over your property?! Damn it! The Nangong family is a bunch of black-hearted foxes! They only take advantage of other people's good things!
He tightened his grip on the reins, wishing he could rush over and get his sister back.
Nangong Ye felt the two real, resentful gazes behind him, and the corners of his lips curled up almost imperceptibly.
He hugged the person in his arms tighter, and rubbed his chin lightly against the soft top of her head, feeling her vigorous energy. His heart softened, and at the same time, he also felt a little... subtle sympathy for Fuying who was about to be "blinded" by the meal?
[Fuying, Fuying, why don't you do something else to make my Ning'er hate you so much?]
He thought to himself,
[Alright, this is a good opportunity for Ning'er to vent her anger, and by the way... let the world see what true divine power is.]
They rode at full speed all the way, sleeping in the open air and eating their fill. With the two peerless generals, Nangong Ye and Dongfang Liezheng, in command, and the temptation (or pressure) of Dongfang Yuning's "little surprise," the army arrived at the Rock Fort, shrouded in smoke and blood, at an astonishing speed.
The battle situation was more critical than expected. Fuying's army was like a leech, attacking the crumbling walls of Rock Castle day and night.
The old general guarding this place was wrapped in bandages and his eyes were bloodshot. When he saw the reinforcements, especially the legendary Princess Fuxing, he was so excited that he burst into tears.
Without any hesitation, Dongfang Liezheng immediately took over the command, put on his armor and went into battle. Like a sword drawn from its sheath, he led the fresh troops into the battlefield and stabilized the defense line.
Nangong Ye, on the other hand, guarded Dongfang Yuning closely and went straight into the core area of the fortress, which was heavily guarded and absolutely safe - a huge stone chamber that was temporarily requisitioned, with the surrounding area cleared and filled with all kinds of strange materials.
For the next few days, the stone chamber became an absolute forbidden zone. Only Nangong Ye and Dongfang Yuning were allowed in and out. Outside, there were deafening shouts and clashes of metal, while inside... the clanging of bells, the flying of dust, and the "high-energy dialogue" between Dongfang Yuning and System 118 deep within his consciousness.
[System! Increase the saltpeter ratio a little bit! Yes, that white powder!]
System 118:
[Warning! The ratio exceeds the safety threshold by 0.5%, which is very likely to cause premature explosion! Host, do you want to send yourself and the prince to heaven together?!]
Dongfang Yuning: […Okay, okay, I’ll listen to you! Strict! Strict!]
"Brother Aye! Quick! Grind that charcoal into finer pieces! Yes, use your inner strength! Shatter it into pieces! Make it like flour!"
Nangong Ye remained silent, and the internal force in his palm surged and spewed out, and a pile of charcoal instantly turned into powder, which was finer and more uniform than the finest incense ash.
[Wow! Neili brand crusher! Really efficient! System, see? This is what makes a top-notch tool... no, a top-notch partner!]
System 118: […Toolman? Host, please be careful with your wording. The prince's inner strength is pure, and it has indeed greatly improved his efficiency. Sulfur purification is complete, with a purity of 98.7%, meeting the standard.]
[Oh my, why is this fuse so hard to work with? It keeps breaking!]
System 118: [We recommend the host's proposed method of 'oil paper wrapped in gunpowder wick'; while primitive, it's reliable. Your Majesty, please use your precise internal energy to cut the oil paper, ensuring the width is strictly consistent.]
Nangong Ye took the oil paper, and the sword energy (or the sharp edge of internal force) surged and puffed at his fingertips. The oil paper was cut into even thin strips without any error, as if it had been measured by the most precise ruler.
"Perfect! Brother Aye, you're amazing! You're like a humanoid CNC machine tool!"
Dongfang Yuning's starry eyes.
Nangong Ye: “…”
(Although he didn’t know what “CNC machine tools” were, he benefited from Ning’er’s praise.) The corners of his mouth rose slightly.
"The last step! Wrap the ball! Make it round! Make it solid! No gaps!"
With the help of Nangong Ye's precise internal strength, the evenly mixed and granulated black powder was carefully compacted, wrapped in tough oil paper and linen, and then the joints were sealed with melted wax.
Finally, five black, round, heavy balls lay quietly in a wooden box covered with a thick felt carpet.
Looking at these five "treasures" that cost him so much effort (mainly Nangong Ye's internal strength) and points (Dongfang Yuning felt the pain), Dongfang Yuning breathed a sigh of relief, his little face full of fatigue, but more of it was irrepressible excitement and arrogance!
"It's done! System! We did it! Earthshaking Thunder Unit-01! Five brothers!"
System 118: [Manufacturing process complete. Simulations show power approximately 85% of expected value. Note: This is a test piece, maintain a safe distance of at least 300 steps!]
Detonation method: Light the fuse with an open flame. Throwing requires precision and speed. It is recommended that the prince perform this operation.
Dongfang Yuning: [Three hundred steps? No big deal! Look at my brother Aye! Lighting the fire... hehe, of course I have to do it myself! Do you understand the sense of ceremony?]
Five days later, on a cool morning, on the tower of Rock Castle.
After Dongfang Liezheng and his soldiers fought bloody battles, and with Nangong Ye's occasional unearthly support, Fuying's offensive was temporarily forced back a distance.
But the Fuying army did not retreat, but regrouped not far outside the city, making noise and cursing, using all kinds of obscene words that were unbearable to hear, and scolding the Yan people for being cowards who did not dare to leave the city for a decisive battle.
On the city wall, the defenders were exhausted, but their eyes were determined. They knew that the real "drama" was about to begin.
Because, the Princess Fuxing was walking up the stairs of the city wall with a step that didn't recognize any relatives.
Dongfang Yuning was seen wearing a neat crimson suit (for easy movement), with a tense face, trying hard to make a serious expression, but the uncontrollable excitement and eagerness in her eyes made her exude a kind of light that said, "I'm going to cause trouble."
The most eye-catching thing is her pace - head held high, chest puffed out, shoulders swaying slightly, two short legs moving with great vigor, with an aura of "I am the only one in heaven and on earth", "Anyone who stands in my way will die"... and she doesn't care about anyone!
[Host, pay attention to your image! Your steps are too arrogant and you will easily become a target!]
System 118 emergency reminder.
Dongfang Yuning:
[Arrogant? That's called momentum! Do you understand? When facing the enemy, you must never lose momentum! This is called psychological warfare!]
System 118 […As long as you are happy.]
Nangong Ye, who was following behind her, still had that cold and dignified look, but he was holding a special wooden box in his hand that looked extremely heavy.
He glanced at the Fuying army that was shouting outside the city, as if he was looking at a group of dead things.
Dongfang Liezheng, who was already directing the deployment of the defense on the city wall, saw his sister walking like a little crab crossing the street. The corners of his mouth twitched fiercely, and he almost couldn't resist the urge to cover his face:
[Hey sister... can you be more low-key? This... this is too cocky! Although... it seems like you do have the capital to be cocky? ]
He tried hard to keep a straight face and maintain his authority as a coach, but he couldn't hide the helplessness and pampering in his eyes.
The soldiers on the city wall, who knew some inside information, such as those who were secretly transferred to transport special materials or guarded the stone chamber, now lowered their heads, shrank their shoulders suspiciously, and bit their lips tightly, for fear of laughing out loud.
Those who didn't know the inside story looked at the princess's domineering steps with confusion and awe.
"Brother! Brother Aye!"
Dongfang Yuning walked to the center of the tower, his voice was clear and loud, with a sense of heroic spirit, "Get out of the way, I'm going to show off!"
"Are you ready?"
Dongfang Liezheng nodded heavily, his eyes solemn and full of expectation:
"The city defenses have been reinforced, and the soldiers are in place!"
Nangong Ye gently placed the wooden box on the solid stone platform next to the parapet, opened the lid, and revealed five black, round "iron balls" inside.
He looked at Dongfang Yuning:
"Ning'er, give the order."
His voice was steady, but his heart was also in turmoil:
[Just these black balls? How powerful can they be? Ning'er is so serious... Let's wait and see.]
Dongfang Yuning took a deep breath, put his hands on his hips (he couldn't lose his momentum), and shouted at the densely packed and still cursing Fuying army below the city wall with all his strength, shouting at the top of his voice:
"You short, fat fellows supporting the ying down below! Listen up! Didn't you call us cowards? Today, I'm going to open your eyes! See what justice from heaven means! You're the bastards~~~"
Her voice, aided by a trace of inner strength quietly released by Nangong Ye, was clearly heard throughout the city. The Fuying army was stunned at first, then erupted in even louder laughter and obscenities.
[Host, the taunt effect is significant, and the enemy's hatred value is full. Please be careful.]
System 118 analyzed calmly.
[This is exactly what we want! Let them be reduced to ashes amidst ignorance and ridicule!]
The villain in Dongfang Yuning's heart was already dancing with excitement.
"Brother Aye!"
Dongfang Yuning turned to Nangong Ye, her face flushed with excitement, her eyes brightening surprisingly.
"Let all the soldiers retreat back to the city walls! Close the gates! Quickly!"
Nangong Ye gave the order without hesitation:
"All troops, listen! Retreat to the tower immediately! Close the city gates! Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed!"
The order was delivered swiftly. Although the meaning was unclear, the military order was as strong as a mountain. The soldiers on the city wall retreated into the sturdy fortress like a tide, and the heavy city gates slammed shut.
On the outer wall of the huge city tower, only Nangong Ye, Dongfang Yuning, Dongfang Liezheng and a few of their most trusted guards (mainly carrying shields) were left to protect them.
When the Fuying army below the city saw this scene, they laughed so hard that they fell over, thinking that the Yan people were completely scared, and their shouting and cursing became even more unbearable to hear.
"Fire stick!"
Dongfang Yuning stretched out her hand, and a guard beside her immediately handed her a long, burning wooden stick.
Dongfang Yuning took the torch, felt the temperature of the flame, looked at the five black balls next to the parapet, his heart pounding.
[System! A historic moment! I'm going to ignite!]
System 118:
[The fuse has been checked and is in good condition. Please aim at the fuse head and immediately step back after lighting it! Your Majesty, please ensure accurate throwing! Target: The densest area of the Fuying army! Safety first!]
Dongfang Yuning walked to the first black ball, took a deep breath, and his little face was full of a sacred and focused expression.
Carefully, she brought the torch close to the exposed fuse head.
laugh--!
The fuse was ignited, and tiny sparks and blue smoke burst out instantly, making a rapid "hissing" sound!
"Brother Aye! Over there! Behind that big, stupid guy holding the tattered flag! Where the crowd is the thickest! Throw it to me!"
Dongfang Yuning pointed to the area behind an officer in the Fuying Army formation below the city who was waving flags and shouting the loudest, his voice trembling with excitement.
Nangong Ye's eyes fixed, and without the slightest hesitation, he grabbed the hissing black ball with the ignited fuse with one hand. His arm muscles flexed, infusing it with unparalleled internal strength. He aimed in the right direction and hurled it like a stone projectile!
The black ball turned into a black stream of light that was almost impossible to capture with the naked eye. With a sharp sound of breaking through the air, it shot towards the dense crowd that Dongfang Yuning pointed at with incredible precision!
The Fuying soldiers below the city were still laughing as they looked at the flying "black stone", some even pointing and laughing:
"Have the Yan people run out of stones? Throw an iron lump..."
Before he finished speaking!
Boom—boom—!!!
A deafening roar, as if the sky was falling and the earth was splitting, suddenly exploded in the dense military formation!
In an instant!
Flames shot up into the sky! Thick smoke billowed! Dirt, rubble, broken limbs, shattered weapons... as if violently lifted up by an invisible giant hand, mixed with the pungent smell of gunpowder and the thick smell of blood, violently erupting in all directions in a radial pattern!
The massive shockwave was like a physical wall, instantly sending soldiers within dozens of steps flying and shredding them! The screams were completely drowned out by the explosion!
The entire earth was shaking! Even the solid walls of Rock Castle seemed to tremble!
On the city wall, even though they were mentally prepared, Dongfang Liezheng and his bodyguards were stunned by the devastating scene!
Dongfang Liezheng's jaw almost dislocated, his eyes widened bigger than copper bells, and he roared madly in his heart:
[Oh my god! Sister! Are you still human?! What the hell is this?! This... is this divine power or a demonic spell?!]
He felt like his worldview was shattered!
The laughter and shouting of the Fuying army were instantly silent, as if their necks were strangled!
Everyone was stunned by this sudden, unimaginable explosion of terror! Fear spread instantly like a plague!
"Wow! That's a great effect!"
Dongfang Yuning's face flushed with excitement. Without stopping, he immediately lit the fuse of the second black ball.
"Brother Aye! Over there! On the left! That group of newly assembled archers! Take them down for me!"
laugh--!
Nangong Ye's eyes were as sharp as an eagle. He grabbed the hissing black ball again, poured his internal strength into it, and drew a perfect arc with his arm!
Boom——boom——!!!
Another earth-shattering roar! The phalanx of archers Fu Ying had painstakingly assembled was instantly engulfed in flames and thick smoke, transforming into a volcanic hell! Broken bows and arrows flew everywhere!
"The third one! On the right! That command vehicle! It's an eyesore!"
Boom——!!!
"The fourth one! In the middle! Where there are a lot of people!"
Boom——!!!
"The fifth one! Block their retreat! Close the door and beat the dog!"
Boom——boom——!!!
Five loud bangs! Five flowers of death bloomed one after another in the Fuying Army formation! Each explosion landed precisely on the densest or most critical location in the crowd!
Each time, it took away countless lives! Flames shot up into the sky, smoke billowed, and the screams (finally audible) and desperate cries tore through my heart!
The once arrogant Fuying army collapsed in an instant! The survivors were like headless flies, throwing away their armor and weapons, crying for their parents, wishing they had given them two more legs, and fleeing madly!
The smell of gunpowder filled the air on the city wall. Dongfang Yuning stood in front of the battlements, his face flushed from the flames of the explosion. He stood with his hands on his hips, watching the spectacular sight of the Fuying army collapsing and fleeing below the city. He raised his chin triumphantly, his unwavering aura reaching its peak!
[System! Did you see that?! Are you blinded by it?! Are you trembling with fear?! Hahaha! How does my 'Thunderbolt' meal taste?!]
System 118:
[…Power Assessment: 120% Exceeds Expectations. Visual Effect: Shocking. Psychological Deterrence: Destructive. Fuying Army Morale: Collapsed. Host, congratulations, your debut… was a great success. But please control your emotions and maintain your image.]
Dongfang Yuning: [Image? It doesn't exist! Right now, I am the most beautiful girl!]
Nangong Ye stood beside her, with a little dust on his black armor. He looked at the hellish scene below the city, and then looked at his fiancée, whose face was shining with excitement, like a young general who had won a battle. His deep eyes were filled with indescribable shock, pride and... a strong doting.
He reached out and gently brushed away the black ash on her cheek.
"Ning'er, thank you for your hard work."
His voice was low and gentle, filled with unparalleled pride.
Dongfang Liezheng finally recovered from his petrified state. He strode to his sister and patted her shoulder fiercely (almost making the overly excited Dongfang Yuning stumble), his voice trembling with excitement:
"Sister! My dear sister! You...you..."
He kept saying "you" for a long time, and finally uttered,
"You really are Big Brother's ancestor! So... so freaking awesome!"
He really couldn't find any other words to describe it.
At this time, the defending soldiers who had hidden in the city wall, after experiencing the initial silence, burst into earth-shaking cheers!
"The princess is mighty!"
"Divine thunder! Divine thunder from the sky!"
"Fuying bastards! See if you dare to be so arrogant!"
"Princess Fuxing! May the lucky star shine brightly! Bless my Dayan!"
Cheers erupted like a tsunami, sweeping across the entire Rock Castle. Amidst this deafening cheering, Dongfang Liezheng, Nangong Ye, and the few trusted figures who knew the true source of the "divine thunder" all exchanged glances, their expressions filled with lingering fear of the devastating scene just now, and desperately suppressed laughter at Dongfang Yuning's reckless, igniting attitude.
Nangong Ye looked at his fiancée, whose face was flushed with excitement and still immersed in the joy of great success, and silently held her hand tightly.
[Ning'er...this 'little' surprise of yours...is really...so surprising it's frightening.]
He sighed inwardly, and at the same time, a strong desire to protect her surged up. With such an astonishing ability, she must not be put in danger! Fu Ying... must be beaten thoroughly! Beat her to death!
And below the city, the countless corpses and broken flags left behind by the defeated Fuying soldiers on the smoke-filled battlefield silently told the story of the terrifying power brought by the "Thunder of the Earth", which was enough to make all countries tremble.
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