Chapter 426 Meeting Me, You Didn't Have This Chance
Xue Xian has arrived!
The news spread like wildfire throughout Fufeng County in an instant, and the already frightened people were so scared that they kept their doors and windows tightly shut, not daring to open even a crack.
The soldiers who were immediately dispatched to the city gate were all ashen-faced, with anxiety and panic written on every one of their faces.
When they arrived at the city gate, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was almost suffocating.
Yuwen Ye glanced at them but didn't say much. He took a few steps up the city wall and looked down. Sure enough, the wide open space in front of the city gate was filled with soldiers who had just crossed the river and were now lined up in neat rows. Their banners were fluttering, their warhorses were neighing, and their powerful aura shook the entire land. Even they, standing on the city wall, could feel the city wall trembling slightly beneath their feet.
Yuwen Ye's brows furrowed immediately.
Just as he was looking down at the city, a rider slowly stepped out from the ranks and looked up at the city.
As they looked up, a pair of piercing eyes shot towards them, sharp as a tangible blade, instantly startling the people on the city wall, who involuntarily took two steps back.
The man was clad in blood-red armor, his physique imposing and robust. Though too far away to discern his features clearly, one could still make out his piercing, tiger-like eyes, gleaming brightly in the sunlight that shone through his dark face. He carried a crescent-shaped halberd, its long handle and broad blade, the handle alone as thick as a child's arm, indicating its considerable weight. The blade gleamed, reflecting a dazzling red light from the setting sun. He rode a crimson steed, which, illuminated by the setting sun, resembled a burning flame. The general seemed to arrive riding on flames, his imposing presence overwhelming!
Upon seeing this scene, Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.
Is this person Xue Xian?
This is the man who occupied the land of Longxi. Now his army is rising, and in just one battle, he annihilated 80,000 troops from Fufeng and built that terrifying Jingguan!
Not only did she think this way, but at this moment, everyone on the city wall, and even the soldiers below the city wall who were already lined up to prepare for battle, seemed to be thinking the same thing. Their eyes were filled with more and more fear and despair, and tens of thousands of soldiers could hardly breathe.
The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive and somber.
However, a question arose in Shang Ruyi's mind: these people have already arrived at the city gates, why haven't they attacked the city yet?
Did they come here not to attack the city?
However, looking at their ranks, although they were neatly lined up and imposing, there were no siege weapons in the ranks, and they stood so neatly that they did not seem to be ready to launch an attack at any time.
What exactly are they here for?
Just then, the man below the city slowly raised his hand, his crescent blade drawing a bright streak in the air, and then slowly pointed it at the people gathered on the city wall—
Yuwen Ye!
His blade was pointed directly at Yuwen Ye!
This is--
Shang Ruyi's heart sank, and she hurriedly turned to look at Yuwen Ye, only to see that his face was cold and stern, and the light of the blade flashing in his calm eyes had also become sharp.
Xue Xian is daring us, he's challenging us!
The one they challenged was Yuwen Ye, who was on the city wall!
Nie Chong, who had been following behind Yuwen Ye, stepped forward with a frown and said softly, "General, I just heard them say a few words after they crossed the river. It seems that they are not going to make any rash moves. They came here only to find you."
"oh?"
Yuwen Ye raised an eyebrow slightly.
He said, "Did you hear what I said before we crossed the river?"
Nie Chong shook his head: "The river became rapid at dusk, and because of the sound of the water, I couldn't hear what they said before they crossed the river."
Upon hearing his words, Yin Changyue, Song Yu, and the others around him all showed expressions of astonishment.
Although he had already shocked everyone by hearing the messenger's voice on the march before, this time, it still surprised everyone. Xiao Linhe was hundreds of paces away from the city gate, and it was difficult to even see him clearly. How could he hear the other person's voice clearly at such a distance, and in the midst of an army of more than ten thousand people?!
Dai Junliang stepped forward in disbelief: "What you're saying, is it true?"
Nie Chong said calmly, "I don't lie. I tell you what I hear."
Dai Junliang seemed somewhat incredulous, while Yuwen Ye lowered his eyes and thought for a moment before saying calmly, "I understand what they mean."
At this moment, Shang Ruyi also realized what was happening.
Just a few days ago, Xue Xian killed more than 80,000 people in a bloody battle and built a mound of corpses, which has already caused great panic among the soldiers and civilians in the city. This time, he has come to challenge Yuwen Ye, because this Assistant General was sent by the court to fight against him. Yuwen Ye has a great reputation in the army because of his military achievements in recent years, which will give everyone some confidence and rekindle the belief of the soldiers and civilians in the city to defend the city.
Therefore, his goal is to shatter this belief!
Once he defeats this Grand General, it will be a message to everyone here, whether soldiers or generals, that no one can defeat Xue Xian.
At that time, the morale of the people of Fufeng will completely collapse!
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi's heart jumped into her throat. She hurriedly turned to look at Yuwen Ye, only to see that his face was still as cold and stern as ever, but the corners of his mouth curled up in a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"That's perfect."
Perfect?
Shang Ruyi was taken aback. Before she could think about it, Yuwen Ye said in a deep voice, "Have the archers go up to the city wall."
Dai Junliang immediately replied, "Yes!"
With a wave of his hand, the archers, who were already fully armed and ready, immediately stepped forward and stood behind each battlement on the city wall, staring intently at the people below.
Yuwen Ye then said, "Prepare the horses and the swords."
Mu Xian said, "Yes!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuwen Ye turned around and went down the city wall. The soldiers below the city led the jet-black horse up. After Yuwen Ye mounted the horse, two more soldiers carried a long sword to him.
Yuwen Ye reached out and grabbed it.
The moment he picked it up, his wrist sank slightly.
Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.
She remembered that Yuwen Ye's usual Mo Dao was left in Jiangdu Palace. After that, he didn't have a suitable weapon. When he fought Shan Tong'er at Wanggang Village, he temporarily used Mu Xian's Mo Dao. However, that sword only weighed fifty jin, and he didn't feel comfortable using it. She heard that he almost dropped it several times during the battle.
The knife in front of me is clearly newly forged.
But it seems—
Not only Shang Ruyi sensed something, but even Mu Xian, standing beside her, said softly with some concern, "General, this newly forged sword weighs eighty jin, ten jin heavier than the one you used before. Today is the first time you've handled it, I'm afraid—"
"No need for further words."
Yuwen Ye interrupted him calmly, raised his knife, and brandished it twice.
The weight was so heavy it felt like holding a person in your hand. With a single swing, it created a powerful gust of wind, so strong that even the two soldiers holding the swords were forced back two steps by the force of the wind.
He nodded slightly.
Looking back at the soldiers who were already lined up neatly, their eyes lit up when they saw the imposing general and the gleaming longsword in his hand, but when they looked up at the tightly closed city gate that could be opened at any moment, they all showed expressions of fear.
After all, Xue Xian had already killed 80,000 of them.
These people had almost no belief in their ability to win against this murderous tyrant; they all felt that this expedition was nothing but a dead end.
The closer to battle, the stronger the feeling of defeat becomes.
But Yuwen Ye seemed completely unconcerned, raising his head to look at the towering city gate ahead and saying, "Open the city gate!"
At a command, the soldiers guarding the city immediately stepped forward, removed the heavy bolts from the gate, and pushed the gate open to both sides—a long, hoarse roar resounded as the gate slowly opened, and a ray of golden sunlight shot in like an arrow, immediately causing the soldiers to squint.
And under the golden sunlight, there are the Longxi soldiers lined up in preparation for battle!
A gust of wind, carrying with it the stench of corpses emanating from the towering mound of corpses behind them, seemed like an invisible shock, further horrifying the Fufeng soldiers.
However, among these swaying figures, there was one person who remained as steady as Mount Tai.
Yuwen Ye held the reins in one hand and a knife in the other, and steadily rode his horse out of the city gate!
Mu Xian and Dai Junliang dared not delay. They quickly mounted their horses and led the troops behind them out of the city gate. Soon, they lined up below the city wall, densely packed like two neatly laid carpets, facing each other.
At this moment, Yuwen Ye finally saw the group of people ahead clearly.
Xue Xian.
The legendary, invincible general of Longxi.
This man was probably in his thirties, with a full beard. No wonder his face was almost invisible from the city wall earlier, because his beard was thick and messy, almost covering his entire face, making him look like a tiger. But even so, it couldn't hide his powerful and shrewd tiger eyes, which were now staring intently at Yuwen Ye, who was also riding out on horseback, scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if judging something.
After a long silence, he said, "Yuwen Ye."
Yuwen Ye said, "Xue Xian."
Xue Xian burst into laughter. His laughter was as loud as a bell, and even though they were so far away, the people standing on the city wall could hear it clearly. Shang Ruyi, who had climbed the city wall again, was especially nervous and her ears were perked up.
She gripped the wall tightly with one hand, staring at the people below.
After laughing, Xue Xian looked at Yuwen Ye with eyes so sharp they seemed to pierce through his gleaming armor, and said, "Although I am of the same generation as your father, once we are on the battlefield, seniority is no longer important. You may call me by my name, but I will not show you any mercy."
Yuwen Ye said, "That's exactly what I wanted."
"oh?"
Xue Xian was taken aback, seemingly not expecting such a response, and narrowed his eyes slightly, asking, "What do you mean by that?"
"Only if you give it your all can I prove to them—"
Yuwen Ye, carrying the heavy Mo Dao, turned his head to look at the soldiers behind him who were so silent they barely dared to breathe, and said, "This proves that your great victory a few days ago was nothing but luck."
"..."
"You wouldn't have had that chance if you met me."
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