Chapter 341 No one is immune to death, and no one is invincible (4200 words)
The walls of Yanmen Pass are covered with craters from being struck by boulders, filth, blood, and various burn marks.
Five days had passed since Xiao Mo had taken up residence in the city.
In the past few days, the Wei army has launched a fierce attack on Yanmen Pass.
Fortunately, Yanmen's defensive formation was quite durable, and Xiao Mo was on the city wall day and night directing the defense without the slightest slackening.
So after five days, the Wei army still hadn't made any progress.
Guo Xin, a general of the Wei Kingdom, was beginning to get anxious.
Every day that Yanmen Pass held out, the remaining eleven cities in the south became increasingly perilous.
Although Xiao Mo's army was short of food and supplies, were the eleven cities in the southern border of Wei really well-supplied? They were only about the same as those at Yanmen Pass.
Moreover, the longer the siege drags on, the more it erodes the morale of one's own side.
In a large battle, morale is extremely important. Without morale, an army is like a pile of loose sand, not only difficult to command but also prone to collapse at the first charge!
So in the days that followed, Guo Xin tried various methods.
Guo Xin attacked the city during the day for three consecutive days, and then temporarily withdrew his troops when night fell.
But on the night of the fourth day, when all was quiet, Guo Xin launched a massive attack on the city.
But to their surprise, Xiao Mo was already prepared. Countless fire feathers shot down at them, and the entire battlefield seemed to be burned into daylight.
If a night attack fails, they dig tunnels.
The protective formations of each city generally have the functions of "no-flying" and "protection," and can only control the ground and the sky, but have little effect on the ground.
Therefore, digging tunnels is indeed a suitable option.
However, not only were the tunnels they dug discovered by the Northern Wilderness army, but Xiao Mo also turned the tables on them, waiting for some Wei soldiers to emerge from the tunnels before killing them.
Moreover, there is a venomous beast in Yanmen Pass called the Giant Killer Bee.
As its name suggests, this ferocious beast is enormous, four times the size of an ordinary wasp, and its venom is deadly.
Although these giant killer bees are inedible, they have now found some use.
Xiao Mo threw the beehives directly into the cave, and the Wei soldiers screamed incessantly.
Finally, Xiao Mo felt it was about time, so he had the tunnel sealed up again.
On the night of the tenth day of defending the city.
The Wei army camp was quiet, with only regular soldiers patrolling.
Inside the tent, Guo Xin, who hadn't slept well for several days, was still worrying about the siege.
But at that moment, various noises, the sound of swords clashing, and the clatter of horses' hooves arose outside the tent.
"Night raid!"
"The Northern Wilderness Army launches a night attack!"
"The Northern Wilderness Army is attacking!"
Shouts rang out in the military camp, and Guo Xin hurriedly stepped out of his tent.
The soldiers of the Wei army quickly donned their armor and took up their weapons to meet the enemy.
Not far away, under the moonlight, Xiao Mo led three thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Riders, rampaging through the camp.
"How dare Xiao Mo?!"
Guo Xin's expression faltered slightly.
Since I didn't attack the city that night, shouldn't Xiao Mo be leading his troops to rest and recuperate?
He actually dared to risk a night raid with his iron cavalry?!
"Oops!"
When Guo Xin saw Xiao Mo charging towards the rear of the military camp, he was shocked and immediately understood what Xiao Mo was going to do!
"Stop Xiao Mo! Don't let him go any further!" Guo Xin roared.
But not long after, Xiao Mo led the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders to the rear of the Wei army camp and found various siege weapons. Xiao Mo destroyed all the weapons he could see.
Some things that couldn't be destroyed in time were burned.
After doing all this, Xiao Mo also found the Wei army's granary.
The three thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Riders carried two hundred storage bags.
Xiao Mo ordered that all the storage bags be filled with grain.
Because storage artifacts are expensive to manufacture, the entire army didn't have many storage artifacts, let alone Xiao Mo's branch army.
So these two hundred storage bags are all that Xiao Mo currently has. This is what Xiao Mo plundered after conquering Horseshoe City, and he also asked Xiao Shi for some more.
Moreover, the storage bags are not of high quality. Most of them are only the size of a small room, and the largest storage bag is only three zhang in length, width and height.
However, something is better than nothing.
We'll pack as much grain as we can.
Although the Wei army's granaries were scattered in various locations, the few granaries that Xiao Mo burned did not have a significant impact on Wei, not to mention that Wei's supply lines were constantly replenished.
But at least it can humiliate them, demoralize them, and annoy them.
After quickly filling the storage bags, Xiao Mo ordered the remaining granaries to be set on fire, and then led three thousand iron cavalry out of the Wei army camp.
"Xiao Mo! You still want to leave!"
Guo Xin personally led a large army to pursue Xiao Mo.
However, the three thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Riders led by Xiao Mo were all elites among elites. Moreover, they had specially eaten a lot of spirit beast flesh and blood to replenish their blood and energy before setting off, and the horses were also well-fed, watered and rested. The Wei Kingdom had difficulty catching up.
Just as Guo Xin could only watch Xiao Mo and the others run further and further away, Xiao Mo suddenly led five hundred iron cavalry back and charged back. After a brief battle, Xiao Mo then rode away again!
When Guo Xin caught up with them to the city walls, all he found were the tightly closed city gates!
"Xiao Mo, you brat! I will kill you!"
Guo Xin roared from below the city walls, his voice echoing across the wilderness.
After returning to the city, Xiao Mo took stock of the food supplies, as well as the flesh and blood of the ferocious beasts and spirit beasts he had brought back.
For the whole city, even if they save every penny, they won't have much of these things. Most of them can only last for a day or two longer, and after this round of exploitation, it will be difficult to get them again next time.
But no matter what, a day or two is still a period of time!
The following day, the Wei army launched a frenzied attack on the city.
The Northern Wilderness army remained steadfast in its defense.
Unbeknownst to them, thirteen days had passed since Xiao Mo had taken up residence in the city.
The Northern Wilderness army originally had 9,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders and 50,000 infantrymen including surrendered soldiers, but now only 7,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders and 30,000 infantrymen remain.
Moreover, due to the scarcity of spirit beast flesh and blood to replenish qi and blood, coupled with the enemy's relentless siege, the soldiers of the Northern Wilderness army were all exhausted.
Even so, in their eyes, all Xiao Mo saw was a resolute light!
"Brother Mo, you should get some sleep. You haven't slept for thirteen days and nights." Xiao Gui said to Xiao Mo with concern.
Although Brother Mo is a Golden Core cultivator, he fights every day, which consumes a great deal of his spiritual and physical energy.
While Brother Mo's closed-eye meditation can help him recover some of his strength, it's hardly enough.
Whether you are a mortal or a cultivator, sleep remains the best way to restore your spiritual power and physical strength.
"It's alright, I'm not tired." Xiao Mo shook his head. "Any news from the twelve cities of the Southern Territory?"
"No."
Xiao Gui shook his head.
"Of the twelve cities in the Southern Territory, Horseshoe City should still be in our hands and we can't let it go, but the other eleven cities in the Southern Territory have also surrounded Horseshoe City."
Xiahou Nan spared no effort to block the road to Yanmen Pass, even setting up no-fly zones along the way with his Blood Qi Army Formation. We are truly isolated.
"Mm." Xiao Mo nodded.
Just as Xiao Mo was about to continue reviewing the documents sent by the various generals in the army, Li Jing strode into the city lord's mansion.
"General, Xiahou Nan has sent an envoy," Li Jing said with a complicated expression.
"Xiahou Nan's envoy?" Xiao Mo was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Summon all the generals to the main hall of the city lord's mansion to welcome their envoy."
"Yes!" Li Jing clasped his hands in a salute and withdrew.
After an incense stick had burned, Xiao Mo sat high in the main seat of the city lord's mansion, with the various generals of the Northern Wilderness army standing on both sides.
The envoy from Biyue City, accompanied by his attendants, approached Xiao Mo and bowed, saying, "I am Yang Zhu, paying my respects to General Xiao."
"I wonder what brings General Xiahou here? Did he send me a dress too?" Xiao Mo said with a smile. "Let me see what color it is and what the material is like."
"General Xiao is too kind," Yang Zhu straightened up and said slowly, "My general sent me here to deliver a letter."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Zhu took out a letter from his sleeve.
Xiao Mo glanced at Xiao Gui and said, "Xiao Gui, read the letter written by General Xiahou to the generals."
"yes."
Xiao Gui stepped forward, took the letter, and began to read it aloud.
"General Xiao is brave and unparalleled, and his talent is extraordinary. Whether it is in military campaigns or in martial arts cultivation, his talent is rare in the world."
General Xiao is now trapped at Yanmen Pass, beset by internal and external troubles, and Nan expresses deep sympathy for him.
But does General Xiao really think he can hold off my Wei Kingdom for thirty days?
If this continues, it's feared that a genius will perish, a truly lamentable situation.
Nan Xixiao's talent.
If General Xiao surrenders to my Wei Kingdom, he will not only escape danger, but the title of king he is granted will be no less than the empty title of "Frost King" given by Qin. Furthermore, the ruler of Wei Kingdom can marry his princess to General Xiao to show the sincerity of Wei Kingdom.
Afterwards, when our Wei state counterattacked Qin, all the lands that General Xiao conquered belonged to General Xiao.”
After Xiao Gui finished reading, all the generals looked at Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo chuckled: "General Xiahou's terms are indeed very generous. However, please tell General Xiahou that the princess of Wei is not as beautiful as the princess of Qin. So let's forget about surrendering."
However, if General Xiahou were to join my Qin state now, it would not be too late.
Otherwise, by the time Biyue City falls, it will be too late to regret it.
"In that case, General Xiao, please take care of yourself." Yang Zhu sighed.
Xiao Mo smiled and said, "General Xiahou is also one of them."
“However,” Yang Zhu’s eyes narrowed, “I believe that after some time, General Xiao will change his mind.”
"Hehehe, we'll see then." Xiao Mo looked at the other party. "Is there anything else, Envoy Yang? We are short of food in the city, so we can't invite you to dinner."
"I heard that General Lian is still in General Xiao's hands?" Yang Zhu asked.
“That’s right.” Xiao Mo nodded.
“General Lian is General Xiahou’s niece. General Xiahou asked me to bring General Lian’s favorite peach blossom wine and some dishes. If possible, I hope General Xiao can make an exception,” Yang Zhu said.
"General Lian is a prisoner in the Northern Wilderness, and General Xiahou is a turtle in a jar, yet he still thought of sending food to his niece. It's truly touching," Xiao Mo said with a smile.
"After all, General Lian went out of the city to fight in order to reduce the pressure on his uncle. My general naturally feels guilty and will try his best to make amends." Yang Zhu ignored Xiao Mo's sarcasm.
"Put down the drinks and food." Xiao Mo waved his hand dismissively, no longer daring to speak to him. "Someone, see the guest out!"
"Thank you, General Xiao. We'll take our leave now."
Yang Zhu bowed and turned to leave.
"Cough cough cough"
After Yang Zhu left, Xiao Mo coughed a few times, wiped his mouth, and his hand was covered in blood.
"General."
Li Jing and the others expressed their concerns.
"It's alright." Xiao Mo shook his head. "Everyone, go back to the city walls. Zhao Guang, go into the city and recruit soldiers. Recruit as many as you can. It should all be voluntary. Do not conscript. Soldiers who are conscripted cannot be used."
"Yes, General." Zhao Guang bowed and hurriedly went to carry out Xiao Mo's orders.
Xiao Mo took a deep breath, carried the food box and wine out of the main hall of the city lord's mansion, and headed to the dungeon.
"General!"
The soldiers guarding the dungeon greeted Xiao Mo with clasped hands.
"Um."
Xiao Mo nodded and continued walking forward.
In the dim and quiet dungeon, Xiao Mo's footsteps echoed between the stone walls.
This is the death row at Yanmen Pass, but now, there is only one person imprisoned inside, and that person is a woman.
Lian Li was meditating in her cell when she heard the noise and slowly opened her eyes.
When she saw that it was Xiao Mo, her sword-like eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if she wanted to stab Xiao Mo with a spear and leave a few holes in him.
"I know I'm good-looking, but there's no need to look at me like that."
Xiao Mo sat down in front of the cage, opened the food box, took out the food inside, carefully checked it to make sure it was okay, and placed it in front of the gap in the cage. He also poured her a glass of wine.
"What are you going to do?" Lian Li asked.
"As you can see, I've brought you food." Xiao Mo tucked his sleeves in. "These were sent over by your uncle through a messenger. The food box is engraved with a magic array, and the food is still warm."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Mo reached through the gap in the iron bars and handed her the chopsticks.
Lian Li glanced at the food box, then at Xiao Mo, but did not take the chopsticks.
Xiao Mo ignored her and placed his chopsticks on the rim of the bowl.
"What did my uncle say to you?" Lian Li asked again.
"What else can you say? Try to persuade me to surrender, saying that if I surrender now, I will be made a marquis and prime minister, and even the princess of Wei will marry me."
"So, are you surrendering?"
What do you think?
"."
Lian Li shook his head: "Xiao Mo, although you are shameless, you are a first-rate talent in both martial arts and military strategy. Not to mention you are so young. Someone like you should not die here."
"Then in your opinion, who deserves to die here?" Xiao Mo looked directly into his eyes. "Is it the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders, or the common people of the city?"
Lian Li: "."
"Lian Li, no one is immune to death, and no one is invincible." Xiao Mo took out a letter from his pocket and tossed it to Lian Li.
"What is this?" Lian Li asked again.
“After I die, take this letter to an uncle named Huang Shan and tell him, ‘Xiao Mo said I have talent and asked me to learn shooting from you. Your apprentice is dead, but he has given you another apprentice.’”
"Huang Shan...that spear master?" Lian Li asked in surprise.
"I think so."
Xiao Mo stopped responding, got up, patted his bottom, and walked out of the dungeon.
Watching Xiao Mo's retreating figure, Lian Li frowned, her hands gripping the hem of her dress tightly. As Xiao Mo walked further and further away, she shouted, "Xiao Mo! Surrender! It's not too late to surrender now!"
"surrender?"
Xiao Mo turned around and smiled at Lian Li.
"Of course I'll vote!"
"Huh?" Lian Li blinked, staring blankly at Xiao Mo. "What...what are you going to do?"
Xiao Mo didn't explain, but instead revealed an enigmatic smile, turned around again, and walked out of the dungeon.
On the fifteenth day of the siege of Yanmen Pass, in the Wei army camp.
A soldier rushed into the tent and shouted, "General, the envoy from the Northern Wilderness Army has arrived!"
"An envoy from the Northern Wilderness Army?" Guo Xin was stunned, wondering if he had misheard.
"Yes, General!"
The messenger soldier exclaimed excitedly.
"The envoy from the Northern Wilderness Army has come to pay his respects to the general and surrenders at Yanmen Pass!"
(End of this chapter)
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