210: Chapter 211 You are surrounded

Sha Chenghu's gaze immediately darkened.

He did not ask why.

Nor did he try to persuade him.

He simply slammed his blade onto the ground.

"Then we fight!"

In the center of the Four-City Allied Forces, the atmosphere was as cold as if it had frozen over with frost.

City Lord Liefeng looked at the casualty report that had just been delivered, his expression sinking bit by bit.

Lord of Qinghe City, Lord of Nanchang City, and City Lord Fengye all remained silent.

They could tell that City Lord Liefeng had suffered the heaviest losses this time.

Especially the Fourth Army of Liefeng.

That army had just tasted blood while pursuing City Lord Zhao Kun, and had originally been pushed to the front by City Lord Liefeng, intended to serve as the vanguard for the continued attack on Flower City.

As a result, they didn't get to be the vanguard, instead losing a large chunk of their forces in City Lord Qin Fang's trap.

Lord of Qinghe City lowered his eyes, his fingertips tapping lightly against his saddle.

Lord of Nanchang City's expression was also very grim.

City Lord Fengye gritted his teeth and said coldly, "This move by City Lord Qin Fang is truly devious."

City Lord Liefeng let out a huff.

The sound was not loud, but it caused several surrounding generals to lower their heads simultaneously.

"It's useless to talk about this now."

He looked up at the three of them.

"Do we continue toward Flower City, or do we deal with City Lord Qin Fang first?"

No one answered immediately.

This was the most troublesome part.

If it were just City Lord Zhao Kun's remnants, they could tolerate it.

No matter how hard City Lord Zhao Kun dragged things out, he could only be like a thorn stuck in their tail—painful, yes, but unable to damage their core strength.

City Lord Qin Fang was different.

The Heyang Army's manpower, equipment, Formation, and command were not comparable to Banhe City.

If they left City Lord Qin Fang behind them, he might take another bite at any moment.

But if they turned around now to fight the Heyang Army, the window of opportunity to seize Flower City that The Four Cities had been aiming for would be dragged out further.

Lord of Qinghe City was silent for a moment.

"If he just leaves after attacking like this, it would be difficult for us to handle."

Lord of Nanchang City nodded.

"The Heyang Army is not weak. If we really want to eliminate them first, it might not take a short amount of time."

City Lord Fengye scoffed.

"And if we ignore him, wait for him to come again next time?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a scout in the distance rushed back to report.

"Report!"

"The Heyang Army... the Heyang Army has returned!"

The four city lords looked up at the same time.

On the distant slope, the flags of Heyang appeared once again.

City Lord Qin Fang led the Heyang Army, blocking the front of the old road once more.

This time, he did not circle around.

Nor did he feign retreat.

He stood right in the middle of the road.

Separated by a distance, he faced the Four-City Allied Forces head-on.

Within the center of the Four-City Allied Forces, the hesitation from just a moment ago suddenly vanished.

Lord of Qinghe City slowly exhaled.

"It seems he has already made the choice for us."

Lord of Nanchang City's eyes turned cold.

City Lord Fengye curled his lips.

City Lord Liefeng stared at City Lord Qin Fang in the distance, remaining silent for a long time.

He had originally still been weighing the options.

But City Lord Qin Fang had come back on his own.

This was not a hit-and-run.

This was a firm determination to oppose the Four-City Allied Forces.

If such a person was not removed first, the path ahead would never be stable.

The two armies faced each other across the road.

City Lord Qin Fang first raised his hand and bowed from a distance toward the four city lords.

"Brothers, I hope you have been well."

Lord of Qinghe City's expression was gloomy.

"I didn't expect this."

He looked coldly at City Lord Qin Fang.

"Brother Qin, who usually appears so upright, would actually use such underhanded methods as traps."

Lord of Nanchang City chimed in quickly.

"Laying traps is one thing, but to lay them on the only road leading to your Heyang is another."

He feigned a sigh.

"Brother Qin, you must have had devious intentions long ago!"

City Lord Fengye also cupped his hands, his face full of mockery.

"Brother Qin, your ability to conceal is truly something. After knowing you for so many years, only today have I had my eyes opened!"

City Lord Qin Fang heard this and suddenly laughed.

The laughter was not loud.

Yet, it caused many in the Heyang Army to lift their heads.

"I am flattered."

City Lord Qin Fang looked at the four.

"After all, I am not City Lord Zhou of Flower City."

"City Lord Zhou is a true gentleman and would not speculate about you with malice."

He paused, his smile deepening.

"I am different."

"I am a petty person."

"Since I am a petty person, it is inevitable that I would judge the hearts of you four brothers with my own petty mindset."

The expressions of the four city lords sank in unison.

These words were too light.

And too cutting.

Only a few days ago, they had been using the Hongdao Array and trade to interact with Flower City, obtaining many benefits.

Spirit rice, medicinal herbs, equipment, Formation materials, craftsmen exchanges—which of these was not a convenience yielded by Flower City?

Now, Flower City's main force was abroad, and the people of the Ten Cities had just entered the city; it was their busiest time.

They had declared no war, given no notice, and simply launched their troops.

City Lord Qin Fang said he was a petty person.

Then, as for who the "gentleman" he was guarding against was, the results made it clear at a glance.

Lord of Qinghe City's eyes grew cold bit by bit.

Lord of Nanchang City suppressed his anger.

City Lord Fengye's hand gripping the reins tightened.

Yet, for a moment, no one spoke immediately.

After a brief silence, City Lord Liefeng suddenly laughed.

At first, he just chuckled lowly.

Then the laughter grew louder and louder.

It grew so loud that even the three city lords beside him frowned and looked over.

City Lord Qin Fang also looked at him.

"What are you laughing at, Brother Liefeng?"

City Lord Liefeng slowly stopped his laughter.

His gaze fell on City Lord Qin Fang as if he were looking at prey that had already fallen into a net.

"I am laughing at Brother Qin for having a sharp tongue but no understanding of military strategy."

Sha Chenghu's brow furrowed.

City Lord Qin Fang, however, remained expressionless.

City Lord Liefeng continued, "If you had another contingency plan today, I might hold you in higher regard."

"But if you have only returned to show off your glib tongue, to boast about your foresight, and to flaunt that small victory from just now…"

He shook his head.

"Then that is too stupid."

In the ranks of the Heyang Army, many people's expressions changed slightly.

City Lord Liefeng did not stop.

He raised his hand and pointed to the old road where the traps had just detonated.

"If you had retreated just a little slower earlier, counted the corpses on the battlefield, and then counted the remnants who fled back, you would have discovered one thing."

City Lord Qin Fang did not speak.

The smile in City Lord Liefeng's eyes turned colder.

"The numbers don't match."

"The fallen, added to those who fled back, do not match the total number of troops I sent to pursue you."

Lord of Qinghe City's eyes flickered.

Lord of Nanchang City and City Lord Fengye also seemed to suddenly understand something.

City Lord Liefeng looked at City Lord Qin Fang.

"You should have guessed it too."

He said slowly, "That's right."

"You, are surrounded."

No sooner had the words fallen.

Low horn sounds suddenly rang out from behind the low slopes on both sides of the Heyang Army's rear.

The next moment, two armies that should have been scattered behind the traps poured out together from behind the slopes, from the woods, and from the sides of the old road.

They still had scorch marks on them.

Many had damaged armor and blood on their faces.

But their Formation had been re-established.

Long spears pressed forward, shield bearers formed a line, and cavalry blocked the retreat routes on both sides.

The Heyang Army's rear path was suddenly blocked.

City Lord Fengye sneered.

"City Lord Qin Fang, where do you think we found the leisure to talk nonsense with you just now?"

He looked at the flags rising behind the Heyang Army, his tone finally carrying a hint of satisfaction.

"Naturally, it was to buy time for the encirclement."

Lord of Nanchang City also laughed.

"Brother Liefeng, your ability to adapt to changing circumstances is truly brilliant."

Lord of Qinghe City nodded along.

"After the pursuit failed, you immediately took the opportunity to set up an encirclement. City Lord Qin Fang cannot escape!"

As these praises fell, the smile on City Lord Liefeng's face did not deepen.

He kept watching City Lord Qin Fang.

Because City Lord Qin Fang was too calm.

The Heyang Army was also too calm.

Their rear path was cut off, their flanks were sealed, the main force of The Four Cities was in front, and the regrouped pursuing troops were behind.

If it were an ordinary army, there would at least be a moment of commotion at this time.

But the Heyang Army did not.

The shield bearers simply tightened their shield straps.

Archers reached for their quivers.

Someone in the Mage Corps lowered their head to check the runes on their staff.

Sha Chenghu even loosened his shoulders, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.

The smile on City Lord Liefeng's face slowly faded.

"City Lord Qin Fang."

His voice dropped a little.

"Are you not afraid of death?"

City Lord Qin Fang smiled.

"I am."

He answered quickly.

"How could I not be?"

In the Heyang Army, someone laughed along.

City Lord Qin Fang looked up at the four city lords.

"It's just that compared to death, my soldiers and I in Heyang fear losing our sense of righteousness more."

The Four Cities' Formation quieted for a beat.

City Lord Qin Fang slowly drew his sword halfway.

The blade reflected the sky, feeling somewhat cold.

"If others use deceit to scheme against me, I will repay them with the blade."

Sha Chenghu, who was standing behind and to his side, continued:

"If others treat me with sincerity, I will repay them with my life and soul!"

As these two sentences fell, many people in the Heyang Army straightened their backs.

Some lowered their heads to look at their armor.

Some touched the medicine pouches at their waists.

Some remembered the spirit rice their elderly family members had eaten these past few days, remembered the medicinal ointment sent by Flower City to the wounded camp, and remembered the silence that lasted for a long time across Heyang City on the day the Hongdao Array node was completed.

What Flower City gave to Heyang was not just a road.

It was also trust.

That city had entrusted the Hongdao Array node to Heyang.

It had entrusted the trade routes to Heyang.

Various precious goods were also half-sold, half-given.

It had put the phrase "a scholar repays with his life" into practice.

These things were clearly written in the ledgers.

Everyone in Heyang City understood this clearly in their hearts.

City Lord Qin Fang gripped the sword hilt.

"Everyone."

His voice spread across the army Formation.

"Are you ready?"

Behind the Heyang Army, someone was the first to roar out.

"Do not worry, City Lord!"

Immediately after, others followed.

"My last will has already been written!"

"My old father back home only hopes I kill a few more ungrateful rats!"

"Heyang men, righteousness comes first!"

"We only await your order, City Lord!"

The voices were not uniform at first.

But soon, one after another, they pushed forward like a wave.

"City Lord!"

"Please give the order!"

"City Lord!"

"Please give the order!"

The sound waves grew higher and higher.

Within the Four-City Allied Forces, many soldiers' expressions changed.

They clearly had more people.

Their Formation was thicker.

They had surrounded them from front and back, occupying all the geographical advantages.

Yet at this moment, the Heyang Army, which was far smaller in number, had their Aura forcefully suppress them.

They were certainly afraid of death.

But they knew why they were standing here.

City Lord Qin Fang listened to the voices behind him and finally drew his sword completely.

Clang!

The blade left its sheath.

He did not look back.

He simply held the sword high, pointing it toward the center of The Four Cities.

His sword did not point toward the weakest retreat path in the rear.

Nor did it point toward the flank armies that had just closed in.

Where the blade pointed was exactly the direction where the four city lords were located.

In The Four Cities' Formation, many people's expressions changed simultaneously.

City Lord Liefeng also finally furrowed his brow tightly.

City Lord Qin Fang spurred his horse.

The warhorse took a step forward.

Then a second step.

City Lord Qin Fang's voice sank suddenly.

"Heyang Army, listen to my command!"

Everyone behind him simultaneously lowered their weapons.

City Lord Qin Fang's sword blade dropped downward.

"Follow me. Kill!"

The next moment, the Heyang Army did not break out toward the rear.

Facing the Four-City Allied Forces, who outnumbered them several times over, they crashed head-on toward the center command.

At this moment, the front line of The Four Cities was actually thrown into chaos for a moment.

They had seen charges.

But this one before them was unlike anything they had ever seen.

Even though they had been surrounded from front and back, even though the rear was the weakest path for survival, City Lord Qin Fang was leading the Heyang Army to crash into the center.

This did not look like trying to survive.

It looked more like they were ready to risk their lives!

"Stop them!"

"Shield wall!"

"Spear Formation, press forward!"

The sound of orders exploded one after another within The Four Cities' ranks.

The front row of shield bearers hastily pressed forward, long spears poked out from the gaps in the shields, and before the Archers could fully draw their strings, the first row of the Heyang Army's cavalry had already crashed into them.

Bang!

The shield wall shook violently.

The two leading warhorses were pierced by long spears on the spot, the horses' bodies pitched forward, and the cavalry rolled off the horses' backs, rolling half a circle on the ground, only to climb up while leaning on their blades.

His helmet was already crooked, and his face was covered in blood.

But he did not retreat.

He grabbed the long spear stuck in the horse's body and roared hoarsely, "Push up!"

The next moment, the shield bearers from behind stepped over the horse carcasses and bloody mud to press forward.

The shield faces of the Heyang Army crashed into The Four Cities' shield wall.

Wooden shields, iron shields, armor plates, and bones all made a dull sound together.

Long spears poked out from the gaps.

Someone was struck in the chest by a spear, their body leaning backward, yet they grabbed the spear shaft tightly and wouldn't let go, while a comrade behind them squeezed past their shoulder and slashed their blade onto the face of the opposing shield bearer.

Sha Chenghu rode on horseback, charging at the very front.

A Qinghe knight spotted an opportunity and broke in from the side, the spear tip aiming straight for the direction where City Lord Qin Fang was.

Sha Chenghu pulled the reins violently, and his warhorse slammed diagonally.

The spear tip slid past his shoulder armor, striking a shower of sparks.

Sha Chenghu let out a muffled grunt, grabbed the spear shaft with a backhand, and using the horse's momentum, pulled backward, dragging the knight off his horse.

"Die!"

He slashed his long blade downward, the back of the blade smashing heavily onto the opponent's chest.

Crack.

The knight couldn't even make a sound, and his whole body went limp.

City Lord Qin Fang swept past his side.

His personal guards stuck close to his sides, one holding a shield, one holding a spear, and the third specifically blocking arrows for him.

A rain of arrows fell from the front.

Cling-clang sounds hammered against the shield faces.

An arrow pierced through the gap in the side of the shield, pinning into that personal guard's neck.

The guard stumbled.

He did not fall.

He used his last bit of strength to lift the shield high, blocking a second arrow for City Lord Qin Fang, before slowly kneeling down.

City Lord Qin Fang saw it.

It wasn't just this person.

From the moment the charge began, people had been falling beside him.

Some blocked arrows for him, some caught spears for him, and some, when knocked over by a Spell, still gripped their shield straps tightly.

These people were very close to him.

So close that he could hear the sound of armor plates cracking, and could see blood splashing onto the horse's mane.

He only looked for a moment.

He could not stop.

If he stopped, more than just one person would die.

This tough battle, from the moment he decided to turn back, could not avoid death.

But this blood would not be shed in vain.

It would turn into the slowing footsteps of The Four Cities, it would turn into one less blade strike that Flower City would have to endure.

He gripped his sword tightly and continued forward.

Under his leadership, the Heyang Army acted like a wedge, forcefully driving into The Four Cities' front line.

They did not scatter to slaughter, nor were they greedy for credit by chasing people.

Everyone followed City Lord Qin Fang's sword blade and charged forward.

There was only one goal.

The center command.