Chapter 3, Dingxiang City

Is this also called singing? Little Huo suddenly opened his eyes after waking up, comfortably stretching his body.

"Military doctor, quickly call the military doctor!" Li Hongru supported him and shouted at a nearby junior officer.

"Boring girl," Xiao Huo said softly. "I am wondering whether I have lost my mind or if there is some kind of madness that makes me willing to engage in a hopeless war at this very moment, thereby earning the glorious title of martyr and becoming a burial companion to the thousands of strangers in the city"

The fifth head! Little Huo stumbled onto the city tower, nearly falling over, with a gunshot wound on his back that was a gruesome mass of flesh and blood

The city of Dingxiang was filled with thunderous cheers, and Lu Peng excitedly patted Li Hongru on the back, saying: "Don't stop! Bring all these flat-haired beasts down for me!"

The heir of the Right Wise King of the Xiongnu, Tuo Han, is the foremost disciple of the Master of the North Dipper Palace and the commander of the Xuanjia Cavalry

"General!" A Han army marquis in his forties rushed to Li Ding's side, his trembling long sword pointing at the overwhelming Huns cavalry: "The defense of Dingxiang City cannot hold, we must break through quickly!"

Li Dingbian's gaze slowly swept across his beloved daughter's face, then onto Xiao Huo, Gao Fan, and also onto Lu Peng and the countless subordinates and soldiers who had followed him through life and death for many years. Such valiant young men, after this battle, how many of them will still be alive to look back at their homeland?

Even years later, when the survivors of this bloody battle followed the Grand General of the Han Dynasty, Huo Qubing, northward to Dingxiang, sweeping through the desert and vanquishing their fierce enemies, the only sound that could keep the memory of the Dingxiang blood battle vivid in their ears was this great battle song of the wind

Li Dingbian stood firm, unwavering, beside him were Gao Fan, Lu Peng, and a group of loyal elite guards

Li Hongru's fingers were pressed tightly against the bowstring, her pearly teeth clenched, and a trace of blood seeped from her cherry lips. She intended to reserve the third arrow for the most critical moment, and all she could do now was endure the painful torment and wait

The Five Elements Masters accompanying the troops on the city wall began to counterattack the Xuanjia Eagle Riders, with colorful magical assaults bursting forth like a grand fireworks display in the clear sky stretching for miles. Unfortunately, the Xuanjia Eagle Riders flew too high, far beyond the effective range of these Five Elements Masters' attacks, rendering their elemental assaults ineffective.

One person, two people, hundreds of people, and thousands upon thousands of the Dingxiang military and civilians, without anyone initiating or commanding, all coincidentally sang together this ancient song composed by Emperor Gaozu eighty years ago

She could not imagine that a person who indulged in eating, drinking, and gambling all day long, acting recklessly, would willingly stand on the city tower of Dingxiang at this moment, fighting alongside her.

The injured person struggled to rise from the stretcher, picked up their weapon again, and charged up the city tower; the able-bodied men in the city seized axes and clubs from their homes and also rushed forward without hesitation

In the past, the invasions by the Xiongnu cavalry would bypass Dingxiang City and penetrate deep into the heart of the Han Dynasty for plunder and slaughter, but this time the situation seems markedly different

Mind your own business! The frustration from last night's failure has not yet dissipated her lingering anger towards Xiao Huo, and just now, it has added new contempt.

The song sung by Li Dingbian abruptly came to a halt as a pitch-black magic arrow pierced through the golden armor and struck his chest

Here it comes. Amidst the passionate singing of the people, Xiao Huo gazed towards the northern sky and softly spoke

The song is powerful and tragic, as if, in an instant, it surpasses the clamor of golden spears and iron horses, the roars of life and death. Accompanied by the long winds coming from the southern summer, it sweeps over the towering mountains and the southern city of the desert north.

A dense rain of arrows shot from the city tower towards the sky, targeting the armored eagle riders. However, the powerful gusts generated by the flapping wings of the demonic eagles caused these arrows to veer off course before they could even get close. Even if one or two arrows managed to hit their mark, they merely knocked off a few dark iron feathers, posing no threat whatsoever to the demonic eagles or the knights on their backs

However, as Houguan attempted to argue, a flash of a blade suddenly appeared from behind, and blood gushed forth as his head fell.

"Deploy all archers and the accompanying elemental masters to the city walls!" Li Dingbian commanded loudly

Gao Fan pondered seriously and then sighed dejectedly: "Unfortunately, I left my copy of the 'Shan Hai Jing' at home. Otherwise, if I could carefully flip through it, I would surely find the answer."

Xiao Huo ignored the gazes directed at him from all directions and grinned, saying: "Oh, it seems I should thank Xiao Gao. If it weren't for his sister being captured by the enemy, I would have already become a pile of meat patties."

At that moment, however, Xiao Huo, oblivious to those around him, began to strike the city wall and sang loudly: "The great wind rises, and the clouds soar; power reigns over the land, returning to the homeland; how can a valiant warrior guard the four corners!" Under the vigorous and forceful impetus of the Nine Yang Dragon Energy, the resounding and passionate song instantly echoed over most of Dingxiang City.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow if we survive!" In the urgent and tense battlefield, Xiao Huo also lost the mood for joking. He suddenly soared into the sky, and his machete struck down on the neck of a lone, low-flying demon eagle. As the blade passed, blue, foul-smelling blood splattered everywhere, and the demon eagle let out a mournful cry, swaying as it carried the armored knight past the city tower of Dingxiang, struggling to ascend.

Dodge! Xiao Huo suddenly knocked Li Hongru aside with his shoulder, causing her to stumble several feet and nearly fall on the city tower

As Xiao Huo's singing gradually came to a halt, Li Dingbian suddenly began to sing the Great Wind Song once more.

As they drew closer, people finally realized that there were actually over a hundred giant birds resembling large eagles. Their black wings spread out to more than five zhang in length, far exceeding everyone's previous imagination. Moreover, on the back of each giant bird sat a formidable knight clad in black armor, wielding a heavy sword and carrying a quiver of arrows.

"Rest assured, I am not that delicate," Xiao Huo replied with a light-hearted tone, "Go protect General Li!"

Young man, I cannot answer your question either. Li Dingbian said, "In fact, each of us standing here has different reasons. If you feel unable to convince yourself to stay, you can leave at any time. I will not regard you as a deserter, but I would prefer that you fight alongside us against the enemy"

At the time he spoke these words, there were still three elemental masters surviving on the city wall, who had almost lost their combat effectiveness against the Xuanjia cavalry

While escorting the citizens who had fled to Dingxiang City yesterday, the Han army he led encountered a Xiongnu army of over 10,000 troops in a skirmish. In an effort to rescue a subordinate who had fallen from his horse, his left thigh was severely struck by a curved saber.

The timid have forgotten their fear, the sorrowful have dried their tears, and in their ears resounds the same battle song, the same voice echoing and rising: "The great wind rises, and the clouds soar!"

This is the Xuanjia carved steed of the Beidou Palace on Yanzhan Mountain. The name and origin of this object cannot be found even if you scour the "Shan Hai Jing".

The demonic eagle, with a mournful cry, was reduced to ashes in the golden divine light that erupted from the inner sanctum of the art and book group. The armored riders on the chariot, sensing the impending danger, hastily abandoned the demonic eagle and activated the wind control to gradually drift away towards the Xiongnu army formation outside the city.

People were horrified to discover that this never-before-seen cyan cold flame, once ignited on clothing or armor, could not be extinguished. Pouring bucket after bucket of water on it would only serve to intensify the flames.

Eh? Li Hong couldn't help but glance at Xiao Huo, wondering how this young man could know so much

The sun rose higher, and the scorching heat caused the heavily armored defenders of the city to sweat profusely. Lu Peng spat fiercely towards the ground below the city tower and shouted loudly at the opposing Xiongnu army: "Hey, if you don't attack the city soon, I'm going back to sleep!"

But apart from his two friends, almost no one on the city tower at this moment would pay him any attention. Based on his previous outrageous remarks, Xiao Huo's status in the eyes of the crowd had swiftly fallen from that of a young and promising lone hero to that of an eccentric and cowardly weakling.

He is singing "No Clothes," a battle song from the Book of Songs. Li Hongru replied, "Unfortunately, he is singing off-key quite badly"

With a whoosh, the second arrow was released, shattering another demon eagle into pieces.

Yet he still insisted on standing atop the city tower of Dingxiang, with the fluttering banners of the Han dynasty behind him and the vast, magnificent mountains and rivers stretching endlessly before him. Even in death, he could not tolerate a single enemy soldier stepping onto the city tower of Dingxiang

Using sand, Xiao Huo swung his knife to split open a bag of sand piled at the entrance of the corridor, pouring it over an archer who was on fire and rolling on the ground.

Despite having been friends for many years, Gao Fan found that he could never truly understand Xiao Huo's thoughts. Xiao Huo rarely expressed his emotions directly, resembling a hedgehog that had been hurt in the past and was afraid of being hurt again, curling up tightly and responding to the world with a gaze filled with unbearable sarcasm, carefully protecting himself with cold, sharp quills.

Coward! If it weren't for you saving so many of our fellow villagers last night, I would have kicked you off the city wall!

These bastards, neither dead nor alive, standing there like wooden stakes, what on earth do they want to do

Here it comes! A surge of dark clouds obscures the northern sky, diving towards Dingxiang City with incredible speed

"Do not push yourself too hard," Li Hongru heard someone beside her whispering to her

"Xiao Huo, please stop!" Jiao Tou Lan E, feeling embarrassed, urged, "Can we discuss this issue later?"

Li Hong took a deep breath, her delicate hand, poised on the bowstring, gradually stretched. A golden arrow of light slowly took shape. She did not inform the inspired crowd that with her current cultivation level, she could at most shoot three Hou Yi divine arrows at full strength without interruption, after which she would be powerless for the next six hours

A dazzling golden arrow, like a long rainbow piercing the sun, accurately shot through the thick neck of a demon eagle

The horn sounded repeatedly, and the Xiongnu army, several miles away, slowly began to advance, closing in on the city gates

Li Hong nodded slightly, took the drumsticks from her father's hands, turned around, and struck heavily on the drum surface with both arms.

"I apologize, Xiao Huo certainly did not mean that, nor could he be considered a coward. The calmness and composure he displayed in front of the Princess of Longcheng is something we cannot match." Gao Fan hurriedly explained to the indignant crowd around him on behalf of his friend, but this was far from enough to quell the anger of the gathered scholars.

Xiao Huo chuckled, revealing the two rows of pristine white teeth that made Li Hong wish she could shatter them all. Lazily, she yawned and said, "Then let me take a nap first"

Puff! Dust and smoke rise, wisps of light smoke emerge, and the cold flames are immediately extinguished by the sand.

I am already fifty-four years old, and today I would have no regrets sacrificing my life for my country. However..." Li Dingbian quietly glanced back at his beloved daughter standing behind him, feeling a pang in his heart

Listen, that is the song of Colonel Li! People are passing this on to each other—Colonel Li is still on the city tower, he is beating the drum, singing loudly, standing proudly in the face of the unstoppable tide of the Xiongnu cavalry

In the song, there is a force that emanates from the depths of the heart and resonates profoundly. Gradually, every valiant soldier standing atop the city tower feels their blood surging and their spirit soaring.

Use sand, quickly use sand! Hurry up and find sandbags!

If that's the case, I will stand guard at the city gate, killing anyone who enters, and killing a pair if two come in!" Lu Peng said nonchalantly, striking the pair of Soul-Splitting Axes in his hands.

Where are there still sandbags

The drum is the soul of the army, do you understand, Hongru?" Li Dingbian laughed heartily and shook his head, using his already hoarse throat to sing: "When the great wind rises, the clouds soar, power spreads across the land, returning to the homeland..."

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and surprisingly, the Xiongnu army maintained their attacking formation, standing quietly in place as if patiently waiting for something

This fool must be lamenting the good opportunity he lost last night to become a prince consort. Li Hongru still harbors resentment towards Xiao Huo's act of sheathing his sword. What further incites Li Hongru's disdain, however, is the notorious reputation for debauchery that this young man is known for far and wide

On the city tower and by the streets, the people enduring the trials of war quietly listen to the grand song of the wind soaring under the clear sky, as if forgetting their fears, forgetting their sorrows, and even ignoring the tense presence of the Xiongnu cavalry outside the city...

"Hello, fool!" Li Hong gazed at Xiao Huo with her clear, bright eyes, filled with curiosity and suspicion. "How do you know so much about the secrets of the Beidou Palace?"

What is it! Li Hong leaned against the city wall, unable to help but rub her chest where she had been bumped, gazing at the slightly pale Xiao Huo. Although she felt a hint of gratitude in her heart, she still believed that the other party was merely showing off rather than genuinely offering help.

Of course, no one on the opposite side would answer him. Li Hongru's gaze searched among the densely packed Xiongnu cavalry for the figure of the Dragon City Princess. As a sharpshooter, she possessed vision and keen observational skills far beyond that of ordinary people, yet after a thorough search, she surprisingly did not find the opponent she was looking for.

Father! Li Hongru looked at her father, whose breath was faint and weak, and tears inevitably rolled down her jade-like cheeks.

A strong wind blows, the flags flutter vigorously, and a terrifying silence pervades the city of Dingxiang, reminiscent of the ominous calm before an impending storm.

At this moment, the Xuanjia Cavalry changed their tactics, shifting the focus of their attacks from the senior military officers defending the city to the accompanying Five Elements Masters and individuals such as Li Hongru. Of course, they would not neglect the concentrated assault on the highest military commander of Dingxiang City—if they could kill Li Dingbian, it would be equivalent to winning half of the siege battle

Li Hong was overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears. She did not know who beside her took the opportunity to grasp her trembling delicate hand, and then one after another, they continued to connect, circling around the Dingxiang city tower, circling around the vast mountains and rivers stretching for a hundred thousand miles

Hurry up, the drumbeat must not stop! Li He urged his beloved daughter, his face showing anxiety as he gasped.

"What are you all surrounding me for? I can take care of myself!" Li Dingbian shouted, "Quickly go protect the five-element master accompanying the troops!"

Coward! Li Dingbian shouted angrily, "Go back and fight. Anyone who wavers in morale will be killed without mercy!"

Bang, bang, bang! On the city walls, the valiant Li Dingbian, adorned in a golden helmet and drenched in blood, strikes the war drum with all his might; below the city, rows of Huns push logs, repeatedly battering the city gates. The sky seems to be stained red with blood, and within less than half an hour, the battle has escalated to a breathtakingly intense stage.

Hong Ru ... ... Dai, beat the drum for me! Li Ding struggled to raise his hand, intending to pass the drumstick to his daughter

Dark clouds loom over the city. The crisp sound of bowstrings being drawn resonates, as hundreds of dark arrows rain down from the sky

The sound of "ding ding ding ding..." echoed as the saber emitted a burst of red light, deflecting more than ten magic arrows shot towards Li Hongru. Even the blade infused with the powerful Nine Yang Dragon Qi could not sever the shafts of the arrows, which fell far outside the city.

Are the Xiongnu preparing to attack the city? The commanding officer of Dingxiang, Li Ding, with his solid and robust figure, stands on the city tower, appearing from a distance like a mountain standing in the way of the Xiongnu cavalry

Even when he smiles, he cannot forget to wear a hint of nonchalance and pride at the corners of his mouth, never allowing others to read the soul hidden deep within him

"Xiao Huo, what are you thinking?" Gao Fan asked as he walked up to him

Little Huo stood behind the city wall, silent and desolate, as if quietly waiting for something. His gaze was fixed on the distant, unattainable horizon of the sky, and his dark, thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed, subtly revealing a hint of restlessness within him, which contrasted sharply with the spirited warriors around him.

General Li! Young Huo rushed over, gently laying Li Dingbian down in his arms, yet he did not dare to reach out and pull out the demonic arrow.

"What is he mumbling about while shaking his head?" Lu Peng expressed his dissatisfaction and turned to ask Li Hongru.

The fickle fellow, who just a moment ago was shamelessly contemplating desertion, now comes back pretending to be a hero. Li Hongru genuinely feels that Xiao Huo's actions resemble a performance: "However, this fool is indeed ruthless in his actions. Since he is so capable of killing, why did he specifically let the Princess of Longcheng go last night? Hmph, men, regardless of age, are all lecherous!"

With a whoosh, a stream of deep blue cold flames erupted from the iron beak of the demon sculpture, instantly engulfing Dingxiang City in a sea of fire

Well done! Li Dingbian was momentarily taken aback, then praised, "After this battle, I will commend you for your military achievements!"

Father! Li Hong had just repelled two armored eagle riders from attacking Li Dingbian, but upon turning around, she was horrified to find her father leaning against the city wall, blood gushing from his chest, his grip on the drumstick still tight and firm.

What is this thing? A young student looked up at the dark, raging tide, asking Gao Fan in astonishment

What a reckless Hunnic barbarian, too lazy to even build a siege ladder, wanting to break in directly? For an heir of a tomb-raiding family, using brute force to smash open a door is undoubtedly the most uncreative and unartistic form of violence

"By the order of the Commander, anyone who wavers the morale of the troops shall be executed without mercy!" Little Huo had appeared beside Li Dingbian at some point, transmitting his military order throughout the city using the Nine Yang Dragon Force.

Possibly due to the heavy defeat suffered last year at the hands of General Wei Qing, the severely weakened Xiongnu have resolved to massacre the border cities as a brutal and bloody revenge against their enemies and the books. Their army is arrayed beneath the walls of Dingxiang and is poised to charge at any moment

Lu Peng and Gao Fan had already rushed down the city tower to assist the defending troops in desperately reinforcing the city gates, thereby delaying the enemy's offensive.

"You may insult my intelligence, but you must never humiliate my singing voice!" Gao Fan's pale face flushed red as he argued, "My singing is enough to astonish the heavens and weep the spirits!"

Indeed, Xiao Huo's subsequent response indirectly confirmed the validity of this suspicion

If there were no war, I should be sitting in my own yard starting to read at this moment. Gao Fan gazed at the rising sun slowly ascending from the eastern horizon, reciting with a divination stick against the city wall: "Is it said that there are no clothes? I share the same robe with you; the king raises an army, sharpens my spears and halberds, and we share the same enmity..."

"Do you want to consider yourself a lifesaver? I will not let this guy take pride in it!" She reflected quietly.

In an instant, the generous and heroic song echoed through the towering mountains, surging forth to declare to the thirty thousand Xiongnu cavalry below the city tower the strongest and most indignant resolve of the Han people to fight to the death

Although Li Hongru had long anticipated that the other party would never speak anything of value, she was still taken aback by Xiao Huo's astonishing remarks, which subsequently filled her with a profound sense of humiliation and disgust.

This is a bitter struggle that is clearly destined to be a passive beating. The several thousand defenders of Dingxiang face thirty thousand Xiongnu cavalry, and the only thing they can rely on is the solid and towering city walls. Although he has already sent a fast horse to report the situation at the earliest opportunity, it is uncertain how many days will pass before the imperial army gathers and departs for Dingxiang City.

At dawn in the East, over 30,000 Xiongnu cavalry slowly approached, forming an attack formation in the vast wilderness outside the northwestern city wall of Dingxiang. This fertile land, which had suffered devastation just yesterday, was engulfed by the high-flying banners of the Xiongnu and the glinting curved blades, lamenting in the morning mist.

"Damn it, why would the Beidou Demon Palace, which has never involved itself in worldly wars, suddenly dispatch the Xuanjia Eagle Riders to assist the Xiongnu cavalry?" Li Hongru's beautiful face became dim under the shadow cast by the giant eagle overhead

The other camps of the Xiongnu in various directions remained inactive, subtly serving to restrain and encircle.

She was unaware that this statement also encompassed her father, whom she had always admired. Fortunately, Li Dingbian was preoccupied with commanding the defense of the city and had no opportunity to notice that his daughter's gaze was somewhat unusual

"It is actually the 'Song of the Great Wind' by Emperor Gaozu." Gao Fan looked at Xiao Huo in surprise and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "This guy dares to use the song of the late emperor to suppress me, how despicable... No, it is too inspiring!"

Xiao Huo glanced at everyone without a care, his disdainful gaze resembling that of someone looking at a group of irredeemable fools, and smiled as he said: "Death? I don't care. The question is, what am I dying for?"

He originally had two sons who followed the great general Wei Qing and were killed in battle on the northern frontier. Li Hongru has become the last hope of the Li family; must she also sacrifice herself at Dingxiang City

The booming sound echoed as the magical arrows struck the city walls, causing a tremendous explosion that left the defending soldiers in a state of carnage. The soldiers' shields and armor, under the relentless assault of the magical arrows, became mere decorations, helplessly pierced one after another

After determining that the defending forces' air defense capabilities were essentially lost, the armored cavalry swooped down recklessly, drawing ever closer to the city walls

Li Hongru hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran towards Li Dingbian. "Father, let me beat the drum for you!"