Seven

It is a scavenging bird, entirely black, and its call resembles a human cry. My family used to be hunters, living in the woods, but this kind of bird, if we accidentally shot it, we would just throw it away, as we do not eat it

"I studied well when I was in the Jigong, my grades were even better than General Bai's." Xi Yan turned over and mounted the horse, "I am a good student"

You said, it is of no consequence

Everyone mind their own business, I have nothing significant to share with you all, no need to concern yourselves with me. Gu Yueyi called out.

The soldiers gathered around, and the squad led by the centurion still had more than fifty men remaining. They sat down in a circle around the pot. The centurion sat beside Gu Yueyi, untying a coarse cloth bundle, which contained a neatly stacked pile of coarse flatbreads and some strips of dried horse meat about two fingers wide. With Gu Yueyi present, the soldiers appeared restrained, silent and sullen. The centurion instructed them to pass the flatbreads and horse meat around, giving each person one strip of jerky and two flatbreads. When it reached the last soldier, only two flatbreads and one strip of jerky remained, which was his portion, as there had been no extra rations prepared. If he took more, he would have to hand over a piece of the coarse cloth wrapping to Gu Yueyi. He held these items as if they were a significant dilemma, unsure of what to do. He was still a young soldier, quite handsome, around sixteen or seventeen years old, with a pale forehead that was almost beaded with sweat. He held these items as if they were a significant dilemma, unsure of what to do. He was still a young soldier, quite handsome, around sixteen or seventeen years old, with a pale forehead that was almost beaded with sweat.

Cold sweat soaked through the inner garment of Gu Yue. As he turned around, he saw a black warhorse charging towards him like a gale. The weapon that pinned down the warrior from the Li Kingdom was an iron halberd, thrown by the person on horseback.

The night wind howled as it swept over the city, the large banner of the snow chrysanthemum fluttering urgently in the air, and the flames beneath the pot scattered as if startled by something. However, the men from Jinbei, gathered for their meal, paid no mind to it. They patted each other on the shoulders, discussing various unrelated topics, whether it was the prospect of entering the capital to see the noblewomen of the imperial city, or if the royal family were to grant rewards, they would retire and return home to marry the most beautiful woman in their village. They gulped down the scalding thin porridge, eager to fill their bowls. They formed a circle, the warmth of the men seemingly capable of warding off the chill in the wind. This circle was as solid as iron; even if there were man-eating demons lurking in the wind, they could not invade the territory of these men.

The remaining cavalry archers circumvented the enemy and went directly to push the city gate. Several others swung their blades at the warrior from the foreign nation; two swords successfully struck his shoulder, but it was as if they had hit wood, as the blades became lodged in his solid muscle and could not advance further. The warrior from the foreign nation seemed completely unbothered by the pain; with one hand he swung his sword and with the other he struck, sending several people flying. Those struck by him had no chance of survival. He lunged at a cavalry archer on the ground who was still wailing, and with one stroke, he severed the head from the body. The warrior from the foreign nation seemed completely unbothered by the pain; with one hand he swung his sword and with the other he struck, sending several people flying. Those struck by him had no chance of survival. He lunged at a cavalry archer on the ground who was still wailing, and with one stroke, he severed the head from the body

"That arrow was shot by the ancient general, wasn't it? But it couldn't kill it, so the ancient general had no choice but to flee." Xi Yan pointed his sword at the warrior from the Kingdom of Li, who was pinned to the ground, "Of course, corpses cannot be killed; they are already dead."

Gu Yueyi looked at his dazed expression and suddenly smiled. She snatched the coarse cloth from his hand and forcefully slapped the flatbread made of coarse wheat flour and the dried meat strips into his palm

"Oats... that is something for horses to eat," said the centurion

This is a powerful arrow shot from outside the city gate, no less formidable than the arrows of the Cloud Clan. Gu Yueyi lowered his head and crouched down, the arrow grazed through his hair, severing several strands. Gu Yueyi was drenched in cold sweat, realizing the terrifying nature of his opponent. The power and accuracy of that arrow were impeccable; Gu Yueyi narrowly escaped with his life, relying on his ten years of hard training with the bow and arrow and his instincts.

The soldiers pointed their arrowheads towards the ground, with half-drawn bows, and their hands holding the fletching of the arrows resting against their cheeks

The remaining Izumo cavalrymen charged out, lacking horses and unable to draw their bows in time. They could only rely on the decorative waist knives at their sides and their own flesh and blood to seal the gate. The young soldier threw a torch at the city gate, and by the flickering light, the Izumo cavalrymen saw the enemies rising in the night. Their movements were stiff, yet they acted swiftly, charging towards the city gate. At first, they seemed to disguise themselves as corpses, evading the gaze of the Jinbei army. Their movements were stiff, yet they acted swiftly, charging towards the city gate. At first, they seemed to disguise themselves as corpses, evading the gaze of the Jinbei army. The leader's face was indistinct, but his towering figure and the enormous double horns on his head were clear. Such attire was reserved for the esteemed warriors of the Li Kingdom, and this headgear made them appear fierce like beasts. The weapon in his hand was also the favored square-bladed machete of the Li people, with a massive blade and serrated edge that could undoubtedly obliterate an enemy in a single strike.

"Is someone watching us?" Gu Yueyi was startled, and she looked out towards the city, only to see a desolate land strewn with corpses and the distant swaying of dark trees. She concentrated and once again heard the rustling sound of the wind passing through the leaves, intermittent and elusive. On the battlefield outside the city, the iron spear still stood upright, with the heads of the deceased impaled upon it.

"My subordinates sent someone to investigate, but found nothing," said the centurion. "However, the night owl cannot be frightened by scouts. On the battlefield, while one side is still engaged in combat, it dares to fly down and peck at the corpses. Unless there is a large army hiding nearby, we country folk say that the night owl fears the presence of the living"

All of this happened in the same instant, when the war knife of the commander cleaved down from the centurion's neck, splitting him completely in half. The centurion also drew his sword and struck out; he did not strike at the warrior from the Kingdom of Li, but instead severed the handle of the mechanism with a single blow

"Zombies! They are zombies!" Cheng Kui's expression was fierce as he picked up a sabre from the saddle and threw it to Gu Yueyi

At the city gate, the foremost warrior from the Outcloud cavalry almost collided head-on with the warrior from the Li Kingdom. Weighing less than his opponent, he was immediately knocked away. The second Outcloud cavalryman had just raised his battle knife when he lost his chance, as his companion in front was sent crashing back into him. The Li Kingdom warrior stepped forward, swinging his battle knife horizontally, cleaving the third man in half.

The centurion handed his bread and horse meat to Gu Yueyi. Gu Yueyi pushed it back with a smile, saying, "I am not lacking, when the imperial envoy came to the camp, I accompanied him for a cup of fine tea from the capital and enjoyed the specially made pastries from the Taiqing Palace"

He wanted to dodge, but an object moved far faster than his torch. He heard the sound of metal slicing through the air as a long weapon pierced through the crack of the door, knocking away the torch he had thrown, piercing through his armor, shattering his sternum, and impaling his entire chest!

Gu Yueyi shook her head: "The latest batch of supplies has not arrived. The responsibility for supplying military rations and livestock falls to the states of Chu Wei and Xia Tang. A few days ago, a military report came in stating that the civilian laborers sent by Chu Wei were ambushed and killed by the retreating enemy forces on the road, and all the grain was burned on the spot, with almost no survivors. As for Xia Tang, it is too far away; their supplies will take at least ten more days to arrive"

The Moon of Prosperity

The centurion turned to face the warrior who had left the country

More than 50 sharp arrows whistled as they shot out, striking from a very close distance, all hitting their targets. No one could withstand such an impact; even a frenzied bull would be knocked back by the onslaught. The towering figure was no exception; he was pierced like a hedgehog and fell heavily to the ground, his long spear, which had pierced the young man, also dropping to the ground.

The centurion, like him, held his waist sword tightly, pressed his lips together, and slowly shook his head

I went to open the door. The young and handsome sergeant stepped out

It is said to be a gift from the emperor, and after a long and arduous journey of three days, it finally arrived here, but it has long been consumed. Gu Yueyi smiled wryly, saying, "They certainly spared no expense on the ingredients, with a filling of honey that is so sweet it makes me drink tea vigorously"

"Xuan Yi." Gu Yueyi said softly

A flurry of thoughts surged through Gu Yueyi's mind like a storm, yet he remained motionless. He watched as the warrior from the Li Kingdom, wearing a horned helmet, slowly turned to face him, the distance between them only fifty paces. The other party should have been able to see him nocking an arrow, yet showed no intention of evading. The Li Kingdom warrior stood silently, holding his blade, resembling a beast baring its fangs as it gazed at its prey

The centurion, an old soldier, understood his meaning and shook his head with a bitter smile: "Each person still has two coarse wheat cakes, and the brothers in the city have an extra piece of horse meat, thanks to those dead warhorses. However, there is not enough rice left; combined, there are probably only two carts remaining, and in five days, we will run out. In Jinbei, we primarily eat rice, and the rice is not very filling to begin with; most of it was burned by the enemy's fire, and the little that was seized is pitifully scarce."

The soldiers moved in unison to fully draw back over fifty bows, all aimed at a single point in the gap of the city gate

"General, hurry!" The terrified and desperate shout of the centurion echoed across the night sky

Close the city gates!" Gu Yueyi shouted again

Gu Yueyi fastened his waist knife: "Are there still brothers who haven't come up to eat?"

He had no time to ponder why there was a soldier from the State of Chu outside the door, but this man had killed one of his subordinates, and he sensed that a great danger was imminent. He was an archer, confident in his horn bow, believing that all dangers could be eliminated at the earliest opportunity with a rain of arrows

The exiled warrior lunged at the centurion

More than fifty soldiers drew their horn bows from their waists and silently followed behind Gu Yueyi. They quickly descended the city and formed a crescent formation behind the city gate. This is one of the strongest archery formations; when a rain of arrows descends from the crescent formation onto a target, the attack comes from all directions, making it completely impossible for the enemy to defend. The cavalry archers of the Outcloud have absolute confidence; their bows are very strong, and more than fifty sharp arrows can knock any enemy back in the first instant.

The first arrow that he evaded and the second arrow that was severed were merely traps, while the third arrow, meant to kill, struck when he had slightly relaxed his entire body. Confusion, further confusion, and then came the poison; his opponent seemed to be toying with him in an attempt to take his life. With the dagger in hand, yet in the moment of weakness, it was already too late to swing it again. Gu Yueyi made a decision in an instant; he threw away the dagger, turned sharply, and stepped forward to meet the feathered arrow!

Xi Yan stopped the frenzied gallop of Mo Xue, ignoring Gu Yueyi, and instead drew the ancient sword from his waist. He leaped off his horse and rushed towards the warrior who was nailed to the ground yet still struggling, thrusting the sword into the left chest of the warrior from the Li Kingdom and then twisting the hilt. Gu Yueyi knew that this strike would surely crush the enemy's heart. The struggles of the Li Kingdom warrior finally came to an end, his hands and feet going limp. It turned out he was not invulnerable after all. The struggles of the Li Kingdom warrior finally came to an end, his hands and feet going limp. It turned out he was not invulnerable after all

Gu Yueyi knew that rushing in to rescue was futile. He tore off a corner of his battle attire and tightly wrapped it around his hand. The pain in his palm was excruciating, which would affect his aim, but he only had one arrow. He had not anticipated the need to fight when he came out, having only brought a bow with him, and that arrow was the one he had seized. He had to use this arrow to eliminate the enemy.

The Lord of Jinbei, Lei Qianye, was originally just a general, serving as the pillar of the Jinbei state. The previous generation of the Jinbei Marquis Qiu family conspired with the Yuren of Ningzhou to rebel against the royal family. Lei Qianye reported this to the royal family and assisted the then loyal minister of the royal family, Duke Ying Wuyi of Li State, along with a coalition formed by several other states, to attack the capital of Jinbei, Qiuyeshan City, quelling the Qiu family's rebellion. As a result, he gained the trust of the emperor and inherited the power of the Qiu family. It had been hundreds of years since the Ying Dynasty had seen someone from such a lowly surname achieve merit and receive fiefs and titles, and this legendary event shook the entire Eastern Continent.

The archers retrieved their arrows once again, still not daring to let their guard down, as no one knew if there were others hiding outside. As they nocked the second arrow onto the bowstring, a strange sound emanated from outside. At first glance, it resembled the sound of the wind, yet it also gave the impression of a dozen people breathing heavily in unison, straining to lift something. The soldiers drew their bows taut, not daring to make the slightest unnecessary movement. The situation was too bizarre, and fear overshadowed everything.

It is best for the old general to inquire about which areas are free of enemies. Xi Yan patted his shoulder and said, "Your Jinbei Kingdom's main camp has now become a wasteland. They stormed into the camp, killing indiscriminately, but could not be restrained. In the end, they had no choice but to rely on their numbers to block the camp gates with sandbags, and set everything ablaze with a single fire.

Several warhorses galloped in, all elite Wind Tiger Iron Cavalry, led by Cheng Kui himself. Cheng Kui maneuvered his warhorse, which neighed loudly, his eyes filled with blood-red fury, breathing heavily like an ox. Xi Yan wiped the slight sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, also breathing heavily, and withdrew the ancient sword.

"The general must be joking; you are the star of our Jinbei. The sovereign said that after him, it will be you. It has been over a decade since Jinbei has seen a figure of such caliber," said the centurion

The southern barbarians are truly beasts; when they break through, they continue to burn, kill, and plunder without any sign of weakening in their resolve. The centurion licked his lips, somewhat hesitant, and said, "General, there is something I am unsure whether it is appropriate to ask..."

The Three-Link Pearl, the legendary archery miracle known as the Ancient Moon Garment, is now right before his eyes

The general said that the supplies are far away in the sky? The centurion became worried

Close the door!" Gu Yueyi turned around and shouted at the soldier who had dodged the giant hammer.

I have never been to the capital either, and I would like to see it... However, I did indeed meet the imperial envoy. In the afternoon, the esteemed envoy visited our military camp and bestowed upon me a jade disc, gold vouchers, and the attire of nobility. There was no mention of supplies, and as for entering the capital to pay homage, it remains the same old story: we must wait for the Astronomical Bureau to observe the celestial phenomena and select an auspicious date before any decisions can be made. Gu Yueyi put away his battle attire, sat on the ground, and casually tossed a branch into the pot. The firelight illuminated his youthful face, and he appeared indifferent, saying, 'The jade disc, gold vouchers, and attire, while indeed valuable, unfortunately cannot be used as medicine or food.' He sat on the ground, casually tossing a branch into the pot. The firelight illuminated his youthful face, and he appeared indifferent, saying, 'The jade disc, gold vouchers, and attire, while indeed valuable, unfortunately cannot be used as medicine or food.'

"How is it?" Gu Yueyi asked as she walked up behind him

We have defeated Ying Wuyi this time, and we are also the contributors to the restoration of the monarchy. Given that Tianqi City is so close, is it not possible to receive supplies from the imperial capital? Did not the royal envoy arrive today?" The centurion chuckled, "To be honest, the brothers are all eager to go to the capital and have a look. I have heard that the prosperity of Tianqi City is unmatched, a city of ten thousand. Compared to it, Qiuyue is like a rural area. My family has also asked me to buy some small items from the imperial capital to take back, to give to friends and relatives, knowing that we have come out this time with a great victory. To be able to enter the imperial capital is a matter of pride and boasting in our place.

He leaped forward and pushed Gu Yueyi out. At the same moment, a massive black shadow rushed into the city gate with a whoosh, the sound of wind it generated indicating its immense weight, far beyond what human strength could withstand. It landed but did not stop, rolling on the ground towards the soldiers at an extremely fast speed. The soldiers had no time to scatter; the object rolled over them, leaving those it crushed in a bloody mess, only able to emit a brief cry of anguish

Gu Yueyi was at a loss for words, yet he understood that what Xi Yan said was indeed correct. He recalled the moment they faced each other, where he clearly saw the face of the warrior from the departing nation, a deathly pallor, so grotesque that it resembled nothing human.

He laughed heartily: "Look at your cowardly appearance! I, the commander of the Jinbei army, have led 5,000 cavalry here to support the throne. Would I really get angry and demote you just because you didn't share my cake?"

The soldiers burst into loud laughter

Night Owl

The attacks of the cavalry archers bought them time, as the city gates slowly closed. The centurion had long been waiting at the side, leaping forward to operate the mechanism. The gears turned laboriously, and the copper wedge was gradually pushed out, sealing the gate. At this moment, the burly warrior from the departing nation seemed to realize his mistake, and he turned to attack the cavalry archers who were closing the gate. No one could stop him, even for a moment; those who engaged him immediately fell dead under his savage blade. The burly warrior from the departing nation seemed to realize his mistake, and he turned to attack the cavalry archers who were closing the gate. No one could stop him, even for a moment; those who engaged him immediately fell dead under his savage blade.

"Stop thinking about it! The enemy is coming!" Cheng Kui shouted anxiously, "Don't run away, let's settle this right here!"

"Unkillable!" Gu Yueyi could not believe his eyes; he even forgot to run and resist as he watched the enemy approach. He suddenly understood why the centurion only wanted him to leave. When the centurion faced the enemy at close range, he realized that this enemy was impossible to kill, not even by Gu Yueyi's arrows

Be careful, open a gap, and immediately move to the side, no matter what, it will pierce through.

It is considered a matter of course for a minister to die for the emperor. The emperor does not believe that you have conferred any favor upon the royal family; your actions merely demonstrate your loyalty. Whether the royal family agrees to provide compensation or summons you is another matter. Gu Yueyi twitched her nose, as the faint aroma of rice porridge began to waft through the air. "Is the porridge ready? I will have a bowl with you all."

But he did not even have a chance to catch his breath before the second arrow arrived before him! Gu Yueyi did not hesitate, swinging his waist knife to sever the second arrow in two. He slightly turned his head and saw the first arrow embedded in the rear of a cart transporting horse fodder, the tail of the arrow buzzing with a resonant sound, indicating the force behind it. This was the "Double Link Pearl" in archery, a profound essence rarely taught even in the art of mounted archery of Izumo. The first arrow was merely to suppress the enemy, while the true killer was concealed in the nearly uninterrupted second arrow. This was the "Double Link Pearl" in archery, a profound essence rarely taught even in the art of mounted archery of Izumo. The first arrow was merely to suppress the enemy, while the true killer was concealed in the nearly uninterrupted second arrow.

The centurion hesitated for a moment; he was unsure of what lay beyond the city gate, perhaps a wild beast or something of the sort. However, such matters were unsettling, and he felt reluctant to let this inexperienced young man open the door. Nevertheless, he nodded in agreement; after all, the young man had brought it up himself, and it would not do to deny him the opportunity simply because of his youth, especially in front of the commander, where everyone deserved a chance to prove themselves.

The centurion, aware of Gu Yueyi's character, was quite at ease and accompanied her with a smile, saying, "The pastries from the Taiqing Palace must be delicious."

He felt blood surging into his legs, his mind a blank. He heard the continuous ringing of alarm bells from various battalions, and the once silent camp was suddenly illuminated by flames, the entire stronghold awakening, unaware of the enemy that had taken control of the rhythm in the darkness. Before him lay only one path, while behind him came the sound of footsteps growing ever closer. Everything around him felt like a massive black wall collapsing, about to crush him. He wanted to open his mouth and scream, but no sound escaped.

There is no grievance; now returning to the camp, it is likely that the fire has gone out. I cannot let the personal guards cook for me again. I do not intend to be close to the soldiers; in my main tent, I also have only thin rice porridge and two coarse wheat cakes. Gu Yueyi smiled, her youthful face full of indifference.

The centurion's dying roar was filled with immense fear, serving as a warning. He shouted for the general to flee, for he had already seen Gu Yueyi drawing his bow and nocking an arrow, yet he urged Gu Yueyi to escape quickly. The centurion did not believe that Gu Yueyi's arrow would have any effect

Gu Yueyi only took a glance and already understood. That was the giant hammer from the rhinoceros horn, still bearing the iron chains severed by Ying Wuyi's domineering blade. It had originally been positioned outside the city, immovable even by a dozen soldiers, yet now, someone had thrown it inside.

"General Xi still understands these strange and supernatural matters?" Cheng Kui licked his lips and even managed to pull the corners of his mouth into a smile.

The bow of Gu Yueyi has been fully drawn

Gu Yueyi frowned slightly, yet remained silent

At this moment, his hearing was surprisingly acute. Gu Yueyi heard the slow, deep breathing behind him and also caught a whiff of the nauseating odor emanating from the enemy. The enemy was almost right behind him, and Gu Yueyi heard the sharp sound of wind above his head; he knew that the battle blade had been raised.

Perhaps the army has left scouts, possibly hiding nearby. Have they sent someone to explore the woods ahead

Break the siege! Gu Yueyi shouted loudly

The copper wedge has not yet been fully positioned, and a frantic banging sound is coming from outside the door, as the enemy attempts to breach the city gate. Only the centurion remains at the gate, yet he does not even glance at the departing warrior; he is solely focused on desperately turning the mechanism with both hands

The general looked up at the sky, and the centurion pointed to the birds circling in the air, saying, "That bird is an owl."

The rapidly advancing enemy did not notice what was beneath his feet. He tripped over a giant hammer, his movements lacking agility, and stumbled to the ground. He ran swiftly, yet his actions were clumsy, moving his arms on the ground in an attempt to prop himself up, but like a newborn child, he constantly lost his balance and failed to rise several times. Gu Yueyi suddenly came to his senses, discarded the horn bow, and turned around to run for his life. The desire to survive propelled him forward; he heard footsteps behind him, the warrior had already gotten up and was chasing him at an incredible speed. Gu Yueyi did not look back, he just ran frantically, running, running! A moment's hesitation could cost him his life at the hands of the warrior behind him.

The centurion also sensed the chill that permeated Gu Yueyi's words, as he was one of the witnesses that night. He took a large sip of porridge, hoping to dispel the cold with its warmth. From a distance, a few bird calls echoed, somewhat mournful, causing the centurion to pause for a moment before rising and walking to the edge of the rampart with his bowl of porridge.

They cannot, they can only make them lie down immediately. Their residual consciousness will remain until the moment their souls disperse. Xi Yan squinted at the shadows rushing towards him like an iron wall, now close enough to see the mottled bloodstains and tattered armor on those beings. Some wielded the square-bladed barbaric knives of the Li Kingdom, some held the long spears of the Chu Wei mountain formation, while others were empty-handed, their fingers clawing like chicken claws, as if they were about to pounce and tear open a person's throat. Now close enough to see the mottled bloodstains and tattered armor on those beings, some wielded the square-bladed barbaric knives of the Li Kingdom, some held the long spears of the Chu Wei mountain formation, while others were empty-handed, their fingers clawing like chicken claws, as if they were about to pounce and tear open a person's throat

He suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around! He was unarmed and had no chance of resistance, but he wanted to see this opponent with his own eyes

The copper wedge has reached its limit

I am going to die, Gu Yueyi thought

"It is quite rare..." The centurion rubbed his hands together, "I fear it may have caused the general some grievance"

Gu Yueyi leaped up, and the centurion also jumped up. There was no time to attend to the casualties; the first priority was to rectify the mistake. There were still people outside the city gate, although it was unclear where those enemies had come from. They should not have opened the gate, and now the remaining personnel were barely able to suppress a small-scale attack, so it was imperative to close the gate at all costs

He put down the bowl of porridge in his hand to take a look.

The young man forcefully pulled the mechanism, which had been dismantled from the old city gate, a relic that had been in use for over one hundred years, yet still functioned well. The gears tightly meshed and slowly turned, releasing the copper wedge that locked the city gate. The gate creaked and groaned as it gradually opened. The young man fixed his gaze on the gap of the door, akin to aiming at a target while practicing archery. At the moment the gap widened enough for the torch to pass through, he pushed the torch out through the opening.

The sound of impact continued, slow and deep. The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, as the sound made them feel quite uncomfortable, like a strange rhythm was incessantly repeating in their minds, thundering on without pause

"Yes, let's resolve this here. We don't have time; we must hurry to Beidaying to find Bai Yi." Xi Yan turned around, pulling the thorn from the corpse, and returned to stand alongside Cheng Kui and Gu Yue. "Although they possess great strength, their movements are not agile. After they swing their weapons, there are significant openings, so we must first evade. When counterattacking, do not strike their heads or bodies; it is ineffective, as they do not feel pain and can stand even without a head. However, even zombies require blood circulation to distribute their strength throughout their bodies. Therefore, as long as we pierce the heart and let all the blood out, they will be unable to move." When counterattacking, do not strike their heads or bodies; it is ineffective, as they do not feel pain and can stand even without a head. However, even zombies require blood circulation to distribute their strength throughout their bodies. Therefore, as long as we pierce the heart and let all the blood out, they will be unable to move.

The warrior from the departing nation suddenly came running. Gu Yueyi felt a surge of power rapidly flowing from his arm to his fingertips. This was the moment of utmost concentration, where all pain was forgotten. The arrow whistled as it left the bowstring, striking the target with a crisp crack. The sound came from the forehead of the departing nation's warrior, as the arrowhead, accompanied by at least half a foot of shaft, pierced directly into his brow. The sound of the arrow hitting was very clear; it was the arrowhead that, after severing the iron of the horned helmet's forehead guard, penetrated his skull. The sound came from the forehead of the departing nation's warrior, as the arrowhead, accompanied by at least half a foot of shaft, pierced directly into his brow. The sound of the arrow hitting was very clear; it was the arrowhead that, after severing the iron of the horned helmet's forehead guard, penetrated his skull.

Thank you, General Xi, for saving my life. This is the second time I owe a favor to General Xi. Gu Yueyi slightly regained her composure, and asked, "What is the situation with these people? Are they deserters? How is the situation at the other city gates now?"

Only this little food is left, and resupply is a distant matter. Without this oatmeal, I would truly feel anxious. Gu Yueyi sighed, patting the rough battlements. The weather is cold, and the stones feel chilly to the touch. He gazed towards the outside of the city, where the mountains on both sides enclosed a flat and desolate plain. Only in the far distance could one see the woods extending down from the foothills. At night, the forest appears as a pitch-black expanse, and if one listens quietly, it seems one can still hear the rustling of the wind passing through the leaves.

There is no need to thank me. I originally came to the city to speak with General Gu, but I encountered some unpleasant things along the way. Xi Yan walked over to Gu Yueyi and pointed in the direction they had come from, saying, "General Gu is looking that way."

The warrior from the foreign land had not yet fallen; he was thrown back by the force of the arrow, his head tilted towards the sky, and the square-bladed sword in his hand had fallen to the ground. He stood there, swaying slightly, so weak that he seemed about to collapse backwards. Gu Yueyi hesitated for a moment, wanting to step forward to take a look.

I am a rough man from the military, lacking the erudition of General Xi, but when it comes to slaying zombies with a knife, I can certainly compare myself to General Xi. Cheng Kui's words carried a unique boldness characteristic of the people of Chuguo; at this point, there is no use in speaking of fear.

General Xi! Gu Yueyi recognized the visitor

Blood flowed from Gu Yueyi's palm. Discarding his weapon, Gu Yueyi managed to catch the arrow shaft with his bare hands. He was proficient in archery, with precise calculations of speed and trajectory. However, the strength in his hands was insufficient to fully grasp the arrow; the force of the arrow was too overwhelming. With all his might, he could only deflect the feathered arrow. The skin on his palm was completely scraped off, yet Gu Yueyi still held onto the arrow tightly, driving it, along with his hand, into the ground beside him.

Familiar? The centurion widened his eyes, "Do you know him, General?"

As the fire burned fiercely upon leaving the public space, it truly left one feeling both victorious and troubled. Gu Yueyi remarked, "Fortunately, there is still enough oats, so we need not worry about running out of supplies"

The young man nodded vigorously and walked up slowly, holding a torch. This was his first performance in front of the commander, and he was not frightened; he only thought about making it look impressive. He had already planned that as soon as he opened the copper mechanism of the city gate and a crack appeared, he would immediately throw the torch outside. This way, no matter what was out there, their eyes would be dazzled, and at that moment, he would step aside, allowing his comrades to shoot in unison and resolve the situation. He had already planned that as soon as he opened the copper mechanism of the city gate and a crack appeared, he would immediately throw the torch outside. This way, no matter what was out there, their eyes would be dazzled, and at that moment, he would step aside, allowing his comrades to shoot in unison and resolve the situation.

A heavy thud suddenly echoed from below, causing the soldiers gathered around the fire to fall silent all at once. They were the most elite archers of Izumo, and even the new recruits possessed keen hearing, able to discern from the sound of a hit whether an arrow had struck wood, armor, or flesh. This sound came from below, where the gates of Shangyang Pass were located. ... The heavy thud repeated slowly, as if ... . This sound came from below, where the gates of Shangyang Pass were located. ... The heavy thud repeated slowly, as if ... . ... Someone was knocking at the door

Gu Yueyi gasped in shock: "These... these are all enemies? How did they get into the city? There are alarm bells everywhere, but where exactly are the enemies?"

When Gu Yueyi saw the scene that followed, his confidence and courage collapsed simultaneously. The warrior from the Li Kingdom, struck by an arrow, braced himself and stood still. Like a person awakening from a dream, he touched the feathered arrow lodged in his brow with his fingers, then slowly turned his head to look around. By the light of the torch on the ground, Gu Yueyi clearly saw a stream of black blood dripping from the end of the arrow shaft, and the warrior's eyes took on a strange grayish-white hue, devoid of any sign of pain

Gu Yueyi retreated a few steps as if he were exhausted; he had exerted all his strength for this arrow

The centurion fell silent for a moment, understanding the meaning behind Gu Yueyi's words: "We are also a legitimate army here to restore the monarchy..."

Gu Yueyi fell silent for a moment and nodded: "Eating people, is it?"

A crescent moon passed through the clouds, and Gu Yueyi ascended the city wall slowly by the light of the moon, without the need for a torch. This section of the city wall was guarded by the troops of the Northern Jin army, and the centurion in charge hurried over to pay his respects, to which Gu Yueyi responded with a slight nod. On the wall, they were also cooking, and the porridge was already boiling. Gu Yueyi approached the pot, reached out to take the stirring wooden spoon, stirred it in the rice soup, and lifted it out, revealing only a small handful of rice covering the bottom of the spoon. Although this pot was referred to as porridge, it was merely thin rice soup. Gu Yueyi walked to the pot, reached out to take the stirring wooden spoon, stirred it in the rice soup, and lifted it out, revealing only a small handful of rice covering the bottom of the spoon. Although this pot was referred to as porridge, it was merely thin rice soup.

Finally, his gaze returned to Gu Yueyi. He bent down to pick up the battle knife from the ground and charged towards Gu Yueyi once more

When they fall, they will keep their eyes open, still looking at you. General Cheng, do not be frightened. " Xi Yan sneered, and in the face of overwhelming danger, this languid person suddenly exhibited a fearless arrogance.

"According to what was said, we should be absolutely safe here, but do you remember the old man on the black horse who appeared outside the city that night before we entered?" Gu Yueyi felt a chill slowly creeping into his battle attire as he spoke. "Even someone like General Bai or General Xi could not keep him here; it is truly terrifying to think about. When I look at him, I can't help but feel a sense of familiarity, though I cannot explain why."

Over there, a dark mass of more than ten shadows is rushing forward, completely lacking any formation, resembling a pack of bloodthirsty wolves chasing after a flock of sheep. Gu Yueyi noticed something unusual in their running movements; each of them ran as fast as that departing warrior, but their actions were clumsy and uncoordinated.

Gu Yueyi cautiously leaned half of his body out from the battlements, trying to discern the situation outside the city gate. However, in the darkness of the night, he could not see clearly; the moonlight was blocked by the city walls, and the area in front of the city gate was shrouded in pitch black. Gu Yueyi could find no signs indicating that anyone was active there. Although it had been cold these days, the corpses outside the city had gradually begun to emit a foul odor, and the soldiers were reluctant to leave the city; the area outside was a realm of deathly silence. Yet, the sound of impacts continued, as if there were indeed something or someone present.

A shadow brushed past Gu Yueyi, and the square-mouthed broadsword fell to the ground, missing Gu Yueyi by half a foot. That shadow shot forward like an arrow, yet it carried a force far greater than that of an arrow, striking the chest of the warrior from the State of Li, pushing him back and pinning him firmly to the ground. However, he did not die, nor did he wail in agony; just like when he stumbled under a giant hammer, he moved his hands and feet, searching for points of leverage around him, still striving to stand up.

Zombie? Gu Yueyi grasped the knife in mid-air, remaining there.

The heavy knocking on the door continued, each sound reverberating, sending a chill through one's heart

"It has been some years since I have eaten like this." Gu Yueyi sipped the porridge, observing her subordinates in a daze, "I do miss the time when I was just a small soldier in Zhenlian Town."

Gu Yueyi abandoned the idea of retreating; he was only fifty steps away from the enemy. At this distance, Gu Yueyi had never lost sight of his target since he joined the army

We were forced to come here by the pursuing soldiers. Xi Yan said, "The incident happened suddenly. I had just met with General Cheng and was on my way to the Northern Camp to find General Bai when I encountered these disgusting things on the road."

What on earth is this? Is it the Li Army? How could there be a Li Army? Gu Yueyi felt that the entire world had become chaotic and turned upside down

The scorching blood stained the arrow shaft!

"General, stand back!" the centurion suddenly roared

"That is the reputation that the country mainly helps me with, it cannot be truly believed." Gu Yueyi shook her head, "I remember when I was in Zhenlian Town, I dreamed of becoming a general, feeling that I should not be destined to be a pawn, yet I was not afraid of anything. Every night, I would drink porridge and eat dry rations, sometimes with a little wine, causing a ruckus under the influence of alcohol. At that time, our small team was only responsible for preventing bandits and reporting any news in a timely manner. If bandits attacked, we would not be able to hold our ground at all. But when the bandits would come, no one knew; perhaps one would wake up to find their head gone. At that time, our small team was only responsible for preventing bandits and reporting any news in a timely manner. If bandits attacked, we would not be able to hold our ground at all. But when the bandits would come, no one knew; perhaps one would wake up to find their head gone. Yet, we were not afraid, thinking of nothing at all, only feeling that if the bandits came, we would have this group of brothers together, and a bow in hand."

"These night owls refuse to come down; so many are dead, yet they fly back and forth in the sky, as if they are reluctant, afraid, and dare not come down to feed on the flesh," said the centurion

Gu Yueyi did not have time to rush out, and the whistling of the feathered arrows was already upon him; he could almost feel the airflow stirred up by the arrowheads

"No, I do not know him; it is a feeling," Gu Yueyi said softly. "It was just like the battle when I became famous. When Li Changgen's army surrounded me, I was struck by an arrow and could not even stand up. At that moment, I truly believed that after shooting that arrow, I would die. Facing the old man on the black horse, I also shot an arrow. In that instant of releasing the arrow, I felt this way."

"The breath of the living?" Gu Yueyi was taken aback.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly: "But now I command thousands of troops, yet my courage has grown smaller, as if burdened by my reputation. These past few days, for some reason, I have felt a bit uneasy"

The general said, "... ... uneasy?" The centurion was perplexed

He faced a pair of grayish-white eyes, as a square-headed battle knife whistled down towards the top of his head. The enemy's grayish-white face bore no expression; his lips were damaged, half of one torn away, revealing a colorless gum and blackened teeth. Gu Yueyi had never seen such a hideous and terrifying face, which hardly resembled that of a living person

The roar of the voice was abruptly interrupted, and the sound of the arrow whistled once more towards Gu Yueyi. Just at the moment he turned his head, the third arrow was already closing in on the back of his head

The soldiers of the Jinbei army, on high alert, could not see clearly and had no time to react. They only heard a heavy sound, as if someone had forcefully kicked the city gate with a booted foot. The young soldier stood frozen in front of the gate. With that kick, the gate swung open, and the young man's torch fell to the ground, sparks flying and illuminating his figure. His silhouette hung in mid-air, as a tall figure outside the gate lifted the young man entirely into the air with a long weapon.

This city gate is new, as the old gate has been destroyed by the rhinoceros horn. It was from this gate that the formidable King Ying Wuying rode out to battle, relying solely on his own strength to annihilate both the rhinoceros horn and the entire lower Tang formation. To this day, the remnants of the rhinoceros horn still remain outside the city gate

It is said that this bird is most prevalent on the battlefield. It seems to sense where great battles will occur, waiting nearby, and when there are corpses, it swoops down to feed on the flesh. The locals say that it is the aura of killing and death that summons it; this aura is quite palpable, and it can certainly sense it before the battle. These are merely the sayings of country folk, so General, please do not take my ramblings to heart. However, the centurion shook his head, saying, "I always feel as if someone nearby is watching us." These are merely the sayings of country folk, so General, please do not take my ramblings to heart. However, the centurion shook his head, saying, "I always feel as if someone nearby is watching us."

The commanders of the allied forces exchanged glances and simultaneously roared, charging forward.

"Pierce the heart? Is that how we can kill them?" Cheng Kui found a glimmer of hope

For a moment, silence reigned, broken only by the sound of the wind and the crackling of the fire beneath the pot. Then, someone laughed, and suddenly the entire hundred-man team erupted into laughter, as if a taut string had snapped due to Gu Yueyi's hearty laugh, thus shattering all taboos. The men from northern Jin lived in the cold north, and whenever night fell, they enjoyed gathering in small taverns, surrounding a pot of fish soup or meat broth, sipping on liquor to ward off the chill, and speaking loudly in their tipsy state, allowing even strangers to become as close as brothers. At this moment, these soldiers relaxed as if they were sitting in a tavern back in their hometown, with a few poking fun at the awkward young soldier with their sheathed waist knives, while more clapped their chests and laughed, rising one after another to fetch porridge from the pot.

Everyone clearly saw that weapon, which was a giant iron armor spear used by the Chu State's mountain formation soldiers. This terrifying weapon had once constructed the iron thorns that blocked the Red Army.

With his roar, the bronze bell in Shangyang Pass rang out. This was the alarm for an attack, indicating that the enemy was not only present here. The gates had been sealed, and the mechanisms were destroyed; unless a weapon as sharp as a rhinoceros horn could break through the city gates, it would not be a matter of moments to breach the defenses. However, Gu Yueyi had not yet figured out what was happening. He wanted to save his subordinates, but his injured hand struggled to draw the bow. He was the only one left here, standing amidst the thick darkness and the stench of blood. Yet, Gu Yueyi still could not comprehend what was happening. He wished to rescue his subordinates, but his injured hand found it difficult to draw the bow. He was alone now, standing in the viscous darkness and the smell of blood.