TNIBFT -Chapter 296 Packing Up and Preparing to Flee

The deputy general was worried and followed closely behind Lin Xianzhong. “General, Ye Tian knows demonic arts. You’d better keep your distance from him.”

Lin Xianzhong ignored him completely. He raised a hand to stop the deputy, held the reins with one hand, and lightly squeezed the horse’s belly with his legs.

“Clip-clop… clip-clop…”

The warhorse beneath him slowly moved forward.

On the city wall—

Old Yang stood behind Ye Tian, narrowing his eyes. “That old guy’s got some guts. Daring to come forward alone like this—doesn’t he fear his arms and legs will get blown off in a moment?”

Ye Tian remained silent.

In the daylight, everything below the city wall was clearly visible.

The massive army gathered below was an overwhelming sight. Though they had beaten Lin Xianzhong into a panicked retreat last night, today the soldiers on the wall couldn’t muster a single smile.

Tao Lichun and the other officials were all filled with worry.

Below the city, Lin Xianzhong pulled on the reins, bringing his horse to a halt. Then he raised his hand.

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

The soldiers behind him roared with surging momentum, their killing intent soaring to the heavens, their ferocious cries deafening.

Both sides stood at swords drawn, the great battle ready to erupt at any moment.

The artillery soldiers on the wall fixed their gaze on Ye Tian. With a single command from the city lord, they could blast the invaders below into oblivion.

“Ye Tian!” Lin Xianzhong called out, then continued, “I’m not fighting this battle anymore!”

Ye Tian: ???

Everyone on the city wall turned to look at Ye Tian in shock—did they hear that right?

Tao Lichun’s eyes widened. “What… what did he just say?”

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances.

Behind Lin Xianzhong, the soldiers were even more terrified, many whispering among themselves.

What on earth was going on?

Before anyone could react, Lin Xianzhong, to show his resolve, turned to his army and shouted, “Drop your weapons!”

“Follow my command—drop your weapons! Lindong City and Sifang City will make peace and coexist from now on. There will be no more war!”

What?!

His deputy general fell straight off his horse. Scrambling to his feet, he rushed over to Lin Xianzhong with a tearful face. “General, this—this is defying the imperial order! Why would you—?”

“General, I refuse to believe you’re someone who would abandon your brothers over personal feelings! This… this is a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire clan!”

The deputy was on the verge of tears, his voice turning shrill with anxiety as he clapped his hands in distress.

Lin Xianzhong frowned. “Attacking Sifang City was not the Empress’s order!”

“What?” The deputy was stunned.

His expression froze in disbelief.

Lin Xianzhong continued, “There are people in the court trying to pull strings. Our Lindong City has always kept to itself, and I’ve long been a thorn in their side. Whether we fight this battle or not, we’re doomed either way. But yesterday—do you know who I saw?”

The sheer amount of information left the deputy utterly shocked.

Lin Xianzhong said, “The Ironclad Guards—and the Empress’s light cavalry!”

“I thought it over the entire night. This is the only way to survive!”

“Everyone has families. I can’t lead my brothers out here just to die in a foreign land!”

The deputy suddenly lifted his head and saw Lin Xianzhong’s bloodshot eyes.

Lowering his head, he cupped his fists. “I’ll follow the General’s orders!”

He said no more and quietly stood behind Lin Xianzhong.

On the city wall—

Tao Lichun said, “Lin Xianzhong suddenly asking for peace—there must be a trick behind it!”

“City Lord, we can’t trust him!”

The others nodded in agreement. “If we open the gates, he’ll surely take advantage of the situation and capture us in one fell swoop. City Lord, you must not fall for it!”

“Exactly! Lin Xianzhong is old and cunning, completely disloyal. He was originally from Great Liang and then defected to Great Zhou!”

Everyone chimed in at once.

Old Yang also felt that everyone made sense, nodding repeatedly as he followed behind Ye Tian.

After thinking it over—

Combined with the plot from the original book, and Lin Xianzhong’s awkward position in Great Zhou, Ye Tian said, “A ceasefire is fine, but opening the city gates is impossible!”

“If you withdraw your army fifty li, and come into the city with thirty men, that I can agree to.”

The conditions were harsh, and Lin Xianzhong’s personal safety wouldn’t be guaranteed. Everyone assumed he wouldn’t agree.

Below the city walls, however, Lin Xianzhong didn’t hesitate at all. He turned and said to his deputy, “Pass on my order: the army retreats fifty li and sets up camp!”

“Yes, sir!”

The deputy cupped his fists.

Moments later, the sound of gongs signaling withdrawal rang out from Lindong City’s forces. The main army carried their banners and quickly retreated from the battlefield.

“This…”

Tao Lichun was completely stunned.

In terms of strength, wealth, and military power, Lindong City completely crushed Sifang City. This battle should have been a foregone conclusion—yet Lin Xianzhong actually withdrew just like that?

Tao Lichun stared at Ye Tian, his mouth agape, unable to speak for a long time.

Once the main force had left the battlefield, Ye Tian turned to Old Yang and said, “Open the gates. Let him in. Let’s see what he wants to say.”

“Got it!”

Old Yang responded and quickly ran down the city wall.

“The City Lord has ordered—open the gates!”

“Open the gates!”

The gate guards received the command and worked together to slowly push open the heavy city gates. Ye Tian led Tao Lichun and the others down from the wall, while the soldiers cheered excitedly:

“This is the first time the enemy has surrendered to us! After so many years, Sifang City has finally won a battle!”

“Looks like Lin Xianzhong was scared out of his wits last night!”

“Great Zhou surrendering to our Sifang City… this is unbelievable…”

The soldiers were flushed with excitement.

When Ye Tian came down, the crowd quickly made way for him. On the other side, Lin Xianzhong held his horse and entered the city slowly with a dozen of his trusted aides.

Hearing the discussions around him, Lin Xianzhong’s grip on the reins tightened, his knuckles turning white.

As a general, this was humiliation!

Surrendering without a fight!

Not only had he lost face, but the honor of Great Zhou’s soldiers had been tarnished as well.

Lin Xianzhong looked up. Facing him stood a young man—tall and straight, handsome with a hint of heroic spirit. Surrounded by others like stars around the moon, Lin Xianzhong cupped his fists toward Ye Tian.

“City Lord Ye!”

Ye Tian curled his lips into a faint smile.

……

Meanwhile, inside the hotpot restaurant—

“Something’s wrong!”

“Something’s wrong!” Xiao Wang rushed into the shop, panting heavily, his voice urgent.

Everyone in the hall turned pale.

Sun Wuji’s cloudy eyes flickered. He turned to the three children and said, “Let’s go!”

“Rescue Ye Tian, and our whole family will run immediately!” The old man had already packed his belongings, carrying two large bundles slung over his shoulders. Several shop workers looked at him enviously—they also wanted to run with Sun Wuji, but didn’t dare say it.

They might not die at the hands of Great Zhou, but could die at Sun Wuji’s instead.

Duan Yingying and Feng Jiaojiao hurried forward nervously.

“What happened exactly?”

“Did the Great Zhou army break in? Speak slowly, you’re scaring us…”

Xiao Wang clutched his chest, gasping. “No, no!”

“They surrendered!”

Who surrendered?

Everyone was confused.

Xiao Wang continued, “Lin Xianzhong—Lin Xianzhong surrendered and entered the city! He’s scared. He’s not fighting this battle anymore!”

“Our boss is amazing! This is the first time—first time Sifang City has ever won!”

“The townspeople have all gone out to welcome the City Lord. Hurry, let’s all go too!”