“What makes you so certain?”

Miao You Fang wasn’t convinced. Leaning on his sword and chewing on a cornbread, he said:

“I love night attacks. People are most vulnerable when they’re sleeping.”

Xu Xin Nian patted the wooden barrel of oil with his feet and smiled:

“Our oil isn’t just for burning enemies. At night, it can also provide illumination. When we launch it with catapults, the flames will light up the area, letting our soldiers on the walls see everything below.”

“But the enemy won’t be able to see our arrows. No matter how many they send, it’s just sending them to die.”

“Your tactic only works for pre-emptive strikes before the war begins.”

But now they were in a prepared siege battle.

Miao You Fang felt the scholar made sense, but after thinking, his eyes lit up:

“What if they send in experts?”

Second Young Master Xu looked at him silently: “Why do you think I ordered our experts to patrol at night?”

Miao You Fang was convinced and gave a thumbs up:

“As expected of Sir Xu’s brother, you have your elder brother’s style.”

Second Young Master Xu’s mouth twitched slightly, thinking *you’re as crude as my elder brother*.

He knew Miao You Fang was his elder brother’s follower. They had met briefly when his brother returned to the capital. Just before he was ordered to defend Song Mountain County, Miao You Fang suddenly appeared, wanting to join the fight.

Second Young Master Xu asked if his brother had sent him.

Miao You Fang shook his head, saying protecting home and country was what a real man should do.

A fifth-rank Expert Stage martial artist voluntarily joining with proper credentials—the military naturally welcomed him warmly. So Miao You Fang came with him to Song Mountain County.

“But there are too few experts among the defenders, only one fourth-rank,” Miao You Fang shook his head.

“Fourth-rank experts all hold high positions, naturally they’re rare,” Second Young Master Xu responded.

“Rare? Following Sir Xu in campaigns north and south, we wouldn’t even look at fourth-rank small fry.”

Miao You Fang said proudly.

*You know that’s because you were with my brother…* Second Young Master Xu rested his hands on the parapet and said slowly:

“For me, court officials are common too, the hall is full of them. But Brother Miao, how many Crimson Robes have you seen?”

The level his brother now dealt with, the opponents he faced, were necessarily the highest ranks of various powers. And the upper echelons of major powers were naturally the cream of the Nine Provinces.

Fourth-rank experts were indeed common at that level.

But in Qing Province, in little Song Mountain County, a fourth-rank expert was an exalted figure.

Among the county’s defenders, there was only one fourth-rank commander, of the same rank as Second Young Master Xu.

That commander was responsible for guarding the north gate.

Second Young Master Xu didn’t want to dwell on this topic. Taking in the cold night wind, he said:

“I remember brother saying your goal was to become a renowned hero. But in war-torn lands, your heroic deeds are hard to spread. Because those you save today might die tomorrow.”

“Refugees are rescued either by Great Daqi’s army or by rebels, tossed back and forth like cargo. They won’t especially remember some hero who once helped them.”

“To become a hero, go to peaceful places. Just one act of robbing the rich to help the poor, and jianghu will spread tales of you.”

Regarding Xu Xin Nian’s question, Miao You Fang scratched his head and thought for a while:

“I’ll become a hero.”

“But I’m in my prime now. A few years earlier or later doesn’t matter, but Great Daqi is already declining. If we can’t extend its life, there really will be dynastic change.”

“I don’t care who’s emperor.”

“But for common people, this is a catastrophe. If Qing Province falls, the flames of war will burn north to the capital. Thousands of miles of land will become scorched earth.”

“So I wondered if we could contain the rebels in Qing Province, and stop the war here.”

Xu Xin Nian was somewhat surprised and smiled:

“Brother Miao, you’ve truly impressed me. In jianghu, righteous patriots like you are rare indeed.”

Miao You Fang shrugged:

“No, actually I have no goodwill toward Great Daqi’s court. But when I parted with Sir Xu, he told me something.”

“He cultivated and guided me because someone once gave him a chance. That person’s only wish was that he would become useful to the court and people in the future.”

“Sir Xu fulfilled that person’s hopes.”

“So, I don’t want to disappoint Sir Xu either.”

*Brother didn’t misjudge this man…* Second Young Master Xu nodded silently. Just as he was about to speak, Miao You Fang’s expression changed beside him as he shouted:

“Enemy troops are pushing cannons forward!”

Xu Xin Nian’s heart tightened. He peered into the darkness, seeing nothing, but knowing Miao You Fang was a fifth-rank martial artist with far superior vision. Without questioning, he shouted:

“Beat the drums!”

“Ready the cannons, ready the crossbows!”

Soldiers resting against the parapet and those sleeping in light armor on the horse path all awoke, methodically moving to load cannonballs and bolts.

Miao You Fang pushed aside a cannoneer and personally adjusted the angle, lighting the fuse.

*Boom!*

A ball of fire expanded, illuminating the distance, and letting the defenders clearly see enemy troops pushing cannons forward under cover of darkness.

Before the explosion’s light faded, the wall’s crossbows and cannons opened fire one after another, unleashing their firepower on the enemy.

The defenders’ advantage immediately showed—their elevated position gave their cannons greater range than the enemy’s.

For the enemy to bombard the walls, they first had to endure the defenders’ firepower.

Miao You Fang handed the cannon back to the gunner and turned to Xu Xin Nian, angry:

“Didn’t you say the enemy wouldn’t attack at night?!”

“Huh? What did you say?” Second Young Master Xu dug at his ears and shouted:

“The cannons are too loud, I can’t hear!”

Miao You Fang cursed, thinking scholars’ thick skin wasn’t inferior to martial artists’ bronze skin and iron bones.

By then, after losing three cannons and two vehicle-mounted crossbows, the enemy artillery finally reached firing range. Dense cannon fire immediately rang out, boom after endless boom.

Fireballs exploded constantly against the walls and battlements.

Mixed in were the clear twangs of vehicle-mounted crossbows.

Though crossbows’ destructive power was far less than cannons, whether damaging walls or killing soldiers, inferior to gunpowder explosions.

But one function kept crossbows on par with cannons, never obsolete—their one-on-one killing power.

Cannons might not kill bronze-skinned iron-boned martial artists, but crossbow bolts’ armor-piercing power could seriously wound or kill army experts.

Martial artists on the battlefield found their danger sense becoming “numb” because danger was everywhere. This made them likely to overlook fearsome crossbow bolts, unable to dodge in time.

With luck, killing or seriously wounding enemy martial artists was a great profit.

During the exchange of fire, over a thousand infantry in rattan armor carried battering rams, ladders, shields, and other siege equipment forward in a charge.

These troops were refugees gathered by the Cloud Province rebels, used specifically to exhaust the defenders’ firepower.

Two guards raised shields to protect Xu Xin Nian as he ran back and forth along the walls directing the battle.

“My lord, please go down first. If you’re hit by cannon fire, the loss would be irreparable!”

The guard shouted.

“Compared to my safety, morale is more important.”

Xu Xin Nian kept one hand on his sword, running back and forth, directing soldiers to fill gaps, commanding militiamen to clear bodies and treat the wounded.

These tasks weren’t necessarily his alone, yet they belonged to no one else.

As Song Mountain County’s highest commander, just by standing on the walls fighting alongside the soldiers, the defenders would never waver.

The siege continued until late night, when the enemy finally retreated, leaving behind a field of corpses.

…

Southern Borderlands.

By the pond, Luo Yu Heng sat on a smooth rock wearing her feather robe, with Xu Qi An’s robe cushioning her.

From beneath the feather, the robe hem extended snow-white, well-proportioned feet soaking in the cool pond water.

The blush hadn’t faded from her cheeks, her beautiful eyes half-closed, whether enjoying the cool water or the lingering sensation after passion’s tide.

Xu Qi An stood in the pond, fishing out a white undershirt embroidered with lotus patterns, and playing with it in his hands.

Luo Yu Heng’s eyes, clearer than the pond water, glanced at him, flashing barely noticeable shyness.

Xu Qi An rubbed the smooth fabric between his fingers, savoring the memory of soft breasts, and said with a grin:

“Imperial Mentor, can you get pregnant?”

Luo Yu Heng’s gaze turned cold though her cheeks flushed red. Her jade-like foot kicked, *splash*, sending water like the world’s sharpest sword energy crashing into Little Sir Xu’s face.

Xu Qi An’s face stung fiercely.

Luo Yu Heng coldly snorted: “Between us is only a transaction. I borrow you to quell karmic flames, you can borrow my battle power. As for offspring, don’t even think about it.”

Finishing, she saw him staring at her belly and grew even more embarrassed and angry.

*Talks tough, but was more cooperative than last time during dual cultivation, more familiar too…* Xu Qi An thought to himself.

Whether a woman likes you, and how deeply, can be felt during dual cultivation. Despite Luo Yu Heng’s tough talk, her body had completely accepted him.

Without any real feelings for him, she couldn’t have moved her hips that way.

*You and Mu Nan Chi are good friends, denying it with your mouths while your bodies are honest…* Xu Qi An brazenly said:

“I’m just worried that if I’m killed someday, at least I’ll have left behind descendants.”

“Speaking of serious matters, I discovered a big secret in the Southern Borderlands this time.”

He then detailed to Luo Yu Heng what Grandmother Heaven Gu had told him about the dialogue between the Gu God and the White Emperor.

After listening, Luo Yu Heng’s delicate long eyebrows furrowed slightly as she pondered for a long while:

“Clarify three things and you’ll understand the secrets hidden behind the three questions.”

“First, why the ancient gods and demons fell; second, the crux of the Heaven, Earth and Human Sect cultivation methods; third, why the Gu God thought the Confucian Saint was the Gatekeeper.”

The three matters corresponded to “the great era’s curtain falling,” “the Dao Sovereign’s whereabouts,” and “who is the Gatekeeper.”

Luo Yu Heng took the chance to snatch back her undershirt, placing it beside her, then gathered her feather robe—after all, it was her only clothing.

To prevent Xu Qi An from grabbing it, she spoke rapidly:

“The god-demon era is too distant, leaving no clues to follow, but if you could speak with the White Emperor and Gu God, you’d learn the inside story. I don’t recommend trying—you don’t yet qualify to speak with them as equals.”

“Regarding the Dao path’s issue, when I advance to the first rank, I’ll visit the Heaven Sect. Wait for my news then. As for the Gatekeeper, you can ask Zhao Shou or the Observatory Master.”

“One is the Confucian system’s inheritor, one can glimpse heaven’s secrets.”

“As expected of the Imperial Mentor, clever as ice and snow.” Xu Qi An gave a thumbs up.

Luo Yu Heng’s expression was cold but her eyes held laughter.

For a high-ranking woman with a strong personality, this approach worked best—of course, only flattery from Xu Qi An would do.

Because he was Luo Yu Heng’s “nominal” dual cultivation partner, no other man’s flattery could hit her sweet spot.

“Too bad those who know heaven’s secrets are bound by them. Even if the Observatory Master knows, he can’t tell me.”

Xu Qi An shook his head regretfully: “Never mind, this isn’t urgent. The war in Qing Province is a pressing matter. You just returned from there—how goes the fighting?”

Luo Yu Heng said:

“I didn’t pay much attention.”

After thinking, she added: “Your cousin seems to have been sent to defend Song Mountain County. It’s one of the most crucial strongholds in Yang Gong’s second defense line.”

Her meaning was that while Qing Province was temporarily stable, Second Young Master Xu would be in danger… *This is not paying attention? Imperial Mentor, you’re too tsundere. You care about my family…* Xu Qi An mentally complained while his expression grew slightly heavy.

“The Nine-Tailed Fox will soon return to the mainland, and the Southern Borderlands demon races are gathering. I must ensure the southern demons’ rebellion succeeds in tying down the Western Region’s Buddhist sect. I’m afraid I can’t intervene in Qing Province.”

Victory or defeat in Qing Province would affect the war’s balance, but the Southern Borderlands campaign was more important. If the southern demons couldn’t retake the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, they couldn’t check the Buddhist sect.

And if the Buddhist sect was free to cooperate with Cloud Province, it wouldn’t just affect the balance—Great Daqi would be finished directly.

“The Gu clan could send troops to reinforce Qing Province,” Luo Yu Heng said.

“Yes, give Qing Province a surprise.” Xu Qi An nodded.

Though the Gu clan’s Supernaturalists couldn’t leave, their seven tribe members could join the fight. The Heart Gu, Poison Gu, and Corpse Gu were battlefield favorites. The Shadow Gu were top-tier assassins.

This should greatly relieve the pressure on the Qing Province.