The Demon Lords-Chapter 731 - 154 Lone Smoke Straight_6

...

The wild people unleashed an astonishing level of combat prowess in the siege that lasted through the night, a surge forced out by their utter desperation. At one point, they managed to scale the city walls and established control over several areas. Fortunately, the Shengle army did not lose their heads due to the appearance of the routed wild people. Instead, they were active in preparing for the wild people's dying struggle. When the wild people charged the towers on the wall, fresh troops would drive them back down. Wherever there were gaps, they would rush to fill them.

After a night of fierce fighting, the wild people retreated at dawn. The Shengle soldiers on the walls could even hear the cries from the retreating wild people's ranks, a sound of profound desperation and sorrow. Their homeland was just within their sights, but they were unable to return. From the west, the dreadful Lord of Yan was leading his troops towards them. Having suffered a brutal defeat previously at the hands of this Lord, they no longer had the courage to face him or the army he led.

In the ears of the Shengle soldiers, the cries of the wild people were the most melodious music. The Shengle army was mainly comprised of Jin people, and furthermore, many of the slaves within the city were also Jin people. Thus, originating from somewhere, a Jin folk song started to be sung, full of the familiar tones of the Jin people from the Three Jin regions.

Zheng Fan was completely exhausted and lay on the ground. He had killed numerous wild people with his own hands last night. At the most critical moment, not even A Ming could stay by his side. A wild people commander, with formidable strength, tried to forcibly scale the wall. Ultimately, after he had killed several Shengle defenders and was facing Zheng Fan, Mo Wan ambushed him, smashing the back of his head. On the chaotic battlefield in the dark night, using Mo Wan for an ambush was extremely convenient.

Even so, General Zheng suffered a slash wound to his right arm and an arrow wound to his back. However, his high-quality armor ensured the damage was not too severe. He was far from sustaining a deep wound that revealed bone. This highlighted just how critical last night's circumstances had been.

However, thankfully, it was all over now. After the madness of last night, it would be quite difficult for the wild people to mount any substantial attack. Defeated on the frontline and their retreat blocked, the only fate awaiting them was annihilation.

"My lord, have some water," Xue Three offered him some water eagerly.

Zheng Fan nodded, sat up, and accepted the waterskin. First, he took two sips to rinse his mouth, then he gulped down several mouthfuls. Only then did he feel as though he had come back to life.

PHEW... He exhaled a long breath.

Liang Cheng was still busy counting the casualties. Also, after the wild people retreated, Jin slaves were sent down in baskets to collect arrows and other armaments from beneath the city walls. He was, after all, an emotionless, cold Zombie, meticulous in all aspects and at all times.

Zheng Fan propped himself up with his hands on the battlements. He wanted to let out a loud yell, but his voice became hollow when passing through his throat, a result of too much shouting last night. In such chaotic circumstances, one had to motivate oneself. The city wall was only so wide, meaning the scenario of 'the brave triumphing when paths are narrow' was constantly replayed.

This was a war that had lasted for over a year, caused by the Jin people's failure leading to the invasion of wild people and the destruction of the Jin land. But, in the end, it was an army mainly composed of Jin people who had blocked the wild people's retreat route, putting a lid on the coffin of the invading wild people.

Zheng Fan suddenly felt a wave of fatigue. He wanted to go home, to bask in the hot springs of Shengle's General Mansion, to feel Siniang's smooth skin, to soak up Shengle's sunshine, and to live peaceful days. Just like a man who has messed about outside for many years and suddenly develops a conscience, hoping to find the warmth of home again. However, a sense of immense satisfaction accompanied his exhaustion.

This time, my merits... should be the greatest, right? Lands, populace, power, position—I should have it all now, right? And the financial crisis should also have eased, right? Siniang should no longer need to work so hard, and she could spend more time with me, right?

SMACK! Zheng Fan slapped his forehead.

Was I going mad? Why did all of my thoughts eventually lead back to the same theme?

"Someone, take our lord back to rest," Xue Three told two soldiers beside him.

Zheng Fan waved his hand, saying, "I want to stay a while longer in the sun."

Blood is hot, even scalding, when it first spurts out. Even though the temperature of blood is not really high, it gives you a psychological sensation of it being burning hot. But soon, blood will become cold, making you shiver.

The sun was slowly rising. General Zheng raised his head, watching it, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on his body. I had never thought the sunrise could be so beautiful, so captivating.

Breakfast was delivered. Since the victory was secured, there was no need to conserve food. To reward the soldiers who had fought hard through the night, breakfast consisted of soup made from dried meat and enough cornbread to help them quickly regain their strength.

Zheng Fan took a bowl of soup, slowly sipping it. His eyes, however, were constantly scanning the wilderness outside the city wall. He had drunk about half a bowl of soup and was about to hand it to a nearby soldier when a bird cried out suddenly from above.

Zheng Fan looked up and used his right hand to shade his forehead. He saw an eagle soaring and circling in the sky.

In that instant, all my roles of 'poet,' 'essayist,' 'artist,' etc., were discarded. All the sentimental, artsy, and affected attitudes like 'vast solitary smoke of desert' were quickly abandoned. Zheng Fan felt as though he had suddenly found the rhythm of his normal life, and ordered Xue Three, "Quick, smear more blood on my face! Undo my bandages! Quick, quick, quick!"