Chapter 638 – Release that Commander, Let Me Handle It (15)
Dozens of Red Lotus Sect followers desperately pressed against the city wall, the noise from that axe causing chunks of plaster and dirt to rain down from above.
With the cold biting at them, they could hardly muster their full strength, their hands against the wall feeling as smooth and frigid as a giant ice block.
“Just hold on a little longer, we can’t let those bandits break in…”
As soon as the little leader’s words fell, dozens of people felt an immense, nearly insurmountable force hitting the city gate, like a mountain collapsing down upon them.
In the next moment, the already cracked city gate creaked open wide.
People surged out from behind the gate, bumping into one another, creating a chaotic scene where it felt like their insides were being pushed out through their throats, and one by one, they tumbled over.
Before they could react, a flash of white tore through, accompanied by the rapid sound of hooves, dashing by like a bolt of lightning.
A gust of wind whipped through.
With one swing of the long axe, a head flew off, leaving behind a corpse that was still warm.
As Jiang Pengji charged through the city gate, the soldiers behind her felt greatly inspired, their morale skyrocketing, and the battle cries erupted like thunder.
“Kill—”
Dian Yin, having lost the two long axes he usually carried, quickly grabbed a long spear as a substitute, leading the soldiers in a charge alongside Jiang Pengji into the city.
Yang Si’s heart raced like he was on the most perilous roller coaster, only to be abruptly thrown into bungee jumping; his heart thudded wildly in his chest.
When he heard the soldiers next to him ask if he wanted to support the attack, Yang Si jolted in surprise, his mind snapping back to attention.
“Charge—support the lord!”
Yang Si excitedly drew the decorative scholar’s sword at his waist, almost biting his tongue with excitement.
The city gate was breached, and the Red Lotus Sect members holding the gate were wiped out by the incoming Dian Yin.
The reinforcements that arrived were no match for them, falling apart under the initial onslaught, leaving behind a scene filled with the sounds of slaughter and splattering blood. Jiang Pengji, mounted on Xiao Bai, was not only fast, but her long axe seemed like the reaper’s weapon, seldom leaving behind a complete corpse; even if a foe wasn’t dead, Xiao Bai would finish them off with a decisive stomp to the chest.
The number of those killed on the spot was countless.
Although Xiao Bai and Jiang Pengji had collaborated little, it showed vibrant intelligence, performing just as effectively as Big White, shedding any sign of its usual timid demeanor, swiftly trampling foes; should anyone try to stop it, it could crush both arms and ribs in one go.
Within the city of Jinmen, the Red Lotus Sect soldiers collapsed like a landslide, scattering like headless flies.
Some even barely emerging from their beds, blinking bewildered eyes, couldn’t believe the Jinmen County had so easily changed hands.
“Why is it so loud outside?”
Someone wondered aloud; after the military forces of Jinmen had been deployed, the number of people had diminished significantly. Now, with winter upon them, common folks were reluctant to step out, making the streets eerily quiet; suddenly, it was bustling, the commotion startling.
However, when they listened closely, they soon realized something was off—this wasn’t the laughter of a festive gathering at all!
It was obvious, it was the sound of clashing and blood-curdling screams.
“Is there a fight going on out there?”
“Are they going to let anyone sleep? What’s all the racket?!”
Some irritable souls began roaring toward the noise, and seeing it had no effect, went straight back inside to grab a kitchen knife, intending to intimidate whoever was outside.
Yet, before they even stepped out of their yard, a blood-soaked man lunged in from the street and collapsed, pooling blood around him.
Seeing such a scene, the person immediately freaked out, their legs turning to jelly, trembling and sitting on the ground before hastily crawling back inside.
What a scare!
They charged all the way to the center of Jinmen County, their momentum unstoppable, met with almost zero resistance.
The soldiers under Jiang Pengji were each well-trained, constantly honing their skills year-round, with large-scale drills particularly in the height of summer and the depths of winter.
They wore matching armor and wielded standardized weapons, operating in synchrony, forming groups of three to five.
In contrast, the Red Lotus Sect was filled with ragtag individuals; just the weather alone was capable of defeating them, not to mention everything else!
The old, the weak, the sick, those who could barely move, how could they possibly pick up arms to fight back against invaders?
Other Red Lotus members who rushed over were terrified, their legs giving way, unable to muster any fighting spirit, surrendering with ashen faces.
Many common folk had no idea that Jinmen County had switched hands;
Had it not been for the blood and severed limbs littering the street, would anyone have thought that the seemingly calm Jinmen County had just witnessed a siege battle? This fight, aside from its swiftness, was summed up in Yang Si’s mind by just that single word…
The soldiers annihilated the enemy, crushing the Red Lotus guards’ morale, leaving them incapable of fighting back, loudly proclaiming that those who surrendered would not be killed.
Jiang Pengji was a warrior at heart, but not a massacre-crazed one.
With the enemy already devoid of fighting spirit, they hardly warranted her wrath.
She flicked off the blood and gore from her axe and dismounted,
“Xiao Bai, good job, let’s get the best food prepared for you when we return.”
Jiang Pengji smoothed Xiao Bai’s mane, and the horse snorted in response, nuzzling against her hand gently, affectionately.
Due to Jiang Pengji’s violent rampage, Xiao Bai’s pristine white coat was now stained a deep red, adding a certain fierce charm.
Yang Si coordinated tactics, Dian Yin was clearing out stubborn enemies and prisoners, while Jiang Pengji followed closely, fighting in the vanguard.
As the sun peaked overhead, it was noon.
Leaning against Xiao Bai, Jiang Pengji twisted the sleeve and hem of her armor.
Thick clots of blood seeped out, dripping onto the ground.
Clearly, it was a bloody and horrifying scene, yet she handled it as if wringing out rainwater rather than human blood.
“My lord!”
A voice called from a distance, and Jiang Pengji looked up to see Yang Si staggering off the back of his chestnut horse.
Jiang Pengji’s gaze flickered to the scholar’s sword at Yang Si’s waist, which was originally just a decorative piece; now, it was tainted with the scent of blood, evidently seeing combat. Observing Yang Si’s face masked with excitement, she softened her expression a little.
“Are you alright? The battlefield is chaotic, and you dare run around?”
Yang Si’s role was one of intellect; the fighting should be left to the warriors.
If anything were to happen to Yang Si, their already short-staffed team would be in deeper trouble.
With Jinmen County conquered, there would be plenty of work ahead, they couldn’t afford to lose anyone now.
Unaware of Jiang Pengji’s thoughts, Yang Si thought she was merely concerned for him, and warmth flooded his heart.
His shout of “my lord” had been utterly sincere.
“Thank you for your concern, I’m fine.”
Aside from his thighs being sore from riding, he was otherwise alright.
He also had a shot at the adrenaline rush of battle; the gentlemanly skills he learned before were not without use.
Jiang Pengji calmly asked, “Is the battlefield already tidied up? How many injuries? How many prisoners? Is there anyone causing trouble in the chaos?”
Yang Si had prepared himself and reported, “The battlefield hasn’t been cleared yet; there are still a few enemy remnants stubbornly resisting, but Dian Yin has already gone to handle them. Rough estimates show about a thousand prisoners. The bodies of fallen soldiers are being collected, and as for the injured, most are minor wounds; the female camp’s medics are providing assistance, with the total not exceeding a hundred; it’s not too serious…”
