Fang Xing closed the panel and immediately shut his eyes to rest.

’Time to rest and build up my strength.’

The surprise attack had been a success, but he still couldn’t afford to be careless.

...

The sky gradually brightened.

An oppressive atmosphere filled Qingshan County today.

Within the city walls, every household had barred its doors.

Taverns, inns, and shops of every kind were almost all shuttered.

The only figures on the streets were those of the Constables and the Defense Army; almost no one else was to be seen.

The once-bustling Qingshan County Town was now utterly silent.

News of the White Lotus Army’s arrival had spread to every household.

The vast majority of the populace was shrouded in fear.

For now, the only thing the city’s residents could do was wait for news.

Countless people prayed for the arrival of the Court’s army.

Panic enveloped the County Town.

Though the Government Office had posted notices, the panic could not be dispelled.

Throughout the city, the air was thick with paranoia; every rustle of wind and every shadow seemed like an enemy soldier.

Fang Xing woke up around the Chief Hour.

After washing up and filling his stomach, Fang Xing had yet to step outside.

A knock sounded at his courtyard gate.

He opened the gate to find Xu Qingshan. Seeing the look on his face, Fang Xing instantly understood.

"Has the White Lotus Army arrived?"

Xu Qingshan nodded grimly. "The latest report just came in. The White Lotus Army is less than ten li from the city."

"Ten li..."

"Looks like they’re getting ready for a final push." Fang Xing’s expression grew solemn as he listened to Xu Qingshan’s report.

"Let’s go. I’m going to the city wall to take a look," Fang Xing said.

Xu Qingshan nodded, and the two of them headed for the city gate.

...

A short while later, Fang Xing and Xu Qingshan reached the top of the city wall.

Atop the thirty-foot-high walls, soldiers of the Defense Army stood in formation, ready for battle.

Crossbows, kerosene, Black Gunpowder...

Nearly every available defensive measure had been deployed.

In addition to the Defense Army, a portion of the Constables had also been assigned to defend the four walls.

The five hundred men mobilized by the five great families had all been deployed as well.

The entire city wall was fortified like an iron fortress.

Fang Xing and Xu Qingshan made a circuit of the defenses before stopping on the wall above the main gate, their gazes sweeping over the desolate landscape outside the city.

As he peered into the distance, Fang Xing could faintly make out a large mass of figures.

The White Lotus Army!

An army of nearly twenty thousand appeared on the plains outside the city.

Catapults, massive crossbows, and all manner of weapons.

At the sight of the White Lotus Army, the defenders on the walls became fully alert.

They had been mentally prepared, but when faced with the real thing, a sense of fear was still unavoidable.

An army filled with so many Martial Dao Masters was no ordinary force.

It was the White Lotus Army that had breached Qingchuan County.

"They move fast!"

A voice called out. Fang Xing turned to see that Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng had both arrived.

At a time like this, the highest local commanders had to make an appearance.

Morale was crucial.

The White Lotus Army was formidable, but this situation was different from what happened in Qingchuan County.

Their numbers weren’t that large. Breaching Qingshan County would require a coalition of several rebel armies.

"First, let’s wear them down a bit. I estimate we can take out a portion of their men. Then, we strike, kill some of their Commanders, and we might just be able to turn this around."

Fang Xing said suddenly, his gaze fixed on the enemy army.

At his words, several pairs of eyes snapped toward him.

"You want to sally out and fight them?" Zhang Chen’s eyes went wide.

"If the opportunity presents itself, why not?" Fang Xing replied nonchalantly.

"..." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Looking at Fang Xing, Zhang Chen and the others were rendered speechless.

Their plan was to defend the city and slowly wear the enemy down.

They never imagined Fang Xing was planning to sally out and fight.

"Lord Fang, charging an army is not so simple," Xu Qingshan said with a grave expression. "The White Lotus Army can form the White Lotus Array. That kind of formation can display immense power. If you were to get trapped inside, it would be extremely dangerous."

"I agree. We should hold our ground. Sallying out is too risky," Lin Zheng added.

"Fang Xing, getting caught in an army is no laughing matter," Zhang Chen said, looking at him. "Even if your Power can hold them off for a while, how long can you sustain that kind of consumption? Don’t be reckless."

"My lords, rest assured. I know my own limits," Fang Xing replied, his expression calm.

Seeing Fang Xing’s nonchalant demeanor, the others exchanged a look but said no more.

’If he just attacks from the flank,’ they thought, ’perhaps with Fang Xing’s strength, he might actually achieve something unexpected.’

But they would have to wait and see how the situation unfolded.

...

The setting sun was the color of blood.

Outside the walls, the dark, oppressive mass of the White Lotus Army drew steadily closer, filling the air with a murderous intent.

On the wall, besides Fang Xing’s group, the heads of the five great families had also arrived.

The first clash is often the most dangerous.

If the walls were breached, it would all be over in an instant.

No one was taking this battle lightly.

As they watched, the advancing White Lotus Army finally came to a halt.

They were only half a li from the walls of Qingshan County Town.

Beneath the setting sun, a black banner swayed in the midst of the army.

Half a li. It was dangerously close.

"Is the Qingshan County Magistrate present?"

A powerful voice boomed from within the army’s ranks.

On the wall, Zhang Chen listened, one hand clasped behind his back, his gaze sharp. "I am Zhang Chen, the Qingshan County Magistrate! I advise you rebels to retreat at once! Otherwise, when the Court’s army arrives, you will be annihilated, your bones ground to dust!"

His voice, amplified by his Power, carried clearly, every word distinct.

It boomed like thunder over the enemy army.

"Lord Zhang, our army has come to save the people of Qingshan. If you are willing to submit to our White Lotus Sect, you will not be treated poorly."

"I hope you will consider this carefully. Do not let this become another Qingchuan County."

The powerful voice boomed once more from the army’s ranks, reaching the ears of all on the wall.

"An Evil Cult of rebels dares to demand my submission? I’ll give you one chance. The Court’s army will be here soon. Stubborn resistance will only lead to your deaths!"

Zhang Chen’s voice echoed across the enemy ranks once more.

"You obstinate fool!"

An angry shout was heard, and in the next instant, a furious roar tore through the sky.

"Kill them! Leave no one alive!"

"KILL!"

Twenty thousand soldiers roared as one, and the army began to advance again.

They moved forward in formation!

WHOOSH!

Catapults and giant crossbows launched their payload. A countless swarm of arrows blotted out the sky as it swept toward the walls.

At that same moment, the defending Defense Army unleashed its own attack.

While maintaining their defense, they fired volleys from their crossbows, sending streams of arrows into the enemy.

But the White Lotus Army’s defense was equally formidable. Rows of shields formed a solid barrier, blocking the incoming arrows with ease.

The battle erupted in an instant!

Casualties quickly mounted on both sides.

Despite defending from the walls, some of the defenders were killed under the fierce assault.

But their lines did not waver.

Reinforcements quickly filled the gaps. Xu Qingshan took command, while Fang Xing and the others temporarily withdrew to a safer area to observe.

The Commander of the Defense Army still possessed a decent ability to command in battle.

The frontal assault was incredibly fierce.

The Defense Army’s attacks were having little effect. Watching closely, Fang Xing quickly identified the problem.

The White Lotus Army’s formation allowed them to jointly nullify a large portion of the force directed at them.

At the core of the formation, Martial Artists acted in unison, unleashing a military aura that formed an invisible shield, neutralizing attacks.

This was the terrifying aspect of a ten-thousand-strong army; its true power was in focusing all its strength into a single point.

This kind of power was equivalent to an Extraordinary Power.

The larger the army, the stronger the Extraordinary Power they could unleash.

A head-on clash would be disastrous.

A formation of a hundred thousand soldiers could even channel the Power of Heaven and Earth.

Only a Martial Artist at the True Qi Realm could break through the formation of a ten-thousand-strong army head-on.