The Empress's No.1 Lackey

As Zhao Douan entered the government office, Magistrate Sun Xiaozhun, stationed within the city, immediately came out to greet him.

"Commander, why have you come?" Sun Xiaozhun asked in surprise.

With a slight amusement, Zhao Douan replied, "What, am I not supposed to come?"

The skinny and iron-like, red-dressed magistrate was momentarily at a loss for words, hurriedly waving his hands to say, "No, of course not... just unexpected..."

Before General Xue Shence's army set out, news had been sent to the Lu Mansion, informing Zhao Douan. Everyone thought Commander Zhao would stay in the city to oversee the main camp.

Zhao Douan laughed heartily and stepped inside:

"Finished my immediate tasks, how long has the army set out? Give me a map, I intend to catch up. Are the two priests from the Heavenly Master Mansion doing well?"

Sun Xiaozhun did not understand why he suddenly wanted to catch up, but did not ask, explaining:

"Priests Yu Xiu and Jin Jian also left with the army. Mo Zhaorong went too; apart from a few eminent figures left behind here, only I remain in the office now."

They also went to the front line? Zhao Douan nodded, suddenly asking:

"Where is that Shadow Guard Bai Sun?"

"Looking for me, sir?" As soon as the words fell, Nie Yurong emerged from the backyard not far away.

Her eyes were bright, carrying an air of relief after hardship; who would have thought that after painstakingly hiding, she wouldn't even get to see her target's face?

Zhao Douan glanced at this Royal Mansion assassin, smiled and said, "Prepare horses, accompany me to the front line."

Shortly.

The southern gate of the Prefecture City suddenly opened wide, and three warhorses chased after the main army.

Zhao Douan led the way, flanked by Song Jinxi and Nie Yurong.

The group moved with extreme speed, pursued for some distance, when large numbers of refugees began to flood the official road ahead, with several officers maintaining order intermittently.

"What is going on?" Zhao Douan pulled on the reins, stopping before a familiar Divine Mechanism Camp officer.

"Commander?" The latter was startled and hurriedly explained the situation.

Refugees blocking the road, Wei Xianzong's path unstoppable? Xue Shence headed straight for Ning'an County Town? A sense of unease arose in Zhao Douan's heart.

Gazing at the densely packed refugees, he urged the whip vigorously: "We must hurry."

Fortunately, while the tide of refugees could block an army, it could not stop mere three warhorses.

…

…

Ning'an County Town.

The previously bustling city now had tightly shut gates, exuding killing intent, with flags erected atop the city walls.

Yunfu Rebel Army soldiers were arrayed in formation, awaiting the battle.

In the open space outside the city, the main forces of the Capital Camp had advanced, stopping right outside the range of the opponent's bows and arrows; officers of various levels began to arrange troops and prepare for the siege.

War was about to break out.

"Seems Shi Meng's capture of Wenshui achieved the desired effect; the rebels did not retreat, but chose to stay and guard the city. Thankfully, they didn't escape, good thing we didn't arrive a step late,"

Xue Shence stood on an elevated platform constructed by man, gazing at the opponent's prepared posture, and spoke in a deep voice.

Mo Chou stood beside him, with clouds in the sky being blown away by the wind, she expressed some concern:

"With today's wind, once it ignites, it won't take long before the whole city turns into ruins. We must seize the city quickly while the enemy isn't fully prepared, no delay is permissible."

The group of generals surrounding also nodded in agreement.

At present, they did not know the specifics within the city, but breaking through as soon as possible was the sure path.

"General Xue, the Divine Mechanism Camp's cannons are in position and can bombard the gates at any moment!" At this moment, Chen Gui strode over.

However, Xue Shence shook his head, squinting towards the distant city walls, saying, "As expected, the cannons may not be usable for now."

The crowd looked, and besides the rebels on the city walls, there were also large numbers of bound civilians, especially women, children, and the elderly — this was only what was visible, who knew how many more were hidden.

Chen Gui cursed angrily: "Shameless scoundrels! This Su Dan truly despicable, using human bodies as shields!"

But Xue Shence remained calm: "In the battle array, there's only victory or defeat, unnecessary words suffice. Since cannons can't be utilized now, we directly attack the city. With our overwhelming forces, capturing it is only a matter of time."

Chen Gui's face was somber, and he could only acquiesce; as for muskets, they were equally challenging to use in a siege.

Immediately, the generals took their orders, each making arrangements.

Mo Chou held a "Thousand-mile tube," peering towards the city walls; unsurprisingly, Su Dan's face appeared in her view.

At this moment, as the leader of the rebel army within the city, this "Scholar General" stood at the center of the city walls, surrounded by numerous protecting generals.

Most intriguing was the presence of two individuals masked with straw hats, standing on each side, their identities unknown.

"They are likely martial arts masters within the city," Xue Shence's gaze was sharp, calmly stating: "Tang Gongfeng, your assistance is needed to ascend the city walls."

Tang Jinzhong, the Inner Court Tributor, stood in the back, followed by more than a dozen tributors, Lang Shiba also placed his wine gourd on the ground and picked up his curved knife.

They had followed Zhao Douan's orders to accompany the army as support to quell the rebellion.

Ji Yue floated like a ghost beside Mo Chou, now glancing at Mo Chou then at Xue Shence, appearing a bit hesitant.

Until Xue Shence instructed, saying "Magicians are not suited for battle arrays, thus stay and protect Mo Zhaorong," the socially anxious female mage finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Without both sides' main commanders stepping out for rhetoric or banter, there were only the gusts carrying the battle array's killing intent.

"Boom boom boom—"

Accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats from the Capital Camp, the attacking formation of troops shouted as they advanced toward the city gates.

If one were to look down from the sky, this army of tens of thousands resembled a pitch-black war chariot, connected by military formations, their shouts echoing to the heavens, and even cultivators of the world, faced with such a battlefield, would find their heart pounding. Any individual strong in cultivation, fearless one-on-one against any soldier, but if caught within the military formation unable to extricate themselves, once their Qi Mechanism or Mana was depleted, would equally be piled to death alive by armored soldiers!