Chapter 8: The Siege

Page (1/3)

On the first day of the festival...

Lin Fan’s lips twitched slightly as he shook his head and said, “I am merely a martial artist of average talent. I dare not arrogantly claim to be a prodigy.”

The other soldiers looked at Lin Fan skeptically, as if trying to see through his cultivation level.

Unfortunately, Lin Fan’s aura was restrained; his spiritual energy was concealed deep within his meridians. Unless he took action, no one could discern his true strength.

Just as the others were curiously scrutinizing him, a hurried voice called down from the city tower.

A middle-aged officer wearing a silver helmet adorned with a plume hurried over. His face was stern, his eyes sharp and full of resolute determination.

In one hand, he wielded a gleaming battle sword; in the other, he carried a massive shield painted with a fierce mythical beast. Dried bloodstains traced the beast’s intricate patterns, making it appear vividly alive, as if it might spring into action at any moment.

This was undoubtedly a battle-hardened warrior, a fierce general who had galloped across countless battlefields.

Only such a man deserved to guard a critical border fortress.

Most importantly, this officer’s cultivation had reached the Divine Pill Realm.

“I am Ge Yan, a subordinate general under the Iron Battle General of Dragon Spine Pass. I have long heard of Lin Fan, the young master of the Lin family. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved,” Ge Yan said with a friendly attitude.

Lin Fan was momentarily taken aback but quickly clasped his hands in return, replying, “My reputation is undeserved. A man like General Ge is truly worthy of our admiration.”

“Ha! If anyone else spoke such flattery, I would kick them out immediately. But coming from you, young master Lin, it fills me with joy. Lin, are you planning to leave the pass?”

Ge Yan’s forthright manner impressed Lin Fan. He nodded and said, “By the emperor’s decree, I dare not disobey.”

As he spoke, Lin Fan produced an imperial edict from his bosom. Calling it an edict was generous—it was more like a sentence of banishment to the western frontier.

Oh?

The emperor actually sent you to mine for two months?

This...

Ge Yan took the document and read it, then was suddenly shocked. He looked at Lin Fan with surprise, not knowing what crime the young man might have committed to merit such punishment.

Mining in the western regions was no ordinary task.

Aside from the constant danger of cave-ins in the pitch-dark tunnels, the miners themselves were a source of trouble.

Most were criminals from across the empire, notoriously unruly.

Sending the young master of the Lin family—a scion of privilege—to such a place was tantamount to sending him to his death.

“If this were any other time, I would have no objection. But now, with bandits surrounding Dragon Spine Pass, opening the gates would invite them straight into the city. The hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians inside would suffer.”

Ge Yan’s expression showed his dilemma. He wanted to accommodate Lin Fan but could not risk any mistake under the current circumstances.

“Of course, don’t worry. I have sent word to the Iron Battle General. He should return soon, at the latest within three days.”

This...

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan nodded helplessly. Three days it would be. The edict ordered him to report to the mining site by the seventh day of the month, and today was only the fourth.

Very well.

Page (2/3)

Seeing Lin Fan’s concession, Ge Yan smiled and waved his hand. “Send someone to prepare a chamber for young master Lin.

“I have urgent matters and cannot stay to accompany you. Once this is over and you return from the mines, I will definitely host a feast in your honor.”

“Thank you.”

Led by a soldier, Lin Fan arrived at a separate courtyard. After all, Dragon Spine Pass was a border fortress, incomparable to the capital’s splendor.

Although the room had been cleaned, the sand drifting in had left a thick layer of dust everywhere.

Fortunately,

Though born into privilege, Lin Fan did not care about such trivial matters.

“I’ve been on the road for so many days; I’m a bit exhausted. I’ll rest for a while first.”

Sleep?

Good idea!

But as soon as Lin Fan murmured this, he immediately regretted it.

Sure enough,

The long-absent voice of the Enchantress sounded in his mind.

Before he could respond, her sensual, enchanting form materialized before him. Her exquisite, peerless face, biting her delicate lips, was dripping with allure, stirring countless fantasies.

“I…”

Just as he was about to refuse, Lin Fan felt his lips covered by hers. Suddenly, an unnamed flame surged from his abdomen…

...

Night fell. The Enchantress finally relented and left Lin Fan’s body, while the young man, who had been tormented for hours, was gasping heavily, drenched in sweat.

“Trouble! Bandits are breaching the gates!”

Just as the weary Lin Fan was about to fall asleep, a shout pierced the air, waking him instantly. His drowsiness vanished. Hastily, he donned his scattered robes and stepped outside.

No sooner had he stepped out than he saw flames flickering beyond the city walls. Countless fire arrows rained down, setting many buildings ablaze.

For a moment,

The cries of panic and despair filled the air, turning the city into a hellscape.

Lin Fan’s expression hardened. The thunderous sound of battering rams echoed throughout the city. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the city tower.

As a citizen of the Tianfeng Empire, he could not stand idly by while innocent civilians suffered.

This was not saintly behavior, merely the natural instinct of a loyal subject.

“General Ge, how is the situation?”

Because Lin Fan had appeared earlier that day, the city guards were familiar with him and did not stop him as he climbed the ramparts.

Approaching the resolute-faced Ge Yan, Lin Fan asked in a low voice.

“Oh? Young master Lin. It seems these bandits know the Iron Battle General is returning soon, as they have launched such a large-scale assault today.

“Judging from their intent, they plan to breach the city tonight,” Ge Yan said coldly, pointing to the bandits pounding at the gates, his eyes gleaming with icy light.

Page (3/3)

The city had already expended nearly all its arrows. Now, many guards were gripping their blades, ready to confront the bandits the moment the gates were broken.

On every face was a grim resolve.

As if all understood that tonight would be a blood-soaked massacre.

“There are even two Divine Pill Realm warriors among them. No wonder they’re so bold.”

Lin Fan’s eyes narrowed, locking onto two figures below. Now he understood why the defenders had not sallied forth.

Among the bandits were two Divine Pill Realm experts.

Within the city, only Ge Yan had attained that realm.

For one man to resist two Divine Pill Realm warriors was an arduous task.

However,

Although the bandits outnumbered Divine Pill Realm warriors, the defenders had many more Heavenly Pill Realm experts.

Those extra Heavenly Pill Realm cultivators might have a chance to jointly hold off one of the Divine Pill Realm enemies.

As for the rest, they could only hope for the best.

Due to monster hunts, the defenders were fewer in number than the bandits.

“General Ge, if needed, I can join the battle.”

You?

Ge Yan’s eyes brightened. He was not up to date on news from the city center and thus unaware of Lin Fan’s loss of cultivation.

“With your strength, young master Lin, surely one Divine Pill Realm warrior is no challenge?”

Divine Pill Realm?

Lin Fan smiled bitterly and shook his head. “General Ge, you overestimate me. Now, I can only handle Earth Pill Realm opponents.”

Ah?

Ge Yan was stunned. He was about to speak when Lin Fan suddenly released his aura.

Peak Earth Pill Realm?

How could this be?

Rumor had it that two years ago, the Lin family’s young master, the empire’s foremost prodigy, had reached the peak Divine Pill Realm.

Now, two years later, whether he had broken through to the Primordial Mansion Realm or not, he should easily handle one or two Divine Pill Realm warriors.

Yet why did Lin Fan now possess only peak Earth Pill Realm cultivation?

Could the rumors be false?

“General Ge, rumors are unreliable.

“As I said, I am merely a youth of average talent, not a prodigy.

“Please do not overestimate me.”