The western wind roared as warhorses galloped, their fierce neighs echoing across the riverbank near the enemy army. A large red flag fluttered against the cold breeze.
"I feared this might happen, which is why I reserved a third of our forces to confront this enemy, who had yet to reveal their claws."
"You anticipated such strong resistance from the enemy?"
"When the God of Martial Arts faced my ambush, I thought he would perish. But contrary to my expectations, he annihilated all the assassins I sent after him. When I questioned Wei about this individual, they refused to acknowledge him. So, I took it upon myself to investigate within these states, only to later discover he hailed from Qin."
"That's why, after losing track of him and the escaped assassins, I deduced he would be Qin's last resort to protect their dynasty."
Ri Boku smiled brightly into the void, revealing two rows of jade-like teeth shaped like scallops—extraordinarily striking.
Now, with Jun in the palm of his hand, his plans had regained momentum.
"The villages are deserted up to this point, yet our scouts report military activity a few dozen kilometers away. In a fortress, the banners of the God of Martial Arts flutter in the wind."
Licking his dry lips, Ri Boku remarked, "Since we've been tracking them, we should eliminate them before they slip away again. Let the vanguard initiate the assault."
…
Within the fortress where Jun had mounted an improvised defense against the advancing coalition army, traps were being meticulously prepared.
The dark clouds weighed heavily on the sky, casting an ominous gray hue over the world.
Jun stood atop the tower, gazing southward. Behind him, several figures gripped their sword hilts tightly.
A blinding bolt of lightning suddenly pierced the sky, illuminating the desolate city.
Jun's brow twitched slightly. In the flash of lightning, he could clearly see an enormous dark cloud creeping toward the city from the base of the mountains.
A dark cloud loomed in the sky, while on the ground, this shadow was composed of countless armored soldiers advancing toward his position.
A cold raindrop fell from the heavens, silently landing on Jun's face. The icy sensation seeped from his cheeks into his very core.
Was the diversion battle about to begin?
Fwoom!
A deep, oppressive horn blared, reverberating across the battlefield. Jun could even feel the city walls tremble beneath his feet. Another bolt of lightning struck, illuminating the enemy's dense formation as it approached the fortified city.
Following the horn, the thunderous war drums resounded across the land.
Under the darkened sky, amidst the deafening horns and passionate drums, thousands of coalition troops formed orderly square formations, chanting loudly and marching in unison.
In this moment, blood boiled, and a primal, animalistic instinct awakened in every man present. The desire to fight surged in the hearts of the soldiers on this battlefield.
After the infantry squares had formed, a dozen towering black siege towers emerged under the grim sky. Hundreds of Zhao troops gathered around the towers like ants, tightening the ropes trailing behind them.
Amidst the synchronized chants of the coalition army, the towering siege engines advanced steadily, relentlessly approaching the city where Jun had fortified his defenses.
The peculiar, elongated horns sounded loudly on both flanks of the Zhao infantry.
Amid the unending flashes of lightning in the distant sky, two massive cavalry legions flanked the coalition infantry.
These cavalry units formed pincers, pressing forward with countless sharp lances poised to pierce the darkened heavens.
The gusting wind sliced like a blade, whipping the flags into a frenzy.
At the heart of the coalition formation stood Ri Boku, the mastermind of the campaign, surrounded by a retinue of generals. His dark eyes coldly surveyed the shadowy fortress awaiting conquest.
The outline of the city where Jun held his ground appeared grim and foreboding.
Ri Boku suddenly raised his right arm, and the horns and war drums abruptly ceased.
The soldiers' synchronized chants also vanished, plunging the battlefield into an eerie silence. Only the distant rumble of echoes lingered faintly, casting a solemn air over the field.
A cold killing intent permeated the heavens and earth. The coalition army, poised for attack, resembled a monstrous beast, its bloody maw open and fangs gleaming.
On the city's highest point, Jun's facial muscles twitched silently.
"Prepare the catapults..."
With the harsh screech of grinding iron, Jun unsheathed his sword and raised it above his head.
As another blinding lightning bolt struck, its light reflected off Jun's sharp blade, creating a dazzling silver glow. Across the city, shadowy figures mirrored his movements, drawing their swords.
A sharp, desolate voice echoed through the deserted city:
"We are the first blade to clash against a common enemy of all Qin. Let this be the beginning of the battle for the King of Assassins' army!"
"Long live the King of Assassins!" Shen was the first to raise his arms and cheer.
Countless assassins responded fervently, dispersing to their designated zones.
Amid the harsh grinding sounds, the massive siege towers quaked violently. Within the city, long arms swung through the air, hurling enormous stones tethered by iron cables.
"Commence continuous catapult fire, with intermittent pauses."
At Jun's side, Kyou Kai issued the command, as flames lit the city's central streets.
Boom! Boom! Boom!