Conferred Gods: Master Tongtian is my master

Chapter 223 Breakthrough

When Xiao He saw the Zhou army gradually retreating, he felt temporarily relieved.

After all, although he had just shouted like that, he also knew that since Ji Chang had committed treason, he must have something to rely on.

Now, I should go back to the city, arrange things and prepare for the next battle.

……

Yufu Mountain, Cangqiong Palace.

Luo Shu was dressed in a plain white robe, the lapels of which danced lightly in the wind, making him look like a banished immortal, otherworldly and otherworldly.

He sat upright on the cushion in the center, eyes closed and focused, with layers of spiritual energy surrounding him, appearing and disappearing, surging yet harmonious.

"Xiaobai," Luo Shu's voice was gentle and deep, breaking the silence in the hall.

Xiao Bai, who was standing by, heard Luo Shu calling him, and instantly stood up, leaned forward, and bowed in the direction of Luo Shu, "Master, what can I do for you?"

Luo Shu slowly opened his eyes, looked at Xiao Bai with a deep gaze, and said with a faint smile on his lips:

"From now on, I will be in seclusion in the Sky Palace. During this time, you don't need to stay here anymore. Go back to your cave and practice well."

"Yes, master." Xiaobai nodded.

Luo Shu nodded with satisfaction, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He pondered for a moment and continued:

"Tell Yuan Hong, Yang Jian and others to practice well in the cave and not to leave Yufu Mountain easily."

After saying that, Luo Shu disappeared in a flash, leaving only the residual fluctuations of spiritual energy in the air.

Seeing this, Xiaobai bowed again. Then, he left the Cangqiong Hall and went to inform Yuan Hong and others.

At this moment, Luo Shu's figure flashed and he quietly walked into the secret room. A faint fragrance filled the air.

In the center of the secret room, there is also an antique futon covered with soft fluff.

Luo Shu sat down slowly, his posture upright, his eyes closed and he concentrated. The fluctuations of spiritual energy around him instantly became stronger, like waves in a strong wind, surging and yet orderly.

"The spiritual energy in my body is leaking out. It's time to break through to the realm of Daluo Jinxian perfection."

Luo Shu murmured to himself. Although his voice was soft, it revealed unquestionable firmness and determination.

He knew very well that in the wilderness, the strong were respected. If he could improve his strength, he would have more protection when traveling in the wilderness.

As Luo Shu's mind moved, the spiritual energy in the secret room seemed to be drawn by an invisible hand and rushed into his body madly, merging with the spiritual power in his body to form an unprecedented powerful force.

This force rushed through his limbs and bones like a river flowing into the sea, constantly impacting the barriers of his cultivation, trying to break through the invisible shackles.

Luo Shu took a deep breath and sank his mind into his dantian, guiding this enormous force to circulate in his body along a specific trajectory.

Each cycle was accompanied by a violent tremor, which was proof that his body and soul were enduring the ultimate test.

……

The next morning, at Jinjiling, under the city wall.

Jiang Ziya led the high-spirited and well-equipped Zhou army behind him and approached the city under Jinji Ridge again.

On the city wall, Xiao He was wearing a battle robe, his posture was straight and upright, like a pine or cypress. His eyes penetrated the crowd of people and fell on the mighty Zhou army below.

The sunlight shines on his face, but it cannot illuminate the haze in his heart.

Xiao He's brows were furrowed, with mixed feelings in his heart, worrying about his fate and feeling helpless about the current predicament.

As the general defending the city, he was well aware that the situation was extremely precarious. Reinforcements had not arrived yet and the fate of Jinjiling seemed to be hanging by a thread.

After a moment's silence, Xiao He slowly turned around and his eyes fell on a young deputy general beside him.

"Deputy General Lu," Xiao He's voice was low and powerful, with a hint of subtle heaviness, "If the city is breached, you must immediately carry out an important mission."

Upon hearing this, Deputy General Lu was shocked and quickly stepped forward, bowing and saying:

"General, please speak. I will not refuse even if I die!"

Xiao He took out a sealed letter from his bosom and gently handed it to the deputy general, his eyes full of trust and entrustment:

"This letter is extremely important. If Jinji Ridge is unfortunately lost, you must take this letter, break through the siege, and return to Chaoge as soon as possible to present it to the king."

He paused, his face stern, and said in a deep voice:

"Remember, this letter is of great importance and must not be missed."

Vice General Lu took the letter with both hands, as if he had taken over a heavy mountain, and said solemnly:

"General, rest assured. I will live up to your trust. Even if I die, I will deliver this letter to Chaoge safely!"

Xiao He nodded and patted the deputy general on the shoulder to show encouragement and trust.

Then, he turned around again and looked at the approaching Zhou army, with a flash of determination in his eyes.

"All soldiers, listen to my order. Defend Jinji Ridge to the death. Anyone who deserts the battlefield will be executed immediately!"

Xiao He's voice echoed above the city wall, firm and powerful, penetrating the eardrums of every soldier and striking deep into their hearts.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers on the city wall straightened their backs, with a determined look in their eyes.

Following Xiao He's order, the war drums on the city wall sounded. The deafening drumbeats seemed to cheer on the soldiers, and also seemed to be announcing their determination and courage to the Zhou army.

At the same time, Jiang Ziya stood on the chariot, watching the scene on the city wall with calm eyes.

After a while, he turned to look at Nangong Shi beside him and said slowly:

"General Nangong, it seems that Xiao He and his men are not going to leave the city to fight. In this case, we can only attack the city by force."

Nangong Shi was slightly shocked when he heard this, and bowed to Jiang Ziya, saying respectfully:

"Prime Minister, I am ready. Please tell me what needs to be done."

Jiang Ziya nodded slightly, with a hint of approval in his eyes. Then, he paused, pondered for a moment, and continued:

"General Nangong, we must proceed with caution when attacking the city. I intend to proceed in batches, using the elite division to test the enemy's situation first, and then wait for the city gate to show a flaw, and then press forward with the entire army to capture the city in one fell swoop."

At this point, Jiang Ziya's tone became more serious, "But remember, although we are the siege troops, we must not forget our benevolence."

"After the city gates are broken open, you must instruct the soldiers to strictly abide by military discipline, not to kill innocent people indiscriminately, and not to harm the people in the city."

Nangong Shi was shocked when he heard this, as he knew the weight of this sentence.

He bowed again and promised solemnly: "Don't worry, Prime Minister. I will keep this in mind. When attacking the city, I will restrain the soldiers, strictly observe military discipline, and protect the safety of the people."

With Nangong Shi's departure, Zhou army's preparations for siege began in full swing.

In the morning light, war drums thundered and trumpets blew, and the morale of the Zhou army was pushed to its peak.

Nangong Shi ordered Ji Chen to be the vanguard of the siege and lead the elite troops to rush towards the gate of Jinjiling like a tiger descending from the mountain.

They held long spears, wore heavy armor, and took every step firmly and powerfully.

Seeing this, the defenders on the city wall drew their bows and arrows, and shot a rain of arrows at the oncoming Zhou army like locusts.

However, the Zhou army soldiers were well-trained. They quickly formed a shield formation, blocking the arrows one by one while advancing steadily forward.

As the distance got closer, the Zhou army began to use siege equipment such as ladders and battering rams to launch a fierce attack on the city gate.

The soldiers either climbed ladders in an attempt to break through from above, or pushed battering rams to slam the city gates, making a deafening noise.

The defenders on the Jinjiling city wall were not to be outdone. They kept throwing boulders and rolling logs in an attempt to stop the Zhou army's offensive.

The battle was extremely fierce and the soldiers on both sides tried their best.

On the city walls, arrows rained down and swords flashed.

Outside the city, dust was flying and people and horses were falling.

However, the Zhou army had the upper hand both in terms of numbers and combat power.

Their attack became more and more fierce, and the city gate began to shake under the constant impact of the battering ram.

Finally, after a violent collision, the city gate collapsed, revealing the chaos inside the city.

Seeing this, Nangong Shi immediately brandished his sword and shouted, "Charge! Protect the people in the city, and do not kill innocent people!"

Upon hearing this, the Zhou army soldiers rushed into the city like a tide.

At the same time, Xiao He on the city wall witnessed all this, and his heart was filled with anxiety and anger.

He knew very well that once the city gate was lost, the entire Jinjiling would be in crisis.

So he quickly gave orders, summoned his lieutenants and personal guards, and prepared to go downstairs to fight.

"All officers and men obey orders!"

Xiao He's voice echoed on the tower, with unquestionable majesty, "Follow this general downstairs to meet the enemy! We must let the Zhou army know that Jinji Ridge is not something they can easily capture!"

His words ignited the fighting spirit of the soldiers like a raging fire. They nodded in response and followed Xiao He down the city wall.