jdhmnovel Chapter 455 Night Chaos in Chuzhou City
Chapter 455 Night Chaos in Chuzhou City
Shi Wanxia followed his gaze and saw that the red ribbons on the street stretched out in a continuous line, like a red defensive line. She nodded, her tone firm: "Your Highness is right. On the night of the fifteenth of July, we will definitely be able to defend Chuzhou."
As night deepened, the lights in Chuzhou City lit up one by one, but the usual tranquility was gone.
The sounds of patrolling footsteps, the warning sounds of gongs, and the shouts of craftsmen intertwined, creating a tense yet powerful atmosphere.
In a dilapidated temple in the west of the city, several dark figures were hiding in the shadows, talking in hushed tones.
The leader, dressed in black night clothes, said in a hoarse voice, "Are you all ready? On the night of the fifteenth of July, listen to my command: first, attack the west side of the prison, rescue Miss Wang and Lord Wang, and then take advantage of the chaos to burn down the government office!"
"Don't worry, boss, the brothers are all ready. We also have a few spies in the city who will help us open the gate!"
"it is good!"
A ruthless glint flashed in the leader's eyes. "The stability of Chuzhou? Shi Wanxia's merit? It's all a lie! Once we rescue them, we'll make sure Chuzhou is thrown into chaos again!"
The shadowy figures vanished silently into the night, leaving only the flickering candlelight in the dilapidated temple, reflecting the four characters "Acting on behalf of Heaven" on the wall, which looked particularly ironic.
The night of the 15th of July is drawing ever closer.
Inside Chuzhou City, the people were on high alert.
In the shadows, the traitors sharpen their knives, ready to pounce.
A battle that will determine the fate of Chuzhou is about to begin on the night of the Ghost Festival.
The 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Festival).
Night fell early, but the usual festivities of the sacrificial ceremonies were absent from Chuzhou City; instead, a deathly stillness, as if a storm was brewing, filled the air.
The air seemed to be taut with an invisible string, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Just after midnight, flames suddenly shot into the sky from the west of the city, and shouts of battle arose!
Like the gates of hell opening, countless dark figures poured out from the shadowy corners, and even from the city gate sections that had already been bribed or controlled!
Their numbers far exceeded expectations, numbering in the hundreds. All were dressed in black, masked, and armed with sharp weapons. They were highly trained and clearly divided into several groups.
One force rushed straight to the prefect's prison, another fiercely attacked the city gate in an attempt to coordinate an attack from within and without, and the other elite force headed straight for the Crown Prince's government office!
However, the resistance they encountered was far greater than they had imagined!
Thanks to the mobilization efforts of Shi Wanxia and Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou, the people of Chuzhou City were not intimidated! The sounds of gongs and clappers resounded throughout the city in an instant!
"Protect the Crown Prince! Protect Lord Shi! Defend our home!"
Young and strong men spontaneously organized themselves, armed with kitchen knives, hoes, wooden sticks, or even just sharpened bamboo poles.
Led by a junior officer of the Imperial Guard arranged by Zhao Hu, they blocked the alleyways, set up roadblocks, and fought a desperate battle against the rebels who were trying to spread their influence!
Women, children, the elderly, and the infirm were responsible for transporting bricks, boiling oil, and even pouring their own boiled water out the window!
They were untrained, but their determination to protect their homeland was unwavering!
People keep falling, but someone immediately takes their place! Every step the rebels take forward comes at a heavy price!
The entire city of Chuzhou seemed to have turned into a giant millstone of flesh and blood, with fierce battles taking place in every street and every alley!
The people, with their raw courage and sheer numbers, managed to hold back most of the rebel forces!
The fighting was particularly fierce in the prison! This was clearly the main target of the rebels!
Cui Zhihao and Cui Yu'an led dozens of imperial guards and yamen runners to guard the prison gates.
Cui Zhihao's swordsmanship was fierce, and Cui Yu'an was young and brave. The uncle and nephew fought side by side, their sword energy crisscrossing, and black-clad men fell one after another.
However, the attackers were clearly mixed with highly skilled martial arts outlaws, and their numbers were overwhelming. They were gradually forced to retreat, and their defenses were in grave danger!
"Third Uncle! This can't go on!"
Cui Yu'an was panting heavily; his arm had been scratched.
Cui Zhihao's face was cold and stern. He pierced an enemy's throat with his sword and shouted, "Hold the line! His Highness must have a plan!"
But his heart sank; the enemy was stronger than he had anticipated.
Just as the defensive line was about to be breached, a series of rapid and orderly hoofbeats suddenly came from the street corner!
Immediately afterwards, a denser rain of arrows, like locusts, shot into the rebel camp from the side and rear, instantly felling many of them!
"By imperial decree, the rebellion is quelled! Traitor, prepare to die!"
A clear and authoritative shout rang out!
In a blaze of silver armor, Prince Xiang, Shen Yanchu, led the charge, his spear flashing like a dragon, instantly sending several men in black flying!
Beside him stood Lin Yiyu, dressed in pristine white, his sword flashing like a bolt of lightning, unstoppable wherever it went! Behind them were hundreds of elite cavalrymen from the Imperial Guard!
The arrival of this new force instantly turned the tide of the battle! The rebels were attacked from both sides and their formation was thrown into chaos!
"Your Highness Prince Xiang! Prince Lin!" Cui Zhihao and his nephew were greatly encouraged, and the pressure on them was greatly reduced.
Shen Yanchu pointed his spear: "Third Uncle, Wenzhu, leave this to us! Go quickly and protect His Highness the Crown Prince and Miss Shi!"
However, the pressure from the government office did not lessen.
The rebels seemed to know the principle of capturing the leader first, and the ones besieging the government office were their most elite assassins!
Zhao Hu and Shi Qing, covered in blood, stood guard over Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou and Shi Wanxia, while the number of guards and civilians around them dwindled.
Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou is no mere figurehead. Although his martial arts skills are not as top-notch as those of Cui Zhihao and Lin Yiyu, he has practiced martial arts since childhood.
Holding a long sword, he fought fiercely, repeatedly deflecting assassins who tried to approach Shi Wanxia. His arm was already cut, but he remained calm: "Sister Wanxia, stay close to me!"
Shi Wanxia also held a short blade in her hand. Although she couldn't be of much help, her eyes were firm and she didn't back down.
The people spontaneously formed a human wall, shouting, "Protect the Crown Prince! Protect Lord Shi!"
People kept screaming and falling, but those behind them immediately took their place, using their lives to delay the advance of the suicide squad!
"Your Highness! Lord Shi! You must leave quickly! We'll hold them off!"
An old man covered in blood roared.
Shi Wanxia felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and tears welled up in her eyes: "No! We can't let everyone get involved! You all disperse quickly!"
At this critical moment, several extremely sharp sword energies suddenly attacked from the roof!
Like a thunderbolt from the heavens, it instantly annihilated the few assassins charging at the forefront!
"Li Changyu of Mojian Manor has led his disciples to protect you!"
A powerful shout rang out!
Li Changyu, with his long hair flying and holding a long sword, looked like a war god descending from the heavens!
Behind him, dozens of disciples from the Ink Sword Manor formed a sword formation, plunging into the battle like sharp knives!
Their arrival instantly stabilized the collapsing defenses!
Li Changyu forced back two assassins with a single sword strike, then said loudly to the Crown Prince and Shi Wanxia, "Your Highness, Miss Shi, I received a message from the Prince of Xiang and have come to offer my assistance! The people of Chuzhou are so righteous and courageous, how can I stand idly by!"
Shen Yanzhou was overjoyed: "Master Li! Thank you!"
At this moment, the Crown Prince, retired martial arts masters, imperial princes, generals, officials, and common people... all forces are united because of a common enemy!
Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou unleashed his swordsmanship, fighting alongside Li Changyu, Zhao Hu, Shi Qing, and others, firmly protecting Shi Wanxia in the center of the battle.