Suppressing the North and Displaying Might, Chapter 112: The Siege (Part I)

Zhenbei Pass, the only gateway spanning between two continents. The climate is perennially frigid, and since most of its residents are of military background, the local customs are fierce and rugged, striking awe and dread into outsiders.

At the northern gate, rows of simple and solemn barracks stood rigidly in the driving snow.

"General Beitang, that scoundrel Zhang Xiu has withheld our military funds again," an elderly man with snow-white hair said to Beitang Mo, who stood ahead, his expression helpless.

Beitang Mo, the current Great General of the North and head of the Beitang clan, wields the "Flying Arrow of the Northern Desert." To take an enemy general's head from amidst ten thousand troops is as easy for him as reaching into his own pocket; to this day, he remains a nightmare in the hearts of the Northern Warriors. In terms of leadership, strength, and strategy, he is in no way inferior to the renowned generals of the continent, a true hero of his generation. It is only because he has always guarded the northern frontier that few in the Eastern Wu realm are familiar with him.

Beitang Mo heaved a deep sigh. "What is his excuse this time?"

"He intends to build a lavish mansion in the West District."

"Absurd! I let the Qin Kingdom govern Zhenbei Pass, and I let them withhold grain, provided the common people do not go hungry. But now he is becoming even more unbridled. Can he touch the military funds? Does he expect my men of the North to fight the Northern Warriors with rusted weapons and shattered armor?" Beitang Mo cursed in a fit of rage.

Dong Hong asked again, "General, what should we do now? Although the Northern Warriors have not been very active lately, this cannot continue."

"Zhenbei Pass must never fall. If Zhang Xiu persists, I shall go and speak with him myself."

"That seems to be the only way. Then, General, I shall return to the city first." Dong Hong left the barracks, looking dejected.

In truth, the people of Zhenbei Pass had suffered enough of the Qin Kingdom's actions. With a single command from Beitang Mo, they could easily drive the Qin forces out and return to the unconstrained life they once knew. Yet, Beitang Mo could never bring himself to make the decision, choosing instead to remain under Qin's control.

Looking at the vast, white, falling snow, feeling there was no way out, Dong Hong lamented, "If only Miss Biluo were a man, perhaps she could have had a say. Alas, where does the fate of Zhenbei Pass truly lie?"

Meanwhile, Li Qiutong and his group had already set up camp several kilometers outside the pass. Furthermore, Lin Hai and Rose had already returned to the City of Chaos, mobilizing a massive amount of supplies, ensuring they would have no problem holding out for several months.

"We shall begin the siege tomorrow. According to the original plan, Biluo and A-Xuan will lead ten Tiangang female soldiers to infiltrate the pass from the foot of the side mountain at dawn. As for the rest, at the hour of the rabbit, we will launch the initial assault with the Northern Xuanwu Army as the defense and the Southern Suzaku Army as the offense, while the Western Baihu Army and Eastern Qinglong Army stand ready to manifest their forms for support." The group was in the command tent, discussing the next day's tactics.

Ren Xingtian looked toward his two main commanders and added, "Tomorrow, Brother Tong and General Guan will take turns leading the troops. Lijing, keep a close watch on the eastern flank of the battlefield and project the movements of the entire conflict into the command tent at all times. Does everyone understand?"

"Understood."

Li Qiutong stepped forward and said, "Remember, this is our first battle. Although the success depends on General Biluo's infiltration, we must also display our spirit."

At dawn, as the sky just began to brighten, Biluo's squad was ready to depart. Deng Zhanxuan took the lead, with the other women following behind. The reason for having the slow-moving Deng Zhanxuan join the infiltration team was partly due to his own request, but primarily because they needed him to protect the archers, including Biluo, when the gates were opened. After all, Li Qiutong did not want any sacrifices in this battle, even if it meant moving a bit slower.

Deng Zhanxuan's bulky frame swayed with difficulty along the rugged mountain path. It must be said that, as expected, he slowed their progress considerably.

Watching the young women trailing behind him, Deng Zhanxuan said with embarrassment, "I apologize. I have tried my best, but this path is truly difficult to traverse."

Biluo did not mind. "It is fine. We will need your protection when we enter the city later."

Deng Zhanxuan scratched his head with a silly grin. "By the way, Biluo, you have been away from home for so long, has your father not searched for you?"

Upon hearing that title, Biluo's face turned icy. "He does not know I have left."

"How can a father not care about his own daughter?"

Biluo replied coldly, "That is the kind of man he is."

Deng Zhanxuan wanted to ask more, but the expression on Biluo's face made him dare not speak. Biluo leaped ahead, moving in front of him.

Fortunately, a young girl from the Tiangang camp stepped forward and whispered to Deng Zhanxuan, "General Deng, you do not understand. In Zhenbei Pass, because most are descendants of military families, the chauvinistic mindset is severe. Once we girls are born, our only fate is to wait for marriage. The men in our families always believe that women should stay home, keep house, and raise children, while they rush to the front lines and shoulder everything themselves. Miss Biluo is the same; as a woman, she was not even supposed to practice martial arts. But she and Commander Zhu broke through these restrictions and led us out of Zhenbei Pass so that we, too, could stand on the battlefield."

"So that's how it is. Is that why Biluo and her father have conflicts?" Deng Zhanxuan asked curiously.

"Well, it's not exactly that. They are..."

"Enough, Ling Lin. You talk too much." Biluo's voice immediately silenced the girl.

Deng Zhanxuan was startled and dared not say another word. The group remained quiet throughout the journey until the afternoon, when they finally reached the summit. Biluo spoke up, "Everyone, rest for a moment and have something to eat. The path down the mountain will be even more difficult."

The group was incredibly exhausted, and the girls, having no reservations, sat down on the spot to rest. Deng Zhanxuan took this opportunity to move closer to Biluo.

"Biluo, I was wrong earlier. I shouldn't have pried into your affairs. Please, say something." Deng Zhanxuan said with genuine sincerity.

Biluo was taken aback by his sudden apology and shook her head helplessly. "I don't blame you, it's just... I don't know how to explain it."

"It's okay. Big Brother said that some things you can share if you want, and if not, you don't have to."

Biluo looked at the sincere Deng Zhanxuan and smiled faintly. "You, being a bit simple-minded is actually a good thing. The truth is, my relationship with my father is complicated. He loves me, but our views on certain things differ greatly. His submissive attitude toward the Qin Kingdom is exactly what led Zhenbei Pass to its current state. As the head of the Beitang clan, he should shoulder the responsibility of protecting all the people of Zhenbei Pass, but he selfishly believes that by complying with Qin, he avoids war and keeps the pass safe. He completely ignores the feelings of every citizen. The people of Zhenbei Pass are not afraid of war with Qin; we are only afraid of oppression and bondage. He is a fine general, but he is fundamentally not a qualified lord of the city. So, I want to change Zhenbei Pass. I want to use my own strength to overturn his misguided policies. That is about it, I suppose."

"I see. Although I don't fully understand, I think you are right. I will help you, Biluo." Deng Zhanxuan's voice was rough, but to Biluo's ears, it sounded incredibly gentle.

"Thank you, A-Xuan."

Just as Deng Zhanxuan was about to smile, a thunderous roar erupted. It was far more terrifying than that of any ordinary beast, and the intense sonic wave was saturated with a deeply oppressive force.

Deng Zhanxuan reacted instantly, raising his Xuanwu Earth-Quaking Axe to shield the women behind him.

"Everyone, huddle together!" Immediately, black light erupted, forming a shield that blocked the path of the sonic wave.

"How dare you ants disturb my slumber? What is your crime?" A deep, wrathful voice echoed throughout the valley.

"Who are you, divine being?" Deng Zhanxuan shouted toward the surroundings.

"I am the Guardian of the Four Directions—the White Tiger." With the voice, a two-meter-tall white divine tiger stepped slowly from the jungle into the sight of the group.

"White Tiger? No way, why are you so small?" Deng Zhanxuan asked curiously, looking at the tiger that stood roughly as tall as he did.

Behind him, Biluo whispered nervously, "He is not small. Do not provoke him."

The White Tiger let out a roar, and the group was blown back several steps.

"I heard that. I have merely compressed my form with divine essence; how could ants like you understand? Furthermore, I am enraged. I have not killed for a long time; today, I shall use you little ones to sharpen my claws."

Instantly, white light engulfed them. The White Tiger leaped, pouncing toward Deng Zhanxuan. Deng Zhanxuan didn't hesitate, raising his shield and crashing head-on into the tiger.

But in that moment, the gap in power became clear. The Xuanwu martial energy, which should have been incomparably firm, was like paper under the tiger's claws, shattering instantly.

After a single swipe, the White Tiger retreated, sniffing the residual Xuanwu energy on its claws.

"Similar to the power of that old man Xuanwu, but far too weak."

"A-Xuan, are you alright?" Biluo rushed to support Deng Zhanxuan, only for her hands to be instantly stained with blood. Looking at his chest, she saw three deep, bone-exposed claw marks extending from his chest to his abdomen, looking ghastly. His chest was already drenched in blood.

Deng Zhanxuan pushed Biluo behind him with difficulty. "Find a chance and run. I will hold him off." He gritted his teeth and raised his axe.

"I don't care what kind of tiger you are; as long as I am here, you will not harm them." Leaving a trail of bloodied footprints, Deng Zhanxuan stepped toward the beast. For him, such pain was still within the range of what he could endure.

"A-Xuan, don't be stubborn, stop!" Biluo tried to stop him, but Deng Zhanxuan heard nothing. He raised his heavy axe once more, using the last of his fading martial energy to strike at the White Tiger.

"Childish." The White Tiger swiped its claw, and the two-meter-tall Deng Zhanxuan was sent flying like a kite, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Fire arrows! Fire!" Biluo raised her bow, trying to distract the tiger, but their seemingly sharp arrows could not even penetrate the martial energy surrounding the beast.

The White Tiger did not continue its attack, standing there silently, a strange smile lingering on its maw.

Biluo seized the opportunity and rushed to Deng Zhanxuan's side.

"A-Xuan, we have to go!" She tried to lift him.

"No... I have not fallen yet." He tried to stand, but just as he lifted his hand, a heavy thud echoed as his body hit the ground.