The system's mission should be genuine. Since the system believes that Beiluo City is about to fall, it's likely that Father's confidence is simply a misguided sense of assurance. Lu Fan felt a bit annoyed—right from the start, such a high-risk task? However, defending the city is relatively easier than attacking it. Although the governor of Beijun is leading fifty thousand troops to lay siege, Lu Chang Kong is no ordinary defender.
"Ling Jie, how many soldiers are there defending Beiluo City?" Lu Fan inquired.
"Master… With your father here, you don't need to worry about these matters," Ling Zhao replied seriously. "It's hard enough for you to stay alive, these trivial matters shouldn't trouble you."
"I'm just asking…" Lu Fan smiled.
"There are about twenty thousand soldiers in Beiluo City. If you include the private armies of the three major families and other smaller clans inside the city, we can muster about twenty-five thousand defenders. It would be very difficult for the Beijun army to break through Beiluo City," Ling Zhao explained. She was not just an ordinary maid; she had her own analysis of the situation within the city.
"The three major families?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. A city as solid as an iron fortress would only fall due to internal rot, aside from external factors. Could it be that the three major families have colluded with the governor of Beijun? Lu Fan's long fingers tapped lightly on the thin blanket over his lap.
"Ling Jie, do you think the three major families... will betray us?" Lu Fan pondered before speaking.
Ling Zhao was stunned for a moment. She raised her delicate hand to twist her hair into a loose bun, her brows furrowing slightly. She shook her head, "Impossible… The three major families would never dare."
"After all, your father is the only martial master in Beiluo City, and he still holds great authority within the city," Lu Fan's gaze flickered slightly. "Even the Great Zhou Dynasty has stirred up a pool of muddy water. Doesn't the Emperor have any authority? This world is about profit, relying on authority alone doesn't work."
"Ling Jie, push me to the city walls."
Ling Zhao's expression changed slightly. "Master, the city walls are very dangerous."
"Ling Jie, don't forget, I am someone blessed by an immortal," Lu Fan chuckled lightly. He had a feeling that, for quite some time, this mysterious "immortal" would serve as his excuse for whatever he did.
Ling Zhao took a deep breath. She felt the spiritual energy stirring in her dantian, her expression uncertain. In the end, she chose to trust Lu Fan. After all, he was the one holding the key to changing the fate of the world. So, she pushed the wheelchair carrying Lu Fan out of the Lu Manor.
Yi Yue and Ni Yu snapped back to their senses and hurriedly followed.
Beiluo City, atop the city walls
Clad in cold armor, Lu Chang Kong stood tall, the Qingfeng sword hanging at his waist. He faced the enemy with a cold and resolute expression, exuding a murderous aura. Around him, elite soldiers with drawn swords stood at attention.
Below the city walls, a large army was arrayed, completely surrounding Beiluo City.
In front of the city gate, a powerful man, his bare chest bronzed and etched with totem tattoos, stood on horseback. He yelled furiously, his mouth spewing curses.
Before him lay a split body—horse and rider severed in two, blood spilling onto the yellow sand.
Lu Chang Kong's expression darkened.
"Who is this man?" Lu Chang Kong asked coldly without turning his head, his voice icy.
"Report to the city lord, this man is Feng Shi, a fierce general from Beijun. He possesses divine strength and is a top general under Governor Dantai Xuan's command," a soldier replied, his own expression grim.
In the ongoing battle, the northern general had easily slain one of Beiluo City's top generals with just three strikes, and they hadn't even been able to retreat back to the city in time. It was a humiliating blow to the morale of the defending army.
"This man's strength is impressive—top-tier martial artist. Does anyone in Beiluo City dare to face him?" one of Lu Chang Kong's trusted generals asked coldly.
Lu Chang Kong's gaze was deep and sharp, staring straight at the enemy army below. It was as if he could see through the military tents in the distance and gaze directly at the high-ranking officials inside.
"A top-tier martial artist, able to strike with divine strength. What is Dantai Xuan up to?" Lu Chang Kong pondered. There were very few such martial artists, even among his own ranks. Especially someone like Feng Shi, a top-tier powerhouse.
Below the city walls
Feng Shi was a towering figure, his hair tied in braids. His posture was wild, and he was mounted on a horse, holding a large saber. He taunted from below the city wall.
"Lu Pi Fu of Beiluo City, do you dare to come down and fight me?!"
"Lu Chang Kong, you worthless dog, hiding up there on your wall?"
"What kind of trash are you sending out to fight me? One strike and they're dead, I haven't even had enough fun yet!"
"Hahaha! Lu Pi Fu, I heard your son, Lu Fan, is bedridden and weak, but still looks fair and tender. How about sending him to me? My men love those delicate ones!"
Feng Shi's coarse laughter echoed, while his horse snorted, exhaling hot air.
The soldiers atop Beiluo City's walls scowled with fury. Lu Chang Kong's trusted martial artists clenched their fists, urging him to send them into battle. However, Lu Chang Kong did not speak.
As the only martial master of Beiluo City, he understood his soldiers' strength. Feng Shi was a top-tier martial artist with divine strength—unless the martial master himself took action, none of his elite soldiers could hope to defeat him one-on-one. Sending them out would only result in their deaths.
Thus, Lu Chang Kong remained silent. His eyes swept over the taunting Feng Shi below, his gaze cold.
It was normal for armies to call out to one another before battle, but this man's words were truly too vile. It didn't bother him that Feng Shi had insulted him, but what infuriated him was that the man had insulted his son, Lu Fan. Lu Fan was his Achilles' heel!
In the streets of Beiluo City
The citizens of Beiluo City had all retreated into their homes due to the siege. The streets grew desolate and quiet.
Creeeak... creak... The sound of the wooden wheels of a wheelchair scraping against the ground broke the silence. A graceful woman, with a mature and alluring figure, gently pushed the wheelchair toward the city gate.
Seated in the wheelchair was a young man in white robes, silently gazing ahead. A thin wool blanket covered his legs, one hand resting under his chin while the other lightly tapped the blanket.
On his right, a maid in a beige skirt and a whip at her waist walked obediently behind, while on his left, a maid with a round face and twin puffs of hair hurried along, holding an umbrella over him.
This odd group—Lu Fan and his three maids—stood out in the deserted streets.
Suddenly, a boisterous laugh rang out from outside the city.
"Hahaha! Lu Pi Fu, I heard your son, Lu Fan, is bedridden and weak, but still looks fair and tender. How about sending him to me? My soldiers love delicate ones!"
Lu Fan couldn't hear it clearly, but he felt like someone was complimenting his handsomeness. Though he had the system, his physical strength was only 0.5, which made him essentially powerless.
However, Ling Zhao and Yi Yue clearly heard it. Ling Zhao's face instantly darkened, her beautiful features filled with cold murderous intent. Yi Yue clenched her teeth, her hand resting on her whip, her eyes flashing with hostility.
Ni Yu, on the other hand, was clueless, like Lu Fan. She couldn't hear anything and simply huffed, struggling to keep up while holding the umbrella.
Ling Zhao quickened her pace, and Ni Yu had to jog to keep up.
"Ling Jie, what did that person outside the city say?" Lu Fan asked, propping up his chin, while his other hand smoothed out the wrinkles on the blanket.
"Master, he didn't say anything," Ling Zhao replied with a sweet smile, dispelling her murderous intent.
Lu Fan rolled his eyes. Was he blind? He could feel the cold killing intent that had just emanated from Ling Zhao.
"It's fine, just tell me boldly. I've been bedridden for so long, I've already gotten used to all kinds of gossip. My mindset is calm. I can watch the flowers bloom and fall, the clouds move and disperse. My temper is quite good." Lu Fan chuckled lightly.
Ling Zhao merely smiled without speaking.
Believe you? Given his leg condition, Lu Fan had a terrible temper—something Ling Zhao knew all too well.
"Iyue, what do you think?" Lu Fan finally turned to his umbrella-holding maid.
Yi Yue hesitated but, fearing to defy him since she still hoped for the Immortal's blessing, she obediently spoke and repeated the insults from outside the city.
Before she could finish, Lu Fan's face darkened, and a faint murderous aura emanated from him. "I'm going out, I can't take this anymore!"
Ling Zhao couldn't stop him, and Yi Yue stood frozen in shock