Chapter 659: Chapter 659: Found

The sight of that fluttering banner instantly lifted the spirits of the many defending soldiers who had been trapped in a bitter fight!

Those were the troops of General Feng Zhang!

Although they didn’t know how he had learned of Long City’s fall, his appearance at this moment was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the demoralized soldiers and citizens.

Feng Zhang!

He was the nephew of the old General Feng Cheng!

Though he had been in seclusion for several years, he had once held considerable prestige in the army. Which soldier didn’t know his name?

"We’re saved!"

Hope is the greatest motivator!

The excitement of the defending soldiers was matched only by the shock and panic of the Southern Hu people.

"How do they have reinforcements!? Where on earth did these people come from!?"

Behind the scattering crowd, Tuoba Yu, who had just left the Prefectural Magistrate’s Mansion in disguise, also took in the scene, his face a mixture of pale and ashen.

He gritted his teeth, veins popping on his forehead, and couldn’t stop himself from hissing in a low, harsh voice,

"You useless fools! You didn’t hear a single word about this beforehand!?"

The faces of his few personal attendants were each more unsightly than the last.

"M-My lord, we really don’t know... We clearly ordered a strict lockdown to ensure no news got out. How could Feng Zhang have found out!?"

"You’re asking me?" Tuoba Yu felt like tearing the man’s tongue out. "Then what use are you to me!?"

Another man’s eyes suddenly widened as a thought struck him.

"The city gates! It must be because the gates were open these past two days! Someone took the opportunity to escape and call for help!"

Although they had added men to patrols daily, oversights were still inevitable.

"Especially today! We just sent those people from the court away this morning and hadn’t yet had time to order the gates closed again. Then, by evening, all those kites appeared in the city!"

The more the man spoke, the more certain he became, filled with both regret and frustration.

"If it weren’t for that sudden imperial decree, we wouldn’t be in this mess!"

Tuoba Yu’s brow, however, was tightly furrowed. The words made sense, but—

"As far as I know, Feng Zhang is stationed with his troops in Xia City, which is not particularly close. If he were to march his army here, it would be even slower! In such a short time, how did they manage to get a message to Xia City *and* convince Feng Zhang to come here as reinforcements?"

There were so many steps involved; even if everything went smoothly, it would have taken a considerable amount of time.

The timing just didn’t add up!

His words left the men stunned, and they couldn’t help but look at each other in bewilderment.

"Then... could it be that those aren’t Feng Zhang’s soldiers?"

"Are you an idiot!? Other than Feng Zhang in Xia City, the generals of the other cities are even farther away; they couldn’t have arrived this quickly! Besides, what’s the point of impersonating Feng Zhang at a time like this?! Can’t you see they’ve already stormed in? They’re cutting our men down with every flash of their blades!"

Tuoba Yu took a deep breath. "Even if it really is Feng Zhang, we might not lose. Have you gotten a clear look at how many men they’ve brought?"

After the initial tension, Tuoba Yu quickly calmed down. After some careful thought, he felt there might still be a chance to turn things around.

"Feng Zhang was ordered to guard Xia City. That’s also a crucial border fortress, even more strategic than Long City. He would never dare to empty his garrison to provide full support here."

’If they only brought a small force to put on a bold front... then we’ll counterattack!’

The men immediately looked toward the city gate. They saw soldiers continuously pouring into the city from outside, the sounds of battle shaking the heavens.

Hoofbeats thundered across the ground, causing it to tremble.

Banners waved in the rear, and the shadowy figures of soldiers stretched on, seemingly without end.

"This..."

Watching this scene, they all began to lose their nerve.

"My lord, it really looks like a lot of them! I’m afraid there are more than just a few thousand!"

"The granaries in the city were just burned to the ground. Our men have been disgruntled these past few days and have already caused trouble several times. Under these circumstances, I’m afraid morale is shattered and their will to fight is gone. If we really clash with them, we might be able to hold out for a while, but not for long!"

"My lord! I fear Long City can’t be held! You— you should make a decision quickly!"

By the end, his meaning was perfectly clear.

Of course, Tuoba Yu knew.

But he couldn’t accept it!

He had schemed for years, even vowing to his Monarch that he would achieve unparalleled merit!

But now... if he fled, all his efforts would be for naught. He would have nothing!

...

With a flash of his sword, Ye Yunfeng struck!

Another blue-eyed Southern Hu man fell into a pool of blood.

He looked up, his gaze resolute, carrying an intangible yet palpable pressure as it swept through the chaotic crowd as if searching for something.

His face and clothes were spattered with blood. He had already lost count of the enemies who had died by his sword.

In short, the path from the city gate to where he now stood was littered with bodies.

The sky grew darker, and some had already lit torches.

By that flickering, swaying light, his sharp gaze seemed to take in everything.

Suddenly, his gaze focused, and his eyebrows raised slightly.

’Found him!’

The next moment, he dug his heels sharply into his horse’s belly and shot forward!

...

After much hesitation, Tuoba Yu finally made up his mind.

"Retreat!"

’The situation is chaotic right now. This is the best time!’

’If I miss this chance, it’ll be too late to get away!’

The men were overjoyed to hear this and immediately said, "We will escort you to safety, My Lord!"

Tuoba Yu, however, was not so relieved. On the contrary, he was deeply worried.

Looking at the torches being lit over there and the fiercely fighting crowd, he slammed a fist into his palm.

"What a pity! I thought the east gate would have the fewest people. Even if a riot broke out, they would never have guessed we’d choose to leave that way. Who knew... these reinforcements would show up!"

Not far west of Long City, just over a mountain, was Nanhu territory.

Normally, no one would have guessed he would take the long way around through the most troublesome east gate.

But—

One of his attendants cupped his fist and said in a low voice, "I will draw their forces away for you, My Lord!"

Tuoba Yu gave him a meaningful look and patted his shoulder.

"When I return to Nanhu, I will reward your family handsomely!"

The man knelt and kowtowed once, then got up and ran in another direction!

As expected, his actions drew a lot of attention.

"There’s another Southern Hu! He’s running! Get him!"

Many people immediately gave chase in that direction!

Tuoba Yu scanned his surroundings. "Go!"

They had been in Long City for some time and knew which roads were the least crowded and easiest for a quiet escape.

As long as they blended into the crowd and used the chaos to get to the city gate, they could escape!

Everything went just as Tuoba Yu had predicted. The panicked crowd ran back and forth, and no one paid them any mind.

As the city gate grew closer and closer, excitement and joy welled up in Tuoba Yu’s heart.

’Just a few more steps out this gate—’

WHOOSH—!

A sound of something slicing through the air suddenly came from behind!

An arrow, swift as a shooting star, rode the wind straight for Tuoba Yu’s back!

Tuoba Yu’s heart sank to the depths!

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