The Saga of Cloudridge City

Yunji City!

Sun Xiang, who had not closed his eyes for several consecutive days, had bloodshot eyes, but his spirit was extremely uplifted, possessing a formidable strength born of desperation.

This was all because the barbarians beneath the walls of Yunji City were too mad.

They had completely adopted a reckless, death-defying posture.

Risking their lives to attack Yunji City.

Their men came in endless waves, one after another, attacking for days on end. The barbarians did not even let up at night, an environment extremely unfavorable for attackers.

This put immense pressure on Sun Xiang.

However, it was precisely under these circumstances that Sun Xiang burst forth with extraordinary courage.

With just the seven thousand men in the city, relying on the geographical advantages of Yunji City, they fought to the death to defend it!

"Damn it, even if I lose every last man, I absolutely won't let these barbarians advance a single step, these bastards!"

Sun Xiang cursed furiously.

The main reason was that the barbarians' siege tactics were too vile.

Besides conventional siege methods, they had captured many civilians from all around, using these ordinary commoners of the Northern Frontier as human shields.

They simply did not treat the people of Yu as human beings.

"General Sun Xiang..."

A person hurried over from the side; it was Su Hong of the Su Manor: "I have just taken inventory of the storehouses. With the money and provisions we have in Yunji City, holding out for a while longer won't be a problem."

"I have also mobilized all the able-bodied men in Yunji City, and even the women, children, and the elderly."

"The barbarians are so inhumane. Once the city is breached, we will all die anyway, so we might as well fight them to the bitter end."

Su Hong also had a fierce look on his face.

Originally, when Yunji City was attacked, amidst his worries, he felt a bit of secret joy. After all, once Yunji City was under siege, everyone would need to pool their wisdom and efforts.

At a time like this, a local powerhouse like him could be of great use.

In fact, that was exactly what he did.

These past few days, he had exhausted his mind and body, actively dedicating his strength to defending the city—whether it was raising funds and provisions, mobilizing soldiers, or running around handling various tasks.

He stepped forward when Sun Xiang needed help the most and provided great assistance.

Earning a piece of merit for himself.

But as the barbarians' siege grew increasingly ferocious, his mindset gradually changed. Looking at the vicious and cruel barbarians, his backbone as a person of Yu surged with increasing intensity.

Barbarians, these dogs.

Before, when the Chifeng Army was still around and beating them down, they still acted somewhat human. Now, they were completely inhuman.

His fury was also ignited.

Fighting so hard in this battle was no longer just for the Su Manor or for himself, but even more so because he was a person of Yu!

"Good, thank you for your hard work!"

Sun Xiang showed a somewhat friendly expression.

He patted Su Hong on the shoulder.

Previously, Sun Xiang did not have much goodwill towards Su Hong or the Su Manor. He only felt that this Su Manor was truly outrageous, daring to oppose the Great General time and time again, and deserved to die.

But during this defense of the city, at critical moments, Su Hong helped him shoulder many burdens. It could be said that if not for Su Hong's help, Yunji City would not be so intact.

His gratitude towards Su Hong came from the bottom of his heart.

He said, "After this matter is over, I will personally plead for mercy on behalf of your Su Manor to the Great General."

"No matter what happened before, in this battle, you fought side by side with me, Sun Xiang. You are my, Sun Xiang's, brother and friend!"

"As for everything in the past, it was my misunderstanding of you."

"Afterward, I will definitely report to the Great General and explain your merits."

"The Great General is a generous man; he certainly will not mistreat you."

At this moment, a strong wind howled above Yunji City. The bloody stench rising from the mountain of corpses and sea of blood below the city was entirely blown to their noses. Su Hong unconsciously took a breath.

It choked him to the point of wanting to shed tears.

Then, tears filled his eyes.

Words like these were what he had exhausted himself hoping to hear before. Yet, countless times of hard work had only been exchanged for his family members recklessly courting death time and time again.

He had collapsed, felt helpless, and used every means possible, but things only got worse and worse.

Now...

Had he finally heard such words?

Sun Xiang seemed to see through his thoughts. He reached out and patted his shoulder, offering a few words of comfort, but because the barbarians' new round of siege had begun again, he dared not delay and went personally to command.

Su Hong was also a man of firm resolve. He quickly waved his sleeve to wipe away his tears and firmly followed him.

His hair was graying, and he had but half a broken body, yet he could still support the Su Manor!

...

Below the city, inside the military tent.

The Barbarian King Tuoba Ashina and the First Prince were personally supervising the battle.

Both of their expressions were not very good.

Yunji City's geographical location determined that it was the throat of their conquest of the Northern Frontier, like a dagger stuck at their necks.

They had to take it.

The Empress's imperial decree had failed to take it.

So they came personally.

As a result... the energy bursting from this Yunji City was beyond imagination, almost catching up to when they attacked Shanhe City guarded by the Chifeng Army.

They had used every method.

But this Yunji City hadn't even lost a corner.

Yunji City was just the first step in invading the Northern Frontier. Why was this first step so difficult?

"Father!"

At this time, the First Prince gritted his teeth and said, "Let me go."

"I will personally lead men to attack the city."

"This small Yunji City shouldn't block our barbarian army for so long!"

Tuoba Ashina hesitated a bit.

Personally leading the army to attack the city would naturally boost morale.

But it was too dangerous.

The First Prince was the successor he favored.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have found an excuse this time, saying Tuoba Xiangtai had handled things poorly, and only let Tuoba Xiangtai guard Shanhe City, instead of giving Tuoba Xiangtai the credit for taking Yunji City.

His heart was still biased towards the First Prince.

But right now...

There was really no other way.

Hardening his resolve, he said, "Alright, eldest son, it's up to you."

"No matter what, you must take Yunji City for me today. If we still can't take this Yunji City, we will have to change our strategy."

When Tuoba Ashina spoke of changing strategy, he meant adjusting the barbarians' strategy towards Great Yu—whether to occupy the Northern Frontier or march south to capture the dragon. The First Prince was well aware of this.

His expression turned solemn as he said, "Father, rest assured."

"If I cannot take Yunji City today, I will bring you my head!"

After receiving Tuoba Ashina's nod of approval, the First Prince immediately mobilized his personal guards, preparing to launch a thunderous strike.

Right at this moment, a light cavalryman rode swiftly over on a fast horse.

"Report!"

"Your Majesty, bad news! A large army is attacking Shanhe City."

"What?" Tuoba Ashina's expression changed. "Whose army?"

"We cannot distinguish them, but judging from their attire, it is extremely mixed. Some wear border army uniforms, others wear civilian clothes. The numbers are massive; I'm afraid there are over two hundred thousand of them!"

"Two hundred thousand?"

Tuoba Ashina and the First Prince were both shocked.

Weren't the border armies of the Northern Frontier disbanded long ago? Where did this army of two hundred thousand surge out from!

Tuoba Ashina quickly asked, "How is Shanhe City?"

"Those people are too ferocious. The Third Prince can no longer hold on, and one side of the city wall has been breached. Therefore, he sent his subordinate to ask Your Majesty to return and provide reinforcements!"

Tuoba Ashina instantly became furious: "Useless trash!"

The First Prince also said angrily, "The third brother is indeed worthless. Shanhe City is known as the number one majestic city in the Northern Frontier, and he actually couldn't even defend it for this little bit of time?"

"Useless piece of trash!"

...