“Thud, thud, thud, thud…”
Countless fire arrows instantly struck the walls and rooftops of the Yellow Springs Ancient City.
It was as if a rain of fire was falling from the heavens.
Most of the Yellow Springs Ancient City was constructed from stone and earth, but there was also wood, such as many of the eaves.
Therefore, it was quickly ignited by the fire arrows.
Instantly, the Silver Wolf Legion warriors inside were greatly alarmed.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”
The first wave of arrow rain had just finished when a second wave madly followed.
Because of the previous commotion, nearly all the remaining Silver Wolf Legion members had gathered on the drill ground before Yan Nai’er’s small building.
This place was over six hundred metres from the outer army, so very few arrows could reach it directly.
However, seeing fire arrows from all directions raining down like drops of water, with great fires already burning outside, the situation had become extremely critical.
The original Silver Wolf Legion elite were calm and composed, decisive and sharp, but that was because they had a master. Whether it was Yan Yan or Yan Shuang, this army could follow orders to the letter, their expressions unchanging even if mountains collapsed.
But now this army had lost its master, and instantly became chaotic and restless. Because they did not know that Yan Yan had been resurrected, and they thought that Yan Shuang was also about to die.
“We are all going to die anyway. Follow me and charge out. Fight those bandit soldiers outside to the death.” Gu Yin suddenly drew his greatsword and roared loudly.
Instantly, the Silver Wolf warriors responded one after another. In any case, they feared not death. Under this aura of despair, rather than waiting for death, they might as well seek it out.
“Stop.” Tu An roared loudly, “Without the commander’s order, who dares charge out?”
Gu Yin said, “The commander is already as good as dead, and so are we. Kill one and we break even, kill two and we profit. If you are afraid of death, you need not come.”
Then, Gu Yin directly brandished his greatsword and charged out to kill.
And the remaining Silver Wolf Legion warriors also brandished their weapons, fanatically following him into battle.
Because they had lost their master, the entire Silver Wolf Legion could find no one to obey. And at this moment, Gu Yin, who regarded death as returning home, stepped forth. Everyone instinctively followed him.
Because this army feared not death, possessing blood that would never run dry.
On the contrary, Tu An’s cool-headed faction was unwelcome. But if he had not known that Yan Yan had been resurrected and that Yan Nai’er could also be saved by Suo Lun, Tu An would likely have been the first to charge out and kill, using death to bear witness to the Silver Wolf Legion’s glory.
However, charging out at this moment meant certain death.
And just at this time, the door of the small building suddenly burst open, and Yan Yan’s tall figure appeared before everyone.
“A pack of good-for-nothings!”
The first words Yan Yan spoke upon his resurrection, upon seeing his Silver Wolf Legion, were a cold rebuke.
Seeing his appearance, everyone present instantly fell into a silence like death, completely unable to believe their own eyes.
Had the commander not already died? How had he come back to life?
At this moment, the raging fires outside continued to burn, and countless fire arrows still rained down like drops of water.
But within the entire drill ground, there was a silence like death.
“Return!” Yan Yan ordered.
Instantly, all Silver Wolf Legion warriors turned and came back.
“Sit.”
Instantly, everyone sat down in perfect unison, hundreds of people moving as one.
The Silver Wolf Legion with a master and without a master seemed like two entirely different armies.
Although Yan Yan had lain in a coffin for nearly two years, the moment he stepped forth, an immense force field and majesty instantly enveloped the area.
Every cell, from inside to out, of every Silver Wolf Legion warrior was filled with obedience and fanaticism.
Everyone’s hearts were incomparably stirred, incomparably overjoyed, welcoming the return and resurrection of the Wolf King. But without orders, not a single person could speak.
Yan Yan ignored the fire arrows outside and pointed at Suo Lun behind him, saying, “This man is called Suo Lun.”
Everyone’s gazes turned towards Suo Lun. This was the profligate young master they most despised and condemned, the very person who had abandoned Yan Nai’er after leading her astray.
Everyone wanted to curse aloud, even to step forward with blades and swords. But without Yan Yan’s command, they still sat motionless, unable even to open their mouths.
“My life was saved by Suo Lun.” Yan Yan said, “He travelled ten thousand li, venturing into dangerous territories, found the second Dragon Seal ruin, and eliminated the undead entrenched within my body, allowing me to be resurrected.”
The moment these words were spoken, the Silver Wolf Legion warriors present were utterly astonished. It was actually… this good-for-nothing who had saved Commander Yan Yan?
Yan Yan continued, “It is still this same Suo Lun who saved your master Yan Shuang. She has now completely recovered.”
The moment these words were spoken, the Silver Wolf warriors present grew even more agitated.
Miss Yan Shuang had also recovered? This was wonderful.
“Gu Yin, tell me, why did you just now lead people to kill Suo Lun?” Yan Yan asked.
Gu Yin said, “Reporting to the commander, I did so to save Miss Yan Shuang.”
Yan Yan asked, “Was it Tu Lingduo who proposed exchanging Suo Lun’s head for the antidote?”
“Yes.” Gu Yin said.
Yan Yan said, “Then is Tu Lingduo not the chief culprit of Yan Shuang’s poisoning? Is she not an enemy of my Silver Wolf? And is Liu Chen not Tu Lingduo’s elder brother?”
“Yes…” Gu Yin said in a trembling voice.
Yan Yan said, “Since this is so, why did you heed the command of a chief culprit? Moreover, you privately led troops in a reckless disturbance. I ask you, even if both Yan Shuang and I were absent, to whom should the Silver Wolf obey?”
Gu Yin said, “The first thousand-man commander, Lord Tu An.”
“And did you obey him?” Yan Yan said, “You did not. On the contrary, you gathered the masses and caused a disturbance, even nearly forcing Tu An to his death. What was your intention?”
Gu Yin’s face trembled as he said, “I, I did it all for the Silver Wolf.”
“What is your crime?” Yan Yan continued to ask.
“I, I did it all for the Silver Wolf.” Gu Yin trembled.
“You deserve the death penalty.” Yan Yan said. Then he walked to Gu Yin’s side, took the greatsword from his hand, and fiercely chopped down.
“Whoosh…” Blood spurted forth. Gu Yin’s head was severed and fell, blood gushing wildly out.
The scene was utterly silent. Everyone watched with their own eyes as Gu Yin was beheaded as a warning to all, not daring to make the slightest sound.
“Suo Lun saved my life and saved Yan Shuang’s life. His kindness to my Silver Wolf Legion is as weighty as a mountain. Whoever dares speak of killing him, dies.” Yan Yan said.
“Yes.” Everyone respectfully kowtowed.
Yan Yan said, “At present, my Silver Wolf Legion numbers less than a thousand, and is completely surrounded, in imminent peril. I have made a vow with Count Suo Lun. Before dawn breaks, if Count Suo Lun can lead the Silver Wolf in breaking through, then from now on, the entire Silver Wolf Legion, from top to bottom, shall pledge complete allegiance to Count Suo Lun and to the Suo Clan. Do any of you object?”
The Silver Wolf Legion present was startled, then kowtowed and said, “We obey your command.”
Although they completely could not believe that Suo Lun could lead them in breaking through, this was even harder than ascending to heaven.
But since Commander Yan Yan had spoken, then they had only the path of obedience.
Yan Yan said to Suo Lun, “Lord Count, from here on, it is in your hands. You may command anyone present, including myself! Before dawn breaks, lead the Silver Wolf in breaking through, and this army is yours.”
Suo Lun bowed and said, “Yes, Lord Yan Yan.”
Then Suo Lun said, “All Silver Wolf warriors, remain here and await orders. Do not step outside by a single pace.”
Yan Yan bowed and said, “We obey your command.”
Then he directly sat down cross-legged, and all the Silver Wolf Legion officers and soldiers sat down in perfect formation upon the drill ground.
It was certain that even if ten thousand arrows were fired simultaneously, even if the great fire burned before their eyes, they would not move a muscle.
…
After having all the Silver Wolf Legion officers and soldiers sit in meditation, Suo Lun walked out of the courtyard and began to think of a method to break through.
At this moment, there were still over three hours until dawn broke.
Outside, tens of thousands of troops completely surrounded them, and the entire Yellow Springs Ancient City was already ablaze with raging fire.
Wanting to break through was truly like expecting the sun to rise in the west.
This was not like that time on the solitary mountain by the Nu River. That time, they could use a glider to fly out. That time, Suo Lun had planned well in advance.
But this time, Suo Lun had no plan whatsoever, and could not fly out.
Looking up at the sky, it was as if dark clouds pressed down from above, with no stars or moon visible.
Suo Lun walked amidst the arrow rain like a storm several hundred metres away, within the firelight.
“Demon Star, why do you think the Yellow Springs Ancient City is called the Dead City?” Suo Lun said, “Why do all who enter the Yellow Springs Ancient City die violently, and no cause can be found? Have you sensed any strange energy?”
“No.” the Demon Star said, “Everything is as usual.”
Suo Lun came to the lake at the centre of the Yellow Springs Ancient City. This was the Yellow Springs Lake, originally quite large, but now merely several dozen metres in diameter.
Previously, nearly all the people of the Yellow Springs Ancient City had drunk water from here. But ever since it became a dead city, no one dared to drink it.
The Silver Wolf Legion had been cut off from water for two days, yet still dared not drink from here.
Suo Lun reached his hand into the Yellow Springs Lake water and asked, “Have you sensed any strange energy?”
The Demon Star said, “Yes, an extremely strange energy.”
“How so?” Suo Lun said.
The Demon Star said, “This energy can penetrate anything, including armour, walls and so forth, killing any living thing.”
Instantly, Suo Lun immediately thought of radiation. Only radiation energy could penetrate nearly any obstacle, killing any living thing.
Suo Lun said, “Is this the mystery of the Yellow Springs Dead City?”
The Demon Star said, “However, this energy is too weak. It is insufficient to kill a person, let alone silently kill everyone in the entire city.”
And just at this moment!
A fierce wind blew past, and the dark clouds in the sky gradually dispersed.
A ray of moonlight shone down, whitening the ground.
Suo Lun looked up. Today was actually the day of the full moon.
Looking again at the reflection in the water, the moon was like a round plate.
Just at this moment… Suo Lun suddenly felt a chill in his body.
Then, a strange scene appeared.
The water of the Yellow Springs Lake actually began to gradually emit light, a cold and eerie green light.
This was not the moon’s reflection, but light directly released by the lake water itself, like the light emitted by a luminous stone. It was vaguely green, yet also carried a yellowish tint.
This colour looked extremely similar to the radiation glow of the Glowing Sea in the game “Fallout 4.”
The moment this green light shone upon Suo Lun, his vision grew dizzy.
Indeed, this was extremely similar to radiation energy, and was incomparably intense radiation energy.
This energy was still growing stronger and stronger!
“Master, hurry and leave. This energy is growing stronger. Soon it will be able to kill everyone within the city.” the Demon Star said in alarm.
Then, its black hole rapidly spun, frantically devouring this terrifying radiation energy.
The lake water’s light grew brighter and brighter, more and more terrifying and strange.
Then Suo Lun saw an incomparably bright and massive light at the bottom of the water.
Undoubtedly, the radiation source was at the bottom of the water. What was this thing? A meteorite that had fallen from beyond the heavens?
If it was a meteorite that had fallen from beyond the heavens, then all the mysteries of the Yellow Springs Ancient City would be completely solved.
Originally, the people of this Yellow Springs City had lived in peace and contentment, living well. But then one day, a meteorite suddenly fell from beyond the heavens, crashing into this lake.
Normally, the radiation energy of this meteorite was relatively weak. But upon encountering the full moon, the day of utmost yin, this meteorite released an intensely terrifying radiation energy.
However, on Earth, radiation energy had absolutely no connection with the moon. It completely released radiation regardless of occasion or condition, at every moment.
Yet here, it actually only frantically released radiation energy after being illuminated by moonlight? Why was this? What fantastical basis did this have?
But in any case, the radiation energy was now growing stronger and stronger, stronger and stronger.
The Demon Star frantically devoured, devoured…
Then, Suo Lun felt that this radiation energy was different from that on Earth. It seemed to be a living energy. Sensing the Demon Star’s black hole, all the radiation energy actually surged towards Suo Lun.
This energy grew stronger and stronger, stronger and stronger.
All the radiation from the entire lake surged towards the Demon Star.
“Master, hurry and leave. This energy is about to exceed my devouring limit.” the Demon Star suddenly said.
Suo Lun said, “If this radiation energy continues to grow stronger like this, will all the people of the Silver Wolf Legion die?”
“Yes.” the Demon Star said, “At most half an hour, and everyone within the entire Yellow Springs Ancient City will be killed.”
“Then what about the army outside?” Suo Lun asked.
“They will not. They will be safe and sound.” the Demon Star said, “The radiation range of this energy will not exceed five hundred metres. The further the distance, the weaker the killing power.”
Then, Suo Lun’s eyes suddenly blazed with great light. He had thought of a method to break through and make the enemy retreat.
“Demon Star, is the radiation energy you have devoured sufficient to kill a Near Dragon Warrior?” Suo Lun asked.
“Perhaps!” the Demon Star said.
The Lord of Tianye City, Ji Gang, possessed enormous power, commanding the largest mercenary corps in terms of numbers, as well as a powerful merchant caravan. But in terms of martial arts, he was not considered absolutely top-tier, merely a Near Dragon Warrior.
To break through, one must first leave the enemy army without a leader.
First kill Ji Gang, then kill Tu Lingduo, and the breakthrough would be more than half successful.
Normally, with Suo Lun’s arrows, it was fundamentally impossible to shoot and kill experts like Tu Lingduo and Ji Gang, because they could chop them down with a sword at any moment.
However, if a powerful radiation energy burst forth from the fired arrows, one need only draw near to kill.
Suo Lun had the Demon Star continue to devour, devour, continuously devouring the terrifying radiation energy.
But a moment later, another gust of wind passed, and the dark clouds in the sky once again covered the full moon.
The strange light of the entire Yellow Springs Lake gradually dimmed, and that radiation energy grew weaker and weaker, finally almost completely vanishing.
Suo Lun let out a long sigh of relief. Although he could not devour this terrifying radiation energy, at least Yan Nai’er within the Yellow Springs Ancient City, as well as the Silver Wolf Legion, would not be in danger from the radiation.
…
Suo Lun returned to the drill ground before the small building and said to Yan Yan, “Lord Yan Yan, please don a black robe and follow me.”
Without a word, Yan Yan put on a black robe, covering his entire body and face, and followed Suo Lun out of the Yellow Springs Ancient City.
At this moment, the flames were not growing stronger, but gradually extinguishing, because the wood had all burned out, and what remained were stone and earth that could not burn.
Walking out of the Yellow Springs Ancient City, Yan Yan waved his sword, blocking the arrow rain like a storm.
Before them was the densely packed allied army of Tianye City.
Suo Lun roared loudly, “Ji Gang, Lord of Tianye City, and Miss Tu Lingduo, do you two dare show yourselves and speak with me?”
Instantly, Tu Lingduo raised her hand.
Behind her, the ten thousand arrows ceased.
Then, she and the Lord of Tianye City, Ji Gang, rode their horses forth, stopping three hundred metres from Suo Lun.
Beside each of them were over a dozen warrior guards.
Suo Lun continued, “Tu Lingduo, Lord Ji Gang, you know that the only things I excel at are archery, and of course, tattooing!”
The moment these words were spoken, Tu Lingduo’s expression changed drastically, thinking of the “Suo Lun was here” upon her buttocks.
Suo Lun said, “Tonight, the Silver Wolf Legion seems fated to be destroyed, and I, Suo Lun, am also fated to die. Then let us make one final gamble, how about it?”
Tu Lingduo gazed quietly at Suo Lun, not speaking.
Suo Lun continued, “I shall fire two arrows at you two. If I can shoot you both from your warhorses, then that shall count as my victory, and you shall withdraw your troops. And if I cannot shoot you two from your horses, then I shall willingly accept death, and the Silver Wolf Legion shall completely surrender. How about it?”
“Dreaming… laughable…” Tu Lingduo sneered inwardly, about to berate him. She held the winning hand, so why gamble?
However, the shameless Suo Lun immediately nocked an arrow to his bow, not waiting for agreement before preparing to fire.
Ji Gang and Tu Lingduo completely did not take his arrows to heart.
Suo Lun did possess divine archery talent, but his cultivation was too weak, too terrible. The arrows he fired, the two of them could block and chop down even with their eyes closed.
Mental lock-on, rapid!
The Demon Star condensed terrifying radiation energy.
Condense, condense, condense.
“Whoosh, whoosh…”
Suo Lun fired two arrows in succession, one shooting towards Ji Gang, one shooting towards Tu Lingduo.
The arrows were like shooting stars. Three hundred metres of distance, instantly crossed.
Ji Gang and Tu Lingduo sneered inwardly, concentrating their mental power, watching Suo Lun’s incoming arrows, fiercely swinging out their swords to chop them down.
“Clang…”
Undoubtedly, with their cultivation levels, they could easily chop Suo Lun’s incoming arrows, directly cleaving them away in mid-air.
However, the moment they struck the dark gold arrows.
“Boom!” A terrifying radiation energy abruptly exploded.
This terrifying radiation-like energy ignored any armour, any defence.
Ji Gang and Tu Lingduo’s vision went black, and they instantly tumbled from their warhorses, their fates unknown!