ps: Extra content for Warm Sun (4/30)

May is the height of summer. On April 25th, it's already brushing the tail of summer. Shiling County, nestled among the mountains, is swept by mountain breezes passing through the varied forests.

Early in the morning, a mighty eagle swoops down from the thick clouds, emitting a cry, followed by a feathered arrow soaring swiftly, making a sharp whistling sound as it cuts through the wind.

With a "thud," the eagle falls from high in the air, landing in a bush, as a contingent of several thousand men and horses pass by on the mountain path beside.

Suddenly, a figure approaches, bends down to pick up the eagle from the bushes, and comes before a young man on a white horse, saying softly, "It's just a regular hawk, not carrying any secret messages or anything."

Chen Mo waves his hand, takes out a map from his bosom, and says, "Shiling County is only fifty miles from Longmen County. Since we didn't bring any baggage, if we march quickly, we can reach Longmen County before dark. Before that, no disturbances are allowed."

Chen Mo looks ahead as Wen Heng rides at the front of the column, followed by the captured Yu State Army defectors and the Divine Brave Guard disguised as Yu State soldiers.

Following them are the tied-up Divine Brave Guard and Divine Martial Guard soldiers, pretending to be defectors captured by the Yu State Army.

All of them, including Chen Mo, have changed into Yu State military uniforms.

This time to Longmen County, Chen Mo has only brought a thousand Divine Brave Guards and two thousand Divine Martial Guards, leaving his personal soldiers with Sun Meng to guard Shiling County and distribute money and food to the people on his behalf.

...

In the afternoon, Chen Mo has the army halt for a break. As they near Longmen County, Chen Mo wants the soldiers to recover some strength for possible fighting later.

As they set off again, Chen Mo positions himself behind Wen Heng, to prevent him from playing any tricks later on.

An hour later, as the sun begins to sink, the enemy's sentry post ahead becomes increasingly clear in Chen Mo's eyes.

Chen Mo speaks in a low voice, "Remember what I told you, don't play games."

"... Rest assured, my lord," Wen Heng says, slightly nervous. His ability to get into the Yu State Army through connections shows he cherishes his life too much to act recklessly.

Longmen County is already deep in the rear; compared to Shiling County and Zhuima City, the city is not strong at all, but no one would expect anyone to sneak into Longmen County quietly, so the defenses are relatively lax.

After the sentry soldiers exchange simple passcodes, one says, "Captain Wen, why are you back, and where's General Qin?"

"General Qin is accompanying Lord Liang; these are captives. The lord wants to save on army rations, so he ordered me to send them to Jiapin County for mining," Wen Heng replies.

The sentry soldiers chuckle, looking at the prisoners bound tightly in the back, held together with ropes, and say, "These captives look much stronger than the last batch."

Last time, Liang Song captured a large number of Celestial Master Army soldiers. The strong young ones were conscripted into the army, and the weaker ones were sent for hard labor, to dig mines.

Then, the sentry soldiers quickly moved the road blockades, allowing Wen Heng and the others to pass.

After passing the sentry post, they soon arrive in front of Longmen County's gates.

The guards on the city wall exchange passcodes once more, then shout loudly, "Open the gate."

The gates of Longmen County thus slowly open.

At the moment the gates open, the ropes binding the "prisoners" also loosen slightly.

As the marching troops enter the city, just when the gate tunnel guards are focused intently on the prisoners.

The prisoners suddenly loosen the ropes on their hands and pull out hand blades from their bodices. The guards are startled, and by the time they react, the blades have already pierced their chests, the tips still dripping with bright blood.

The six guards in the tunnel are instantly dealt with by the Divine Brave Guard.

Chen Mo and the others hesitate no more. Those following quickly rush into Longmen County and begin to seize the watch towers.

Seeing this scene, Wen Heng hesitates for a moment, unsure whom to assist, but soon makes up his mind. Having already brought Chen Mo's group into the city, he must see it through to the end.

Should Chen Mo's group fail, his fate would be grim.

"Follow me, kill them!" Wen Heng grits his teeth, commanding the Yu State soldiers who surrendered to Chen Mo.

These men, knowing the stakes, also harden their resolve.

The setting sun drapes a layer of golden yellow across the sky, like a spilled painting, creating a vibrant tableau.

Outside Longmen County's gates, the shrill cries and clashes of weaponry, along with the wails of wounded soldiers, mix to play a tune of lamentation.

"Whiz!"

"Careful..."

A crossbow arrow, with a piercing sound, flies towards Xia Zhining's forehead. Chen Mo's voice follows closely, and Xia Zhining, sensing danger, quickly lowers her head. The crossbow arrow shoots her helmet off, and her long black hair falls across her shoulders.

"Whoosh..."

Chen Mo slashes a Yu State soldier shooting a hidden arrow from the wall, the blade and arrow relentless and ever-changing.

Xia Zhining breathes a sigh of relief, becoming even more cautious.

"Those who surrender on their knees will not be killed."

After taking the wall, Chen Mo calls out loudly.

"Those who surrender on their knees will not be killed!"

"Those who surrender on their knees will not be killed!"

The Divine Brave Guard and Divine Martial Guard also shout at the top of their lungs.

Under the fierce gaze of the rebel army and Wen Heng's group who joined them, the remaining guards in the city lay down their weapons.

This battle's outcome was sealed the moment Chen Mo's group entered the city.

"Captain Wen, you fought well in this battle, and your achievement shall be marked as first merit."

Chen Mo points with his Tang Blade at the disarmed and surrendered soldiers kneeling on the ground and says, "From now on, I promote you to Squadron Leader, and you can choose a company under your command."

Saying this, Chen Mo mulls over reorganizing the military. Currently, with an expanded force, group leaders, small team leaders, and squadron leaders no longer suffice.

"Thank you, my lord, for your support," Wen Heng exhales, knowing his life is now spared, and doesn't pay heed to the mention of Squadron Leader.

"Call me Marshal Chen," Chen Mo corrects his address, then orders, "Leave five hundred Divine Martial Guards to watch over the captives; the rest, follow me."

He intends to control the families of the Yu State soldiers in the city, not to kill them, but as leverage at crucial moments.

He instructs Xia Zhining to lead a squad to execute this, while he leads another group, guided by Wen Heng, to control Liang Song's family.

Backyard of the county government office.

Ning Wan is arguing with Liang Xue.

With Liang Song absent, Ning Wan naturally won't indulge Liang Xue anymore. The latter dares to scold, and Ning Wan dares to retort in kind.

"You shameless vixen, Father remarried you as a second wife, truly blind," Liang Xue grumbles angrily.

"Not sure who the shameless vixen is. I wonder who dresses like a brothel girl every day," retorts Ning Wan sharply.

"Something terrible has happened!"

At this moment, a Yu State soldier rushes into the courtyard in a panic and says, "Madam, Miss, the city gates are breached, and the rebel army has entered..."

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