Chapter 657: Chapter 657: Kite

Ye Yunfeng’s expression softened, and his smile revealed a touch of youthful inexperience unique to a boy his age.

"Please, don’t praise me like that. I’m young and lack qualifications and experience. In front of all of you, I’m just showing off my meager skills before masters. If you keep talking like that, I’ll be so embarrassed I won’t know where to hide."

"Still being modest, you!"

The man laughed heartily.

"We’re all soldiers brought up by Feng Zhang! We don’t care for all that superficial nonsense! On the battlefield, whoever’s most capable is the leader! The way I see it, you arrived at Long City before any of us, so you know this place better than we do. As for how we fight this battle, we’ll listen to you!"

Ye Yunfeng was taken aback and immediately shook his head in refusal. "How could I? I—"

"And why not?"

The man pounded a fist against his chest. His smile didn’t fade, but a hint of solemnity entered his eyes.

"This battle is crucial for us! We must win; we cannot lose! So, no matter what methods we use, the most important thing is to ensure our victory! A Feng, before you set out, Feng Zhang gave you his personal sword, didn’t he?"

Ye Yunfeng paused for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

"Then that settles it! That sword is incredibly important to Feng Zhang. Since he gave it to you, it proves he trusts you! And if he trusts you, then we, your brothers, naturally trust you too!"

If there had been anyone in the army who doubted Ye Yunfeng before, thinking a half-grown boy couldn’t amount to much, their opinions had now been completely changed.

From the moment Ye Yunfeng received his orders to lead troops to reinforce Long City, his every word and action had been impeccable!

They doubted they could have done a better job themselves!

So now, they were willing to follow his command and win a glorious battle together!

Ye Yunfeng met his gaze and, seeing the determination in the man’s eyes, felt a jolt in his own heart.

Several others around them also voiced their agreement.

"That’s right! We’ll listen to you! Tell us where to strike, and we’ll do it without a second thought!"

"A Feng! Whether we brothers can win a glorious victory is all up to you!"

"Exactly! Whatever you say, we’ll do! This time, we’ll storm Long City and chop off those Southern Hu people’s heads to kick around like balls!"

"Haha! Well said!"

Ye Yunfeng was infected by their enthusiasm, feeling a powerful tide surge in his own chest.

He turned his head to look at King Yan Nan, who had been there from the start but had yet to speak.

"What are your thoughts?"

Ye Yunfeng had kept the news of King Yan Nan being afflicted with a poisonous insect a closely guarded secret, telling only his most trusted men. This was to ensure they could rush to protect the king at the first sign of danger and guarantee his safety.

Once this battle began, it was sure to be fraught with peril. Having gone to such great lengths to rescue King Yan Nan, they would never allow him to face danger again.

Therefore, from start to finish, their intention was only to have him oversee the situation and offer his advice.

After all, when it came to warfare, no one here could hold a candle to King Yan Nan.

At this, King Yan Nan simply looked at him and gave a firm, steady nod.

Relief washed over Ye Yunfeng, and his resolve hardened.

"Then... tonight it is!"

...

Dusk. The afterglow of the sunset burned fiercely.

Having sent off the officials from the court, Tuoba Yu could finally get a peaceful night’s sleep.

He had been busy dealing with all sorts of matters lately, leaving him mentally exhausted. Now that he finally had a chance to rest, he returned to his quarters early, intending to turn in for the night.

At that same moment, from somewhere within the city, a kite suddenly rose into the wind.

The bustling streets were crowded with people coming and going.

Because the city gates had been open for the past few days, the previously tense citizens were able to relax and had begun to fill the streets again.

The city had almost returned to its usual lively state.

Just then, a small child in the crowd suddenly stopped, looked up at the sky with wide eyes, and began jumping up and down with excitement.

"What a huge kite!"

The child’s clear voice rang out, immediately drawing the attention of many others. Everyone followed his gaze and looked up to see a dragon kite, more than five times larger than an ordinary one, swaying in the sky above.

The crowd stared, momentarily dumbfounded.

"It’s huge!"

"How did they even get a kite that big in the air?"

"And it’s so exquisitely made! Hey, is that writing on it?"

"Writing? What does it say?"

Someone who could read stared at the kite and sounded out the words.

"The Magistrate has been killed. Long City is now controlled by the Southern Hu people..."

As he read this, the speaker was so horrified he abruptly fell silent!

However, many people nearby had already heard him.

"What? What did he say?"

"What’s going on? What does that mean?"

"What else does it say? You must be making that up! If the city had really fallen, how could we all still be safe and sound?"

The man who was being questioned turned pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

But he wasn’t the only one who could read.

Soon, more and more people made out the words on the kite.

"The garrison commander has led the surrender to the enemy! He is a traitor that every man has the right to execute!"

From within the crowd, it was unclear who, but someone shouted the remaining words, their voice seething with utter disbelief and towering rage.

"No wonder! No wonder something has felt so wrong recently. They sealed the gates, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving, and they’ve been patrolling all day long! It’s made everyone terrified! It was never about catching Nanhu spies—it was to cover up the fact that the enemy was already inside!"

This cry immediately drew a chorus of agreement.

"Exactly! I thought it was strange, too. Even if they were catching spies, why mount such a huge operation and not catch a single one? It was all just a charade to fool us!"

"Look! There’s another kite over there!"

From another direction, a second enormous kite rose into the air.

"There’s one over there, too!"

A third, a fourth...

More and more kites soared from all over the city. The news that Long City had been invaded by the Southern Hu people had truly grown wings, spreading throughout the city with astonishing speed!

On the streets, in the teahouses, beside the food stalls...

Countless people looked up at the sky.

The soldiers patrolling the city naturally saw them as well.

Upon making out the words, some were shocked, others grew tense.

"Wh-what’s going on!?"

No one could explain what was happening.

Inside the Magistrate’s residence, Tuoba Yu had just poured himself a cup of wine. Before he could bring it to his lips, he heard the sound of frantic footsteps approaching from outside.

An official burst in, his face ashen with panic.

"Sir! It’s terrible! You must come and see! All hell has broken loose!"

Tuoba Yu’s brows knitted together. "What’s the emergency!?"

The man panted, pointing a trembling hand outside. He was shaking all over, his voice already on the verge of tears.

"Kites... several kites suddenly flew up in the city! Now all the citizens know we’re here!"

CRASH—!

The wine cup in Tuoba Yu’s hand fell, shattering to pieces.

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