The Heavens Start to Reverse Fate from Martial Arts

Chapter 166 The army approaches the city
Shang Xiuxun held the wooden railing with one hand, staring blankly at the setting sun in the sky. Thinking of the news he had heard from Li Xiuning and others during the day, he felt a heavy weight in his heart, like a mountain pressing down on him.

The sudden change in the capital of Daxing made all major forces alert and felt a sense of urgency.

Under such circumstances, unless one was too stupid, everyone quickened their pace, which made the situation in the world more and more intense and the war more fierce.

"Mall owner, I have something to say that may offend you. The four major bandits right in front of us are enough to make Pegasus Ranch anxious, not to mention that there are many forces coming secretly this time... If we don't handle it well, the consequences will be something the mall owner cannot bear... Only by cooperating with a major force can we survive this crisis..."

These were Li Gang's original words, which were incredibly blunt and clearly revealed the Li family's urgency and the urgency of the situation.

Shang Xiuxun's beautiful face revealed a trace of weakness and sorrow, and she murmured: "The Li family of Taiyuan, the Song family of Lingnan, Wang Shichong of Luoyang, Du Fuwei of Jianghuai, Zhai Rang of Wagang, Li Zitong of Jiangdu, Liang Shidu of Shuofang, Dou Jiande of Hebei... the Demon Sect... the Eight Gangs and Ten Associations... In such a chaotic situation, where will Pegasus Ranch go in the future?"

Shang Zhen walked hurriedly along the corridor of the palace. Before he got close, he said in a hurry, "Master, I have an urgent matter to report."

Shang Xiuxun concealed the expression on his face, turned around and asked in a cold voice: "Have the four major bandits taken action, or have troops from other forces arrived?" As the steward of the ranch, Shang Zhen has always acted calmly and steadily, and it is rare to see him so anxious and out of control, which shows that what he reported was unusual.

"Master, there are more than 50,000 troops gathered at the west entrance. Judging from the flags, they are the four major bandits. There are more than 20,000 troops gathered at the east entrance. Since there are no flags, it is unclear which faction they are from."

"There are many traces of strange strong men in the city, and many bodies of ranch children have been found. It is obvious that outsiders have forced information. Now, Manager Liu and his men are leading people to search. Farm owner, the situation is critical, and we need to organize people to set up defenses immediately!"

As soon as Shang Zhen came close and stood still, he began to report very quickly. By the end of his speech, his face was filled with anxiety.

Shang Xiuxun took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice: "Have those people from the Li family made any moves?" What a coincidence, Li Xiuning and others had just arrived at Pegasus Ranch when such a shocking change happened in the evening. If she said that there was no calculation of the Li family, she would never believe it.

Nowadays, Pegasus Ranch is a popular commodity, and everyone wants to take a bite. However, the ranch, which is mainly based on business, seems so powerless in the face of these hungry wolves.

"No, the people of the Li clan have never left the courtyard." Shang Zhen was stunned for a moment, his face turned cold, and he lowered his voice and asked, "Does the owner suspect that the army in the east is from the Li clan?"

"I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter whether it is or not." Shang Xiuxun frowned, and after some hesitation, he finally made up his mind.

Her expression became serious, and she ordered in a deep voice: "You must immediately organize troops and move all the mountain people outside the city into the city. I will go to the back mountain... to ask for help..." After that, she hurried to the back mountain.

Considering the old man's arrogance, the person he found before his death must be very powerful. The other party dared to claim to protect Pegasus Ranch, so I think he must have some means.

Although she was unwilling, as the owner of Pegasus Ranch, she had to find ways to overcome this difficulty no matter how unwilling she was. This was her responsibility.

This time, a large army appeared at both the east and west exits, and with the presence of strong men in the city, the enemy was clearly planning to end the war in one fell swoop. She couldn't let her temper run wild at this time, otherwise, if Pegasus Ranch fell, she would be blamed for her death.

Shang Zhen turned around with a look of doubt, looked in the direction of the mountain behind, took a deep breath, and hurried down to make arrangements. No matter how doubtful and curious he was, he had to wait until he got through this crisis.

……

Shang Xiuxun walked along the corridor at the back of the mountain and hurried to the cozy nest. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead and looked towards the cliff. The next moment, his expression was stunned.

The setting sun was like blood, dyeing the world golden red. The Taoist in green sat cross-legged on a huge rock, his figure looking particularly lonely in the afterglow of the setting sun, yet detached and peaceful.

The waterfall cascades down from the top of the cliff, the sound of water roars, like thousands of horses galloping, majestic and imposing. Water droplets splash, water vapor fills the air, forming a hazy mist, shrouding the figure of the Taoist, adding a bit of mystery and etherealness.

The Taoist's green robe fluttered gently in the wind, as if he had merged with the breath of heaven and earth. His breathing was long and deep, interweaving with the roar of the waterfall. In this interweaving of movement and stillness, the Taoist seemed to become one with heaven and earth.

The sunset, waterfall, huge rocks, trees, and Taoist priests are all perfectly integrated into one. The ethereal aura of nature makes people feel like seeing a banished immortal.

Shang Xiuxun felt an inexplicable emotion in her heart. This aura like a fairy on earth dispelled a lot of her doubts and worries. She walked behind the Taoist priest, bowed solemnly, and said in a sincere and urgent tone: "Master Taoist priest, Xiuxun has something to ask of you."

Wang Yi opened his eyes, his gaze was calm, deep and distant: "Come and become my disciple..." His voice was calm and gentle, as if it had the ability to calm people's hearts.

Shang Xiuxun stood still for a long while after hearing this, but she finally fell to the ground helplessly. She folded her hands under her forehead, solemnly performed the three kneeling and nine bowing rituals, stood up, and said solemnly: "Disciple Shang Xiuxun, I pay my respects to the Master."

"Good." Wang Yi flew down to the ground, leaned over and helped Shang Xiuxun up. Seeing that Shang Xiuxun was unhappy, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "If it weren't for your father, you wouldn't have the good fortune to become my disciple. Let's go, I'll help you solve this difficulty first..." After saying that, he put his hands behind his back and walked slowly down the mountain.

Shang Xiuxun frowned, and after a moment of indifference, he slowly followed. After catching up with the other party, he quickly and quietly explained:

"Master...Master...Master, four bandits have arrived from the west of Pegasus Ranch, with an army of more than 50,000 soldiers. An unknown army of 20,000 soldiers has also gathered from the east. Strong men have appeared frequently in the city, and the children of the ranch have suffered casualties..."

Wang Yi walked at an unhurried pace, speaking with confidence: "With my master here, no matter how many enemies come, it doesn't matter. Just relax."

Shang Xiuxun was speechless for a moment. This was too confident. It was fine for the old man to be arrogant, but his friend was also so arrogant. He smiled bitterly, hoping that the other party's strength could live up to this arrogance.

……

Night falls and the bright moon hangs high.

Inside and outside the mountain city, torches were everywhere, illuminating the surroundings.

At this time, Pegasus Ranch was in a tense and orderly preparation for war. Teams of fully armed men climbed up the city walls and sentry towers with solemn expressions.

The mountain people in the city worked together to quickly and orderly carry huge stones, buckets of gold juice, bundles of arrows... to the city wall.

A thousand cavalrymen composed of able-bodied men stood in full battle array behind the city gate, ready to charge out of the city at any time.

There was a hint of vigilance in Shang Zhen's eyes. He led the Li family and their group along the stone steps towards the city wall with a gentle smile.

"This Pegasus Ranch is truly extraordinary. The first-generation owner, Shang Xiong, was a military commander who encouraged his people to study martial arts and promote martial arts. With more than 160 years of heritage, the martial arts culture at the ranch is truly amazing."

Chai Shao followed Li Xiuning and exclaimed at everything in front of him. Thinking of Li Shimin's plan, his heart began to beat fast. Li Xiuning followed Shang Zhen slowly and said calmly, "The Pegasus Ranch follows the ancestral precepts and never gets involved in matters between the underworld and the imperial court. Everything is business, and the style is always low-key. This ancestral precept has allowed the ranch to be passed down to this day, and the accumulated foundation should not be underestimated."

Li Gang's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled slowly and said, "In the face of a powerful enemy, the mall owner invited us to come and watch the battle. He wants to show us his military strength..."

Dou Wei narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "It's good to broaden your horizons. Who knows, maybe I can take this opportunity to learn a little bit of business military law."

Chai Shao laughed in silence: "What can merchants do...hiss..." Before he could finish his words, he felt a sharp pain in his right forearm, which made him gasp.

He tilted his head to look at Li Xiuning's unfriendly gaze, shrank his neck awkwardly, and closed his mouth consciously.

Upon seeing this, the other people from the Li family stopped talking consciously.

The group quickly climbed up the city wall.

As soon as they climbed onto the city wall, the eyes of several people were involuntarily fixed on the Taoist priest beside Shang Xiuxun.

With just one glance, they knew that the Taoist was very extraordinary. It was because of his extraordinary temperament. Especially when he stood there, he seemed to blend into the night sky, and his aura was so vague that it was hard to see clearly.

Li Xiuning's eyes flickered, a spring breeze smile appeared on her face, she stepped forward and chuckled, "Mall owner, which immortal mountain is this Taoist priest from?"

Shang Xiuxun tilted his head to look at him, thought for a moment, and introduced: "This is my master, Tiandi Yisanren, Taoist name Taiyi."

"Um... Master?" Li Xiuning looked stunned and asked in surprise, "Why have I never heard you mention it before?"

She added in her mind: How come she has never heard of such a Taoist with such an extraordinary temperament? You know, with the intelligence gathering ability of the Li family, it is impossible to miss such a Taoist with such an extraordinary temperament.

Chai Shao and the others were also confused. The Li family had already investigated the situation at Pegasus Ranch thoroughly. If Shang Xiuxun really had a master, it would be impossible for him to hide it from them.

Shang Xiuxun had no intention of hiding anything, and said calmly, "It was evening, and I just became Master's disciple, so naturally I have no way of mentioning it."

It was Taoist Taiyi who suggested inviting people from the Li family to come and watch the battle. I wonder what the meaning behind this is?

But none of this matters. The most urgent task is to deal with the incoming enemy. I just don't know what means Taoist Taiyi will use to repel the enemy?

She could never calm down about this, but no matter how worried she was, she could only take it one step at a time.

Now all the able-bodied men in the city have been mobilized and the ranch has already done its best. Whether they can overcome the difficulties depends only on God's will.

Li Xiuning and the others looked at each other in bewilderment. Was this too hasty? For a leader of equal power like Shang Xiuxun, not only would he invite many heroes to watch the apprenticeship ceremony, but at the very least he would have to hold a grand apprenticeship banquet in the city, so that everyone at Pegasus Ranch could be witnesses.

"Difficulties..." Li Xiuning's face showed realization, and he looked at the Taoist thoughtfully, with his hands behind his back, standing quietly beside the parapet.

When the people around heard this, their faces changed and they all nodded in understanding.

Shang Xiuxun heard the noise coming from the night sky and looked in the direction of the sound. The next moment, her beautiful eyes froze and she shouted with a serious face, "The enemy has arrived. Everyone, cheer up. Butler Shang, lead the troops to supervise the battle. There must be no omissions."

Shang Zhen nodded carefully, without saying much, and called a few people behind him, then turned around and began to boost the morale of the troops along the city wall. As time passed, the atmosphere on the city wall became more solemn.

Li Xiuning came to the parapet with a solemn expression and looked into the distance. In the night, he saw a long dragon of torches rushing towards the mountain city from the east and west, and the sound of horse hooves rumbling could be heard faintly, and the army seemed extremely powerful.

Li Xiuning retracted his gaze and looked at Shang Xiuxun solemnly, reminding him: "It is estimated that the enemy has 60,000 troops, but this amount of force is not enough to break through the mountain city under our feet. The enemy must have other arrangements."

Shang Xiuxun nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "Thank you Princess Xiuning for reminding me that there are strong men sneaking into the city. They are trying to use a strategy of internal and external cooperation. Knowing this, it won't be too difficult to guard against it."

Li Gang poked his head out to look around for a while, then shook his head and said, "The enemy chose to attack the city at night, so they must be relying on winning in one battle. It's better to be careful."

Chai Shao and the others were secretly alert when they heard this. Fortunately, Li Shimin had made arrangements, otherwise they would have planned to evacuate temporarily to avoid being affected and losing their lives.

As the sound of horse hooves and enemy footsteps approached, the city wall gradually became quiet, and only the heavy breathing of the strong men could still be heard.

Soon, the flat ground on the other side of the moat was gradually filled with countless torches, and a large number of people surged, slowly forming two huge military formations.

One side had a strict formation and strict discipline. The other side had a scattered formation and the noise was rising and falling. The two sides formed their own formations under the city without any order.

"Who are you under the city? How have I, Pegasus Ranch, offended you that you have to mobilize such a large force?" Shang Zhen came to the edge of the wall, stuck his head out, and shouted with all his energy in his dantian.

In front of the scattered army formation, there were four ferocious-looking horsemen. Among them was a short, fat man who rode forward and came to the riverside, laughing loudly:

"I am Xiang Batian. My fellow martial artists gave me the nickname of 'no grass growing'. Unfortunately, my fellow martial artists do not understand me. I am a person who loves and cherishes flowers. Mall owner, can you commit yourself to me for three days? Correct the thoughts of my fellow martial artists?"

As he spoke, he let out a loud lewd laugh. In his squinting eyes, there was a dark blue evil light, and the sharp-toothed steel ring in his hand kept shaking along with his body.

The thieves behind him all laughed lewdly, and their laughter rose and fell, making it extremely loud. Everyone on the city wall frowned when they heard it.

Fang Jianding had a face full of filth and a disgusting tumor on his forehead. He shook the reins with his strong and sturdy arms, and stopped beside Xiang Batian with two maces on his back. He raised his head and laughed wildly: "My name is Fang Jianding, and I have a nickname that says I will kill everyone. The Pegasus Ranch is doomed to fail today. If the owner, the beauty..."

"Shut up!" A soft and indifferent voice suddenly resounded throughout the night sky, clearly reaching the ears of nearly 100,000 people inside and outside the city, and the rising and falling noises suddenly stopped.

(End of this chapter)