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Xiulan expected chaos and immediate action—memories of siege warfare from Li Mei’s favorite historical films filled her mind with images of soldiers frantically scaling walls while arrows blackened the sky. The reality proved far more mundane.

The Chao army crept forward across the plains like a dark serpent, then halted well beyond the range of the siege weapons. Soldiers milled about in organized formations, their weapons glinting in the late afternoon sun. The enemy began to set up a fortified camp.

Ming pressed a smooth crystal into Xiulan’s palm. The polished surface caught the light, refracting it in strange patterns.

"What’s this?"

"Look through it." Ming pointed toward the distant army.

Xiulan raised the crystal to her eye. The world spun and blurred before snapping into sharp focus. The distant army jumped forward as if she stood mere yards away. Each soldier’s face became clear enough to count their teeth.

The supply train stretched far beyond her initial estimates. Wagons loaded with provisions and ammunition rolled alongside siege equipment on wooden wheels. Trebuchets, magonels, and battering rams advanced under the protection of skilled crews.

Ranks of archers and crossbowmen marched in formation, their weapons at the ready. Others carried wooden screens painted to match the terrain—mobile cover for their advance. The enemy matched every defensive preparation she had made, from ranged weapons to siege equipment.

They came prepared for a real fight , Xiulan thought as she lowered the crystal. The dizzying magnification left spots dancing in her vision.

Xiulan turned from the distant army to study Mei Chen’s alert posture before addressing Yang Mei and Wu Yan. "Yang Mei, monitor the northern flank. They might attempt to slip a large force around the city while we focus here."

Yang Mei nodded, adjusting her dark hair tie.

"Wu Yan, take command of the three thousand reserve troops stationed there. Harass any attempt to bypass the city. If the western wall looks threatened, either sally out and hit them from behind or move across the wall to assist."

"Understood." Wu Yan gripped her sword hilt. Both women saluted before marching toward their positions.

Xiulan ran her hand along the wall’s stone surface. The fortifications stretched high above, built with thick stone around packed earth. Their defensive position and superior numbers should have brought comfort.

So why does my stomach twist into knots?

The array of siege equipment provided the answer. House Chao had brought enough weapons to threaten severe damage. Regardless, when the battle began, cultivator prowess would determine the outcome while mortal soldiers provided supporting fire and defense.

Xiulan studied the distant army through narrowed eyes. Without intelligence on their cultivator corps, she fought blind against an unknown force.

The silver medallion around Mei Chen’s throat caught the sunlight. No. There was no need to consider that desperate measure.

Xiulan gazed toward the eastern horizon. Somewhere out there, Feng Yu raced to bring reinforcements. But how far had she gotten? How long until help arrived?

Movement caught Xiulan’s attention along the distant army lines. A lone horseman emerged, bearing a white flag that snapped in the wind. The rider’s mount kicked up dust as it approached the city walls at a steady trot.

The messenger pulled his horse to a stop beneath their position. "Lord Chao demands the immediate surrender of Blackmere! Hand over the murderous daughter of Lord Lin and your people will be spared!"

Ming Lihua shifted closer. "Miss Lin?"

Xiulan stepped to the wall’s edge. "Return to your lands now and your army will survive this day!"

The messenger wheeled his horse around without another word, spurring it back toward the distant army.

"So." Zhang Huo’s gruff voice broke the tense silence. "Does our pay begin now?"

"Not until actual combat starts." Xiulan kept her eyes fixed on the retreating messenger.

Sparks danced around Zhang Huo’s weathered hands. "Is that right?" He unslung the massive bow from his shoulder.

"What are you—"

Heat radiated from the arrow as Zhang Huo nocked it, forcing everyone back. The bowstring thrummed. His fire-wreathed arrow streaked through the air, far beyond normal bow range, racing toward the siege equipment.

A figure leaped skyward from the enemy lines. A massive arc of water materialized, extinguishing Zhang Huo’s arrow in a burst of steam.

Zhang Huo bared his teeth in a predatory grin. "Well then, I’d say combat has officially begun. Wouldn’t you agree?" His eyes locked onto Xiulan with clear challenge.

Xiulan turned to him with an icy stare. "Of course not."

"What?" Zhang Huo’s muscles tensed beneath his battle-scarred armor. "Combat just started!"

Xiulan scoffed and strode toward him. Despite Zhang Huo towering over her, she lifted her chin and met his gaze with unwavering intensity. "Your little theatrics don’t count. You didn’t even hit the target." She pulled a small silk purse from her robes. "If I wanted to hire a comedy troupe, it wouldn’t cost twenty spirit stones per day."

Silver taels clinked between her fingers as she held them up to his face. One by one, she released them, each coin striking the stone floor with a sharp ping. "Twenty taels for my new jester."

Heat radiated from Zhang Huo in waves, distorting the air around him. A deep growl rumbled from his chest.

Mei Chen answered with her own inhuman snarl from behind.

Zhang Huo stepped backward, his boots scraping against stone. He yanked his massive bow, twanging the string and then roared in rage. Instead of reaching for an arrow, flames erupted along the bowstring, spreading across the weapon until it blazed like a torch.

The gathered defenders scattered as the bow transformed into a mass of living fire. With a thunderous crack, the flame coalesced into a massive bolt that launched skyward like a burning meteor.

The burning bolt arced through the sky turning into a blazing meteor. Three translucent barriers materialized in its path. The first shattered like glass, fragments of spiritual energy dissipating into the air. The second cracked but absorbed part of the flames before breaking apart. The third barrier caught at least half the fire, yet still fractured under the assault.

A cultivator leaped skyward again, water streaming from outstretched hands. Instead of halting the attack, the water transformed into an explosive cloud of steam. The combined force smashed into the siege equipment below. Dust and vapor obscured the impact zone. When the cloud settled, three mangonels lay in splintered ruins.

Zhang Huo sagged against the battlements, sweat beading on his forehead. His chest heaved with labored breaths.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Out of breath? He should know how to cycle qi through breathing exercises by now. Xiulan studied the veteran archer’s poor stamina management with mild disappointment.

"That good enough for combat pay?" Zhang Huo wheezed.

A grin spread across Xiulan’s face. "Keep it up all day and you’ll earn every spirit stone."

"New bow!" Zhang Huo bellowed. Guards scattered from their positions, rushing to fulfill his request.

"The strike succeeded because they weren’t prepared." Ming stepped closer to Xiulan. "Their defensive formations will tighten now. Further attempts won’t break through without coordinated effort."

"True." Xiulan nodded toward Zhang Huo. "But he proved he has the range. Random attacks will keep their cultivators alert and waste their energy maintaining barriers." She fixed Zhang with an appraising look. "Mix up your timing. Make them jump at shadows."

Zhang Huo straightened and gave a firm nod.

Xiulan tracked Zhang Huo’s fiery assaults through Ming’s crystal throughout the rest of the evening. Each strike sparked chaos among the Chao army’s mortal troops, sending them scrambling despite none of the follow up attacks breaching their cultivator’s barriers.

The display served its purpose—keeping the enemy on edge and disrupting their siege preparations.

The magnification revealed soldiers stumbling over each other at every fresh attack, officers shouting contradictory orders, and siege equipment left half-assembled as crews dove for cover. A waste of daylight they’d never recover.

After confirming the pattern would hold, Xiulan passed the crystal to a senior guard. "Record any changes in their formations or responses."

She arranged the cultivator watch schedule before leaving—three defenders at minimum would man the walls at all times, rotating in four-hour shifts.

The defensive talismans from the Treasure Pavilion now reinforced the main wall sections, one protecting each cardinal direction. The extra talismans she’d negotiated from Ming sat ready in reserve, enough to maintain the barrier for a week if needed.

As she and Mei Chen headed down off the wall another of Zhang Huo’s arrows exploded against the enemy’s spiritual shields in a brilliant flash. The veteran archer had found his rhythm, spacing his attacks at irregular intervals to maximize disruption while conserving energy. Xiulan allowed herself a small smile at the effectiveness of such a simple tactic.

Xiulan strode through the central supply sector with Mei Chen at her side. Supply carts rumbled past on the cobblestones while civil defense officers directed streams of workers hauling crates and barrels. The scent of dried meat and grain filled the air.

Liu Bao snapped to attention and saluted as they approached. "Miss Lin."

"Report on our stocks, Captain."

"Nine of the ten scheduled shipments arrived safely. We’ve secured enough provisions to feed Blackmere for a month at standard rations." Liu Bao straightened his shoulders. "Two months if we implement rationing protocols. More if we restrict supplies to military personnel."

"Standard rations will suffice." Xiulan shook her head. "This engagement won’t stretch beyond a month."

I’ll run out of spirit stones for the mercenaries long before we exhaust our food supplies.

The massive stone cistern caught her attention, its rim barely visible above the packed earth. Men utilized the pump to pour water out into pots to be used for fire fighting. "What’s our water situation?"

"All five main cisterns stand full to capacity." Liu Bao gestured toward the nearest water point. "We’ve topped off every minor reservoir and fire point in the city. One hundred fire-fighting wagons stand ready, each filled to the brim."

Xiulan nodded at Liu Bao’s report. "The Chao forces won’t wait long. Tonight or tomorrow, they’ll strike—and fires will spread fast once those siege weapons start firing." She crossed her arms. "Our array defenses can’t handle how much artillery they’ve brought for long."

Liu Bao’s face pinched but he nodded in acceptance.

"Focus on fortifying positions that won’t crumble in the first volley," Xiulan added.

Liu Bao frowned. "We’ve identified several reinforced sections for supply wagon storage. The distribution network spreads resources across multiple fallback points." He rubbed his chin. "But against sustained artillery fire? There is no way to fully protect everything."

"That’s what I feared." Xiulan exhaled slowly. "Just optimize what you can. Make sure the civil service stands ready for tonight." She met his eyes. "Getting through that first assault while maintaining organization—that’s our greatest challenge."

"I’ll see to it at once." Liu Bao turned toward a cluster of officers, already barking orders.

"Come on, Mei Chen." Xiulan touched her companion’s shoulder. "We need rest and check the new headquarters."

They navigated through clusters of soldiers hauling fire-fighting equipment, the wooden wheels of their wagons creaking against cobblestones. Civil works teams rushed past with tools and supplies while platoons accepted weapons in formation nearby.

The Lin Family City Manor’s new metal gate stood open, allowing a steady stream of officers and messengers through its reinforced frame. Inside the courtyard, military personnel crowded under makeshift tents sheltering planning tables covered in maps and dispatches.

A staff officer bowed. "Miss Lin."

"Where are my quarters?" she asked.

"Right this way, miss." He led them to a plain wooden building that bore signs of hasty construction—fresh-cut lumber and visible nail heads where ornamental covers should have been.

"My apologies for the simple accommodations." The officer gestured to a sparse room. "Your belongings from the Treasure Pavilion haven’t arrived yet."

"The room will suffice." Xiulan stepped inside. A single bed occupied the otherwise empty space, its wooden frame unadorned except for a mattress and sheet.

"This is completely unacceptable!" Mei Chen stomped her foot. The entire structure groaned in warning.

"I’ll check on the status of your possessions immediately." The officer said in a hurry before backing out quickly with another bow.

Xiulan stretched her arms overhead. "We just need a few hours of rest before returning to preparations."

"Yes, Miss." Mei Chen’s shoulders slumped.

Xiulan sat on the bed’s edge, pulling back the simple blanket. She paused mid-motion as Mei Chen settled onto the hard floor.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Mei Chen shifted on the floor. "I’ll sleep here to protect you, Miss."

"Don’t be ridiculous." Xiulan patted the empty space beside her on the bed. "There’s plenty of room."

A pink tinge spread across Mei Chen’s pale cheeks. "I shouldn’t... it wouldn’t be proper..."

"Oh please." Xiulan rolled her eyes. "You already snuck into my bed at the Treasure Pavilion."

"That was—" Mei Chen stared at her feet, fidgeting with the hem of her robe. "That was different..."

"We’ve shared a bed countless times before." Xiulan scooted closer to the wall, creating a wider space. She patted the mattress again with more emphasis.

"But things are... different now." Mei Chen twisted the fabric between her fingers.

Xiulan kept her hand on the empty spot, waiting patiently. After several moments, Mei Chen crossed the room in small steps and slipped under the covers. Xiulan pulled the thin sheet over them both.

"Do I make it too cold?" Mei Chen whispered into the darkness.

Xiulan laughed softly. "You’re like an air conditioner permanently set to freezing."

"A what?" Mei Chen turned her head on the pillow.

"Never mind that. I’m a hot sleeper, so it’s fine." Xiulan wrapped her arms around Mei Chen’s cool form. "I’ll sleep better knowing you’re safe too."

"Okay," Mei Chen whispered, barely audible.

Xiulan closed her eyes, letting exhaustion pull her into sleep.

A few hours later the building’s walls shuddered. Xiulan snapped awake as shouts and explosions thundered through the bamboo windows. The mattress shifted—Mei Chen already slid toward the door with supernatural speed.

Xiulan rolled out of bed, muscles protesting the brief rest. Her robes clung awkwardly, wrinkled from sleeping in them. The wooden floor trembled beneath her feet as another impact rattled the building’s frame.

A few hours of sleep beats none at all. The thought offered little comfort as she grabbed Severing Light from its lean against the wall. At least they hadn’t bothered changing clothes or taking baths—every second counted now.

"We need to reach the wall." Xiulan secured her weapon harness. "The bombardment’s started."

The dull orange glow through the window confirmed her fears—House Chao had launched their assault under cover of darkness. A classic siege tactic, but no less effective for its predictability.