Chapter 462: Chapter 462. The City Gate Opens

    At the same time Amon heard the reply, a rumbling sound was heard. The sound came from the portcullis being raised, which indicated that the lock on the winch had been lifted.

    "Open the gate...!!" Amon called out.

    Several people from the six clans heard his call. They immediately relayed the command. Their members closest to the gate ran towards it. They were defending a position around the city gate, so no one stopped them from touching the gate. With the portcullis raised, they removed the bar holding the gate and pushed it open.

    The gate provided the only safe access point within the barrier encapsulating Fuxiang City. If it was open, people could pass through without damaging the barrier.

    Once the door opened a little, someone rushed in from the gap. It was followed by a powerful shockwave of winds that pushed the door further open. A thundering voice followed.

    "Rebellious city, face your punishment!"

    The one who rushed in slammed a giant hammer into the ground, which conjured a massive earthquake. The quake traveled forward like a wave. It swept over the members of the six clans who formed the wall before the gate. Those hit by the wave were tossed in the air. Some with low cultivation received internal wounds.

    "Wait! We are on your side!" Yelled one of the six clan members who opened the door.

    The one who broke in with the giant hammer was Major General Jiang Bo. He was about to slam his hammer a second time but stopped. He stared at the man who spoke and saw the red ribbon on the man’s left arm. He remembered Prince Huang San’s words then.

    "On our side, eh? Hmph! Move aside and stay out of our way!" Jiang Bo exclaimed. He looked back before shouting, "Chaarggeee...!!!"

    Hundreds of soldiers poured in through the gate. More and more continued to enter.

    Jiang Bo rushed forward with this army. His voice thundered again through the air, "Those who don’t wish to die, stay low on the ground and do not move! We will kill anyone who resists!"

    The six clans were angry that some of their members were wounded by this man whom they risked their lives to let into the city. However, they knew at this stage, they had no choice but to obey. They moved to the side to give way to the army before dropping to the ground and kneeling.

    Pan Xisheng, who saw the enemies had breached the city, gritted his teeth and turned around. He yelled at his force, "To the city hall! We make our stand there!"

    The city guards and the four clans followed his command. They rushed back without clashing with the kingdom army. They still believed Pan Xisheng’s promise that the rebel army would hit the kingdom army from the rear as they entered the city. Once that happened, they could strike the kingdom’s army from opposite sides. They must bide their time until then.

    Jiang Bo saw Pan Xisheng and heard what the mayor said. He chased the retreating rebels and ordered his army to follow him.

    Amon looked down from above the city gate. The army led by Jiang Bo continued to pour in. Those who could fly took to the sky, while those who couldn’t run via the streets. Things happened as he expected. Jiang Bo didn’t heed the request he sent to Huang San. He wondered if Huang San did.

    "Colonel Amon!"

    Amon heard his name was called. Lao Zen, An Guan, Ha Gild, and many others entered the city with the army. All the people they brought were at the Martial Realm.

    ’Good,’ Amon thought. Huang San did as he instructed.

    "Go," Amon told them. "Stay above the city."

    Most were confused by the request. Lao Zen and An Guan didn’t show the same confusion. They ordered everyone to fly above the roof.

    Yang Li, Xin Wuming, and Yi Chaisan had come out from the room below.

    "Good job!" Amon praised them. "Especially you, Chaisan. You have compensated us for the mess you caused yesterday. We are okay now. I will make sure the prince gives you a proper reward."

    "Thank you," Yi Chaisan replied.

    "Wuming, Li, you know what to do," Amon said. He jumped down after saying that.

    "What does he mean?" Wu Di asked, confused.

    Xin Wuming and Yang Li didn’t answer him. Instead, they also jumped down to the street below.

    "Fuck those guys. They always leave me in the dark," Wu Di cursed.

    Xin Wuming and Yang Li split. They went to talk with the people of the six clans. Amon flew out via the gate to where Prince Huang San was. A large portion of Huang San’s army was still on standby since he only sent the soldiers with Martial Realm cultivation into the city. As for the side commanded by Jiang Bo, they had mostly entered the city.

    Amon handed a paper to Huang San.

    "What is this?" Huang San asked.

    "Use the announcement talisman and read the words from this letter," Amon answered.

    Huang San was reading the paper while Amon answered. He frowned while doing it. "So... It is as I fear," Huang San uttered.

    "Your Highness have guessed it. That’s good. Save me the time of having to explain. Your Highness better make the announcement fast. How many Your Highness can save depends on that."

    Huang San didn’t dilly-dally. He asked for the talisman from his announcer. He would make the announcement himself.

    "Citizens of Fuxiang City! I am Huang San, the Thirteenth Prince of Echos! The kingdom army has breached the city gate and is currently en route to apprehend the mayor and the rebels who support this uprising. However, we suspect the mayor might intentionally activate the firestorm he claimed will happen if we destroy the city barrier by force. We urge everyone to immediately evacuate the city via the main gate. Leave your goods! Do not attempt to waste time taking them. Evacuate the city and stay outside until we ensure everything is safe for you to return!"

    Huang San repeated the announcement until the talisman power expired. The talisman turned to dust after his third repeat. He could hear some commotion from inside the city. People started trickling out. These were the members of the six clans. Xin Wuming and Yang Li told them the situation while Huang San was making the announcement. Since they were already close to the gate, they wasted no time exiting the city. The kingdom soldiers who stayed outside the city helped organize their exit and secure a spot for them to gather outside the city.

    "Your Highness, I need to borrow Xu Bao," Amon said after Huang San finished the announcement.

    "What for?" Huang San asked. Xu Bao always followed him nowadays, becoming his personal bodyguard.

    "To apprehend the mayor," Amon answered.

    Huang San didn’t hesitate for long. He turned to Xu Bao and said, "Go with him."

    Xu Bao nodded. Huang San was surrounded by soldiers. There was no danger to him here.

    Xin Wuming and Yang Li exited the city with the six clans. Amon brought Xin Wuming with him. Yang Li wanted to follow as well, but Amon forbade her. Wu Di and Yi Chaisan were still inside the city. They were trying their best to help the citizens near the city gate evacuate after hearing the prince’s announcement.

    Amon and Xin Wuming took to the sky and reentered the city with Xu Bao following closely.

    *

    Inside the city, Jiang Bo and his army were close to the rebels’ tails. He was sneering at their attempt to retreat to the city hall. Whether at the city hall or city gate, they would still be crushed. They were no match to the kingdom army.

    His sneer disappeared when he heard Prince Huang San’s announcement. He realized then the reason behind the prince’s order to only bring Martial Realm soldiers.

    "Sir, what should we do...? Do you think this firestorm threat is real? Should we order our Human Realm soldiers to retreat?" Liu Xun, who flew beside Jiang Bo, asked.

    "... I still think it is a bluff," Jiang Bo replied. "Even if it is, it’s too late to retreat. We are more than halfway to the city hall. The best outcome is to take down the mayor before he can do anything. Even if this firestorm threat turns out to be fake, we can claim it doesn’t happen because we stop it. We will be known as the heroes who save the city. To pull that off, we need our full might to finish the enemies swiftly."

    Liu Xun nodded. He turned and barked an order for everyone to pick up their speed.

    *

    The four clans supporting the mayor also heard the announcement. Gu Xiguan, who flew behind Pan Xisheng, asked nervously, "Is what the Thirteenth Prince said real?"

    "Of course not!" Pan Xisheng replied. "This is just their tactic to cause uncertainty among us. Do not be tricked! Any minute now, the rebel army will be coming. All we need to do is make our stand at the city hall and try to buy time as long as possible. Mark my words, we can still win this!"