Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

Chapter 157 Veteran General

Liu Yao gave a wry smile. "However, as long as I can defend Hesha City for my brothers this time, it's worth risking my life."

Wang Rui gently patted Liu Yao on the shoulder.

He whispered, "Don't be afraid. We'll stay in the city, but we'll live and die with our brothers on the battlefield."

We must relay any orders we receive promptly.

The soldiers risked their lives for us, and we can't let them down.

As the enemy forces approached, the commanders at the rear formulated various orders, preparing to respond to any changes on the battlefield.

Liu Yao and Wang Rui stood at the command post, awaiting the latest instructions.

The two men stared intently at Vice General Lin Zixuan's hand, their gazes tense and focused.

“Liu Yao,” Lin Zixuan said, taking out several bamboo slips.

He handed one of the scrolls to Liu Yao, saying, "This is the reinforcement order for the East Wall. If the enemy breaks through the East Wall, the garrison on the East Wall must quickly mobilize the shield soldiers to resist."

Liu Yao carefully took the bamboo slip and put it in his bosom, his hands unconsciously tightening slightly.

Lin Zixuan's voice wasn't loud, but every word was so heavy that it made Lin Zixuan's heart tighten.

Liu Yao knew that this order would play a decisive role in the critical moment, and any delay would have unimaginable consequences.

"Understood." He nodded steadily, his heart racing, but his face had regained its composure.

Wang Rui took another scroll of orders, which was a reinforcement order for the South Gate.

The main gate is the enemy's primary attack point. If the main gate falls, Hesha City will face an unprecedented threat.

Wang Rui looked down at the scroll and silently thought, "Brothers of the South Gate, we're counting on you."

The two exchanged a glance, said nothing, and understood each other perfectly.

Despite their unease, they chose to persevere without hesitation, driven by their sense of duty.

They understood that they carried the trust and expectations of the entire city.

In addition to relaying orders, Liu Yao and Wang Rui were also responsible for wartime signal transmission.

With the enemy potentially launching attacks from multiple directions, several signal stations within the city became crucial hubs for commanding the front lines.

The lighting and extinguishing of each signal torch represents a different command, and these flames can even determine the course of the entire battle.

Wang Rui checked the torches and spare fuel, confirming the position of each signal torch one by one.

Liu Yao also carefully adjusted the ignition device to ensure that every part could be ignited in the shortest possible time.

Even the smallest mistake can delay the transmission of orders.

"Liu Yao, if anything changes at the front, you will be in charge of the signal tower in the first zone, and I will be on guard in the second zone," Wang Rui said in a deep voice.

Liu Yao nodded, his gaze resolute: "Brother Rui, don't worry. I will guard this area well. If the enemy makes a move, I will light the signal fire."

The two reconfirmed each other's locations, their resolve growing stronger.

As messengers, they do not fight on the front lines, but they bear a heavy responsibility at the most critical moments.

This sense of responsibility constantly reminds them that their work is related to the lives and deaths of hundreds or thousands of people.

Late at night, enemy troops quietly approached the main gate. Lin Zixuan hurriedly ordered the shield soldiers to go to the rescue immediately.

Upon receiving the order, Liu Yao dared not delay for a moment, immediately turned around, and rushed towards the main gate.

The cold wind whistled past his ears, and Liu Yao's heart gradually raced. He could even hear his own panting.

He kept reminding himself that he absolutely could not delay.

The brothers at the main gate were waiting for this order; only by delivering the information as quickly as possible could they ensure timely reinforcements.

As Liu Yao was running, he suddenly heard a faint sound of footsteps not far away. He became alert and gripped the command bamboo slip tightly with both hands, ready to defend himself at any moment.

Fortunately, they were scouts from the main gate.

Liu Yao immediately stepped forward, handed him the order, and whispered, "Quickly return to the main gate and send the shield soldiers to reinforce!"

The scout nodded and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Liu Yao looked in the direction where he disappeared and let out a long sigh.

Although the mission was half completed, he knew that such missions would continue to come.

As the enemy forces drew closer, Wang Rui's signal tower was designated as a key location for transmitting warnings.

Wang Rui stood on the signal tower, gazing at the pitch-black night ahead, silently calculating how to light torches the moment the enemy approached.

At this moment, Liu Yao's signal came from the first signal tower, and the firelight flickered slightly in the darkness.

Wang Rui immediately received the message and quickly lit a torch on the second signal tower to transmit the message to the next line of defense.

"Liu Yao is really fast." Wang Rui couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

With such reliable brothers to share life and death with, I will never back down no matter how difficult things get.

Although they did not speak, their mutual understanding filled them with confidence.

The night wind grew increasingly fierce, but Wang Rui stood atop the signal tower, his eyes showing no sign of slackening.

Liu Yao was also on guard at a signal tower in another area, ready to transmit orders at any time.

They supported each other and together protected the lifeline of Hersha City.

Amidst the midnight battle, the two men, though exhausted, found a rare moment of reunion in front of their tent. Yet, a relieved smile appeared on their faces.

"Brother Rui, you're probably going to be busy tonight," Liu Yao joked, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes.

Wang Rui sighed and patted Liu Yao on the shoulder: "Yeah, maybe the next moment, we'll have to run all over the defense lines again."

But as long as we are here, the orders will not be broken, and our brothers will not be left helpless.

Liu Yao nodded silently, a feeling of trust rising in his heart.

It was because he had brothers like Wang Rui fighting alongside him that he had the confidence to complete every mission.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination.

In the darkness, the firelight flickered gently, reflecting their fearlessness and selflessness.

The trust that allows them to entrust each other with their lives is the source of their strength to keep going.

In the darkness outside Hesha City, the enemy camp was also completely silent.

Bakun stood in front of the tent, coldly gazing in the direction of Hesha City.

His eyes flashed with a cold light, and a contemptuous smile played on his lips.

Beside him, Commander Agur appeared calm and composed, seemingly confident of victory.

He stood on a secluded high ground, holding a simple battle map in his hand, his eyes scanning the area ahead like an eagle's.

Bakun couldn't help but ask softly, "General, what are you waiting for? The garrison in the city is just a bunch of hastily assembled militia. Why not just order an attack?"

Agul smiled slightly, waved his hand, and said in a low voice, "Bakhun, don't underestimate him."

Although Hersha City was exhausted, they were fighting to protect their homeland, and their desperate resistance should not be underestimated.

If we launch a rash attack, we will pay an unnecessary price.

He pointed to the ambush troops that were faintly visible in the darkness. Those soldiers had already been lying in wait in various corners outside the city walls, waiting for a command.

Bakun nodded, squinting as he looked at Hesha City again.

It was as if he could already see the city trembling beneath his feet, anticipating the thrill of conquering it.

Agul, however, had a cold expression and deep gaze.

He knew the cruelty of war and was well aware that brute force alone could not conquer Hesha.

To achieve victory with minimal cost, what is needed is strategy and timing.

On the east gate city wall, lights flickered, and the soldiers gradually regained their fighting spirit under the encouragement of Gu Jinyan.

Outside the city, Bakun and Agul kept a close eye on Hesha City, waiting for an opportunity to break through the city.

At this moment, a tense atmosphere seemed to hang in the air, and everyone held their breath, preparing for the impending life-or-death struggle.

The Black Rock Alliance's army surged toward the east gate of Hesha City like a tidal wave.

Beneath the city walls, a dark mass of people stood, spears like a forest, war drums thundering, their momentum shaking the heavens.

Zhao Lingfeng stood on the east gate city wall, squinting as he watched the enemy's attack route, his mind completely calm.

He knew that this battle was a matter of life and death for Hesha City, and any retreat would give the enemy the upper hand.

"Archers, prepare! Wait until they are within range before firing!" Zhao Lingfeng gave the order, and the archers drew their bows, the arrow tips gleaming coldly in the lamplight.

He shouted to his soldiers, "Hersa City is our home. If you do not fight to the death today, your loved ones will have nowhere to go after the city falls!"

His voice boomed like a bell, igniting the fighting spirit in every soldier. They gripped their weapons tightly, vowing to defend their country to the death.

The enemy launched their first attack, with long ladders placed on the city walls.

The soldiers struggled to push back, and rolling stones and kerosene poured down, throwing the enemy's formation into chaos.

However, the Black Rock Alliance's forces were well-trained and quickly mobilized additional soldiers to fill the gaps.

As Zhao Lingfeng watched the enemy's relentless attacks, a fierce fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

He shouted, "Hold on a little longer! Prepare for the rain of arrows—fire!"

Arrows rained down, and swathes of enemy soldiers fell, leaving corpses strewn across the ground beneath the city walls.

However, the enemy showed no sign of retreating, and the east gate was in grave danger after repeated attacks.

Standing atop the city wall, Zhao Lingfeng recalled the glory of Hesha City and the peaceful lives of its people. He would never allow the enemy to set foot in the city, and he would never allow Hesha City to fall in his hands.

His gaze hardened, and his voice carried an undeniable authority: "Defend the east gate to the death! Do not retreat!"

At this time, the eastern city wall became another key offensive position for the enemy.

Gu Jinyan, who was in charge of the defense, quickly realized that the enemy's real main attack direction was not the main gate, but the east gate and the east side of the city wall.

She stood on high ground, overlooking the enemy's formation, and calmly analyzed their tactics.

"They wanted to outflank the east gate to relieve the pressure on the front defense."

Gu Jinyan was alert and quickly ordered, "Archers, aim at the enemy's front ranks! Infantry, prepare to engage the enemy, and be on guard against the long ladders!"

While calmly directing the operation, she also examined the enemy's formation and made swift adjustments to minimize casualties on her side.

When the enemy forces approach.

Gu Jinyan suddenly shouted, "Release the arrows!"

The archers quickly unleashed a rain of arrows, which temporarily halted the enemy's charge.

A hint of unease flashed in her eyes.

Under the pressure of the enemy's offensive, the defenses on the eastern side of the city wall gradually became strained.

If the defenses collapse, the enemy can directly breach the weak point at the east gate and easily flood into the city.

She stood ramrod straight and said to the soldiers around her, "Hersa City is our foundation!"

"If it falls, we'll have nowhere to go!" Her voice was steady and powerful, soothing the tension and fear of the surrounding soldiers, her eyes shining with determination.

She silently resolved that she must not allow the enemy to easily breach the east gate.

Deep within the enemy camp, Agur gazed toward the direction of Hesha City, calmly directing his men's attack.

Instead of concentrating his main force at the main gate, he sent most of his troops to the east gate and the east side of the city wall, attempting to distract the city's defenders in a roundabout way.

He assigned Bakun to command the frontal assault at the east gate, while simultaneously deploying elite troops on the flanks for a surprise attack.

The intention was to launch a pincer attack from two sides to break through the defenses of Hesha City in one fell swoop.

Agur remained calm and showed no sign of impatience.

Although Hersha City was well-defended, it would eventually be overwhelmed by such a multi-pronged attack.