Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 742: Night Raid (Part 2)

The Yu State Military Camp was engulfed in complete chaos and madness!

Zheng Chen swung his knife with bloodshot eyes, and amongst his loyal trusted aides, two had died or been injured while protecting him. Only three remained, shielding him as they ran towards the camp’s exit.

After escaping the camp, the fire within the city came into view.

Who set the first fire?

Why did the flames spread so swiftly and extensively?

Amidst the faint cries of the citizens, there seemed to be some unusual noises mixed in.

Peng Sihai first sensed something was wrong. His face turned pale, and he urgently whispered, "It must be the Heroic Guard Camp people, taking advantage of the night to climb over the city wall and sneak into the city to start fires and kill people."

The city gates of Yu State were heavily defended and could not be breached. However, not all parts of the city walls were built up to eight feet tall; there were always some lower places. The Left General had sent people to attack the city while others explored outside the walls during the day and found appropriate spots for climbing. Sending a team of elite soldiers to climb into the city under cover of night to start fires and create chaos was highly possible.

The other two trusted aides urgently agreed: "This Yu State City is no longer safe. We will protect Mr. Zheng and escape through the north gate!"

"Sir, Yu State cannot be defended anymore, let’s leave quickly! If we hesitate any longer, we might be completely trapped in the city, unable to escape even if we wanted to."

Zheng Chen stopped and turned to look at the military camp. Amidst the chaos, the sounds of shouting and the clash of swords and blades were clearly audible from within the camp.

When he turned to look towards the inner city, flames soared into the sky, as if the entire Yu State City had been ignited.

Towards the north gate, it was relatively quiet. At a glance, the dark road stretched into the depths, seeming like a path to Hell...

A buzzing sound continuously echoed in his ears.

Numb, Zheng Chen turned again to look at Peng Sihai and the other two. All were anxious, mouths constantly moving. Strangely enough, he couldn’t hear anything at all.

It was as if some mysterious force sealed him into a strange space, isolating him from reality.

Peng Sihai noticed the unusual brightness in his master’s eyes and his heart skipped a beat.

Oh no! Sir is having an episode!

At such a time, no matter what was said, it wouldn’t reach him!

Quick-thinking in his panic, Peng Sihai suddenly pointed ahead: "What is that?"

Zheng Chen followed the direction of his finger to look, unexpectedly, a hit landed on the back of his head, his vision went dark, and he fell unconscious.

The other two trusted aides cried out in shock: "Peng Sihai! What are you doing?"

"Why did you strike Mr. Zheng? Are you mad?"

Swiftly and succinctly, Peng Sihai shouldered his unconscious master: "No time to explain! It’s too dangerous here! We have to get the master out of the city!"

Peng Sihai had always been the Personal Guard Commander and his trusted aides were accustomed to following his orders. Seeing Peng Sihai carrying the master away, they ceased further questioning and rushed out as well.

Escaping towards the north gate were not only them. There were also some citizens who came running and crying from the fires.

"Oh heavens! Open your eyes and see! What did we do wrong to end up like this?"

"My wife and daughter were seized, my son dragged off to die at the city wall, and now only I am left, an old man. Why should I continue living?"

Truth be told, those who thought to run towards the north gate were considered wise.

Not wanting to attract attention, Peng Sihai blended with the group of citizens. In the frantic escape, no one dared to provoke the four of them. Zheng Chen lay unconscious on Peng Sihai’s back, and the two trusted aides wielded long knives, intimidating others too much to even glance at them.

Thus, around twenty or thirty people ran northward. They encountered no danger along the way, arriving quickly at the north gate.

Normally, after dark, city gates would be closed. Tonight, however, no one knew when the north gate was opened, and the guard soldiers had disappeared. Most likely, they had fled with deserters who had opened the gate earlier.

Peng Sihai cursed under his breath, unable to ponder what dangers lay beyond the gate, plunged out with the citizens.

As soon as he exited the gate, Peng Sihai realized things were amiss.

There were no torches lit outside the gate, dim light barely revealing a group of well-prepared court soldiers by the sparse starlight from above.

The number was impossible to count exactly, but certainly not less than hundreds. Each held long spears and knives, and the leading military general coldly stated, "Everyone, put your hands over your head and squat down!"

The fleeing citizens were terrified and instinctively followed the orders, covering their heads and squatting.

Swiftly reacting, Peng Sihai turned to run, followed in silence by his two trusted aides.

Doing so naturally drew the attention of the military officers.

"Big catch! Don’t let them escape!"

The sound of dense footsteps arose as a team of sturdy men silently chased, led by a tall, dark-skinned middle-aged military general whose gaze was sharp and stern.

This was Song Yuan.

The plan to break the city was laid out by the Left General yesterday. An aggressive day assault followed by elite soldiers sneaking in at night to set fires, confusing soldiers and citizens before lying in wait outside the city gate to capture those fleeing.

Song Yuan had observed the battle for several days without engaging. Today, he took on this task himself, stationed outside the north gate.

As Song Yuan never interfered with military battles and was respectable enough, the Left General naturally granted his request. As a result, Song Yuan caught a big catch upon arrival.

The opposing group included just four people, one was unconscious, being carried. Only two were able to fight back. With over a hundred men pursuing, they caught up swiftly and captured them within minutes.

Upon lighting torches to see, one of the Emperor’s personal guards exclaimed with joy: "Commander Song, it’s Zheng Chen, this rebel!"

Song Yuan, usually unemotional, was visibly pleased hearing this tremendous news. He strode forward, his gaze first falling on Peng Sihai’s face.

Being Zheng Chen’s confidant, Peng Sihai had accompanied Zheng Chen daily in and out of the court. Having exchanged glances with Peng Sihai several times, Song Yuan recognized him instantly.

Peng Sihai was immobilized, unable to move, with the young man on his back lying motionless like a dead fish. A trusted aide lifted him off, laying him face-up.

Indeed, it was Zheng Chen!

Joy flickered in Song Yuan’s eyes, yet he refrained from killing, sheathing his knife. He lifted Zheng Chen, slapping him hard across the face.

Such a heavy blow would wake even the dead.

Zheng Chen groggily opened his eyes to find an all-too-familiar face of a man looming over him.

"Mr. Zheng," Song Yuan’s voice was colder than his gaze: "Long time no see."