Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi quickly turned around.

Standing behind her, Yu Wenqian’s expression flickered slightly, but the next moment, a faint smile appeared on his face as he silently tucked away his handkerchief.

However, none of the people on the battlements noticed them; every eye was eagerly fixed ahead.

Indeed, in the scorching, dazzling glow of the sunset that nearly set the entire land ablaze, they finally saw a troop appear in the distance, slowly marching towards the battlements. Among the team, over twenty massive water carts were prominently visible, led by Ma Xu.

The surrounding soldiers all breathed a sigh of relief, and some couldn’t help but cheer at the sight of the heavy, slow-moving water carts.

"They’ve returned!"

The city’s water supply could finally get some relief!

While everyone around was overjoyed, Shang Ruyi remained exceptionally calm amidst the boiling atmosphere and blazing sunshine. She quietly watched the slowly advancing troop, her gaze shifting from the leading Ma Xu to the very end of the line, where Song Yu walked.

It’s Song Yu...

While the crowd cheered and rejoiced with excitement, Yin Changyue and Dai Junliang were also overjoyed. Dai Junliang hurriedly passed orders down the tower: "Prepare to open the gate!"

The soldiers below the tower immediately removed the heavy, sturdy gate bolt upon hearing this.

With a creaking sound, the huge city gate slowly opened.

Just as the troop approached the battlements and was about to enter through the gate, suddenly, a loud horn sounded from the lush and dense forest on the riverbank!

This long, high-pitched horn left everyone present stunned.

This is—

In the next moment, the silent forest began to shake as if suddenly swept by a whirlwind, rustling the leaves incessantly, with smoke and dust rising, momentarily overshadowing the golden, dazzling sunlight in front. The water cart troop was shaken into a daze, until a tall, familiar figure rushed out ahead from the forest!

It’s Xue Xian!

Clad in armor and wielding a Yanyue Blade, Xue Xian charged forward like a fierce tiger released from its cage, cutting down two people in the troop with a single stroke before they could react.

"Xue Xian! It’s Xue Xian!"

A piercing, terrified scream had just erupted within the troop when it was immediately drowned out by a thunderous roar, as more men and horses followed Xue Xian out of the forest, throwing the water cart’s escort into chaos!

Suddenly, panicked cries arose, echoing throughout Fufeng.

At this moment, Ma Xu, leading at the front, turned back, even more shocked—since leaving the city gates, he had been hoping to encounter Xue Xian’s forces to defeat the enemy and make a name for himself. So, he had been watching the West River case, guarding against anyone rushing over from there. Unexpectedly, Xue Xian’s forces had remained on their side, concealed within the forest.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that the horses under Xue Xian’s men had the muzzles wrapped and their hooves covered with cloth, explaining why, for such a long time, not a hint of sound had come from the forest, even with some subtle movement that was simply thought to be the wind stirring the branches and leaves.

These guys managed to hold out for so long!

But finally encountered them!

With this thought, Ma Xu felt a surge of passion, the blood boiling in his heart as he immediately waved his blade and spurred his horse, ready to charge forward.

As if anticipating his move, Xue Xian swung his blade and struck down a soldier rushing towards him, two streams of blood spurting into the sky, staining his eyes red. Xue Xian roared angrily, driven by the blood-induced ferocity, and brandished the Yanyue Blade, charging towards Ma Xu.

Upon seeing him, Ma Xu’s body suddenly froze.

These days, all he thought about was earning merits to erase past humiliation, completely forgetting how that shame had come about. But now, as soon as he met Xue Xian’s blood-red eyes, the memory seemed to come rushing back.

That day, facing him like this, Xue Xian’s blade had almost knocked him off his horse.

Just like this moment—

Suddenly, the terrifying memory seized his heart like an invisible black hand, rendering Ma Xu’s body stiff, unable to lift the blade in his hand, while Xue Xian was already swinging his bloody Yanyue Blade towards him!