NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Siege.
5th Month of 49 AT
The heat of early summer had started to set in inside the northern forest of the Lengyan Kingdom. Due to its proximity to the sea, the retreat palace was situated on a small hill within the forest, facing the tumultuous waters. Years of neglect had allowed the forest to reclaim the ruins; invasive vines had almost completely covered the outer walls, making them blend into the surrounding wilderness.
Lan Wei stood at a distance of four kilometers on the peak of another hill, gathering intelligence on the ruins.
Chen Yi said, "This is the third rotation. The guards are always the same number—twenty-two in total, with sixty-six on duty in shifts. There are probably another forty inside. Judging by their activity, all of them are combatants. Good thing there don't seem to be any extremely powerful opponents for us."
Lan Wei asked, "What do you think? A night raid?"
Chen Yi shook his head. "No, we should attack now. A scavenger party is leaving in an hour, and the night guards will be tired. We could have had a greater chance if we had informed the local nobles for reinforcements."
Lan Wei frowned. "They've been here for almost a decade. They couldn't have taken root without support from the local nobles. One or two of them must have been backing these bandits all these years. Better not to take chances. They may be combatants, but they're not skilled ones. The boys have also been lacking discipline recently—this will be a good reminder for them."
Chen Yi nodded. "Will you take the front or the back?"
"Back. I need the twins and two more if you can spare them."
Chen Yi thought for a moment. "Take Wang and the rookie. I'll draw them to the front and breach after four minutes of contact. Is that good enough for you?"
Lan Wei nodded. "Be careful. Don't lose more than three or four people—we'll need them when returning."
Chen Yi sighed. "I'll do what I can, but I can't promise. Some of the boys are reckless. You see that large oak tree on the far left of the ruins, next to the small clearing? Nearly half of it is unseen by the guards. When we're in position to attack, I'll send an arrow into its lower trunk so that only your group can see it. After it lands, we'll attack in one minute. That way, we won't need to waste a communication talisman."
Lan Wei smiled. "Always the cheapskate. Sure, that's fine. See the remains of the small carved tower at the base of the wall? There's a good climbing spot there for one or two of your boys to enter if you need easier access."
Chen Yi shook his head and smiled. "No need. We're good here, right?"
Lan Wei nodded and moved back from their concealed position to the small campsite at the base of the hill, near a small stream. Close to fifteen people rested there, most reading parchments about cultivation, history, or even trade. Another five scouted the periphery. Seeing Lan Wei and Chen Yi return, they stood up and bowed to Lan Wei before turning their attention to Chen Yi.
Chen Yi nodded and began assigning people. After explaining the plan, they recalled the scouts and shared one last meal before battle. The food consisted of monster meat and dried healing herbs used as condiments, providing a small temporary boost to passive healing and Qi regeneration. It was expensive—ten kilograms of beast meat and half a kilogram of dried herbs and spices. The cost alone was equivalent to four months of an outer disciple's allowance. But the potential loot from a bandit camp this large was twenty to fifty times that price.
Lan Wei took the twins, Wang, and the rookie with him. The twins were Ice and Fire Daoists, both eighteen and at Rank 2, second stage. When fighting together, they could hold their ground against a Rank 2, fourth-stage opponent. Wang, a Wood Dao cultivator at Rank 2, third stage, was among their best fighters, having grown up in harsh conditions. The rookie was a spear Daoist from a minor noble house that once had a Rank 4 cultivator. He was sixteen, at Rank 1, peak stage, and considered a great talent among the newcomers.
Moving in silence, they reached the base of the hill where the ruins lay after an hour of covert movement. They had approached from the back, while Chen Yi's group took the front near the entrance. Spotting the oak tree, Lan Wei waited four minutes, accounting for the larger party's slower pace. When the arrow hit the trunk, he returned to his team and signaled them to be ready in forty seconds.
The yelling at the front gate soon began, marking the attack. In twenty seconds, Lan Wei's team reached the walls. Wang, using his wood arrows, took out five archers on the back wall without alerting the front. Then, using wood manipulation, he shaped the vines at the wall's base into a small platform reaching halfway up the twenty-meter structure. Lan Wei was the first to jump, swiftly reaching the top. From there, he observed the inside of the ruins—what had once been a clearing was now a makeshift village of bamboo houses, built haphazardly over the last decade.
About forty bandits scaled the walls to defend against the front attack, most unaware of the situation. Only a few experienced fighters tried organizing them. None were his targets—they were all Rank 1 cultivators, most below the fifth or sixth stage. Only two outside stood at the eighth and ninth stages.
In four seconds, the rest of his group joined him. Lan Wei signaled toward a nearby staircase and started moving at a silent jog. In his hand was a Rank 2 magical sword that, when infused with Qi, could release sword Qi up to twenty meters away. The sword was highly coveted due to its enchantment and materials—dark steel and lesser sea serpent bones, crafted by a Rank 2 smith. Its value was close to a common Rank 3 magical weapon. Lan Wei had received it as a gift from a king for saving the elder king from an assassin. Ironically, that king died a year later to another assassin.
They descended to the main clearing, where most bandits were still climbing the walls. In less than a minute, fifteen had already died. Lan Wei spotted the palace's back entrance and rushed inside with his team, smashing through the door. Two Rank 1, peak-stage cultivators inside were issuing orders. Before they could react, Lan Wei's sword Qi cut them down instantly. The twins eliminated the high-stage Rank 1 cultivators, while Wang and the rookie handled the rest.
Upstairs, eight rooms housed sixteen enemies. By the time Lan Wei finished clearing two rooms, his team secured the rest. The third floor had six bandits planning an ambush at the stair entrance, but the fire twin, guided by Wang's vines, burned through the floor beneath them, ending the threat.
After cleaning the top of the structure, they returned to the main floor, where they found that the rest of the ruin's defenses had begun to crumble under the relentless assault of their followers. Lan Wei immediately turned his attention to the floor inside the large chamber, meticulously searching every corner. Within a minute, he discovered the entrance to the lower levels, hidden behind a small illusion array. Cracking it was not difficult; the person who had set it up was not particularly talented.
He entered the narrow passage, carefully checking for traps. After descending more than 100 meters, he emerged into a small clearing filled with dungeon cells. The chamber, though ancient, had been recently reinforced with magic for stability. However, the Earth Daoist responsible for the excavation had done a poor job; clumps of damp earth covered the once-polished marble floors, and several cells had caved in, likely abandoned rather than reinforced to avoid unnecessary costs. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and mildew, and faint traces of old blood lingered in the cracks of the floor.
Following a single corridor, he came upon a small, magically constructed vine bridge spanning a narrow chasm. Wang took the lead, testing the bridge for stability before signaling the others to cross. As they proceeded, they passed between two grand black marble demon statues, inlaid with golden veins that shimmered eerily under the dim magical lighting. The craftsmanship was exquisite, almost mesmerizing in its detail.
Beyond the corridor, after another 200 meters, they arrived at a grand ritual hall. In the center stood a cultivator with a single eye, his scarred body adorned with battle-worn armor. He wore a second-rank magical breastplate and wielded a second-rank magical saber. Near him stood two Rank 2 second-stage cultivators and one Rank 2 first-stage cultivator. There were no words exchanged—only silence. The bandit leader, a Rank 2 sixth-stage cultivator, simply stepped aside from his ranks in calm, measured movements, inviting Lan Wei to do the same. Without hesitation, Lan Wei accepted, leaving the others to engage in battle.
After they stepped aside, the bandit leader spoke. "May I have your name, young man?"
Lan Wei gestured with a smirk. "Elders have priority. I will follow your lead."
Amused, the bandit leader replied, "I am Zhao Lengyan, grandson of the Tyrant."
Lan Wei raised an eyebrow. He had no knowledge of the Tyrant's appearance and could not compare the man before him to the infamous figure. Nevertheless, he introduced himself. "I am Lan Wei of the Everlasting War Sect."
Zhao Lengyan nodded, his expression darkening slightly. "Your sect leader, two generations ago, was a demonic cultivator who fled from my grandfather's kingdom. Forgive me if I seem less than fond of you."
Lan Wei smiled coldly. "I don't mind at all. Lesser men need all the courage and incentive they can muster to face me. Fill your lungs with righteousness if it helps."
The words were enough. Zhao Lengyan stopped talking and suddenly closed the distance, using a movement technique. Instead of retreating, Lan Wei mirrored his approach, and they clashed in the grand hall's right corner.
Zhao Lengyan fought with aggressive precision, pouring his full strength into each strike. He knew that in a prolonged fight, he stood little chance against the younger and higher-ranked Lan Wei. Each slash of his saber carried the full might of a peak sixth-stage cultivator, his blade an instrument of pure wrath. Lan Wei, in contrast, remained calm. He had always approached combat with a steady mind, rarely angered even in moments of life and death.
Zhao Lengyan began feinting toward Lan Wei's left side. As their weapons clashed, the tide of battle shifted. After several exchanges, Zhao Lengyan suddenly threw a powerful kick toward Lan Wei's leading right leg. The strike connected, nearly breaking Lan Wei's shin. However, the impact also caused similar damage to Zhao Lengyan himself. Both combatants recoiled, each withdrawing momentarily.
Seeing an opening, Zhao Lengyan desperately slashed at Lan Wei's wounded leg. The saber connected, cutting through a quarter of his shin. Seizing the momentum, Zhao Lengyan extended his attack in an attempt to sever the other leg—a critical mistake. As he overcommitted to his swing, Lan Wei countered, slicing cleanly through his opponent's arm just above the elbow. The severed limb flew five meters across the chamber, Zhao Lengyan's one good eye widening in shock as he instinctively followed its trajectory.
Before Lan Wei could finish him off, Zhao Lengyan, with his non-dominant hand, retrieved a first-rank magical dagger hidden beneath his robes. Pouring all his remaining Qi into the weapon, he thrust it toward Lan Wei's stomach. Lan Wei sidestepped, but his wounded leg slowed him. The dagger struck true, cutting a deep, five-centimeter wound just above his abdomen.
Gritting his teeth, Lan Wei retaliated. With a single fluid motion, he severed Zhao Lengyan's head from his shoulders. The blade cut cleanly, feeling no resistance. As his opponent's body crumpled to the ground, Lan Wei inspected his own wound. He retrieved a second-tier healing pill, swallowing it along with an anti-poison pill. Within seconds, the medicine took effect, sealing his wounds and accelerating his recovery.
Turning his gaze toward the battlefield, he saw that the twins were lightly injured while the rookie kept the Rank 2 cultivator at bay with his spear. Wang was still locked in a standstill with his opponent. Taking a steadying breath, Lan Wei rushed forward, assisting the rookie. Within ten seconds, he had slain the enemy. Rest were history with 2 of them free in combat killing the rest.
With their victory secured, he ordered the others to return to the surface and assist their comrades. He then turned his attention to the ritual chamber, where he discovered a mechanical contraption requiring a key. Searching Zhao Lengyan's corpse, he found it hidden inside a small enchanted cloth imbued with an illusion spell. Satisfied, he put it away and waited for the rest of the group to arrive.
A minute later, hurried footsteps echoed through the chamber. The rookie peeked inside and yelled, "He's still in here!"
Fang Jun entered next, flanked by his followers. In his hand, he held the severed head of Chen Yi, which he tossed onto the floor before Lan Wei. Smirking, he said, "How have you been, old friend? Don't look so happy to see me—it's embarrassing in front of all these people."
Lan Wei's gaze turned icy. Fury burned within him, but his face remained expressionless. Without hesitation, he reached into his enchanted bag and withdrew twenty second-rank explosive talismans—a small fortune in paper. He had stolen them from a third-rank inscribing elder who hadn't even noticed their absence for an entire year, instead blaming another for their disappearance.
Activating them all at once, he hurled them at Fang Jun. Recognizing the danger, Fang Jun instantly activated a third-rank protection talisman given to him by his father. It held for barely a second before shattering under the immense force of the explosions. The impact was so severe that even the reinforced ceiling began to collapse, its enchantments destroyed. The redirected shockwave struck Lan Wei, rupturing his internal organs and severely damaging his foundation.
Despite the agony, he forced himself to remain conscious. Summoning his last reserves of strength, he rushed toward the unconscious and burning Fang Jun. However, the rookie intervened, thrusting his spear with precision. From eight meters away, the spear Qi pierced Lan Wei's right shoulder. Without hesitation, the rookie grabbed Fang Jun and, along with the surviving cultivators, dragged him from the collapsing ruins, leaving Lan Wei bleeding on the ground, his vision darkening as the dust and debris waiting to swallow him whole.