Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 316 The Tragedy of Xihai City

"Come and take a look! This is the latest style, so beautiful! Made of the finest silk, with exquisite workmanship, it makes you look like a fairy!" The owner of a clothing store showed a gorgeous dress to passersby. The bright colors and exquisite embroidery sparkled in the sunlight, attracting many passersby's attention.

Children played and laughed in the streets, chasing colorful kites that soared high in the sky like free spirits. Their laughter echoed in the air like silver bells, full of childlike innocence and joy. Their carefree appearance filled the entire city with a warm atmosphere.

On the city walls, the guards lazily basked in the sun, enjoying the peaceful moment, unaware of the impending crisis. Some chatted, others dozed, oblivious to the dark forces swirling in the woods outside the city, as if it were a matter of another world, none of their concern.

Meanwhile, in the Xihai City Lord's Mansion, Liu Meng and officials were discussing city affairs. Liu Meng sat at the head of the table, dressed in ornate official attire and a hat, his face solemn. His brow furrowed slightly, a feeling that something was unusual about the city lately, though he couldn't quite place it. A hint of worry lingered in his eyes, a strange uneasiness that made him a bit irritable.

Liu Meng was the right-hand man of the former Lord of Xihai City. Ever since Mu Yan was killed by Lin Feng, Liu Meng has been in charge of the work of Xihai City. He also believes that he will become the next Lord of Xihai City, so he has always regarded himself as the Lord of Xihai City.

"How is the current situation of material reserves in the city?" Liu Meng asked the official in charge of logistics. His voice was steady and powerful, with a sense of majesty.

The logistics officer replied respectfully: "Sir Liu, the material reserves are sufficient. Food, weapons and other supplies are enough to deal with various situations. You don't need to worry." His eyes were firm and he was full of confidence in his work.

"Well, strengthen the city defense patrols and don't take it lightly. Although it seems calm at the moment, we can't let our guard down. The world is not peaceful, and we must protect the people of Xihai City." Liu Meng warned, his eyes became sharper, as if he could see through the crisis hidden under the calm appearance.

The officials nodded in agreement, but they did not know that a catastrophe was quietly approaching, and the black-robed men like a black tide were about to break the tranquility of the city.

The black-robed men advanced swiftly toward West Sea City, their footsteps light and swift, silent as ghosts. They weaved through the woods, their black robes rubbing against the branches without making a sound, as if they had merged with the darkness of the forest. When they reached the gates of West Sea City, the leading black-robed leader raised his cane again, signaling everyone to stop. He narrowed his eyes, surveying the bustling city before him, his lips curling up slightly in a cruel smile, one filled with greed and longing for this city.

"This city will soon be under our control." He whispered to himself, his voice full of confidence and evil.

Then, he began to deploy the siege plan. His voice was low and cold, and every word was like an icy knife. "High-level black robes are responsible for breaching the city gates. Your strength is enough to destroy their defenses. Remember, show no mercy. Intermediate black robes, follow me to charge into the city lord's mansion and seize control. We must fight swiftly. Low-level black robes, create chaos in the city, disperse their forces, and plunge the city into fear and chaos."

The black-robed men nodded, their weapons gripped tightly, their eyes gleaming with greed and ferocity. That light was like the flames of hell, threatening to devour West Sea City. With the leader's command, the siege officially began.

An old man in a black robe, like a ghost emerging from a dark abyss, slowly took steps. His figure was hunched, and his robe was loose and worn. As he moved, he was like a fleeting shadow moving through the forest. His cane, made of a dark material unknown, made a dull, thumping sound as it rested on the ground. Each tap felt like a knock on the heart of the silent forest, causing a tense sensation in the heart.

Behind him followed two men, also dressed in black robes. They were burly, their steps steady yet fierce. They held Man Jiawen, one on each side. Man Jiawen's head drooped limply, his face bloodstained, his hair disheveled. His body twitched periodically, evidently suffering severe injuries. He was now twitching between unconsciousness and lucidity. He occasionally let out a few faint moans, but they were quickly swallowed by the dead silence of the forest.

The old man walked with slow, determined steps, his eyes cold and profound, as if nothing in the world could possibly stir him. He walked straight toward Xixuan City, his gaze fixed on the ground, as if carrying some unspoken mission, or perhaps the foreshadowing of a devastating disaster.

After a long time, they finally arrived at the East Gate of Xixuan City. In the past, this place would have been bustling with traffic and pedestrians, a bustling thoroughfare. But now, a scene resembling a purgatory of desolation unfolded before them. The gates stood wide open, and the surroundings were eerily silent. Only dozens of people lay hanging high on the city walls. Their bodies had long since lost all life, their faces as pale as paper, their eyes wide open, staring blankly ahead, as if they had witnessed some horrific sight before their death.

Blood oozed slowly from their wounds, dripping drop by drop, pooling into dark red pools beneath the city walls. The dripping sound was remarkably clear in the deathly silence, as if the god of death were counting down the minutes until life vanished. The wind whistled past, gently swaying the corpses, their clothing and hair fluttering in the breeze, yet it brought no hint of life, only adding to the eerie feeling.

The old man glanced expressionlessly at the tragic scene on the city wall, his eyes devoid of any pity or surprise, as if these were just random objects placed on the roadside, having nothing to do with him. Without pausing, he walked straight through the city gate and headed into the city.

The scene inside the city was even more horrific. The streets were littered with corpses, men, women, young and old. Some bodies remained in the grip of their last breaths, their hands clutching the ground tightly, their nails curled up, as if in a final struggle against death. Others were curled up in a ball, their faces filled with fear and despair, as if they had never come to terms with their sudden fate.