Within Solar City.
The Ye family army was at the city walls, and all reinforcements were blocked. Yet, in this critical juncture, most of the city's populace went about their usual business, with surprisingly little panic.
Why?
Because Solar City, the domain of the Storm Emperor, was mostly inhabited by the wealthy. These people firmly believed their king was divine, even invincible.
The king had said that Ye Zixiao would not attack the city.
The people believed him unconditionally.
As for the large-scale movement of refugees from the East Gate, the news quickly spread into the city. However, the wealthy citizens remained unconcerned, continuing their feasting and revelry, oblivious to the danger.
Ten o'clock in the morning.
The king was still lost in a world of pleasure…
Xiao Sihai and Xiao Santai, the rebel leaders of Long Country, knew Ye Zixiao was a madman. They wanted to urge the king to prepare defenses, but they were blocked at the gate by the king's personal guards.
"I want to see the king."
"Damn it, report quickly."
Xiao Santai and Xiao Sihai shouted.
"Shut up!"
The captain of the personal guards sneered and stepped forward, pointing at Xiao Santai and Xiao Sihai. "What do you think you are? How dare you disturb the king? Get lost, or I'll shoot you."
"What the hell did you say?"
"Damn it, are you crazy?"
"We are envoys."
"Move aside, let us in."
Xiao Santai and Xiao Sihai refused to retreat.
These two brothers were in a difficult situation. Allied nations would not shelter them, so they could only lead their remaining twenty thousand loyal troops to live as guests in Sunset Country. But they didn't want to wait for death!
If Ye Zixiao attacked.
These two brothers would surely perish.
"Damn it, what envoys are you? You are traitors to Long Country. Get out of here now, or I'll really shoot you. Get out..."
The captain of the personal guards roared.
"I want to see the king."
"Let us in."
The Xiao brothers still refused to retreat.
"Beat them."
The captain of the personal guards actually gave the order.
Over twenty of the king's personal guards rushed forward like rabid dogs, knocking the Xiao brothers to the ground and brutally beating them with their rifle butts.
At first.
The Xiao brothers tried to resist.
But soon, they realized that with their strength, they were no match for these guards. The king's guards were all experts, and if they angered them, they could be killed!
"Stop hitting!"
"I was wrong!"
The two traitors cried out in surrender.
Question: How does a goose honk?
"Come... come... come..."
After the Xiao brothers had been beaten for five minutes, the personal guards were stopped by the suddenly appearing Imperial Tutor. Hei Mang, clad in a black robe and wearing a black cloak, approached with a smile.
"Imperial Tutor, save us."
"Imperial Tutor, hurry and defend!"
"Ye Zixiao will really attack the city."
"He's a madman, a madman!"
Upon seeing the Imperial Tutor, the Xiao brothers felt they had grasped a lifeline. They grabbed the Imperial Tutor's robe and clamored, hoping the Imperial Tutor wouldn't be foolish and would persuade the king to take action.
"Generals, there is no need to panic."
Hei Mang, from beneath his black robe, spoke mysteriously. "I have a suggestion: you take your twenty thousand troops to guard outside the East Gate. This way, Ye Zixiao will not open fire."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you take us for fools?"
"We are Ye Zixiao's enemies!"
"Imperial Tutor, stop playing games!"
Xiao Santai and Xiao Sihai were going mad.
"Hahaha!"
Hei Mang burst into laughter and explained, "Why did the refugees move back? It must be Ye Zixiao's strategy. He doesn't kill our Sunset Country's refugees, so would he kill your Long Country's soldiers?"
"Hmm?"
"That makes sense!"
"We are all from Long Country!"
"Yes, our own people don't attack our own people."
Xiao Santai and Xiao Sihai were muddled into being brainwashed by the Imperial Tutor. Their thinking became dim-witted. They actually believed the Imperial Tutor's words and intended to go and take up their posts.
"Generals, go with confidence. If Ye Zixiao dares to open fire, I will send Lin Qingzhu over. With Lin Qingzhu in your hands, aren't you afraid Ye Zixiao won't surrender?"
The Imperial Tutor added this final piece of brainwashing.
"Good!"
"Hahaha, brilliant!"
Xiao Santai and Xiao Sihai were completely convinced.
In the king's chambers.
The Storm Emperor cursed loudly, kicking two women out of his chambers. He yelled at a servant, "These two women are too small. Damn it, go find me some bigger ones."
"Your esteemed Majesty, it's not even noon yet. You should cherish your noble body!"
The old servant knelt and advised.
"Go to hell!"
The Storm Emperor kicked the old servant away with a sudden force and roared, "I'm in a bad mood and need to vent. Go find two more, the biggest ones, very, very big ones..."
Ten-thirty in the morning!
Our army's command center.
The planned firing time had been delayed by half an hour. But the good news was that the over one million refugees outside the East Gate of Solar City had moved back ten kilometers.
"Prepare to fire!"
Zheng Tianhong ordered loudly.
"Here, have a smoke."
At the tea table nearby, Ye Zixiao, with his legs crossed, beckoned Leng Shao and Shan Ge closer, handing them each a cigarette. This was considered a reward for their successful operation.
"Thank you, Brother!"
"Thank you, Brother!"
Leng Shao and Shan Ge shouted loudly.
To highlight their close relationship with Ye Zixiao, they called him "Brother" instead of "Commander" in front of the other officers. Of course, for a madman, this was perfectly reasonable.
"Hahaha, you're welcome!"
Ye Zixiao accepted with pleasure.
"Report—"
A reconnaissance company commander rushed into the command center.
"What's the situation?"
Zheng Tianhong immediately asked loudly.
"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, the refugees have indeed retreated, but the outermost front line of the Sunset Country's city defense has suddenly been reinforced by another twenty thousand troops. It has been confirmed that these are the remnant rebel forces of the Xiao family, fleeing from defeat."
"What?"
Zheng Tianhong was stunned after hearing this.
"What's the situation?"
"Why am I so confused?"
"This is too bizarre!"
All the officers in the room were extremely surprised. No one could understand why, just as their army was about to open fire, the last two deserters of the Xiao family had charged to the very front.
Were they imbeciles?
Were they seeking death?
"Commander-in-Chief, what do you think?"
Zheng Tianhong sought Ye Zixiao's opinion.
"Hahaha, I'll take a look with my binoculars."
Ye Zixiao laughed and stood up, saying loudly, "I don't care why. Since they've come out to die, let's fulfill their wish. Old Zheng, I think we can open fire now."
"Those are Long Country soldiers?"
"No, rebels, they all deserve to die."
"Really open fire?"
"Must open fire!"
Ye Zixiao had given the order.
"Good!"
Zheng Tianhong grabbed the communication equipment, spat out his cigarette butt, and roared, "All artillery units, free fire! Bombard the rebels, bombard Solar City!"
Less than a minute after the order was given.
Smoke billowed from our army's positions.
Multiple artillery brigades and a rocket brigade launched their bombardment almost simultaneously. Countless shells and rockets soared into the sky, igniting the entire sky with crimson and yellow flames.
Dense shells.
Fell like a torrential rain.
Deafening and earth-shattering!
Before the shells even reached their targets, Ye Zixiao had already ascended the military observation tower. With a cigarette in his mouth and his hands behind his back, he murmured, "Even if it's just for you, I will attack Solar City!"
At this moment.
Ye Zixiao's eyes turned red!
He was genuinely worried about Lin Qingzhu!
He could finally open fire...