Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 1038 - 647: Showdown

Chapter 1038: Chapter 647: Showdown

Nine tolls of the bell?

Gazing up at the ripples spreading across the City Defense Canopy, a trace of hesitation flickered in Xu Yuan’s contemplative eyes.

At the Dayan Border, encountering enemies and determining the number of bell tolls were governed by strict legal conventions.

Three tolls indicated a small-scale enemy attack, six tolls called for full-city alert, while nine tolls signified an army’s approach. Yet, for high-level cultivators attacking the city, according to the regulations, it should have only been seven tolls...

"Third Young Master, I must ask you to immediately accompany me to the Government Office."

As Xu Yuan pondered, Sizi Jing’s voice suddenly rang out from the side. Unbeknownst to him, the Black Scale Guards’ Beijing Command’s Director had already departed the tavern, now staring at him with a stern expression:

"Zhenxi Prefecture City has now transitioned to being a rear settlement. A sudden assault on the city will undoubtedly trigger a series of disruptions."

Xu Yuan slightly furrowed his brow, casting a glance at the deserted streets:

"Hasn’t the entirety of the city already been placed under military control?"

Under Zhenxi Army’s coordination, most of the streets leading to the tavern had been cleared.

Sizi Jing’s response was swift:

"Insufficient. Time is insufficient; they arrived too abruptly. Even with enforced military intervention, half a day is only enough to evacuate the lower strata of commoners. There’s simply no time for more, let alone addressing the fact that Zhenxi Prefecture City nominally falls under the Commandery Princess. Within its bounds lie sect spies and countless fence-sitters."

Pausing briefly, Sizi Jing’s voice took on a note of urgency:

"You’ve already revealed your identity. At this time of utmost chaos, someone might plot harm against you."

"..."

Xu Yuan was naturally mindful of the fact that someone might harbor ill intentions toward him.

After all, in the eyes of certain people, Li Junwu and Jia Yi together couldn’t hold the same importance as Xu Yuan alone. Wandering the city unaccompanied wasn’t so much carelessness as it was a fishing expedition.

For the sect’s side, it wasn’t feasible to dispatch powerful assassins to infiltrate the already locked-down Zhenxi Prefecture City. Any such attempt would necessitate utilizing senior spies embedded within Zhenxi Army.

If they dared to execute an assassination, then let Tian Ye handle them swiftly.

Yet, as he looked at the stern-faced, soft-spoken man before him, Xu Yuan recognized that continuing to bait others carried risks that were fast spiraling beyond control.

After all,

the City Defense Heavy Equipment capable of grievously wounding or outright killing Mortal Transcendence-level beings had already been activated.

Even with Tian Ye’s protection by his side, taking a direct hit was far from a safe prospect.

His thoughts reached this juncture as Xu Yuan gazed toward the towering walls in the distance and uttered a single word:

"Go."

As the word fell,

Sizi Jing bowed respectfully, guiding Xu Yuan toward the Government Office—now the safest haven in Zhenxi Prefecture City...

...

...

...

The striking bell disrupted the city’s commoners, unsettled the noble clans, but failed to disturb the sentinels stationed atop the city walls.

The Second Town of Zhenxi Army was far from a mere rear-guard unit. These troops were elite forces rotating back from the frontline at Southern Desert Metropolitan Mansion for rest.

In the distance, upon the horizon, a monstrous plume of smoke loomed, like an ancient beast bearing down on Zhenxi Prefecture City.

Despite this, many seasoned veterans among the soldiers atop the walls carried on exchanging jokes.

"Old Liu, didn’t they say the attackers are high-level cultivators? Why did the Government Office sound nine tolls of the bell?"

A garrison general, curling his gauntleted fingers against the parapet, asked in puzzlement: "Judging by the smoke and dust, this doesn’t resemble high-rank cultivators at all; it’s more akin to a beast tide."

Xize State’s territory stretched narrow; bordered by the Great Desert to the north and Wanxing Mountain Range to the south. Zhenxi Army’s enemies weren’t limited to Tatar Chao alone. During critical military crises, forces could be reassigned southward toward the Wanxing Mountain Range, contributing to the battles at Ancient Abyss. Meanwhile, patrols in the Great Desert often encountered threats like wolf packs or insect tides.

Beside the garrison general, General Liu focused through the City Defense Canopy on the endless engulfing wave of smoke in the distance, his tone marked by solemnity:

"Clear skies allow the Great Formation to detect threats within a hundred-mile radius. Nine bells undoubtedly confirm a beast tide; likely lured by those Saints."

The garrison general stroked his chin lightly, laughing:

"Well, that’s good. If only Saints attacked, the merit would have little to do with us rank-and-file soldiers. But now with demonic beasts involved, there might be a little leeway."

General Liu’s expression visibly darkened as he whispered:

"Li Mazi, are you truly unafraid of death? Do you even understand what a Saint represents?"

Without hesitation, the garrison general responded:

"Didn’t the higher-ups say our side also has Saints assisting? If it breaks out into battle, we’ll just focus on cultivating."

"You’re really too naive..."

"How am I naive now?"

"Use your brain properly. We’re all aware of the power of Military Formations and City Defense Arrays. Do you think those Saints don’t know too? If the enemy dares come, then they surely have a way to breach the city!"

"Oh."

"Oh?!"

General Liu gripped his waist knife with frustration: "What kind of reaction is ’oh’?! Stop being so carefree!"

"Why get worked up? Everyone knows you’re quick-witted, but it’s best to slow your head down on the battlefield."

Li Mazi grinned, then abruptly sobered, speaking with pointed meaning: "Just consider the previous remarks swept aside; you must be aware of the consequences for sowing discord in the ranks during wartime."

"..." General Liu fell silent.

Li Mazi retrieved a token from his waist, briefly activating it. He patted his friend lightly, speaking in a low voice:

"The authority for activating the City Defense Array has been delegated..."

Before finishing his sentence, Li Mazi’s expression froze abruptly. Ignoring General Liu, he leapt straight to the giant ballista mounted atop the battlements.

Witnessing this, General Liu instinctively opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately chose to turn away, sighing gently as he moved back toward his own defensive zone.