I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse
Chapter 974: Facing Death with Equanimity

Chapter 974: Chapter 974: Facing Death with Equanimity

You then stood up tall and turned around to leave the city tower, stepping onto the city wall once again. Wu Zhao had been following behind you all along, but for some unknown reason, she constantly felt an unsettling nervousness lingering in her heart, unable to dispel it no matter what.

"Zhao’er, do you think Li Xin will fall for it?" you asked, slightly furrowing your brows as you gazed at the densely arranged Qin troops ahead.

Without hesitation, Wu Zhao replied, "No."

"Oh, why?"

It was as if you had already guessed Wu Zhao’s response, so you did not appear too surprised.

"After these two days of confrontation, I think you have somewhat understood Li Xin. He is meticulous and seeks stability in his progress. Just based on the current situation, if you wish to lure him into Pingliang City, I’m afraid it will take quite some effort."

You nodded, your face showing a bitter smile as you said, "It seems I still underestimated Qin’s renowned generals."

"My lord, why don’t we protect the civilians and retreat together? After that, we can burn down Pingliang City."

Wu Zhao’s suggestion was not a bad strategy, but you were clearly somewhat reluctant.

You thought for a moment and shook your head, "No, this Li Xin must die, otherwise the border will never see a peaceful day. Once the Qin people have no generals to deploy, the Tang border will be secure for a century."

You were quite familiar with the current Three Kingdoms situation and knew very well that with the current strength of Tang, at most you could only expel the invaders, Qin and Han, from Tang’s territory, and even entering their borders was wishful thinking. Therefore, what you needed to do now was to eliminate Qin’s generals as much as possible. The saying, ’It is easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general,’ was indeed true.

Wu Zhao knew your temper; once you decided on something, no one could change it. She could only nod her head and her face then showed a determined look. Wu Zhao knew that even if it meant dying, she wanted to die alongside you.

"In heaven, we would wish to be birds of a feather; on earth, we would wish to be branches of the same tree."

This was a phrase you had composed for Wu Zhao some nights ago when you were bored, and it had deeply moved her. Wu Zhao was very clear that she could never leave you in this lifetime; even in death, she wanted to join you in the afterlife to be husband and wife again.

"Zhao’er, have Chang Zhi and the others get ready. I’m going to rest for a moment. Once the civilians have evacuated the city, I will meet with Li Xin and lure him into the city."

"Mm, my lord, please be extremely careful." Wu Zhao didn’t say much; she knew that you understood her heart.

You then sat alone in meditation atop an arrow tower, taking the opportunity to absorb the surrounding Original True Qi. Although you had accumulated some over a period, the third layer of the ’Shocking Sect’ was still very distant. You felt like you were slowly walking on a path, feeling both urgent and helpless in your heart. You knew very well that cultivation was something that had to progress gradually, as all powerful beings start from a weaker state.

You didn’t know how much time had passed when you were awakened by the sound of war drums from the Qin Army. You opened your eyes to find that the Qin troops had once again assembled and were preparing to attack.

You floated down from the arrow tower, and on the city wall beside you, two thousand Tang soldiers stood. These men had been specifically left for you by Pei Lin. Pei Lin knew very well that just the numbers of the Death Squad would not escape Li Xin’s notice, so he had selected two thousand men from the army to form a suicide squad.

From these two thousand men, you deeply experienced the true mettle of Tang’s sons. Everyone was no fool; they were very clear about their fate, yet they still did not hesitate. Initially, when it was announced that two thousand men were needed to cover the civilian evacuation, more than ten thousand soldiers under Pei Lin had volunteered to stay. Not a single one shrank back; you watched with teary eyes, as Pei Lin literally kicked and punched to pick out those two thousand.

At that moment, the Qin Army had already begun to advance. You even felt that Li Xin’s troops seemed to have increased since earlier, perhaps they had received reinforcements during the night.

Looking at the densely packed black troops, listening to the thunderous sound of war drums, not a single soldier of the Great Tang Army showed any signs of fear. Each of them stood tall, polishing their Tang Knives and caressing the Longbows on their backs, their expressions resolute, regarding death as a return home.

Brave men of the Tang Dynasty, well done!

"Beacons of war rise, looking north over the rivers and mountains; dragons ascend as horses neigh long, Sword Qi frost-like... With a hatred that craves madness, the long knife directs, how many loyal souls are buried in foreign lands; why spare a hundred deaths in service of our homeland, withholding sighs, beyond words, tears filling our eyes... I wish to defend our land and expand our borders; the mighty Tang Dynasty, let all directions come and celebrate!"

Once again, the military song of the Tang Dynasty rang out loud atop the tower. Despite knowing that death was imminent, the more than two thousand soldiers of the Tang still remained passionately spirited. No sign of timidity could be seen in their eyes, only steadfastness and determination for their home, their loved ones, and their country.

"Zhao’er, you and the Death Squad hold the city gates, do not engage recklessly. Once the city gates are breached, lead the soldiers to retreat while fighting!"

Saying this, you once again took up the Immovable Dragon Pole and leapt down from the tower, rushing towards the Qin Kingdom’s army that swept in like a tide.

Wu Zhao nodded slightly, a trace of relieved smile also appearing on his face. Wu Zhao knew that when you uttered those words, it meant you had changed your mind.

Although he had not spent much time with you, Wu Zhao understood your temperament quite well already. Your recent words had already informed Wu Zhao that these more than two thousand Death Soldiers did not have to face death gallantly; their task was only to lure the Qin Army into the city, and then they could retreat from Pingliang City with you. Even if they could not burn Li Xin to death in Pingliang City, it was of no importance.

Because, at this moment, you seemed to have realized something—the lives of these two thousand soldiers far outweighed the value of Li Xin. Li Xin’s life might be valuable, but how could a single Li Xin compare to the lives of two thousand living people of the Tang Dynasty?

Once you entered the battlefield, you launched a fierce attack on the Qin Army before you.

If the densely packed Qin Army could be compared to grains of millet, then the Immovable Dragon Pole was like a broom sweeping the millet!

However, the Immovable Dragon Pole, although formidable, still required a great deal of Original True Qi to support it. Soon, you began to show signs of weakening, since your strength was truly too meager now.

At this time, you were less than a few meters from the city walls, and by now, many Qin Soldiers had already climbed onto the walls.

You noticed that Wu Zhao had already begun to lead the soldiers in retreat. Seeing this, you too leapt high up, sweeping a large number of Qin Soldiers off the wall as you jumped onto it.

Under the leadership of Wu Zhao and others, the Tang Army’s retreat was very successful. Although it appeared they were resisting stubbornly, in reality, not many people got injured. Moreover, these people were evacuating in all directions, seemingly chaotic but actually very organized.

Basically, each batch of Tang Army was led by a member of the Death Squad. Fighting while retreating, they quickly headed towards the central area of the city.

The city gate was broken, and you saw that Li Xin, that fellow, leading a large cavalry, charging straight in toward you. Your men had already taken countless lives of the Qin Soldiers, and Li Xin had seen it all, one could say he hated you to the bone.

You quickly led Luo Xin’s large troops all the way to the city center, where you had already prepared a grave for Li Xin. Right there in the central square, standing a stone monument bearing the words: "Here Lies Li Xin!"

"Who are you?"