Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1423: So Ashamed I Want to Crawl Into a Hole

In contrast, they now fully grasped the wisdom behind He Qingwei and Yan Yuchu’s earlier strategies, recognizing their own good fortune in aligning with Han Yan.

"Do you still believe following the Young Master is ill-fated? If you wish to depart, you may do so now," Mu Renda inquired softly of Mu Chengqi.

Mu Chengqi's face flushed a deep crimson, a desperate urge to vanish into the earth consuming him.

"Feeling apprehensive now, are we? I wager your journey here was entirely devoid of any significant Exotic Beast encounters," Dan Tai Xuan quipped, a smirk playing on his lips as he observed their awkward demeanor, assuming their travel had been uneventful.

Yet, a flicker of annoyance stirred within him; why did others seem blessed with smooth passages while his own path was beset by danger, as if he had forgotten to consult the heavens before venturing forth onto such a perilous route.

"Lord Tantai, merely a few hours past Beiguan Town, we found ourselves assailed by thousands of Exotic Beasts under the cloak of night. And do you know the mightiest among them?" He Qingzong, now utterly devoted to Han Yan and sensing Dan Tai Xuan’s disrespect, could not resist a grin as he posed his question, a sense of shared loyalty binding him.

"What manner of Exotic Beast?" Dan Tai Xuan prompted.

"A Red Cloud Gold Armored Elephant," He Qingzong declared with evident pride.

"What, a Red Cloud Gold Armored Elephant? Impossible!" This revelation stunned not only Dan Tai Xuan but also the disciples from the Changsun and Mo families, drawing forth expressions of utter disbelief from all attending aristocratic clans.

Having faced numerous battles against Exotic Beasts themselves on their travels, they possessed a clear understanding of the defensive advantages afforded by city fortifications. As long as the gates held firm and the walls stood unbreached, even individuals of moderate prowess could repel hundreds. However, the most formidable adversaries were creatures like the Red Cloud Golden Armored Beast, possessing innate divine strength capable of inflicting immense devastation upon a city, coupled with exceptionally robust defenses. Faced with such destructive might, the defending forces were rendered utterly helpless.

The notion that Han Yan and his companions had encountered such a beast, yet managed to retreat without a single casualty and emerge unscathed, was simply beyond comprehension.

"Why would we fabricate such a tale? I assure you, the Young Master not only drove them back, but also..." Though the prior accomplishments held no direct bearing on them, He Qingzong, as one of Han Yan’s subordinates, felt a surge of pride at their skepticism, wanting to continue.

Before he could utter another word, the mournful blast of a horn echoed on the mountain breeze, faintly interwoven with the clamor of ongoing conflict.

The sound, emanating from miles away, would likely have been lost were it not for the wind carrying it.

Consulting the map confirmed they were still a significant distance from Lu’an City, indicating that a fierce engagement was indeed unfolding within its walls.

"Swiftly, proceed to Lu’an City at once!" Han Yan issued a decisive order to He Qingzong and his contingent. Despite the abrupt interruption to He Qingzong's story, leaving a lingering sense of incompletion, the command was swiftly obeyed as they organized their forces to hasten towards Lu’an City.

Dan Tai Xuan and the others also expedited their departure; the outcome of Lu’an City’s defense bore heavily not only on Dan Tai Xuan's standing within the Holy Court but also on the rankings of the various aristocratic families, compelling them to prevent Han Yan from gaining any undue advantage.

In any case, they remained unconvinced by He Qingzong's account, dismissing any mention of Han Yan’s involvement as inconsequential to their own efforts.

The remaining miles through the mountainous terrain proved more arduous, yet everyone pushed forward with utmost speed. Before long, a formidable city emerged into view.

This was Lu’an City, the crucial bastion on Anyun’s southwestern frontier.

At this moment, war banners unfurled atop the ramparts, and the blare of horns signaled that Exotic Beasts had already breached the city's defenses. Approximately two to three thousand soldiers were locked in a desperate struggle against a comparable number of monstrous creatures.

The ground below the city lay strewn with the fallen, both human and beast alike. Even from their vantage point at the foot of the hills, the pungent odor of blood hung heavy in the air.

It appeared the battle was drawing to a close, the recent horn blast serving as a call to arms for the final, desperate stand.

Upon the open ground before the city gates, the human soldiers valiantly defended the pathways into the city’s heart, preventing the relentless advance of the invading Exotic Beasts.

However, despite their commendable skills and the sturdy armor they wore, it was clearly insufficient protection against the Exotic Beasts, who possessed naturally formidable defenses and boundless vitality.

Under the relentless onslaught of the Exotic Beasts, the human soldiers were falling in droves, their formation beginning to crumble, seemingly on the brink of collapse.

Han Yan remained unaware of the city's internal state, but the sheer number of fallen bodies outside Lu’an City suggested that most of the capable fighters had already perished. Those remaining were likely the aged, infirm, and weak. If this dire situation persisted, Lu’an City was on course to fall within the hour.

"Charge!" Han Yan was the first to make a dash for Lu’an City, with Huayue and Zhang Chihua steadfastly at his side. He Qingzong and Yan Yi, their faith in Han Yan now absolute, expertly guided the members of the various aristocratic families in close pursuit, without a moment's hesitation.

Dan Tai Xuan and the formidable young elites from the other Five Great Families were also stirred to action, unleashing their offensive simultaneously.

Despite the brutal combat raging within the city walls, they recognized that both the human defenders and the Exotic Beasts had reached their absolute limits. Although they themselves had recently engaged in a battle, they had promptly consumed Elixirs, leaving them largely recovered. Facing these exhausted Exotic Beasts, they believed success was assured. This presented a golden chance to accrue merit and achievements – allowing Han Yan’s contingent to seize the initiative was simply not an option.

Lu’an City boasted a total of four gates. Two of these had been completely sealed since the Exotic Beasts' initial assault, leaving only the one facing the Longyan Mountains and another facing Anyun Country accessible.

As they observed the dust billowing in the distance, coalescing into a surging wave, some of the wounded soldiers guarding the gate were initially startled. However, upon realizing it was friendly swordsmen and not the monstrous Exotic Beasts, and recognizing the banners flying above, they erupted in cheers and promptly swung the gate wide open.

Word had already reached them of reinforcements dispatched by the Eight Great Families from the Capital, a sight they had prayed for day and night, and which now arrived at the most critical juncture.

Han Yan and his contingent wasted no precious seconds on discourse. Once inside the city, they pressed onward, heading directly for another gate.

In the open expanse before this alternative gate, the earth was already deeply saturated with a vivid crimson hue from the spilled blood.

The cacophony of battle echoed relentlessly, akin to a tempest. The Exotic Beasts' defenses proved so unyielding that even a War Sword meticulously forged from Refined Steel bore deep gouges after repeated strikes. Then, with a single, powerful blow, it finally snapped, sending shards of frost scattering in all directions.

Yet, not a single soul retreated due to this setback. Lacking a Longsword, they still possessed their fists to unleash Qi, their heads, their teeth – any part of their anatomy to assail the enemy. With their very lives, they composed the most magnificent and heart-wrenching battle anthem.

But warfare is inherently cruel, and even their valiant self-sacrifice could not halt the equally frenzied Exotic Beasts. Sturdy figures continued to fall, their lifeblood erupting like a fountain.

The resolve in every soldier's eyes remained unbroken, even as despair began to cloud their gaze.