61: Hermit King Mushan

Within the main tent of the barbarian camp.

"Bang!"

An exquisite jade wine cup was violently smashed to the ground by Tulu, shattering into pieces. His chest heaved violently, and the centipede-like scar on his face twisted with rage, making him appear even more ferocious.

"Worthless! A bunch of worthless trash!" he roared, his voice shaking the tent flaps. "Five hundred elite troops! They crept up silently, only to be ambushed and surrounded! They were almost wiped out without even touching the enemy's clothes! And the tunnel! Dug for so long, on the verge of completion, and it was discovered?! How did the Qian Kingdom dogs know?! Can they predict the future?!"

Several Thousand-Man Commanders inside the tent were as silent as cicadas in winter, bowing their heads, not daring to speak. The officers responsible for the sneak attack and tunnel operations looked ashen-faced, trembling like a sieve.

The barbarian Martial King Tulu, sitting to the side, also wore a grim expression. He slowly stroked the bone staff in his hand, his voice hoarse: "Tulu, calm down. What's done is done; anger is useless. The Qian people likely received guidance from a master, or... there's a leak within our own ranks."

"A master? What kind of master could be in this backwater?!" Tulu snorted angrily, though his irritable temper was slightly reined in. He panted heavily, "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me! Anyone suspicious, kill first, ask questions later!"

Tulu shook his head: "The priority now is not investigation. The people from the Night Hawk Tribe will definitely arrive in three days. By then, we will have four Martial Kings, plus their War Eagle Troops to assist. Taking the city will be as easy as turning over a hand."

Mention of the War Eagle Troops sparked a glint of greed mixed with apprehension in Tulu's eyes. Those tamed giant War Eagles were indeed Sharp Weapons for assaulting cities and strongholds, capable of dropping soldiers from the air, destroying battlements, and even snatching defenders.

"Hmph, letting those Night Hawk Tribe guys have it too easy!" Tulu spat. "After the city falls, wealth and women, they'll get half! Just thinking about it pisses me off!"

Tulu said calmly: "As long as we can capture Star South City and plunder it, even though there are many ants inside, as long as we kill these tens of thousands of defenders, the rest won't dare resist. The gains will be enough to compensate. Don't forget the Great Khan's promise."

A vicious light flashed in Tulu's eyes: "Then let them live three more days! Three days later, when the city falls, I will personally chop off City Lord Xia Wuyin's head, then drag out the guy who's been secretly scheming and tear him to pieces!"

...That night, after a brief moment of victory and joy, Star South City was once again shrouded in deeper worry.

Qin Feng found a secluded spot and immersed his mind.

"[Daily Intelligence Refreshed]"

"[White Intelligence: The barbarian tunnel troops have temporarily abandoned digging due to their movements being exposed. They are currently intensifying preparations and are expected to launch a full-scale attack after reinforcements arrive in three days.]"

"[White Intelligence: City Lord Xia Wuyin has sent several letters requesting aid to surrounding cities, but so far, there have been no clear responses. All parties are adopting a wait-and-see attitude.]"

"[Yellow Intelligence: In Yulin Lane, Western District of the city, lives a reclusive old woodcutter named 'Mu Shan' at the Mid-stage Martial King Realm. Tired of Jianghu conflicts, he disguises himself as a Mortal and hides here, unwilling to participate in this city defense battle.]"

Seeing the third yellow piece of intelligence, Qin Feng's heart gave a violent leap!

Mid-stage Martial King!

A Mid-stage Martial King expert hidden within the city!

This was like a sudden ray of light in the darkest despair!

If they could persuade this reclusive Martial King to act, then Star South City would possess three Martial King-level combatants. Although the enemy would still have four Martial Kings (including the two soon to arrive), the gap in high-end combat power on their side would be greatly reduced, no longer leaving them completely defenseless! The hope of defending the city would increase significantly!

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Feng employed his old trick again. He swiftly wrote this crucial intelligence with his left hand on a slip of paper, still in that crooked, clumsy handwriting: "Yulin Lane, Western District. Reclusive Martial King 'Mu Shan'. Mid-stage Martial King. War-weary and in hiding."

Taking advantage of the night, the slip was once again accurately delivered to the window of Xia Xue's study... Within the City Lord's residence, where Xia Wuyin was discussing countermeasures with his daughter and several core commanders in an atmosphere so oppressive it was almost suffocating, he once again received the slip Xia Xue hurriedly brought.

When Xia Wuyin saw the words "Mid-stage Martial King," he abruptly stood up from his seat, his breathing becoming rapid! He read it several times over, confirming he hadn't misread.

"Yulin Lane... Mu Shan... Mid-stage Martial King..." he muttered to himself, an incredulous light bursting in his eyes.

"Father, this news..." Xia Xue was also extremely excited but maintained a trace of calm.

"Regardless of its truth, we must try!" Xia Wuyin stated resolutely. A Mid-stage Martial King could change the tide of battle! He immediately ordered, "Investigate all residents of Yulin Lane immediately, focusing on checking elderly individuals matching the 'woodcutter' description who appear ordinary! Remember, do it secretly, absolutely must not cause alarm!"

The City Lord's forces operated efficiently. Soon, the target was pinpointed to a solitary old man living in an inconspicuous small courtyard deep within Yulin Lane. According to neighbors, this old man usually made a living by chopping firewood, was a man of few words, but seemed exceptionally robust for his age.

Upon receiving the confirmed information, Xia Wuyin did not hesitate in the slightest. He straightened his attire and, bringing only Xia Xue and two absolutely trusted confidants, personally went to visit under the cover of night.

The wooden gate of the small courtyard was slightly ajar. Xia Wuyin took a deep breath and stepped forward to knock gently.

A moment later, the gate creaked open. An old man dressed in coarse linen, with graying hair and a simple, weathered face, appeared at the entrance. He held a firewood knife he was repairing in his hand, his eyes dull, looking no different from an ordinary woodcutter.

But Xia Wuyin, with his Martial King-level perception, sensed a trace of profound, restrained, and immense aura from within that seemingly ordinary body! This was definitely a powerful expert!

"Senior Mu Shan?" Xia Wuyin bowed respectfully, his tone earnest. "I am Xia Wuyin, City Lord of Star South City. I apologize for the intrusion. It is only because the lives of all 3.17 million soldiers and civilians in the city hang by a thread that I have come to humbly request your assistance!"

The old woodcutter Mu Shan lifted his eyelids, giving Xia Wuyin a faint glance. A barely perceptible glint of sharpness flashed in those dull eyes. His voice was hoarse and flat: "This old man is just a rustic woodcutter from the mountains, knows nothing of fighting and killing. The City Lord has found the wrong person."

"Senior!" Xia Xue also stepped forward, bowing deeply. "The barbarians are cruel and brutal. If the city falls, it will surely be a massacre where no one is spared! Senior, though you live in seclusion here, you are also a member of this city. How can you remain aloof? This Junior knows Senior is weary of conflict, but this is a calamity of genocide, not ordinary Jianghu resentment! We beseech Senior, for the sake of all living beings in the city, to act righteously and lend your hand!"

Xia Wuyin even made a heavy promise: "If Senior is willing to act, after repelling the barbarians, I, Xia, am willing to offer thirty percent of the City Lord's treasury reserves and erect a monument praising your virtue, eternally grateful for Senior's great kindness! If Senior still has concerns, afterward, I can arrange for Senior to leave quietly, absolutely not leaking a single word of Senior's whereabouts!"

Mu Shan remained silent, unconsciously rubbing the firewood knife in his hand. He looked at the anxious City Lord father and daughter before him, their postures lowered humbly. He seemed to hear the faint groans of wounded soldiers from the direction of the distant city walls and the despair and fear permeating the air.

He had secluded himself here seeking peace and quiet to live out his remaining days. But... 3.17 million lives... After a long while, he let out a soft sigh, a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand jun.

"Enough... Enough..." Mu Shan casually placed the firewood knife by the door. His hunched back seemed to straighten a bit. His dull eyes suddenly became as sharp as an eagle's. A powerful Martial King aura was no longer concealed. Though only a trace was revealed, it already made Xia Wuyin's heart palpitate.

"This old man can act, but I will only be responsible for containing the enemy Martial Kings. Matters of city defense, I will not involve myself in at all. Afterwards, no reward is needed. Just prepare a fast horse; this old man will leave on my own." Mu Shan's voice remained flat but carried an indisputable resolve.

"Thank you, Senior! Thank you for your great kindness, Senior!" Xia Wuyin and Xia Xue were overjoyed and hastily bowed in thanks.

With the addition of Mid-stage Martial King Mu Shan, the scales of high-end combat power were finally no longer tilted completely toward despair! Although the situation remained severe, at least they saw a glimmer of hope to defend the city!

Walking out of the small courtyard, Xia Wuyin and Xia Xue exchanged a glance, seeing excitement and relief in each other's eyes.

"That righteous individual who has delivered intelligence multiple times is truly a benefactor of our Star South City!" Xia Wuyin exclaimed with profound emotion. "If not for him, we probably wouldn't have been able to grasp even this last shred of hope!"

Xia Xue nodded heavily, her heart filled with curiosity and gratitude towards that mysterious "messenger."

The night remained deep, but above Star South City, it seemed a faint ray of hopeful light had pierced through the thick clouds of despair.