Descendants of the False Gods

Chapter 5: The Fall of Star-Moon City (2)

The arrival of reinforcements significantly boosted the morale of Star-Moon City’s defenders. In contrast, the impact of these reinforcements on the beast soldiers’ flanks disrupted the precarious balance the beast army had just managed to establish.

At the city gate, the Black Bull Guard’s defensive formation had shifted from an initial phalanx to a flanking formation and was now forced into a long snake formation. Although this “snake” remained solid, it contradicted the attackers’ original intention.

Star-Moon City was surrounded by water on all sides, with only a long bridge and the city gate providing access. The attackers had planned to deceive the defenders, allowing the Black Bull Guard to secure enough ground at the gate, ensuring a clear path for the over ten thousand troops waiting to storm the city.

Currently, only a few of the Qian Army had managed to scale the city walls, and while more than half of the Black Bull Guard had entered, they were now blocking the gate. If the Shenyi people regained control of the gate, the entire assault could collapse. The difficulty of the siege on Star-Moon City was undeniable. Thus, the wolf general decided to abandon the Black Bull Guard’s defensive expertise in favour of an aggressive assault. Even if it meant total annihilation, the priority was to secure the gate for the following forces.

“Woooo…” A deep horn sounded, causing a brief commotion among the Black Bull soldiers. Soon, they stopped holding their positions, advancing whenever there was a gap and striking down any enemy in their path. The battle line became increasingly chaotic, with both sides tangled together. Yet, this chaos somewhat relieved the congestion at the gate, allowing more Black Bull soldiers to pour in.

The Black Bull soldiers’ attacks were overwhelmingly powerful, crushing bones and shattering limbs with any weapon they wielded. However, the soldiers and civilians of Star-Moon City demonstrated more agile and efficient combat techniques, deftly avoiding direct strikes and exploiting the enemy’s vulnerabilities. Some would step forward to strike precisely with a single sword thrust when they noticed a gap.

This was further intensified by the efforts of the heroic female archers from the crossbow unit, whose accomplishments made each step forward by the Black Bull soldiers costly.

Encouraged by their successes, the defenders began to feign attacks, manoeuvring to create opportunities to slaughter the beast soldiers, leading to more fallen Black Bull soldiers.

The captain of the guards noticed this development — this was far from the outcome he desired. Despite the heavy casualties inflicted on the beast soldiers, the once-blocked gate passage was gradually clearing, allowing a continuous stream of beast reinforcements to enter. Star-Moon City’s total population barely reached ten thousand, with 2,500 soldiers lost in battles outside the city. Since the beast soldiers breached the city, over a thousand more had perished. Excluding the nearly two thousand elderly, women, and children, only about three thousand capable fighters remained, including the 200-300 administrative personnel and the over one thousand reinforcements expected from the Western District.

The exact number of beast reinforcements outside the city remained unknown. However, it was certain that the wolf soldiers outside the city would at least match the Black Bull Guard’s numbers, and the Qian family had undoubtedly dispatched more than the mere two hundred warriors on the city walls. Estimations suggested there were no fewer than four to five thousand enemy soldiers outside. If they successfully breached the gate, it would be Star-Moon City’s complete destruction.

Star-Moon City, encircled by water and with its walls under enemy control, left the Shenyi people with no escape. Defending the city was their only hope — abandoning the gate was not an option.

However, the chaotic battlefield made it impossible to organise a coordinated counterattack. Just as the captain struggled with his predicament, another wave of battle cries resounded.

It was the reinforcements from the Western District. Surprisingly, they had brought three war chariots and two ox-drawn carts. The carts carried wooden crates that likely contained oil bombs.

Oil bombs were small, fragile clay jars filled with flammable oil, sealed with cloth soaked in oil. When ignited and thrown, the jars shattered upon impact, and the burning cloth ignited the splattered oil, causing significant damage. These weapons, simple, inexpensive, and effective, were widely used across various armies. However, their storage and handling required caution due to their flammability and volatility.

The sight of two full carts of oil bombs felt like a blessing to the captain — a timely solution to their crisis. A plan quickly formed in his mind: use the chariots fitted with bladed wheels to clear the gate defenders, use the oil bombs to incinerate the passageway, and then attempt to close the gate. Regaining control of the gate and the walls could fortify their position and repel the invaders.

With the plan set, the captain summoned Tian Wu and Dong Lei from the Western District reinforcements. He instructed them to gather materials and modify two chariots with bladed wheels while loading the third chariot with oil bombs to block the gate. After assigning tasks, he began organising the final preparations for the assault.

First, he selected thirty seasoned veterans and armed them with oil bombs, instructing them to work with the charging chariots to clear the enemy at the gate.

Next, he approached the female archers concealed in the streets, directing some to take advantageous positions to harass and suppress the enemies controlling the ballistae on the walls. Their role was not necessarily to kill but to disrupt enemy aim. Another group of archers was tasked with suppressing the enemies near the gate during the assault.

After these arrangements, the captain leaned against a street-side rack, mentally preparing for the final charge. He tightly wrapped his injured chest with cloth, ensuring his fractured ribs wouldn’t worsen during the fight. After donning his armour and securing its defensive scales, he ignited a torch and placed it in a stone socket that previously held a notice board.

He sharpened his straight blade on a stone block, smoothing out the nicks on its edge before sheathing it. He also loaded a new crossbow from the Western District’s smithy, drawing the string tight. Satisfied, he silently watched his men prepare.

Finally, the modified chariots approached. The captain straightened up, flexed his limbs, grabbed the torch, and lifted the crossbow. Waving the torch, he rallied his men, “Brothers! It’s time! Move out!” He began at a brisk walk, quickened to a jog, and broke into a run as the chariot drew near. At the right moment, he leapt onto it.

Securing the torch at the designated corner, he took the reins from Tian Wu. “Inform the third chariot carrying the oil bombs to time their approach. They just need to reach the gate after we clear it.” Tian Wu nodded and leapt off, awaiting the third chariot.

With the reins in hand, the captain guided the chariot along the enemy’s edge. Gaining speed, he shouted to the defenders, urging them to fall back and clear a path. As the chariot charged towards the chaotic enemy lines, some beast soldiers hesitated, but it was too late. The bladed wheels cut through, leaving a trail of mangled enemies. Those who survived the initial charge found themselves facing a second assault.

The captain ordered the oil bombs to be hurled at the enemy shield formations, breaking their defences. The flames spread swiftly, forcing the Black Bull soldiers to scatter.

The path to reclaim the gate was now open. As the captain signalled the final charge, there was no retreat — only a desperate fight for survival.