Chapter 123: The Eerie Demonic Web, A Myriad Spells Rendered Powerless

"Black-clad brat on the ramparts, you have ignored the path to heaven and chosen to intrude upon the gate of hell; today is your day of reckoning. Be wise, open the gates and surrender, or the wrath of heaven shall descend and grind you all into dust!" Bilu bellowed.

Although Han Chong had never met the four commanders, he could discern that the one shouting must be the commander of the Beilu Kingdom stationed outside the Northern Court; otherwise, there would be no such deep-seated hatred for him.

Han Chong gave a cold, mocking laugh. He took a heavy, foot-long composite bow—fashioned with gold-thread inlay and a beast-skin grip—from the hands of a nearby lieutenant. He nocked an arrow, drew the bow, and released it in a heartbeat.

With a shrill, piercing whistle, an arrow as thick as two fingers shot toward the commander’s head.

Bilu was struck with terror. He had been posturing, relying on the combined might of the Pengluo and Molun armies to boast, never expecting the boy to shoot without hesitation. The arrow was blindingly fast; he only had time to roll off his horse and collapse to the ground.

With a thunderous boom, the ground behind the horse erupted in a cloud of dust and debris, leaving the commander covered in dirt and looking thoroughly wretched.

"Bastards! All troops, hear my command! Attack the city! I will grind this black-clad brat into bone meal and scatter his ashes!"

However, to the confusion of the generals on the city walls, the soldiers of the two enemy nations simply stared at one another, refusing to budge.

The commander then realized that these troops were not under his direct command, and he could not help but feel embarrassed as he looked toward the Pengluo and Molun commanders. Yet, Molun deferred to the leader of the Pengluo forces, who simply turned his horse around and began to pace away.

The soldiers on the walls were stunned. What was happening? Were they going to attack or not? If they were going to die, let it be a swift end! Han Chong and the bearded general exchanged glances, equally bewildered.

"The grain and water in the city are exhausted. The enemy intends to starve us out."

So that was it. The tiger-masked commander who had exuded such chilling murderous intent earlier was no fool. Even with such an overwhelming advantage, he chose a strategy of attrition to minimize his own casualties!

Under General Lei's gesture, Han Chong retreated to a watchtower on the wall to sit. Seeing the general’s furrowed brow and his resolute, sacrificial expression, Han Chong could not bear it. He cupped his hands and volunteered:

"Protector Lei, when Northern Court City was besieged for nearly a month and our supplies were depleted, I scouted the enemy camp by night and located their hidden grain stores. Protector Shang led a sortie, seized the grain and water, and saved the army. I shall search again tonight; Protector Lei, you may lead the troops in a breakout."

"Oh? The enemy has buried their grain and water underground? No wonder my scouts could never find them. But those two commanders have already suffered a loss at your hands—do you think this method will still work?"

"I do not know, but I will use the Cloud-Piercing Totem as a signal. If I do not send the signal, it means I have found nothing, and you should remain in your positions."

"No, that is too dangerous. I am truly in awe of your willingness to risk your life like this, General Han!"

"You flatter me, Protector. It is decided. However, even if this plan succeeds, the Anxi Protectorate is no longer a place to hold. We must choose an opportunity to break through and head toward the Northern Court to continue the resistance. As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood. Since the Northern Court lacks a commander and we are but amateurs in the arts of war, if General Lei could lead us, the situation in the Northwest would surely change for the better."

"With your guidance, General Han, I am enlightened. Very well, regardless of whether this plan succeeds or fails, I shall begin planning the breakout."

"That is excellent." Han Chong nodded with relief; he truly did not wish to see such a stalwart commander fall here.

That night, Han Chong crept cautiously toward the enemy camps. Before leaving, he had found a small wolf-dog in the city and released it; it did not take long to locate the enemy's hidden stores. Digging through the entrance, Han Chong leaped down to find the pit filled with grain and water jars—even more than what the Beilu army had hidden outside the Northern Court.

However, just as he prepared to climb out of the pit, the sound of a mournful flute resonated, shaking his spirit to its core.

Before he could exhale his mantra of merit, a giant, translucent, silk-like spider web descended upon him. There was nowhere to hide!

*Bad, it's a trap!*

Han Chong had anticipated that the white-robed demonic cultivator named Feng might appear, but he had never expected that someone of such formidable cultivation would be so shameless as to seek an accomplice!

Han Chong still exhaled his mantra, a dazzling golden light erupting, the sound shaking the surroundings. The military tents were ripped apart, and several people nearby were forced back, but the web above remained motionless, as if it were completely impervious to force!

Han Chong was astonished. Then, a sinister, coquettish giggle sounded as a scantily clad, alluring woman walked over with the white-robed man.

"Giggle, this boy is quite handsome, isn't he? It just so happens that I am in need of a male pet."

"Haha, the two of you are indeed clever. With one flute and one web, you've finally captured this slippery little brat!" Bilu laughed as he and the other three commanders surrounded him.

"Hehe, it is all thanks to the four commanders' performance during the day; otherwise, this boy would not have taken the bait so easily!" Feng Yuxiao nodded and laughed.

Han Chong glared at them. He was wrapped in the web, which was not only as tough as tendon but also devoid of any ghostly or demonic aura, rendering his power of merit useless! Even his high-grade spiritual fire could not singe the silk, and the group showed no concern even as he breathed out the flames.

Could it be that this web could even block the flow of essence and magic?

He exhausted every technique—the Art of Giant Strength, the Art of False Form—but nothing worked. Amidst their mocking laughter, the woman took hold of the web and dragged Han Chong along the ground, heading who knew where.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Spider Spirit is truly impatient. This boy is in for a rough time. Even with his strong constitution, I doubt he can withstand the insatiable demands of the Spider Spirit!"

Hearing Bilu’s words, the others felt a chill run down their spines.

...

Watching the enemy camp from afar, and seeing no signal from Han Chong, Protector Lei realized that something had gone wrong. He organized his troops to break out that night, but they fell straight into an enemy ambush.

Nine out of ten soldiers were lost, but inspired by Han Chong’s words earlier that day, Lei Wanshan had steeled his heart. He roared at the heavens, swinging his long blade with the momentum of a rainbow piercing the sun.

The soldiers had always viewed him as a hero of the age; infected by his spirit, they fought with twelve times their usual courage, gradually carving a bloody path out of the encirclement.

Momentum is the foundation of victory. Though the two enemy armies were fierce and valiant, they were shaken by this unstoppable, murderous aura. For a moment, they hesitated, their pursuit slowing as they watched the remaining thousands of elite cavalry charge toward the east.

As for Han Chong, he had exhausted every means at his disposal, yet he remained helpless against the glowing white web. He was dragged all the way to a spider den within a hill in the southwest.

The Spider Spirit妖 woman glanced back, looking with growing excitement at the flickering spiritual lights and the look of helplessness on Han Chong’s face. She bared her sharp teeth in a twisted smile.

Yet, this was not what terrified Han Chong the most, for suddenly, a wild, low laugh echoed within his mind.