Another month had passed, and Dugu Chen and Lou Qianyu, leading their troops, arrived at the foot of the city walls. The Imperial Palace of Mingyi Country was within reach. Exchanging a glance, they both looked up at the Guard Governor overseeing the nine gates from atop the walls. The faces above were a mask of icy indifference. Dugu Chen narrowed his eyes and gestured with his hand. General Hu Liujin stepped forward and called out, "Open the gates at once and let us enter. We shall not harm the civilians within the city..."
The figures on the city walls retreated, and after a moment, a volley of arrows rained down on the soldiers below. Seeing this, Dugu Chen waved his hand grandly, and his troops raised their shields to cover themselves as they braved the arrow storm to position ladders against the wall. Once some began to ascend the ladders, the people above poured oil and set it aflame.
