Li Mufan's voice rang out, shocking everyone into silence.
Even Li Haotian, seething with anger, paused. He turned to Wang Mengyu, confusion etched on his face. "What does he mean by 'fuel barrel'?"
Wang Mengyu shook her head, her eyes fixed on the young man whose voice pierced through the chaos, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.
On the battlefield, Aqiang responded to Li Mufan's call, swiftly retrieving a red iron barrel from the supply cart. He produced a flint and ignited a thin rope connected to the barrel's lid. Sparks flew as the rope caught fire, burning rapidly.
With a powerful heave, he hurled the iron barrel toward the city gate.
What happened next was a scene none would ever forget.
The barrel soared through the air, landing with a resounding **bang** before erupting into a deafening explosion!
"Boom!!!"
A massive fireball shot skyward, mingled with blood and debris, while a shockwave akin to a hurricane blasted through the area, tossing nearby city guards into the air.
Smoke and dust enveloped the city gate, and the sound of battle ceased as all eyes turned in stunned silence toward the unfolding scene.
Li Mufan stood wide-eyed, momentarily stunned by the barrel's destructive power. The explosion had hit him like a punch, leaving him breathless and momentarily dazed.
As the dust settled, everyone gazed at the city gate, eyes wide with disbelief. Through the thick smoke, it was clear that the guards stationed there had been obliterated, and the towering walls above were reduced to rubble.
"What kind of weapon has such catastrophic power?" Li Mufan wondered aloud.
As he regained his senses, he shouted, "Aqiang! You threw it wrong! Blow up the city gate for me!"
"Right!" Aqiang shouted back, quickly grabbing another iron barrel from the cart and lighting the fuse with practiced efficiency.
Panic rippled through the guards at the city gate, who exchanged terrified glances, their instincts screaming for survival. In a collective moment of fear, they scrambled to distance themselves from Aqiang and Cuihua, their fear of another explosion overwhelming their resolve.
This time, Aqiang's throw hit the heavy city gate dead on.
"Boom!"
The explosion echoed like thunder, and more dust and smoke billowed into the air as two massive door panels crashed to the ground.
"Now's our chance! If you don't leave now, when will you?" Li Mufan bellowed. "Carry the wounded on your backs and retreat!"
With that, he galloped forward, leading the charge toward the shattered city gate.
The guards sprang into action, roaring as they helped their injured comrades onto their backs, following Li Mufan as they surged forward.
According to their prearranged plan, once the gate was breached, Liu Long would lead the initial charge, with Li Mufan and Zhang Tie in the middle, while Aqiang and Cuihua would cover the rear. Fan Qingyue was to join them once they passed through the gate.
As the soldiers of the Guards Battalion began to pour out, Aqiang and Cuihua stood sentinel at the entrance, their expressions cold and unyielding.
The defenders, witnessing the relentless advance of the Guards, were torn between fear and hesitation. They were intimidated by the fierce duo while still haunted by the explosive power of the barrels. Another blast would surely leave them in utter terror.
Meanwhile, Li Haotian glared from the tall building, his heart boiling with anger as he watched the Guards Battalion sweep through the gate. The rage swelling within him threatened to erupt, and he struggled to maintain his composure, knowing that losing his temper in front of his men would undermine his authority as king.