"Joseph, it looks like they'll keep approaching the city wall at this pace. The power of our projectiles is too weak. I should go get ready now."
Leonard Lei spoke, and Joseph Qiao nodded. He quickly climbed down from the platform and ran toward the left side of the Central Pass.
When he reached the fifth Trap Trench, it was exactly a straight fifty meters away. Only at the third Trap Trench did the arrows have enough force to be truly lethal.
Joseph Qiao raised his bow, calming his breath and focusing on the enemy. The front-line soldiers holding shields had already started to move aside. The enemy's formation was very precise, just enough to leave gaps for soldiers to switch positions. At that moment, the soldiers carrying wooden bridges came forward; with a thud, they set the bridges across the Trap Trench.
Six bridges were laid across the Trap Trench, and more soldiers carrying wooden bridges kept coming. Joseph Qiao's expression grew grim—the enemy's intent was clear. To advance as many troops as possible, they had prepared many wooden bridges for safe passage.
Gradually, the fifth Trap Trench was completely covered with wooden bridges, almost no gaps left. The enemy was still adjusting, and now those carrying stones began to step onto the bridges, each flanked by a shield-bearing soldier.
Joseph Qiao could barely hold back anymore. They had already reached the front of the fourth Trap Trench.
"Fire!"
Joseph Qiao shouted, releasing the bowstring. Instantly, a dense, black rain of arrows shot forward.
Under such a barrage of arrows, the enemy scouts were quickly wounded and fell to the ground. Rows of shield-bearing soldiers immediately rushed in, dragging the wounded back.
"What is this, Uncle? Bella Liang's approach is driving me crazy!"
Stanley Tang watched the slow-moving troops from behind, unable to contain his impatience, and shouted. Leonard Tang smiled.
"If we rush all at once, we'll lose a lot of troops. Advancing bit by bit not only clears enemy traps, but also minimizes casualties. Just watch, Stanley."
At that moment, a faint sinister laugh sounded behind Leonard Tang. He turned to look at Wraithshade, and sighed helplessly.
After a round of projectile attacks, Joseph Qiao saw the results—few enemies had fallen. He gave the order to wait, but the enemy grew bolder and pressed forward. The second Trap Trench was discovered.
Joseph Qiao looked toward the dense forests on both sides, then back at the enemy ahead.
"Joseph, we can't just wait for the enemy. Shouldn't we keep shooting?"
A nearby general spoke up. Joseph Qiao shook his head.
"Continuing to shoot will only exhaust our soldiers. Soon we'll need to rotate the wounded up and down the platforms, which will waste a lot of time. We must wait for the perfect moment—only then can we effectively repel the enemy's first assault."
Wooden planks had already been laid across the second Trap Trench. Many shield-bearing soldiers stood at the edge, raising their shields.
Joseph Qiao nocked another arrow. He planned to start shooting as soon as the enemy crossed the third trench.
The fourth trench was now covered with wooden bridges as well, and the enemy had fully advanced. More bridges continued to arrive from the rear.
Bella Liang quietly watched the situation before her, a smile in her eyes.
"Commander-in-Chief, your strategy is impressive. I didn't expect them to have so many traps. If we had charged, the casualties would have been severe."
A nearby general commented, and Bella Liang replied with a smile.
"The enemy commander seems clever. Because of the range of the archers, they won't attack at these two trenches for now. But there should be three more trenches at the base of the city wall—that's the toughest part. After all, the defending force is only about seven hundred people."
The nearby generals looked at Bella Liang in confusion.
"The earthen wall is only about four meters high. Any higher and it risks collapsing. The defensive platforms behind it, though there are three rows, still need at least four meters of space. Rotating positions takes time, and each platform can hold only two rows of archers at most. So maybe today we can break through this pass."
Immediately, praise came from those nearby, but Bella Liang's gaze grew doubtful. He glanced at the dense forests on both sides, feeling the enemy couldn't be defeated so easily—their commander seemed formidable.
The enemy began a large-scale advance, crossing the third trench. Less than thirty meters remained to the city wall. Joseph Qiao shouted, and instantly the soldiers on the platforms loosed their arrows.
After a round of volleys, the effects were immediately clear. The third Trap Trench was exposed, and the enemy raised their shields. Among them, archers began firing at the city wall.
Arrows whistled through the air. Joseph Qiao shouted from horseback, ordering every pair of archers to have one drop their bow and pick up a shield for defense. More soldiers fell from the platforms, and the reserve archers began tying up the wounded and lowering them with ropes.
"Volley!"
Joseph Qiao shouted again, and the second row of archers on the platforms raised their bows, firing skyward.
However, the enemy was clearly clever. They had constructed a wooden shield held by two men, nearly three meters long, followed by soldiers carrying Assault Bridges.
With heavy thuds, more Assault Bridges were laid across the third Trap Trench. Arrows flew back and forth, both sides suffering casualties, yet the enemy kept advancing step by step.
"Yusheng, it's almost time to act, isn't it?"
A nearby general spoke, but Joseph Qiao shook his head.
"No. We have to wait until the enemy reaches the base of the city wall."
More soldiers climbed onto the platforms to fill the gaps left by those shot. Joseph Qiao's anxiety grew—the third Trap Trench was almost fully covered, and enemy archers kept coming, firing at the city wall.