Forcing Through the City Gates!

When Lin Mo first arrived, he wanted to observe whether there was any opportunity to take advantage of the chaos.

Unexpectedly, the soldier mistook him for a member of the troublemaking mercenary group.

As for what was in his pocket, the only thing he had was his mother's medical report.

"What did you say?! Say it again if you dare!"

The soldier was enraged by Lin Mo's single word "Get out" and felt he had lost face.

He reached out and grabbed at Lin Mo's waist pocket.

Lin Mo frowned.

Not a single word wasted.

A deep black light, like a shadow ready to devour its prey, flashed past his side.

puff.

The dull thud of a sharp blade cutting through flesh.

The soldier, who had been all menacing and aggressive just a moment ago, suddenly froze, a thin line of blood appearing on his neck.

The next moment, its head tilted to the side, then completely detached from its body and was thrown high into the air.

The fierce expression still lingered on his face, but his eyes had instantly become empty.

thump.

The head hit the ground, rolled twice, and came to rest in the dust.

quiet--

A deathly silence enveloped the city gate area.

All the shouting and cursing disappeared.

The air seemed to freeze, leaving only heavy breathing and the faint sound of wind in the distance.

Everyone was stunned.

Although many people were harboring resentment and anticipated a potential conflict.

But no one expected the killing to come so suddenly, catching everyone off guard.

The sergeant took a good two or three seconds to react, his mouth agape and his eyes wide like saucers.

Immediately, a chill mixed with rage rushed to his head.

He abruptly closed his mouth, his face flushed red, and drew his longsword, about to point it at Lin Mo.

"All soldiers, listen to me..."

"Brothers! Let's go! Let's go home!!!"

A roar, deeper and more resolute than his own, as if suppressed for a long time, exploded like thunder.

His order was abruptly interrupted.

It's Shi Xuan!

Suddenly, the mercenary leader appeared beside the captain of the corps.

A large hand, like an iron clamp, pressed down hard on the sergeant's open, roaring mouth!

Upon closer inspection, the skin of his arm, along with his palm, appeared to be a grayish-black color.

It has a rough texture and a rock-like luster.

It's his skill, [Stone Skin]!

The previous restraint and hesitation were gone from Shi Xuan's eyes, replaced by a ruthless determination to burn his bridges.

His arm muscles were bulging.

The petrified hand unleashed terrifying power, twisting violently to the side!

Click... Clack...

The sickening sound of bones cracking was clearly audible.

The sergeant's roar was stuck in his throat, turning into a strange hoarse sound.

His entire face was contorted and deformed, and his neck was bent at an absolutely unnatural angle.

His eyeballs bulged out, and he fell silent instantly.

Shi Xuan released his grip, and the sergeant's body slumped to the ground.

Lin Mo was slightly surprised to see this.

He had previously observed that Shi Xuan was a cowardly and honest man, but he never expected him to be so decisive and swift in a fight, killing him with a single blow.

With Lin Mo and Shi Xuan leading the charge in the killing spree.

The pent-up emotions beneath the city gates erupted like a volcano!

"Fight your way out!"

"Let's fight those sons of bitches!"

"go home!!"

……

The members of the Stone Tiger Mercenary Group roared as they drew out the weapons that had just been confiscated or hidden.

Like a flood bursting its banks, it surged towards the bewildered soldiers defending the city.

The situation quickly spiraled out of control, descending into chaos.

"Haha, interesting! I'll go join in the fun too!"

A small, blood-red head peeked out from Lin Mo's collar.

Its blood-red eyes gleamed with excitement, and it flapped its little wings, ready to fly away.

Lin Mo reacted quickly and grabbed her little foot.

"Just break through the city gate's protective array, and don't cause any trouble."

Lin Mo's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Yin Xue pouted and muttered, "Fine, fine, this is boring."

She was obedient enough not to try to join the melee, and casually waved her little hand toward the city gate.

On the ground, the blood flowing from the soldier Lin Mo had beheaded seemed to come alive.

It quickly gathered and elongated, transforming into a dark red blood arrow, which shot out with a "whoosh".

They plunged straight into the faintly visible magical runes on the city gate.

The moment the blood arrow merged with the light of the magic circle, it was like a drop of thick ink falling into clear water.

It's like a virus finding a host.

The previously stable, flowing light of the pale gold runes quickly became dim and disordered.

The surface is covered with dark red, spiderweb-like patterns, and it makes a faint "sizzling" sound.

Within a few breaths, the light from the entire protective array attached to the city gate completely went out.

The runes disappeared, and the city gate lost its last magical protection.

"Haha! The city gates are open! Even God is on our side!"

"Brothers! Follow me and we'll break through the city!"

"Charge! Go home!!"

……

The sudden failure of the city gate's defenses greatly boosted the morale of the people charging towards the gate, and their roars shook the heavens.

They stopped engaging the soldiers and joined forces to ram the heavy city gate, which had lost its magical reinforcements.

Boom! Thud!

Without the protection of the formation and with no one able to effectively organize the defense, the city gate quickly loosened under the onslaught of the crowd.

With a sickening cracking sound of wood breaking and metal twisting.

The city gate was smashed open with a bang, creating a small gap, which then widened.

The crowd surged out of the city gate like a floodgate bursting open, shouting as they poured out.

Lin Mo mingled with the crowd and nimbly slipped out of the city gate.

The sounds of shouting and sirens blaring within the city gradually faded into the distance.

In the chaos, a soldier scrambled out of the crowd.

"Quickly...quickly go and fetch the city lord!"

……

Outside the city, the scent of wilderness rushed towards us.

Shi Xuan led his mercenary group and some of the escaped adventurers, running for several kilometers in one go.

They stopped at the edge of a small grove of trees only after they were out of sight of the city gate.

Everyone was supporting themselves on their knees, panting heavily.

Many people still had flushed faces and lingering fear from the fierce battle.

But more than anything, it's a cathartic release.

"Haha, that's great! Those bastards deserved to be taught a lesson long ago!"

"Don't be too happy yet. We killed the city guards, so we'll definitely be wanted by the authorities."

"Tch! At worst, I'll just move to another city and continue being a mercenary! The empire is so big, why would I be afraid of not having food?"

……

"Alright, that's enough, everyone."

Shi Xuan waved his hand, interrupting his subordinates' discussion.

His breathing was much calmer, and his gaze swept over the crowd.

Finally, the focus shifted to a dark figure standing quietly at the edge of the crowd.

He stood up and walked toward the young man in the black cloak.

"Brother, thank you for earlier! Although... we also dragged you into this. I am Shi Xuan, leader of the Shi Hu Mercenary Group. May I ask your name, brother? This time..."

Shi Xuan smiled broadly, a smile tinged with apology, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lin Mo.

But before he could finish speaking, Lin Mo interrupted him.

Lin Mo took out the light green bottle of "Stone-Clad Herbs" from his pocket and held it up to Shi Xuan.

The gaze beneath the hood calmly met his, and the man cut to the chase:

"Is this something produced in your village?"