Faced with the question from the military advisor, the adjutants fell silent.
Knowing they understood Ji Hui’s intent, the military advisor said, "Carry General Ji to the carriage. I will negotiate with Feng Xiyan and see if they will allow us entry into the city."
With no other choice, the adjutants could only follow orders. "Yes, Military Advisor."
After they carried Ji Hui to the carriage in the central formation of the Ji Army, the military advisor turned to look at the city wall.
As his eyes met Feng Xiyan’s calm eyes, he narrowed his gaze and thought, ’Whoever said Feng Xiyan is weak and easy to kill clearly didn’t know him. He may be the strongest opponent I have ever faced.’
’A man with patience, intelligence, courage, and a deeply scheming mind... won’t be easy to defeat. Forget about the supplies. At this rate, it may not even be easy for us to leave Xiqiang City alive.’
Taking a deep breath, the military advisor calmed his thoughts and walked toward the city gate.
Hidden in the shadows, Gui Ying had watched everything with great interest. Slowly fanning himself with a folding fan, he gazed at Feng Xiyan.
With a smile on his lips, he thought, ’Feng Xiyan, you are more interesting than this young master expected. Looks like coming here is the right decision.’
Looking away from Feng Xiyan, Gui Ying glanced at the Ji Army and sighed, a hint of pity in his voice. "Stupid."
With that, he walked toward the city gate to get a closer look at what the Ji Army’s military advisor was trying to do.
Unaware that someone was observing him, the military advisor continued forward until he was stopped by the soldiers guarding the barricade, a hundred meters from the city gate.
Realizing he would have to speak from there, the military advisor clasped his hands and bowed slightly toward Feng Xiyan.
Straightening his back, he looked up and said, "Great General Feng, General Ji is severely injured from the punishment. This humble commoner begs the Great General to allow us entry into the city to treat him."
Hearing this, Xue Ruhong said, "Great General, we shouldn’t allow the Ji Army into the city. It’s too dangerous."
The other generals nodded in agreement at his words.
Feng Xiyan thought for a few seconds, looked at the military advisor, and asked, "Who are you?"
Realizing that Feng Xiyan didn’t recognize him, the military advisor clasped his hands again, bowed slightly, and respectfully replied, "This humble commoner is the military advisor of the Ji Army, Tuluo Cheng."
When Feng Xiyan heard the name, he raised his brows slightly. After a moment of silence, he asked, "You are a member of the Tuluo Clan?"
Proud of his lineage and never intending to hide it, Tuluo Cheng calmly replied, "Yes."
Upon hearing his answer, Feng Xiyan studied him thoughtfully for a moment, then said, "Very well. This general will permit General Ji to enter the city for treatment. However, only ten guards may accompany him. The rest of your troops must station themselves at least a hundred li from here."
Tuluo Cheng frowned slightly when he heard this. However, with limited supplies and no medicine effective enough to treat Ji Hui, he knew they had no choice but to obey.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Alright. We will do as the Great General commands."
Getting his answer, Feng Xiyan turned to Tan Pengtai and instructed, "General Tan, please make arrangements for General Ji and his entourage."
Tan Pengtai clasped his fists and responded, "This subordinate accepts the order."
With that, he went downstairs and personally led a group of elite soldiers to receive Ji Hui, Tuluo Cheng, and their guards.
At the same time, Tuluo Cheng returned to the Ji Army.
Gathering the adjutants, he informed them, "Feng Xiyan agreed to let us into the city, but only ten guards may accompany General Ji. The rest of the troops must retreat at least one hundred li from the city."
The adjutants’ expressions darkened at his words.
After a moment of silence, the highest-ranking among them said, "Military Advisor, this is too dangerous. If something happens, we won’t be able to retreat safely. How could you accept such terms?"
Looking at him, Tuluo Cheng explained, "When we left Xiquan City, we didn’t bring many supplies with us. Moreover, General Ji is severely injured just now, and the medicine we brought is useless for his condition."
"If we can’t find medicine and give him proper treatment soon, based on his current state, I predict he won’t survive more than three days."
He paused for a second, then lowered his voice and added, "This is our only chance to enter the city and treat General Ji’s wounds. We have no other option."
After listening to his explanation, the youngest adjutant clenched his fists and said, "I just don’t understand why General Ji had to endure such torture when we could have forced our way into the city."
Tuluo Cheng turned to him, shook his head, and replied, "I suppose you haven’t heard about the Heavenly Weapons possessed by the Feng Army."
The young adjutant snorted. "I don’t believe it. Those are just rumors the Feng Army spread to buy themselves more time."
Hearing this, the adjutant who had accompanied Ji Hui pointed at an arrow still stuck in the ground nearby, then showed them his broken sword.
Under their shocked gazes, he calmly said, "My sword was shattered by that arrow. The moment it struck, my sword broke."
The others fell silent while they looked at the adjutant in shock.
Seeing their grim faces, Tuluo Cheng said, "Enough talk. We must bring General Ji into the city before his condition worsens."
The adjutants turned to look at him, clasped their fists, and said in unison, "Yes, Military Advisor."
Making their decision, they quickly organized nine guards and one adjutant to accompany Ji Hui into the city, while the others began leading the army away.