Chapter 33: The Final Assault Betrayal, Injury, and Unseen Threats

The final day of the siege on Linzi had arrived. After weeks of calculated psychological warfare, relentless assaults, and expertly executed strategies, the Qin forces were poised to make their final strike.

Ayanokoji stood at the heart of the operations, overseeing the last phase of the battle. His soldiers, loyal and disciplined, surrounded the city, cutting off all escape routes and forcing the defenders to face inevitable defeat. The city of Linzi, once a proud symbol of Qi's strength, was now a crumbling fortress, its will to resist withering away.

Yet, as Ayanokoji surveyed the battlefield, a strange unease gripped him. He had already anticipated this victory, but a sense of foreboding lingered in his mind. Something felt wrong. He shook it off, refocusing on the task at hand. But it wasn't long before his worst suspicions would be confirmed.

Inside his command tent, Ayanokoji gathered with his closest officers, discussing the final stages of the assault. The mood was focused but tense, as each general spoke of their respective units' movements. Ayanokoji, however, could not shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. His instincts were rarely wrong, and today they were screaming at him. Despite his best efforts to push away the unease, it was impossible to ignore.

As they deliberated, General Zhang Wei, one of his most trusted officers, stood by Ayanokoji's side. Zhang Wei had been with Ayanokoji for years, proving himself a competent and loyal general. His presence here was crucial, but today, something in his posture seemed off-subtle, but undeniable. Ayanokoji, with his sharp perception, sensed the shift in the atmosphere. Zhang Wei's eyes, usually unwavering, flickered nervously, and his hand subtly drifted towards the dagger hidden in his cloak.

Before Ayanokoji could react, Zhang Wei struck. With lightning speed, the traitor lunged forward, his dagger aimed at Ayanokoji's chest. The attack came without warning, but Ayanokoji, trained in the art of battle and always prepared, reacted instantly. He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the full force of the strike. However, the dagger found its mark, slicing through the fabric of his armor and grazing his side. The pain was sharp and immediate, but it was not enough to incapacitate him. He gritted his teeth and moved, his body reacting with practiced precision.

Ayanokoji's sword was already in his hand. With a fluid motion, he parried Zhang Wei's next attempt, countering with a swift, brutal strike. The traitor's head fell to the ground with a dull thud, severed cleanly by Ayanokoji's blade.

Blood poured from Zhang Wei's body, staining the ground beneath him. Ayanokoji stood over the fallen general, his breathing heavy. The blood on his side began to soak through his clothing, a sharp reminder of how close he had come to death. But even as the traitor's body crumpled to the floor, Ayanokoji's thoughts were not focused on the injury. His mind was already racing, analyzing the situation.

"Find out who else is involved," Ayanokoji ordered his remaining officers coldly. His voice was unwavering, but his eyes betrayed a hint of unease. He had known that betrayal could come at any moment, but he had never expected it to come from someone so close.

The injury to his side was deep, but not fatal -yet. Ayanokoji, however, could feel the blood loss starting to cloud his focus. He wiped the sweat from his brow, aware that the wound would hinder him if left untreated. But there was no time to dwell on it. The battle outside was still raging, and Linzi's defenses were crumbling. He could not afford to falter now, not when victory was so close.

As his officers began to make arrangements to investigate Zhang Wei's betrayal, Ayanokoji gave one last, lingering look at the body of the traitor. "No one betrays me and survives," he muttered under his breath. His voice was cold and merciless, and those around him knew better than to question his resolve.

Ignoring the pain in his side, Ayanokoji turned to his generals, his eyes sharpening with renewed determination. "The battle continues. Linzi will fall. We will not let this setback derail us."

As Ayanokoji prepared to leave the tent, his mind raced. He had trusted Zhang Wei, and yet the betrayal had come so swiftly and decisively. The timing felt too perfect. Zhang Wei's death was not a mere personal vendetta-it was part of something larger, something orchestrated. Ayanokoji's sharp mind quickly pieced together the implications of this betrayal. Zhang Wei had been in contact with Qi sympathizers in Linzi, but there had to be more to it. The suddenness of the attack, the treachery, and the precise moment it had occurred-it all pointed to one thing: the enemy had been watching them closely.

A chilling thought crossed his mind: The enemy knows their plans.

The realization hit him like a stone sinking into his gut. For weeks, he had carefully constructed his strategy, anticipating his enemy's every move, staying two steps ahead. But now, the betrayal suggested that his tactics were no longer a secret. Qi's defenders, despite their dwindling numbers, were not as disorganized as he had thought. They were adapting. They were countering his moves.

"We've underestimated them," Ayanokoji muttered aloud. His voice was low, but his thoughts were clearer than ever. "They've been studying us. They've seen through our strategies."

A premonition of danger gripped him-a feeling that his enemies were preparing something far worse. The battle for Linzi, though nearly won, was not the end. The siege had only been the first step. The true threat lay in how quickly the defenders of Linzi would regroup and adapt.

Despite the injury and the unsettling realization that his tactics had been exposed, Ayanokoji did not falter. He would not allow this betrayal to derail him. The final assault was underway, and his forces, despite the setback, were prepared to break through the last of Linzi's defenses.

The streets of Linzi had been transformed into a battlefield. Ayanokoji's soldiers moved like a well-oiled machine, methodically breaking down the last strongholds of resistance. The walls had been battered, the defenders demoralized, and their will to fight nearly extinguished. Linzi's fall was imminent.

However, as the final assault pressed on, Ayanokoji's sharp mind remained focused on the bigger picture. He ordered his generals to tighten the siege, ensuring that no surprises could emerge from the shadows. The breach of Linzi's walls was only a moment away, but he knew that Qi's remnants would fight to the bitter end.

Ayanokoji's injury throbbed but he ignored it just like he had done in his previous world. After all in white room he had lost all emotions. He was only focused on one thing: Fall of Linzi.

'Today Linzi will fall' Ayanakoji thought.

As the battle raged outside, Ayanokoji withdrew for a moment to reflect. The injury on his side was a painful reminder of how dangerous this war had become. He had survived countless battles, countless close calls, but this betrayal had shaken him. The enemy, now more cunning than ever, had gained a significant advantage. Yet Ayanokoji was no stranger to adversity. He had always thrived in the face of danger.

He gazed out over the battlefield, his eyes hardening with resolve. "This is not over. Qi will fall, and I will see it through to the end."

The battle for Linzi was nearing its conclusion, but the war was far from finished. Ayanokoji knew that this was only the beginning of a new chapter in the struggle for control over Qi. He would not let his enemies dictate the course of events. The enemy might know his tactics now, but that only meant one thing: it was time to adapt, evolve, and strike harder than before.

The fall of Linzi was only the first step in the complete annihilation of Qi. And Ayanokoji would ensure that no more betrayals could shake him.