19：The Attack on Liu Family Stronghold

"Young Master, I'm going to wash my face."

"Mm, go ahead."

At this moment, the moon had risen above the willow branches.

The moon in this world was as bright as the one Shen Hao remembered from his childhood, almost like daylight.

In his room, Shen Hao felt a wave of drowsiness and fell asleep in less than a minute.

Lying in Shen Hao's arms, Song Yongci listened to his steady breathing. Strangely, she felt a deep sense of happiness and security she had never experienced before.

Though Shen Hao was asleep, Song Yongci quietly got dressed and slipped outside.

That night, Shen Hao slept soundly, and Song Yongci also had an unusually peaceful rest.

The Next Morning

Shen Hao arrived alone at the county office.

At the gate, nearly a hundred people had already gathered. Some held knives, others swords, and a few carried spiked clubs. They all looked fierce and rugged.

Shen Hao's appearance didn't draw much attention.

Around nine o'clock, over 300 soldiers in armor jogged into the square.

Yangguan Town was a key transportation hub, so three patrol battalions were stationed here.

Each battalion had five companies,

Each company had about 100 soldiers,

All under the command of a Chief Inspector.

Soon, the sound of horse hooves echoed.

A lean, sharp-looking man in his forties rode in, clad in armor and wielding a nine-ring broadsword. He looked imposing and authoritative.

Dismounting, he swept his piercing gaze over the crowd and announced:

"I am Zhao Chuang, Chief Inspector of Yangguan Town. Our mission today is to wipe out Liu Family Stronghold.

Since you've all joined the suppression force, I'll make this clear:

If anyone retreats during battle or spreads rumors that undermine morale, you'll be executed without mercy.

Does anyone have an objection?"

"No!"

"None!"

Responses trickled in, though not very enthusiastically.

Zhao Chuang scanned the crowd, clearly unimpressed. To him, these were just fillers—a motley crew of untrained men.

"Time's up. Move out!"

With that command, Shen Hao followed the group out of the city.

The March to Liu Family Stronghold

Soon, Shen Hao realized his misery had just begun. The stronghold was nearly 20 kilometers away.

Under the scorching sun, they marched for over three hours.

Thankfully, Shen Hao's body had reached peak physical condition; otherwise, the trek would've been unbearable.

Along the way, Shen Hao confirmed his enhanced strength, speed, and stamina. He even felt confident enough to win a marathon back in the modern world.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain near Liu Family Stronghold, it was late afternoon.

Zhao Chuang gave the order:

"Rest here. We attack under the cover of night in three hours."

"Yes, sir!"

Inside Liu Family Stronghold

News of the government's large-scale assault had already reached the stronghold.

Everyone was on high alert.

The leader, Liu Baoshan, gathered his men in the hall to discuss their defense strategy.

"What do you think we should do?" Liu Baoshan asked.

Third-in-command Chen Dahu suggested, "Why don't we launch a surprise attack first? Strike before they're ready!"

Second-in-command Zhou Haihu sneered, "Idiot. We've got barely 80 men, and we're short on weapons. How do you expect us to face well-armed government soldiers?

Fighting them head-on in open terrain is suicide. One charge, and we're done."

Chen Dahu scoffed, "Then what's your brilliant idea?"

"We can't fight them directly. If we can hold them off, we do. If not, we retreat early—simple as that," Zhou Haihu replied.

Hearing this, Liu Baoshan nodded slightly. "Haihu's got a point. But retreat? No way. This is our stronghold. We've worked hard to build up our resources; we're not giving it up that easily.

Yangguan Town only has three patrol battalions—a little over a hundred soldiers. Our stronghold is easy to defend and hard to attack. As long as we hold the line, what can they do?"

"But Boss, they say the government's sending Chief Inspector Zhao Chuang. He's a formidable fighter, an eighth-level martial expert, and his Nine-Ring Saber Technique is fierce and powerful. I think we should retreat while we still can," one of the men advised cautiously.

Liu Baoshan snorted, "I'm a sixth-level martial expert myself. Do you think I'd be afraid of him? My Clear Wind Sword Technique can handle it."

Zhou Haihu fell silent, though he wasn't convinced. Sure, the sword technique is great, but your skills aren't exactly top-tier, he thought.

Zhao Chuang was a well-known expert, a former elite guard in the capital. He had been demoted to Yangguan because the new emperor wanted to sideline him, but his strength was undeniable—unmatched in his realm.

Seeing Liu Baoshan's overconfidence, Zhou Haihu sighed inwardly. Following a reckless leader like this is a death sentence.

Still, he had a talent for survival—lightness skills that made him hard to catch unless someone was far stronger.

The others chimed in with flattery, and soon Liu Baoshan ordered everyone to prepare for battle.

Back with Shen Hao

Shen Hao had planned to slip away under the cover of night, but unfortunately, the soldiers were guarding every exit.

There was no way he could outrun them, especially on an empty stomach. Frustrated and starving, he simply returned to the modern world.

Collapsing onto his couch, Shen Hao ordered some braised chicken and rice, grumbling the whole time:

"Those bastards didn't even feed us on this mission. Soldiers everywhere, making sure we don't run. What do they think we are—cannon fodder? Damn it!"

He even fantasized about pulling out a gun to show them who's boss.

Within fifteen minutes, the food arrived—lightning-fast, thanks to small-town delivery.

After eating his fill, Shen Hao lounged on the sofa, scrolling through TikTok until he dozed off.

When he woke up, he returned to the alternate world, feeling refreshed—unlike the exhausted soldiers around him.

The Night Attack Begins

Around 7 p.m., Zhao Chuang gave the order:

"Attack!"

Shen Hao sneered quietly and hid inside his personal space. No way am I risking my life for them.

However, while in the space, he could only sense what was within a one-meter radius.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chuang ordered a headcount.

When they realized someone was missing, Zhao Chuang frowned.

"Did anyone see someone slip away?"

"No, sir."

"Hmph, must be a lightness skill expert. Forget it—we'll deal with him later. Focus on the attack."

"Yes, sir!"

After about thirty minutes, Shen Hao sensed that no one was around and finally stepped out.

Instead of following the main force, he took a small path around the back of Liu Family Stronghold.

He knew the area like the back of his hand.

Halfway up, he heard the sounds of battle—shouts, clashing weapons, and the crackle of flames.

The stronghold was ablaze. Clearly, the government troops had set it on fire.

P.S.

The personal space acts as a transit zone.

When entering from the modern world, time freezes in the alternate world.

When entering from the alternate world, time freezes in the modern world.

Whichever world you enter from, that world remains active while the other pauses.