"The silent foot cuts deeper than a sword." — Northern proverb
The plan had come swiftly — too swiftly, Huai thought as he crouched low behind the crumbling stone wall, the night shrouding him in its thick cloak. Longchuan loomed ahead, its formidable gates looming like the maw of a beast waiting to devour him. But the opportunity had been too valuable to ignore. The mighty city, a nexus of commerce and power, was vulnerable, and the time to strike had arrived.
In the dimness, Huai's breath came in shallow gasps. Beside him, the ragtag group of rebels had been carefully chosen for their stealth and cunning. A diverse mix of former soldiers, thieves, and farmers, all with one thing in common — a shared thirst for vengeance against the imperial army.
"We'll split into two groups," Huai whispered, his voice barely audible. "Tian, you and your team will move to the west side, create the diversion. I'll head toward the city gates with the rest of you. We hit them fast, hit them hard. Then, we slip away before they can regroup."
Tian nodded, a glint of mischief in his eyes. The younger man was quick and agile, perfect for creating chaos at the city's borders. He and his team would set fire to the watchposts, draw attention away from Huai's group, and keep the guards busy long enough for Huai to slip inside.
After a brief moment of silent acknowledgment, the group dispersed into the night, each step deliberate and calculated. They moved swiftly, hidden in the shadows, taking advantage of every crack in the stonework, every piece of cover that Longchuan's ancient architecture had to offer.
Huai's heart pounded in his chest as he led his group toward the gates. They were almost there — so close, yet so far. He could hear the distant sounds of Longchuan's bustling streets, the clatter of carts and the hum of voices. The great city seemed unaware of the storm that was about to strike.
As they neared the gates, Huai's mind raced through the plan once more. Longchuan was a city built for defense, its walls thick and high, its streets narrow and winding. The gates were heavily guarded, but if they timed it right, the rebels could overwhelm the guards and breach the city from within.
They reached the perimeter of the city just as Tian's group began their diversion. The first sign of trouble was a distant flare of firelight, followed by the unmistakable sound of shouting soldiers. The distraction had begun. With a nod from Huai, they moved into action.
The rebel group was swift, slipping through the shadows and avoiding the patrols. They made their way toward the rear of the city gates, where a small entry point had been left unguarded — a narrow service gate used for supply deliveries. It was a risky move, but it was the only way in.
The gate was bolted shut, but Huai had anticipated this. He produced a small crowbar from his satchel and worked quickly to pry the bolts loose. The sound of metal scraping against metal was nearly deafening in the silence, but no guards seemed to notice. With a final, forceful pull, the bolts came loose, and the gate creaked open.
They were in.
The group moved swiftly through the narrow passageway, their eyes adjusting to the dim light as they approached the heart of Longchuan. The city was vast, its streets a maze of winding alleyways and towering buildings. Despite the turmoil outside, the streets here were eerily calm — a stark contrast to the chaos that Huai had left behind.
"Keep moving," Huai murmured to his men, his voice low and urgent. "We need to find the imperial commanders. We strike fast and leave no trace."
They moved deeper into the city, the tension thick in the air. The rebels were used to stealth, used to striking quickly and disappearing before the enemy had a chance to respond. But this was different. Longchuan was a fortress of a city, and every step they took felt like a breath held in the dark.
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached the central square, where the imperial commanders were stationed. A large, imposing building sat at the heart of the square, its ornate doors guarded by soldiers in silver armor. Huai's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene. This was where the high-ranking officers and strategists planned their next moves. If they could take down the leadership, the rest of the city would fall into disarray.
Tension rippled through the rebel group. The attack needed to be precise. Quiet.
One by one, Huai's men positioned themselves around the building, each taking a spot where they could strike without being seen. Huai could feel his heartbeat in his throat, each pulse a drumbeat that threatened to give them away.
A signal came — a flash of light, a flare. Tian's diversion had worked. The streets were in chaos as the city's attention shifted, and Huai's group made their move.
They stormed the building, catching the guards by surprise. There was little time for resistance, and the defenders fell quickly. Huai's blade was a blur as he cut through the soldiers, each swing a decisive blow. His mind was focused, his actions instinctual. This was his moment — his chance to strike at the heart of the empire.
They reached the command room, a large, circular chamber filled with maps and battle plans. The imperial officers, taken completely off guard, scrambled for their weapons. But it was too late. Huai's rebels were already upon them.
The commanders fought back with desperation, but the element of surprise was on their side. In a flurry of steel, the leadership was neutralized, their bodies strewn across the floor. The remaining soldiers, realizing they had lost, surrendered or fled.
But Huai wasn't done. He moved swiftly to the large map in the center of the room, scanning it for the vital information he needed. Troop movements. Supply routes. This was the key to Longchuan's strength. And now, it was his.
As he gathered the intelligence, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. The guards had regrouped. The rebels had succeeded in their mission, but they weren't safe yet.
"Get ready," Huai whispered, his voice cold and commanding. "We leave now."
They exited the building quickly, slipping back into the shadows of Longchuan's alleyways. The city had been struck, but the night was far from over.