While awaiting the arrival of the X Mercenary Corps, Xiao Feng surveyed the surrounding terrain through his binoculars, his gaze settling on a solitary auto repair shop lingering just beyond the city walls.
A frown crept across his brow as he recognized the shop—it was the very garage where Lin and his group were based. The lot was overgrown with wild weeds, a place Xiao Feng had visited twice before.
Though Kill no longer stood alongside them as an ally, Xiao Feng recalled the battles he had endured with Lin and the others, especially alongside Storm and Thunder Eye—his impressions of them ran deep. Now, hesitation gnawed at him. If he alerted them in time, they might escape unharmed; yet if he remained silent, Lin and the others faced grave peril. In the chaos of crossfire, accidental casualties were inevitable.
His eyes shifted back to the distant plume of dust. This time, clarity dawned: beneath the smoke were not armored units of the Alliance army, but a throng of massive, monstrous beasts—wild buffalo, tainted and corrupted.
A chill ran through Xiao Feng's spine. "No wonder Xiaobai sensed it—it's a herd of demonically altered buffalo. Surely, this is the work of those vile cultists from the Evil Dragon Sect!" The thought inflamed his hatred. Summoning such monstrous beasts was a calculated act of devastation, meant to raze Godo City to the ground, home to countless innocent residents. The Evil Dragon Sect's cruelty knew no bounds.
Concern for Lin and his companions deepened. The buffalo had no knowledge of their allegiance, and with the Evil Dragon Sect and Kill harboring bitter enmity, the situation bristled with perilous uncertainty.
Xiao Feng refocused his binoculars on Kill's repair shop. The group had sensed the earth tremors and now poured from the building, each sliding into their respective sports cars before speeding away.
With nowhere else to turn—Godo City's nearest sanctuary lay hours away by daylight and far more distant at night—Kill, persuaded by Lin, had gambled on seeking refuge here, pinning their hopes on Xiao Feng's aid. The barren wilderness beyond offered nothing but danger.
As the sleek vehicles bore down on Godo City's northern gate, Lai Si and his men arrived. Spotting Xiao Feng atop the watchtower, Lai Si queried over the comms, "Who are they?"
Xiao Feng sneered, "They're no ordinary foes—just a herd of demon-corrupted buffalo. Deploy the artillery batteries swiftly! These beasts come in overwhelming numbers. Damn that Evil Dragon Sect—I'll tear them to shreds sooner or later!"
Without hesitation, Lai Si commanded his artillery to form ranks—cannons and rocket launchers aimed unwaveringly toward the northern approach.
Meanwhile, Kill's convoy reached the city gate. Lin exited his vehicle and waved urgently at the sentries. "Open the gates—those beasts are coming!"
After a moment's deliberation, Xiao Feng ordered the mercenaries below to unlock the massive steel gates. Slowly, the twin doors, nearly half a meter thick, creaked open, allowing Kill's cars to roll inside. The assembled party was struck dumb by the formidable defense array before them.
Even K, clad in a pristine white suit, was taken aback by the sheer firepower now wielded by the X Mercenary Corps.
Lai Si fixed K with a cold smile. "You and Kill fancy yourselves formidable, yet here you are seeking our protection?"
K managed a wry smile. "We had no choice. That herd is overwhelming. At this hour, where else could we go? We have nowhere left but here."
Lai Si chuckled. "Don't forget—now we're enemies. You come here risking capture."
K paused, then nodded. "Fair enough. Just let us survive this attack, and I swear we'll never again target a single one of your mercenaries."
Lai Si's grin turned sharper. "An offer not worth much—we could arrest you any time." He gestured toward Rush, who lounged in a nearby vehicle, smoking.
Rush descended, draping a muscular arm over Lai Si's shoulder with a chuckle. "I don't like them either. If Boss Lai Si wants to haul them in, I'm right there with you."
"Mm."
Xiao Feng interrupted over the comms, "Forget Kill for now. Prepare for battle. Mark's radar can't detect this herd—they've clearly undergone some form of special corruption. All artillery, target five kilometers north of the city. Ready to fire!"
Lai Si barked, "Target five kilometers north!"
Cannons adjusted their angles meticulously, loading shells with precision for the calculated distance.
Through his binoculars, Xiao Feng watched the herd enter the artillery's lethal range. "Open fire—free shooting!"
The city's cannons thundered, massive shells arcing beyond the walls to strike the approaching beasts.
Seconds later, the vanguard of the buffalo herd erupted in explosions some five kilometers away.
Lai Si ascended the watchtower, querying, "What's the effect?"
Xiao Feng handed him the binoculars. "See for yourself."
Lai Si's eyes narrowed as he watched the explosions punctuate the herd's advance. Yet the devastation was limited—the corrupted beasts' defenses were formidable. Only those near the blasts' epicenters suffered any harm.
Frowning, Lai Si ordered over the comms, "Switch to incendiary rounds!"
Xiao Feng hesitated. "Wait—incendiaries are risky. The flames might spread uncontrollably here."
"We don't have time for caution," Lai Si replied grimly. "If regular shells can't stop them, what choice remains? If that herd reaches the walls, we're doomed."