Suppressing his discomfort, Cheng Yaojin took several puffs in succession.
Once he adjusted to the tobacco's刺激, his eyes lit up!
"Big Black, give me your stick—this is too harsh, let me take over for you."
As he spoke, he reached out to snatch the cigarette from Yuchi Gong's hand.
Yuchi Gong had been closely watching Cheng Yaojin's reaction.
This guy still wants to trick me out of my stuff?
You think that blissed-out expression you had earlier could fool me?
With a look of disdain, he said:
"No need for your help, I'll handle it myself!"
"Can't help it—people just love to suffer a little!"
After saying this, he imitated Fang Er's posture, pinching the lit cigarette between his fingers, and climbed into the pickup truck.
The three brothers were having a jolly time over here.
Meanwhile, Kim Bo-jung, who was running toward them, had a face as green as could be!
An arrow had already struck his back, though it hadn't hit a vital spot, so he could still keep running.
As he ran, he cursed inwardly:
"I'm still the king of a nation, personally coming out of the city to surrender the royal seal—and you all just let those arrows fly at me without a care?!"
Hah!
Little did he know what Fang Er was thinking at that moment!
Swish!
Another arrow struck his leg.
Kim Bo-jung staggered and fell to the ground.
He was filled with resentment!
That good-for-nothing brother of his, who had always lazed around, had actually betrayed him at this critical moment!
Did he really think he could secure the throne once Kim Bo-jung was dead?
Or did he believe the Tang army would spare Silla?
But Kim Guk-bap on the city walls had no such awareness.
In his mind, killing Kim Bo-jung would make him king!
As for the Tang forces outside the city—with the full might of the nation, they could surely be repelled.
Watching Kim Bo-jung get shot down outside the walls, his face twisted with excitement.
"Shoot! Shoot him down hard for your king!"
"Double rewards for anyone who hits!"
The soldiers around him grew even more eager.
They had already crossed the line—now with even greater rewards, why hold back?
In an instant, arrows flew from the city walls like a swarm of locusts.
Hearing the sudden increase in the whistling of arrows behind him, Kim Bo-jung turned to look toward the city.
Seeing the rain of arrows descending upon him, he mustered every ounce of strength in his body.
And let out a furious roar:
"Your king refuses to accept this!!"
Then, the arrows struck him head-on, turning him into a pincushion.
Seeing this, Fang Er curled his lips into a smile.
"Old Tie, open fire!"
"Bombard freely! This Viscount wants every last one of these treasonous rebels dead!"
Tie Lao-ba had been idle for too long and finally got the order to unleash the cannons again.
Shell after shell flew toward the walls of Geumseong.
Kim Guk-bap, however, remained unfazed.
Looking at the generals around him, he waved his sleeve with an air of grandeur.
"Generals, who among you will venture out and engage the Tang army? Whoever brings me their commander's head shall inherit the title of Jin'an Gewang!"
The generals glanced at each other, silently cursing in their hearts.
This guy killed Kim Bo-jeng and usurped the throne—wasn’t it to surrender to the Tang and beg for mercy?
Instead, he wants to fight them head-on?
Where does he get the audacity?
"Your Majesty, Park Bul-saeng volunteers! Grant me 5,000 men, and I will bring back the Tang commander’s head!"
A short man clad in bamboo armor stepped forward, bowing to Kim Guk-bap.
Overjoyed, Kim Guk-bap took a dagger from his waist and tossed it at Park Bul-saeng’s feet.
"Take this! Use it to sever the Tang commander’s head. Your king will cheer you on from the city!"
Park Bul-saeng picked up the dagger. The moment he lowered his head, a mocking smile flashed across his face.
"At your command, Your Majesty! Please await my triumph!"
With that, he descended the walls, mustered his troops, and marched out of the city.
But the moment he passed through the gates, Park Bul-saeng did something that enraged Kim Guk-bap.
The man pulled out a white cloth from his saddle, hoisted it on his spear, and charged straight toward the Tang army.
So, your so-called "battle" was just an excuse to surrender?!
Kim Guk-bap was livid.
"Archers! Shoot Park Bul-saeng dead!"
The generals exchanged glances again.
Then, one of them threw his sword to the ground with a clang.
"Hah! So brave ordering others to fight the Tang army—why don’t you go yourself, oh mighty king?"
"This general’s done serving! Brothers, we’re out! Anyone who wants to live, follow me—we surrender!"
With that rallying cry, the general turned and strode down the walls, heading straight for the city gates.
The soldiers looked at one another, then likewise discarded their weapons and followed.
Kim Guk-bap was dumbstruck.
What the hell? Was he about to be left with no one under his command?
Panicking, he stammered:
"Generals, your king only meant—your king only—"
Before he could finish, another general cut him off.
"Then, Your Majesty, take your time thinking. We’ll head out first."
With that, the entire group of officers and their troops marched out of the city.
Kim Guk-bap slumped onto the battlements, utterly defeated.
Fang Er watched as Park Bul-saeng emerged from the gates, white flag in hand, and once again stopped Tie Lao-ba.
Tie Lao-ba was furious!
Damn it!
Not even allowed to fire the cannons to his heart’s content!
Just when things were getting good, he was cut off—this feeling was beyond frustrating!