In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 156 Inspecting the Fortifications

The layout of the city wall is similar to that of Beixiao City, only on a smaller scale.

Liao Wenju pointed to both sides of the city wall, "There are watchtowers on both sides, each ten meters high, with sentries keeping watch around the clock."

Ning Xiaoxi examined the layout of the city wall and thought it looked exactly like the city wall construction of Beixiao City. "My lord, are all our city wall designs the same? Why do I feel that it looks a lot like Beixiao City?"

"The Ning subordinate official has climbed the North Xiao city wall?" Liao Wenju's eyes darted around. Being allowed to climb the North Xiao city wall was a privilege reserved for Heavenly Masters of Earthly Fiend rank or above.

"Yes, we climbed the city wall from inside Beixiao City and walked directly to the East China Sea. We saw the East China Sea." Ning Xiaoxi said nonchalantly, "I grew up in the royal city and had never seen the sea before. That was the first time I had ever seen the sea. It was truly boundless, and there were so many sea beasts. It was an eye-opening experience."

He wasn't even qualified to walk on that city wall, which led directly to the East China Sea coast. Liao Wenju's expression became more serious. "The construction of the city wall has always been based on blueprints provided by the Ministry of Works of the capital, who directly send officials to supervise the construction. The blueprints are kept by the officials in charge, and local authorities are not allowed to interfere."

Ning Xiaoxi finally understood why Liao Wenju had been so perfunctory. The local authorities had no right to modify the city walls. What did Tianji mean? What was he trying to do by pushing her to the front? She walked to the edge of the crenellations and looked out of the city.

A gust of cold wind swept through the crenellations and stung Ning Xiaoxi's face, causing her to instinctively pull her cloak tighter to shield her from the spiritual crystal heart that had climbed to her chest to protect her from the wind. Squinting at the desolate ice plains outside, she saw that unlike the snow-covered ice plains formed by accumulated snow, these ice plains were black, a black tinged with an eerie aura. Beyond the city walls lay directly the ice plains. She had visited several large cities before—Panhou Mountain City, Muyun Mountain City, Bingyuan Prefecture City, and Beixiao City—all with similar defenses. There were no moats, no arrow towers, and no barbicans—no memories of the ancient city walls she had witnessed. Was the warfare here different?

"Lord Liao, I cooperated with Centurion Xiong Wei when I was on the border of Youzhou. Their archers worked together quite well."

"The royal court has strict control over iron, and the supply of arrows is limited."

Ning Xiaoxi murmured, "Resisting purely by manpower?"

Liao Wenju didn't reply. He stood on the crenellation beside her, looking at the icy plains outside the city. "I have been stationed in Fufang County for fifteen years. I have experienced two sieges, seen mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The smell of burning corpses can linger in the nose for a month. Whether for humans or those half-humans, war brings only destruction."

"Just like the sea monster tide that Beixiao City faced, it was all for survival."

“I once tried sending scouts out of the city. They risked their lives to travel 150 li (approximately 75 kilometers). When they returned, they only said that the further they went, the more terrifying it became, truly barren. A day later, a squad of five men all died from festering skin. After that, I stopped sending people out of the city. Even during wartime, I never let them go more than ten li (approximately 5 kilometers).” Liao Wenju turned to stare at Ning Xiaoxi. “That’s the furthest distance I can guarantee their safe return.”

Ning Xiaoxi looked back at Liao Wenju, noticing the scar on his cheek, "Lord Liao, I haven't seen any ranged weapons. Is it because they're not suitable?"

Liao Wenju looked at Ning Xiaoxi with a puzzled expression. Hadn't they already talked about the bow and arrow?

"Rock? Throwing hook?"

Liao Wenju shook his head slightly.

"Roll...wood?" Ning Xiaoxi asked uncertainly.

Liao Wenju shook his head again.

Ning Xiaoxi was somewhat speechless. Even if she was a complete novice, in that information-saturated age, she would inevitably have some exposure to such things. It was clear that the Great Xia's main focus was still on dealing with demons; so far, the war was still just a simple matter of both sides hacking and slashing.

"Would the official Ning be willing to offer guidance?" Liao Wenju heard a few unfamiliar terms. If he hadn't seen them before, he might as well meet them. The recommendation from Lord Tianji was indeed not just empty talk.

[Ding! Awakening! Survival Path Skill: Advanced Machinery Master. Capable of designing and constructing large-scale fortifications and crafting various handcrafted machines to defend against wild beasts and harsh weather, protecting the town and its inhabitants.]

Ning Xiaoxi looked down, feeling the familiar warmth. Thank goodness, the skill arrived, albeit late. However, this time there was a lot of blueprint data, making her head spin a little.

Seeing Ning Xiaoxi lower her head, Liao Wenju wondered if his request was too unreasonable and dared not speak further.

When Ning Xiaoxi looked up again, she felt that she had become at least two degrees smarter. The blueprints for offensive and defensive equipment that she could readily recall were accurate to the centimeter. She let out a long breath, "General Liao, let's discuss this matter again when I return from outside the city. I think we'll have something in common."

Liao Wenju smiled happily, just like yesterday, with a slightly roguish air, "I heard that Lord Ning has been pardoned. With Lord Ning's abilities, he will definitely have the opportunity to show his talents in Fufang County. I believe we will get along well in the future."

Ning Xiaoxi gazed at the black ice plains stretching to the horizon outside the city. Even the mountain ranges on both sides of the ice plains were covered with black ice, preventing sunlight from reaching them. The city walls were like a dividing line between day and night, keeping the human race inside.

The mineral vein in the cave flickered briefly and then fell silent. Black Bead, however, circled around the three mulberry trees with great interest.

Let's wait a bit longer. After we've met Lord Diwen tomorrow, we'll go out for a stroll!

The next day at noon, Ning Xiaoxi arrived at the camp 15 minutes early and saw Liao Wenju coming out of the barracks and walking towards her from afar. The two met up.

Ning Xiaoxi clasped her hands in a respectful greeting, "Lord Liao!"

Liao Wenju returned the greeting with clasped hands, saying, "I am willing to serve you!"

"Oh, you two, don't stand on ceremony at the door. Lord Diwen has arrived. My master specifically asked me to come and wait for you two." Liu Xing walked out of the courtyard with a smile, looking at the two with a very genuine smile.

Ning Xiaoxi deliberately lagged behind Liao Wenju by a step before entering the courtyard. Liao Wenju didn't pay any attention and went straight into the main house.

Upon entering, one sees the Earthly King seated in the main position, with an ordinary-looking man dressed in the everyday clothes of the Earthly Fiends to his left, and the county magistrate Bai Qingting to his right. This is the interesting thing about the large houses in the North; typically, in a large house, the entrance leads directly to the dining room, with living quarters and offices on either side—quite spacious.

"Oh dear, I was thinking of coming earlier, but I'm still late," Liao Wenju said with a smile as he entered the room.

Ning Xiaoxi entered respectfully, bowing to the officials, "Lord Di Kui, Lord Di Wen, County Magistrate, I'm late." She inwardly complained to Di Kui, "Why is everyone at this table calling me, a mere subordinate, like this?" She couldn't be as nonchalant as Liao Wenju; was Di Kui trying to roast her again?

Just as Ning Xiaoxi was bowing and had not yet stood up, Di Kui was about to speak.

The Spirit Crystal Heart transformed into a sharp dagger and pierced the ground with lightning speed.