The Night Assault on Vimara Village
The night descended like a vast black silk cloth, weighing heavily over Vimara Village in Sumeru. The town was wrapped in a profound silence, broken only by the occasional footsteps of patrolling soldiers.
Meanwhile, in a dense forest not far from the village, an army of eight hundred men was assembling quietly. At their head stood Zhang Liao, one of Lü Bu's most formidable generals. He cut a tall and imposing figure, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, glinting with a chilling light in the darkness. Moonlight glinted off his armor, casting a cold sheen across the forest.
"Tonight is the night we achieve a great victory!" Zhang Liao's voice was low but powerful, cutting through the night air and invigorating his men. "We launch a night raid on Vimara Village, and we use fire. We must strike fast and hard—leave them no time to react!" The soldiers nodded in unison, gripping their weapons tightly, their eyes burning with resolve.
Inside Vimara Village, Huang Zhong, Tighnari, and Collei were already discussing their defense strategy. Huang Zhong stroked his beard, his expression grave. "I have felt a growing unease these past few days. We must strengthen our guard—an enemy attack may come at any moment." Tighnari frowned slightly, his ears twitching with alertness. "I have sensed it too. The forest creatures have been far more skittish than usual." Collei tightened her grip on her weapon, her eyes a mix of nervousness and determination. "Master, General Huang, I will give it everything I have!"
Little did they know, danger was already at their gates.
Zhang Liao raised his hand. Like a black tide, the eight hundred soldiers surged toward Vimara Village. Moving with agile precision, they advanced silently on the main gate. When they were merely dozens of paces away, Zhang Liao shouted his command: "Light the fires!" In an instant, countless torches blazed to life, illuminating the night sky like a fiery dragon charging straight for the village.
The guards on the wall spotted the enemy and cried out in alarm. "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" The warning bell rang out immediately, its toll piercing the night. Huang Zhong, Tighnari, and Collei rushed to the wall, their hearts sinking at the sight of the ferocious enemy host below.
"I did not think they would dare attack at night, let alone use fire!" Huang Zhong roared, his eyes blazing with anger and frustration. Tighnari quickly regained his composure. "Collei! Alert everyone to put out the fires immediately—we cannot let the flames spread!" Collei nodded and sprinted into the village.
Seeing the defenders on the wall panicking, Zhang Liao's face split into a grin. "Brothers, charge!" The soldiers roared and surged toward the gate, hurling flaming oil barrels before them. Flames erupted instantly, and the wooden gate began to splinter and collapse under the heat.
Enraged, Huang Zhong nocked an arrow and loosed it. The shaft whistled through the air, piercing the chests of several enemy soldiers. Undeterred, Zhang Liao waved his spear and continued to direct the assault.
Tighnari was no less formidable. He drew his bow and, with pinpoint accuracy, picked off enemy soldiers one by one. But Zhang Liao's men were well-trained; they dodged the arrows deftly and pressed their attack relentlessly.
In the village, Collei organized the villagers and soldiers to fight the blaze. She raced through the inferno without regard for her own safety, but the fire was too fierce to contain quickly.
As the main gate finally crumbled, Zhang Liao led his soldiers into Vimara Village. Chaos erupted. The air was filled with the clash of steel, war cries, and screams of agony. Huang Zhong, Tighnari, and Collei led the remaining defenders in a desperate street-by-street battle.
"Kill!" Huang Zhong roared, his broadsword swirling with lethal force. Every swing felled an enemy. Tighnari used his agility to weave through the enemy ranks, striking with deadly precision. Though young, Collei fought bravely, her weapon flashing as she parried and thrust against her foes.
But Zhang Liao's forces were too numerous and their morale too high. Gradually, Huang Zhong, Tighnari, and Collei were forced to fall back.
"Retreat! Fall back outside the village!" Huang Zhong ordered reluctantly. The three of them led the remaining defenders in a withdrawal from Vimara Village. Zhang Liao did not pursue. He knew the night raid had been a complete success—the village was his.
Watching Huang Zhong and his allies disappear into the distance, a triumphant smile played on Zhang Liao's lips. "From this day forth," he declared, "Sumeru shall be under our control!"