The journey of film and television world is endless

Maron, taking the brunt of the attack, was struck by over a dozen arrows and died without even a scream. The powerful kinetic energy of the crossbows sent his body flying high into the air, crashing heavily into the ranks behind him.

Before the Ironborn could react further, countless armored warriors surged out of the engineering tunnel. Brandishing long spears, they plunged directly into the chaotic crowd ahead. More soldiers poured out, raising shields above their heads to quickly form a defensive line. Sharp spears pierced through the front ranks of the defenders, followed by a second volley of spear thrusts. The Morningstar heavy infantry's relentless three-wave assault forced the defenders back from the breach!

Archers on the walls began firing down in a panic, but their arrows were deflected by the thick armor and raised shields. Suddenly, sections of the shield wall shifted, revealing soldiers below armed with braced heavy crossbows, aimed directly at the archers on the walls. "Thrum... Thrum... Thrum..." The advantage of the heavy crossbows became clear: their shots were incredibly accurate and devastating at this range, proving effective even against heavy armor. The few archers on the walls were immediately shot down, falling from the ramparts.

The Morningstar heavy infantry quickly secured the breach in the wall and began to spread out to both sides, firmly establishing their position. These warriors, mostly Unsoiled, were even more adept at defense than offense. The Ironborn counterattacks crashed against them like waves against a reef, only to be repelled.

Liu Yuan, clad in full plate armor, appeared on the battlefield with Becotte. Liu Yuan slightly raised his arm, his bracer-like armor deflecting a stray arrow. He then pointed towards the collapsed watchtower.

Becotte nodded in understanding without a word, then led a squad of his family guard and several knights towards it. A number of defenders had gathered below the watchtower, including several leaders who were clearly of high rank. They hadn't expected the Royal army to break into the city so quickly and target them. Becotte's men were all elite family warriors with considerable martial prowess, charging into the crowd like armored tanks. Becotte shielded his face with his arm and charged forward, smashing through those who stood in his way. The spikes along the edge of his arm shield tore through the chests and abdomens of his enemies, felling several men in succession.

One of the defending leaders, a valiant warrior himself, didn't retreat but instead raised his battleaxe to meet the charge. As the axe came down, Becotte swept his left arm across, the crab claw-like arm shield shattering the axe's haft. A broadsword thrust upwards, piercing the leader's body, and he collapsed, spitting blood. Becotte kicked him in the chest, pulled out his sword, and then slashed at another enemy. This leader was Quenton Greyjoy, another of Balon's brothers, a renowned warrior in the Iron Islands.

The Royal army launched its full assault, with countless soldiers pouring into Pyke through the siege tunnels. Even Robert, accompanied by several Kingsguard, joined the battle on foot, wielding his signature warhammer. Slightly overweight, he ran with a wheezing breath, with Eddard Stark close at his side. The lords and soldiers of the North and the Crownlands surged forward, eager to make a good impression on the King.

A king as fond of war as Robert, rarely went to the trouble of launching a grand expedition, so he had to be allowed to enjoy it! This was why Liu Yuan had only arranged for his troops to defend, and also because overshadowing the nobles in front of the many aristocrats could easily lead to secret sabotage. This situation was ideal: he gained advantages without attracting resentment. Just then, a figure ran past him, casting a gloomy glance in his direction. It was Jeslyn Bywater, the impoverished noble from before. Well, except for those with mental problems.

Liu Yuan shrugged helplessly. He figured that only mediocrities avoided being resented, and there were always such lunatics everywhere. He turned his attention back to the battlefield and noticed a bald, bearded man vigorously rubbing his longsword with an iron gauntlet. The blade then burst into flames. The sudden appearance of the flames intimidated not only the enemy but also pushed back his allies. He charged into Pyke ahead of everyone else from the breached wall.

Following closely behind was a young noble from the North, bearing the sigil of House Mormont of Bear Island. Liu Yuan estimated that both of them were powerful warriors. Equipment aside, Becotte and Adrian were no match for them. In comparison, the three Kingsguard beside Robert were much less impressive.

He turned his gaze back to King Robert, just in time to see him smash a defender's head with his warhammer. Although life in King's Landing had somewhat softened his body, his combat prowess remained formidable. When he swung his warhammer, ordinary soldiers were simply mowed down.

Despite the continuous influx of Royal troops, the defenders' will to resist remained firm. Even after fighting to this point, none had surrendered.

The outer walls of Pyke soon fell completely, and the remaining defenders retreated to the inner defenses, engaging the Royal army in street-to-street combat. However, they were at a disadvantage in terms of both numbers and equipment. Failure was only a matter of time, and even the main gate of the castle was breached.

Liu Yuan immediately withdrew two hundred-man squads, instructing, "Bick, take your men back and supervise the dismantling of the catapults. Transport them into the city as quickly as possible and set them up there." He pointed towards the cliff to the southeast, because Liu Yuan had already realized that even if the outer fort and gatehouse were captured, House Greyjoy could still defend using the sea stacks.

That narrow stone bridge could only accommodate a hundred or so soldiers at a time, making it impossible to capture the other fortresses isolated on the islands. Only catapults would be useful then.

The fighting within the city was intense, with the Ironborn's resistance resembling a desperate last stand. Donald Greyjoy, Balon's last surviving brother, personally set fire to the gatehouse connecting to the main keep. Cut off from retreat by the raging flames, and with the Royal army killing them mercilessly, the remaining defenders were driven to suicidal determination.

For example, Jeslyn Bywater, who had always resented Liu Yuan, was stabbed by an enemy who then clung tightly to his arm. Several more enemies pounced on him, hacking off his right hand. If the fire sword-wielding man hadn't arrived in time, he wouldn't have been able to save his head.

As the Royal army continued to pour in, the fighting spread throughout the city. Soldiers clashed in the stables, kennels, workshops, and barracks. As time passed, the resistance within the city gradually subsided, and most of the defenders were annihilated. Of course, some of the castle's slaves and salt wives were captured by the Royal army. Some of the women were even dragged into buildings, a common occurrence in war.

King Robert personally killed seventeen men, fully indulging his bloodlust. He was now directing soldiers to extinguish the flames on the gatehouse. Donald, who had set the fire, perished with the gatehouse, turning to ashes in the flames.

Across the stone bridge, the last of the Greyjoy forces stood ready on the main keep, grimly awaiting the attack. Balon stood pale-faced on the highest tower of the keep, gazing at the sea of flames across from him. The Royal army was rampaging through Pyke, the screams of men and the cries of women echoing incessantly. Balon's clenched hands trembled uncontrollably, whether from anger or fear was hard to say.

Robert looked at the main keep and frowned. The location was too dangerous. Only a single stone bridge connected it, and the bridge was less than five meters wide, only wide enough for four fully armed soldiers to walk abreast. The number of soldiers that could be sent to attack at one time was only a hundred or so, which was suicidal.