novelraw Chapter 66: Granting You a Fated Opportunity
Chapter 66: Granting You a Fated Opportunity
"Yes, sir!"
Yang Qingniu acknowledged the order. His eyes reddened, but he was the first to loose a Bamboo Section Arrow at Luo Jiu.
Zhang Lengzi, Hu Fenqiu, Zhang Mazha, Yang Dazhuang, Pang Damao, and even Man Datou up on the Floating Mountain all fired their arrows as well.
They were all Divine Archers capable of Hundred-step Piercing Willow, their arrows expertly avoiding Yang Wanli while locking onto Luo Jiu’s vitals.
"Damn it! So ruthless!"
Enraged, Luo Jiu snapped Yang Wanli’s neck and immediately dropped into a roll, dodging all the incoming arrows.
At that moment, Wang Yi had the Crossbow Machine Carriage open fire while also ordering the Floating Mountain to attack automatically.
Luo Jiu’s skills were indeed impressive. He rolled and tumbled across the ground, a sound like a cow’s moo emanating from within his body. He managed to remain completely unscathed amidst the dense shower of arrows, and even began to rush down the mountain.
"After him!"
Wang Yi shouted lightly. The Floating Mountain moved swiftly, and Yang Qingniu and the others frantically gave chase on their Rock Giant Scorpions.
Luo Jiu was in a panic. He was a master of [Rolling Ground Fist], [ground-laying saber], and [Python Ox Strength]. All of his skills were ground-based, specializing in close-quarters combat, but he couldn’t withstand a volley of arrows.
After fleeing for about three hundred meters, an arrow struck Luo Jiu’s left leg, causing him to stumble and fall. Three Rock Giant Scorpions descended upon him, their tails smashing down like heavy hammers. Luo Jiu executed a python-like flip, dodging one scorpion’s fierce attack and even attempting a counterattack on Yang Qingniu, but an arrow from Man Datou struck him in the chest.
He cried out in pain, his body twisting as he fell to the ground. This time, before he could get up, a Rock Giant Scorpion’s massive pincer clamped down on his waist, pinning him to the earth.
The other two Rock Giant Scorpions moved in, their great pincers slamming down hard. Just like that, the Big Boss of the Black Mountain Stronghold was reduced to a bloody pulp, his last breath extinguished.
"Ding! You have killed Luo Jiu, Big Boss of the Black Mountain Stronghold. You have obtained 20 Gold Coins, 1x [Python Ox Strength] Skill Book, and 1x [ground-laying saber] Skill Book!"
"Ding! All chieftains of the Black Mountain Stronghold have been killed. The stronghold’s signature structure has been destroyed. The possibility of the Black Mountain Stronghold being rebuilt is zero. The plot is advancing. The Black Mountain Stronghold bandit suppression mission is complete. Thank you for your participation!"
Hearing the system prompts, Wang Yi felt a wave of relief.
’The bandit suppression mission is finally complete!’
Meanwhile, Yang Qingniu had quickly returned on his Rock Giant Scorpion. A moment later, he threw himself before Yang Wanli’s body, wailing as he knelt and cried out, "Dad! I’ve failed you! In our next life, let’s switch places. I’ll be the father, and you be the son. If someone ever captures me to threaten you, don’t you dare show any mercy either."
Zhang Lengzi, Pang Damao, and the others hurried over, standing by in somber silence.
With a BOOM, the Floating Mountain landed. Wang Yi’s voice drifted down from the peak, "Bring him up. He can still be saved!"
As he spoke, Wang Yi swiped a finger across his Storage Waistband and took out the Tongyou Jade.
At that very moment, in the back courtyard of the County Yamen in Kaiyuan County, deep within a large residence, Kaiyuan County Magistrate Qiao Meng was on a soft couch, embracing his beautiful young concubine and about to "get some exercise," when he suddenly shuddered.
He had received a system prompt: Black Mountain Stronghold had been annihilated. All of its bandit chieftains had been executed!
’W-Who did this? The Red Tiger Camp hasn’t even been dispatched, and the new Commander isn’t here yet! Which faction is this powerful? Could they threaten my position as County Magistrate?’
Qiao Meng was deeply unsettled. Looking at the young concubine in his arms, he found she didn’t seem as beautiful as she had yesterday. He immediately got dressed, strode out the door, and summoned his Master, Xu Liang’an. "Quickly, prepare the horses! Call the Government Officials! We’re going to the Red Tiger Camp’s main tent. We might have to make a trip to Black Stone Mountain overnight!"
Three hundred li away, east of the Li River, within the borders of Qinghe County adjacent to Kaiyuan County, bells tolled on Jinbo Mountain. Zhao Jinlong, the Abbot of Jinbo Temple, was gathering his Monk Soldiers.
"Damn it all! Who the hell is so ferocious that they wiped out Black Mountain Stronghold first, not even leaving a single boss for me! Was it that bandit suppression camp? Don’t tell me there’s a Chaos Lord stronger than me in this territory..."
Zhao Jinlong muttered to himself. He was also one of the Players who had accepted the Black Mountain Stronghold bandit suppression mission.
Upon learning that the stronghold had been wiped out, he decided to go have a look. He wasn’t just the Abbot of Jinbo Temple; he was also the Village Chief of Jinbo Stronghold. With Black Mountain Stronghold disbanded, he figured he could rush over and maybe recruit some of the scattered bandits!
Upstream on the Li River, about two hundred li north of Black Stone Mountain, lay the territory of Jinyuan County.
At a dock in Jinyuan County, twenty large ships were neatly moored. Banners fluttered atop the vessels amidst the clamor of voices. Men holding torches shouted orders as droves of workers busily hauled bundles of arrows onto the ships.
On a pavilion not far away, two figures stood side by side, taking in the entire bustling scene at the docks.
The pair consisted of a man and a woman. The man, in his fifties, was the patriarch of the wealthy merchant Zhao Family and the richest man in Jinyuan County. His reputation there was immense, and he was known as Great Benefactor Zhao!
The woman was young and beautiful. Her name was Zhao Xiyu, the Miss Zhao of the Zhao Family. The family had no male heirs, and Zhao Xiyu was their only daughter. One can imagine her status in the household; she had been doted on by Great Benefactor Zhao since she was a child.
In reality, however, this Miss Zhao was also a Lord Player. Her real name was Zhao Mei, and she possessed the B-rank Lord Talent, [Navigator].
"That Black Mountain Stronghold controls the waterway. Every time our Zhao Family merchant ships pass through, they get extorted. To be honest, your father has wanted to wipe them out for a while. But Black Mountain Stronghold claims to have eight thousand men. Their forces are strong, and they’re entrenched in Black Stone Mountain, which is easy to defend and hard to attack. Their Big Boss, Luo Jiu, is a top-tier expert. Xiyu, my dear, have you really thought this through? Are you sure you want to attack Black Mountain Stronghold?"
Zhao Mei sighed and said, "There’s no need. Tell everyone to stop their preparations."
"Hm? My dear girl, what’s wrong?"
"Black Mountain Stronghold has already been wiped out. All their chieftains are dead. We... were one step too late."
...
On the Li River, a figure traveled against the current. He was dressed in white robes, with eight cyan jade talismans hanging from his waistband. With his hands clasped behind his back, he moved leisurely, his posture elegant and free.
A closer look would reveal that he was standing on an iron sword—it was none other than Sword Flight!
"After rushing all this way, I still didn’t make it in time!" the white-robed man sighed. "Mad... Who stole my lofty aspirations? I’ve practiced with my Immortal Sword for nothing!"
This person was also a Player, but not a Lord. He was a Wandering Player! Or rather, an Adventurer Player!
If another Player saw him, they would be able to see his character information: "Xiang Tianchen, Inheritor of the Ancient Sword Immortal of Mengbai Mountain, Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, Sea Patrol Envoy of Mengbai Island."
Xiang Tianchen had also accepted the Black Mountain Stronghold bandit suppression mission. He had set off for the stronghold as soon as he sensed someone was attacking it, but the journey was long, and he wasn’t yet proficient with Sword Control, so he still hadn’t arrived.
On the peak of the Floating Mountain, Wang Yi placed the Tongyou Jade into Yang Wanli’s mouth.
Yang Qingniu and the others watched quietly from the side.
They knew their boss possessed the methods of an Immortal and could save those on the brink of death, but Yang Wanli’s body was already completely cold. Could he really be brought back from this?
Wang Yi himself was also quite curious.
The Tongyou Jade quickly took effect. Black smoke began to rise from Yang Wanli’s body. As the smoke emerged, his skin rapidly shriveled, as if the flesh and blood within him were quickly evaporating and draining away.
At the same time, a foul, fishy stench emanated from Yang Wanli’s body, utterly nauseating.
In less than two minutes, Yang Wanli had been reduced to little more than a skeleton. All his hair had fallen out, and the sight left the onlookers horrified.
"Don’t worry. After the flesh decays, it will regenerate. Everything is under control!"
Wang Yi pinched his nose, his expression calm.
Just as he said, Yang Wanli’s body soon began to fill out in a bizarre fashion. In less than two minutes, his physique had become well-proportioned and sturdy. He even seemed to have grown a little taller. His beard, eyebrows, and hair grew back, and with fewer wrinkles on his face, he looked several years younger.
The onlookers were stunned. Yang Qingniu’s eyes went wide as he stared at his father in disbelief.
Suddenly, Yang Wanli’s eyes snapped open. A flash of gray flickered in his pupils, and his expression was full of confusion. But soon, as if waking from a dream, he quickly rose and bowed to Wang Yi. "Boss, I... I think I went to another world, but then I came back. Did I... die and come back to life?"
Wang Yi nodded. "You are very fortunate. I have granted you a great opportunity. Cultivate the Tongyou Spell well!"
Yang Wanli bowed deeply. "Thank you for your immense grace, Boss. Yang Wanli is truly overwhelmed!"
"Rise."
Wang Yi waved his hand and took out the Talent Assessment Machine, snapping a picture of Yang Wanli.
On the photo, the assessment information quickly appeared: "Patient with mild paranoia. Vain. Proficient in internal affairs and persuasion. Cultivates the Tongyou Spell. Possesses a Nether Body. Undead Mage. Comprehensive Score: 91. Heroic Level Talent!"