novelraw Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Bai Jingtang clearly did not recognize Wangchuan.
To her, he was just a minor nobody she had run into at the gym a few months ago.
She did not even lift her gaze. Facing the dozen or so Martial Artists standing before the bonfire awaiting instructions, she spoke.
“Hurry.”
“Rest first and recover your stamina… If you are injured, treat your wounds.”
“I am returning to the Prefectural Government tonight. I must depart before sunset, so the operation at Snake Den cannot be delayed for too long.”
As she said that, Captain Bai finally raised her head. There was little emotion in her eyes, and her tone remained indifferent.
“The stench of blood from the wolf pack may cause unnecessary trouble. I have already sent Old Qiu and Old Yuan to keep watch over Snake Den. Old Fan and Sister Yuan will remain at Blackwind Stronghold to help you stabilize the rear.”
“Your task is to clear Snake Den as much as possible. Kill as many as you can.”
“Yes!”“We will follow Captain Bai.”
Monk Dalong and Zhang Xiaoxiao adopted an obedient posture, cooperating completely.
Hearing this, Wangchuan roughly understood.
The reason the First Land-Clearing Team had come to Blackwind Stronghold was to cultivate and support the Second and Third Land-Clearing Teams, as well as a group of reserve members at the Quasi-Martial Artist level.
Of course, that also included him.
“Where are the other two from your Second and Third Teams?”
Bai Jingtang fixed her gaze on Monk Dalong and Zhang Xiaoxiao.
Monk Dalong said, “One was delayed and cannot come. As for the Third Team, they received a task at the last minute and went to the Prefectural Government with an escort agency.”
“But it is not a big problem. Su Wan obtained reinforcements for us. Su Wangchuan from the Gold Farming Group—he has just taken office as the Hall Master of the Yulong Gang’s Huishui County hall. A First-Rank Martial Artist.”
“Mm.”
Bai Jingtang’s eyes fell on Wangchuan. She nodded.
“Your archery is passable, and your arrows are plentiful. Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar can reach Entry-Level Mastery today. The people you brought are enough to make up for the shortage of manpower.”
Then she said to him, “Since you are already a First-Rank Martial Artist, why are you still in the Gold Farming Group? Have you considered joining the Land-Clearing Team? You could form a Fifth Land-Clearing Team.”
“Captain Bai, I want to stay in the Gold Farming Group,” Wangchuan answered.
Bai Jingtang looked thoughtful. She nodded.
“Mm.”
“That works too. We finally managed to win this kind of authority and status within the gang factions. We should make good use of it.”
“Enough.”
“Go prepare. Rest for one hour, then we begin the formal purge of Snake Den.”
Wangchuan felt as though a weight had been lifted.
He did not know why, but in Bai Jingtang’s presence, he felt as if all his thoughts were being seen through completely, and…
The aura of a Third-Rank Martial Artist was intensely oppressive.
Especially her bow technique—firing four arrows at once and striking four wolves—was something he would never forget.
Everyone accepted the order and rested where they were.
Lin Xun sat with Wangchuan.
The two of them seemed to return to how they had been before.
Lin Xun explained in a low voice, “Captain Bai is one of the company’s founding veterans, and the first person of the Land-Clearing Team… I heard every member of the First Land-Clearing Team has been saved by her.”
“And Monk Dalong and Zhang Xiaoxiao were originally brought up by Captain Bai as well. That is why everyone respects her so deeply. It is the kind of respect carved into the bones.”
…
Wangchuan finally understood.
Lin Xun continued, “They say Captain Bai became a disciple of one of the renowned sects, Qingcheng Sect. She is currently carrying out missions around the Prefectural Government.”
“The reason she came to Blackwind Stronghold this time is because she knew our studio could not swallow these resources alone. So she specifically made time to help us push our martial arts realms higher.”
“Captain Bai has a broad mind. No wonder the Land-Clearing Team holds such high prestige in the company.”
Wangchuan developed genuine admiration for Bai Jingtang.
Lin Xun smiled and nodded firmly.
“I have been stuck at the threshold of Martial Artist for a long time. This time, thanks to Captain Bai coming here, I have a chance to push Archery to Entry-Level Mastery and gain 1 point of stamina.”
“Once I also cultivate the First-Rank martial art Black Tiger Fist to Entry-Level Mastery, I will officially enter rank, break through to a First-Rank Martial Artist, and begin cultivating Second-Rank martial arts.”
Wangchuan sighed inwardly.
After going in circles, Lin Xun was still going to return to cultivating Black Tiger Fist.
“By the way,” Wangchuan asked, “Brother Lin, why were you not cultivating Archery and Black Tiger Fist earlier?”
He suddenly recalled that Lin Xun had been using saber techniques the entire time against the wolves.
Lin Xun looked embarrassed.
“I did not expect there to be so many wolves. And with them in tow, I did not dare to split my focus to train…”
…
“It is fine,” Lin Xun said with a smile.
“There are many venomous snakes in Snake Den, and they move slowly. There should still be a chance to push Archery to Entry-Level Mastery.”
“Mm.”
Wangchuan nodded.
“All right.”
Then he turned and ordered his men to bring over the arrows and wipe away the bloodstains.
At moments like this, the advantage of having subordinates was clear.
While everyone busied themselves sorting arrows, Wangchuan simply found a flat spot and lay down to rest.
During that time, he could even log out to use the restroom.
An hour passed.
The inner disciples of the Yulong Gang had already finished reorganizing all the arrows. They shouldered their loads again, ready to move.
At that moment, a crisp and melodious whistle sounded from behind the stronghold.
Bai Jingtang rose and said, “All the realgar mechanisms have been fully activated. The snakes in Snake Den will soon pour out in full force. Blackwind Stronghold is the only direction they can take to escape the realgar powder.”
“Follow me.”
The Second and Third Land-Clearing Teams, along with the two Martial Artists from the Gold Farming Group, led more than thirty Quasi-Martial Artists out through the rear, arriving at a lakeside.
On the way, Captain Bai explained their plan.
They had laid realgar to block every path and small exit from Snake Den, leaving only the route leading toward this lake.
Their task was to kill every snake before the venomous snakes could descend the mountain and enter the lake.
The venomous snakes of Snake Den, due to their fierce toxicity, could pose a great threat to targets within a ten-meter radius. Their strength was likely comparable to Quasi-Martial Artists.
However, there were also larger snakes in Snake Den. Their strength reached the level of Martial Artists, and even First-Rank Martial Artists—perfect targets for training.
“To prevent multiple people from targeting the same enemy and wasting arrows, everyone has a fixed range and a fixed zone.”
“Anyone who makes three mistakes will be immediately disqualified from the purge of Snake Den.”
Bai Jingtang’s order made everyone’s hearts tighten.
Then she continued, “All Quasi-Martial Artists will handle targets in the ten-to-twenty-meter range.”
“Third Land-Clearing Team will handle targets in the twenty-to-thirty-meter range.”
“Second Land-Clearing Team will handle targets in the thirty-to-forty-meter range.”
“Old Yu from the Gold Farming Group, you will lead the Gold Farming Group people and handle targets within ten meters, filling gaps.”
Wangchuan frowned slightly.
Ten meters…
That was a bit insulting.
Then, unexpectedly, Bai Jingtang spoke again.
“Wangchuan, targets beyond forty meters are yours. As you please.”
Huh?
Wangchuan froze.
Everyone else looked over in surprise as well. Clearly, none of them expected Captain Bai to single Wangchuan out and grant him the privilege to open fire first.
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