novelraw Chapter 154: Luring the Snake from Its Hole
Chapter 154: Luring the Snake from Its Hole
Huishui County, Heilong County, and Rongcheng County were all shrouded in a faint sense of oppression.
The threat posed by the Five Poison Sect and Blackwind Stronghold was quietly gathering strength and spreading.
It was not only the Yulong Gang that suffered the impact.
The Yulong Gang’s daily shipping revenue had dropped noticeably.
Although Qingfeng Escort Agency and the other escort agencies in the nearby counties initially saw booming business, the backlash soon followed…
Blackwind Stronghold had been reestablished.
The bandit threat that had once subsided suddenly resurfaced.
Escort convoys were robbed one after another, their cargo lost…
One entire convoy was even wiped out. Their corpses were abandoned along the official road, their goods completely plundered. In the end, the county office received the report and dispatched men to retrieve the bodies.
The Five Poison Sect was using this method to retaliate against the Yulong Gang and the local authorities:You refuse to let us establish ourselves within the city?
Then none of you will have peace either!
That day…
The Huishui County hall suddenly grew busy.
Gang Leader Yang Feiyue personally led several Ranked Elders to the hall.
Soon after, Escort Leader He Han from Qingfeng Escort Agency arrived with four escorts. Instructor Yu and Constable Wu followed.
Then came Escort Leader Li from the “Dawei” Escort Agency of Rongcheng County, and Escort Leader Kong from the “Sihai” Escort Agency of Heilong County…
Finally, the Sect Master of Qingyi Sect, Feng Shaoguang, arrived somewhat late, accompanied by three First-Rank Martial Artists.
“Sect Master Feng!”
“Gang Leader Yang!”
Feng Shaoguang had already broken through to Second Rank. Clad in a flowing green robe, he carried himself with great bearing, yet he remained quite courteous toward Yang Feiyue.
Yang Feiyue warmly welcomed him.
“Please, inside.”
The hall was already filled with Martial Artists from all sides: three Second-Rank Martial Artists, fourteen First-Rank Martial Artists, and more than twenty other formally ranked Martial Artists…
Even Wangchuan could not help but be moved at the sight of such a lineup.
For a mere county, this could only be described as a luxurious formation.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Yang Feiyue rose and cupped his fists.
“Gentlemen!”
“We all know why we have gathered here today at the Yulong Gang hall.”
“The Five Poison Sect has supported the revival of Blackwind Stronghold. They threaten the official roads outside our counties, rob the escort agencies, abduct people, seize goods, and commit every imaginable evil!”
“They also threaten our waterways. Venomous snakes appear in endless numbers, injuring people time and again. Their actions have reached a level that enrages both heaven and man!”
Yang Feiyue’s voice rang out with force and conviction.
“As the prominent local forces of these counties—and the primary victims—we must join hands to confront this crisis and eliminate the trouble brought by the Five Poison Sect.”
“The purpose of this gathering is to strike preemptively before matters worsen further and to deal a heavy blow to the Five Poison Sect’s arrogance!”
“Well said!”
“The county office fully supports Gang Leader Yang’s decision. We must destroy the newly rebuilt Blackwind Stronghold before it can rise again. Sever one of their arms!”
“Hmph! My Dawei Escort Agency lost an entire convoy—two escort masters and sixteen brothers left to rot in the wilderness. This blood debt must be settled with the Five Poison Sect!”
“… ”
The Qingyi Sect had also suffered losses. The Sihai Escort Agency of Heilong County had been founded by their subordinates. Two shipments were lost, and more than a dozen men were killed or injured.
Feng Shaoguang frowned.
“The Five Poison Sect is, after all, a sect with Third-Rank and even Fourth-Rank Martial Artists. They are not like our smaller organizations. Their foundations run deep, and their experts are numerous. If we act, we must leave no room for error.”
“I already have a plan,” Yang Feiyue said with a cold smile.
“However, it requires the cooperation of the three escort leaders… Each side must dispatch their elite.”
“… ”
Curiosity rippled through the hall.
Wangchuan listened as Yang Feiyue laid out the strategy step by step, falling into thought.
Luring the snake from its hole?
It was not a bad plan.
However…
He glanced around at the more than fifty Martial Artists in the hall and frowned slightly.
That was more than fifty mouths.
Once mobilized, even more people would learn of the plan.
How could they ensure that no information leaked?
Yang Feiyue’s proposal received the support of the three major escort agencies and the county office, as well as the Qingyi Sect.
The agreement was swiftly reached. Everyone dispersed to make preparations.
After the crowd had left, Wangchuan voiced his concern. Yang Feiyue waved it away.
“Everyone who attended today bears deep hatred toward the Five Poison Sect. There should be no leak.”
“… ”
Wangchuan still felt a vague unease.
At that moment, Yang Feiyue added:
“You will participate in this operation as well, Wangchuan. Tomorrow at dawn, bring your men to assemble at Qingfeng Escort Agency.”
His tone left no room for refusal.
“How many men should I bring?”
“Not too many. A few sharp and capable hands will suffice.”
“… Yes.”
Wangchuan wanted to decline, but the plan was already set in motion. As a Hall Master of the Yulong Gang, refusing the Gang Leader’s order now would lead to unpleasant consequences.
In Jianghu, one’s body was rarely one’s own. At that moment, the saying felt vividly real.
Yang Feiyue left the hall to prepare.
After careful consideration, Wangchuan decided to bring Wang Yuehui, who possessed First-Rank Martial Artist strength; Chen Ergou, Bai Yuhui, and Hong Kaibao, whose single attributes had already surpassed 20 points; Captain Zhao Heiniu; and three Inner Disciples whose strength was close to that of Martial Artists.
Before long, he gathered them and explained the plan and necessary precautions.
…
That very night, the Zhou family of Huishui County sent numerous chests to Qingfeng Escort Agency, claiming they wished to hire Escort Leader He Han at a high price to personally escort the goods to Sanhe Commandery.
Qingfeng Escort Agency worked through the night, binding the cargo and preparing the escort carts. Twelve carts were lined up. At dawn, the agency sealed its gates, presenting the posture of mobilizing its entire force for the escort.
Each of the twelve carts had one driver and four saber-wielding guards.
He Han rode ahead on horseback to clear the way.
Behind him followed three escort masters with formal Martial Artist strength.
Wangchuan sat atop the fifth cart, disguised as an ordinary driver.
Wang Yuehui, Zhao Heiniu, and Chen Ergou were dressed as guards, positioned at his sides.
Yang Feiyue, accompanied by four First-Rank Elders, as well as Instructor Yu and Constable Wu, were all disguised as drivers, wearing hats and flicking horsewhips.
The entire convoy had a minimum cultivation of Quasi-Martial Artist.
The objective was simple: wait for the men of Blackwind Stronghold to attempt a robbery—and annihilate them in one net.
Their weapons were hidden behind their seats.
Wangchuan’s Iron-Reinforced Bow and Hundredfold Steel Longsword lay beneath his seat cushion. During the night, he had also stuffed bundles of arrows into the cart behind him, along with several quivers filled with Armor-Piercing Arrows.
Poised and ready for battle.
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