novelraw Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Blackwind Stronghold was, in truth, already weakened.
Several minor leaders had died over the winter. This latest descent had cost them another batch of elites and a Ranked Martial Artist. On the mountain, they had only a dozen or so Quasi-Martial Artists left.
Against Yulong Gang’s elite inner disciples, they could not withstand the edge.
However—
Blackwind Stronghold still held an enormous advantage in numbers. If they managed to exploit that advantage and free their long-range archers to act, Yulong Gang would inevitably fall into a disadvantage.
Therefore, this battle had to shatter the enemy’s morale quickly.
The key figure was Su Wangchuan.
Under the protection of Qin Ming, Instructor Yu, and the others, Su Wangchuan remained unaffected by the chaos around him. He locked onto Zhao Jinhu, the First Leader, raised the iron-reinforced bow, and held his breath. The armor-piercing arrow on the string tightened further and further.
Zhao Jinhu wore black leather armor with chest guards both front and back. His movements were steady and swift. The heavy saber in his hands was fiercer and more powerful than a hundredfold steel saber.
Each strike sent sparks flying. The hundredfold steel saber in He Haisheng’s hands already bore more than a dozen chips, and he was forced back step by step, blocking with extreme difficulty.There was no choice.
Zhao Jinhu was only a First-Rank Martial Artist, but he was a veteran at that realm. His Strength and Agility attributes had long surpassed 30 points, approaching the level of a Second-Rank Martial Artist.
Even Huang Zhihai was a seasoned First-Rank Martial Artist. He alone held off Lin Xun and Fang Kui. With a single slash, he chopped through a thick round wooden railing, forcing the two to abandon direct clashes and shift into defense.
Twannng!
From within the crowd, Su Wangchuan loosed an arrow through a narrow gap.
Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar!
Zhao Jinhu knew there were other Martial Artists present, but the distance was too great. For the moment, he paid it no mind—
The armor-piercing arrow avoided the torso and drove into his thigh at a vicious angle, punching straight through and lodging in the muscle.
The sudden agony made Zhao Jinhu’s movements stutter.
He Haisheng seized the opening, slipped in, and stabbed a blade into Zhao Jinhu’s neck like lightning, then yanked it out.
Splash!
Blood erupted like a fountain.
Half of Zhao Jinhu’s neck was severed. He was grievously wounded and instantly lost the ability to resist.
“Chief!”
The moment Huang Zhihai saw his elder brother fall, panic surged through him and he lunged forward by instinct.
Twannng!
Another arrow chased after him from behind and drilled into his lower back. He let out a muffled grunt, toppled as if electrocuted, and was immediately finished by Lin Xun and Fang Kui.
In the blink of an eye, two Ranked Martial Artists died in succession.
Hall Master He smoothly severed Zhao Jinhu’s head and raised it high, roaring:
“Zhao Jinhu is dead! All of you, surrender!”
Like thunder splitting the ground, the battlefield froze. Every bandit’s heart turned cold. They stared upward in disbelief.
In Hall Master He’s hand, the head dripped blood, its face horrifyingly distinct.
Fang Kui chopped off Huang Zhihai’s head as well, lifted it high, and shouted:
“Huang Zhihai, the Second Leader, has been executed!”
“Those who drop their weapons will be spared! Those who resist will be killed without mercy!”
Clang!
A timid bandit lost his nerve and dropped his weapon.
More and more followed.
But at that moment, someone roared from within the crowd:
“What are you afraid of?”
“They are few, we are many! We can bury them in bodies!”
“If they hand us over to the county office, who among you will come out alive?”
Twannng!
From above, Su Wangchuan sent the agitator straight to his grave with a single arrow.
A second unfortunate bandit was pierced as well—one arrow, two kills.
The crowd scattered in terror.
The armor-piercing arrow sank deep into the ground, its blood-red shaft vibrating wildly.
That single shot shattered the last trace of resolve among the stubborn few.
Everyone dropped their weapons.
He Haisheng and Song Minshu exchanged delighted glances. They had not expected the suppression of Blackwind Stronghold to go so smoothly.
“Helm Leader Wangchuan, keep the situation under control.”
“All other inner disciples, search the entire stronghold in pairs.”
“Priority search the residences of the three leaders and the stronghold treasury!”
“Constable Yu’s subordinates, Constable Wu—please work with our two elders and bind all the bandits here!” He Haisheng ordered.
The county office had brought too few people and became mere decoration at this moment.
Instructor Yu and Constable Wu showed no displeasure. They nodded and complied.
Constable Wu laughed heartily in congratulations.
“Congratulations to you all!”
“Taking Blackwind Stronghold like this greatly strengthens the Yulong Gang’s foundation. From now on, you are the number one gang in Huishui County.”
“The joy is shared!”
“Bringing down Blackwind Stronghold is also a major merit for the county office. The two of you will not only receive a large bounty, but this will also become a brilliant mark on your record. Promotion within the Six Gates will be within reach!” He Haisheng replied with clasped fists.
Everyone was jubilant.
Su Wangchuan found a moment to check his [Status Panel], and his pupils trembled slightly.
The experience of [Archery] had reached 271/500.
The experience of [Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar] had reached 106/500.
Back in Blackstone Village, [Archery] had been only 165/500, and [Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar] had been only 52/500.
Killing a few bandits—
Only gave a few points of experience.
But assisting in killing veteran First-Rank Martial Artists had granted such a massive increase?
He could hardly believe it.
“Wangchuan.”
Captain Zhao Heiniu walked over with a smile.
“With Blackwind Stronghold destroyed, the village’s threat is finally resolved.”
“Yes.”
Su Wangchuan nodded, smiling.
“I did not expect the operation to go so smoothly. From now on, everyone can live without fear.”
“Thank you, Wangchuan.”
Zhao Heiniu patted his shoulder. He understood clearly how much danger Su Wangchuan had faced and how much courage it took to strike at over a hundred bandits.
Su Wangchuan turned slightly and said, “Everything I have came from Blackstone Village, from the teachings of my two masters. Protecting Blackstone Village is what I should do.”
“When you have time, come back often. No matter what, Blackstone Village will always be your home.”
“I will.”
Flap, flap.
At that moment, Song Minshu released a carrier pigeon toward Huishui County.
Su Wangchuan withdrew his gaze.
Yulong Gang inner disciples soon gathered enormous quantities of gold, silver, and copper coins from across the stronghold, stacking chest after chest in the open ground.
The harvest was immense.
After receiving the news, Yang Feiyue quickly arranged manpower to come up the mountain.
More than two hundred dock laborers, along with several hundred captured bandits from Blackwind Stronghold, carried loads down the mountain with shoulder poles and ropes. Horse-drawn carts transported the spoils back to the city.
Such a huge commotion could not be concealed.
Huishui County erupted in excitement.
The County Magistrate personally went outside the city to watch, while also verifying the captured men one by one.
Yang Feiyue followed behind with several clan chiefs, praising the achievement without end.
“Gang Leader Yang!”
“Impressive!”
“First you worked with the county office to destroy Nu Tao Gang, and now you have destroyed Blackwind Stronghold with them as well!”
“Huishui County is now the Yulong Gang’s world.”
“Not at all.”
Yang Feiyue looked invigorated, as if ten years younger.
“It is all thanks to the County Magistrate’s coordination and support. The peace of Huishui County depends on the County Magistrate, and it also requires everyone here to work together with the Yulong Gang.”
“Hahahaha…”
When Su Wangchuan returned to Huishui County with the group, a system notification sounded in his ear:
“Ding!”
“By participating in the destruction of Blackwater Stronghold, your Reputation in Huishui County has risen from ‘Unknown’ to ‘Somewhat Notable.’”
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