Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 598 Crisis of Destruction
The resounding victory at Yanshan Village was like a bucket of cold water poured into boiling oil, instantly igniting a long-suppressed fervor.

Before the embers of victory had even cooled, the entire stronghold had fallen into an almost pathological state of euphoria.

The consumption of wine and meat was unprecedented, the noise was incessant day and night, and every corner was filled with the desire for the next victory and the fanatical worship of the chieftain Yin Leiling.

The men were eagerly anticipating the day their chieftain would raise his flag again, leading them to drink the blood of the government soldiers and achieve another great feat.

however……

What's puzzling is that Yin Leiling and Bai Yi, who are the core of the victory, have disappeared without a trace these past two days, with no further news of their actions.

This deliberate silence, like a dark cloud hanging over the mountain stronghold, made those with keen senses detect something unusual.

Black Tiger Hall.

The heavy oak door was tightly shut, isolating it from the noise of the outside world.

The hall was dimly lit, with only a few ever-burning lamps flickering beside the massive stone pillars, casting distorted and pulsating shadows on the ferocious beast heads and weapons hanging on the walls, adding to the atmosphere of solemnity and oppression.

The huge hall was surprisingly empty at the moment, with only two people sitting opposite each other.

Yin Leiling's tall frame sank into the tiger-skin-covered main seat, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the hard armrests, producing a dull "thump-thump" sound, just like his anxious heartbeat at that moment.

Bai Yi sat at the lower end, his plain white folding fan, which he never parted with, was not unfolded, but was tightly gripped, the fan ribs almost embedded in his palm.

On the huge, long table between the two men, there was a thick stack of intelligence files that had just been delivered, piled up like a small mountain.

Each file represents bad news coming from down the mountain.

"Song Jiang... is even more slippery than I expected."

Bai Yi's deep voice broke the suffocating silence, carrying a hint of defeat:
"I originally intended to use the mess in the Logistics Department to put him in a difficult position and force him to step forward."

"Unexpectedly, he shamelessly shirked responsibility and distanced himself from the matter. It was as if he had enough confidence."

Yin Leiling snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with a chilling light:

"Hmph! I've only been away from the village for a little over a month, and the place down the mountain has already undergone a complete upheaval!"

"The government has actually implemented a scorched-earth policy around Yanshan! Nine out of ten villages are empty, granaries are completely devoid of grain, and roads are blocked everywhere! Our people can hardly even get close to the mountains, let alone plunder grain!"

"If this continues, we'll starve to death before the government troops even arrive!"

He grabbed a newly released confidential report and slammed it onto the table:
"What's worse is this! The vanguard of the imperial army has already passed Black Wind Pass and is only three days' march from our main camp at Yanshan! Scouts report that this time the scale of the government army is unprecedented, a dark mass stretching as far as the eye can see!"

"What's even more troublesome is that the people involved are a mixed bag, including the garrison troops of the prefecture, the henchmen of the Six Doors, the lackeys of the Prince's Mansion, and those scoundrels from the underworld who have defected to the government for the bounty... The number is alarming!"

Bai Yi picked up another file, his voice grave:

"Without traitors like Ji Yan and Ding Jia to exploit, replicating the great victory of last time will be as difficult as climbing to the sky. The officers and soldiers will learn from their mistakes and will surely be more cautious."

The two of them, one after the other, thoroughly analyzed the current grim situation.

Each piece of intelligence felt like a heavy lead weight, constantly adding to the pressure, almost freezing the air inside the Black Tiger Hall.

After much discussion, the proposed solution was like a stone sinking into a deep pool, failing to create even the slightest useful ripple.

Anxiety, helplessness, and a deep sense of crisis, like cold vines, entwined around their hearts.

Another long silence descended.

Only the crackling of the burning wick and Yin Leiling's increasingly heavy breathing echoed in the empty hall.

finally.

Bai Yi seemed to have made up his mind. He suddenly raised his head and looked directly into Yin Leiling's bloodshot eyes, which were filled with suppressed anger. His voice was clear and carried a resolute determination, as if he had made a desperate gamble:

"Chieftain... perhaps... we should consider abandoning the village and relocating."

Like a tiger whose tail has been stepped on, Yin Leiling suddenly stood up!

"what?!"

The immense force knocked over the heavy chair, which crashed to the ground with a deafening roar!

His eyes were wide open, staring intently at Bai Yi, veins bulging on his forehead, and a violent killing intent instantly filled the entire Black Tiger Hall:
"Bai Yi! Are you out of your mind because you have a high fever?! Don't you think before you speak?!"

"We haven't even fought, and you want me to give up this business I've built up over a decade?! Think it over carefully before you speak!"

Bai Yi met Yin Leiling's almost murderous gaze, his body tensed slightly, and he sighed helplessly.

He said this only after careful consideration.

As a strategist, he cannot only look at the present, but also at the long term.

According to the intelligence he possessed, the Changzhou garrison had mobilized its entire force, and the elite guards of the Pingcheng Prince's Mansion had also joined in. With the two armies combined, their strength was likely over ten thousand!

Although Yanshan Village claims to have five thousand people!

But this mountain alone is simply not enough to support so many people.

Therefore, those who remained in the stronghold were all elites, while the majority of the other members were scattered in various villages and towns around the mountain.

When needed, the village only needs to send a signal and all members can gather quickly.

If, when the government troops surround the mountain and swords clash, even half of the core brothers who are willing to abandon their families and risk their lives to return to the mountain stronghold will be extremely fortunate!
In terms of troop strength, Yanshan Village is at an absolute disadvantage!
Even more critical is the food supply!
The government's scorched-earth policy resulted in Yanshan Village being unable to enter or leave!

The mountain stronghold already had little grain reserves, and now it's facing another crisis!

Once food supplies are cut off, morale will collapse. At that point, the stronghold will fall apart and deserters will spring up everywhere, even without government troops attacking it!

But the most lethal weapon is top-tier combat power!
Second-in-command Meng Guang has tragically died, leaving Yanshan Village with one arm missing.

Although there are two experts in the stronghold, Yin Leiling and Song Jiang, they are now at odds with each other, internally divided and surrounded by powerful enemies, which is a great taboo!
On the other hand, the officers and soldiers, including the renowned Six Doors constable Qin Feng, a third-rank cultivator, who was in charge of the central army, were already a well-known fact.

The Prince of Pingcheng's mansion must have a master accompanying him. That pale-faced official who can sit on equal footing with Qin Feng is unfathomable!

In addition, there are those scoundrels in the martial arts world who are attached to the government.

This meant that Yanshan Village had absolutely no chance of winning!

As for the "great victory" last time, it was nothing more than using an internal traitor to catch the enemy off guard and wipe out a small group of officers and soldiers who were trying to take credit and thus made a rash advance!

For the main force of officers and soldiers, it was nothing more than a superficial wound, and it did not affect their bones and muscles at all!
Bai Yi patiently finished analyzing the situation, his chest heaving slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Yin Leiling:
"Chief! As long as the green hills remain, there's always firewood to burn!"

"A head-on confrontation with the government troops will only drive us into a desperate situation and lead our brothers to their deaths! As long as our core members remain and we are united in our resolve, even if we temporarily abandon Yanshan, we can seize the opportunity to rise again!"

"But if all the brothers are killed and their blood is drained, what use is it to guard this empty mountain stronghold?"

"That is true... utter ruin!"

He straightened his back, ready to face Yin Leiling's thunderous wrath.

However, the expected storm did not materialize.

Yin Leiling stood frozen in place, as if immobilized. The rage on his face receded like the tide, replaced by a deep, almost solidified solemnity.

His chest heaved violently, and he clenched his fists several times, his aura surging like a raging torrent, but he forced it down in the end.

He slowly bent down and lifted the overturned chair, his movements heavy and slow.

a long time.

A long, heavy sigh, as if it had exhausted all his strength, escaped from the depths of his throat and echoed for a long time in the empty hall.

This sigh, like the unloading of a heavy burden, also announced his compromise.

This ruthless warlord, who was known as "Proud Blade Hero" and was a formidable figure in the bandit world of Changzhou, ultimately let reason prevail over passion.

He sat back down in the main seat, his voice hoarse and low, carrying an unprecedented weariness and determination:

"Speak, Bai Yi."

“Say all your thoughts…”

A huge weight lifted from Bai Yi's heart, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He immediately walked to the huge hanging map:

"The chieftain is wise! The vanguard of the government troops is expected to reach the foot of the mountain in three days at the earliest, leaving us only one day to pack up and withdraw! We must travel light, taking only our elite troops and necessary provisions!"

His finger moved quickly across the map:
"The route has been planned by my subordinates! The first step is a feigned attack on the capital!"

The fingertip pressed heavily on the symbolic location of the capital region:
"Make a big show of it, spread the word that we are going to launch a long-distance raid and strike at the heart of the enemy! The capital is the lifeline of the court and the center of power. Even if they know that we are not up to the task, they will not dare to be negligent in the slightest! The prefectures and counties along the way, as well as the garrison troops guarding the capital, will be urgently mobilized and defenses will be set up at every level!"

"The second step is to move north and harass the border!"

His finger suddenly slashed towards the war-torn northern border:

"Once we've attracted enough attention, we'll immediately turn north and make it appear as if we're going to take advantage of the Black Dragon Army's fierce battle with the main force of the Great Qian to attack the Great Qian Army's rear supply lines and support the Black Dragon Army! If the Great Qian's rear is in chaos, the front lines will inevitably be shaken! To ensure the stability of the northern border, the imperial court will definitely order the troops pursuing us to split up and head north to intercept us!"

"The purpose of these two feints was to lure and exhaust the enemy!"

Bai Yi's voice was resolute:

"The continuous long-distance raids and emergency troop redeployments are enough to keep both the pursuing troops behind us and the various government troops trying to block us from the front exhausted, with men and horses worn out and their organization in disarray!"

"And at this moment..."

Bai Yi's finger finally landed on a location on the map that was inconspicuous yet marked with a special symbol, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint:
"Then we can slip away and head towards our true destination! It's a strategically important location, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and far from the heart of the imperial court, giving us time to regroup and rebuild!"

Yin Leiling's gaze followed Bai Yi's explanation as he moved across the map, the seriousness in his eyes gradually replaced by a hint of excitement and admiration.

He slapped his thigh abruptly and stood up abruptly:

"Excellent! What a brilliant plan of feigning an attack on one side while secretly advancing on another! Each step is meticulously planned and enough to disrupt the entire northern army's deployment! We'll proceed as you say!"

But then, his brows furrowed again:

"The plan is ingenious, but it will be difficult to get our brothers to willingly abandon their hard-earned possessions and follow us on this long and arduous journey."

"With morale low, the team is hard to manage!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Yi revealed a confident smile, and with a "whoosh," he unfolded his folding fan and gently waved it.
"The chieftain doesn't need to convince everyone."

"If we can persuade just one person, the entire village can be secured!"

Yin Leiling's eyes narrowed:
"Who?"

Bai Yi uttered two words:

"Song Jiang!"

Yin Leiling's expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting this answer.

Bai Yi calmly explained:

"As everyone knows, the stronghold is now subtly divided into two factions. You, the leader, are the leader of one faction, while Song Jiang is the core of the other."

“Once you issue the order to evacuate, those who are hesitant, dissatisfied, or even harbor disloyal intentions will inevitably seek Song Jiang’s support and use him as a banner to oppose you!”

"But... what if even Song Jiang is the first to express his full support for the chieftain's decision?"

His eyes gleamed with a penetrating insight into people's hearts:
"Then who would dare to oppose us? Who would have the ability to stir up trouble? Song Jiang's support is the anchor that stabilizes the morale of the army!"

"As for persuading Song Jiang..."

Bai Yi's smile deepened:
"It's not difficult. He's a smart man, an extremely pragmatic smart man."

"Just show him all the intelligence we have, especially the strength of our officers and soldiers, the number of skilled fighters, and our predicament of running out of supplies, and he will weigh the pros and cons!"

“Song Jiang has committed heinous crimes, such as robbing disaster relief funds and defying the imperial court! The imperial court will never accept his surrender. He is just like us, with no other option but to go down this dark path!”

"He knew better than anyone that staying here to hold out meant certain death! Coming with us offered a glimmer of hope!"

Bai Yi paused, looked at Yin Leiling, and said solemnly:
"Of course, for this plan to succeed, it will require you, Chief, to... temporarily set aside your prejudices against Song Jiang, prioritize the overall situation, and demonstrate sufficient sincerity."

Yin Leiling remained silent for a moment, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

finally.

He exhaled a heavy breath, a resolute glint in his eyes:
"With a formidable enemy at hand, only by uniting can we survive! Let's put aside personal grudges for now!"

"As long as we can preserve the stronghold and protect the lives of our brothers, I, Yin Leiling, am willing to tolerate this much!"

He is a decisive person; once he makes a decision, he never delays.

"There's no time to lose! Bai Yi, take the intelligence, let's go to West Peak right now and find Song Jiang!"

The two quickly gathered up the key files, pushed open the heavy doors of the Black Tiger Hall, and hurriedly disappeared into the noisy yet dangerous shadows of the mountain stronghold.

…………

Banquet at the West Peak.

This place is perched atop a sheer cliff, where the biting mountain winds howl ceaselessly day and night, sweeping across the jagged rocks and emitting mournful cries like ghosts wailing.

This place is like a completely different world from the bustling, restless, and blood-soaked Yanshan Village.

Several simple yet sturdy wooden houses were built along the mountainside.

In front of the house, a small platform was leveled by hand and turned into a temporary training ground.

At this moment, a breathtaking scene is unfolding on the platform.

"Wow—!"

A clear, resounding cry, capable of piercing gold and splitting stone, echoed through the heavens!

The enormous divine eagle spread its wings, which were strong enough to blot out the sky, and, riding the raging mountain winds, swooped down from the deep sky like a golden lightning bolt!

Its speed was so great that the airflow it generated created a small whirlwind on the platform!
On the eagle's back, Xiaoyu's petite body pressed tightly against the eagle's neck, as steady as a rock.

Her eyes were sharp as an eagle's, fixed on the specially made target in the center of the platform below.

The mountain wind was fierce, making her clothes flutter wildly and her hair fly wildly, but her movements of nocking the arrow and drawing the bow were incredibly smooth and steady!
"Boo! Hah! Hah!"

Three streaks of dark light tore through the air, emitting a sharp, piercing shriek!

The strong mountain wind seemed to be blowing the arrow off course.

However, the arrow seemed to possess a spirit. After drawing several seemingly chaotic but actually exquisite arcs in the air, it was as if it had eyes, hitting the bullseye of the target in the center of the open space a hundred paces away with unparalleled accuracy!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three muffled, loud bangs erupted almost simultaneously!
The thick wooden target could not withstand the terrifying penetrating power of the arrow and the force of its subsequent explosion, and it instantly shattered into pieces, with wood chips flying everywhere!
"good--!!!"

At the edge of the platform, Lei Zhen, Xiao Liu, and Zhong Lihan cheered in unison, their eyes filled with heartfelt admiration and awe.

Lei Zhen even praised:

"Xiaoyu's archery skills are getting better and better."

"Although Xiaoyu is only at the seventh rank, as long as she is on the back of the Divine Eagle, no martial artist below the fifth rank can escape her pursuit in the sky."

“Even a fifth-rank martial artist might be at risk of being slowly worn down by her.”

Xiaoyu's archery skills, if used on the ground, would probably be ineffective against martial artists whose skill level is far superior to hers.

However, once the speed of the eagle's dive is added, the power of Xiaoyu's arrows will be terrifyingly high.

Sixth and seventh rank martial artists simply cannot withstand such power; they are often killed by one or two arrows.

Only a fifth-rank martial artist who can project their internal energy outwards can withstand such a feathered arrow.

However, a fifth-rank martial artist's internal strength is weak. If he gets entangled with Xiaoyu and there is no suitable terrain to hide in, he will probably be worn down to death sooner or later.

After all, Xiaoyu being in the sky is practically invincible.

Zhongli Han, standing to the side, also wore a solemn expression and sighed sincerely:

"If this divine eagle were to swoop down with Xiaoyu for close combat, the impact combined with its sharp claws and beak would be so great that even I might not dare to take it head-on!"

"I'm afraid the first thing I'll have to do is hide inside my giant clock to save my life!"

These words were not merely praise, but rather a reflection of the terrifying sense of oppression brought about by the swooping motion.

Although Zhongli Han had already reached the fourth rank, he did not have the courage to fight the divine eagle head-on.

Lei Zhen nodded in deep agreement, his eyes a mixture of fighting spirit and apprehension:

“Brother Zhongli is absolutely right. Let alone you, even I would have no chance of winning if I went head-to-head with this hairy beast.”

"Among those at the fourth rank, there are probably very few who can reliably defeat it."

"Only a true third-grade martial artist could take it down unscathed!"

The two got along very well and soon the topic shifted from Xiaoyu in "The Return of the Condor Heroes" to their insights on martial arts.

Zhongli Han's realm is slightly higher, his foundation is solid, and he has unique insights into the use of power.

Lei Zhen's boxing style was exquisite, with endless variations contained within its expansive and powerful movements. The two stood at the edge of the platform, facing the howling wind, exchanging words and verifying their understanding. Sparks flew between their clashing eyes, and their intense fighting spirit almost materialized.

They were clearly itching to have a match and couldn't resist the urge to test their skills against each other.

If it weren't for some concerns, the two would have already been sparring on this solitary peak.

Since Zhongli Han had only recently joined Liang Jin's group, it was inconvenient for him to directly challenge Liang Jin's brothers.

Lei Zhen knew that these were turbulent times, and that once they started sparring, there would be no mercy in their fists and feet. If he accidentally got injured, it would jeopardize his elder brother's important plans.

Therefore, the two could only compete with each other through verbal communication.

Edge of an open space.

Xiao Liu sat silently on a large rock smoothed by the mountain wind.

When Lei Zhen and Zhong Lihan's conversation turned to profound martial arts realms and the application of internal energy, he quietly shut his mouth, lowered his head slightly, as if trying to shrink himself into the shadow of the rocks.

because……

His talent and comprehension are both too poor!
Talent...comprehension...

These two words were like heavy shackles, firmly binding his path in martial arts.

He looked at Xiaoyu, who was cheering and jumping for joy on the back of the divine eagle, and felt a mix of emotions.

Even this naive little girl, under Liang Jin's guidance, has already stepped into the seventh rank!
And what about Xiao Liu?
Despite his best efforts and tireless training day and night, he is still struggling at the threshold of the late stage of the ninth rank!

There is still a considerable distance to go before reaching the peak of the ninth rank, let alone the unattainable eighth rank!
He was the only person in Liang Jin's inner circle who had not yet broken through to a higher realm.

A... mediocre person who doesn't fit in.

Martial artists in this world are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.

Those who can break through the shackles of their realm are ultimately extremely rare.

The vast majority of martial artists are just mediocre and may never break through to a higher realm in their entire lives.

Xiao Liu knew that he was just an ordinary person.

If he hadn't followed Liang Jin, he would have been completely inconspicuous in the martial arts world, and no one would have even given him a second glance.

Look at the people around Liang Jin.

Each and every one of them is an exceptionally talented individual!

Except for him, Xiao Liu.

He also knew that many people in the mountain stronghold were mocking him behind his back, saying that without Liang Jin, he, Xiao Liu, was nothing.

Whenever Xiao Liu relayed a message for Liang Jin, people would always curse him behind his back, saying he was a bully who was using someone else's power to bully others.

weak.

That is the greatest original sin.

This word, like a rusty, dull knife, slowly cut into his heart day after day.

Every breath was filled with a rusty, sweet taste and a painful sensation.

But Xiao Liu himself, didn't he also want to improve?

How could he not wish to be as upright and indomitable as Lei Zhen? How could he not wish to possess the power of Zhong Li Han? How could he not wish to have Xiao Yu's talent and extraordinary encounters?

He works harder than anyone else!

They rise at cockcrow and rest late at night, practicing every move until their arms ache, their legs tremble, their clothes are soaked with sweat, and their palms are calloused from being worn down.

But talent... was like an insurmountable chasm, cruelly isolating him from that wonderful world.

His progress was so slow it was despairing.

How much effort did he put in to go from the middle to the late stage of the ninth rank?

Now, he is still far from reaching the peak of the ninth rank.

The eighth rank... that seems like an unattainable dream, a goal that requires a lifetime to reach.

But how could he accept this?

If he had remained at the very bottom of the martial arts world his entire life, he might have simply lived a muddled and aimless existence.

Mediocrity was his destiny.

He should have accepted it calmly.

But his fate changed because of one choice.

He chose to stay and follow Liang Jin and Lei Zhen instead of following E Xuan, which gave him a tremendous opportunity.

It was this opportunity that forcibly brought him to a height that should not have belonged to him, and broadened his horizons that should not have been broadened.

It's like a frog at the bottom of a well.

If one's entire life is spent in a well, observing the sky from the bottom of the well, one can live a peaceful and contented life.

But one day, the frog was suddenly carried to the sky by a giant dragon.

The frog witnessed the view from the summit, kept company with the eagle, and talked about the grand trends of the world while laughing and talking, and fought life and death battles while looking up and down!

He saw a magnificent and wonderful world!

however……

When he stood on the clouds, looking down at the earth, what welled up in his heart was not pride, but boundless panic and... a deep-seated inferiority complex.

Because he has no wings!

Eagles soar through the sky, their instinct is to flap their wings and fight against the heavens.

He was merely a frog held in the claws of a dragon.

He saw the vastness of the sky and felt the howling of the wind, but he could never fly on his own!

He couldn't unleash a fist that could split mountains and shatter rocks like Lei Zhen, nor could he withstand powerful enemies like Zhong Lihan, nor could he shine with his own brilliance like Xiao Yu, using the wings of the divine eagle.

The spot beneath the dragon's claws is an opportunity many dream of.

But for a frog, this position brings not glory, but constant reminders of its own insignificance and weakness.

It was like... torture!
Unwilling! Like a poisonous vine, it coiled around his heart, tightening and tightening until he could barely breathe!
Why? !

Why should he, who puts in ten or a hundred times more effort than others, only be able to look up at others from the dust?

Why is it that even though he had the opportunity to reach the clouds, he still couldn't change the fact that he was a frog?!
Xiao Liu's face appeared even paler in the cold wind, his lips pressed into a stubborn straight line, devoid of any expression.

Only his hand, gripping the ordinary iron sword sheath at his waist, showed signs of blood loss; his knuckles were bulging from excessive force.

That scabbard was the only thing he could grasp, a symbol of his identity as a martial artist, and also the heaviest proof of his powerlessness.

at this time.

A steady footstep approached from afar.

Liang Jin's figure appeared at the end of the path, as if he were coming on a gentle breeze.

"Big brother!"

As if startled awake, Xiao Liu instantly suppressed all his emotions, sprang up from the rock, bowed respectfully, and performed the most meticulous movements.

Zhongli Han and Lei Zhen also stopped their discussion and quickly came forward.

The divine eagle in the sky let out a joyful cry, its huge wings folded, and it swooped down like a dark cloud, nimbly slowing down as it approached the ground.

Xiaoyu giggled, like a light swallow, leaping down from the eagle's back and landing precisely in Liang Jin's open arms.

Liang Jin affectionately rubbed the little girl's head and gently placed her on the ground to steady her.

He surveyed the crowd, his gaze calm yet possessing a profound, all-knowing depth, his voice clear and distinct in everyone's ears:

"Everyone, take a break. There's no need to practice anymore."

"We need to conserve our energy and prepare for the worst... something unexpected might happen tonight or tomorrow morning."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

misfortune?

from where?

Was it that Yin Leiling finally couldn't hold back any longer and was about to make a move? Or had the soldiers arrived ahead of schedule?

Unbeknownst to them, Liang Jin had already pinpointed the enemy's movements using the "Thousand-Mile Tracking" feature.

The enemy has already accelerated suddenly and will probably reach the vicinity of Yanshan Village tonight.

Lei Zhen, being the most impatient, was about to press for more information.

But then Liang Jin suddenly tilted his head back, as if listening to a message carried on the wind.

A knowing smile immediately appeared on his lips as he looked down at the winding mountain path leading down the peak.
"It seems that someone is even more impatient than us and has already arrived."

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, and they all looked in the direction Liang Jin was looking.

On the rugged and treacherous mountain path, two figures were flying upwards at an extremely fast speed!

They moved with incredible speed, clearly employing impressive lightness skills, weaving through jagged rocks and howling winds like two eagles swooping down on a solitary peak.

When they saw the faces of the two figures clearly, Lei Zhen, Xiao Liu, and Zhong Lihan's pupils suddenly contracted!

Yin Leiling! Bai Yi!
It was them?!

The mastermind of the counterfeit gang and his chief strategist have arrived together?!
Who doesn't know that they and Liang Jin have long been secretly at odds?

Why would they suddenly visit this remote West Peak at this moment?!

A strong sense of hostility and vigilance instantly rose in the hearts of Lei Zhen and the others!

Everyone's muscles tensed, their breaths were heavy, their hands unconsciously pressed against the weapons at their waists, their eyes sharp as knives, locked on the two figures that were getting closer and closer, as if they were about to launch an attack at any moment!
An invisible smell of gunpowder permeated the air.

Liang Jin gently raised his hand and pressed it down lightly, signaling everyone to calm down. His voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather.
"Do not be nervous."

His gaze swept over Yin Leiling and Bai Yi, a knowing and amused look in his eyes:

"The chieftain's personal visit must mean he has important matters to discuss."

As soon as he finished speaking, two soft whooshing sounds were heard, and Yin Leiling and Bai Yi's figures floated down onto the platform like falling leaves, bringing with them a gust of wind.

Yin Leiling landed firmly, his gaze sharp as he swept his eyes across the wary crowd, forcing a seemingly hearty but undeniably stiff smile:
"Haha! Song Yingxiong is right!"

"I, Yin, have come here because of a matter of life and death concerning our stronghold, which I must discuss with Hero Song in person!"

Bai Yi, standing behind him, was still pale, but appeared unusually calm.

He was clutching a thick stack of intelligence files, neatly bound with leather rope, the edges of which were slightly curled by the mountain wind.

Liang Jin nodded slightly, his gaze shifting to Lei Zhen and the others beside him. His tone was calm yet carried an undeniable command:
"Alright, you should all go down to the foot of the peak to relax and get some fresh air."

He then gestured for Yin Leiling and Bai Yi to proceed.

"Chief, Mr. Bai, please come inside for a detailed discussion."

Liang Jin turned around first and led Yin Leiling and Bai Yi into the largest wooden house, which served as a temporary meeting place.

The heavy wooden door creaked shut behind the three of them, cutting off all sight and sound, leaving only a heavy atmosphere on the platform.

Lei Zhen's expression was serious, clearly showing his distrust of Yin Leiling and the other man, but he could only obey Liang Jin's orders.

"Brother Zhongli, let's go for a drink."

He spoke to Zhong Lihan.

Lei Zhen could only vent his displeasure through strong liquor.

Zhongli Han nodded steadily, and the two walked side by side down the mountain path.

"Wow!"

The divine eagle let out a clear cry, and its enormous wings spread out.

Xiaoyu skillfully climbed onto the eagle's back, patted its neck, and the divine eagle carried her into the sky, flying towards the open valley below the mountain, instantly turning into a small black dot.

On the platform, only Xiao Liu remained.

He gazed in the direction the crowd had left, then looked at the tightly closed wooden door, and silently descended the mountain.

He walked all the way to the entrance of the mountain path at the foot of the peak.

Xiao Liu did not sit down, but stood straight like a javelin.

He took the ordinary iron sword from his waist, crossed his arms over his chest, and pressed the scabbard against his heart.

His ordinary face was expressionless, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, like the most loyal sentinel.

He knew very well that he was the one with the lowest martial arts skills among them.

This sense of humility was etched into his heart like a brand.

Therefore, he always quietly took on these trivial tasks himself.

Whether it was guarding, relaying messages, running errands, or feeding horses, he had to use this almost self-torturing diligence and dedication to prove his worth and make up for the huge sense of indebtedness rooted in his heart due to his lack of ability.

West Peak is remote and desolate, and it's rare to see even a ghost on ordinary days.

Xiao Liu originally thought that he could just quietly wait until his elder brother finished talking with the chieftain.

However, this silence did not last long.

Amidst the howling mountain wind, a strange sound rang out.

Xiao Liu's eyes instantly became incredibly sharp!
He gripped the hilt of the sword in his arms, leaned forward slightly, tensed all his muscles, and entered a state of full alert!
At the bend in the mountain path, a chubby figure could be seen struggling to walk uphill.

The man was dressed in a fine silk robe, his plump face adorned with the amiable smile typical of businessmen, and a gleaming, tucked under his arm with a shiny, slick copper abacus.

With each step he took, the abacus beads made a soft, crisp clinking sound as his body swayed.

When he saw the person's face clearly, Xiao Liu's brows furrowed slightly.

"It's him?"

"What is he doing at West Peak?"

The man who looked like the manager of the money shop was none other than Qian Fu, the head of the baggage department of Yanshan Village, known as "Iron Abacus".

Alarm bells rang in Xiao Liu's mind.

Qian Fu is in charge of the Logistics Department, which is the lifeline of the stronghold's finances and supplies. Instead of dealing with the thorny food crisis in the stronghold, he has run to this precipice.

As Qian Fu climbed closer and closer, Xiao Liu suddenly stepped forward, blocking the mountain path with his sword. His voice was cold and hard, carrying an undeniable warning:
"stop!"

"My elder brother and the chieftain are discussing important matters on the mountaintop!"

"Unauthorized personnel are strictly prohibited from approaching!"

His tone was resolute, his eyes sharp as knives, attempting to intimidate the uninvited guest with his imposing presence.

however.

Faced with Xiao Liu's cold sword and warning, Qian Fu not only showed no intention of backing down, but seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and his businessman's smile of making money through harmony became even brighter.

He stopped, wiped the sweat from his face haphazardly with his sleeve, and even took two more steps closer to Xiao Liu with a smile!

Xiao Liu's eyes sharpened, and his thumb had already pushed open the sword's hilt, a flash of cold light shooting out from the sheath!

A chilling killing intent instantly locked onto Qian Fu!
At that very moment of tension—

Qian Fu's chubby face was still beaming with a smile, his small eyes narrowed into slits, and he spoke in an unusually clear, even somewhat indescribably affectionate tone:
"Oh dear! Brother Xiao Liu, don't be nervous, please don't be nervous!"

"I'm not here to see the chieftain, nor am I here to see Song Yingxiong."

He paused, his smile seemingly freezing for a moment. A glint of light flashed in his small eyes as he stared intently at Xiao Liu, saying each word clearly:

"I came here specifically to find you."

(End of this chapter)