Gou Zai Wu Dao Chao Shi Xing Nian Da Gong

Fishbone Bay is a dangerous place on the Blackwater River, a swampy mountain area formed by the confluence of the Qingtian Mountains and the Blackwater River.

The area is characterized by towering hills and numerous pools of water at their base, shrouded in mist year-round. Its complex and treacherous terrain, coupled with low visibility, made it an ideal hiding place for river bandits. Consequently, a group of river bandits has long been based here, and various criminals also frequent this area.

The river bandits could attack caravans on the Blackwater River or retreat into the depths of the Fishbone Bay swamp. If pressed too hard, they would even retreat directly into the depths of the Qingtian Mountains. They were extremely difficult to deal with. The government had organized several encirclements and suppressions, all of which ended in failure.

Inside the main hall of a mountain stronghold in Fishbone Bay, several burly men were drinking and making merry.

The leader was short and stocky, with a fierce appearance. His clothes were ripped open, revealing thick chest hair. He was Li Chong, the leader of the local bandits and the chief of the stronghold. He possessed the cultivation level of the Bone and Tendon Gate.

Below him are five chieftains, all of whom are top experts in Pimoguan.

Zuo Hu, the vice leader of the Black Snake Gang, sat down next to Li Chong and said, "Brother Li, there are still five brothers. I just received news that the Lianfeng ship has set sail and will arrive in two days. Tell the brothers to keep a close eye on them and not miss them."

"Haha, Brother Zuo, don't worry, we've already made arrangements. With Flying Dragon from my Flying Dragon Stronghold keeping an eye on things, not even a fly will be able to get past," Li Chong assured him with a hearty laugh.

"Alright, I'll toast Brother Li!" Zuo Hu raised his glass in a toast.

"Dry."

......

Two days later, on the Wang family's cargo ship.

Wang Jin stood on the observation deck, looking ahead with a slight frown.

The wide Blackwater River flows swiftly and powerfully, but when it reaches the gorge ahead, it is shrouded in a layer of white mist, making it impossible to see what is inside.

Suddenly, Wang Jin gave an order, "Uncle Li, Fishbone Bay is just ahead. Go and remind everyone to be on their guard."

"Yes, young master."

A capable-looking middle-aged man behind him cupped his hands in greeting, turned, and left.

Soon, everyone on the ship became more vigilant. Zhou Sheng and the other acting bodyguards also received orders to be ready to act at any time.

At this moment, the cargo ship slowly entered the canyon and soon disappeared into the white mist.

...

Zhou Fugan stood by the window, staring blankly out the window.

Inside the canyon, the water flows swiftly, its roar deafening. Thick white fog shrouds the water's surface, obscuring visibility to less than ten meters, while towering cliffs stand darkly in the mist, their forms indistinct.

"This place is truly treacherous!"

Zhou Fugan had long heard of Fishbone Bay's reputation, but this was his first time visiting. Only after seeing it with his own eyes did he truly understand why this place had become a stronghold of river bandits.

Not only is the terrain complex, but the perennial fog provides excellent cover for river bandits. If a river bandit attacks, the ship won't detect them until they are right next to them.

"Quack quack~~"

Suddenly, a strange cry came from the thick fog.

"Um?"

Zhou Fugan's heart skipped a beat, and he looked in the direction of the sound, but saw nothing. The strange cry was very abrupt, and he didn't know what was making it.

"That's the roar of a flying dragon from Flying Dragon Village! Everyone be careful, the bandits are coming!"

Suddenly, a mournful shout came from the lookout tower.

Then, the sound of a bowstring twanged, the lookout's voice stopped abruptly, and then the sound of a heavy object falling into the water could be heard outside.

The entire cargo ship instantly descended into chaos. Wang Jin and Hong Tianhua stood in the center of the observation deck directing the operation, while the bodyguards and guards scrambled to find advantageous positions on the deck, keeping a close watch on the surrounding white mist, ready to intercept the enemy at any moment.

Whoosh whoosh~~~

Scattered arrows flew from the mist, and the people on the boat quickly brandished their weapons to intercept them. All of them were martial artists, agile and nimble. The pirates' arrows were not powerful bows or crossbows, and their numbers were insufficient, so thanks to their preparedness, no one was injured.

"Brothers, kill them!"

Then a drumbeat came from the fog, and shouts of battle erupted instantly. A dozen fast boats sped through the thick fog and rushed toward the cargo ship.

"Chief Li, I am Hong Tianhua from Weiyuan Escort Agency. Our agency and your esteemed stronghold have always kept to ourselves. If there is any misunderstanding today, how about you leave now? Weiyuan Escort Agency will reward you handsomely afterwards."

Hong Tianhua stepped forward and shouted loudly into the thick fog.

"Haha, you surnamed Hong, you're so arrogant! Others may fear your Weiyuan Escort Agency, but I'm not! Even if Lin Zhenyuan himself came today, I wouldn't give him any face."

Through the fog, accompanied by disdainful laughter, a large ship charged forward. Standing at the bow was a short, stocky figure, wielding a ghost-headed saber—it was Li Chong.

Behind Li Chong stood two masked men. One was tall with thick arms and held a long-handled purple-gold hammer; the other was thin and held a black fan as his weapon.

Boom~~

The large ship, its iron-clad bow rammed straight into the Wang family's cargo ship, tearing a large gash at the point of impact. The collision caused the cargo ship to rock violently, and many of the bodyguards and guards staggered about.

Knock knock knock~~

On the pirate ship, pirates had already taken iron hooks and quickly hooked the two ships together.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~

Li Chong and his two companions, riding the momentum of the impact, instantly surged aboard the large ship, brandishing their weapons as they charged towards the ship's deck. Wherever they went, the guards and bodyguards who tried to block their path were no match for them, suffering heavy casualties. The survivors scattered and fled.

"Hong Tianhua, I'll make sure you die here today!" Li Chong shouted, charging ahead towards Hong Tianhua.

The two masked men exchanged a glance. The one wielding the purple-gold hammer followed Li Chong towards the ship's deck, charging towards Wang Jin. The gaunt man with the black fan, however, rushed directly into the cabin.

"Stop him!"

Wang Jin was shocked and was about to step forward, but was stopped by the man holding the purple-gold hammer.

"stop!"

The guards at the gate shouted and charged forward with their swords to slash.

Swoosh~~

But then the gaunt man flicked his fan, and those who had been blocking his way fell to the ground, black blood gushing from their mouths and noses. After struggling for a few moments, they were lifeless.

Zhou Sheng was not far from this place. Seeing this situation, he knew that this person was no match for him. He quietly turned the corner of the ship's deck and got out of the man's sight.

At this moment, the remaining pirate ships also approached, and a large number of pirates boarded and attacked. The bodyguards and guards rushed forward to fight. Seeing this, the bodyguards and guards near the thin man also abandoned him and charged at the pirates, each displaying unparalleled bravery.

The masked, gaunt man sneered and stepped into the ship's cabin.

"I wonder if Grandpa can handle this person?"

Zhou Sheng felt slightly uneasy.

"kill!"

Suddenly, a bandit boarded the boat from the front, brandishing a knife and charging at him with wide, frightening eyes.

Zhou Sheng's hand trembled as if in fear, and a cloud of white powder splattered all over the bandit's face.

"Ah~~~"

The bandit felt an intense burning pain in his eyes and immediately let out a scream.

Clang~~

Zhou Sheng placed the knife on his waist with one hand, drew it with the other, and slashed across the bandit's neck with lightning speed.

"Giggle~~"

The bandit immediately clutched his neck and staggered backward, blood spurting from between his fingers. He strained to open his eyes wide, trying to see just how despicable his killer was before he died. But he tripped and fell into the river.

"Kill!"

Zhou Sheng shouted in his heart, but without making a sound, he rushed towards the three bandits who were besieging a bodyguard, with a bag of lime already in his hand.

This wasn't because he was brave enough to fight multiple opponents; rather, it was something his grandfather had taught him: in group battles, you can't allow enemies nearby to gain a numerical advantage. Otherwise, once they kill the fellow镖师 (bodyguard/escort), the enemy will surround and attack him. So, you must minimize the number of enemies and maximize the number of allies.