The Blade-Wielding Legend -
Chapter 121 - 103 Seven Arrows Book
Chapter 121: Chapter 103 Seven Arrows Book
Niu Bei Ridge, where the peaks rose in wonder, the mountain form rugged and steep.
This place was the main peak to the southeast of the Qinling, the divide separating Guanzhong and Shangzhou, with its majestic mountain range, yet also dotted with rivers and streams, large and small.
High upon the mountains, there were even perennial glaciers blanketing the summits, melting into streams that flowed through the gullies.
Whenever it rained, flash floods would burst forth, and the towering, dense forest, shrouded in clouds and mist, often ensnared outsiders who ventured in.
It was precisely because of this that Niu Bei Ridge became a refuge for numerous bandits.
On the western side of a ravine, precipitous cliffs rose; a vast cave hidden within where only a narrow plank walkway connected to the outside world. This was the location of White Tiger Village.
Inside the cave’s great hall, torches blazed fiercely, the atmosphere heavy.
The air was thick with the smell of blood, as cries of pain echoed continuously; wounded men lay scattered across the ground.
Bai Yanhu sat on the village chief’s throne with the golden sword on his knees, his face gloomy as shadow. His upper body armor had already been taken off, leaving his torso bare, thick white bandages around it continuously soaked with blood.
Below him, in two rows of seats, sat the surviving members of the Four Beams and Eight Pillars, as well as the leaders from the various strongholds.
They had been shouting and fighting, but now, spiritless, they had only just escaped annihilation by the garrison’s forces through desperate collaboration.
Smack!
Looking at the scene before him, one of the men who had previously challenged Bai Yanhu became increasingly enraged, his hand slamming down and breaking off a chair back, as he growled furiously, "Great, now that you wanted it all for yourself, no one gets a bite!"
A vicious light flashed in Bai Yanhu’s eyes, "Oh, you still want to play?"
He, too, held pent-up anger.
Had it not been for these fools’ interference, how could he have missed the chance to escape? Worse yet, on the way, the court’s experts had relentlessly hunted him, forcing him to discard all of the looted treasures.
A cicada shedding its shell, sparing him his life.
His plan had been to take the money, buy a ship on the coast, and continue to profit with his brothers. But after all his meticulous plotting, this was the result, with his trusted subordinates either dead or grievously injured, stoking a sinister rage in his mind.
The man below dared to babble, stirring Bai Yanhu’s murderous intent.
"Play? How do you want to play..."
That man was also a ruthless killer, equally skilled in combat, and his right hand had already begun to creep toward the hilt of his knife.
"What a lively bunch!"
Just then, an aged voice rang out.
One could see an old man slowly approaching the cave entrance, clad in sheepskin coat, wearing a dogskin hat, his hawk-nosed, gaunt features, though smiling, added an extra layer of dread.
His appearance immediately made everyone tense and on their feet.
"Old Dragon Ghost, what brings you here?"
Bai Yanhu squinted warily, his voice deep with inquiry.
The newcomer was none other than the village chief of Old Dragon Village, Long Sanjiu.
Old Dragon Village had always been the most powerful, and this ’Old Dragon Ghost’ was a hardened expert who had stepped into the realm of Force Transformation years ago; his methods cruel, someone none wished to offend.
Recently, the Old Dragon Village had even attracted a number of mysterious experts, including a Magician, intending to take over all the bandit nests on Niu Bei Ridge.
It was the dissent against this that had led to all these troubles.
His sudden visit now was surely ill-intentioned.
"Why the tension, brothers?"
Long Sanjiu said with a light smile. "Given the situation, how could I kick you when you’re down? I’m here merely to offer you a future."
Bai Yanhu’s eyes narrowed, "What future?"
"No rush."
Long Sanjiu smiled and said, "But first, let me introduce someone."
He turned around, bowed deeply, and announced, "Incense Master, I welcome you!"
Several figures appeared at the mouth of the cave, striding forward; the leader was none other than Dugu Qian, the Incense Master of the Maitreya Sect.
Long Sanjiu then said, "Gentlemen, this is Incense Master Dugu of the Maitreya Sect. With his protection, even if the court sends more forces, we need not fear."
The crowd exchanged wary glances, with Bai Yanhu’s eyes full of vigilance, "Old Dragon Ghost, since when have you been with the Maitreya Sect?"
Long Sanjiu chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I have always been."
Bai Yanhu snorted and shook his head, "We have different paths and cannot scheme together. We are merely green forest bandits seeking our livelihood, with no great ambitions, please understand."
They became bandits for money, hoping to save enough to retire anonymously to the wealthy lands in Jiangnan, to live as rich landlords.
With the Maitreya Sect frequently inciting rebellions and turmoil, and considering the Great Xuan Dynasty’s strong military, following the sect would surely lead to no good end.
Long Sanjiu’s smile faded, and his voice darkened, "Bai, don’t be the one to disdain the toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit..."
Before he could finish, Dugu Qian, standing aside, raised his hand to interrupt, smiling, "Fellow comrades, you no longer have a choice."
"The court is corrupt and incompetent, and that Li Sizhuan, not wanting to be talked about, will surely dispatch experts to annihilate you all. Niu Bei Ridge may be high and perilous, but once Mages lead the troops, not one of you will escape."
Listening to this, their faces immediately grew grim.
They knew this man spoke the truth; Chang’an was likely already dispatching elite soldiers to surround and wipe them out.
Bai Yanhu sneered, "And if I refuse?"
No sooner had the words left his lips, his expression changed dramatically. He grabbed the thorny hammer beside him and fixed a tense gaze around the room.
Whoosh~
A fishy breeze suddenly rose, and a shadow emerged in the cave, rapidly circling the dark corners along the rock walls.
"What is that?"
Many bandits panicked, quickly rising to investigate.
However, the shadow was astonishingly quick; they could barely make out its form, only discerning it to be a large snake.
Bai Yanhu felt it even more acutely.
He felt the hairs on his back stand on end, a chilling menace fixated on him, more terrifying than any wild beast he had ever encountered.
"Die!"
Bai Yanhu suddenly twisted around, releasing his Hidden Energy, muscles swelling, veins bulging, as he swung the thorny hammer with a roar.
His training was in the military’s Eight Battle Form.
The moves were simple yet highly practical, forthright, and fierce, and when combined with his chainmail armor, it forged a formidable reputation.
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