As the frantic sound of horse hooves drew closer, everyone in the camp braced as if confronting a formidable foe, and the atmosphere grew tense once more.
Fortunately, as the hooves neared the camp, they began to slow. At the same time, they caught sight of a graceful figure gliding swiftly through the moonlight.
“Flight through the air? A Divine Ability Master?”
Everyone was startled. Which Divine Ability Master had arrived now?
Yet as the graceful figure drew closer, they realized that behind her back were wings condensed from primordial energy. It seemed to be a flight divine ability, not a Divine Ability Feather Robe.
Lu Qingyan finally let out a sigh of relief. Recognizing the slender figure, he said in some surprise, “Miss Zhou?”
The newcomer was none other than Ward Master Zhou Xuan's niece, Zhou Fuling.
Zhou Fuling had rushed over in haste. Seeing that Lu Qingyan and the others were relatively unharmed, her tense, pretty face relaxed slightly as she asked, “Hall Master Qingyan, we heard that the Peach Mountain Bandits were wreaking havoc within Qingyuan Ward's borders and rushed here to encircle them. Are you... all right?”
Lu Qingyan smiled and replied, “I see. We truly must thank the Ward Master for his concern. Earlier, the Peach Mountain Bandits came out in full force, and even Guo Kui came in person. Fortunately, after a bloody battle, most of the vile bandits were slain.”
“What?!”
At those words, not only did Zhou Fuling cry out in shock, but a commotion broke out among the over one hundred armored ward guards behind her. Then, a middle-aged man stepped forward, his eyes filled with suspicion and shock as he said, “You not only drove Guo Kui back, but also executed most of the Peach Mountain villains?”
The middle-aged man was clad in heavy armor and held a golden dagger-axe, his aura quite extraordinary and his face bearing an air of stern slaughter.
“Ah, Commander Fu.” Seeing him, Lu Qingyan became even more courteous. This man held a prominent position in Qingyuan Ward, in charge of its entire defense, and was himself a Divine Ability Master serving in the Ward Office, answering directly to Ward Master Zhou Xuan.
Lu Qingyan waved his hand, and Lu Jinglei and the others carried out the corpses of Fan Li and the others, dropping them before the crowd.
Commander Fu stepped forward to inspect them personally, the astonishment on his face deepening. Turning to Zhou Fuling, he said, “They truly are the Peach Mountain Bandits. These are Guo Kui's six chief lieutenants, listed on the wanted notices, and every one of them has the strength of a Grand Divine Ability Practitioner. In particular, this Fan Li had already formed twenty-four Divine Ability Dharma Inscriptions—his strength was quite formidable.”
Zhou Fuling was just as astounded. The overall strength of the Peach Mountain Bandits was actually a cut above Thunderfire Hall's. Mobilizing in full force, they should have held every advantage, especially with Guo Kui present. Yet in the end, how had they suffered such catastrophic casualties?
Just how had Thunderfire Hall pulled this off?
“Where is Lu Ming?”
“Where is Guo Kui?”
Zhou Fuling and Commander Fu asked almost simultaneously.
Lu Qingyan smiled and replied, “My father fought a fierce battle with Guo Kui and severely wounded him. Right now, he has taken Lu Ming with him to hunt him down.”
This answer left both of them stunned once more.
“Lu Jin severely wounded Guo Kui?” Commander Fu truly could not make sense of it. Who in all of Qingyuan Ward didn't know that Lu Jin's lamp was running dry and his body was wracked with injuries? Facing Guo Kui in his prime in such a condition should have spelled certain doom. Yet now Lu Qingyan was claiming that not only had Lu Jin heavily injured Guo Kui, but he was also refusing to let up, directly pursuing him?
Could an old man this ferocious really be at the end of his rope?
“Lu Ming also went along to hunt down a Divine Ability Master?! He's far too audacious!” Zhou Fuling's pretty eyes went wide. That kid was utterly reckless—he dared to meddle in an affair like that? If a Divine Ability Master were driven into a corner like a desperate beast, Lu Ming wouldn't even have the power to protect himself with his meager strength!
Lu Qingyan merely smiled and nodded, saying no more.
Commander Fu cupped his fists and said, “From the looks of it, we seem to have made a trip for nothing. Still, as long as everyone is safe, that's what matters. Those scoundrels deserved death long ago; Thunderfire Hall did a truly gratifying service tonight.”
He understood that once word of tonight's battle reached Qingyuan Ward, it would surely cause a tremendous sensation.
The uproar might even surpass Thunderfire Hall claiming the title of champion hall.
After all, the contest for champion hall was ultimately an internal affair among Divine Ability Halls. The Peach Mountain Bandits, on the other hand, were vicious bandits who had plagued the territory of Qingyuan Ward for many years. Over the years, factions on all sides had suffered at their hands, yet due to the unique geographic advantage of the Peach Miasma Mountains, no one could eradicate them and everyone was forced to watch them run rampant.
Yet today, this menace had actually been shattered by Thunderfire Hall.
Lu Qingyan hurriedly cupped his fists in return.
After conversing a bit longer, Commander Fu took the corpses of the Peach Mountain Bandits, intending to hang them from the city walls later as a public display.
Then, they rushed back toward Qingyuan Ward.
Upon returning to the city, Zhou Fuling immediately headed to the stone pavilion on the hilltop where Zhou Xuan was. At that moment, he sat inside, laughing and chatting leisurely with the three Divine Ability Hall masters.
“Fourth Uncle, I'm back!” Zhou Fuling stepped forward and called out.
Zhou Xuan's expression tightened slightly, yet he still asked calmly, “How is the situation? Were Thunderfire Hall's casualties heavy?”
Inside the stone pavilion, Shi Tong and Shen Tai both held their breath slightly and turned their gazes toward her.
Only Lin Changkong appeared completely composed, merely holding his wine cup and taking a slight sip with an air of unhurried leisure.
Zhou Fuling had a rather peculiar look on her pretty face as she said, “Thunderfire Hall is largely fine—everyone is still alive. As for the Peach Mountain Bandits, all of their six chief lieutenants were wiped out, and Guo Kui was heavily wounded by Hall Master Lu Jin. He is currently fleeing for his life, with Hall Master Lu Jin in hot pursuit.”
Her voice was crisp and melodious, yet when those words were spoken, all four men in the stone pavilion found them grating to the ear.
Lin Changkong downed his wine in one gulp and said calmly, “Miss Zhou, please do not jest. We did not sit here dryly through the night just to hear you crack jokes.”
Zhou Fuling curled her lip. “Who's joking with you? We brought back the corpses of Fan Li and the others. They're at the base of the mountain with Commander Fu right now. He said he'll hang their bodies from the city gate tower tomorrow.”
Inside the stone pavilion, absolute silence fell.
Now that Zhou Fuling had laid it out in such detail, refusing to believe it would be sheer self-deception.
Hall Master Shi Tong of Red Sand Hall and Hall Master Shen Tai of Mountain-Moving Hall exchanged glances. The former licked his dry lips and offered a raspy chuckle. “Since when did Hall Master Lu Jin become so ferocious?”
Zhou Xuan also fell silent for a few breaths before breaking into a wide smile. “Indeed, the older ginger is spicier. It seems we all underestimated Old Hall Master Lu Jin. Still, it is a pity that Guo Kui was allowed to escape. Once that villain flees into the Peach Miasma Mountains, tracking him down will be nearly impossible again.”
Thunderfire Hall was unharmed, and the Peach Mountain Bandits were devastated. While this outcome was vastly beyond expectations, it was exceptionally good news.
“Thunderfire Hall has rid our Qingyuan Ward of a great scourge. This calls for a grand toast!”
Zhou Xuan raised his wine cup, his face beaming with joy.
With complicated expressions, Shi Tong and Shen Tai raised their cups as well.
Lin Changkong was dazed for a moment. Drawing a light breath, he lifted his wine cup, took a perfunctory sip, and lost all interest in staying any longer. Rising to his feet, he said coldly, “It is late tonight. I shall return to my hall. Everyone, farewell.”
Shi Tong and Shen Tai nodded as well and rose with polite smiles.
Smiling warmly, Zhou Xuan said, “Now that the Peach Mountain Bandits have been eliminated, Guo Kui's life and death remain uncertain. Over the next few days, I ask that the three hall masters try to stay within the ward city and avoid heading out, lest any unforeseen mishaps occur.”
The three hall masters' eyes flickered. All understanding his implied warning, they promptly nodded in agreement.
Sitting in the stone pavilion and watching their departing figures, Zhou Xuan chuckled and sighed, “This Thunderfire Hall truly is full of surprises.”
He had originally thought that even if Lu Jin and the others had prepared, they would at most engage in a bloody fray with the Peach Mountain Bandits, suffering mutual losses before ultimately scaring them off.
That would already have been the best possible outcome.
Yet Zhou Xuan never could have imagined that the Peach Mountain Bandits would suffer such devastating losses, that their leader Guo Kui would be heavily injured, and that Lu Jin would even pursue him relentlessly in a dead chase.
This was an overwhelming victory.
But... here was the question: just what did Thunderfire Hall rely on to pull this off?
Rate on N.U.
