Hammer's Fall

In the main hall of the Blood Eagle Bandit Group's stronghold, Huo Dongqiang and Chen Sanbiao were discussing matters. "Second Boss, how are the arrangements coming along?"

Chen Sanbiao patted his chest and said, "Everything has been arranged. We gave him two hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, along with high-quality beauties we snatched from elsewhere. That elder finally agreed to stand up for us. Not only is he coming personally, but he's also bringing his most capable subordinate. This time, we'll definitely kill the murderer who slaughtered Xue Daxiong!"

"Oh? What rank is that elder's capable subordinate?" Huo Dongqiang asked.

"The elder is a Rank 77 Soul Saint, and that capable subordinate is no weakling either—a Rank 67 Soul Emperor. They'll arrive this afternoon!" Chen Sanbiao answered.

The moment Huo Dongqiang heard that, he burst into laughter. "They're dead for sure this time!"

Jiang Jiayao and Jiang Jiahao knew absolutely nothing about this plot. They were still planning to massacre the Blood Eagle Bandit Group tonight, on this dark and windy night made for killing.

Time flew by, and darkness quietly fell. Under cover of night, Jiang Jiayao and Jiang Jiahao infiltrated the Blood Eagle Bandit Group.

"Jiang Jiayao, take care of those hidden sentries! Be quick, and don't expose us," Jiang Jiahao transmitted through Soul Power.

Jiang Jiayao immediately nodded, then swiftly moved away with a short blade forged from Black Steel Stone Essence in hand. It was meant specifically for assassinations, though Jiang Jiayao usually used it for cutting meat.

Splat... Splat... Splat...

Very quickly, Jiang Jiayao killed the Blood Eagle Bandit Group's hidden sentries one by one. Jiang Jiahao did not stop either, continuing to sneak forward while taking out a few sentries along the way. In less than the time it took to finish a meal, all thirty-seven of the Blood Eagle Bandit Group's hidden sentries had been killed by the two brothers without a single sound escaping. Only a faint scent of blood lingered in the air, but no one noticed it.

Inside the main hall, Huo Dongqiang and Chen Sanbiao were feasting and drinking with the elder and his capable subordinate, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

"Elder Lu, Steward Mo, let me offer you both a toast!" Huo Dongqiang raised his cup high and laughed. "From now on, our Blood Eagle Bandit Group will be under Elder Lu's command. We'll listen to you from now on. As long as we follow Elder Lu, we'll never have to worry about wealth or glory! Hahaha..."

Chen Sanbiao immediately echoed him. This idea had been his in the first place. After losing the father-and-son pair Xue Daxiong and Xue Xiayang, the Blood Eagle Bandit Group's strength had fallen drastically. Other bandit groups would certainly set their sights on them. Rather than be slaughtered and swallowed up, it was better to seek refuge with a large bandit group and find a backer. "Yes, yes, yes! From now on, we'll follow Elder Lu! Hahaha..."

"Hahaha... Since you're being so courteous, I won't stand on ceremony! Hahaha..." Elder Lu was naturally delighted to subdue a bandit group without lifting a finger.

"Congratulations, Elder Lu! Hahaha..." Steward Mo congratulated Elder Lu as well.

Just as they were celebrating, Jiang Jiayao and Jiang Jiahao had already cleared out most of the Blood Eagle Bandit Group. However, due to a small mistake by Jiang Jiayao, his identity was exposed. At that moment, a bandit shouted, "Enemy attack... Enemy attack..."

"Damn it! How did you screw that up? I was planning to charge straight into that hall like this. I seriously have no words for you..." Jiang Jiahao immediately complained when he saw that they had been exposed.

"My fault? It was just a mistake!" Jiang Jiayao replied over his shoulder, though his hands never stopped as he cut down the shouting bandit.

"Enemy attack?! It must be the murderer you mentioned. He really picked the right time—a dark and windy night for murder. Hehehe... I'll make sure you die here. Chief Huo, Chief Chen, take the remaining men out and meet the enemy first. Steward Mo will assist you. I'll observe from the rear for now and see whether I can catch them with a sneak attack!" As the strongest person present, Elder Lu immediately ordered Huo Dongqiang, Chen Sanbiao, and Steward Mo to face the enemy.

"Alright! We'll be relying on Elder Lu and Steward Mo!" Huo Dongqiang and Chen Sanbiao immediately went out to fight, not daring to delay.

Huo Dongqiang and Chen Sanbiao walked out of the main hall and saw the corpses of Blood Eagle Bandit Group members strewn across the ground. They were instantly enraged.

"You scoundrels! Give me your lives! Fourth Soul Skill, Azure Wolf Annihilation Kill!" Huo Dongqiang immediately unleashed his Soul Skill, targeting Jiang Jiayao directly.

"You shameless brat! Die! Fourth Soul Skill, Blood Eagle Break!" Chen Sanbiao also went all out, targeting Jiang Jiayao as well.

"Good timing! Taste my Fourth Soul Skill. Mammoth Fury Blast!" Jiang Jiayao showed no weakness. Even though the two were attacking him together, he did not retreat in the slightest.

Wolf claws, eagle wings, and battle hammers collided. Boom...

All three were sent flying backward.

"Bold little scoundrel! Such a young Soul Emperor—you must be a core disciple of some great clan. I love slaughtering people from great clans the most! Hahaha..." Steward Mo laughed arrogantly. "Take this! Fifth Soul Skill, Mighty Strike."

Steward Mo's martial soul was a long staff. He swung it and swept it at Jiang Jiahao in a single blow.

"Where did you get the confidence to say you'd kill me?! Take this! Third Soul Skill, Mighty Fire King Hammer!" The battle hammer in Jiang Jiahao's hand rapidly grew larger, while the flames covering it surged fiercely.

Boom...

The long staff collided with the battle hammer. But the clash was far from evenly matched—Jiang Jiahao held a complete advantage. Steward Mo was sent flying by the blow, and flames from the battle hammer wrapped around his body. The blazing fire continuously scorched him, causing unbearable pain.

"Argh..." Steward Mo was burned by the flames.

"With strength like that, you still dared to boast!" Jiang Jiahao said disdainfully.

"This brat is indeed somewhat troublesome, but he's definitely no match for me. Once I land a sneak attack, I'll take his life!" Elder Lu, who was watching the battle, muttered to himself.

Jiang Jiahao's battle against Steward Mo was completely one-sided, while Jiang Jiayao's fight against Huo Dongqiang and Chen Sanbiao remained fiercely contested.

Huo Dongqiang charged at Jiang Jiayao again. "Give me your life! Taste my Fourth Soul Skill again! Azure Wolf Annihilation Kill!" Huo Dongqiang extended his wolf claws and viciously slashed at Jiang Jiayao.

"Third Soul Skill, Raging Rhino Charge!" Jiang Jiayao immediately unleashed his Third Soul Skill and counterattacked without hesitation.

At that moment, Chen Sanbiao also dived down and continued to unleash his Fourth Soul Skill. "Come on! Blood Eagle Break!"

Jiang Jiayao twisted aside, dodging Chen Sanbiao's Soul Skill, while his battle hammer collided with Huo Dongqiang's wolf claws. At that moment, Jiang Jiayao shouted, "Did you think Raging Rhino Charge was so easy to take? Have a taste of its stunning effect!"

"Oh no!" Huo Dongqiang felt a wave of dizziness in his head.

"Die! Fourth Soul Skill, Mammoth Fury Blast!" Jiang Jiayao shouted, not letting such a good opportunity slip away.

"Big Brother, hold on! I'm coming to save you! Blood Eagle Break!" Seeing that things had gone badly, Chen Sanbiao immediately flew toward Jiang Jiayao with a slashing attack, trying to force him to stop.

"Fool, you fell for it! My target wasn't him—it was you!" Jiang Jiayao spun around and smashed his hammer toward Chen Sanbiao.

Chen Sanbiao froze for a moment. His shoulder was struck by Mammoth Fury Blast, and he spat out blood as he was sent flying. Jiang Jiayao immediately unleashed his First Soul Skill—Explosive Three Fire Hammers. Two fire hammers shot toward Chen Sanbiao, while the other smashed toward Huo Dongqiang to prevent him from rescuing Chen Sanbiao.

Boom... Boom... Boom...

Huo Dongqiang was blocked by one of the hammers from Explosive Three Fire Hammers and failed to reach Chen Sanbiao in time. Chen Sanbiao was smashed beyond recognition by the other two fire hammers. He was dead beyond all doubt.

"Now it's your turn! Hahaha..." Jiang Jiayao laughed as he swung his battle hammer and continued the fight. "Second Soul Skill, Sky Spinning Fire Hammer!"

Jiang Jiayao controlled the Blazing Heaven Battle Hammer as it spun rapidly and shot into the sky, then smashed directly toward Huo Dongqiang.

"Hmph! To think you killed my second brother so quickly—you truly are talented! Unfortunately, your road ends here. Fifth Soul Skill, Earth Wolf Claw!" Huo Dongqiang unleashed his Fifth Soul Skill. A thick layer of golden armor covered his hands, gleaming brilliantly and looking immensely imposing. Huo Dongqiang raised his hand and slapped the Blazing Heaven Battle Hammer away. Without pausing, he continued toward Jiang Jiayao.

"Brother! I'll help you. Fifth Soul Skill, Blazing Rhino Sun Blast!" Jiang Jiahao broke free from Steward Mo's harassment after beating him into a serious injury, then smashed his hammer toward Huo Dongqiang.

Huo Dongqiang had no choice but to raise his hand to defend, but he was simply too weak. He was sent flying, blood pouring from his mouth as though it cost nothing. The flames on the Blazing Fire Battle Hammer wrapped around his body, turning him to ashes in an instant.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Soul Chasing Stab!" At that very moment, Elder Lu launched a sneak attack with his spear.

Having successfully killed Huo Dongqiang, Jiang Jiahao was in a state of excitement, and his guard had dropped to its lowest point. Completely defenseless, Jiang Jiahao was pierced through the body by Elder Lu's spear. Blood sprayed straight from his mouth as he slowly fell.

"No! Big Brother!" Jiang Jiayao cried out.

Jiang Jiahao fell here.