Black Cloud Stronghold was situated on Dark Cloud Peak. Though it was called Dark Cloud Peak, it had once merely been an unnamed hill, only thirty li from Duobao Town.
Within the great stronghold atop the mountain, Black Cloud Sky Dragon Long Tonghai lounged sideways in a tiger-skin chair, leering obscenely at the beauties dancing and singing below.
"Hehehe, not bad, truly not bad. The Grand Commandant still remembers us, sending us such tender, juicy dancing girls."
"Yeah, yeah. Look at those figures—I can barely hold myself back."
"I want two later. None of you better fight me for them!"
Below, a group of minor leaders sat in a circle, drooling as they watched the dancing girls.
"Enough."
Long Tonghai suddenly spoke from the seat of honor above. The dancing girls hurriedly stopped, then withdrew.
Though the minor leaders were reluctant to part with them, their gazes still turned toward Long Tonghai above.
"Gentlemen, I have spoiled your enjoyment."
Long Tonghai spoke. Though the leaders below were somewhat displeased, a chorus of "We wouldn't dare" still rang out.
"Fine. Pick whichever ones you like and find them yourselves later. For now, let's discuss serious business."
Seeing that it was serious business, everyone put away their lecherous expressions.
"You should all understand that Black Cloud Stronghold has achieved its current prestige not only because we brothers are strong enough, but also because of the Grand Commandant's support."
"Therefore, I hope all you brothers will properly handle the matters entrusted to us by the Grand Commandant. Understood?"
"Yes!"
After everyone left, Long Tonghai looked to his confidant at his side. "Any news from the men we sent out?"
"Reporting to Boss, not yet. But some brothers have sent word back—they suspect Li Fucai never left. He should still be in Duobao Town."
"Oh?"
At those words, Long Tonghai's expression gradually turned cold.
"Hmph. That Li Fucai—the Grand Commandant thought highly of him, which was why he asked him to work for him. If he refuses a toast only to drink a forfeit... hmph!"
"Pass down the order. Have our men speed up the search. Whether he was captured or hiding on his own, find him for me!"
"Yes!"
At the foot of the mountain, a mule cart carrying a large chest slowly arrived beneath Dark Cloud Peak.
When it neared the path up the mountain, the driver halted the mule, then cupped his hands toward the surroundings. "Brothers of Black Cloud Stronghold, please come out and meet me."
As soon as his words fell, more than ten men shot out of the surrounding woods and blocked the mountain path. Every one of them held a weapon, their faces full of vigilance.
A minor leader stepped forward two paces and looked at the man on the cart. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"Greetings, brothers. I am Wan Sanhuo, and I have come today to pay my respects to the mountain."
Wan Sanhuo!
Upon hearing that name, several Black Cloud Stronghold lackeys were startled, glancing at one another repeatedly.
It could not be helped. This fellow's reputation had grown rather great lately.
First, he had slain over a hundred Fierce Wind Bandits in the span of a few days. He had even killed two bosses alone, dealing the Fierce Wind Bandits a grievous blow.
Then he had caused an uproar in Dongjiang City, forcing the city's balance of power to reshuffle. His name was truly no small one.
Now that they heard Wan Sanhuo had come here, they were naturally astonished.
"Y-you really are Wan Sanhuo?"
"Hehe, brother, you jest. What is there worth impersonating about a man with a Martial Kill Order on his head?"
"Y-you... what do you want?"
Li Yan gave a light laugh and patted the chest behind him. "I said it already. I came to pay my respects and bring a gift."
Those few simple words carried a sharp aura that spread outward, startling everyone.
"Y-you wait here. I'll go report this!"
As he spoke, one man squeezed out of the crowd. Ignoring the betrayed looks from the others, he turned and ran up the mountain!
"Report!"
The lackey hurried into the stronghold at the mountaintop, stumbled, and fell straight to the ground.
"What is it?"
Seeing his subordinate in such a state, Long Tonghai's face filled with displeasure.
"Reporting to Chief, someone... someone at the foot of the mountain has come to pay respects!"
"Pay respects? Hehe, it has been a long time since anyone came to pay respects to Black Cloud Stronghold. Who is it?"
"It's... it's Wan Sanhuo."
"What?!"
Clang!
With a cry of shock, Long Tonghai abruptly rose to his feet, knocking the golden goblet beside him to the floor.
"You said Wan Sanhuo?"
"Yes..."
"What did he say he came for?"
"To pay respects."
"Pay respects?!"
Long Tonghai had already risen from his chair and was pacing back and forth.
Though Long Tonghai's strength had reached the seventh level of the Qi Condensation Realm, and he truly should not have feared Wan Sanhuo, who had only just entered the Qi Condensation Realm, this was Wan Sanhuo!
Even the Fierce Wind Bandits, whose reputation surpassed theirs, had suffered a tremendous loss at his hands. One could never be too careful around such a person.
After a long while, Long Tonghai finally said, "Go. Invite him up the mountain, then summon all the commanders here."
"Yes!"
At the foot of the mountain, Li Yan leaned idly against the mule cart, looking somewhat impatient.
Seeing him like this, the surrounding lackeys were filled with tension and panic, terrified that if he became unhappy, he would draw his blade and cut them all down.
Just then, the lackey who had gone up the mountain hurried back.
"Brother Wan, our Stronghold Master Long invites you up."
"Oh~ He finally came. I thought Black Cloud Stronghold didn't welcome me~"
At those words, the necks of the lackeys all involuntarily shrank back.
"Hahaha, don't be nervous. I was only joking."
"Perhaps we'll even stand guard together someday."
With a minor lackey leading the way, Li Yan made his way up the mountain without incident. Even the lackeys stationed on guard along the road poked their heads out to look, openly exposing their positions.
Li Yan saw every one of those positions and committed them to memory.
When Li Yan arrived within the great stronghold, the minor commanders on both sides had already taken their seats again. Several still had an unnatural flush on their faces.
"Hahahahaha! I had long heard that a man-slaying butcher with hands that could reach the heavens had recently risen in the martial world. Seeing you today, you truly possess the bearing of a dragon and phoenix! Please, sit! Men, serve tea!"
As soon as the words fell, a minor commander stepped forward, carrying a chair and offering it to Li Yan.
However, Li Yan did not take it. He merely continued smiling at Long Tonghai.
A guest had come to his door, yet the guest was expected to take his own seat. This was not hospitality—it was a test.
Yet if they truly began to wrestle in earnest, although Li Yan had stepped into the Qi Condensation Realm, his cultivation was ultimately still shallow. If he lost the initiative like this, things would become troublesome.
At that moment, his eyes fixed directly on Long Tonghai, the chill in their depths steadily deepening. Though Long Tonghai was stronger than him, being stared at in such a manner still sent a chill through his entire body.
With his mind unsettled, he said, "Do not be rude. Brother Wan is our guest. How can you behave like this?"
Hearing this, the minor leader sheepishly set down the chair and retreated, inwardly letting out a breath of relief.
Standing before Li Yan just now, he had endured even greater pressure than Long Tonghai. He had been terrified that this killing star would suddenly erupt. If that happened, he would be the unlucky one.
"Hahahahahaha! As expected, there is no false reputation beneath great fame. The man-slaying butcher Wan Sanhuo, who could grievously wound the Fierce Wind Bandits alone, truly lives up to his name!"
"Come, brother, please sit."
Long Tonghai laughed heartily, and the previously drawn-bows-and-bared-swords atmosphere vanished without a trace.
A smile returned to Li Yan's face as well. "Hahahahaha, Black Cloud Stronghold nearly gave this little brother a fright. I thought you all wanted my head to claim the Martial Kill Order reward."
"Eh~ Brother, those words are too distant. We gather and roar amid the forests and mountains, living freely and repaying grudges with vengeance. We despise those court dogs most of all. How could we possibly do such a thing?"
"Hahahahaha, that is good. Otherwise, the special gift I prepared would truly have been a heart full of sincerity fed to dogs."
Hearing this, Long Tonghai's brows lifted slightly. "Oh~ From the sound of it, brother, you brought Elder Brother a gift on this visit?"
"Of course~"
As he spoke, lackeys outside carried that large chest inside.
The next moment, Li Yan waved his hand. His True Qi surged, and the chest flew open at once. The scent of wood rushed forth, followed by dazzling golden radiance that pierced the eyes.
A chest brimming with gold, silver, and jewels appeared nakedly before everyone.
"First Boss Long, commanders, this is a small token from our first meeting. I hope you will accept it with a smile."