Water Source, Blooming Thrice

The stronghold of the Fierce Wind Bandits, Feng Hui Mountain, was a continuous mountain range. Any one of its peaks could hide people. If someone unfamiliar with the roads were to ascend, not only would they get lost in the mountains, but finding the Fierce Wind Bandits' lair would be impossible.

After traveling for more than half a day, as the sun began to set, Li Yan finally reached the foot of Feng Hui Mountain.

However, he couldn't go up the mountain directly. He had already killed nearly two hundred people, but there were still seven to eight hundred left on the mountain. If he went up like this, he would be exposed in no time.

He didn't care about the others; they were just a matter of one strike. But if Wang Dingtian were alerted, he feared he wouldn't even be able to escape.

As he was contemplating how to ascend, Li Yan saw someone approaching on horseback in the distance.

The person quickly arrived at the foot of the mountain but didn't rush to ascend. Instead, they quietly went to a large tree and fumbled around for a while.

With a crackling sound, a flare arrow shot out from the top of the tree. Not long after the flare exploded, a series of crackling sounds echoed from the mountain.

Li Yan only listened for a moment before realizing that there were traps set on the mountain path!

If that was the case, his plan to sneak up the mountain was likely unfeasible. He had to find another way.

With that thought, Li Yan quietly retreated. It wasn't until midnight that Li Yan discovered a very steep cliff.

This cliff was exceptionally steep. Forget about setting traps; even climbing it would be difficult.

He drew Waning Moon and slashed at the cliff face a couple of times. It was alright; the rocks on the cliff were not particularly hard. He could carve out footholds with Waning Moon. Combined with his Wind Chasing Wave Treading movement technique, Li Yan ascended the cliff. It didn't take long before he reached the summit.

After reaching the top of the cliff, Li Yan first cautiously surveyed his surroundings. Once he confirmed there were no patrols, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at the time, it wasn't long before dawn. He needed to move faster.

However, not long after entering the mountain forest, he faintly heard the sound of running water. Upon hearing this sound, Li Yan immediately realized it was the sound of a mountain spring!

That's right, this was a mountain. How could such a place support a force of nearly a thousand people without a water source for their daily needs?

A moment later, as Li Yan looked at the clearly man-made waterway before him, his smile was more uncontainable than an AK.

Then, he reached into his embrace and took out two small porcelain bottles.

The remaining amounts of Muscle Softening Powder and Ice Heart Qi Condensing Powder, obtained from Li Fucai, were not much. This time, he would use them all at once~

The life of a bandit was actually very simple: eat, drink, relieve oneself, sleep... and go out to rob.

However, for a force of nearly a thousand people crammed onto a few mountain peaks, all aspects of daily life required management.

In the past, these matters were handled by the Second Boss. But since the Second Boss's death, and with the First Boss lost in grief, there was no one to manage these things, and the stronghold began to show signs of chaos.

"Damn it, the latrines are almost overflowing, why hasn't anyone cleaned them?"

"What's going on? What's going on? The water supply in the stronghold is gone, why hasn't anyone fetched water? Without water, who's going to cook for you?"

"Who's responsible for patrolling the mountain today? I've been watching the mountain path for a day and a night, why hasn't anyone relieved me?"

Early in the morning, curses and grumbles could be heard constantly around the stronghold, waking Wang Dingtian from his sleep.

This was not the first time he had been woken by these sounds. He had never imagined that managing a thousand-person mountain stronghold would be such a strenuous task. He wondered what kind of life his second brother had lived before.

Thinking of his second brother, Wang Dingtian's face was filled with loss and sorrow once more.

Although the three brothers had a significant age difference, they were as close as sworn brothers, sharing life and death. Without their mutual support over the years, the Fierce Wind Bandits would not be where they were today.

It was a pity that the Fierce Wind Bandits remained, but only he was left of the three brothers.

All of this was because of that damned Li Sanhuo!

If it weren't for that damned fellow, his two brothers wouldn't have died, and the Fierce Wind Bandits wouldn't be in such a chaotic state. No matter what, that guy deserved to die, and he would die!

And Shangguan Xiyun, she was the root of it all!

If she hadn't rejected his third brother, his third brother wouldn't have met that Li Sanhuo, and things wouldn't be like this.

"Damn that bitch, when I catch you, I'll make sure all the brothers in the stronghold 'cherish' you dearly for my brothers!"

As he was thinking, the noise outside the door repeatedly interrupted his thoughts, forcing him to sigh and climb out of bed.

As soon as he stood up, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and he stumbled a couple of steps before steadying himself.

He had been drowning himself in wine for days. Even with his profound cultivation, he couldn't withstand the constant onslaught of alcohol fumes.

Stumbling out of his room, the moment the door opened, he saw the commanders outside passionately arguing with flushed faces, their expressions as if they had seen their mortal enemy.

"Enough!"

A roar infused with powerful True Qi spread out, causing the small commanders to feel their scalps tingle and freeze on the spot.

When they saw the First Boss, who looked like a furious Mighty Lion, they snapped back to reality, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Their minds, clouded by anger, had forgotten that this was where the First Boss rested.

Here, exchanging insults about each other's ancestors and showing off their close relationships was a minor matter. Disturbing the First Boss's rest could mean meeting their ancestors!

Fortunately, after a moment, Wang Dingtian finally calmed his anger. He then waved his hand and said, "All commanders, to the front hall. I have something to announce."

Before long, in the front hall, all the minor commanders of the stronghold sat in solemn rows.

His gaze swept over everyone below. When he saw the empty seats where his two brothers should have been, Wang Dingtian couldn't help but sigh inwardly. However, he still spoke, "Everyone, many things have indeed happened in the stronghold recently. My two sworn brothers were ambushed and harmed by treacherous villains. As their sworn brother, I am deeply saddened, which has led me to neglect all of you."

Upon hearing this, there was mostly silence from below.

"My second brother used to handle all the affairs of the stronghold. Now that he has passed away, these matters must still be attended to."

"I will pick suitable candidates in the shortest possible time, but for this month, I hope you all will continue according to the Second Boss's arrangements from last month. Furthermore, I want to see the stronghold restored to its former order before tomorrow."

"Everyone, any questions?"

Questions? Of course not!

Even if they did, they couldn't voice them, or they'd be meeting their relatives...

Although the methods were somewhat brutal, it had to be said they were very effective. The stronghold was back in operation in just half a day.

Just then, someone reported that a subordinate who had gone down the mountain to gather information had something to report.

Upon hearing this, Wang Dingtian let the person in and simultaneously stood up, walking to the newly delivered mountain spring water.

First, he scooped two large ladlesful into his mouth, then scooped another ladleful and poured it over his head.

The icy sensation cleared his head a little more. Just then, the subordinate from outside the door stepped in, "First Boss, Bai Xiushi sent me back to tell you that he has persuaded City Lord Huang, and the other party has agreed to your conditions."

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Wang Dingtian's eyes, "Good!"

"I can't catch Wan Sanhuo for now, so I'll use Shangguan Xiyun to mourn the spirits of my second and third brothers in heaven!"