Feng Hui Mountain, where the Fierce Wind Bandits were based, was a sprawling mountain range. Any one of its peaks might be hiding people. If one went up without knowing the way, getting lost in the mountains might be avoidable, but finding the Fierce Wind Bandits' lair would be utterly impossible.
After hurrying along for more than half a day, Li Yan finally reached the foot of Feng Hui Mountain as the sun sank in the west.
However, he could not head straight up the mountain now. He had previously cut down nearly two hundred men, but there were still seven or eight hundred people on the mountain. If he went up like this, he would be exposed before long.
The others did not matter much—one slash would settle them—but if he drew Wang Dingtian over, he might not even be able to escape.
Just as he was considering how to go up the mountain, Li Yan saw someone riding toward him in the distance.
The newcomer quickly arrived at the foot of the mountain, yet did not immediately go up. Instead, he quietly walked to a large tree and fumbled around beneath it for a while.
With a crisp crack, a signal arrow suddenly shot out from the top of the tree. Shortly after it exploded, a series of cracking sounds came from the mountain.
Li Yan only needed to listen for a moment to realize that mechanisms had been set up along the path up the mountain!
If that was the case, his plan to sneak up the mountain was likely unworkable. He had to find another route.
With that thought, Li Yan quietly withdrew farther away. Yet it was not until the dead of night that he discovered an exceedingly steep cliff.
This cliff was particularly sheer. Forget setting traps upon it—even climbing it freely would be difficult.
Drawing Waning Moon, he scraped the blade twice against the rock face. Not bad. The stone along the cliff was not particularly hard; Waning Moon could carve out footholds. Combined with the Wind Chasing Wave Treading movement technique, Li Yan made his way upward, reaching the top of the cliff before long.
After climbing onto the summit, Li Yan first carefully checked the surrounding area. Only after confirming that there were no patrols nearby did he let out a breath.
Judging by the time, dawn was not far away. He had to move quickly.
Yet not long after entering the forest, Li Yan faintly heard the sound of running water. The instant he heard it, he realized that it was the sound of mountain spring water!
That was right. This was a mountain. Without a water source, how could such a place support the food and drink needs of a force numbering nearly a thousand?
A moment later, when Li Yan saw the water channel before him, clearly bearing traces of human excavation, the smile on his lips was harder to suppress than an AK.
He then reached into his robes and took out two small porcelain bottles.
There was not much Muscle Softening Powder and Ice Heart Qi Condensing Powder left from what he had gotten from Li Fucai. He might as well use it all in one go this time~
A bandit's life was actually simple: eating, drinking, relieving oneself, sleeping... and going out to rob.
However, with nearly a thousand men crammed onto several mountaintops, every aspect of daily life required management.
In the past, these matters had all been coordinated and arranged by the Second Boss. But ever since the Second Boss's death, the First Boss had been immersed in grief, leaving these matters unattended for a time. The stronghold was gradually beginning to show signs of chaos.
"Damn it, the latrines are nearly overflowing! Why has no one cleaned them?"
"What's going on? What's going on? There's no water left in the stronghold! Why has no one gone to fetch water? Without water, who's going to cook for you?"
"Who was responsible for patrolling the mountain today? I've been watching the road up the mountain for a whole day and night! Why has no one come to relieve me?"
Early in the morning, a constant stream of curses rang out around the stronghold, waking Wang Dingtian from his sleep.
This was not the first time those voices had woken him. Before this, he had truly never imagined that managing a mountain stronghold of a thousand men would be such an exhausting task. He had no idea what kind of days his second brother had lived through.
Thinking of his second brother, Wang Dingtian's face filled with loss and sorrow once more.
Though the three brothers differed greatly in age, they had been as close as flesh and blood, loyal to one another heart and soul. If not for their mutual support over the years, there would not be the Fierce Wind Bandits of today.
Sadly, the Fierce Wind Bandits remained, but of the three brothers, only he was left.
All of this was because of that damned Li Sanhuo!
If it were not for that damned bastard, his two brothers would not have died, and the Fierce Wind Bandits would not have fallen into their current state of chaos. No matter what, that bastard deserved to die, and he had to die!
And Shangguan Xiyun as well. That bitch was the root of it all!
If she had not rejected his third brother, his third brother would never have encountered Li Sanhuo, and none of this would have turned out as it had.
"Damn bitch! Once I capture you and bring you back, I'll have every brother in the stronghold properly love you on behalf of my younger brothers!"
As he thought this, the commotion outside interrupted his thoughts again and again. Left with no choice, he sighed and climbed out of bed.
The moment he stood, a wave of dizziness hit him. He staggered two steps before steadying himself.
These past few days, he had been soaking himself in vats of wine every day. Even with his deep cultivation, he could not withstand the ceaseless assault of the alcohol.
Staggering out of his room, he opened the door and immediately saw the commanders outside, all red-faced and ears burning as they passionately shouted into the air. Every expression looked as though they had encountered the killer of their fathers.
"Enough!"
His roar, wrapped in powerful True Qi, spread outward. The junior commanders were instantly shaken numb from scalp to toe, standing frozen on the spot.
When they saw the First Boss, like a lion in a rage, everyone jolted and broke out in cold sweat.
Their heads, clouded by anger earlier, had forgotten that this was where the First Boss rested.
Exchanging greetings about one another's ancestors and relatives here, displaying just how thick the bonds between people in the stronghold were, was a small matter. Disturbing the First Boss's rest, however, might send them to meet their ancestral relatives!
Fortunately, Wang Dingtian finally calmed his anger after a moment. Then he swept out a hand and said, "All commanders, come to the main hall. I have something to announce."
Before long, all the junior commanders in the stronghold sat primly in the main hall.
His gaze swept across everyone below. When he saw the places that should have belonged to his two brothers now sitting empty, Wang Dingtian could not help sighing inwardly. Still, he said, "Everyone, quite a few things have indeed happened in the stronghold recently. The two bosses were harmed by treacherous villains. As their sworn elder brother, I have been deeply grieved, and as a result, I have neglected you brothers."
At those words, most of those below did not dare make a sound.
"In the past, my second brother handled the affairs of the stronghold. Now that he has ridden a crane westward, someone must still take care of these matters."
"I will select suitable candidates in the shortest time possible. But for this month, I hope everyone will continue according to Second Brother's arrangements from last month. By tomorrow, I want to see the stronghold restored to its former order."
"Does anyone have any questions?"
Questions? Naturally, there were none!
Even if they did, they could not voice them, or they would be meeting their relatives...
Though his methods were somewhat brutal, they were undeniably effective. In less than half a day, the stronghold had resumed functioning.
Just then, someone reported that a lackey who had gone down the mountain to gather intelligence had returned with something to report.
Upon hearing this, Wang Dingtian had the man brought in while rising and walking over to the mountain spring water that had just been delivered.
He first scooped up two large ladlefuls and poured them into his mouth, then scooped another ladleful and dumped it over his head.
The icy sensation cleared his mind a little further. At that moment, the lackey stepped in from outside. "First Boss, Bai Xiushi asked me to relay a message. He has already persuaded City Lord Huang, and the other party has agreed to your terms."
Hearing this, a sharp gleam flashed in Wang Dingtian's eyes. "Good!"
"I cannot capture Wan Sanhuo for the moment, so I'll use Shangguan Xiyun first to sacrifice to the spirits of my second and third brothers in heaven!"
Before you continue