Night Raid on Wolf Fang

At the beginning of the hour of the rat, the moon was hidden and the stars were sparse, and the cold wind was bone-chilling.

On the training grounds of the Vanguard Camp, a dense crowd of figures stood solemnly. No one spoke, only the occasional light clink of armor and suppressed breaths could be heard. Nearly a thousand soldiers were like dormant beasts, retracting their claws and fangs in the darkness, waiting for a thunderous strike.

Chen Qing stood before his squad, his ring-pommel saber sheathed, the cold hilt pressed tightly against his palm. Behind him, Old Niu, Cripple Sun, and the other nine were equally silent, their eyes glinting like a wolf's in the darkness. After rest and a full meal, coupled with the strength and calm arrangements Chen Qing had previously displayed, their morale had been driven to its peak.

On the command platform, Captain Zhou Han was not armored, wearing only a black tight-fitting outfit, as if he had blended into the night. His gaze swept over those below, without any unnecessary words, he simply waved his hand forcefully.

"Move out!"

The order was concise and powerful.

The formation flowed out of the side gate of the camp like a black stream, silently merging into the boundless darkness. There were no torches, no clamor, only the rustling of footsteps and the wind whistling through the withered grass.

Chen Qing's squad was assigned to the left flank of the formation, part of the vanguard, responsible for scouting ahead and eliminating enemy sentries. This was a dangerous mission, but also a shortcut to earning military merits.

The night was thick, and the path underfoot was rugged. Chen Qing pushed his fully integrated Black Tiger Fist intent to its limit, his five senses becoming exceptionally sharp. The sound of the wind, the chirping of insects, the faint howling of wolves in the distance, and... a subtle, unnatural breathing sound ahead.

He raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist. Everyone behind him immediately stopped, lowering their bodies.

About fifty paces ahead, behind a large rock, two faint red lights flickered—the glow of Northern Barbarian sentries smoking their pipes.

Chen Qing made a gesture to Cripple Sun behind him. Cripple Sun understood, and like a civet cat, he crept forward silently. His figure flickered among the rocks and withered grass, and then disappeared behind the large rock.

A moment later, an extremely faint sound, like the tearing of silk, came. The two red lights abruptly extinguished.

Cripple Sun poked half his body out from behind the large rock and made a safety gesture.

The formation continued to advance.

In this manner, within five li of Wolf Fang Stronghold, Chen Qing's squad, relying on his extraordinary perception and the rich experience of veterans like Cripple Sun and Old Niu, successfully eliminated three Northern Barbarian outposts. The process was clean and efficient, without raising any alarms.

The outline of Wolf Fang Stronghold gradually became clear in the darkness. It was a stronghold built on a small hill. The wooden palisade walls were not particularly tall but were covered with watchtowers and arrow towers, with the figures of patrolling soldiers faintly visible. A moat was dug in front of the gate, and barricades were set up. A few lights flickered within the stronghold; most areas were asleep, with only sporadic footsteps and conversations audible.

Captain Zhou Han signaled again, and the entire Vanguard Camp scattered like a wolf pack, dividing into several groups according to the prearranged plan, approaching Wolf Fang Stronghold from different directions.

Chen Qing's squad's mission was to breach the southwest corner of the stronghold, an area that was relatively low and had less patrol density.

They crawled on the cold ground, using the cover of weeds and earth mounds to inch closer to the palisade. The air was filled with tension, and their heartbeats pounded in their ears.

On the palisade, two Northern Barbarian sentries, clutching their spears, hunched their necks and were quietly complaining about the damned weather.

Now!

Chen Qing's eyes sharpened. Like a tiger that had spotted its prey, his body tensed suddenly. The next moment, he leaped violently from the ground! His feet exerted force, sending dirt flying. He shot forward like an arrow, covering dozens of paces in just two or three breaths, silently reaching the base of the palisade!

The two sentries seemed to sense something and were about to peer down.

Swish! Swish!

Two barely audible whistling sounds rang out. Chen Qing threw out his left and right hands simultaneously. Two sharpened stones, like invitations from death, accurately embedded themselves into the sentries' throats!

They clutched their throats, gasping, and slumped down limply.

[Killed Northern Barbarian sentries, gained Qi and minor malevolent energy, Fierce Tiger Iron Body proficiency +5]

Chen Qing did not stop. He kicked off the rough wooden palisade twice with his feet, using the force to propel himself upward. His left hand, with fingers like hooks, dug deeply into the gaps in the wood. With a flip, he landed lightly on top of the palisade!

The entire process was swift and decisive!

He quickly threw down a rope with grappling hooks. Below, Old Niu, Cripple Sun, and the others immediately grabbed the rope and climbed up with the agility of monkeys.

All ten successfully infiltrated!

Inside the palisade was a relatively quiet area, with some miscellaneous items and fodder piled up. In the direction of the main camp, the sounds of a patrol team could be faintly heard.

"According to the plan, pairs of two, split up! Use fire as a signal to create chaos! One incense stick later, whether successful or not, rendezvous here!" Chen Qing ordered in a low voice, quickly.

"Yes!" Everyone responded in low voices, quickly splitting into four groups, disappearing silently into the shadows of the stronghold like drops of water merging into the sea.

Chen Qing, along with Old Niu, headed towards the general direction of the grain and fodder storage in his memory. His goal was clear: either find the granary and set it ablaze, or... find enough enemies to fight!

The two moved quickly between the shadows of tents and wooden houses, avoiding scattered lights and patrols. Chen Qing's perception was at its maximum, capturing any trace of abnormality in the air.

Suddenly, he stopped and pulled Old Niu, ducking behind a tent.

Not far ahead, a large yurt, much bigger than the others, appeared. A flag decorated with vulture feathers was planted outside, and two Northern Barbarian soldiers with strong auras stood guard at the entrance.

"It's the main tent of Centurion 'Vulture'!" Old Niu whispered, with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Chen Qing's eyes flickered. Attacking the main tent was extremely risky, but the reward was equally astonishing! If they could kill or heavily wound this centurion, it would be a fatal blow to Wolf Fang Stronghold!

As he was weighing his options, the curtain of the large tent was lifted, and a tall, thin Northern Barbarian officer with sinister eyes and a bald head walked out—it was "Vulture"! He seemed to be out on patrol, his sharp gaze sweeping around.

Chen Qing held his breath, concealing his aura to the utmost.

The Vulture Centurion did not seem to notice anything unusual. Accompanied by two personal guards, he walked off in another direction.

Opportunity!

A fierce glint flashed in Chen Qing's eyes. He gestured to Old Niu, signaling him to wait where he was, while he himself moved like a ghost, silently following.

The Vulture Centurion did not go far, stopping in the open space in the center of the camp, seemingly observing the defenses. His two guards stood to his left and right.

Now!

Chen Qing no longer hesitated. The Fierce Tiger Iron Body within him suddenly activated, his fully integrated Black Tiger Fist intent and saber intent merging. A long-suppressed malevolent aura erupted like a beast unleashed! He lunged out of the shadows, his speed reaching its extreme, his target aimed directly at Vulture's back!

The ring-pommel saber was drawn silently, its blade tracing a cold arc of death in the night!

However, the Vulture Centurion, who could command Wolf Fang Stronghold, was no ordinary opponent! The instant Chen Qing's killing intent erupted, his spine chilled, and a sense of alarm surged within him. Without a second thought, he twisted his body sharply to the side!

Ching!

The blade grazed his ribs, drawing a splash of blood, but failed to land a fatal blow!

"Enemy attack!" The Vulture, a mix of shock and fury, let out a shrill roar and drew the curved saber at his waist. His two personal guards also reacted, roaring as they swung their sabers at Chen Qing!

The camp's tranquility was shattered in an instant!

"Fire!"

"The granary is on fire!"

"An enemy has infiltrated!"

Almost simultaneously, shouts and the clash of weapons erupted from other directions of the camp! Old Niu, Cripple Sun, and the others had successfully created chaos!

But Chen Qing, on his end, had fallen into a dangerous situation!

With his ribs wounded, the Vulture Centurion's ferocity surged. He wielded his curved saber like a raging storm, each strike vicious, his strength immense. He was clearly a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm! His two guards were also masters of the peak Skin Refining Realm, coordinating seamlessly to pin Chen Qing down on both sides.

Clang, clang, clang!

The sound of clashing weapons rang out like popping beans! Chen Qing unleashed the Black Tiger Saber Technique to its limits, integrating the ferocity of the Fierce Tiger Iron Body with the simplicity of military saber techniques. His saber light danced, barely fending off the three attackers. However, he was forced to retreat continuously, his situation perilous!

[Engaging powerful enemies, Black Tiger Saber Technique proficiency +20]

[Fierce Tiger Iron Body damaged, proficiency +15]

Pressure! Immense pressure! But this pressure was also like a whetstone, fiercely honing his martial skills and will!

The coldness in his eyes gradually gave way to a burning fighting spirit. Killing intent surged within his body, mingling with his blood and qi, bringing waves of stinging pain, but also greater power!

"Die!"

The Vulture Centurion, unable to land a decisive blow after a prolonged assault, grew increasingly agitated. Spotting an opening, he thrust his curved saber with all his might, like a venomous snake striking from its hole, straight at Chen Qing's heart!

This strike was fast! Ruthless! Accurate! It sealed off almost all space for evasion!

No escape!

A ferocious glint erupted in Chen Qing's eyes. Instead of dodging, he suddenly brought his left arm across, using his forearm to take the brunt of the incoming blade tip! Simultaneously, his right-hand saber struck like thunder, aimed directly at the opponent's face!

Trading injury for a life!

Puchi! Clang!

Two sounds rang out almost simultaneously!

The curved saber pierced the iron armor on Chen Qing's left arm, sinking deep into the flesh, even brushing against the dark, hardened bone of his arm! Chen Qing's saber, at the last possible second, was dodged by the Vulture Centurion tilting his head. It only shaved off half his ear and a large chunk of his scalp, blood instantly dyeing half his face red!

Intense pain shot through him, but Chen Qing seemed oblivious. His right hand, maintaining its momentum, changed from a chop to a sweep, smashing heavily onto the Vulture's wrist!

Crack!

The wrist bone shattered!

The Vulture let out a scream as his curved saber flew from his grasp!

Chen Qing pressed his advantage, lunging forward like a true fierce tiger, crashing into the opponent's embrace! His forehead slammed hard into the man's nose!

Bang!

His nose caved in, blood spraying wildly!

The Vulture was dazed, and Chen Qing's right hand clamped down like a vise on his throat!

"Urk..." The Vulture's eyes bulged as he struggled desperately.

Seeing this, the two personal guards panicked, desperately attacking to try and rescue him.

Chen Qing didn't even look. He tightened his grip on the Vulture's throat and, using him as a shield, swung him backward violently!

Bang, bang!

The sabers of the two personal guards struck squarely into the Vulture's back!

Crack!

The sound of a breaking neck bone was clearly audible.

The Vulture Centurion's body stiffened, his eyes quickly dimming.

[Killed Northern Barbarian Centurion 'Vulture', gained a large amount of blood and qi, and pure killing intent. Fierce Tiger Iron Body proficiency +60! Black Tiger Saber Technique proficiency +55!]

A torrent of energy surged into his body! The wound on his left arm rapidly knitted itself shut under the swirling black-red killing intent, stopping the bleeding! His depleted stamina was instantly replenished, even surpassing its previous level!

Chen Qing turned abruptly, his gaze falling upon the two terrified personal guards, the killing intent in his eyes almost solidifying.

As the two guards met his gaze, they felt as if they were being stared down by a primordial beast. Their livers and gallbladders were split with fear, and they turned to flee.

How could Chen Qing let them escape? He stomped his foot, his figure flashing like lightning. His saber, carrying a chilling black-red glow, swept past their necks like Yama, the god of death, instantly severing them.

Two heads flew into the sky!

[Killed...]

He stood amidst the three corpses, drenched in blood, the curved saber still lodged in his left arm. Panting, he scanned his surroundings.

The entire Wolf Fang Stronghold had descended into complete chaos. Fires raged everywhere, and the sounds of shouting, clashing weapons, and dying screams blended into a cacophony. The main force of the Vanguard Camp had clearly broken through and was now systematically eliminating the remaining enemy forces.

Mission: Exceeded.

He reached out and gripped the hilt of the curved saber embedded in his left arm. Frowning slightly, he gave a fierce tug and ripped it out forcefully, drawing a stream of blood. The black and red baleful energy at the wound immediately wrapped around it, beginning to heal.

He looked at the system interface. The proficiency of Fierce Tiger Iron Body and the Black Tiger Saber Technique had increased again.

This whetstone was quite effective.

He strode towards the rendezvous point, carrying his blood-soaked ring-pommel saber. Next, it was time to harvest the remaining "proficiency."