At the beginning of the midnight hour, the moon was hidden and the stars were sparse, while the cold wind cut to the bone.
On the Vanguard Camp drill ground, dark masses of figures stood in solemn silence. No one spoke; only the occasional soft clink of iron armor and muffled breathing could be heard.
Nearly a thousand soldiers were like crouching beasts, their claws and fangs tucked away in the night, waiting only to strike like thunder.
Chen Qing stood before his squad, his ring-pommel saber already sheathed, its cold hilt pressed tightly against his palm.
Behind him, Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and the other nine men were equally silent, wolfish light glinting in their eyes through the darkness. After resting and eating their fill, coupled with the strength Chen Qing had displayed earlier and his calm arrangements, their morale had been roused to its peak.
On the command platform, Captain Zhou Han wore no armor, only a fitted black outfit, as though he had melted into the night.
His gaze swept over those below. Without a word of needless nonsense, he merely swung his hand sharply.
"Move out!"
The order was brief and forceful.
The troops flowed soundlessly out through the side gate of the camp like a black stream, merging into the boundless darkness.
There were no torches, no clamor—only the rustle of footsteps and the mournful howl of wind passing over the wild grass.
Chen Qing's squad had been assigned to the army's left flank, among the vanguard scouts, responsible for probing the way ahead and clearing hidden sentries. It was a dangerous duty, but also a shortcut to earning military merit.
The night was thick, and the ground beneath their feet was rugged and uneven.
Chen Qing pushed the integrated intent of the Black Tiger Fist to its limit, and his five senses became extraordinarily sharp. The wind, insects chirping, the faint wolf howls in the distance, and... the subtle breathing ahead that did not belong to nature.
He raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist. The men behind him immediately halted and lowered their bodies.
Several dozen paces ahead, behind a massive boulder, two faint red points flickered—it was the tobacco pipe of Northern Barbarian hidden sentries.
Chen Qing gestured to Sun Quezi behind him. Understanding at once, Sun Quezi slipped forward as silently as a wildcat, his figure flashing several times through the rocks and dead grass before vanishing behind the boulder.
A moment later, an exceedingly faint sound came, like cloth being torn apart. The two red sparks abruptly went out.
Sun Quezi poked half his body out from behind the boulder and gave the signal that it was safe.
The troops continued onward.
In this manner, once they came within five li of Wolf Fang Stronghold, Chen Qing's squad relied on his extraordinary senses and the seasoned experience of veterans like Sun Quezi and Old Niu to clear three Northern Barbarian hidden sentry posts in succession. The process was clean and swift, and no alarm was raised.
The outline of Wolf Fang Stronghold gradually became distinct in the darkness.
It was a camp built against a small hill. Its wooden walls were not particularly tall, but watchtowers and arrow towers stood everywhere, with the faint shapes of patrolling soldiers visible atop them. A trench had been dug before the gate, and chevaux-de-frise had been set up. Several lights swayed within the stronghold, while most areas lay deep in slumber. Only scattered footsteps and voices drifted over.
Captain Zhou Han gave another signal. The entire Vanguard Camp scattered like a pack of wolves, dividing according to the plan and stealthily closing in on Wolf Fang Stronghold from different directions.
Chen Qing's squad was tasked with breaking in through a relatively low section at the southwestern corner of the stronghold, where patrols were sparse.
Everyone crawled over the icy ground, using weeds and earthen ridges as cover as they slowly drew closer to the wall.
Tension hung thick in the air, and the pounding of their hearts drummed in their ears.
On the wall, two Northern Barbarian sentries hugged their spears and hunched their necks as they muttered complaints about the damned weather.
Now!
Chen Qing's eyes sharpened. Like a tiger that had spotted prey, his body suddenly tensed.
The next instant, he sprang violently from the ground! His feet drove down, spraying mud everywhere, and he shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bow. In only two or three breaths, he crossed dozens of paces and silently pressed himself against the foot of the wall!
The two sentries seemed to sense something and had just begun leaning out to look below.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two nearly inaudible sounds of air being split rang out. Chen Qing flicked both hands at once, sending two stones with sharpened edges flying like death's invitations straight into the sentries' throats!
They clutched their necks, making hoarse gurgling sounds as they crumpled limply.
[Killed Northern Barbarian sentries. Obtained Vitality and a trace amount of Killing Intent. Fierce Tiger Iron Body Proficiency +5]
Without pausing, Chen Qing kicked twice against the rough wooden wall. Borrowing the force, he sprang upward, the fingers of his left hand hooking like claws and digging deeply into a crack in the wood. With a flip, he landed lightly atop the wall!
The entire sequence was as swift as a hare taking flight and a falcon swooping down—clean and decisive!
He quickly tossed down a rope fitted with grappling claws. Below, Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and the others immediately seized it and climbed up with the agility of apes.
All ten men infiltrated successfully!
Inside the wall was a relatively quiet area where miscellaneous supplies and fodder had been piled. From the direction of the main camp, the footsteps of patrols could be faintly heard.
"Follow the plan. Two men per group, scatter and act! Use fire as the signal and create chaos! In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, whether you succeed or not, rendezvous here!" Chen Qing ordered in a low, rapid voice.
"Yes!" The men answered quietly, swiftly splitting into four groups. Like drops of water blending into the sea, they silently vanished into the shadows of the camp.
Chen Qing, meanwhile, took Old Niu and headed toward the approximate direction where the provisions were stored, based on his memory. His goal was clear: either find the granary and set it ablaze, or... find enemies worthy enough to fight!
The two moved swiftly through the shadows between tents and wooden huts, avoiding scattered firelight and patrols. Chen Qing extended his senses to the utmost, catching every trace of abnormality in the air.
Suddenly, he halted, grabbed Old Niu, and slipped behind the rear of a tent.
Not far ahead, a large oxhide tent far bigger than the others came into view. A flag decorated with vulture feathers stood outside, while two Northern Barbarian armored soldiers with no weak auras guarded the entrance.
"It's the main tent of the 'Vulture' centurion!" Old Niu whispered, excitement and tension in his voice.
Chen Qing's gaze flickered. Attacking the main tent was immensely risky, but the reward would be equally astonishing! If he could kill or severely wound this centurion, it would deal a fatal blow to Wolf Fang Stronghold!
As he weighed the matter, the tent flap was lifted. A tall, thin Northern Barbarian Officer with sinister eyes and a bald head stepped out—it was Vulture! He appeared to have come out to inspect the camp, his sharp gaze sweeping over the surroundings.
Chen Qing held his breath, suppressing his own presence to the limit.
The Vulture Centurion apparently noticed nothing unusual. Taking two personal guards with him, he headed in another direction.
An opportunity!
A fierce glint flashed through Chen Qing's eyes. He gestured to Old Niu, telling him to wait where he was, while he himself silently followed after them like a ghost.
The Vulture Centurion did not go far. He merely stopped in an open space at the center of the camp, seemingly observing the defenses in each direction. His two personal guards stood behind him, one on either side.
Now!
Chen Qing hesitated no longer. The Fierce Tiger Iron Body suddenly began circulating within him, and the integrated intent of the Black Tiger Fist merged with his saber intent. A fierce, baleful aura long held in check burst forth like a savage beast breaking free of its restraints!
He lunged from the shadows, fast as lightning, his target the Vulture's back!
The ring-pommel saber slid from its sheath without a sound, its blade drawing a cold arc of death through the night!
Yet the Vulture Centurion, able to hold Wolf Fang Stronghold, was no mediocrity! The instant Chen Qing's Killing Intent erupted, a chill ran down his spine and warning bells rang in his heart. Without even thinking, he violently twisted his body to the side!
Shhk!
The blade skimmed past his ribs, bringing up a spray of blood, but failed to kill him in a single strike!
"Enemy attack!" Vulture roared in shock and fury, his cry shrill as he drew the curved saber at his waist with his backhand. The two personal guards reacted as well, roaring as they swung their sabers at Chen Qing!
The camp's peace was shattered in an instant!
"Fire!"
"The granary is burning!"
"Enemies have infiltrated the camp!"
At almost the same time, cries of alarm and battle erupted from several other directions within the camp! Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and the others had successfully created chaos!
But Chen Qing's side had fallen into danger!
The Vulture Centurion had been wounded below the ribs, and his ferocity surged. His curved saber whipped about like a violent storm, every move vicious, every strike carrying tremendous force. He was clearly at the middle stage of the Bone Forging Realm! The two personal guards were also experts at the peak of the Skin Refining Realm, working in perfect coordination as they entangled Chen Qing from both sides.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The clash of weapons rang out like beans popping in a pan! Chen Qing unleashed the Black Tiger Saber Technique to its utmost, blending the grim savagery of the Fierce Tiger Iron Body with the simplicity of military saber arts. Blade light flew everywhere as he barely held off the three-man assault, yet he was forced back again and again, peril lurking at every step!
[Engaged in fierce battle with powerful enemies. Black Tiger Saber Technique Proficiency +20] [Fierce Tiger Iron Body damaged. Proficiency +15]
Pressure! Immense pressure! Yet this pressure was also like a whetstone, madly honing his martial arts and will!
The chill in his eyes was gradually replaced by blazing battle intent. Killing Intent surged through his body and merged with his Vitality, bringing waves of stabbing pain—but also greater strength!
"Die!"
Unable to take Chen Qing down after so long, the Vulture Centurion grew ever more frantic. Seizing an opening, he drove his curved saber forward with all his strength, like a venomous snake darting from its hole, stabbing directly at Chen Qing's heart!
This strike was fast! Ruthless! Precise! It nearly sealed off every route of evasion!
There was no avoiding it!
A savage light exploded from Chen Qing's eyes. Instead of dodging, he swept his left arm across and used his forearm to meet the oncoming blade point head-on! At the same time, his ring-pommel saber flashed from his right hand like rushing thunder, chopping straight at the other man's face!
Trading injury for life!
Pfft! Clang!
The two sounds rang out almost simultaneously!
The curved saber pierced through the iron armor on Chen Qing's left arm and sank deeply into his flesh, even striking the dark, hard bone beneath! Meanwhile, the Vulture Centurion jerked his head aside at the last instant, and Chen Qing's ring-pommel saber failed to split his skull. It only sliced off half his ear and a large chunk of scalp, blood instantly dyeing half his face red!
Agonizing pain shot through him, but Chen Qing seemed not to notice. The saber force in his right hand did not stop; it changed from a chop into a sweep, smashing viciously against the wrist holding Vulture's saber!
Crack!
The wrist bone shattered!
Vulture screamed, and his curved saber flew from his hand!
Chen Qing pressed his advantage without mercy, throwing himself forward like a true vicious tiger and crashing headfirst into the other man's chest! His forehead smashed hard into Vulture's nose bridge!
Bang!
The nose bridge collapsed, and blood sprayed wildly!
Vulture was left dizzy and disoriented. Chen Qing's right hand had already clamped around his throat like iron pincers!
"Urgh..." Vulture's eyes bulged as he struggled desperately.
Seeing this, the other two personal guards were scared out of their wits and attacked madly, trying to rescue him.
Chen Qing did not even look at them. The arm gripping Vulture's throat suddenly exerted force, using his entire body as a shield as Chen Qing swung him hard behind himself!
Bang! Bang!
The blades of the two personal guards both struck Vulture's back!
Crack!
The sound of a throat bone breaking was crystal clear.
The Vulture Centurion's body stiffened, and the light in his eyes rapidly faded.
[Killed Northern Barbarian Centurion 'Vulture.' Obtained a large amount of Vitality and refined Killing Intent. Fierce Tiger Iron Body Proficiency +60! Black Tiger Saber Technique Proficiency +55!]
A surging torrent of energy flooded into his body! The wound on his left arm squirmed rapidly beneath the coils of black-red Killing Intent, stopping the bleeding! His depleted strength was instantly replenished, even surpassing what it had been before!
Chen Qing abruptly turned to look at the two personal guards, whose faces were twisted in utter terror. The Killing Intent in his eyes had nearly solidified into substance.
At a single look from him, the two guards felt as though they had been targeted by a primordial beast. Their livers and gallbladders nearly burst from fright as they turned to flee.
How could Chen Qing let them escape? He stamped his foot down, his figure flashing like lightning. His ring-pommel saber carried bleak black-red light like a soul-reaping specter, instantly sweeping across both their necks.
Two heads soared into the sky!
[Killed...]
He stood amid the three corpses, bathed in blood, the curved saber still lodged in his left arm. Panting, he looked around.
The entire Wolf Fang Stronghold had descended into complete chaos. Flames rose on every side, while battle cries, weapons clashing, and the dying screams of the wounded merged into a single uproar. The main force of the Vanguard Camp had clearly broken in and was hunting down the remaining enemies everywhere.
The mission had been completed beyond quota.
He reached out, gripped the hilt of the curved saber embedded in his left arm, frowned slightly, and suddenly exerted force, wrenching it out raw. A trail of blood droplets followed. Black-red Killing Intent immediately wrapped around the wound and began repairing it.
He looked toward the system screen. The proficiency of the Fierce Tiger Iron Body and the Black Tiger Saber Technique had risen by another stretch.
This whetstone worked rather well.
With the ring-pommel saber, once more stained with blood, in hand, he headed for the rendezvous point. Next, it was time to harvest the remaining "proficiency."
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