Lord of Fire

"Chieftain!?"

Zhou Kuang, the Mountain Splitting Tiger, smashed through the main gate and, upon seeing a limp corpse, his eyes threatened to burst from their sockets.

His brother and he had nearly starved to death with their mother over ten years ago. It was Lu Jingtian, then unknown, who passed by and saved them both. He taught them martial arts and gave them money to support their elderly mother, allowing her to live out her years in peace.

After their mother died, Lu Jingtian became like a father to them.

Never did they expect to see his cold corpse today.

Through the large hole in the roof, countless tiles flew, and a figure in green flashed past and vanished.

"Shoot him!"

Zhou Kuang roared.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The sound of military-grade crossbow strings snapping echoed one after another. The brittle roof was directly pierced, creating many holes the size of chopsticks, and many tiles were blasted apart.

However, not a single drop of blood could be seen.

Ignoring his brother's attempts to stop him, Zhou Kuang smashed through the tiles and stood on the roof. He saw a green figure flash past in the distance, near the barracks, and disappear completely.

"Pursue!"

Zhou Kuang's face contorted as he led his subordinate stronghold members in a frantic chase towards the barracks.

Hearing the drums and gongs, the other four tigers, who had gathered, arrived a step behind. All of them were furious, and each led their men to charge at the four corners of the barracks.

"Chieftain!"

"May the heavens strike down the thief!"

Many stronghold members, upon seeing Lu Jingtian's stiff corpse, couldn't help but tear up, clenching their teeth.

Lu Jingtian was not a good person.

He was prone to killing and intercepting goods. Groups of children were often abducted to the mountain by him, and none were ever seen again. Their parents and loved ones must have shed countless tears; such a man deserved a thousand cuts.

Yet, he treated his subordinates exceptionally well, providing them with food and clothing, generous rewards, and even the opportunity to practice martial arts for those with exceptional talent.

Jiang Ding walked with his sword drawn, weaving through the barracks, his target the storeroom.

"Who goes there!"

More than ten people were patrolling and guarding the storeroom. They were startled by his sudden appearance and shouted vigilantly, gathering together to form a phalanx formation with their spears, ready for offense and defense.

"Those who block, die."

Jiang Ding said calmly, a faint white glow emanating from his sword blade as he moved straight forward.

"You court death! Kill!"

The squad leader guarding the storeroom shouted.

The twelve stronghold members sneered, showing no fear. Their twelve five-foot-long spears thrust out simultaneously, sealing off all escape routes from every direction. The spearheads glinted silver.

This was akin to the focused firepower of the Immortal Sect.

Such an attack was something even a Martial Artist in the Inner Qi Realm would not dare to face head-on. To resist would mean death; they could only evade the initial onslaught and look for another opportunity.

Swish!

A bone-chilling sword light flashed, snapping the iron-banded hardwood spear shafts. The break was smooth.

"Can't see!"

The squad leader only had time to form this thought in his mind before feeling a cold sensation in his throat. A large gush of blood spurted out, and his body fell powerlessly.

Looking around with his remaining vision, he saw that his twelve subordinate stronghold members were in the same state, one after another.

Shaking the blood off his sword, he sheathed it.

Jiang Ding slowly walked into the Fierce Tiger Stronghold's storeroom.

There were no traps as he had imagined; this was a place frequently visited by stronghold members and leaders of all ranks. Setting traps would only cause trouble for themselves.

The first thing that caught his eye were piles of rice sacks, mostly white rice, with some millet. Further back hung strips of air-dried cured meat.

With such a vast quantity, the stronghold would be secure for even a year of siege.

Jiang Ding glanced left and right, then approached the thick, solid door on the left. A flash of sword light streaked past, and he gently pushed the door open.

"Found it."

Inside the warehouse, shelves were stacked high with various weapons, swords, and spears. There were even dozens of sets of heavy iron armor, similar in style to those of the East Spirit Prefecture soldiers.

In addition, there were supplies like bean oil, rolling logs, and cloth.

Jiang Ding's gaze fell upon the crossbows neatly arranged on the wooden racks. He passed them over, taking two four-stone powerful bows from the side, along with six or seven spare bowstrings. He then bundled up dozens of arrows and slung them onto his back.

Carrying a barrel of bean oil and grabbing a large handful of cloth, he exerted force with his feet and shot straight upwards, smashing through the roof.

"The thief is in the direction of the warehouse!"

"Kill him!"

Numerous stronghold members surged into the barracks. Upon seeing the figure, they wished they could devour him alive!

Several leaders, who had spent many years mastering archery, drew their powerful bows.

Clang! Clang!

Jiang Ding drew his sword, deflecting the arrows shot from afar.

He tore a strip of cloth, wrapped it around a tile, dipped it in bean oil, and used his sword blade to strike sparks from the tile, igniting it. Then, using a bit of 'Point Sword Style', he gently tossed it onto the wall of a barracks.

Crash! The tile and tattered cloth shattered, the oil splattering on the wall and setting it ablaze.

"Not good, stop him!"

Zhou Kuang's expression changed drastically as he realized what was happening.

However, the distance was too great. Even with divine means, they could only watch helplessly now.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Oily black masses flew out, striking the walls and roofs of various barracks. Many barracks even received four or five projectiles.

Soon, clusters of flames erupted in various parts of the barracks, spreading rapidly.

The builders of the barracks were experienced. Although each barracks was several meters apart, it was useless in this situation where flames were everywhere. The fire spread quickly.

"Put out the fire!"

"Retreat!"

Zhou Sheng, known as 'Gold Pointing Tiger', turned pale and hastily commanded.

But it was a little too late. Many stronghold men, filled with grief and rage, worked with frightening speed, disregarding the danger as they rushed into the barracks to search for the thief who had assassinated their leader.

In a short time, dozens of people were swallowed by the raging inferno, their screams echoing. Those who managed to escape were severely burned, and thick black smoke billowed everywhere, obscuring their vision.

"Beast! I will tear you to shreds!"

Zhou Kuang smashed a burning roof beam with his axe, retreating with his men to avoid the fiery areas.

Amidst the smoke and flames, a figure moved lightly, their steps barely disturbed by the occasional licking flames. Soon, they left the burning area.

As the smoke and fire dispersed, the scene before them gradually became clear.

Neatly arranged troops, rows of spears and swords, bows and crossbows drawn and aimed, an aura of grim determination permeated the air, undimmed by the fierce flames behind them.

"You run, run, keep running?"

A burly, bear-like dark-skinned man, bare-chested, gritted out each word.

'Sky Bearing Tiger' Zhou Kun!

It was said he was Lu Jingtian's distant nephew, skilled in the offensive 'Thirteen Hardened Bodyguards' technique. His body was like bronze and iron, impervious to blades and spears. He had also cultivated Inner Qi to the Great Accomplishment level, often single-handedly attacking entire merchant caravans, leaving a field of corpses while remaining unharmed himself.

Beside him stood 'Descending Tiger' Lang Yi and 'Scorpion Tail Tiger' Xu Sanniang, two of the Seven Tigers, both at the Minor Accomplishment level of Inner Qi.

Around them, over sixty stronghold men armed with spears and crossbows stood ready, all having undergone strict training.

"Why should I run?"

Jiang Ding's lips curved into a smile as he retorted.

The stronghold men felt a jolt in their hearts.

They suddenly remembered that the person before them was the ferocious individual who had killed the stronghold leader and the renowned expert 'Righteousness Reaching the Heavens' Yang Dongsheng in just a few moves, not the lambs they had been hunting.

"Shoot him, damn it!"

'Sky Bearing Tiger' Zhou Kun roared.

Over twenty powerful bows and crossbows fired in unison, their arrows like a swarm of locusts, engulfing the area ahead.