Black Dragon Stronghold

The next day, a massive convoy gathered once again outside Ironwood Manor.

"This trip is going to attract some ill-intentioned people." Lin Zhentian gazed at the convoy with a grave expression, a hint of worry in his voice.

"Oh? Could the Lei Family be making a move against us?" At this, Lin Ken and the others also changed expressions.

"Lei Bao is fierce in appearance but timid at heart—he'd shrink from a big job but throw his life away for petty gain. How could he act so rashly?" Lin Zhentian sneered dismissively. "According to our scouts, the one targeting our Lin Family this time is the Black Dragon Stronghold."

"The Black Dragon Stronghold? How do they know our Lin Family has Yang Yuan Stones? And they should realize we're not easy to deal with." Lin Xiao looked puzzled.

Within a few hundred li of Qingyang Town, there were many bandit gangs, and the Black Dragon Stronghold was the largest among them. Its members were mostly ruthless and brutal, and it even had two Heavenly Origin Stage leaders.

"The Black Dragon Stronghold and our Lin Family have always kept to ourselves. Why would they suddenly attack us?" Lin Mang frowned. "Could the Lei Family be stirring trouble again?"

"Who else but the Lei Family?" Lin Ken's face darkened as well.

"Exactly." Lin Zhentian nodded slightly. "I'll lead this trip myself, with Lin Xiao and Lin Mang accompanying me. Lin Ken, Lin Changqiang, and Lin Dong will hold down Ironwood Manor."

At this, a smile finally appeared on Lin Zhentian's face as he looked at the silent Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong. "They'll never expect our Lin Family to have two more Heavenly Origin Stage fighters. No matter where they strike, it'll be two against three!"

Hearing this, Lin Xiao and the others looked at Lin Dong and Lin Changqiang in amazement, making both of them feel a bit embarrassed. They could only nod.

"No time to waste. Lin Xiao, Lin Mang, let's go!"

"Yes!"

Soon, the thunderous sound of hooves echoed outside the manor, a low rumble like a storm brewing.

Standing on the courtyard wall, Lin Dong watched the convoy roll out of the manor in a grand procession. Under everyone's gaze, it kicked up clouds of yellow dust as it galloped toward the end of the road.

"Hope everyone stays safe." Lin Dong let out a light breath. He could feel the tense atmosphere around him; even the younger generation wore solemn expressions under its weight.

"Always the hope merchant." Lin Changqiang muttered, then slapped Lin Dong heavily on the shoulder. "What are you so nervous about? The Black Dragon Stronghold only has two Heavenly Origin Stage fighters, and we've got three. What's there to fear?"

Startled by the sudden slap, Lin Dong flinched. Turning around to see it was Lin Changqiang, he rolled his eyes in annoyance but said nothing.

Under Lin Changqiang's words, the tense atmosphere gradually eased. The younger generation looked at the two with admiration, even Lin Hong not being an exception.

"That's right, Changqiang's got a point." Lin Ken also smiled, then shouted loudly, "Everyone, keep your eyes peeled. If you spot anyone suspicious, sound the alarm immediately!"

"Yes!"

A chorus of affirmations rang out from the courtyard wall. Arrow tips glinted coldly under the sunlight, and the entire manor instantly went on high alert.

Meanwhile, a hummingbird flew into the Lei Family compound and landed on Lei Bao's shoulder. He retrieved a small roll of white paper from beneath the bird's foot, scanned its contents, and a cruel smile slowly curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Thump. Congratulations, host, mission triggered: Battle of Ironwood Manor—The Lei Family's desire to destroy you never dies, and they've incited the Black Dragon Stronghold to launch a surprise attack on Ironwood Manor. You must defend Ironwood Manor at all costs, crush the invaders' arrogance, and bolster the Lin Family's morale.

Mission success reward: Gao Lao Village—Normally in capsule form. When activated with Yuan Power, it transforms into a three-story villa that can block all attacks below the host's current Yuan Power cultivation level. While activated, it slowly consumes the host's Yuan Power; blocking attacks accelerates the consumption.

Mission failure penalty: Deduct one Lottery Draw Opportunity."

"Now that's something." Lin Changqiang blinked. "No more roughing it outdoors from now on."

Just then, the Lin Family members all turned their gazes outside Ironwood Manor. At the end of the road, a cloud of yellow dust suddenly rose, and the thunderous sound of hooves exploded like spring thunder.

"It's the Black Dragon Stronghold's men—their target really is Ironwood Manor!" Lin Ken frowned briefly, then relaxed. Three against two—what was there to fear?

"Uncle, you and Lin Dong hold off that Mid Heavenly Origin Stage chief for now. I'll go take out the second-in-command first." Lin Changqiang suddenly had a sly idea and grinned mischievously.

"Alright."

Lin Dong agreed without hesitation, knowing Lin Changqiang wasn't one to show off recklessly. Lin Ken hesitated for a moment before nodding. In his view, with Lin Changqiang's Mid Heavenly Origin Stage cultivation, even if he couldn't quickly defeat the Black Dragon Stronghold's second-in-command, he'd still hold the upper hand. And with him and Lin Dong working together, the opposing chief wouldn't last long either.

As the Black Dragon Stronghold's forces drew closer, a flag embroidered with a black dragon came clearly into view. The dragon coiled and twisted, exuding a fierce, menacing aura.

Meanwhile, Lin Changqiang calmly swapped his three equipment slots for the Guardian's Armor, Thorn Gauntlets, and Enduring Boots, then squinted as he looked ahead.

"I've already sent word to the Mad Saber Martial Hall to keep an eye on the Lei and Xie families. For now, we just need to focus on repelling the Black Dragon Stronghold's men." Lin Ken called out to the crowd with a relaxed expression, drawing laughter from everyone. The atmosphere inside and outside Ironwood Manor grew light and cheerful.

"Hahaha, Lin Ken, we finally meet, and you shut the door in my face?" Before long, the Black Dragon Stronghold's forces arrived outside Ironwood Manor. A loud laugh rang out from among them, and then everyone saw two figures riding black horses to the front of the column.

The casual tone of the speaker made Lin Changqiang inwardly displeased. Since when was the President of the United States so easy to meet?

Everyone looked closely. One of the two men on horseback was burly and rough-looking, with a simple smile on his face—but only those who knew him understood his cruelty and ruthlessness. The name Wind-Tearing Hand Yun Shan wasn't earned for nothing!

The other man was relatively leaner, his unremarkable face covered in crisscrossing knife scars. He was the Black Dragon Stronghold's chief, Yan Yan!

The two advanced slowly, and behind them, the hundreds of Black Dragon Stronghold men spread out. Gleaming blades and swords reflected cold light, and an atmosphere of impending battle instantly enveloped Ironwood Manor.