When Paths Cross, the Brave Prevail

Commander Wang, unable to break through Lin Feng's defenses after a prolonged fight, grew impatient and exposed an opening in his chest.

"Now!"

Lin Feng's eyes blazed.

He endured another palm strike to his shoulder, his right hand unleashing a fierce saber slash that forced Commander Wang to dodge sideways.

At the same time, his left palm, held in readiness, shot out like a venomous dragon. Its fingers were pitch-black, radiating concentrated killing intent. At an unbelievable angle, it pierced through Commander Wang's hastily erected qi defense!

Puchi!

Like a searing hot iron plunged into oil, the palm easily tore through the official robes, skin, and ribs, precisely grasping the violently beating heart!

Commander Wang froze, looking down at the hand buried in his chest, his face a mask of shock and confusion.

"You..."

Lin Feng's expression was blank as his fingers clenched with force!

"Ughhh—!"

Commander Wang's body convulsed, his eyeballs bulging, blood spilling from his nose and mouth.

He stared intently at Lin Feng, as if trying to brand this insubordinate subordinate into his very soul. Finally, all the light in his eyes rapidly faded.

Lin Feng withdrew his hand, bringing with it a spray of scalding heart's blood.

Commander Wang's corpse slumped to the ground.

[Killed Commander Wang, gained 15 Slaughter Points]

[Current Slaughter Points: 15]

Lin Feng panted, ignoring the searing pain in his shoulder and the emptiness within his body.

He did it! Fifteen Slaughter Points secured!

The rush of power increase was intoxicating.

"Sir!"

His subordinate Imperial Brocade Guards finally dared to approach, their gazes filled with awe as they looked at Lin Feng.

To kill a Seventh Rank Commander with an Eighth Rank cultivation – such combat prowess was unheard of!

Lin Feng swept his gaze over them and coldly ordered, "Confiscate their property! The Zhao family, leave nothing behind! All documents and letters, seal them up for examination!"

"Yes!"

The Imperial Brocade Guards swarmed into the Zhao family's inner residence like wolves.

Soon, sounds of crying, shouting, and rummaging through chests and cabinets filled the air.

A moment later, a General Banner hurried over, presenting a blood-stained ledger and several secret letters with suppressed excitement.

"Sir! These were found in a hidden compartment in Zhao Tianhao's study! They involve... they involve dealings between the Wang family and the Northern Barbarians, and... proof of treason!"

Lin Feng took them and quickly flipped through.

The ledger recorded the flow of gold, silver, and weapons. The secret letters bore the Wang family crest and spoke of colluding with the Northern Barbarians to stage an inside job! The evidence was conclusive!

A cold smile curved his lips.

The Wang family was a prominent clan in the capital, with deep-rooted influence. The Wang family in Black Rock City was merely a small branch.

However, with ironclad proof in hand, if he could present it to the Northern Garrison Command, even the Wang family in the capital would face a bloodbath from the imperial family!

"Clean everything up and return immediately! Back to the Northern Garrison Command!" Lin Feng commanded, his heart surging with anticipation.

Bringing down the Wang family would surely be a monumental achievement! And it would earn him a massive amount of Slaughter Points!

The group, escorting the confiscated wealth and evidence, quickly departed the Zhao residence and took the official road back to the Northern Garrison Command.

Lin Feng rode his horse, silently regulating his breathing, contemplating how to utilize the 15 Slaughter Points he had just acquired.

Should he upgrade the Sky-Rending Star-Shattering Saber, or search for a more powerful martial art?

As they reached a relatively secluded forest road, a sudden change occurred!

Swish, swish, swish—!

A dense volley of arrows, like venomous snakes, shot out from the surrounding woods!

"Ambush! Protect the Commander!"

The Imperial Brocade Guards were caught off guard, and several were instantly struck down!

"Form ranks! Engage the enemy!" Lin Feng drew his saber and shouted, his heart sinking.

To dare attack an Imperial Brocade Guard convoy in broad daylight – their attackers were certainly no ordinary foes!

As the arrow rain subsided, dozens of figures leaped from the forest. Each was clad in black, masked, wielding sharp blades, their movements agile and their killing intent palpable.

Without a word, they charged directly at the remaining Imperial Brocade Guards.

These fierce bandits possessed formidable strength and coordinated their attacks with practiced ease, far surpassing common bandits.

Though Lin Feng's Imperial Brocade Guards fought back desperately, they were quickly mown down under the enemy's fearless assault, their blood staining the official road.

In just a moment, no subordinates remained standing around Lin Feng; they had all been cut down on the spot!

Lin Feng stood with his saber, his gaze icy as he looked at the fierce bandits slowly closing in.

Their strength was beyond imagination, especially the burly man wielding a saber at the front. His aura was ferocious, no weaker than Commander Wang's from before!

The bandit leader pulled off his mask, revealing a face marked with a hideous scar. He licked the blood from his blade and sneered.

"Tsk tsk, an Imperial Brocade Guard Battalion Commander? Is that all? Killing you will be something I can brag about for three years!"

Anger surged within Lin Feng. Though he hadn't known these subordinates for long, they had all died protecting him.

This debt would be repaid!

Just then, a system prompt reappeared in his mind, a striking crimson:

[Defeat the bandit leader and gain 20 Slaughter Points!]

Twenty points! Even more than Commander Wang!

Lin Feng's killing intent flared, his gaze locking onto the leader, as if looking at walking treasure.

"You're asking for death!"

He struck first, his body exploding forward.

He unleashed the Sky-Rending Star-Shattering Saber, slashing out a brilliant arc of blade energy directly at the leader's face!

"Good one!" The bandit leader roared with laughter, swinging his saber to meet the attack.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The sounds of metal striking metal rained down densely.

Lin Feng's swordsmanship was sharp, and he interspersed it with the Evil Tiger Heart-Plucking Palm, which struck out with uncanny timing, specifically designed to break through defensive energy.

Though the bandit leader was fierce, under Lin Feng's precise and ruthless moves, he was gradually suppressed, several bloody gashes appearing on his body.

"Damn it! This kid is witchcraft!" The leader grew more alarmed as the fight went on, his initial contempt turning to grave seriousness.

Lin Feng spotted an opening, knocked aside the opponent's saber, and his left palm shot out like lightning, aiming straight for the leader's throat!

If this palm strike landed true, it would be enough to sever the throat and shatter bone!

Just as he was about to succeed—

"Kill!"

From the sides, two other bandits who had been poised for an attack suddenly lunged!

One wielded a chain dart, which coiled like a venomous snake towards Lin Feng's wrist; the other held a short spear, viciously thrusting at his back!

The attacks were cunning, the timing malicious!

Lin Feng's previous strength was spent, and his new strength had yet to gather. Facing enemies from front and back, he had no way to evade!

He forced himself to twist his body, dodging the vital point in his back, but the chain dart had already wrapped around his left arm, and the short spear fiercely slashed across his waist, drawing a spray of blood!

"Pfft!"

Lin Feng staggered back, his left arm restrained, blood gushing from his waist. His aura instantly became disordered.

The bandit leader, having narrowly escaped death, retreated into the midst of his subordinates, gasping for breath, then a cruel smile spread across his face.

"Bah! Almost capsized in a ditch! Kid, aren't you supposed to be good at fighting? Keep going! Let's see how you die today!"

The remaining bandits slowly closed in, their blades dripping blood, their eyes filled with mockery, like predators looking at prey that had fallen into a trap.

Lin Feng held his saber with one hand, his left arm bound, his waist and abdomen in agony, surrounded.

Danger pressed in, step by relentless step!