Black Fiend Guards

The other bandits in the hall were as silent as cicadas in winter, but the doubt in their eyes as they looked at Lin Feng had lessened, replaced by a touch more recognition.

Black Wind Stronghold was a place where the weak were preyed upon by the strong. Green Snake had pressed him step by step, and now that he had been "killed in return," the bandits found it not entirely impossible to understand.

Zhao Kun's eyes were sinister as he stared fixedly at Lin Feng, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

Kill Hu Biao?

The man had just rendered great service, and his strength seemed to have improved as well. Was it worth killing him over a dead Green Snake?

But if he did not kill him, where would his authority go?

Amid this tense, stifling silence, the cold system notification rang out once more in Lin Feng's mind, carrying a deadly temptation:

Subdue and kill Black Wind Stronghold's Third Master, Zhao Kun, along with all witnesses present, and receive 750 Slaughter Points!

750 points!

Adding the 500 points from earlier, as well as these bandits...

Lin Feng's heartbeat suddenly quickened. This was no longer a conflict—it was a feast of harvesting!

Killing intent surged like a tide, impossible to suppress any longer.

Zhao Kun seemed to sense that something was wrong as well. The coldness deep in the eyes of the "Hu Biao" before him was completely different from the fury he displayed.

He had just opened his mouth to ease the atmosphere and stabilize the other side so they could discuss matters at length—

but it was already too late!

"Since even Third Master thinks I deserve to die..." Lin Feng's voice suddenly turned cold and eerie, like a frigid wind from the Nine Hells. "Then all of you can accompany Green Snake on the road to the underworld!"

Before his voice had even faded, Lin Feng moved!

He no longer bothered to disguise himself. The perfected Thousand Faces Illusionary Art was unleashed to its utmost, his figure transforming into a blurred afterimage. He no longer used Hu Biao's broad and forceful style, but one that was sinister and impossible to fathom!

"You're not Hu Biao!" Zhao Kun's pupils shrank as he roared in shock and fury.

He had finally confirmed it! But it was too late!

Lin Feng lunged first at the group of ordinary bandits standing there dumbfounded.

Blade light poured down like a waterfall!

These bandits were no higher than Seventh Rank Perfection at most. Before Lin Feng, they were lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

The ghost-headed saber became a death warrant from King Yama. It cleaved, hacked, and slashed, every strike precisely sweeping across vital points such as throats and hearts.

The screams erupted abruptly, then stopped just as abruptly.

In an instant, blood burst forth, while severed limbs flew in every direction.

Seven or eight bandits had not even managed to put up a respectable resistance before becoming corpses that gradually grew cold on the floor.

Subdue and kill Black Wind Stronghold bandits. Received 50 Slaughter Points!

Subdue and kill Black Wind Stronghold bandits. Received 50 Slaughter Points!

Cold notifications rang out one after another in Lin Feng's mind, like a melody urging him toward death.

Zhao Kun watched with eyes nearly splitting from rage, both shocked and furious. "You vile thief! Come here and die!"

With a furious roar, both his palms instantly turned crimson and swelled faintly, carrying terrifying force capable of splitting stone and breaking monuments. It was none other than his signature technique—Mountain-Splitting Palm!

Palm wind howled as it struck straight toward Lin Feng's back.

"Just in time!" Lin Feng abruptly turned around. Without dodging or retreating, he sent his internal force surging through his body and poured it into the saber. With a move that cleaved Mount Hua, he met the Mountain-Splitting Palm head-on!

Saber and palm collided, exploding with the sound of metal ringing against metal!

The force scattered in all directions, shaking the surrounding tables and chairs into splinters!

Zhao Kun felt a sharp and domineering force pass through his palm strike. His qi and blood churned violently, forcing him back three steps, while a stabbing pain spread through his palm—it had actually been sliced open by saber qi!

He was horrified. This person's internal force was purer and his saber technique fiercer than Hu Biao's by far!

"Who exactly are you?!" Zhao Kun shouted sternly, trying to find an opening.

Lin Feng did not answer at all. Having gained the upper hand, he refused to let up.

Blade light rose again, following him like a shadow and enveloping Zhao Kun from every direction.

His saber technique was strange and ever-changing, sometimes powerful and heavy, sometimes crafty and vicious. He had completely abandoned Hu Biao's patterns, forcing Zhao Kun into a frantic struggle.

The more Zhao Kun fought, the more alarmed he became. The Mountain-Splitting Palm he had relied on to make his name was actually difficult to unleash before this man's swift and bizarre saber technique, leaving him constrained at every turn!

"Hero! Stop! We can talk! Whatever you want, Black Wind Stronghold can give you!"

Zhao Kun's courage had already collapsed. He hurriedly begged for mercy, trying to sway Lin Feng with benefits.

Yet what answered him was even fiercer blade light, along with Lin Feng's cold, utterly emotionless voice: "I only want your life."

The blade flashed, like thunder suddenly appearing in the dead of night!

Both of Zhao Kun's arms were severed at the wrists as he tried to block! He let out a shrill, miserable scream.

The next moment, the cold edge of the ghost-headed saber had already swept precisely across his neck.

His pleas for mercy stopped abruptly.

Zhao Kun's head shot into the sky, terror and unwillingness still frozen across his face.

His headless corpse swayed before collapsing heavily to the ground.

Subdue and kill Black Wind Stronghold's Third Master, Zhao Kun. Received 750 Slaughter Points!

Current total Slaughter Points: 1250

The system notification faded, confirming the spoils from this brief and bloody slaughter.

The hall fell silent again, leaving only the thick, overpowering stench of blood.

Lin Feng stood with his saber in hand, breathing slightly harder as his gaze swept across the corpses covering the floor. Not the slightest ripple stirred in his eyes.

He quickly searched Zhao Kun's body and soon found a leather manual of unusual material—Mountain-Splitting Palm—along with some silver notes and miscellaneous items.

"Not bad. A low-grade Profound Rank martial art. This is quite a haul."

Lin Feng put away the manual.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Feng immediately circulated the Thousand Faces Illusionary Art.

The muscles and bones of his face began to writhe and shift almost imperceptibly. His build hunched slightly as well, imitating Zhao Kun's rugged physique.

In only a moment, another living, breathing "Mountain-Splitting Palm" Zhao Kun stood in the hall. Even the domineering quality in his eyes had been imitated to seven or eight parts.

He changed out of Hu Biao's clothes and put on Zhao Kun's blue robe. After making a few minor adjustments to the scene, he created the appearance of a fierce battle ending with both sides perishing together.

Though it might not completely fool everyone, it could at least buy him some time.

"Black Wind Stronghold's Chief..."

A cold curve tugged at the corner of Lin Feng's lips. "You're next!"

He straightened his robe, imitated Zhao Kun's gait, and strode out of the side hall, heading directly toward the Chief's residence.

The bandits he encountered along the way saw the "Third Master" with a gloomy expression and hurriedly lowered their heads in greeting. None dared to stop him or ask questions.

The Chief's residence stood at the highest point of Black Wind Stronghold. It was an isolated stone fortress, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

When Lin Feng arrived before the stone fortress's main gate, two fierce-looking guards immediately bowed. "Third Master!"

Imitating Zhao Kun's voice, Lin Feng said in a low tone, "I have an urgent matter to report to the Chief. Quickly announce me."

One of the guards acknowledged him and turned to enter.

However, after Lin Feng waited for a while, there was still no report. Instead, the guard returned with a strange smile on his face.

Four more sturdy bandits dressed in black came out with him. Their eyes were sharp, their temples bulging high, and they faintly formed a encircling formation.

"Third Master," the guard said with a false smile, "the Chief requests your presence. However... please lay down your weapon first."

Lin Feng's heart tightened. He knew he had encountered truly troublesome opponents.

Fortunately, before heading to Black Wind Stronghold, he had learned from the bandits the characteristics and names of the important figures within the stronghold.

The four black-clad bandits before him were precisely the personal guards of the Chief, Black Heart Tiger Cao Meng—the Black Fiend Guards. Every one of them was a Sixth Rank expert skilled in coordinated attacks.

Lin Feng instead put on an enraged expression and imitated Zhao Kun's rugged manner.

"What do you mean? You doubt me? I just butchered a traitor who betrayed the stronghold, and I have urgent military intelligence to report! If something major is delayed, can you afford the consequences?"

One of the leading Black Fiend Guards stepped forward, his tone carrying undisguised mockery.

"Third Master Zhao—oh no, perhaps I should call you... impostor? The Chief is a master strategist and learned your identity long ago! Did you really think your disguise, your killing of Hu Biao and Green Snake, and your impersonation of Zhao Kun could escape the Chief's discerning eye?"

He paused and looked Lin Feng up and down before sneering. "You truly walked straight into the net without knowing how to live or die!

"You still want to see the Chief? First get past us, then go report to King Yama!"

Almost as soon as his voice fell, the Slaughter System in Lin Feng's mind popped up with a cold yet alluring notification:

Exterminate Black Wind Stronghold Chief's personal guards, the "Black Fiend Guards," and receive 1000 Slaughter Points!

1000 Slaughter Points!

Cold light erupted from Lin Feng's eyes. Facing the encirclement of the four Black Fiend Guards and the surrounding guards, he showed no fear. Instead, an even stronger killing intent soared into the heavens!