I'm Waiting for Your Trump Card—What Are You Waiting For?

The Lianyun Mountain Range covered no small area.

The mountain paths ahead were rugged, and they had to endure mosquito bites while avoiding venomous snakes and insects. It was an extremely unpleasant journey.

Fortunately, everyone understood that this operation concerned their own survival and safety.

So despite the hardships, no one complained. They gritted their teeth, endured every discomfort, and continued onward in their search.

More than eight thousand people entered the Lianyun Mountain Range like a drop of ink falling into water, initially causing not a single ripple.

But as time passed, the entire bucket of water was dyed black by the ink.

The search through the mountains was much the same. At first, they achieved nothing after entering, but as they spread out and covered more ground, the results gradually began to show.

At first, it was utter chaos, and the Black Bear Mountain Lord retreated.

Gradually, they discovered large, orderly sets of footprints.

More and more information was gathered. They camped in the mountains that night, and by the afternoon of the next day, they had finally pinpointed their target.

Led by a member of the Local Militia, Lin Lin climbed to a mountaintop.

Xia Da and the Local Gentry leading the other groups had also gathered there. From the broad view afforded by the summit, Lin Lin could clearly see a Mountain Stronghold, already partially built, nestled among several mountains in the distance. Numerous elite Mountain Bandits clad in Rattan Armor patrolled atop its walls.

He could also see many ragged, exhausted-looking people being forced by the Mountain Bandits to labor within the stronghold.

It was not hard to see that these were the villagers who had previously been captured and gone missing.

"They must have already discovered us. Before we could surround the stronghold, they had already organized and assembled their forces," Xu Clan Chief Xu Jing said worriedly.

"With such a large-scale mountain search, it would be strange if they hadn't discovered us. Luckily, we have people in every direction, so we can be sure these Mountain Bandits can't slip around us and raid the weakly defended areas behind us," Shi Clan Chief Shi Mo said, sounding somewhat relieved.

This time, they had gathered more than eight thousand Local Militia. Nearly all the able-bodied young men around Hui Ping Town had been mobilized.

Only the elderly, weak, women, and children remained in the rear, leaving their defenses extremely thin.

But as long as they could trap these Mountain Bandits in their lair, that was no longer much of a concern.

"Senior Brother Lin, you truly saw everything coming. There really is a band of Roving Bandits here, building a Mountain Stronghold and preparing to settle down."

"If we had waited until they were fully established, they might have started leaving their stronghold in broad daylight to plunder us, instead of sneaking about as they do now."

Seeing Lin Lin arrive, Xia Da recalled Lin Lin's earlier analysis of the Mountain Bandits' origins.

He immediately turned toward him and spoke with admiration.

The others had already discussed the matter earlier, and by now, they were completely convinced by Lin Lin.

They had gone from reluctantly obeying him out of respect for his status as a disciple of Hundred Flowers Valley to sincerely regarding him as their leader, believing he could lead them in eliminating this bandit threat.

"What should we do next? Please give us your instructions, Young Master Lin," an elder of the village asked.

The leading figures had gathered to discuss their next plan.

Meanwhile, the other Local Militia had split into three groups and guarded the key routes around the Mountain Stronghold, preventing the enemy from escaping.

What happened next depended on Lin Lin's word alone.

"No rush. Let's observe them first."

"We brought three days' worth of provisions this time. Give the order for us to remain here and confront these Mountain Bandits."

Lin Lin waved a hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.

With his now superhuman vision, Lin Lin could clearly see the entire situation within the Mountain Stronghold.

The main structure of the stronghold had already been completed. Numerous Mountain Bandits guarded its vital points, allowing them to easily fight many with few.

There were more than fifteen hundred elite Mountain Bandits, all strong, able-bodied men with Armor and Weapons. Their builds and footwork showed at a glance that they had received professional training. In the current age, they could absolutely be called an elite force. With the advantage of the terrain, they could withstand an elite army several times their size.

In contrast, although their own side had many people, they were an untrained rabble without armor or weapons.

In a frontal clash, that elite force on the other side could probably chase them down and slaughter them like chickens.

No wonder that after discovering their mountain search, the enemy had remained calmly in place and continued constructing the Mountain Stronghold.

They were confident that they could withstand this assault and might even seize an opportunity to counterattack.

Soon, Lin Lin spotted the leaders of the Mountain Bandits within the stronghold.

They were easy to identify: five burly men over two meters tall, their bodies knotted with muscle and clearly possessing exceptional combat strength. They carried exquisite long blades and wore Scale Armor that was obviously expensive.

If they were not the leaders of these Mountain Bandits, they would not possess such superior equipment or be able to order the other Mountain Bandits around so freely.

"Their breathing is short, and their blood and qi are weak. Though they are large, their martial cultivation is at most around the middle stage of Third-Rate."

Lin Lin did not linger on the elite Mountain Bandits, nor did he linger on those burly men who were obviously bandit chiefs.

After examining the people who had revealed themselves openly, his gaze began searching the hidden corners throughout the Mountain Stronghold.

The process lasted a long time.

Only on the morning of the third day after entering the mountains, eight shichen later, did Lin Lin finally end his observation.

By then, Lin Lin could fully confirm that the forces displayed in the open were all this Mountain Stronghold possessed.

Just as he had guessed before, this was a group of Roving Bandits who had appeared from nowhere. Their leaders were neither highly skilled nor particularly knowledgeable, which was why they did not fear the reputation of Hundred Flowers Valley and dared to abduct civilians and establish a Mountain Stronghold so close to it.

Now that he had seen through their true strength and there was nothing left to be wary of, it was time to bring this mission to a close.

"In one hour, launch the full assault."

While Lin Lin had been observing the Mountain Stronghold, the more than eight thousand Local Militia had remained stationed at the three main routes outside it, confronting the Mountain Bandits within.

But they had been waiting all this time for Lin Lin's orders.

Now that Lin Lin had given the command, the Local Militia and the Clan Elders leading them began making preparations.

Lin Lin, meanwhile, took the opportunity to sit in meditation and regulate his breathing, restoring his condition.

Although he had barely rested these past few days, Lin Lin had not undertaken any high-intensity cultivation, so he had not expended much of his Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

An hour later, the Local Militia had finished their preparations.

Lin Lin also finished regulating his breathing, and his Essence, Qi, and Spirit had returned to their peak state.

There was no stirring pre-battle speech, nor were there any elaborate arrangements.

At Lin Lin's command, the army set out!