Flying Eagle Mountain

Xiao Zhengong pushed aside the two women beside him and stepped out of the pool.

He was excited. It was cold, but he didn't even want to wear a towel. "Lao Luo, I knew you were a good man. Take the brothers from the gang, go to Iron Gate Fort, and bring the stuff back."

Lao Luo touched the antenna on his head, paused for a moment, and said, "Gang Leader, when did you say you were taking my men somewhere? My signal isn't very good, I didn't hear you clearly."

Xiao Zhengong repeated, "I'm sending you to Iron Gate Fort to retrieve the items!"

"Gang Leader, I can't hear you, Gang Leader..." Luo ZhengNan pulled the antenna out of his head.

I'll assume you have a good idea.

Let me take some men to Iron Gate Fort and bring those things back to you?

Did you get it back so easily?

If it were that easy, He Jiaqing would have taken the things long ago. Why would he wait for you to take them back?

Luo ZhengNan wiped the antenna, put it back in the box, and gave a wry smile.

Do you know what Iron Gate Fort is?

If I take the person there, will they ever come back?

"Lao Luo, Lao Luo!" There was no sound on the phone. Xiao Zhengong dialed the number back, but the reply was: The number you dialed is not in service.

"That good-for-nothing! He can't even seize the opportunity to make a contribution!" Xiao Zhengong slammed down the phone, and after a moment of anger, he called the Hall Master of Yellow Earth Bridge.

To contact Pro State from Outer State, there are normally only two channels: sending a letter or using a spy hook. Other means of communication, especially those involving electricity, are unreliable.

For something this urgent, sending a message would be too late; it seems the only option is to use a hook.

Each branch of the Jiang Xiang Gang had a spy, but Xiao Zhengong didn't want to reveal this matter. Coincidentally, Huangtu, the Hall Master, was in Outer State on business, so contacting him was the best option.

The call connected, Xiao Zhengong told Huang Hall Master to come to Yuezhou as soon as possible.

The Hall Master arrived that evening.

Xiao Zhengong dismissed the others and spoke to him privately, "Put aside the matters in Outer State for now. Take your brothers from your branch, as well as the people from the Black Stone Slope branch, and go to Iron Gate Fort to retrieve something for me."

The Hall Master the Yellow Earth Bridge responded, "Gang Leader, what is it?"

"A long spear."

"What model?"

"It's not a musket, it's a cold weapon."

"Is it a magic weapon?"

Xiao Zhengong was stunned for a moment.

He didn't know what was going on with this thing either.

He knew that He Jiaqing had been searching for Zhao Xiaowan's soul, and that Zhao Xiaowan's soul was possessing a long spear.

Xiao Zhengong wasn't sure whether this spear was a magical treasure, a Spiritual Object, or a wandering ghost with a physical form.

"Just think of it as a magic weapon. This spear has the power to intimidate thousands of troops. As long as you have it in your hand, you can tell the real one from the fake one."

This item is in the hands of Zhou Anju, the lord of Iron Gate Fort Fortress. Tell Zhou Anju that if he's willing to hand it over, we can buy it. Let him name a price.

If he refuses to hand it over, then you must use force. This item must be obtained. If you succeed, I will promote you to elder.

Han Jinwei, the Hall Master Yellow Earth Bridge, just took office this year. He is in his early thirties and full of energy.

Upon hearing the Gang Leader promise a generous reward, Han Jinwei replied loudly, "Gang Leader, leave this to me. The men from Black Stone Slope don't need to go."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhengong frowned and said, "Jin Wei, Iron Gate Fort is no ordinary place. One branch of yours is probably not enough."

Han Jinwei was very confident. "I know that Iron Gate Fort is easy to defend and difficult to attack, but we have our own methods. I guarantee that I will bring the goods back to you."

"Good!" Xiao Zhengong praised. "Just tell me what you need, whether you need people or money. But there's one thing: this matter must not be known to outsiders. When you send your brothers to Iron Gate Fort, they must act separately and not attract attention."

"Gang Leader, you don't need to worry about these things. Just wait for my news." Han Jinwei set off overnight to return to Pro State.

Xiao Zhengong became increasingly convinced that he hadn't misjudged the man; this was the kind of person who could achieve great things!

On Flying Eagle Mountain, the chieftain He Zhenlei was still waiting for news of Ma Dingfu.

Zhou Anju died, and all the brothers who helped him on the mountain died, leaving only Little Pockmarked.

Ma Dingfu wanted to become the lord of the fortress, He Zhenlei agreed.

He had no choice but to agree; Iron Gate Fort had already recognized him as its lord, and it would be too late to send someone else to intervene.

But Ma Dingfu promised to send He Zhenlei 10,000 silver dollars as long as he became the lord of the fort. Could he really be going to renege on his promise?

Should we send someone to give him a warning?

No, we mustn't rush things.

Little Pockmarked has been patient for so many years, and now that he's become the lord of the fortress, he's bound to get a little cocky. If I force him to give me money now, he might actually turn against me.

After a while, we'll send a few people to his side to observe his behavior and then give him a heads-up.

He's from Flying Eagle Mountain; if this gets out, he'll definitely lose his foothold in Iron Gate Fort.

As long as we have this leverage, we're not afraid of him defaulting on his debts later.

Of course, it's best to keep this leverage in check and not expose it. Once the truth comes out, you'll lose the leverage to continue extorting Iron Gate Fort.

Having understood the pros and cons, He Zhenlei wasn't in a hurry about the Iron Gate Fort matter. But what truly worried him arrived in the blink of an eye.

More than a dozen of his men who were sent down the mountain to collect grain were ambushed, but only one of them survived and returned alive.

This man, named Chen Zhuyu, was considered a minor leader in the mountains. His right ear had been cut off, and he was kneeling on the ground, wailing incessantly.

"Boss Lei, those bastards from Iron Gate Fort have laid a dirty hand on our brothers!"

He Zhenlei was stunned. "Who are you saying attacked you behind your back?"

"The men from Iron Gate Fort, we hadn't gone far down the mountain when we were ambushed by them. All fifteen of our brothers died, and I was the only one who risked my life to escape."

Even if he risked his life, he wouldn't be able to come back.

He was captured alive, but Li Banfeng released him to deliver a message.

He Zhenlei still didn't believe it. "You're not mistaken? They really are from Iron Gate Fort? Those House Cultivator never leave the big iron gate!"

"Brother Lei, I'm not mistaken. I've been to Iron Gate Fort. I know someone named Wu Yongchao, and I've also met someone named Tang Yanning!"

What is Little Pockmarked Boy trying to do?

Are you really going to turn against me?

He Zhenlei's hands trembled with anger.

"Take a few brothers and go to Iron Gate Fort. Don't fight them, and don't talk to them much. Just see their fort chief and tell Ma Dingfu that I, He, miss him!"

This kid has completely forgotten his background!

If he doesn't come to me in person to apologize, I'll risk everything, even the profits from Iron Gate Fort, to expose this!

Chen Zhuyu took five capable fighters and immediately went to Iron Gate Fort. He went there at noon and returned alone that evening.

This time, his left ear was also cut off. He knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. "Master, I took the brothers there. They told me to wait in a room to see their lord, but we didn't see him. They tricked me again!"

They killed all five of my brothers, and they even cut off my ear! Master, you must do justice for me!

He Zhenlei was so angry that his veins were throbbing!

Little pockmarked guy, I was blind back then, I misjudged you, you bastard. I didn't even ask who gave you this job in Iron Gate Fort, and you dare to pull this trick on me!

"Take this letter to Iron Gate Fort and read it aloud word for word right in front of their gate. If anyone asks you about the letter's origin, tell them it was written by Ma Dingfu. If he doesn't believe it, he can bring me here for a face-to-face confrontation!"

He Zhenlei handed a letter to Chen Zhuyu. It was indeed a letter written by Ma Dingfu himself. It introduced the cause of Zhou Anju's death and the current situation of Iron Gate Fort. It also expressed his request to become the lord of the fort and hoped to get He Zhenlei's support.

Every word in the letter was clear: He Zhenlei was going to start a feud today.

But Chen Zhuyu didn't want to go. Both of his ears had been cut off, and if he went again, who knew what else might be cut off?

He Zhenlei scolded him and sent another person to deliver the message to Iron Gate Fort.

The person set off early in the morning, but there was still no reply by late at night.

He Zhenlei lay in bed unable to sleep, his mind in turmoil.

Ma Dingfu resorted to underhanded tactics again?

What if Ma Dingfu refuses to acknowledge the debt?

He said, "What should I do if I didn't write this letter?"

Is there really no way to deal with him?

He Zhenlei tossed and turned, unable to come up with a solution. He stayed up until late at night, feeling parched and wanting to get some water.

Li Banfeng poured him a bowl of water.

He Zhenlei took the bowl of water, and just as he was about to drink, he jumped in fright and suddenly shouted, "Who are you?"

Li Banfeng replied briefly, "Lord of the Fortress."

"What lord of the fortress?"

"The lord of Iron Gate Fort."

He Zhenlei stared at Li Banfeng for a moment. He saw that the man was wearing a top hat and had a beard, but his face was unrecognizable.

Is he the lord of Iron Gate Fort?

Little Pockmarked didn't become the castle lord?

He Zhenlei asked, "What's your name?"

Li Banfeng said impatiently, "Didn't I tell you? My name is Fortress Master, my surname is Fortress, and my given name is Master."

What's this called?

Is this man really the lord of Iron Gate Fort?

Li Banfeng also wanted to ask this question, "The men you sent down the mountain to seize grain were killed by me, the henchmen you sent to Iron Gate Fort were also killed by me, and the group you just sent to deliver the message were also killed by me."

I've been thinking, you're a mountain bandit king, at least you have some guts. I kill anyone I see, and you don't even have the courage to fight back? Are you really the chieftain of Flying Eagle Mountain?

He Zhenlei roared, "How did you get into my sect?"

Li Banfeng advised him, "You don't need to make such a fuss. Those henchmen at your gate are already dead. And those people you sent to Iron Gate Fort before couldn't keep their mouths shut. They told me about all the deployments on Flying Eagle Mountain."

He Zhenlei gritted his teeth, jumped off the bed, and said, "I Want You life!"

Li Banfeng stepped forward and kicked He Zhenlei, knocking out his front tooth. He then kicked him again, sending He Zhenlei flying back onto the bed. "I told you, your men aren't discreet. They told me your cultivation level."

"As a mountain bandit, you're quite famous. I thought you should at least have a fourth-level cultivation. But after hearing what they said, I found out you're only a third-level martial artist. I really didn't expect someone like you to be able to dominate this area. It seems you've also learned the art of deceiving others to cultivate."

He Zhenlei gritted his teeth again, about to speak, when Li Banfeng kicked him again, breaking his molars.

"Don't grit your teeth, I don't want to hear that noise."

He Zhenlei covered his mouth, his voice muffled, and asked, "What do you want?"

Li Banfeng said, "Judging from your appearance, I don't want to make things difficult for you. Tomorrow you will lead men to attack Iron Gate Fort. Bring all the men you can fight."

"If you go, I'll spare your life. But if I don't see you by tomorrow morning, you can expect someone to collect your corpse!"

He Zhenlei asked in astonishment, "You want me to attack Iron Gate Fort?"

Li Banfeng slapped him across the face. "Your cultivation is weak, and your hearing is also poor? Don't make me repeat myself. I'll be waiting for you at the fort tomorrow."

P. S.: Honing combat skills still requires real combat!