Attacking Black Forest Stronghold

Hooves clattered over the bluestone road, kicking up fine dust.

Riding the bay horse he had borrowed from the Feiyun Sect, Ye Feng traveled for four hours before finally catching sight of Qingmu Town's outline.

He reined in his horse, swung down, and headed straight for the most imposing residence at the eastern end of town.

It was the Zhang Family residence that had posted the mission.

The moment he reached the gates, a Zhang Family guard spotted the Inner Sect robes Ye Feng wore. His eyes lit up at once, and he threw back his head and shouted into the courtyard, "A lord from the Feiyun Sect has arrived! A lord from the Feiyun Sect is here!"

As soon as the shout fell, the previously quiet Zhang Mansion erupted into commotion.

Servants rushed out carrying tea and pastries, while several family members clad in silk escorted a gray-haired elder out to greet him. It was none other than Zhang Jinshan, head of the Zhang Family.

Zhang Jinshan clasped his hands from a distance, his face brimming with an excited smile. "You must be an immortal master from the Feiyun Sect! Please, come in, come in!"

Ye Feng followed him into the reception hall. Zhang Jinshan insisted that he take the seat of honor, while he himself sat to one side and personally poured him a cup of hot tea. "For an immortal master to come is truly Qingmu Town's blessing! You have no idea—we've been tormented by those Black Forest Mountain Bandits until we can barely survive!"

He sighed, his tone steeped in bitterness. "Qingmu Town used to be so peaceful. Business flourished, and the townsfolk rose with the sun and rested at sundown. But ever since those Black Forest Mountain Bandits appeared, we haven't had a moment's peace these past few years."

"They come every few days to loot homes, steal grain and money, and even abduct able-bodied men to labor at their stronghold. Now the townsfolk don't dare go out lightly even in broad daylight, and more than half the shops have closed. If this goes on, Qingmu Town is finished!"

Holding his teacup, Ye Feng lightly ran his fingers along its rim. Once Zhang Jinshan had finished, he spoke directly. "Master Zhang, where exactly are the Black Forest Mountain Bandits stationed?"

Zhang Jinshan froze for a moment, not expecting Ye Feng to be so blunt. He hurriedly replied, "We secretly sent people to track them long ago. The bandits are stationed on Black Forest Ridge, twenty li west of Qingmu Town. Their stronghold is built halfway up the mountain. By rough count, they number several hundred—more or less matching the information on your mission slip."

He paused, then suggested in a lowered voice, "Immortal Master, why don't we act after dark? There are so many bandits, and you're alone..."

"No need." Ye Feng cut him off, waving a hand casually. "If you want lasting peace, follow my arrangements. Have someone from your household familiar with Black Forest Ridge take me to the stronghold. Then gather Qingmu Town's strongest guards and have them lie in ambush around Black Forest Ridge. If any bandits escape, stop them if you can. If you can't, don't risk your lives. Safety comes first."

Zhang Jinshan still had his doubts, but seeing the certainty in Ye Feng's eyes, he ultimately did not dare defy him.

The decision of a Feiyun Sect disciple was not something a mortal family like his could question. He hurriedly nodded. "All right! I'll make the arrangements at once!"

Half an hour later, a lean Zhang Family member arrived leading a horse, with a crude map of the mountain paths in hand.

Ye Feng swung into the saddle and followed the man toward Black Forest Ridge.

Half an hour later, the two reached the foot of Black Forest Ridge.

The family member pointed at the outline of a stronghold concealed among the trees ahead and lowered his voice. "Immortal Master, that's the Black Forest Mountain Bandits' stronghold ahead. You can hear movement inside."

Even as he spoke, his voice trembled, and his eyes were full of fear.

Ye Feng nodded. "Go back. Tell Master Zhang to proceed according to the plan."

The family member felt as though he had been granted amnesty. He hastily bowed, then turned and ran back, his feet moving so fast it was as though bandits were chasing him.

Ye Feng watched his retreating figure and gave a slight shake of his head. Then he dismounted, tied his horse behind a tree, and headed alone toward the stronghold.

The instant he stepped into the outer perimeter of the stronghold's guard zone, a rough bellow rang out. "Halt! Who goes there?"

Ye Feng looked up. Two bandits wielding steel sabers stood atop the watchtower by the stronghold gate, staring at him warily.

When one of the bandits saw that Ye Feng did not answer, he immediately grabbed the huge horn hanging from his waist.

The horn's "Woooo—woooo—" blare instantly echoed through the forest. It was the stronghold's assembly signal.

Before long, the stronghold's wooden gates opened with a creak, and dozens of bandits surged out. Some carried axes over their shoulders, while others gripped spiked maces, all talking at once. "What's going on? Why sound the assembly call for no reason?"

"Did some blind fool happen to pass by? Can't we just chase him off?"

But when they clearly saw the Feiyun Sect Inner Sect robes on Ye Feng, the indifference vanished from their faces in an instant, replaced by terror.

A cultivator from the Feiyun Sect!

Those were beings who could soar through the skies and vanish into the earth. How could mere mountain bandits dare provoke them?

"Quick! Go notify the First Boss and the Second Boss! Tell them a Feiyun Sect cultivator has come knocking!" shouted a bandit who looked like a minor leader, his voice trembling.

Ye Feng could not be bothered to wait for them to report it. He strode forward and kicked at the stronghold's wooden gate.

Bang!

The heavy wooden gate burst open at once, splinters flying everywhere. Ye Feng stood in the doorway with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the bandits in the courtyard.

"You brazen madman! How dare you barge into Black Forest Mountain Stronghold!" A vicious voice rang out as a burly man with three saber scars across his face stepped out from the crowd. He was the Second Boss of Black Forest Mountain Stronghold.

He fixed Ye Feng with a ferocious glare, Qi Gathering Realm aura pouring from his body.

But the moment he sensed Ye Feng's cultivation, the viciousness on his face immediately turned to delight. "Hahaha! Just a green kid at the second level of the Qi Gathering Realm! The Feiyun Sect actually sent such a weak disciple? Isn't this walking straight into death?"

Though delighted, he had heard rumors that Feiyun Sect disciples excelled at fighting above their level, so he did not dare let down his guard. He immediately waved his hand. "Men! Surround him! Don't let him escape! Today, we'll show the Feiyun Sect what we're made of!"

Dozens of bandits immediately closed in, encircling Ye Feng completely as though he were a turtle trapped in a jar.

Outside the stronghold, the Zhang Family guards lying in ambush among the trees panicked at the sight. "This is bad! Why did the lord charge in alone? What do we do now that he's surrounded?"

"We should've tried to persuade the lord to wait until we were ready before making a move!"

A few guards who had heard tales of Ye Feng muttered quietly, "Maybe the lord has heaven-reaching methods? Let's wait and see..."

Standing within the encirclement, Ye Feng calmly swept his gaze over the surrounding bandits.

Most were in the Body Refining Realm, with only a dozen or so in the Qi Gathering Realm—more or less as he had expected.

But soon, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Aside from the Second Boss before him, who was at the seventh level of the Qi Gathering Realm, there was another bandit not far away, dressed in a black brocade robe and carrying himself no less impressively than the Second Boss. He too radiated the aura of the seventh level of the Qi Gathering Realm!

The mission sheet only said the First Boss was at the seventh level of the Qi Gathering Realm. He had not expected the Second Boss to be at the seventh level as well.

Not only was Ye Feng not the slightest bit afraid, a glint of excitement flashed in his eyes instead.

Two seventh-level Qi Gathering Realm cultivators—just right for testing how strong he truly was now.

The Azure Origin Art quietly began circulating within Ye Feng. The abundant True Qi granted by the Profound-grade Low-tier technique flowed through his meridians, while the wooden sword at his waist seemed to sense its master's Fighting Spirit and trembled faintly.

Even against two seventh-level Qi Gathering Realm cultivators, he was completely confident.