Subduing

Are the bandits of Black Wind Stockade terrifying?

Of course, they are. Anyone within a hundred-mile radius turns pale at the mere mention of Black Wind Stockade. Those bandits kill without batting an eye; they've even committed massacres.

Yet, at this moment, over a hundred bandits from Black Wind Stockade surround a single person, but they dare not attack. Their faces are filled with tension and terror. When that person turns his head to look at them, the bandits are so frightened they retreat repeatedly, terrified he might charge at them!

It's not that the bandits are cowards; it's simply that the person before them is too powerful, too terrifying!

The corpses of the three chieftains and a group of elite bandits on the ground serve as proof!

Zhang Yunhao doesn't find the bandits' fear and hesitation strange. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to challenge the entire stockade alone!

Bandits aren't soldiers. Although they live a life of constant danger, they are also afraid of death and are extremely selfish. Zhang Yunhao is so powerful that no one can withstand a single punch from him. Who would come forward to die?

If the bandits truly possessed the courage to face death without fear, then more than just a dozen would have charged up earlier.

Furthermore, with the three chieftains dead, they are leaderless and even less likely to do anything. This is also why Zhang Yunhao killed the three chieftains first; otherwise, it would have been a bit troublesome.

Zhang Yunhao has no intention of making another move. He takes out a cloth and wipes the blood from his fist, then suddenly asks, "Do you know why I came to Black Wind Stockade?"

"Who knows why you're here?"

The bandits secretly grumble in their hearts, but they are quite curious. Why did this guy come here to attack them?

Zhang Yunhao smiles and says, "A while ago, I suddenly realized I'm not getting any younger. I started thinking, what will my future be like? Will I always be alone like I am now? If so, what will I do when I'm old and frail?"

He pauses, surveys the crowd, and continues, "I feel a sense of fear. So, I want to secure a great future for myself before I get old. That's why I came to Black Wind Stockade."

Finally, someone can't help but ask, "You want to become our new Chieftain?"

Zhang Yunhao turns his head and sees that the speaker is a frail-looking fellow resembling a scholar. Seeing Zhang Yunhao look at him, he immediately shrinks back behind a bandit in fear, not daring to show his face.

Zhang Yunhao asks mockingly, "Is a mere Black Wind Stockade considered a future? Do you think you have a future?"

The bandits fall silent. What future is there in being a bandit? You don't know if you'll live to see tomorrow, and there's basically no good end.

Unknowingly, these bandits lower their weapons. They all want to know what Zhang Yunhao is here to do.

Zhang Yunhao continues, "The future I'm talking about is to conquer all the major mountain strongholds in Nanyang Prefecture, become the overlord of this region, so that even the imperial court dares not provoke us, and might even offer us amnesty, appointing us as high officials. Of course, whether I accept that will depend on my willingness then."

"Overlord?"

"Amnesty?"

The bandits are stunned. Many of their eyes light up. Some care about the status of overlord, while others care about the amnesty. The scholar from before, for instance, has eyes full of longing!

Zhang Yunhao sees the expressions of all the bandits and has a plan. He throws away the cloth and says, "I came to Black Wind Stockade to do just that. Of course, I know some people will disagree, so I killed them. Does anyone else disagree?"

The bandits are speechless. With him saying that, who would dare to disagree?

However, these empty words clearly won't make the bandits truly submit. After all, Zhang Yunhao doesn't possess any kingly aura. So, although the bandits don't object, they don't agree either, remaining silent!

Zhang Yunhao had anticipated this and revealed his true trump card: "Oh, right. To achieve the position of overlord, I will teach some people martial arts that can cultivate True Qi!"

"Teach martial arts? Is it true or false?"

All the bandits exclaim, their breathing quickening with excitement and disbelief!

Don't assume that secret martial arts manuals are everywhere in a martial world. In fact, whether in this world or the Martial Immortal world, martial arts manuals are held by only a few people, and ordinary people find them extremely difficult to obtain!

Among these many bandits, most only know some basic fighting techniques. Even those who genuinely know martial arts have incomplete techniques, which can lead to side effects during cultivation, and it's almost impossible to break through to the True Qi Realm.

But even these incomplete martial arts can be passed down as family heirlooms! As for complete manuals, they are treasures worth risking one's life for!

Precisely because of this, the bandits become so agitated upon hearing that Zhang Yunhao is willing to teach them martial arts. This is far more valuable than giving them silver!

"Blood Hand..., no, Great Chieftain, if you are truly willing to teach me martial arts, I'll do anything you ask."

A burly, rough-looking man immediately stands up and shouts urgently. He actually practices martial arts, but it's an incomplete technique, and he's been unable to break through to the True Qi Realm. Seeing this opportunity, how could he hold back?

The other bandits also react, and they all express their willingness to recognize Zhang Yunhao as their Chieftain, a stark contrast to their previous silence!

Zhang Yunhao says calmly, "I won't teach martial arts to everyone, only to those who perform exceptionally. However, since you were the first to pledge allegiance, I'll teach you a set of Iron Cloth Shirt."

The burly man is overwhelmed by such a great fortune. He is so excited he can barely control himself. He immediately pats his chest and swears, "Great Chieftain, from now on, my life, Zhang Dazhuang, belongs to you!"

The bandits are also in an uproar, looking at Zhang Dazhuang with envy, regretting not pledging allegiance immediately. At the same time, they resolve to perform well and learn martial arts!

Thus, Black Wind Stockade has a new master!

"You are the Military Advisor of Black Wind Stockade?"

In the Hall of United Gathering at Black Wind Stockade, Zhang Yunhao sits high above and asks a bandit who looks like a scholar.

The scholar is very timid. Upon hearing this, he quickly waves his hands and explains, "This humble one... this humble one is indeed the Military Advisor of Black Wind Stockade. However, I was originally a Xiucai scholar. My ancestors even served as prefects. I was robbed and forced to join them. Now that the Great Chieftain has killed them, this humble one is immensely grateful."

"It's rare to have a Xiucai scholar in a bandit's den."

Zhang Yunhao smiles and says, "You can continue to be my Military Advisor from now on."

"Thank you, Great Chieftain."

Scholar Lu breathes a sigh of relief. His life is saved. He thinks of something and cautiously asks, "Great Chieftain, is your goal to be granted amnesty?"

Zhang Yunhao looks at Scholar Lu and asks, "Do you really want to be granted amnesty?"

Scholar Lu says excitedly and urgently, "Of course, I dream of it! This humble one became a bandit out of fear for his life. If I cannot clear my name, how will I face my ancestors in the future?"

"If you assist me with all your might, you will surely bring glory to your ancestors in the future."

Zhang Yunhao said with great certainty. Scholar Lu was overjoyed and repeatedly pledged his loyalty!

Zhang Yunhao waved his hand and said, "Enough talk. Tell me about the specific situation of Black Wind Stockade."

"Yes, Great Chieftain. Black Wind Stockade originally had over five hundred people, with more than two hundred combat personnel."

Scholar Lu quickly reported, "Also, the stockade's finances were originally managed by me. They are all in the warehouse, about five thousand taels. Great Chieftain can check them anytime. Oh, and the previous Great Chieftain also had a secret stash, and I know where it is."