Battle Begins

In the early morning, before dawn broke, Nanning County was still shrouded in the darkness and thin mist of night.

But inside the Martial Guard Division, the lights were already blazing, armor clanking, and figures like a forest.

Gu Chang'an and Li Hongye had arrived early, dressed in standard black uniforms and standing with their sabers at their sides.

As soon as they entered, they heard a low horn call from the courtyard, like a tiger's roar in the mountains, chilling the heart.

In the large courtyard at this moment, hundreds of elite Martial Guard Division soldiers were lined up in full gear, their sabers and halberds like a forest, warhorses ready, exuding a solemn pressure.

At the steps, Wang Hao, clad in black and gold battle armor, was fully equipped, his eyes as sharp as a falcon's. Behind him, a Nanning Garrison flag fluttered in the wind.

Below the steps, several Head Constables stood in their respective positions, all renowned figures in Nanning.

Standing at the very front was Head Constable Cao Xiao, eight feet tall, with an iron face and furrowed brows, carrying twin hammers on his back. His heavy armor seemed fused with his flesh and blood.

Beside him stood Head Constable Shen Qingyan, in a moon-white long robe, with a long sword strapped to her back. Her figure was slender, yet her aura was chillingly cold.

Her eyes were like knives, her gaze clear and cold. When she wasn't speaking, she was like frost on a branch, making people afraid to approach.

Head Constable Lin Tai lurked in the shadows, dressed in black, his face pale, his eyes dim.

At the very end was the newly appointed Head Constable Jiang Yuan, young and handsome, clad in black armor, with twin hooks at his waist. His brows exuded heroic spirit, but it was tinged with an unconcealable arrogance.

With Li Hongye, all five of Nanning County's Head Constables were present.

Wang Hao's gaze swept over everyone, and he spoke in a deep voice:

"We have gathered today for one purpose: to eradicate the Firewood Gang. We must uproot them, or we shall all be held accountable."

He raised his hand and pointed to the sand table map displayed on the wall, his tone sharp:

"Shen Qingyan and Lin Tai, you will lead your teams to break through the stronghold from the front. Cao Xiao, you will lead your team in a surprise attack from the north, seal off the rear, and cut off their reinforcements. Jiang Yuan—"

He paused, his gaze shifting to Gu Chang'an and Li Hongye.

"Jiang Yuan, Li Hongye, Gu Chang'an, you will lead your team to circle around through the forest path from the west gate, draw the enemy's attention, with Gu Chang'an in charge!"

As soon as this was said, everyone was startled and confused.

Jiang Yuan and Li Hongye were both Head Constables, so why was Gu Chang'an in charge?

Jiang Yuan even raised an eyebrow and sneered:

"Director Wang, Gu Chang'an may be Ninth Rank, but he is young after all. Black Wind Ridge is no place for testing courage. How can you let him lead?"

Wang Hao shot him a cold glance, his voice as deep as a blade's edge:

"If you are unconvinced, you can try to kill a Zhang Yuying in her berserk state."

Jiang Yuan was speechless, his expression changing slightly.

His strength might give him a slight advantage against Zhang Yuying in a fight, but killing her would be almost impossible.

Let alone Zhang Yuying in her berserk state?

Wang Hao turned to Gu Chang'an, "Gu Chang'an, after this battle, if you achieve merit, I will personally submit a report to promote you to Head Constable."

Gu Chang'an immediately cupped his fists: "Your subordinate understands. I will not fail the mission."

Li Hongye stood beside him, saying nothing.

A moment later, the team, in full armor and carrying weapons, left the Martial Guard Division in a mighty procession, their killing intent palpable, heading towards Black Wind Ridge.

At the same time, Gu Chang'an, Li Hongye, and Jiang Yuan rode side by side at the front.

Behind them were veteran constables like Zheng Zhen, Liu Wei, and Gao Ling, followed by thirty to forty elite constables.

Each held their weapons, their faces solemn.

The road was muddy and winding, the trees grew denser, and the mountain wind howled, carrying a hint of ominous bloody scent.

Gu Chang'an's gaze was cold as he said to Li Hongye:

"When the battle starts later, we cannot let each other out of our sight."

Li Hongye responded softly: "Okay."

She looked straight ahead, but her reply lacked her usual arrogance, surprisingly carrying a hint of gentleness.

Jiang Yuan rode beside them, heard their conversation, and merely snorted coldly, not interjecting.

The corners of his lips curled up, but a flicker of dismissive contempt flashed in his eyes.

Further behind, Zheng Zhen rode his horse, his eyes as dark and deep as water.

Before long, the group passed through a mountain pass, and ahead lay the outskirts of Black Wind Ridge.

The ridge was majestic, with cliffs and rocks scattered everywhere. Dead branches lay strewn in the forest, and black crows flew low, making it look like a dead land.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the forest ahead.

Dozens of Firewood Gang disciples leaped out from the dense woods, their clothes disheveled, carrying sabers and halberds, with ferocious smiles on their faces, blocking the mountain path.

The man at the forefront, with a face full of scars, gripped a large saber and sneered:

"Are you here to die?"

Gu Chang'an didn't even look at him, his right hand already on his saber hilt, his voice as indifferent as iron:

"Form ranks, attack—kill without mercy!"

"Kill!"

At his command, thirty constables stepped forward simultaneously, their long sabers drawn, their battle cries shaking the heavens!

Gu Chang'an let out a cold laugh, his twin hooks unsheathed. With a flash of silver light, he charged into the enemy ranks like a fierce eagle diving into the forest.

His attacks were brutal. The hooks moved one in front of the other, sharp and swift, their blades slicing through the air with ear-piercing screeches.

A disciple of the Firewood Gang ahead hadn't even reacted before his throat was caught by a hook and yanked violently. Blood spurted out, and his body fell straight to the ground.

"Those who block me die!"

Gu Chang'an grunted, spinning around, his twin hooks sweeping horizontally, creating two arcs of cold light that successively felled two enemies.

On the other side, Li Hongye's iron whip danced like a dragon and snake, the wind whistling with each crack.

With a flick of her delicate hand, the whip suddenly straightened. She swung it down, shattering the shoulder blade of a Firewood Gang disciple, sending him flying like a kite with a broken string.

"Scram."

She uttered the word softly. The long whip, like a shadow, wrapped around another enemy's leg and yanked hard. The man immediately fell to the ground. Before he could even struggle to get up, the whip's shadow flashed like lightning at his neck, and blood splattered.

Gu Chang'an moved with a low stance, each move of his Mountain Shattering Saber Technique like a collapsing mountain range. The saber's edge roared, its power immense.

His saber moved with him, his actions sharp and direct, not seeking complex variations.

"Retreat!"

A Firewood Gang leader shouted, attempting to mobilize support from the rear.

But Gu Chang'an had already stepped forward. His figure was like a tiger, his Mountain Shattering Saber slashing horizontally, the momentum of his strike roaring as it arrived.

The man only saw darkness before his eyes, then blood splashed onto his face. His subordinate's head had already fallen.

On another side of the battlefield, Zheng Zhen's swordplay was extremely slow, but each strike was precise, blocking all of his opponent's attacks.

The seemingly ordinary longsword appeared to bear immense weight. The moment an enemy's weapon touched its edge, it felt as if a mountain was pressing down, causing their weapon to immediately shatter.

The battlefield was filled with shouts and killing. Liu Wei, Gao Ling, and others wielded their weapons, shouting commands while engaging the enemy in close combat. Although the enemy was fierce, the members of the Martial Guard Division were long-trained and coordinated flawlessly, forcing the enemy to retreat step by step.

Gu Chang'an continued to kill, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the end of the mountain path.

He saw faint flag shadows swaying deep within the dense forest and heard clamoring voices. His heart sank slightly:

"This is just an outpost. The real Firewood Gang camp is probably still behind. Daoist Chai... you've indeed prepared thoroughly."

Li Hongye flicked the blood droplets from her whip and approached Gu Chang'an, asking coldly:

"Should we pursue?"

Gu Chang'an said in a deep voice:

"No rush. We'll take it step by step and clear them all out, lest the enemy reinforce our rear."