The stench of blood atop the stockade walls had yet to disperse, but the fierce sounds of slaughter had already fallen silent. In their place came the heavy breathing of the Lin Family Guards, the groans of the wounded, and the roars of men berating prisoners. Sunlight pierced through the swirling dust, illuminating the battlefield's wreckage.
Li Bufan stood beneath the wall, slowly calming the turbulent emotions stirred by watching experts clash.
Qin Shi's final few incomparably violent punches, along with Chen He's bizarre transformation through his "Demonic Art" before death, echoed over and over in his mind.
He drew a deep breath and settled the Ancient Bow firmly onto his back. The battle was over, but the matter was far from finished.
"All men, heed my command!" Qin Shi's deep, powerful voice rang out from atop the stockade wall, drowning out every other noise. "Clean up the battlefield at once! Treat the wounded and tally the losses!"
"Second-Class Guards and newly recruited guards, split into groups and search the entire village! Leave no corner unchecked! If you encounter surviving bandits, capture them if possible. Those who resist to the bitter end—kill without mercy!"
"Focus on finding the village's treasury and storerooms, clues to the whereabouts of Head Bandit Wu Tian, and anything from Second Head Bandit Chen He's usual residence!"
"In one hour, everyone who can still move is to gather at the open ground in the center of the village and report to me in detail!"
"Yes, Coach!" everyone answered in unison, their voices filled with exhaustion, but even more with the excitement of victory and the relief of having survived disaster.
With the orders given, everyone immediately sprang into action. The wounded were helped away for simple bandaging, while the bodies of their fallen brothers were carefully