Marching on Redleaf City

"There are six more like him?" Bonita exclaimed.

"There are more than six. After W-07, there are also numbers 8, 9... Of course, the lower the ranking, the weaker the strength."

Bai Xiaowen said, "According to W-07's memory fragments, the top-ranked spreaders are stronger than him... and W-01, the spreader, is the mastermind behind the Necrotic Plague in the entire White Stone Fief! His strength is no less than Ian's."

After a pause, Bai Xiaowen said, "If the final enemy we face is just a Leader Tier powerhouse like Ian, I wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to prepare... However, while searching through my memory fragments, I came across a terrifying piece of information... We are not facing one person, nor ten people... but an entire legion!"

"A legion?"

The other three stared wide-eyed.

"Based on the memory fragments of W-07, I've deduced this intelligence, but there's not enough evidence yet. The lair of the undead Plague Spreader points to Redleaf Fief. Let's assemble our forces now, equip everyone with weapons, including the bandit servants and the newly joined citizens... and head to Redleaf Fief," Bai Xiaowen said.

"But according to imperial law, a lord's army has no right to enter another lord's territory; otherwise, it would be tantamount to invasion!" Bonita said.

"It's precisely because the Empire has too many rules and regulations that the spreaders of the Necrotic Plague are so rampant," Bai Xiaowen said, shaking his head. "Moreover... it's really hard to say how badly the situation has deteriorated in Redleaf Fief, or whether Lord Maki is alive or dead."

Bonita: "Since... now that you've found a clue, why not go to Blackrock Fief to find Archbishop Arlo, or to the Blackrock Line to find Prince Nicholas? Asking them to send troops into Redleaf Fief should be better than going yourself."

Bai Xiaowen shook his head. "The intelligence that Redleaf Fief has been infiltrated by undead Plague Spreader lacks conclusive evidence, making it difficult to convince the high-ranking personnel of the Human Allied Army."

Ultimately, it's because Bai Xiaowen's status wasn't high enough; he was just a Baron, and a penniless one at that. White Stone Town was merely an insignificant little part of the many minor noble fiefdoms in the empire.

This is Heroic Tier side quest; it's not something you can complete so easily. There's no need for Bonita to know this kind of off-site information.

After half an hour of gathering, 327 people had assembled in the open space in front of Lord Bai Xiaowen's mansion.

Of these 327 people, more than half were former bandits, and a small portion were newly joined residents.

The people's fighting strength was very weak, roughly equivalent to a band of bandits and servants.

The 327 people were organized into ten teams, each with a captain. Bai Xiaowen spread his Divine Might and communicated directly with these captains. Within the range of his Divine Might, no matter how far away they were, it was as if he was speaking right next to their ears.

Simultaneously controlling ten teams and managing his summoned creatures would drive most people insane. However, for Bai Xiaowen, it wasn't even a challenge.

He doesn't need to command every move of ten teams; he only needs to give simple instructions such as advance, retreat, or maneuver.

"Old... Lord, the brothers have assembled and are waiting for your next order." Kitz's speaking style still had a bit of a bandit's air about it.

He now considers himself the sheriff of White Stone Town, and according to rumors, the lord is considering knighting a few people—by the Holy Light, a bandit being knighted is something Kitz never even dreamed of.

"Everyone, take a week's worth of rations, check your weapons, issue a gag order, heading west, forced march!" Bai Xiaowen ordered. "This time, we're going to pull off a big heist that will shake up the Northern Frontier!"

"Roar!" The bandit guards were already in high spirits, stimulated by the gold coins.

After a day of rapid march, Bai Xiaowen's army could already see the outline of the main city of Redleaf Fief in the distance.

It's more like a fortress than a city! The walls are high and thick, and huge crossbows are mounted between the battlements. From this angle, you can see workers, like ants, busily working to make the walls even thicker.

At night, in front of a watchtower, Bai Xiaowen ordered the bandit guards to halt. He cast a Insight at the sentry standing on the watchtower from a distance.

[Louis Gainesbah (Standard Level 4)]

[Race: Undead Species / Corpse Demonfolk]

[Class: Bone Sentinel]

[Attributes: Strength 12, Agility 6, Constitution 10, Spirit 5]

[Skills: Warning Whistle, Illumination Flare]

Bai Xiaowen understood immediately; this confirmed the intelligence he had gleaned from W-07's head: the guards of Redleaf Fief had been corrupted by the Undead Plague.

Take this Sentinel for example. He looks no different from a normal human, but in reality, he's just wearing a human skin. His true nature is that of Corpse Demonfolk, similar to W-07.

Level 4 monsters are easy to kill, but the challenge is to do so without alerting anyone, especially to prevent them from warning Redleaf City.

Bai Xiaowen controlled the Shadow Assassin and stealthily moved forward.

The Shadow Assassin circled the watchtower, discovering that there were three Bone Sentinel inside. Two were standing atop the watchtower, and another was inside.

Bai Xiaowen called Bonita over, and they quickly drafted a tactical plan.

The Shadow Assassin Stealth inside the watchtower, moved behind the Bone Sentinel, and unleashed his Assassination skill, severing his opponent's neck with a single strike!

At the same time, Bai Xiaowen had already steadily raised his gun.

Bang!

A headshot to the forehead of a Bone Sentinel Headshot 250% Critical Hit damage, and the effect of ignoring defense instantly killed the Bone Sentinel!

The fall of his companion alerted the last Bone Sentinel; he shoved a bone whistle into his mouth, ready to blow it.

However, the instant Bai Xiaowen fired the bullet, the Skeleton Mage beside him also made his move, throwing a Lightning Throw that Piercing the air, abruptly interrupting the Bone Sentinel's actions and preventing him from using the "Warning Whistle" skill!

Bonita glanced at it, then raised her hand and unleashed a Holy Shock. Her mastery of light magic had reached level 5, and this strike was exceptionally precise. Combined with the bonus effect of holy damage on Undead Species creatures, the last Bone Sentinel's Life Value plummeted.

The Shadow Assassin rushed forward, Triple Stab his dagger from behind, taking away its last bit of Life Value.

All three Bone Sentinel were wiped out, and Redleaf City remained completely unaware, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Only after the Bone Sentinel died did they reveal their true form: wrinkled, deformed bodies with a slight putrid odor.

"These are the undead. They are also our destination."

Bai Xiaowen lowered his voice and spoke to the numerous bandit guards.

Some guards showed fear on their faces, especially the newly joined commoners and bandit servants. They were good at doing odd jobs, but when it came to fighting head-on, these commoners and servants really didn't have much experience.

Not to mention fighting against terrifying undead.

"What, scared?" Bai Xiaowen encouraged, "Redleaf City is filled with mountains of gold and silver treasures, but they're all guarded by those damned undead. Once we break through Redleaf City and kill all those undead, you can take as many gold coins as you want! Until your backpacks are full, your boots are full, and even your hands are full of gold coins!"

The robbers became excited.

"Let's go! Everyone shut your mouths, not even a fart is allowed!"

The White Stone Town Guard marched under cover of night and lay in ambush a few miles outside Redleaf City.

Bai Xiaowen led Li Shuyi forward quietly. The main gate of Redleaf City was closed. Looking at the ten-meter-high city wall and the heavy gate, Bai Xiaowen gave up the idea of a direct assault. He might try it if he had a strong army, but a group of bandits who could only fight when things were going well was not worth it.

Bai Xiaowen bypassed the main gate and stopped at the base of a section of the city wall under construction. He quickly relinquished control of W-07, and a Four-Color Talisman flashed in his palm. He selected the yellow Spell Talisman and shot it towards an undead servant carrying stones at the crenellation of the city wall.

A short while later, a rope was lowered from the crenellations of the city wall. Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi climbed up the rope and scaled the city wall!

After entering Redleaf City, before being discovered, the two stealthily approached the gate. The undead servant controlled by the Heart-Confounding Talisman, who was only level 2, followed quietly with his hands hanging down.

"There are four guards at the main gate, all of them undead," Bai Xiaowen, using his Psionic Points to provide the results of his Insight: "One Elite Tier level 5, two standard level 4, and one standard level 3. Additionally, the city wall patrol passes by approximately every 15 minutes."

Li Shuyi nodded. "We'll go after the patrol leaves, and we'll finish this quickly."

The patrol consisted of a dozen or so soldiers, and they were definitely to be avoided.

After the patrol left, Bai Xiaowen raised his hand and released a group of summoned creatures. At the same time, the Shadow Assassin Stealth in the shadows once again used an Assassination skill to kill the weakest standard level 3 undead soldier, thus beginning the battle.

Just as the other undead soldiers were about to issue a warning, Bai Xiaowen directly used an indiscriminate area-of-effect fear spell to Intimidation them.

The Rageclaw pounced forward, swinging their giant claws twice. With the assistance of Li Shuyi and the other summoned creatures, they directly depleted the Life Value of two standard level 4 Undead Guards, tearing them into four pieces.

Only then did the leading Elite Tier level 5 guard Clarity of its Fear Status. But faced with the onslaught, it was powerless to cause any trouble, and before it collapsed and died, it hadn't even managed to send out a warning signal.

The Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier turned the winch, opening the fortress gates. Several miles away, Zombie Doctor, remaining with the bandits, immediately informed Kitz of the news.

The bandits cheered and charged forward.

This was a clear sign of lax military discipline, but Bai Xiaowen had no choice. He couldn't possibly train a group of bandits into an iron army that obeyed orders in just a few days.

After a wry smile, Bai Xiaowen quickly ordered the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier to form a defensive formation.

At this moment, the Undead Guards of Redleaf City had already spotted the bandit guards rushing towards them from afar and sounded the alarm. Patrol teams rushed towards the city gate, attempting to close it.

Like waves crashing against rocks, the undead soldiers clashed head-on with the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier, swords drawn and weapons drawn, hacking and slashing at each other. Fortunately, the area at the city gate was narrow, and the four Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier and the giant wolf, Rageclaw, were enough to block the entrance, preventing the undead soldiers from reaching the winch.

After the bandit guards attacked, the battle line quickly began to push back.

"Target... Redleaf City Lord's Manor! After we occupy the city lord's mansion, all the gold coins are ours!" Bai Xiaowen roared, making the already high morale of the bandits even more excited. With a dozen Elite Tier bandits as the vanguard, they charged through the main road of Redleaf City.

Bai Xiaowen's army only encountered fierce resistance when they reached the central square of Redleaf City.

A heavily armored knight riding Bone Warhorse, his eyes seemingly burning with cold, ghostly flames, raised his greatsword and led a few cavalrymen in a counter-charge!

Those cavalrymen were all Elite Tier Terror Knight; Bai Xiaowen had seen them before in the Aaron Plane World.

These Elite Tier Terror Knight were powerful beings that Bai Xiaowen could only look up to back then, but they are nothing to Bai Xiaowen now. The real troublesome one is their Boss Tier.

Bai Xiaowen quickly offered an Insight.

[Jericho (Level 6 Boss Tier)]

[Race: Undead Species / Bonefolk]

[Class: Terror Knight Commander]

[Attributes: Strength 46, Agility 22, Constitution 50, Spirit 12]

[Skills: Double Strike (Passive), Dread Charge, Blood Enslavement (Passive),???]

This Terror Knight Commander, Jericho, possesses high strength and constitution, but relatively low agility. However, with his Bone Warhorse as a supplement, his movement speed rivals that of any agile boss. His spirit of 12 is rather low, but this is a common trait among most undead creatures.

However, his 12-point focus did not affect Jericho's performance at all!

Of his three discovered skills, two are passive skills that can be triggered without Divine Might, and their effects are explosive!

[Double Strike: Basic attacks have a 30% chance to trigger an additional attack. The additional attack ignores the target's bonus armor.]

[Blood Enslavement: Enemies slain by the Terror Knight Commander have a chance to be transformed into undead creatures and fight for him.]

Herod--

The Bone Warhorse reared up, and Jericho, the Terror Knight Commander, had launched the [Dread Charge]!

Bai Xiaowen's heart skipped a beat. He immediately gave orders to his summoned creatures and shouted, "Everyone, clear the way!"

However, Jericho's charge was too fast. More than a dozen bandits in his path were knocked away, each spitting blood! Jericho swung his greatsword, slashing heavily at a bandit in mid-air. Then, with a flash of his greatsword, he struck the same spot again, cleaving the bandit in two!

After the bandit's body fell to the ground in two pieces, a flash of blood appeared, and he quickly shed his flesh, transforming into a half-bodied skeleton soldier who joined Jericho, the Terror Knight Commander, and turned against Bai Xiaowen's team.

In contrast, although Bai Xiaowen's summoned creature avoided the straight line of the charge and was spared being knocked away, it was still inevitably put into Fear Status for 3 seconds because it was too close to Jericho!

This [Dread Charge] skill is incredibly powerful. In addition to knocking back targets in a straight line, it also fears targets on both sides of the path, providing two types of control effects.