Mountain Blade (Seeking Collection and Recommendations)

Bai Qi raised his head and said, "I believe Wang Ergou will resort to poisoning. Even in a village like this Bandit Village, let alone ordinary ones, there will always be those who choose betrayal for the sake of profit or their own lives."

"Regarding Your Highness's plan, this subordinate is full of admiration. Firstly, the bandits do not eat like people in ordinary villages where every household cooks for themselves; they eat from a communal pot, which creates the perfect conditions for poisoning."

"Secondly, by snatching an inconspicuous nobody in the Bandit Village, this person will go unnoticed. Although a lord has the ability to check loyalty, it must be done in person, so Wang Ergou's betrayal is unlikely to be detected."

"Thirdly, you have balanced kindness with severity. Our Great Qin Village has not developed any actual poison, nor do we have any antidote. Your Highness merely used one poisoned pill and one harmless one to terrify Wang Ergou, ensuring he would not dare to harbor thoughts of rebellion. Finally, you offered the money that bandits value most as a reward. All in all, Your Highness's tactics are perfect."

"However..."

At this point, Bai Qi paused.

Zhao Fu nodded upon hearing this and said, "Speak!"

Bai Qi replied, "However, there is always a chance of the unexpected. Man proposes, God disposes. It is possible that Wang Ergou might fail to poison them, or he might be discovered. Therefore, Your Highness, we must formulate a rigorous attack strategy."

"Indeed!"

Zhao Fu agreed. Bai Qi was right, and Zhao Fu had been thinking the same thing, so the two began to map out a detailed battle plan.

Time ticked away!

The Great Hall of the Dire Wolf Village, usually bustling with noise, suddenly saw a man collapse to the ground, vomiting blood and dying instantly. Once the first one fell, others followed, one after another, coughing up blood as they collapsed.

The poison Zhao Fu gave to Wang Ergou had been refined by the apothecary Zhang Baishu using the venom of a hundred snakes, making it incredibly lethal.

The burly man sitting at the head of the table was shocked. He knocked over the food in front of him and leaped from his seat, but before he could say a word, someone rushed in from outside to report, "Fire!"

The burly man realized what was happening. With a ruthless expression, he drew his mountain blade and shouted to the few who hadn't been poisoned, "Brothers, move! Let's see who is bold enough to strike at our Dire Wolf Village!"

Outside the village, Zhao Fu saw several wooden houses ignite. This was the signal for the success of the plan he had given Wang Ergou.

Seeing this, under the cover of night, Zhao Fu immediately shouted, "Archers, fire arrows! Burn all the houses in Dire Wolf Village! Crossbowmen, aim at the guards outside!"

A dozen archers obeyed, sending flaming arrows toward the village. The houses were instantly set ablaze, and the guards on the perimeter were caught in a panic.

Then, over forty Goblin Crossbowmen fired their bolts. Like a rain of arrows, they flew out, and the bandits were struck down one by one, turned into pincushions.

Zhao Fu did not rush the attack. Instead, he gave another order: the archers were to keep firing flaming arrows to ensure the entire village was engulfed, while the Goblin Crossbowmen fired at will.

Zhao Fu did this to guard against any traps. Soon, the Dire Wolf Village became a sea of fire. The Goblin Crossbowmen unleashed several more volleys, and many bandits who tried to rush out were either shot dead or scared back inside.

At this moment, ten Goblin Champions, two meters tall and heavily built, raised their massive stone hammers and charged into the village, smashing everything in their path with unstoppable force.

Zhao Fu gave the order for a full-scale assault. Infantry, shield-bearers, and Goblin Warriors raised their weapons, shouting as they charged into the village.

"So it was you, you bastard! I'll kill you!"

The burly man saw his village almost entirely burned to the ground. Upon seeing Zhao Fu leading the charge, he was filled with hatred and rushed forward with his mountain blade.

Seeing the man charge, Bai Qi, who was beside Zhao Fu, drew his iron sword to meet him.

The two engaged in a fierce duel amidst the sea of fire. The burly man's blade technique was ferocious and wide-sweeping, each strike carrying immense power, while Bai Qi's swordplay was elegant and agile.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The blade and sword collided repeatedly, sending sparks flying. However, the burly man's strength began to wane, while Bai Qi remained composed. Eventually, the burly man made a mistake and was pierced through the heart by Bai Qi's sword, falling dead.

"The bandit leader is dead! Drop your weapons and you shall be spared!" Bai Qi shouted after killing the man.

Seeing their leader dead and surrounded by enemies several times their number, the others had no choice but to drop their weapons, kneel on the ground, and beg for mercy.

Just then, Zhao Fu noticed a woman nearby. She had red lips, a seductive appearance, and a mature, alluring figure. She wore a red dress and brandished a whip, keeping the infantry at bay.

Wang Ergou walked out from the side, pale-faced, and said to Zhao Fu, "My Lord! That is our Third Leader!"

Hearing this, Zhao Fu reached out to an archer and took an Ironwood Bow. He drew it back, unleashing a Stone-Shattering Arrow. A strand of mysterious yellow energy coiled around the shaft. Zhao Fu aimed at the seductive woman's heart, just about to release the arrow.

The woman caught a glimpse of Zhao Fu aiming at her and turned pale. Surrounded and knowing that continuing would mean death, she quickly dropped her whip and shouted to Zhao Fu, "I surrender!"

Zhao Fu was slightly surprised. He lowered his bow and, seeing the fire growing larger, ordered the captives to be taken out while he hurried to the Village Chief Hall of the Dire Wolf Village.

Since the lord of the Dire Wolf Village was dead, the city could be occupied directly. If the lord were still alive, the City Heart would have emitted an energy shield for self-protection.

Zhao Fu placed his hand on the floating white cube and chose to occupy it, then selected to migrate.

System: Great Qin Village has gained 345 experience.

System: You have gained 50 Battle Merits!

System: Your status has been upgraded to Citizen!

Ignoring these notifications, Zhao Fu rushed out of the Dire Wolf Village. Shortly after, the entire village was swallowed by the flames, eventually reduced to nothing.

Only then did Zhao Fu have time to check his upgraded status. Previously, as a Commoner, he had needed 200 Battle Merits to upgrade. Each village conquered granted 50 merits, and having conquered four, he had completed the upgrade.

As for upgrading from Citizen to Subject, it would require 500 Battle Merits, meaning he would need to conquer ten more villages.

"Your Highness! I found these on the bandit leader."

Bai Qi walked over and handed a coin purse, a blueprint, and a large blade to Zhao Fu.

Zhao Fu took them and looked. The purse contained over thirty silver coins. Zhao Fu didn't care much for the money, but he looked at the blueprint with interest.

[Small Spirit Pill Recipe] Quality: White. Required materials: Small Spirit Grass, Tree Bud Root, Long-Lasting Stone. Effect: Can double cultivation speed.

Seeing this recipe, Zhao Fu was pleasantly surprised. However, while the raw materials like Tree Bud Root and Long-Lasting Stone were common herbs, the Small Spirit Grass was harder to find.

He moved on to the large blade.

[Mountain Blade] Quality: Blue. Attribute: Strength +1. Description: An exceptionally sharp blade capable of clearing paths and shattering stone.

Bai Qi used a sword, so this blue-quality Mountain Blade would have to be set aside for now, to be given as a reward to whoever performed a meritorious deed later.

He turned his gaze toward the group of captives.