They copied down the secret manual, compared their versions against each other, and confirmed there were no errors.
After studying it carefully once more and making sure there was nothing else to be found, Li Chengfeng finally suppressed the delight in his heart at having gained an additional rare high-grade secret art. Together with the rosy-faced Zhao Lie and Wang Wusheng, he carried the bandits' heads and hurried back toward Green Mountain City.
By the time they reached the Martial Hall, dusk had already fallen.
Li Chengfeng, Zhao Lie, and Wang Wusheng went straight to the Bounty Hall, where they met Deputy Hall Master Fang Hong.
"These thieves hid in the mountain forests. Our Martial Hall tried several times to capture them, but they always used the terrain to escape. I never expected the three of you heroes to succeed."
"You three are indeed extraordinary. The moment you acted, you took down these villains. Fang truly admires you."
Looking at the corpses of Zhang Mazi and Wang Ergou, Fang Hong laughed heartily. "Come, quickly record the merits for Old Hero Wang. Bring up the silver and present it to these two brothers!"
At Fang Hong's order, the Bounty Hall staff immediately recorded three merits under Wang Wusheng's name.
They also gave silver to Li Chengfeng and Zhao Lie—two thousand taels each. Though delighted, the two were also somewhat astonished.
"This bandit stronghold has been wiped out. Its two leaders and two Body Tempering fighters are dead. The remaining two surely won't dare linger here either. There is no use keeping the bounty silver, so let us consider the matter fully resolved and give it all to you two brothers."
Seeing the surprise in Li Chengfeng and Zhao Lie's eyes, Fang Hong smiled as he spoke.
"Thank you, Hall Master Fang!"