Back then, on the third underground level of the Black Mountain Ore Vein in Jinyang Prefecture, Ma Yuan had been pursuing Zhao Feng when Zhao Feng threw a Fire Thunder Bomb at him at close range. Although he had summoned his protective true essence at the critical moment, the explosion still injured him severely-it had practically disfigured him outright. He escaped through a secret passage and returned to the Main Headquarters in Qingzhou.
His wounds were not fatal, but they were troublesome. The Fire Thunder Bomb's fragments, in particular, were densely embedded throughout his body. It took him half a year to force them all out.
Later, the Deputy Cult Master ordered him to go to Bing Province and contact the rebels. Now that he had returned to Qingzhou with the rebel army, he naturally would not pass up the chance to settle accounts with his old enemies.
Zhao Feng was first on that list. Not only had he killed Ma Yuan's disciple, he had also disfigured him, and there was a very good chance he had obtained the Nine-Palace Dragon-Settling Compass as well. Besides, Ma Yuan had always felt there were far too many suspicious things about the boy. He must have stumbled upon some tremendous opportunity.
Thus, upon learning that Zhao Feng was the defending commander of Big Stone County, he hurried over and volunteered for the task.
"Since Elder Ma has volunteered, I can rest easy," Wu Liang said with a nod.
"Army, move out!" he ordered.
Meanwhile, atop Big Stone County's walls, Zhao Feng and the others saw dust billowing in the distance as the black mass of enemy troops began moving like a long dragon.
"Are the rebels retreating?" County Magistrate Lu felt a surge of joy.
"Yes, it looks like they're withdrawing!" Yue Lang