Rebellion

As night fell, Lu Li headed out once more.

This time, he brought Xuandu with him.

The night was dark as ink, and the river wind carried damp, chilling mist straight into his face.

Lu Li hurried onward. Half an hour later, Riverheart Islet came into view again.

The torches at Stone Fortress's entrance were still lit. The river bandits had changed shifts and seemed more alert than the night before, standing around in small groups and chatting by the gate.

"Did you hear? Third Brother lost thirty taels at the docks yesterday and got chewed out by his wife when he went home..."

"Thirty taels? With what little he has, how many times can he afford to lose..."

The river bandits' idle chatter drifted over on the river wind.

Lu Li listened and shook his head.

More than a hundred river bandits—just a rabble. Aside from their numbers, there was nothing to fear.

He skimmed across the water and silently approached the outer perimeter of Stone Fortress.

The same route: the side gate, the bronze lock.

But this time, he had no intention of sneaking around.

Lu Li stood before the side gate, took a deep breath, and kicked it.

Bang!

The side gate and its bronze lock flew away together, smashing into a water jar in the courtyard. The jar exploded, sending water spraying everywhere.

"Who goes there?!"

"Enemy attack...!"

The river bandits' cries instantly erupted. Torchlight flared as squads of bandits poured out from every direction, surrounding the courtyard so tightly that not even water could pass through.

Lu Li stood in the center of the courtyard, Xuandu held across his body, his expression calm.

"Who gave you permission to come in?"

He swept his gaze across the crowd, his tone casual.

"I haven't even said anything