Bandit Suppression, Part One

Early the next morning, Cheng Heng washed up, dressed, and prepared to head to the Inner City on time.

In the new year, not many merchants along the streets had opened their doors, but patrolling the Inner City was an important duty. The more it was a holiday, the heavier the task became!

Fortunately, the county office offered decent benefits. During holidays, those working overtime received an extra portion of their salary.

When he arrived at the county office, however, the many colleagues around him showed not the slightest smile. The atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

Cheng Heng felt somewhat puzzled, but he said nothing and instead went to Wang Ming's duty room.

Chief Wang was also frowning deeply, looking burdened with worries. This made Cheng Heng swallow the words of congratulation that had reached his lips without speaking them.

Cheng Heng asked, "Brother Wang, did something happen at the county office?"

"Oh, you're here. Good, I have something to tell you."

When Wang Ming saw Cheng Heng enter, he hurriedly said.

Just as Wang Ming was about to speak, his eyes suddenly lit up, and his furrowed brow immediately relaxed.

"You brat! When did you break through to Hidden Force?!"

Cheng Heng grinned. "I only broke through last night. I haven't had the chance to tell you yet, Brother Wang!"

"Not bad, not bad! Well done!"

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you. With your skills now that you've reached Hidden Force, our chances in the coming operation have increased by several points!"

Wang Ming said with heartfelt laughter.

"Chief, what exactly happened?"

Cheng Heng asked with a puzzled expression.

Wang Ming's expression became solemn again. No longer beating around the bush, he said:

"Something happened outside the city!"

"A batch of medicinal herbs the county office was transporting to the prefectural city two days ago was robbed by bandits outside the city!"

"After He County Magistrate learned of this, he flew into a thunderous rage. He has now gathered the martial arts experts in the county office and plans to head out in a few days to suppress the bandits!"

"He County Magistrate will personally lead this operation. Everyone in the county office who has reached Bright Force or above must go."

"The county office has truly spent heavily this time. Anyone taking part in this operation will receive fifteen taels of silver if they are a Bright Force martial artist, while Hidden Force experts will receive thirty taels!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Heng pondered for a moment before slowly saying:

"That reward is indeed generous, but why does everyone in the county office look so dejected?"

Thirty taels of silver—this was no small reward indeed!

Wang Ming snorted coldly. "Hmph! Those pampered fellows in the county office are each experts when it comes to squeezing the common people dry."

"But if you ask them to leave the city and kill bandits, to cross blades and spill blood, every last one of them is scared shitless!"

"He County Magistrate is getting serious this time. He only gave me three days to gather at least ten Bright Force martial artists. I was worrying myself sick, but I never expected Brother Cheng to give me such a great surprise today."

"With you under my command alone, you're worth ten Bright Force experts! Hahaha!"

After giving it some thought, Cheng Heng agreed directly.

He County Magistrate was the number one Skill-Transforming Force expert in Gaoyang County. With him leading the way, safety would not be an issue. Cheng Heng had trained in martial arts for a long time, yet he had never truly fought desperate outlaws. This was the perfect opportunity to temper himself!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The third day of the Lunar New Year, Gaoyang County, Inner City, county office!

More than forty people had already gathered densely within the county office. Even the weakest among them were Bright Force martial artists.

At their head was He County Magistrate, who was usually as elusive as a divine dragon whose head was seen but never its tail.

He sat upright in the main hall. He was exceptionally tall, with a dark face and an imposing expression even without anger. At roughly forty years old, he was still in his prime!

After sweeping his gaze across everyone in the hall, his eyes paused briefly on Cheng Heng before moving away.

With a relaxed expression, he said to Wang Ming, seated beside him:

"The men under Chief Constable Wang are truly impressive. You even have a Hidden Force expert among them!"

The moment these words were spoken, everyone else in the hall turned their eyes toward Cheng Heng.

Cheng Heng sat properly, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

Wang Ming cupped his hands toward He County Magistrate and said:

"You flatter him, my lord. I haven't yet informed you—his name is Cheng Heng. He trained at Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall and only broke through to Hidden Force a few days ago. With one more Hidden Force expert joining this operation, our confidence is even greater!"

Upon hearing Wang Ming's words, the expressions of those in the hall immediately became somewhat complicated. Some were surprised, some dismissive, but even more wore mocking looks.

Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall—who did not know it was merely a small martial hall in the Outer City? Even if he was a Hidden Force expert, his true strength was probably open to question!

The Inner City people's contempt for Outer City people was carved into their bones!

For this operation, aside from He County Magistrate, a Skill-Transforming Force expert, there were three chief constables in total, all Hidden Force martial artists. Apart from Cheng Heng, the remaining forty people were all Bright Force martial artists.

For this operation, the county office had deployed half of its martial artists!

"Enough. No more nonsense. The county office's medicinal herbs were robbed a few days ago, and the County Magistrate is greatly enraged. Who would have thought that the bandits outside the city would be so bold as to rob even the court's medicinal herbs!"

"Therefore, this operation must be swift as thunder and fierce as lightning. Show this pack of bandits no mercy—kill them all and properly cow the bandit gangs in the surrounding area!"

"According to the scouts' reports, this gang of bandits is entrenched on Black Crow Mountain, forty li outside the city. There are five Hidden Force martial artists and more than thirty Bright Force martial artists in the mountain."

"Their strength is nothing to fear. With me personally leading this operation, we will certainly wipe them out completely, leaving not a single scrap of armor behind!"

"Move out!"

At He County Magistrate's command, everyone rose to their feet and set off toward Black Crow Mountain!

Along the way, Wang Ming quietly said to Cheng Heng:

"With He County Magistrate leading this operation, it will be foolproof. Adapt to the situation, and remember not to force yourself into the limelight!"

"You only broke through recently. Caution comes first!"

Cheng Heng silently nodded. Wang Ming was saying this for his sake!

By the time the sun stood high in the sky, the county office party had arrived at the foot of Black Crow Mountain in a mighty procession.

At the foot of the mountain, everyone stopped and waited for He County Magistrate's orders.

Dressed in a fitted martial outfit, He County Magistrate turned and issued orders to the three chief constables behind him!

Besides Chief Constable Wang, there were two other chief constables, one surnamed Zhao and the other Tian.

"Chief Constable Tian, arrange men to seal off every main route down the mountain. If even one bandit escapes, I will hold you accountable!"

"Everyone else, follow me up the mountain!"

Chief Constable Tian respectfully accepted the order. He then assigned seven or eight martial artists, took out a map, and stationed men along Black Crow Mountain's routes down the mountain. Afterward, he hurriedly followed the main force as they rushed up the mountain!

Black Crow Mountain.

The bandits' stronghold.

The stronghold had been built atop a cliff. To enter it, there was only a narrow goat-track, winding and twisting, pitted and uneven. Dense forest on both sides blotted out the sky, making it easy to defend and hard to attack!

At a bend in the mountain path stood a thick wooden sentry post. Knife-bearing lackeys kept watch there year-round. At the slightest rustle of wind or movement of grass, they would immediately send word to the stronghold.

The Black Crow Mountain bandits had occupied this place for decades. Relying on its perilous terrain, they had no idea how many government soldiers sent to exterminate them they had beaten back.

At this moment, a bandit with a panicked expression raced all the way to the stronghold. The instant he entered the gate, he shouted his report:

"Reporting to the Stronghold Chief, Gaoyang County's government troops have surrounded the foot of the mountain! They'll be attacking the stronghold any moment now!"