Li Muguang

Screech.

The air let out a shrill cry.

The arrow shot forth like a streak of light, so fast it nearly became an afterimage.

In the space of a breath, it crossed dozens of meters and appeared before Zhao Zhi, flying straight at his throat.

It seemed Li Muguang intended to pierce Zhao Zhi's throat, just as he had shot down the Evergreen Gang's hall master.

Clang.

The sound of metal striking metal suddenly rang out.

Everyone turned to look.

They saw one of Zhao Zhi's index fingers appear before the arrow, blocking the projectile that could pierce metal and split stone.

Faint golden radiance flowed where his finger met the arrow, mysterious beyond measure.

Zhao Zhi glanced indifferently at the arrow, then looked past it toward Li Muguang, the third chief of Flying Cloud Stronghold atop the watchtower. The corner of his lips curled up.

The next instant.

Zhao Zhi flicked his finger, and the arrow immediately shot back, tearing a visible white scar through the sky.

In the blink of an eye, the arrow reached Li Muguang.

Li Muguang's expression changed drastically. He jerked his head sharply to one side, narrowly avoiding the deadly arrow aimed directly at his face.

Even so, the arrow still sliced a bloody line across his face.

Blood slowly seeped out, sliding down his cheek to his chin.

Li Muguang raised a hand, his long, powerful fingers wiping away the blood from his cheek. His eyes, fixed on Zhao Zhi, brimmed with icy coldness.

He was the dignified third chief of Flying Cloud Stronghold, a renowned master archer.

Not only had his arrow failed to take down Zhao Zhi, Zhao Zhi had even wounded him in return. How could he not be enraged?

Constable Cao Yun, the Su Family's Innate Warrior, the Tao Family's Innate Warrior, and the martial artists of the other factions all looked at Zhao Zhi with their eyes wide open, utterly astonished.

Leaving aside whether they could shoot the arrow back and wound Li Muguang, they might not even have been able to receive an arrow from Li Muguang as Zhao Zhi had.

Zhao Zhi's strength exceeded their expectations.

"Zhao Zhi, well done." Cao Yun's thoughts turned, and he called out loudly.

Then he looked at Li Muguang again and raised his saber. "Li Muguang, your skills are nothing more than this. Today will be the day your Flying Cloud Stronghold perishes."

"Bring up the siege engine."

The massive object wrapped in black cloth was slowly moved into the center of the thousand-man force.

Someone pulled away the black cloth, revealing a somewhat battered siege engine that nevertheless exuded a dangerous, murderous aura.

Flying Cloud Stronghold was easy to defend and difficult to attack because of its uniquely favorable terrain. One man could guard the pass against ten thousand.

Large siege weapons were difficult to transport up here. They would be spotted by Flying Cloud Stronghold's bandits along the way and destroyed before reaching the stronghold.

Yet this siege engine had arrived safely this time. That could not simply be called luck.

"A siege engine?!"

Li Muguang's expression changed again and again at the sight of it. But recalling the words of the first chief, he relaxed slightly, though the hesitation deep in his eyes did not wholly fade.

"Attack!"

Cao Yun roared.

What they had brought up this time was a stone-throwing siege engine—a catapult.

An Innate Warrior lifted a massive boulder half a person's height with one hand and placed it into the sling. A Postnatal Perfection martial artist immediately stepped forward and pulled the rope.

Amid a humming roar, the boulder soared into the air and smashed heavily toward the tall wooden gate of the outer stronghold.

Boom.

With a thunderous crash, the towering wooden gate exploded. Countless splinters shot in all directions, and a huge opening suddenly appeared.

"Charge!"

Cao Yun shouted again, taking the lead as he rushed toward the outer stronghold.

The Su Family's Innate Warrior, the Tao Family's Innate Warrior, the Evergreen Gang's Innate Warrior, and the rest of the martial artists followed close behind.

Zhao Zhi glanced at Cao Yun, then at Li Muguang, who still stood atop the watchtower. After pondering for a breath, he followed as well.

"Attack."

Li Muguang did not abandon the outer stronghold. He shouted just as loudly.

The small catapults within the outer stronghold hurled stones, striking hard at the force attacking Flying Cloud Stronghold.

Not everyone in the force attacking Flying Cloud Stronghold was an Innate Warrior. In fact, most of the thousand-man force consisted of ordinary people, with martial artists making up barely one or two in ten.

A great many of them were packed onto the rugged, narrow mountain path. Every falling stone took numerous lives.

For a time, the scene was utterly tragic.

Cao Yun charged at the front, while the other Innate Warriors rushed into the outer stronghold.

The archers waiting inside the outer stronghold drew their bows and nocked their arrows. Arrows shot toward the crowd, dense as a torrential downpour.

Cao Yun raised his hand and swung his saber. Its light wrapped around his body like a silken bolt; not even water could seep through, nor fire invade. He blocked every incoming arrow.

The other Innate Warriors did the same.

Unless they were master archers on Li Muguang's level, ordinary archers could scarcely affect Innate Warriors.

Cao Yun's eyes flashed like lightning. He swiftly grabbed an arrow shooting toward his chest and fired it back with a backhanded throw.

The arrow split the air and shot out, piercing an archer who had not yet set his arrow. Its tremendous force drove the man back several steps.

Screech.

That sharp sound, like glass being sliced apart, sounded again. Cao Yun abruptly ducked. An arrow narrowly passed over his head, cutting off a lock of hair.

However, a martial artist from a small family behind Cao Yun was not so fortunate. The arrow struck his chest and passed straight through, scarlet drops falling from its tip.

Less than a breath later, another arrow came flying in, this time aimed at Zhao Zhi.

Zhao Zhi casually turned his wrist. Saber light rose and easily knocked the arrow aside.

He raised his head and looked toward the source of the arrow.

It was Li Muguang, without question.

"Li Muguang!" Cao Yun shouted. He then glanced at Zhao Zhi and said, "Zhao Zhi, join me in killing Li Muguang."

Before his words had faded, Cao Yun shot forward.

Seeing this, Li Muguang shot Zhao Zhi a vicious look before turning and running.

He did not retreat toward the main stronghold, but toward another rugged mountain path on the right.

The mountain path wound and twisted, making it impossible for horses to gallop.

Cao Yun had no choice but to abandon his horse. He leaped down and continued pursuing Li Muguang.

"Zhao Zhi."

Before entering the winding path, Cao Yun turned back and called Zhao Zhi once more.

Zhao Zhi gazed at Cao Yun with an indifferent expression, then looked toward the vanished third chief, Li Muguang. His eyelids lowered slightly, and something strange flickered in his eyes.

These people truly took him for a fool.

Still, Zhao Zhi wanted to see what methods and confidence they truly possessed.

With that thought, Zhao Zhi clenched his fists. Two streams of Innate Perfection inner energy circulated through his body, and with a flash of movement, he followed.

As he dismounted, the Su Family's Innate Warrior and the Tao Family's Innate Warrior dismounted as well.

At the end of the winding mountain path stood a cave.

Zhao Zhi arrived before the cave. After examining it for a few moments, he entered with considerable vigilance.

After walking for a short while, he found himself unharmed, until he reached a spacious cavern.

Li Muguang, the third chief of Flying Cloud Stronghold, and Constable Cao Yun stood side by side. To their right stood another Innate Warrior with a sickly pale face.

Li Muguang glanced at Zhao Zhi and smiled. "Zhao Zhi, you truly have courage."

Zhao Zhi looked calmly at Li Muguang, tilting his head slightly as his eyes shifted behind him. The Su Family's Innate Warrior and the Tao Family's Innate Warrior had blocked the way out.

Seeing that there were only a few people here, Cao Yun frowned and asked in a low voice, "Why has the first chief not come?"

"The first chief has important matters to handle and cannot come for the time being. But arrangements have already been made to deal with Zhao Zhi."

After saying that, Li Muguang pulled out a longbow that gleamed with an eerie, cold light.