Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 90 Taking Down the Stronghold (Part 1)

Pei Yan looked up at the steep cliff that seemed to stretch endlessly to the horizon: "Are we really going to go up from here?"

Pei Qinghe remained expressionless: "Yes. Climbing up from here will allow us to sneak into White Tiger Stronghold without bloodshed. Once we're up there, we'll wait until the bandits are asleep in the middle of the night before making our move. This way, we can minimize casualties."

Mao Hongling looked up for a moment, feeling slightly dizzy, and her voice trembled slightly: "Qinghe, your plan is good. However, this cliff is too steep. Are you sure we can all climb up?"

"You'll know after you try it."

Pei Qinghe led the way, climbing onto the mountain rocks with the agility of a monkey.

Pei Yan followed closely behind Pei Qinghe. Although Mao Hongling claimed to be afraid, she actually climbed faster than Pei Yan.

For over a year, these two hundred women had neglected everything else, focusing solely on martial arts training and experiencing several real battles, resulting in rapid progress for everyone. After the initial shock, they quickly calmed down and followed Pei Qinghe, climbing the cliff step by step.

Long ropes were tied around their waists, and the five people worked together in groups, looking out for each other. When someone was too exhausted to continue, the others would pull on the rope to help.

Because of the treacherous terrain, the bandits of Baihu Village didn't set up any outposts here.

Three hours later, Pei Qinghe was the first to reach the top of the mountain.

Mao Hongling was the second to climb up, her palms were wet, and her forehead and back were covered in cold sweat. She was still shaken: "I finally made it up."

Pei Yan, who was the third to come up, pouted when she heard this: "Second sister-in-law, you're always like this. You say you can't do it, but when you really get serious, you're better than me."

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law is just modest, unlike you who likes to boast."

Mao Hongling is Pei Qinghe's second sister-in-law, and Pei Yan is her cousin. They are Pei Qinghe's closest right-hand women, but their personalities are completely different. Pei Yan is loyal, passionate, and impulsive, while Mao Hongling is overly cautious and meticulous, and occasionally appears somewhat timid.

Mao Hongling blushed at the praise, smiled, and revealed two shallow dimples.

Next, the Pei women climbed to the top of the mountain one by one. There were some close calls; some nearly fell because they lost their footing, but luckily they were tied with ropes and pulled back by the four members of their group. This group was also the last to reach the top.

Pei Qinghe, who had been resting for half an hour, reached out and pulled the group of people up.

Zhou, the cousin's wife who came up last, looked embarrassed and ashamed: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I dragged them down."

Zhou is in his thirties this year, and his health is somewhat weak. He has only average talent in martial arts. Among these two hundred people, he is the least skilled and has the slowest reaction time.

In terms of actual skill, Zhou Shi was even inferior to Gu Lian, who had only been practicing martial arts for a few months. However, Zhou Shi was a daughter-in-law of the Pei family, loyal and reliable. When Pei Qinghe came to suppress White Tiger Stronghold, she still brought Zhou Shi with her.

Pei Qinghe smiled and comforted Zhou Shi: "Don't talk anymore, drink some water and eat some dry food, and rest for a while."

Zhou found a big tree, leaned against the trunk, ate a dry biscuit and drank half a bag of water. He closed his eyes to rest and unknowingly fell asleep, emitting soft snores.

Pei Qinghe lowered her voice: "Everyone, get some sleep. I'll wake you up when it's time to move out."

The moon slowly moved into the sky.

Pei Qinghe first woke up Pei Yan, who was snoring loudly, and then tugged at Mao Hongling's sleeve.

After the women awoke, they each drew their long swords and quietly followed Pei Qinghe. In the darkness, like a group of deadly demons, they crept into White Tiger Stronghold.

On the wooden building, the bandit on lookout duty yawned.

The next moment, a sharp arrow pierced the air and struck the bandit's throat. The bandit collapsed to the ground.

Pei Qinghe acted as scout, eliminating three sentry posts in succession. Using birdsong as a signal, he led his men to infiltrate the White Tiger Stronghold bandits' hideout. They broke down the door with sharp blades, entered without a word, and began killing. The bandits, fast asleep, were beheaded before they could even utter a scream.

Some were less agile. For example, Zhou lacked the strength to swing her knife, and the bandit, half-dead from the blows, let out a piercing scream. Zhou gritted her teeth and stabbed again.

This scream finally alerted some of the bandits. One of them regained consciousness, grabbed a weapon from under his pillow, and rushed out the door without even putting on his shoes. Then he was stabbed in the chest.

Pei Qinghe remained silent, continuing to slash and kill.

During the days of hiking through the mountains, she repeatedly instructed everyone that the first priority upon entering White Tiger Stronghold was to kill the bandits. Every one killed was a victory in itself. There were five or six hundred bandits in White Tiger Stronghold, while they only had two hundred. This battle required surprise, a victory against overwhelming odds, and a swift and decisive victory.

Pei Qinghe guarded a key position; anyone who wanted to break through would have to get past her.

She couldn't remember how many times she swung her knife or how many bandits she killed.

Pei Yan fought fiercely until she encountered a master wielding a long spear.

Pei Yan couldn't help but shout, "There's a tough one here!"

Pei Qinghe's gaze sharpened, and she stepped forward with a cold smile, drawing her knife. This tough guy was of average build, not particularly tall or strong, but his skills were exceptionally formidable.

This man was none other than Luo Hu, the leader of White Tiger Village.

Luo Hu was filled with shock and anger. Ever since he joined the bandits in the mountains five years ago, he had been living a life of ease, killing and robbing, enjoying a carefree existence. The White Tiger Stronghold was secluded, nestled against cliffs, so not only could no one find it, but even if the imperial army came looking for him, he could simply lock the gates and stay put, and he would be safe.

Where did these people come from?
Judging from their figures, they were all women!
They're all incredibly skilled!
As the gleaming blade hurtled towards him, Luo Hu raised his spear to parry, his right wrist jerking as he grew increasingly terrified.

Who is this?

Luo Hu had no time to think. His longsword moved like a whirlwind, each strike faster than the last. Blood soon appeared on his body.

"Who goes there!" Luo Hu shouted angrily, "State your name!"

Pei Yan wanted to sneer and shout, "I am Pei Yan, the one who will take your dog's life!" Unfortunately, her cousin Qinghe had instructed her that tonight, she was only allowed to kill and not speak. Besides, the one currently forcing Luo Hu to retreat step by step with her long sword swift as the wind wasn't her, but her cousin Qinghe.

Mao Hongling also held a long spear in her hand, and suddenly thrust it out. Luo Hu felt a sharp pain in his right leg, and his spear trembled.

Pei Qinghe spotted an opening and severed Luo Hu's right arm with a single stroke.

Luo Hu's screams shattered the heavens, and along with his right arm fell a long spear.

Without hesitation, Pei Qinghe beheaded Luo Hu with a single stroke.

Mao Hongling stepped forward, picked up Luo Hu's spear, weighed it in her hand, and was quite satisfied. She then casually replaced her original weapon.

Pei Qinghe used his long sword to lift Luo Hu's head and shouted, "Luo Hu is dead! Throw away your weapons and kneel down, or I will not kill you!"

Pei Yan raised her arms and shouted, and Mao Hongling and the others shouted in unison.

Luo Hu is dead!

They threw away their weapons!

Kneel down and you won't be killed!

(End of this chapter)