Dual Transmigration: American Prison, Surviving to a Fantasy Development Stage

This not only concerns the future and destiny of the disciples, but also directly affects the reputation, status, and support and resources that the martial arts school can obtain from the government.

If one or two students can become martial arts champions, the martial arts school will immediately rise to prominence and become a leader in the field.

Now that the Huang and Tian families are out of the running, it means that their disciples will have far fewer strong competitors in the local selection process.

The number of available spots might even increase, which is a good thing in a way.

The two couldn't help but start plotting how to use this opportunity to further expand their martial arts school.

The group traveled along the official road for about two hours. The terrain gradually became rugged, and the majestic outline of Mount Fuhu in the distance became increasingly clear.

At noon, the large group finally arrived safely at the foot of Fuhu Mountain.

"stop"

Tuoba Ku raised his right arm and shouted in a deep voice.

The long queue slowly came to a stop.

Everyone looked up and saw that Mount Fuhu was steep and densely forested.

There is only one narrow path leading up the mountain, worn white by countless footsteps.

The roadside was overgrown with weeds that reached above knee-high, the terrain was complex, and visibility was limited.

Tuoba Ku frowned slightly.

In such terrain, it is difficult for a large force, especially soldiers in armor, to deploy quickly, let alone maintain formation.

Blindly venturing into the mountains can easily lead to ambushes or being separated by complex terrain.

He thought for a moment and then made a decision.

He turned to Jiang Hu and Li Yong and instructed them, "Master Jiang, Master Li."

The army's march was hampered.

You two families, along with your disciples and the scattered martial artists, should follow this hunter and go up the mountain lightly to scout the way.

Remember to be very careful and leave clear markings along the way.

I led the main force of my guard to follow, and went up the mountain following your markings.

If you encounter a small group of bandits or hidden lookouts, try to deal with them quietly.

If you discover the main force of the enemy or a dangerous pass, do not act rashly. Immediately return and report back. Understand?

This is to send them to scout ahead.

Jiang Hu and Li Yong exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes, but the city lord's order was not to be questioned.

"Yes, sir." The two men clasped their hands in greeting and accepted the order. They then rode back to their respective teams to select personnel and assign tasks.

Lin Feng knew the route to Fuhu Mountain like the back of his hand.

The team is currently located about five miles away from the mountainside where the stronghold is situated.

It doesn't sound far, but the mountain path is rugged and covered by trees, making it quite tiring to walk.

Lin Feng didn't stand out; he stood quietly in the middle of the group, trying to stay as far away from Yang Laowu as possible.

For people who are beyond your control, the best course of action is to avoid them.

Because they were unfamiliar with the area and needed to be wary of possible ambushes, the team did not advance quickly.

They walked and stopped, carefully discerning the path, and it took them nearly an hour to gradually approach the area where the stronghold was located.

Jiang Hu, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped, raised his right fist, and shouted in a low voice, "Stop, be quiet."

The rustling footsteps that had been there suddenly froze. Everyone held their breath, crouched low, and unconsciously gripped their weapons, nervously looking around.

Jiang Hu crouched down, using the trees as cover, and carefully peered ahead for a moment.

Then he whispered to Li Yong, who was also bowing down beside him, "Master Li, do you see those wisps of smoke rising over there?"

It vaguely resembles a mountain stronghold?

Li Yonghe stared intently in the direction Jiang Hu pointed.

Sure enough, several wisps of pale gray smoke rose into the sky above the wooded valley ahead, drifting away with the wind. They were almost invisible unless you looked closely.

A hint of joy flashed in Li Yonghe's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by caution.

He lowered his voice and replied, "It seems pretty close."

The terrain there is relatively flat, making it a good place to set up camp.

This must be the Tiger-Taming Mountain Stronghold.

Jiang Hu nodded: "The enemy situation is unclear, and the situation inside the stronghold is unknown. We cannot act rashly."

"Master Li, I think it would be better to hold back for now and send someone down the mountain immediately to report the exact location and situation to Lord Tuoba, so that the army can come and make a decision."

"That's exactly right," Li Yonghe completely agreed with this prudent approach.

He immediately turned around, beckoned to his closed-door disciple, and whispered a few instructions in his ear.

The disciple accepted the order and quickly turned around to sneak down the mountain along the way he had come.

"Everyone should take cover under trees and rocks and hide on the spot."

Be on guard and do not act without orders.

"Eat something to fill your stomach first, we might have to fight soon."

Jiang Hu and Li Yonghe relayed the order in a low voice.

The 60 or so martial artists quickly dispersed, each finding a suitable hiding place, concealing themselves behind dense bushes or thick tree trunks.

However, they were unaware that not far from their hiding place, a pair of sharp eyes had already taken in their every move.

He was a thin man dressed in coarse cloth, the color of which was similar to the withered leaves in the forest. He clung to the branches of a large tree like a gecko, almost blending into the background.

Seeing Jiang Hu and his men stop, lie in ambush, and send one of them down the mountain, a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

Without alerting anyone, he slid down from the tree like a ghost, landing silently, and quickly moved through the woods, disappearing into the depths of the forest in a few leaps.

A moment later, the figure of the thin man appeared in the Hall of Righteousness, the largest wooden and stone structure in Fuhu Mountain Stronghold.

"Boss, something terrible has happened!"

Thieves are attacking the mountain.

He rushed into the hall, panting and shouting.

Above the hall, a woman leaned against a chair covered with a complete, colorful tiger skin.

She wore a light blue outfit that allowed for easy movement, which accentuated her slender and agile figure.

Her face was without makeup, yet her complexion was as white as snow and exquisitely beautiful.

It was none other than Gu Yu, the current leader of Fuhu Mountain.

Upon hearing the report, Gu Yu slightly raised her bright eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across them, but she remained calm.

"How many people? Where did they go?"

Her voice was clear and crisp, yet as pure as a mountain spring.

"No fewer than 50 people. Judging from their attire, they are not government soldiers, but rather disciples of a martial arts school in the city."

They are currently lying in ambush in the dense forest on the hillside about 300 meters northeast of the mountain stronghold, showing no signs of an immediate attack.

However, they sent one person down the mountain, seemingly to deliver a message or call for reinforcements.

"I guess the officers and soldiers are behind them." The thin man spoke very quickly, but his expression was clear.

"Martial arts school disciples? Does Fuhu Mountain have a grudge against them?" Gu Yuxiu frowned slightly, her eyes filled with even more doubt.

Since she took over Fuhu Mountain with absolute force and established rules to restrain her subordinates, the stronghold is no longer as unscrupulous as it used to be.

They mainly made a living by hunting wild animals in the mountains and gathering mountain products, and only symbolically charged passing caravans a small toll.

In her view, Fuhu Mountain was far from being a menace to the region, so why was such a large-scale siege and suppression necessary?

"Keep an eye on them, and report any unusual activity immediately."

"Pass down the order: everyone be on high alert and prepare to meet the enemy."

Gu Yu quickly issued the order. Despite his doubts, the enemy was already at the door, and preparing for battle was the top priority.

"Yes, Boss." The thin man accepted the order and quickly left again.

Outside the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, Zhao Erniu and the others, who were practicing martial arts in the open space, had already heard the news.

When the order to prepare for battle was issued, these men, who had lived on the edge of death, showed no fear; instead, their faces revealed a mixture of excitement and ferocity.

This was especially true of Zhao Erniu.

He had long harbored a burning desire to storm into Yongguan County and avenge the tragic death of Zhao Erbao.

It's just that it was suppressed by the valley rain before, and then it was delayed by that low-level demon beast that suddenly appeared.

That beast was exceptionally ferocious, and it was only through Gu Yu's personal intervention that it was finally killed.

These days, they eat the flesh of demonic beasts that contain pure blood and energy every day, and practice martial arts to digest it. Their strength has improved, and they are just worried about where to test their results and release their energy.

"Perfect timing! My big stick has been itching for a good time!" Zhao Erniu roared, his eyes gleaming with malice.

As he spoke, he put on a simple leather armor crudely made from the tough outer skin of that demonic beast. Although it was light, its defensive capabilities were not low.

It can withstand sword and blade strikes.

He picked up the incredibly heavy wrought iron rod, rubbing his hands together, ready to fight, waiting for the enemy to attack.

Under Gu Yu's guidance and discipline, the strength of Fuhu Mountain Village has quietly increased.

Down the mountain, the city lord Tuoba Ku, having received confirmation, did not rush to launch an attack. He understood the importance of striking while the iron was hot.

He ordered the entire army to eat dry rations as they marched.

They left the horses at the foot of the mountain and walked up the mountain.

Following the marks left by Jiang Hu and the others, they quickly arrived at the open area in front of Fuhu Mountain Stronghold.

Tuoba Ku surveyed the mountain stronghold before him.

The village was built against the mountain, on a relatively flat and open slope halfway up the mountain. The simple walls and gates were made of large logs and stones.

The location wasn't particularly rugged, but it was spacious enough, which pleased him.

Such terrain is conducive to the deployment of troops and the exploitation of their advantages.

They were preparing to order their troops to form ranks and launch a probing attack.

Just then, the gate of Fuhu Mountain stronghold slowly opened from the inside with a dull creak.

A man, dressed in animal skin and wearing coarse gray trousers, carrying a heavy, long iron rod, strode out alone.

He held his staff across the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Tuoba Ku, who was standing at the front of the formation.

Lin Feng took a look and recognized him as his old acquaintance, Zhao Erniu.

Zhao Erniu stared coldly at the crowd.

The sound was loud and clear, like muffled thunder rolling through the mountains:

"I originally thought it was some ignorant little brat who had broken into the mountains."

I didn't expect you to be the city lord. I'm so sorry for not greeting you properly.

Tuoba Ku narrowed his eyes. "You're Zhao Erniu?"

"That's right, it's your Grandpa Niu."

"This city lord values ​​talent and can show you a way out."