Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 190 Night Raid on Flying Dragon Mountain, Slaying the Bandit Leader (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

This sum of money and grain seems huge, but it only amounts to a little over 300,000 talismans.

If the funds were raised by the major clans and wealthy households in the village, each family would contribute only about ten thousand coins, which wouldn't be too difficult.

Thinking of this, the person who had suggested the night raid on the camp secretly blamed Li Jin for not finishing his sentence, thus giving him a false alarm.

Since it's not necessary to spend so much money and supplies, there's no need to discuss it further.

The three families immediately divided the area into sections, and each sent servants to notify the wealthy households in each section to raise money and grain!

However, Jade Pearl Rice is extremely precious, and even wealthy households in the village, though they may have some spare money, probably do not have this kind of spiritual rice at home.

This stone of jade beads could only be prepared by three major surnames.

As for the remaining talisman money and crescent-shaped rice, the wealthy households in the village could certainly afford it!

As night fell, darkness deepened, and dark clouds covered the sky, obscuring the stars and moon.

The world was pitch black, except for a few campfires in the camp, which cast a soft glow that illuminated the resolute faces.

The thirty soldiers who were following Zhao Xian in preparing for the night raid on Feilong Mountain were already fully armored, holding ring-pommel swords, and standing tall and straight.

In the camp.

His aura was calm and composed, but his eyes shone with fierce fighting spirit.

Lifting the curtain, Zhao Xian stepped out of the military tent, his gaze slowly sweeping over the thirty soldiers in front of him.

Among these thirty people were his clansmen who had followed him for a long time, the villagers of Shanghuting who patrolled the village together, slaying demons and bandits, and the villagers of Wohu Township who had recently joined the team but were exceptionally brave.

"Tonight, gentlemen, follow me in a night raid on Flying Dragon Mountain, utterly annihilate the bandits, and avenge our fallen brothers!" His words were dripping with murderous intent. Zhao Xian gave the order, "Let's go!"

The group bowed respectfully and walked in a line toward the camp gate.

Just as Zhao Xian was about to step forward, a figure suddenly stepped forward and raised his hand to stop him.

Turning my head, I saw it was Liu Ping.

"Lord, this is a protective magic artifact that Fellow Daoist Chen asked me to send." Liu Ping raised his hand and opened his palm. A jade pendant lay quietly, its spiritual light faintly emanating a warm aura.

Slightly startled, Zhao Xian silently nodded, took the jade pendant, and tucked it into his robe.

A quick scan with his divine sense revealed that this was actually a mid-grade magic artifact with four magical restrictions!

"Please convey my thanks to Fellow Daoist Chen!"

Zhao Xian imprinted a divine sense mark into the jade pendant, glanced at the people who remained behind, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and then turned and left without any hesitation!

As the footsteps outside faded into the distance, Zhao Cheng leaned against the couch in one of the military tents, his face still quite pale. Looking at the top of the tent, a bitter smile appeared on his face.

After a long while, Zhao Cheng looked around at Zhao Zong, Xu Hua, and Xu Fu, who were also seriously injured, and sighed helplessly, "If we could all reach the Bone Refining level, the brothers would not have suffered such heavy casualties in today's battle, and Ah Xian would not have needed to risk his life to launch a night raid on Flying Dragon Mountain."

"In the end, it was we who dragged Ah Xian down."

Upon hearing this, all three wore bitter smiles and looked guilty.

As Zhao Cheng said, if there had been a few more top-tier martial artists in this battle, the losses would not have been so severe, and Zhao Xian would not have had to risk his life alone.

Only Zhao Ji, upon hearing this, sighed softly and remained silent, his heart filled with self-reproach.

Meanwhile, in a small military tent to the side of the main tent, Chen Yuanqing, dressed in a blue robe, sat at a table, intently grinding herbs and preparing a healing powder.

She was not good at fighting and could not go to war with the army. All she could do was to prepare medicine and treat more wounded soldiers to lighten Zhao Xian's burden.

Feilong Mountain.

The once bustling and lively mountain village is now eerily silent, with only a few scattered lights flickering in the night, creating a particularly desolate scene.

The news of their hasty retreat during the day had already spread throughout the entire mountain stronghold, causing the bandits left behind to lose their morale and live in constant fear.

After a fierce battle, out of four hundred men, only a dozen or so cavalrymen who fought their way out of the encirclement with their leader survived, and less than a hundred men managed to return to the mountain stronghold alive.

Of the seven leaders, only the eldest leader returned in a sorry state; the other six all perished at the foot of the mountain.

This is the first time the bandits of Feilong Mountain have suffered such heavy losses since their uprising, leaving them almost completely weakened and on the verge of annihilation.

Inside the council hall, the lights were dim, and several bandits knelt on the ground, their foreheads touching the ground, trembling.

On either side of the hall stood two armored servants with stern faces, exuding a murderous aura and staring coldly at the bandits on the ground.

"Chief, these men tried to escape down the mountain under cover of darkness, but were caught on the spot by the patrolling brothers. We have brought them here to be dealt with by the chief!" One of the armored attendants bowed respectfully to the chief sitting on the main seat and reported.

"If that's the case, why bring them to see me?" The chieftain leaned back on his throne, his eyes slightly closed. His tone was languid, yet chillingly cold. "According to the rules of the stronghold, just deal with them."

"Boss, spare us! Please spare us, boss!" Upon hearing this, the bandits kneeling on the ground were terrified.

The bandits immediately kowtowed repeatedly, their foreheads bruised and bleeding, staining the ground red with blood.

Tears streaming down his face, he pleaded desperately.

"Shut up!" The leader frowned and shouted sternly.

The attendants on both sides immediately understood and raised their hands to slap the heads of the men hard!

"Bang bang bang!" Several muffled thuds were heard, and several bandits immediately fainted, collapsing to the ground like rotten mud.

"Drag them away and deal with them according to the rules!" The leader waved his hand, his tone indifferent, as if he were dealing with a few insignificant objects rather than a few lives.

At a command, several more bandits entered the hall and dragged the unconscious bandits out.

Leaving the mountain without permission is a serious crime in the mountain stronghold. Now, when everyone is in a state of panic, these people have undoubtedly run into the line of fire and are doomed to die.

"All of you, leave." Suddenly, the chieftain opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping coldly over his close attendants on both sides, and said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, the attendants on both sides bowed carefully and withdrew, gently closing the wooden door of the hall without making a sound.

"Come out." Once there was no one else in the hall, the leader looked towards a corner to one side, his tone quite indifferent.

Before the words were finished, a flash of light appeared, and a figure appeared out of thin air in the corner, then slowly walked towards a seat on the side.

The Moon Pearl above the dome cast a soft, clear light, and under its illumination, one could see a refined young scholar in a blue robe.

"Lord Yun, in today's battle, Flying Dragon Mountain suffered heavy losses, losing more than half of its forces and in great distress." After taking his seat, the scholar in the blue robe looked up at the chief leader seated at the head of the table and asked with a smile, "I have come on the orders of the envoy to inquire about Lord Yun's next steps."

"Just here to ask what to do next?" Upon hearing this, the leader chuckled and looked at the scholar in blue robes below him, a mocking smile on his face.

"Now that things have come to this, questioning the military commander about why he rashly dispatched troops is futile." The scholar in the blue robe sighed and smiled helplessly.

"Zhao Xian divided his forces into two groups. One group is stationed at the foot of Feilong Mountain to mislead us; the other group is focusing its efforts on eliminating the remaining bandits within Ronghuai County." The chieftain looked at the scholar in the blue robe, his expression becoming more serious. "In just five or six days, we have wiped out more than ten bandit groups and beheaded hundreds!"

"This is why I am determined to besiege Zhao Xian!"

"Such a thing?!" the scholar in the blue robe exclaimed, his face filled with disbelief. He muttered to himself, "Split into two groups~"

"Lord Yun, is your force comprised of infantry and elite cavalry?"

"Exactly!" the chieftain immediately nodded in response, but a hint of surprise also appeared on his face.

After all, this Fellow Daoist Qi was unaware that Zhao Xian had divided his troops into two groups, so how could he see through the true and false deployment of the two groups of troops at a glance?

"That's exactly his usual way of using troops." The scholar in the blue robe smiled bitterly. "Since Zhao Xian took command of the army, he has been most adept at using deception and deception to lure the enemy into a trap."

"Back then, when he quelled the demonic disturbances and banditry in Rongtai County, he used the same method. In just one month, he wiped out the demonic chaos and bandits throughout the entire area."

"Fellow Daoist Qi actually knows Zhao Xian?" The leader nodded slightly and asked tentatively with a smile.

"We only met a few times."

Sensing the probing in the other person's words, the scholar in the blue robe waved his hand, smiled indifferently, and brushed it off.

"Lord Yunjun, your stronghold now has no more than a hundred soldiers. What are your plans for the future?"

"Naturally, we should recruit more soldiers and allow them to recuperate." The chieftain continued solemnly, "Although Zhao Xian won this battle, it was a Pyrrhic victory. At least half of his soldiers were killed or wounded."

"Feilong Mountain is steep and easy to defend, so it is safe and secure for the time being."

"Within a month, we can gather several hundred more people."

"In that case, I will convey these words to you envoys." The scholar in the blue robe immediately nodded in agreement.

At the same time, a series of soft, rustling footsteps could be heard from the dense forest at the foot of the mountain.

The night was as dark as ink, and two crimson eyes flashed briefly in the darkness before disappearing in an instant.

A winding and rugged path suddenly came into view.

Dispersing the magical power in his eyes, Zhao Xian took the lead and rushed forward.

Dozens of soldiers followed closely behind, holding their breath and moving slowly.

According to the confessions of the captured bandits, the stronghold was located halfway up the mountain, accessible only by this narrow path, with passes and sentries set up along the way, forming layers of defense.

Thinking about the pass the bandits had mentioned, Zhao Xian took out a small crossbow from his storage bag and carefully crept forward under the cover of night.

Using the Spirit Eye Technique again, sure enough, several figures were hidden deep in the dense forest.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"

With a flick of the finger, the crossbow bolts fired in rapid succession, instantly felling several people hidden in the shadows.

"Walk!"

Zhao Xian gave a low shout, and the soldiers behind him immediately followed steadily.

Feilong Mountain has three passes and nine strategic points, with more than ten sentry posts, both visible and hidden, making it extremely well-defended.

However, Zhao Xian used his magic to conceal his tracks, and he silently eliminated all the passes and checkpoints along the way.

About half an hour later, the group arrived at the gate of the mountain stronghold.

The gate to the village was tall and heavy, and the walls were built of stone blocks, reaching a height of more than two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).

"One, two, three..."

'

By the dim light of the torch, Zhao Xian counted carefully and found that there were eight bandits guarding the gate.

With so many bandits guarding the gate, stealth assassination was no longer an option; a direct assault was the only way forward.

Zhao Xian put away his bow and crossbow, and slowly drew his ring-pommel sword from his waist. The soldiers behind him also drew their swords, ready to attack.

"kill!"

A furious roar echoed through the forest as Zhao Xian used his lightness technique to pounce on the village gate like a tiger descending a mountain.

The distance of more than ten zhang was covered in an instant.

Before the gatekeepers could react, Zhao Xian had already rushed to their side.

His movements were as agile and swift as a swimming fish, and his long sword swept across the necks of several people.

In just a few breaths, all the guards on either side of the gate perished under their blades.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Only then did the bandits guarding the stockade wall come to their senses, their faces filled with fear as they shouted warnings.

"Clatter!"

With the gates of the stockade tightly shut, Zhao Xian used his toes to push off the wall several times, then leaped onto the top of the wall, only to be met by a long spear thrusting towards him.

"Snap!"

A flash of cold light, and the spear snapped in two.

Zhao Xian lunged forward, flicked his wrist, and with one stroke, cleaved the armored bandit to the ground.

He then moved like the wind, sweeping across the entire stockade wall.

With Zhao Xian in front to hold back the enemy, the soldiers outside the camp also took advantage of the situation to climb the wall.

"Form ranks and charge into the stronghold!"

Zhao Xian roared, and the soldiers formed ranks and charged up the steps into the camp.

Five people per team, six teams staggered together, crushing the startled and panicked bandits.

With Zhao Xian leading the way, the group was invincible wherever they went, and no one could stop them.

The thieves, who had just been hastily awakened, had barely stepped out of the house when they were hacked to pieces before they could even react.

"Don't panic! Form ranks and meet the enemy! Meet the enemy!"

Just then, several heavily armored bandits rushed out and shouted to stop the panicked crowd.

Before the words were even finished, a fireball roared through the air and landed directly in the center of the group!

"boom!"

The explosion was deafening, flames shot into the sky, and several ruthless bandits were instantly thrown to the ground by the blast wave.

Before the men could even struggle to their feet, still dazed and confused, a squad of soldiers pounced forward and, using the gaps in their armor, swiftly slit their throats.

"Surrender immediately! Those who surrender will not be killed!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens!

Without these few ruthless bandits leading the way, and seeing their companions fall one after another, the remaining bandits could no longer suppress their fear and abandoned their weapons, scattering in all directions to flee.

Zhao Xian and his group broke through the barriers and charged straight toward the mountain stronghold's council hall.

At the same time, several armored attendants rushed into the council hall, their expressions grave and urgent.

"Chief! Outsiders have launched a night attack on the mountain stronghold and are already close by!" The head servant reported urgently, bowing.

"Who is in charge?"

"It's dark and we can't see clearly," the servant replied solemnly.

"This old friend of Fellow Daoist Qi is indeed decisive and efficient." The leader looked at the scholar in blue robes to his lower left and sighed softly.

The scholar in the blue robe was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly understood what he meant.

"Follow me to meet the enemy!" The chieftain suddenly stood up, smiling calmly. "As for Fellow Daoist Qi, go ahead!"

"I am acquainted with Zhao Xian, but I cannot reveal my identity to him. I hope Lord Yun will forgive me!"

The scholar in the blue robe immediately gave a wry smile, stood up, and said helplessly.

"It's alright!"

The leader waved his hand dismissively and said.

After saying this, the leader stepped down the steps and went straight out of the hall.

The scholar in the blue robe looked at his retreating figure, let out a long sigh, and then disappeared silently into the shadows.

"die!"

A flash of cold light, and Zhao Xian beheaded the armored bandit in front of him with a single stroke. He then stood frozen, sword in hand, watching the tall figure slowly approach.

"Zhao Xian!" The newcomer sized him up, then coldly demanded, "Why have you trespassed into my stronghold and pressed me so relentlessly?"

"So you are the chief of Flying Dragon Mountain?" Zhao Xian looked him over for a moment, then smiled calmly. "May I ask your esteemed name, fellow Daoist?"

My name is Yun Chong.

"Judging from your extraordinary demeanor, fellow Daoist, you are certainly not some country bumpkin. May I ask your background?"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly, then continued to ask with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Yun Chong's expression suddenly darkened, but he remained silent and slowly drew the ring-pommel sword from his waist.

"kill!"

With a soft shout, Zhao Xian leaped forward!

"Ding!"

The sound of metal clashing was crisp and piercing, and sparks flew everywhere.

A powerful force surged along the blade, causing Zhao Xian to stagger back several steps to regain his footing.

Upon seeing this, the soldiers behind him were about to rush forward and surround the bandit leader.

"Leave three men to guard this place; the rest of you, in teams of three, will split up to search and wipe out the mountain stronghold and eliminate any remaining bandits!"

Zhao Xian raised his hand to stop the soldiers behind him and slowly gave his orders.

"I will obey your command, General!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers all agreed in unison, and immediately split into three groups, turned around and left, decisively and without any hesitation.

Yun Chong took in the whole scene, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This young man, barely twenty, had a surprisingly methodical approach to training troops.

"Marshal~"

Yun Chong murmured, a chilling killing intent flashing in his eyes, his palm unconsciously tightening around the hilt of his knife.

He sat alone in this mountain stronghold, holding the title of military commander but without the real power!

The thief opposite him was already famous throughout the county and township, so how could he not be a little envious!

"Give me your life!"

Yun Chong roared angrily and swung his sword down again.

In a secluded corner dozens of feet away, a figure in a green robe stood quietly, silently watching the battle unfold.

"Bo Zhang————"

He murmured something, followed by a sigh.

"Bang!"

With a sudden burst of strength, the bluestone pavement suddenly cracked, and spiderweb-like cracks spread out. Zhao Xian was not afraid at all and met the attack with his sword.

In the blink of an eye, the two men's swords clashed, and they became entangled in a fierce battle.

The dim firelight flickered, and cries of agony rose and fell all around, making the life-or-death duel all the more sinister and chilling.

"Bang!"

Another fierce clash ensued, and both men retreated three steps, their expressions extremely grave.

"Fellow Daoist, your cultivation has probably reached the pinnacle of Bone Refinement, hasn't it?" Zhao Xian suddenly asked in a deep voice.

"You have quite a keen eye." Yun Chong nodded slightly and said slowly, "Judging from your solid foundation and abundant blood and qi, it seems that you have also perfected the two realms of skin and muscles and tendons."

"Fellow Daoist, you have already embarked on the path of cultivation. You should be soaring through the heavens and earth, riding the wind. Why confine yourself to a corner of the mountains and end up with the reputation of a bandit?" Zhao Xian advised sincerely. "Why not join a powerful family and use their influence to cultivate, rising rapidly in the world? Wouldn't that be much better?"

"A powerful family? Using their influence for cultivation?" Yun Chong scoffed, a disdainful smirk playing on his lips. "I come from a powerful family; the infighting and backstabbing within are things a country bumpkin like you wouldn't understand!"

"Zhao Xian, don't be so pleased with your current power and happiness; one day you will surely suffer the consequences!"

"If you want war, then let's fight. No need for further words!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian stopped talking and turned his blade, rising up once more to attack.

"kill!"

In the blink of an eye, the two were locked in combat again.

Compared to before, Zhao Xian's swordsmanship became even more fierce and swift, with the blade flashing like a shadow, each move aimed directly at vital points!

Meanwhile, Yun Zhong on the other side was starting to find it increasingly difficult to cope!

"At such a young age, his swordsmanship has already reached a level of consummate skill and unparalleled mastery!"

Suppressing his shock, Yun Chong had no choice but to do his best to block it.

As the saying goes, prolonged defense inevitably leads to defeat. After more than ten rounds, Zhao Xian found a tricky opening, and with a slash of his blade, he cut a wound in Yun Chong's arm.

A piercing pain shot through his arm, but Yun Chong endured it and continued to fight to the death.

Suddenly, an armored attendant rushed out from the side and swung his sword straight at Zhao Xian's head.

"Ding!"

In a flash, Zhao Xian moved like a fish swimming in water, his feet slipping lightly, and instantly dodged to the side of the servant.

With a flash of cold light, Zhao Xian didn't stop and turned around to pounce on Yun Zhong again!

The armored attendant ran a few steps before collapsing to the ground, a gush of blood gushing from his neck!

"Kill these bandits!"

Seeing Zhao Xian being ambushed, the soldiers behind him roared and immediately surrounded and killed the remaining armored attendants. The sounds of fighting echoed through the mountain stronghold once again.

Meanwhile, the duel between Zhao Xian and Yun Zhong had reached a fever pitch.

Wounds kept appearing on the leader's body, and half of his robe was already soaked in blood.

Suddenly, a wisp of fire ignited out of thin air and coiled around Yun Chong's ankle.

Obstructed by the fire snake, Yun Zhong's figure faltered. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhao Xian closed in, and with a flash of cold light, the tip of his knife pierced through Yun Zhong's chest!

The scorching magical power that surged forth adhered to the blade and instantly rushed into Yun Zhong's body, destroying all his internal organs!

"Excellent swordsmanship!"

Despite feeling the burning heat emanating from his body and suffering severe injuries, Yun Chong remained calm and looked at Zhao Xian with frank praise.

"This sword is named Wavebreaker, and it comes from Taizhou. It is a superior weapon, so I will give it to you."

After speaking, Yun Chong slowly closed his eyes, and his breath ceased.

May you rest in peace, fellow Daoist.

Zhao Xian sighed softly and slowly withdrew his long sword.

Clang!

With a crisp sound, the ring-pommel sword in his hand was broken in two!

"What a magnificent wave-piercing sword!"

Zhao Xian discarded the broken hilt of the sword, bent down to pick up the Broken Wave Sword from the ground, examined it closely, and his eyes were full of amazement.

He then untied the scabbard from Yun Chong's waist and tied it to his own.

Just as Zhao Xian turned around, a golden light unexpectedly shot out from afar!

The golden light arrived in an instant, and Zhao Xian only felt a strong wind coming from behind his head, but he had no time to dodge!

"Bang!"

A deafening explosion rang out, golden light shone everywhere, and dust filled the air.

As the dust settled, Zhao Xian had already been thrown several feet away. After landing, his gaze was fixed on a corner of the mountain stronghold in the distance.

In the darkness, a figure silently departed.

"Who is it! Who on earth is it?!"

Suppressing his fear, Zhao Xianqiang searched himself up and down, only to find that he was not injured.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. Zhao Xian reached into his pocket and took out the green jade pendant given to him by Chen Yuanqing. Upon closer inspection, he saw that a fine crack had appeared on the surface of the jade pendant.

"A single strike shattered a mid-grade protective magic artifact!" Zhao Xian's heart skipped a beat. "That's at least Foundation Establishment level power!"

"Is a Foundation Establishment cultivator hiding in this mountain stronghold?"

Upon having this thought, Zhao Xian shook his head again. If there were a Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of the stronghold at this moment, he and the soldiers under his command would have been chopped into mincemeat long ago!

"It seems that person only used a Foundation Establishment level spirit talisman!"

"But who exactly is this person who made this move in secret?"