Chapter 12: Black Mountain Stronghold, A Novice in the Martial World
“Chief Constable, leave this to us.”
“We can handle these hundred or so men.”
Chief Constable Shi and his constables were brimming with enthusiasm; it had been a long time since they had wielded real weapons. If they didn’t act soon, their skills would rust away.
“Are you sure?”
“This Liu family head isn’t a fool.”
“You don’t think he just relies on these servants to guard the gate, do you?”
Lu Yuan pointed toward several shadowy figures hidden among the crowd.
These individuals, in both demeanor and other aspects, were entirely different from the surrounding servants.
They carried a strong scent of blood.
They had been stained by blood, they had killed.
They were certainly no ordinary servants.
Most importantly, Lu Yuan could see their data panels.
NPC: Zhou Dahai [Ninth Leader of the Black Mountain Stronghold]
Level: 30 [Seventh Rank]
Race: Human
Strength: 600
Defense: 300
Health: 1000
Stamina: 1000
Mana: 100
Iron Sand Palm, Snow-Walking Step, Black Wind Blade Technique…
“Chief Constable, what do you mean? There are hidden experts inside?”
“Yes.”
“All of these few are.”
“That one is the Ninth Leader of the Black Mountain Stronghold, a seventh-rank martial warrior.”
Lu Yuan calmly pointed to the leader among them.
“The others beside him are also skilled fighters from the Black Mountain Stronghold, eighth-rank martial warriors.”
“You might not be their match.”
Zhou Dahai, the Ninth Leader of the Black Mountain Stronghold hidden among the servants, turned pale the moment Lu Yuan revealed him.
It wasn’t shameful to be discovered.
What annoyed him was Lu Yuan’s attitude.
This country bumpkin had such an arrogant demeanor.
I am a seventh-rank martial warrior, seventh rank.
Since you know I am the Ninth Leader of the Black Mountain Stronghold, how dare you act like this?
Do you want to die?
Zhou Dahai didn’t sense any true energy within Lu Yuan. Although Lu Yuan’s physique was imposing, to a martial warrior’s eyes, he was just a robust ordinary man.
“People from the Black Mountain Stronghold?”
“But the Black Mountain Stronghold is over three hundred miles away from us.”
“How did his men end up here in Wangyou County?”
Constable Sun frowned, surprised that the Liu family was somehow connected to the Black Mountain Stronghold.
The Liu family had secrets deeper than anyone else.
“Old Sun, what do you mean by that?”
“Is the Black Mountain Stronghold very powerful?”
“What’s their background?”
“Tell me.”
A young constable nearby looked at Sun with curiosity. Since the Black Mountain Stronghold was so far from Wangyou County, their knowledge of it was almost nonexistent. They only knew it was a bandit stronghold.
“Powerful? Not exactly.”
“It’s just that the Black Mountain Stronghold has been developing rapidly.”
“It’s a new force that has risen in recent years.”
“At best, the Black Mountain Stronghold’s strength is considered middle to upper level. They have nine leaders, but except for the top three, the other six are just fillers.”
“For example, this one right here is just a filler.”
Hearing Constable Sun’s words, Zhou Dahai’s eyes instantly reddened as he glared fiercely.
He wished he could devour Sun whole.
Was that polite?
Was that respectful?
How could I be just a filler?
Seventh rank is hard to cultivate to.
And you call me a filler?
What about you?
A ninth-rank nobody, what right do you have to call me a filler?
“Are the top three leaders really strong?”
“To us, yes. But to Chief Constable, they’re just so-so.”
“The top three are all fifth-rank.”
Constable Sun spoke bluntly.
“Fifth rank? That’s it?”
“Fifth rank? What’s there to be afraid of?”
“Can they withstand one punch from our Chief Constable?”
“They can’t—they’re trash.”
Chief Constable Shi sneered disdainfully.
“I’m not afraid. Where did you see me afraid?”
“Then why the frown?”
“I frown because I don’t understand how the Liu family is connected to the Black Mountain Stronghold over hundreds of miles away.”
“That’s enough, that’s enough.”
The Liu family’s servants dispersed to the sides as Zhou Dahai approached with a grim expression.
He finally could no longer hold back. These people were weak, yet so arrogant.
They dared to critique the Black Mountain Stronghold openly in front of him.
How could he tolerate that?
He was no coward.
“Do you want to die?”
“Or are you the one who wants to die?”
“What trash is the Black Mountain Stronghold?”
“To think there’s a force daring to set foot in Wangyou County?”
“Have you forgotten the renown of our Chief Constable?”
“Do you know the value of the Blood-Handed Butcher, Lord Lu?”
“If your Black Mountain Stronghold wants to die, so be it.”
Several constables stepped forward, looking down on the Black Mountain Stronghold members.
When the constables mentioned the name Blood-Handed Butcher Lord Lu, the servants around visibly lost confidence.
Some even trembled slightly.
Clearly, they knew of Lu Yuan’s notorious reputation.
Rumor had it that Chief Constable Lu’s favorite pastime was tearing people apart alive, drinking their blood, devouring raw flesh—a true devil.
Who wouldn’t fear such a demon?
“Blood-Handed Butcher? Never heard of him. Is there really such a person in the martial world?”
Zhou Dahai shook his head. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t recall the details.
“Hahaha.”
“So that’s how it is.”
“So you’ve never heard of our Chief Constable’s name.”
“You’re just an inexperienced rookie. No wonder you dared to trespass in Wangyou County.”
Sun and the others looked at Zhou Dahai and his men as if they were fools.
Five years ago, Lu Yuan’s name spread throughout the martial world, making Wangyou County a forbidden zone for martial forces.
No martial faction dared act recklessly in Wangyou County.
“You’re just hired hands.”
“I’ll give you one last chance.”
“Lay down your weapons.”
“Or you’ll share the same guilt as the Liu family.”
Lu Yuan didn’t regard the Black Mountain Stronghold men at all; his gaze turned toward the servants.
The Liu family’s crimes were their own affair.
There was no need for them to clash with the government for the Liu family.
That was a capital offense.
A few meager coins a month—was it worth dying for the Liu family?
“I…”
One servant suddenly trembled all over.
Lu Yuan’s oppressive aura was overwhelming.
It completely shattered his fragile resolve.
“I won’t fight anymore.”
He dropped his weapon and ran without looking back.
His flight prompted the rest of the unsteady servants nearby to flee as well.
Originally over a hundred, now only about a third remained.
This remaining third seemed prepared to live and die with the Liu family.
“Very well, I respect your choice.”
“Attack.”
“Disobey and be killed.”
Lu Yuan waved his hand and issued the order to storm the Liu family.
“Yes.”
Chief Constable Shi and the others immediately drew their long blades and charged forward.
“Charge! It’s time to repay the master!”
The constables and servants clashed in a chaotic melee.
Outside the circle, Zhou Dahai’s eyes were fixed on Lu Yuan.
For some reason, he felt an inexplicable panic within himself.
It was as if he was about to die.
His breathing grew rapid.
“No, he can’t be an expert.”
“He doesn’t even have true energy.”
“Blood-Handed Butcher Lord Lu is just a scarecrow. I don’t believe it, I absolutely don’t.”