Chapter 009: Cutting Vegetables

It seems this is the only way. If we do not hand over the person, we will take them by force. Li Tinggui nodded, "Alright, everyone prepare. We will head to the mountain stronghold tomorrow." He then called over two soldiers and commanded, "You will stay near the mountain stronghold. If there is any movement, report back immediately."

At this moment, Li Tinggui and two others rushed over, brandishing their weapons directly at Huo Xini, and asked, "Where have you imprisoned my young master?"

Wang Lu heard that Wu Qianfu had already launched an attack, and General Huo was trapped. He shouted that it was bad news and immediately organized the remaining troops to block the enemy

To be honest, if it were not for the concern for these women and children merchants, those few individuals along with more than twenty soldiers could easily break out.

Huo Xini also smiled wryly, "If it is to be destroyed, then let it be. We shall seek another place."

Meng Zhixiang's son is in the mountain stronghold, unaware of how Wu Xiaowei plans to handle the situation? Huo Xini said, inwardly cursing Wu Qianfu's pretentiousness. Wasn't he the one who sent someone to demand a person from me yesterday?

Li sighed and said, "This indicates that the lives of the two children are still intact, blessed by the Bodhisattva"

You see that the spear, like surging waves, continuously sweeps away lives; you see that the blade, like the wild winds of the desert, relentlessly sweeps away heads

Guo Wei continued, "I am the aunt of Chai Rong. Upon hearing that the Chai family has encountered misfortune, I was sent to inquire. When I arrived at the Chai household, I learned that apart from Chai Rong, everyone else had perished. I searched everywhere and, after much effort, finally discovered that he was following a merchant in the tea trade"

Chopping vegetables? This metaphor tramples the dignity of life to a point of utter ruin

He recounted the situation at the mountain stronghold, and Guo Wei beside him said, "I was so eager to save the person that I almost angered them and endangered the child's life"

Wang Quanbin responded with a hearty laugh: "Haha, such a low caliber, it's like chopping vegetables, how can it be satisfying!"

Li Tinggui left only three soldiers to guard Li Shi and the others, while the rest, including Wu Zhuang, all rushed towards the mountain stronghold

more than two hundred

Huo Xini made a sound of acknowledgment, took up the long-handled axe, and set out of the camp with about ten followers

Without time for careful consideration, the Third Young Master was unharmed in the hands of Huo Xini. If he had fallen into the hands of Wu Qianfu, the outcome would have been unpredictable. Li Tinggui immediately made a judgment and shouted: "Kill the Mianzhou soldiers, assist the mountain stronghold." More than twenty people rushed forward with a roar.

Huo Xini recognized that he had seen these two individuals yesterday, which left him even more perplexed. Despite his confusion, the skills of these two individuals were indeed astonishing.

Li Tinggui clasped his fists and said, "If I cannot rescue the young master, I will present my head as a token of my failure"

After Wu Qianyu was promoted to the Governor of Mianzhou, he immediately arranged for his second brother, Wu Qianfeng, and his third brother, Wu Qianfu, to serve as military officers. Brothers fight together against tigers, and fathers and sons go into battle together

Huo Xini heard that Wu Qianfu ordered him to leave the camp to meet, and he was very angry

"Put down your weapons and stand over there!" Fu Yanquing shouted loudly.

Wang Quanbin stated: "His nephew is Chai Rong"

Huo Xini focused his gaze and recognized one of the individuals sent by Wu Qianfu yesterday to recruit people. Although puzzled, he showed no mercy as he swung his axe, decapitating two more enemies. "Kill!" he shouted, charging into the mountain stronghold along with the group.

How many people?" Li Tinggui asked anxiously

He commanded his two hundred or so subordinates to set off towards the mountain stronghold. Perhaps there was no need for the second brother at all; he could have flattened the stronghold by himself, he thought

He immediately summoned a messenger and ordered him to go to Mianzhou to urge the one thousand troops of Wu Qianfeng to hasten to the front line.

Huo Xini wielded his long axe, swinging it left and right, while incessantly cursing the ancestors of Wu Qianfu for eighteen generations, watching helplessly as the stronghold was breached

Wu Qianfu's triumph suddenly vanished. He saw a group of people rushing into the mountain stronghold and the library, displaying extraordinary bravery as they slaughtered the soldiers of Mianzhou.

The knife was thrown, dripping blood, flowing along his neck and onto his body

Thank you, Uncle Xie, for taking care of Rong'er. Chai Rong immediately bowed in gratitude

"Stop! Everyone, stop! It’s a misunderstanding, completely a misunderstanding!" Wu Qianfu shouted

Rest assured! Haha, Brother Wang, let us indulge once more!" As Fu Yanqing fought off his enemies, he joked with Wang Quanbin.

Not far along, I encountered a soldier who was stationed at the village gate, rushing towards me.

Wu Qianfu has seen many knives, but he has never seen this particular knife before

"This is good, this is good," Wu Qianfu said with a sly smile

Wang Lu reminded, "Be careful of deception"

A few months ago, his son happily informed him that he had found a cave in a secluded area behind the mountain, which was quite hidden. After accompanying his son to see it, he advised him not to tell anyone else. Unexpectedly, it came in handy today

Wu Qianfu had long been prepared, as dozens of soldiers surrounded Huo Xini, while the other soldiers quickly killed the ten or so attendants.

Who is this?" Li Tinggui asked, pointing at the person holding the gun

"Hero, slow down!" Wang Lu hurriedly intervened, "I am concerned that the stronghold may be breached and that the young master might be in danger, so I instructed my son to hide them away. Quickly assist me in taking you to find them."

Guo Wei continued, "I inquired and followed the merchant convoy all the way to this place, and coincidentally encountered Brother Wang and Brother Fu, so I asked them. Upon hearing that I was looking for Chai Rong, the two of them informed me of the events that had transpired. I then went with them to the mountain stronghold to investigate."

How did he know that the two had already gone to the underworld, and that it was Wang Quanbin and the other three who entered the stronghold

A few individuals guarding the gate were unable to close it in time and were eliminated by the soldiers from Mianzhou, who then surged in.

Wang Lu's worries suddenly vanished. He saw Huo Xini wielding a large axe, continuously eliminating enemies alongside a group of fierce individuals, gradually approaching.

"Young Master Kechai, he is now ... ... " Xie Die sighed.

Wu Qianfu has led his soldiers into the mountain stronghold. Although they faced fierce resistance, the advantage was evident. The number of people still fighting in the stronghold was dwindling. After he struck down one person with his sword, he felt quite pleased.

If you close your eyes, then you should not open them again, but he insisted on opening them, and thus he saw a knife

This is troublesome. Trouble must be faced, Li Tinggui said loudly: "Advance stealthily, and act according to the situation once we approach the stronghold."

Wu Qianfu grew impatient. A day had passed, and the messenger he sent to the mountain stronghold to gather information had yet to return, suggesting that something may have gone awry

Fu Yanqing said: "We can demand it openly and justly. I noticed that there are only about one hundred or so of them, and many are civilians who have never served in the military, and their equipment is extremely poor, making their combat effectiveness questionable. If they had not blocked the entrance that day, we could have easily dealt with these people."

Who is this divine being? Taking lives as easily as reaching into a bag! How inhumane! Wu Qianfu cursed inwardly, unable to resist closing his eyes. I cannot bear to see, I cannot bear to see!

It is uncertain whether Zhao Yuan has taken those two young masters into the cave. Wang Lu is filled with concern

Everything is progressing according to their brother's design. They forced Meng Zhixiang's wife and children back, allowing the likes of Huo Xini to kill them. However, the scouts reported that no bodies were found, nor were there any signs of a struggle. Clearly, Huo Xini did not heed his orders

He hurried back to the room and called for his son. After giving a few instructions, he drew his sword and joined the battle.

Goodness, that was fast! Just a moment ago, they were several yards away from me, and in the blink of an eye, they were already in close contact with me

Li said, "We must rescue Chang'er and the others."

"Brother Wang." Huo Xini hurriedly ran over to help him up

Xie Die stood up and said: "I, the old man Xie Die, engage in a small business. One day, I encountered Chai Rong, who wished to trade tea with me. Seeing that he was clever, quick-witted, and obedient, I took him under my wing."

The troops have arrived at the mountain stronghold in Mianyang

What should we do? As we watched Wu Qianfu advance into the mountain stronghold, everyone looked at Li Tinggui for guidance

Wang Quanbin, Fu Yanqing, and others are feeling quite frustrated due to the humiliating battle at Yixiantian, each of them eager to roll up their sleeves and showcase their skills

"Wu Zhang and Guo Wei, leave the enemy to them, do not get entangled, quickly follow me to find the young master." Li Tinggui never forgets his responsibilities

A tall figure appeared, wielding a long spear, thrusting left and right, and in the blink of an eye, had killed several soldiers from Mianzhou. Approaching, he shouted: "General Huo, we have come to rescue you!"

Killing the enemy is merely a means; saving the young master is the true objective

The three individuals searched the mountain stronghold thoroughly but were unable to find Meng Chang and Chai Rong, which caused them great anxiety

This is of no concern, for regardless of the decisions made by Huo Xini, their next objective is to level his stronghold.

General Huo has arrived, do not panic, kill! Wang Lu was somewhat incoherent. This can be forgiven, as he was already exhausted

Wu Qianfu spoke straightforwardly: "General Huo, may I ask how the matter has been handled?"

I am Guo Wei, here to search for my nephew, and I happen to encounter Brother Wang and Brother Fu.

At this time, the number of soldiers from Mianzhou had reached around 70 to 80, which was even more than the combined total of the people in the stronghold and Li Tinggui's group. However, under the threat of the officer's blade, the soldiers from Mianzhou quickly dropped their weapons and huddled together.

This truly is: with one blink, several lives are lost; with another blink, my life is nearly gone

Huo Xini was surrounded by more than ten soldiers from Mianzhou, feeling extremely anxious. Suddenly, he saw a group of people brandishing knives and waving guns rushing over, and he couldn't help but feel sorrowful: "The stronghold is doomed!"

Wang Lu's martial arts skills were not high; he had previously held a role as a staff officer in the military. At this moment, he was covered in wounds and blood. He was well aware that the stronghold was about to be destroyed, and his only concern was for his son

Li Tinggui supported Wang Lu and said, "If anything happens to the young master, it will cost you your lives"

Li Tinggui said: "From this perspective, the child is still safe with Huo Xini, but it is hard to say if he falls into the hands of Wu Qianfu. Therefore, we must rescue the child before he goes to the mountain stronghold to recruit people"

You, you..." Huo Xini was so furious that he could not speak, only able to raise his axe in defense

"Huo Xini, you first rebelled against the court, then occupied the mountains as a bandit, and now you have killed the family members of high-ranking officials. I, as the captain, have come today to punish you thieves and bandits." As he spoke, Wu Qianfu drew his sword and shouted, "Kill everyone, leave no survivors. Charge!" He led the soldiers forward.

Wang Tinggui said: "This stronghold is not large, yet it has only one entrance and exit. The three of us are unable to enter. We initially planned to sneak in last night under the cover of darkness, but upon seeing the stronghold heavily guarded, we feared alarming the enemy and did not dare to act. Today, we unexpectedly saw two individuals heading towards the stronghold, so we intercepted them. Those two quickly confessed upon the flash of our steel knives; it turned out they were sent by the military officer to gather intelligence. Thus, the three of us disguised ourselves as soldiers from Mianzhou and entered the stronghold."

"Tell them to stop!" Wang Quanbin shouted loudly, with a knife pressed against Wu Qianfu's neck

This smile is quite strange, and Huo Xini vaguely senses that something is amiss

The stronghold is ruined!" Wang Lu said with a bitter smile. He had once harbored grand ambitions; even when he followed Huo Xini to this place to establish a base, he always believed he would make a mark in this chaotic world. Yet now, he could not even protect a small stronghold, and in an instant, he felt utterly disheartened

Wang Lu truly had no strength left, he dropped his sword and collapsed to the ground