Chapter 87: Accumulating Treasure Chest Quality

"General Xiong is truly a veteran of the border troops," Chu Danqing said, gazing at the forest stronghold in the distance.

Through the Mountain Search Map, Xiong Zhigang led Chu Danqing and the others effortlessly to the first forest stronghold.

This confirmed that the contents recorded on the map were accurate.

"It’s nothing special—I once led," he paused, then smiled, "a hero doesn’t boast of past glory. I’m old now."

"Master Chu, please summon the One-Horned Jiao to poison these bandits."

Don’t ask whether any good people are inside—the skeletons hanging on the walls and the skulls adorning the gate prove this stronghold has blood on every hand.

Were they forced to kill just to survive? Chu Danqing had no interest in putting himself in the shoes of the murderers—what about the dead victims?

He didn’t believe every skeleton encircling the stronghold was a deserving corpse.

Do you really think bandits only rob wealthy, cruel families? These people all lived inside the city.

The bandits actually preyed on the even poorer, lower classes—those who were weak, easy to rob, and easy to kill.

If they could breach a city, they wouldn’t be bandits—they’d be rebels or insurgents.

"How many people are likely inside the stronghold?" Chu Danqing asked before acting.

Xiong Zhigang estimated briefly: "About a hundred, all seasoned fighters."

"Too spread out—the One-Horned Jiao won’t work," Chu Danqing said. "If they were clustered together, poison would finish them."

"We need something else now," Chu Danqing said, then summoned the Heart Demon: "Use the Heart Demon—it’s fast and suited for single kills."

[Heart Demon]

[Attributes]

[Health: 100%]

[Mana: 94]

[Strength: 10]

[Agility: 10]

[Vitality: 7]

[Spirit: 10]

[Perception: 10]

[Talent]

[Evil Mind Demon]

[Skills]

[Demon’s Tormenting Heart Scripture (Inherited · Fragmented) LV.10]

[Evil Mind Corruption (Passive) LV.10]

[Shadow upon Shadow (Passive) LV.10]

[Heart-Eating Wicked Entity (Passive) LV.10]

The Heart Demon, like a black shadow, materialized and, at Chu Danqing’s command, instantly collapsed into a dark wraith, slipping soundlessly into the stronghold.

On the other side, Da Bao also crept forward in a low stance, scaling the wall with his sharp claws and flipping inside.

The Heart Demon and Da Bao coordinated, launching a swift slaughter.

This time, the Heart Demon was the main force; Da Bao handled the gaps and cleanup.

The Tiance Tiger, One-Horned Jiao, and Heart Demon summoned by San Jie formed a deadly trio of assassin-style tactics, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.

Zhao Mingqian watched, marveling at Chu Danqing’s extraordinary techniques—he’d never seen anything like it.

"By the way, I have another question: how many days will it take us to reach the capital at our current pace?" Chu Danqing asked.

On Qipan Road, we’ll waste three days—plus the day we arrived. If we don’t make it within twenty-six days, we’re done for.

"Including these three days, if we find a carriage and horses at the nearest town, we’ll arrive within fifteen days," Xiong Zhigang said.

"Good, then I’m reassured."

Since they could reach the capital in half a month, Chu Danqing no longer feared—he could now fully eradicate the Qipan Road bandits.

No sooner had Chu Danqing finished speaking than a roar erupted from within the stronghold.

"Who the hell are you, crawling out to provoke Grandpa? You’re asking for death!"

The voice was thunderous. Then they saw a figure hurled from the gate, rolling several times across the ground before struggling to rise.

The moment he stood, he turned to flee.

Zhao Mingqian drew his slingshot and iron arrow, ready to finish him.

Chu Danqing moved swiftly, hurling five elemental orbs—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—in sequence.

Too far away—three hit, but they slowed him enough. A black shadow emerged from his own shadow, a hand piercing his heart and yanking it out alive.

"Master Chu, your aim... is hard to describe," Zhao Mingqian said, retracting his slingshot.

Chu Danqing knew his long-range accuracy was poor—he lacked LV8 Ranged Combat and LV7 Slingshot basics; this was the result of daily practice in his personal room.

Otherwise, at this distance, his accuracy would’ve been worse.

"Each to his own craft," Chu Danqing retorted, then turned to Zhao Mingqian: "And as the saying goes, the capable are teachers."

"Zhao young master, give me some pointers."

Zhao Mingqian used a slingshot; Chu Danqing threw elemental orbs.

As for the Cold Spring Shadow, it was a long-range weapon, but its bullet recovery was slower than Chu Danqing’s mana regeneration.

It was a last-resort tool, not a standard weapon.

"Master Chu, what are you saying? These are minor tricks—how could I dare give pointers?" Zhao Mingqian was more than willing.

He relied entirely on Chu Danqing for food, drink, and lodging—it felt wrong to enjoy it without offering something in return.

As the three chatted, the battle inside the stronghold ended—just over fifteen minutes. The Heart Demon’s time expired, and Da Bao finished the cleanup.

Summoner disciples’ combat was indeed simple and direct.

Especially when the enemy was weaker—Chu Danqing only needed to find a safe spot and protect himself; the rest took care of itself.

Most of the Paradise Points went to him, but all enhancements boosted his summons—if he couldn’t crush weak foes, what good was he?

Soon, Da Bao returned empty-handed: "Nothing."

He meant no treasure chests, no survivors.

"I know. No problem," Chu Danqing had already anticipated—the treasure chest mechanic had changed due to the side quest.

Treasure chests would only drop after clearing all bandits on Qipan Mountain and completing the side quest.

Their quality would improve, increasing rewards.

Chu Danqing had not only witnessed but experienced Paradise’s generosity.

"Nothing at all?" Xiong Zhigang asked curiously.

"Hostages," Chu Danqing improvised, then shifted topic: "We’re pressed for time and have a heavy mission—we must press on to the next stronghold."

"Da Bao’s claws are itching to strike again."

Hearing Chu Danqing’s urgency, Xiong Zhigang immediately unfolded the Mountain Search Map, confirmed the direction: "West—we’ll chip away steadily."

"If all goes well, the Qipan Road bandit chieftain won’t learn of our crackdown until tomorrow night at the earliest."

"With good luck, we might reach him before he even realizes we’re coming."

With that, Xiong Zhigang led the way ahead.

On the march, Chu Danqing asked Zhao Mingqian for instruction.

Zhao Mingqian found the sudden eagerness amusing, yet he gladly explained numerous techniques and training methods to Chu Danqing.

(End of Chapter)