Chapter 134: Blood-soaked Black Mountain!

Bang bang bang……

In an instant, the giant arrows struck the stone fortresses one after another at the mountain pass below.

Accompanied by a tremendous roar, huge stones and hard timber shattered, spraying outward.

The entire mountain base was filled with waves of smoke and dust.

Ah……

Many bandits failed to dodge in time, were shot clean in half, their corpses tumbling down the mountains, blood scattering through the forest, and wails echoed across the battlefield.

An atmosphere of extreme brutality lingered all around.

Just one volley, the fortresses at the mountain base lost about half, and even some bandits were killed.

These ballistae's power was indeed astonishing.

Lu Zhangsheng stared intently at the battlefield ahead.

The top experts on both sides had not yet made a move; for now it was merely probing attacks.

Qin Ruobing, Wei Shaoxuan, and the others likewise stood with hands behind their backs before the formation, commanding the government forces.

"Begin the second volley immediately."

Wei Shaoxuan waved his hand, his expression extremely cold.

Taking advantage of the enemy's inability to resist, he directly launched the second wave of offense.

At his command,

The soldiers pushing the ballistae once again loaded the giant bolts onto the carriages and tightened the bowstrings.

"Whoosh……"

Upon unified release, a dozen or so giant arrows shot forward like thunderbolts toward the fortresses ahead.

Even the void rang with sonic booms, the momentum incredibly astonishing.

"Boom boom boom……"

Numerous fortresses were crushed as easily as tofu, huge stones flying and splashing; nearby bandits hit were either dead or wounded, their screams continuous.

After this volley, the first pass was near paralysis, only a few fortresses still holding on.

"The government forces are fierce; we will retreat to the next pass to wear down their manpower."

Several leaders of the cult and bandits shouted loudly.

Immediately after, large numbers of bandits and cultists retreated backward like a tide.

"Mysterious Armor Army, advance!"

"ZhenYaosi, advance!"

Seeing this, Qin Ruobing and Wei Shaoxuan immediately gave the order to pursue the victory.

"Hah……"

A group of Mysterious Armor Army soldiers held long spears, advancing swiftly forward, their steps neat and uniform, their momentum like a rainbow.

Beside this group of Mysterious Armor Army, many experts from the DemonSubduingOffice followed, including not a few Blood Exchange martial artists.

Lu Zhangsheng happened to be among the crowd, charging forward into the mountains.

He temporarily did not reveal his true strength, using only the speed and power of a Blood Exchange cultivator.

"Kill."

In an instant, the government forces and the cult bandits collided, engaging in fierce combat.

The battlefield was thick with killing intent; shouts of slaughter and clashes of weapons filled the entire mountain range and forest.

As numerous corpses fell in the mountains, a thick, bloody stench assailed the nostrils.

Lu Zhangsheng brandished his long saber, recklessly harvesting nearby lives, like a grim reaper wandering the mortal world.

As each cultist was slain by him, he seemed to gain a new insight into slaughter.

The true meaning of slaughter also gradually increased.

"Slaughter true intent increased by one percent."

"Slaughter true intent increased by one percent."

……

With each strike, he could feel himself improving, making him quite intoxicated by it.

Slaughtering these traitorous scum, Lu Zhangsheng felt no psychological burden.

Time slowly passed.

Several hours passed.

Night fell swiftly, the bright moonlight spilling across the entire Black Mountain.

Both sides continued their bloody battle in the mountains and forests.

Even the government martial artists suffered considerable losses; facing this fearless cult and bandit horde, every step forward met great resistance.

However, the top experts on both sides had still not acted.

After several hours of fighting, the government forces finally reached a mountainside.

This place was still more than halfway from the summit.

"Woo woo……"

Just then, a low horn sounded across the battlefield, accompanied by a clear metallic clink.

Upon hearing it, many Mysterious Armor Army soldiers and ZhenYaosi immediately halted and slowly retreated backward.

That band of cult bandits also did not pursue, instead vanishing into the forest.

Lu Zhangsheng also stopped, feeling his slaughter true intent rise a little again, making him quite delighted.

At this rate, it probably won't be long before his slaughter true intent reaches thirty percent.

"Indeed, only killing and the battlefield truly suit the essence of slaughter; he is born to blend into the battlefield."

Lu Zhangsheng thought to himself.

"Everyone rests for a night; tomorrow morning we continue the assault."

At that moment, Qin Ruobing's authoritative voice rang through the whole area.

Night had deepened, and she had no intention of taking the mountain in a single day, so she directly issued a retreat order.

"We obey your command."

The crowd repeatedly clasped their hands, faces full of respect.

Then a group immediately began setting up camp, and soon small tents were erected on the open ground.

Around the camp, many strong individuals kept watch.

Just as Lu Zhangsheng was about to enter a tent to rest, a soldier reported, and Qin Ruobing summoned him over.

Lu Zhangsheng rose and walked toward Qin Ruobing's main tent, entering it amid puzzled gazes from those around.

Even Tong Yuhua, Yue Shulan, and a few others wore expressions of disbelief.

Their eyes revealed a strange glint.

"Sit."

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng arrive, Qin Ruobing smiled gently, like a spring breeze.

Lu Zhangsheng immediately sat down, waiting silently for her to speak.

"Did you notice any abnormalities at the summit?"

Qin Ruobing offered no idle talk and got straight to the point.

She discovered that besides the four powerful presences at the summit, there was also a faint, lingering evil aura.

This made her rather uneasy.

Although she knew Lu Zhangsheng's strength was not inferior to hers and that he was hidden in the shadows, he was certainly a formidable weapon.

Moreover, she hadn't told anyone, intending to catch them off guard.

"Sister Qin, are you referring to that demonic aura?"

Lu Zhangsheng frowned.

During the recent slaughter, he had also vaguely sensed a hint of abnormality.

It was the scent of demons; the summit might harbor high‑level demonic servants.

"Right. If the situation changes, break out of the encirclement immediately; you need not worry about anyone else."

Qin Ruobing's expression grew rather solemn.

With Lu Zhangsheng's talent, the innate Dao is only a starting point; to fall here would indeed be a pity.

She also did not wish to see a prodigy ruined, which would be a huge loss for the entire Great Zhou.

"I understand."

Lu Zhangsheng lightly nodded.

At his speed, even if things go awry, he can vanish instantly.

The two exchanged more details, and when night deepened, Lu Zhangsheng rose and left the main tent.

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng return to the camp, a group of warriors sparked "gossip" flames in their eyes.

However, restrained by the two's presence, they dared not speak up.

At this moment, Tong Yuhua smiled and walked over, blurting an odd phrase, "Lu Xunyou, keep striving."

Lu Zhangsheng was too lazy to explain, turned and entered the tent.

…

While the many officials were resting.

At the summit, inside a dim room.

Zhao Yuanjing stood silently inside, with a man in a black robe standing ahead.

The man was cloaked entirely in a pitch‑black robe, his aura exceedingly cold.

"Several high‑ranking members of the gate are quite concerned about this operation; you know the consequences of failure…"

The man in black spoke in a hoarse voice.

As a person sent by Tianyao Gate to assist, he also does not wish the mission to fail.

"Your superior can rest assured; this plan is flawless."

Zhao Yuanjing gave a faint smile, confidence evident. To breach the county town, she not only prepared multiple contingencies but also summoned strong members from Tianyao Gate.

As for whether the enemy will blood‑sacrifice a million civilians after taking the town, that is none of her concern; she only needs to obtain that item.

…

The next day, at dawn.

Black clouds covered the sky, and the gale howled.

The storm seemed ready to strike at any moment, a tense atmosphere lingering in every warrior's heart.

After the many official warriors and the Xuanjia army finished their homemade rations, they gathered again on the open ground.

"Wooo…"

As the low horn sounded again, numerous official strongmen surged toward the summit like a tide.

The Xuanjia army also brandished spears, their formation advancing orderly.

"Swoosh…"

Behind, a massive volley of arrows streaked through the void, as if they could block the sky.

"Kill, kill, kill…"

A group of cultist bandits also refused to show weakness, all brandishing their knives with ferocious expressions as they charged forward.

Their eyes were filled with madness.

"Boom—boom—boom..."

Vast numbers from both sides collided instantly, killing intent rolling like smoke, sweeping in all directions.

Shouts of killing, the sound of boulders colliding, and the cracking of bones filled the entire battlefield.

Although these cultist bandits were fearless of death, they still could not halt the advance of the government troops.

As time passed.

A unit of Mysterious Armor Army and ZhenYaosi continued to swiftly advance toward the mountaintop.

Each step was extremely brutal, the ground beneath them soaked in blood and corpses.

Waves of thick blood stench drifted in the air, making people want to vomit.

Everyone fought desperately.

Gradually, even the government martial artists began to suffer losses, and their momentum was no longer as vigorous as before.

Even though the battle was fiercely intense, the top experts on both sides, as if by tacit agreement, refrained from acting.

Qin Ruobing and her companions all knew the enemy was surely waiting for them.

Even on the summit lay the greatest hard battle; they dared not relax in the slightest, instead conserving their energy.

This battle raged until dark, and only by evening did the government side, relying on bed crossbows and the Mysterious Armor Army, barely push forward to a flat area before the summit.

At this moment, there was no trace of bandits or cultists ahead; they had all vanished into the dense forest on the summit.

Qin Ruobing led the crowd to a halt, standing in the open space, her gaze grim as she looked at the several huge forts ahead.

Moreover.

The crowd could faintly see three chiefs of the Black Mountain Bandits and a masked woman in red robes standing on a distant platform.

The woman's figure was bewitchingly alluring, exuding an astonishing charm from her whole being.

Even many low-ranking martial artists around them felt their mouths dry, gulping nervously.

"They are Su Qilong, the three bandit chiefs, and that Supreme Master."

Qin Ruobing's tone was icy, her pretty face filled with killing intent.

The four have already appeared; the final showdown could erupt at any moment.

However, the demonic aura lurking in the darkness has not yet revealed itself, making her extremely wary.

"This demon woman's allure is becoming ever more astonishing."

Lu Zhangsheng saw this, his eyes flickering slightly.

This woman's blood contains essence similar to that of a fox demon clan; as her control over this essence deepens, her allure also grows.

"It seems that after our previous clash, their strength has increased again."

Upon this discovery, Lu Zhangsheng also became quite wary.

"We have always kept to ourselves and never troubled the government, but today you bring people to kill at our door—so rest here forever."

Su Qilong's eyes burst with killing intent.

Then he waved his hand, and numerous strong figures appeared behind him, including many experts of Blood Exchange and Body Rebirth.

These are the accumulated wealth of the Black Mountain Bandits over the years.

"Hmph… a pack of heretical demons—kill!"

Qin Ruobing raised her brows, her face full of killing intent.

She wasted no words, directly issuing the attack order.

Immediately afterward, Qin Ruobing, her three FuduDianZhu, and Wei Shaoxuan rushed toward the four ahead.

Their speed was like thunder, leaving afterimages in the void.

"Kill them all."

Behind them, many Mysterious Armor Army soldiers also took up their spears, formed ranks, and together with many ZhenYaosi charged toward the summit, their momentum unmatched.

Lu Zhangsheng also blended into the crowd without a sound, charging into an open space on the summit.

Seeing this, Su Qilong and his companions likewise refused to yield, immediately directing many martial artists to meet them.

The three Black Mountain Bandit chiefs and Zhao Yuanjing likewise charged toward Qin Ruobing and her group.

"Boom—boom—boom..."

In an instant, the two sides violently collided, fierce energy sweeping in all directions.

Dust and smoke billowed all around, leaving everything in disarray.

Even the ground's boulders were sliced with marks.

In the void, countless arrows crisscrossed, as if they could blot out the sky, making people tremble with fear.

"Kill—kill—kill..."

The forces of both sides fought desperately on the summit's open ground.

Shouts of killing, weapons clashing, and limbs breaking filled the entire battlefield.

Every martial artist's face was brimming with killing intent, utterly ferocious.

Among them, the clash between Qin Ruobing and Su Qilong—these eight top experts—was the most astonishing.

Endless blades and sword lights crisscrossed among the few combatants, making it impossible to see their movements.

That fierce killing intent made those nearby struggle to breathe, prompting them to step back, daring not to approach.

Lu Zhangsheng wielded his blade, suppressing a Blood Exchange martial artist ahead, while carefully sensing the demonic aura lurking in the darkness.

After his careful investigation, he discovered that deep within the great hall lay a faint, elusive evil aura, which made him feel somewhat oppressed.

Clearly, a powerful expert lay hidden in the darkness.

Could it be that this person is the hidden hand of that demoness Zhao Yuanjing?

He felt some doubt in his heart.

According to the information I happened to uncover that day, there must be someone secretly betraying from within the government.

In response, he grew increasingly wary.

The black-clad man fighting Lu Zhangsheng ahead looked extremely shocked; no matter how he erupted, he could not budge the person before him in the slightest.

After repeatedly failing to erupt his essence blood, he also gave up the idea of slaying the person before him.

Lu Zhangsheng was also pleased with this; he kept one eye on the battlefield while toying with his opponent.

Boom—boom—boom...

In the void, the rumbling sound continued without cease, and the clash of the top experts on both sides grew ever fiercer.

The eight were evenly matched; even their martial intents were hardly different, making it hard to decide a winner in a short time.

This fight lasted straight into nightfall, yet still ended without a result.

Just when everyone thought they would temporarily withdraw today, an abrupt change occurred.

A scarlet radiance shot out from the mountaintop hall, rushing swiftly toward the battlefield like lightning.

A thick stench of blood assailed them, bringing an overwhelming sense of oppression.

In an instant, the man arrived at the open space, revealing a middle-aged man with a sinister visage.

His aura was deep as an abyss.

"Uh-oh, the enemy still has experts hidden."

Numerous government martial artists' faces were filled with fear.

Now the four vice hall masters are all tied up; if the enemy suddenly launches an attack, likely no one can oppose them.

Lu Zhangsheng's eyes flickered uncertainly as he pondered whether to intervene.

Just as everyone felt somewhat hopeless, within the Demon Subduing Office martial artists' camp, four green-robed elders suddenly erupted, instantly beheading the foe before them, then rushed toward the suddenly appearing cultist middle-aged man.

The four elders moved as if they were one, showing considerable coordination.

"Is this a combined strike technique?"

Seeing this, Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly.

These four individuals' auras were clearly somewhat weaker than those of the three vice hall masters, yet when they joined forces, their breath seemed to merge into one, quite remarkable.

Surely these four are the hidden hand of the Demon Subduing Office; with a few of them acting, they should be able to hold back that black-clad man before them.

From the cultist expert's attack to the four elders' sudden uprising, it all happened in an instant.

"This person is the Tianyao Gate traitor Ye Yunze, who joined the Tianyao Gate decades ago."

At the moment the black-clad man appeared, Xiao Tiansi and the others reacted instantly, gazing at him with killing intent.

"Kill."

Ye Yunze gave a cruel smile, immediately charging at the four elders, his killing intent rolling wildly, extremely ferocious.

(End of chapter)