[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-high-martial-arts-invincible-starts-from-basic-a":3,"chapter-high-martial-arts-invincible-starts-from-basic-a-high-martial-arts-invincible-starts-from-basic-a-chapter-79":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","High Martial Arts: Invincible Starts from Basic Archery",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1724509,2203,"Chapter 79 Indeed, it’s the Chen Family Stronghold","high-martial-arts-invincible-starts-from-basic-a-chapter-79",79,"\u003Cp>\"Finally, we’re almost there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, it’s been a tough journey. My shoulders are almost numb.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Song Family Castle is really big, isn’t it? I heard nearly two or three thousand people live here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does it have to do with us? We’re just here to trade and then leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group chatted, their tones varied from joy, envy, astonishment to indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, stay alert and don’t let anyone get close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guodong turned back, cautioning them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Chen Fan saw the people his father had warned them about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting from two or three hundred meters outside the Song Family Castle, many emaciated, barely clothed people lay sprawled on the ground, emitting a foul odor from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chen Fan’s group approaching, these people sat up from the grass, staring straight at the prey they carried, drool dripping from their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, give us some food.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, have mercy, I haven’t eaten for three days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brothers, just a bite of food, I’ll do anything for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The begging was incessant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Fan’s heart trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being the first time he witnessed this, he felt a twinge of sympathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next moment, he steeled himself. Currently, ensuring the survival of his stronghold was his limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some nearby people tried to approach, only to be repelled by members of the group wielding long guns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer they got, the more frequent the vagrants. Some didn’t even have a piece of clothing, lying motionless on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some knelt and kept bowing, while others stared intently, seemingly plotting something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was becoming restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay calm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t move, or you’ll face the consequences!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group shouted angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth be told, they’d seen this scenario countless times, but today’s encounter was unprecedented. A misstep could spell doom for them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Fan tightened his grip on the long gun, vigilant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt fortunate that he had taken Uncle Zhang’s advice and practiced spear technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps sensing the group’s toughness, the crowd’s agitation gradually subsided, and the begging reduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew, that was close,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, if we had shown any weakness, the consequences would’ve been dire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have another round when we come out, but they shouldn’t dare to target us again.\" The group chatted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, less than a hundred meters from the Song Family Castle, the surroundings visually improved, and occasionally people approached from other directions, some with their faces covered, some uncovered, all quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Fan watched carefully, observing that at least a dozen gazes swept over them. When he noticed, they quickly looked away, pretending indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Among them, there must be spies from those bandits. But no rush, let’s take care of business first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He withdrew his gaze, surveying the imposing structure before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone-built walls reached four to five meters high, extending laterally about two kilometers in circumference. Numerous armed guards stood atop the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Fan’s pupils contracted sharply. He saw several dark gun barrels pointed at them atop the gatehouse, evoking a chilling feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the firearm Gu Ze mentioned, which repelled a high-level fierce beast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swallowed hard, looking down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the wall were three gates, one large and two small, all guarded by fully armed soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The left small gate had many people lined up, carrying prey, evidently here to exchange resources like them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The right gate seemed to be the exit; people handed over a small paper and were allowed to pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The central large gate fit three cars side by side, occasionally vehicles passed, mostly empty. Outside the walls, a few vehicles were parked, including a large truck from Zhao Family Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This suggested the large gate was reserved for those with status, not just anyone with a vehicle could pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s queue up. Everyone stay quiet; those soldiers are serious about shooting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guodong said, glancing specifically at Chen Fan, the only newcomer in the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group lined up at the end, waiting patiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up ahead, conversations could be heard from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifteen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Entry fee, fifteen yuan or equivalent fierce beast meat. Exit with the paper before 5 PM, or face the consequences. Also, don’t cause trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, thank you, brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group entered the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The similar exchanges continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seems we need to pay an entry fee and leave before nightfall,\" Chen Fan pondered. It appeared they’d check identities after dark to prevent intruders; likely, residents had identification cards while outsiders didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was quite profitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One yuan per person, hundreds per day, aggregating to a substantial income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, it was Chen Guodong and the group’s turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guodong presented the pre-weighed fierce beast meat, which was verified by the guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person in charge handed a stack of papers, expressionless, \"Keep these papers, return them when you leave, exit before dark, and don’t cause trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood, thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guodong quickly took the papers, distributing them among the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Fan received his too, a paper card, the size of an ID, with the words \"Pass\" at the top and the date, November 12th, below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man’s voice sounded behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Fan followed the group into the city, momentarily dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw a wide concrete road ahead, lined with many shops, notably a large fierce beast materials store, several times bigger than others. There were also lodging, dining, and massage establishments, bustling with people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some spots had street vendors loudly advertising their goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just Chen Fan but everyone entering gazed around, eyes filled with longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" Chen Guodong cleared his throat, \"let’s first trade our items. That store buys fierce beast materials and sells various weapons. Xiaofan, see if there’s anything you want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Fan’s mind stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard from Uncle Zhang beforehand and now had the chance to check it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he’d find the old man selling cultivation techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, they’d handle the bandits, if they were still at the usual spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a group of people approached, one speaking sarcastically, \"No wonder someone looked familiar on the way. Isn’t this the Chen Family Stronghold? Why sneak around like thieves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, all eyes focused on Chen Guodong and his group.\u003C\u002Fp>",1040,"2026-06-06T15:42:49.905Z",1,"novelbin.me","28e3c07469d6870b7c402325010a70e54a952dadef7585dd32fe50d137aa1b5a","high-martial-arts-invincible-starts-from-basic-a-chapter-80","high-martial-arts-invincible-starts-from-basic-a-chapter-78",808,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhigh-martial-arts-invincible-starts-from-basic-a-cover.jpg"]