Chapter 24

Three days later, the two strongholds jointly attacked Hu San Dao; in Jiang Xiaomu's heart, only his sister's safety weighed as heavily as a thousand jin, like a towering mountain spanning his mind.

He was clearer than anyone; on the beacon‑fire battlefield, blade lights and sword shadows danced like ghostly fiends, chilling gleams crisscrossed, and at every moment the shadow of death lurked silently.

If he brought his sister along, once war flames flared and smoke filled the air, the chaotic situation would become like an untamed primordial beast breaking its reins, rampaging wildly—something no human strength could easily rein in or control.

His sister's delicate, frail frame, placed in this cruel, merciless slaughterfield, was like a feeble candle flickering in a bitter gale.

Even the slightest brush could easily drag her into the abyss of a calamity that could overwhelm her, making injury or death highly probable.

Better to take his sister to Flying Eagle Stronghold for temporary shelter, then, after defeating Hu San Dao and establishing his own militia, bring her back.

Jiang Xiaomu, with his sister in tow, finally arrived at the gate of Flying Eagle Stronghold after traversing the rugged mountain path.

The gate was built from massive logs, with several burly men wielding steel blades standing on either side, vigilantly watching passersby.

Seeing the Jiang siblings, one of the burly men stepped forward and barked, "Who goes there?"

Jiang Xiaomu cupped his fists and said, "I am Jiang Xiaomu, here to visit Chief Qin."

The burly man sized up Jiang Xiaomu, then glanced at Jiang Xiaoyu beside him, his tone easing: "Wait, I'll report this."

Soon after, a man in fine robes emerged, folding fan in hand—none other than Qin Feng, chief of Flying Eagle Stronghold.

He laughed heartily: "Brother Xiaomu, you've finally come! You've endured a hard journey!" Then he stepped forward personally and ushered the pair inside.

Jiang Xiaoyu looked timidly at Qin Feng and softly called, "Uncle, hello."

After Jiang Xiaomu explained his purpose, Qin Feng threw back his head and laughed: "Always welcome! It'd be even better if you joined the stronghold—hahaha!"

Everyone in the stronghold welcomed Jiang Xiaoyu's arrival; several women vied to care for her, and in the end she was arranged to rest in a clean, comfortable room.

After settling his sister, Jiang Xiaomu and Qin Feng went to the council hall to discuss the plan to attack the militia.

Late at night, Jiang Xiaomu's arrival and Qin Feng's trust in him aroused the displeasure of Flying Eagle Stronghold's Second Boss, Cao Bao. Cao Bao was short and stout, his face full of flesh, his triangular eyes constantly flashing a sinister light. He believed Qin Feng had leaked the stronghold's secrets to the outsider Jiang Xiaomu, endangering its security.

"Chief, this lad's origins are unknown; you trust him so readily—what if he's a spy?" Cao Bao said to Qin Feng in private.

Qin Feng waved a hand: "Cao Bao, Brother Xiaomu is extraordinarily resourceful and ambitious, a talent worth using; I believe he's not a bad person."

Cao Bao gave a cold snort: "You may know a person's face but not his heart—Chief, please be careful!"

Cao Bao secretly contacted his confidants, spreading rumors that Jiang Xiaomu was an Imperial Court spy sent to dismantle Flying Eagle Stronghold so the authorities could easily crush it.

He also incited other members dissatisfied with Jiang Xiaomu and Qin Feng to prepare a rebellion, aiming to overthrow Qin Feng's leadership and make himself chief.

【Ding, detection of key figure Cao Bao secretly plotting rebellion, to hold a banquet tomorrow; this banquet is actually a Hongmen feast with hidden murderous intent, its purpose being to launch a rebellion, vainly attempting to overturn the current situation,

【Qin Feng, out of brotherly affection, could not bring himself to strike Cao Bao, yet suffered a brutal attack by Cao Bao and his followers, having been severely wounded and imprisoned in a hidden place, his life hanging by a thread; the host moreover faces dire straits, about to be beheaded in public display,

【Jiang Xiaoyu encountered disaster, being violated by villains; her body and mind suffered grave harm, unable to endure such utter shame, in extreme despair she took her own life, a flower of life thus withered,

Jiang Xiaomu's thoughts seemed swept up by an invisible gust, instantly drifting back to the heart‑pounding, peril‑laden banquet crisis he had once personally experienced.

It was the first time in his life he had directly confronted such a chillingly perilous situation, its impression never washed away by the tide of time.

Last time, at the life‑or‑death signal of a shattered cup, fate played tricks and worldly affairs proved unpredictable.

Because the alcohol served at that banquet was unbelievably low in potency, even though Jiang Xiaomu drank cup after cup, downing dozens in succession, he remained unaffected by its feeble effect, his mind staying clear and sober, his thoughts never clouding.

Thus, the originally meticulously prepared plan to use the shattered cup as a signal, bearing infinite hope, ultimately ended in helpless failure, dissolving into nothing; within the stronghold, everyone was Cao Bao's man, and internal unity could not be resolved.

Jiang Xiaomu pondered countermeasures, sleepless through the night, his mind filled with those terrifying images.

His sister died horribly, Qin Feng was gravely wounded, he himself faced beheading… He rubbed his face hard, forcing himself to stay calm.

The next morning, Jiang Xiaomu went early to see Chief Qin, wanting to learn the stronghold's situation and also to warn him about the rumors now circulating.

As dawn just broke, he went to find Qin Feng, intending to tell him about the message.

Qin Feng's quarters were at the highest point of the stronghold, affording a view over the entire compound.

When Jiang Xiaomu arrived, Qin Feng stood by the window, gazing at the distant mountains.

"Chief, I have something important to tell you," Jiang Xiaomu said urgently.

Qin Feng turned, a hint of weariness on his face: "Brother Xiaomu, so early? What's the matter?"

Jiang Xiaomu told Qin Feng about the rumors and Cao Bao's odd behavior; hearing this, Qin Feng's face gradually grew solemn.

Yet he still shook his head: "Cao Bao and I have shared life and death for so many years; I don't believe he would betray me."

Jiang Xiaomu grew anxious, wanting to urge the chief again; Qin Feng fell silent for a moment.

He sighed: "Even if what you say is true, what can I do? Everyone in Flying Eagle Stronghold, from top to bottom, are my brothers; I cannot turn my swords on them based on a mere warning."

Jiang Xiaomu also understood Qin Feng's dilemma, but he knew better that leaving it unchecked would lead to unimaginable consequences.

He quietly finished speaking to Qin Feng, then Jiang Xiaomu turned and left.

Qin Feng watched his retreating back, his eyes filled with complex emotion.

A head‑on clash would surely fail; Cao Bao's influence in the stronghold is deeply entrenched, while he himself is weak and outmatched.

He must find another way, seeking a key point that could turn the tide.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaomu immediately went to find Jiang Xiaoyu. When he located her, she was sitting with several women of the stronghold, doing needlework.

Seeing her brother arrive, Jiang Xiaoyu happily put down her needlework, ran over and embraced him: "Brother, did you come to see me?"

Jiang Xiaomu stroked his sister's head and spoke softly: "Xiaoyu, brother will take you to a safe place."

Jiang Xiaoyu looked puzzled: "A safe place? Isn't this safe?"

Jiang Xiaomu didn't elaborate, merely saying: "Listen to brother and come with me now."

He led Jiang Xiaoyu out of the stronghold secretly, descending along a concealed path.

Just as they were nearing the mountain base, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind them.

"Jiang Xiaomu! Stop right there!"

Cao Bao led a group in pursuit, his face twisted in a feral grin: "You think you can run? Not so easy! Your sister is in my hands—if you dare move, I'll…"