Chapter 25: Bonfire Signal

Cao Bao's voice thundered like an explosion, echoing through the mountains.

Jiang Xiaomu strode forward with head held high and shoulders relaxed, as if taking a leisurely walk in a courtyard, showing not a trace of worry anywhere on his person.

He turned his head and saw Cao Bao leading a group of men, rushing toward them with a menacing aura.

Cao Bao's face was ferocious, his eyes flashing with murderous light, as if he wanted to devour Jiang Xiaomu alive.

"Brother, who are they? Why are they chasing us?" Jiang Xiaoyu clung tightly to Jiang Xiaomu's sleeve, her little face deathly pale, her voice trembling as she asked.

"Don't be afraid, Xiao Yu, I'll protect you." Jiang Xiaomu comforted his sister.

A sharp arrow whistled through the air, striking Cao Bao's wrist as he gripped his blade.

Cao Bao cried out in pain, and his long sword fell to the ground.

In the chaos, Qin Feng arrived with a band of stronghold brothers, surrounding Cao Bao and his men.

As it turned out, after Jiang Xiaomu left, Qin Feng ultimately decided to trust him.

He had secretly gathered his men and followed them all the way, just in time to intercept Cao Bao's move against the Jiang siblings.

Qin Feng roared, "Cao Bao! You have gall, daring to betray the stronghold!"

Cao Bao clutched his injured wrist, forcing calm: "Chief, hear me out..."

Qin Feng wouldn't hear any explanations, ordering the capture of Cao Bao and his followers.

The two sides clashed fiercely; outnumbered, Cao Bao was eventually taken alive by Qin Feng.

After the battle, Qin Feng ordered Cao Bao bound tightly and taken back to the stronghold. Jiang Xiaomu held his sister's hand, following behind the troop, and finally a great weight lifted from his heart.

Back at the stronghold, Jiang Xiaoyu remained shaken, clinging tightly to Jiang Xiaomu's arm and refusing to let go.

Jiang Xiaomu gently patted his sister's back, softly reassuring her: "It's alright, Xiao Yu, it's over now."

After settling his sister, Jiang Xiaomu sought out Qin Feng, and the two sat down for a lengthy talk.

Qin Feng greatly admired Jiang Xiaomu's foresight and ingenuity, while also feeling anger and disappointment over Cao Bao's betrayal.

"Brother, this time I owe you my life; otherwise I would have died at Cao Bao's hands."

Qin Feng patted Jiang Xiaomu's shoulder, his tone sincere.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled: "Brother Qin Feng, you overpraise me; I was merely acting in self-defense."

"No matter what, you saved the stronghold, and you saved me."

"From today on, you are my brother, Qin Feng!" Qin Feng boldly raised his wine bowl, saying, "Come, let's drink!"

Jiang Xiaomu raised his hand steadily, firmly holding the wine bowl, tilted his head back and gulped it down. The wine poured in, filling his belly, and his eyes grew ever brighter, brimming with heroic abandon.

The next morning, thin mist wove through the valleys, bathing the stronghold in a hazy glow. Jiang Xiaomu woke early, washed up simply, and went to the council hall, where Qin Feng was already waiting.

"Brother, let's set out now and let the military commanders see that our stronghold is not to be trifled with!"

The stronghold's brothers had already gathered, each spirited and eager, cracking their fists and palms.

【Ding, congratulations to the host for successfully breaking through Cao Bao's death trap and surviving.】

【Special reward: 50 points of Destiny Value, plus one random rare equipment.】

Immediately afterward, a hand grasped at empty air, and a dagger covered in rust appeared in its palm, the rust obscuring most of it yet still revealing a hint of strange aura.

The system interface showed that the blade's metal material was exceptionally special, retaining its toughness despite centuries of corrosion.

No matter what kind of attack, it possesses a unique ability to perfectly withstand five heavy blows.

This is the first system weapon obtained by Jiang Xiaomu.

He felt secret joy, but kept his composure; taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, he swiftly slipped the rust‑covered dagger away.

Hidden in his sleeve, and because of its mottled rust, it could better exert a concealed strike when least expected, often causing opponents to underestimate him, Jiang Xiaomu thought.

The mighty troop marched toward Black Bear Stronghold.

Jiang Xiaomu walked in the ranks, gripping the mottled‑rust dagger tightly, calculating how to make the most of this new equipment.

As the sunset's afterglow faded and the horizon turned fiery red, Jiang Xiaomu's party finally reached the foot of Black Bear Stronghold.

Jiang Xiaomu scanned the surroundings, confirmed safety, and quickly lit the prepared bonfire.

The leaping flames instantly rose in the deepening dusk, forming a conspicuous signal that told those on the mountain of their arrival.

The bonfire blazed fiercely, lighting up half the mountain red.

After a long wait, a group of swaying figures appeared on the mountain path.

They walked slowly, as if they were not coming to reinforce but to go on an outing.

The leading man was burly, exactly the stronghold chief Hei Xuan. Hei Xuan

He belched, speaking indistinctly: "Chief Qin, sorry, the brothers came down the mountain late, making you wait."

The lackeys behind him were likewise slumped, listless, some even still holding half‑eaten chicken legs.

This is hardly cooperation; it's clearly an outing.

Qin Feng's face turned dark as iron, suppressing his anger, about to speak, but Jiang Xiaomu stopped him.

Jiang Xiaomu stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the Hei Xuan stronghold's people, a faint smile flickering at the corner of his mouth.

"Chief Hei Xuan arrives just in time; I was about to discuss with Brother Qin how to take down Hu San Dao without losing a single soldier."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned.

Hei Xuan, with his drunken, hazy eyes, stared at Jiang Xiaomu as if looking at a fool.

"Little brother, are you joking? Hu San Dao is a notorious killer who doesn't blink, and he commands over a hundred trained military households; our two strongholds together barely number two hundred—how could we defeat him without losing a single man?"

Jiang Xiaomu remained calm, clapping his hands lightly to signal everyone to quiet down.

"I intend to rely on my own strength to duel the military households and Hu San Dao; you all need only wave flags and shout encouragement from the outside, suffering no harm or loss and bearing no risk in the process."

Upon hearing this, Hei Xuan's drunken eyes widened like saucers, as if he'd heard an Arabian tale.

"What? You alone want to duel? Little brother, have you drunk too much? Hu San Dao is famed for his ferocity; you going alone would be suicide."

Jiang Xiaomu gave a faint smile, a glint of confidence flashing in his eyes.

「Black Stronghold Chief, rest assured, I have my own way.

Moreover, my life isn't worth much; it's better than letting the brothers die for nothing, right? 」

Upon hearing that he didn't need to have his subordinates fight to the death, Hei Xuan immediately felt energized.

He slapped his thigh and shouted, "Good! Little brother, you have guts! I just like young people like you! If you can really pull this off, from now on my Black Bear Stronghold will follow your lead!"

He turned to the bandits behind him and shouted, "Did you all hear that? This little brother is going to single-handedly take on Hu Three Blade!"

"We'll just wait here to watch the show!" Upon hearing they didn't have to fight but could still watch the excitement, the bandits cheered and leapt with joy, shouting their approval.

Qin Feng walked over to Jiang Xiaomu with worry, lowered his voice and said, "Brother, are you really confident? Hu Three Blade isn't easy to deal with; going alone is too dangerous."

Jiang Xiaomu patted Qin Feng's shoulder and reassured, "Elder Brother Qin, rest assured, I have it figured out.

"Even if I can't win, I still have the ability to escape."

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, I have Qin Feng assisting me nearby; this only increases my chances and confidence, so why should I fear the soldiers and Hu Three Blade?"

Although Qin Feng was still worried, he also knew Jiang Xiaomu's mind was made up, so he could only sigh helplessly.

Night fell, the bonfire at the mountain's base blazed brightly, illuminating everyone's excited faces. Jiang Xiaomu walked alone toward the path to Hu Three Blade's stronghold, his silhouette gradually fading into the darkness.