Chapter 26: Decisive Battle

【Ding, the host resolutely engaged in a duel with Hu San Dao.】

【In the fierce exchange, Hu San Dao repeatedly unleashed powerful heavy blows, yet the host, relying on tenacious will and excellent blocking skills, successfully blocked each time.】

【Afterward, the host feigned surrender, but Hu San Dao seized the chance to launch a sneak attack, causing the host to suffer grave injuries.】

【Hu San Dao then triumphantly presented the flag, and subsequently launched a bloody massacre against the stronghold's people; ultimately, Black Bear Stronghold and Flying Eagle Stronghold were defeated and retreated.】

【His sister Jiang Xiaoyu, far away in Flying Eagle Stronghold, heard of this tragedy, but due to excessive grief she fell into deep depression and ultimately died of sorrow.】

Jiang Xiaomu's mind flashed with inspiration, recalling that part of the poison he had used earlier remained.

On that stern face, the corner of his mouth slowly curled into a bone-chilling cold smile.

He silently thought: Hu San Dao, I have come.

At the camp gate, two sentries were boredly standing watch.

Jiang Xiaomu quietly approached, hiding behind a large tree to observe the situation.

The wind rustled the leaves, producing a soft sound that masked Jiang Xiaomu's faint footsteps.

He held his breath, his gaze sharp as a torch, closely watching every move of the sentries.

Not long after, a noisy clamor of footsteps came from afar, accompanied by rough shouting.

"You turtles inside, listen! The grandfathers are here! If you're sensible, hurry out to meet your death, lest we drag you out one by one!" A coarse voice drew near, booming and making Jiang Xiaomu's eardrums ring.

"You scum of Black Bear Stronghold! If you've got guts, come in! Grandfather's waiting for you!" The sentry's cursing trembled slightly, clearly frightened by the imposing arrivals.

He has come! Jiang Xiaomu secretly rejoiced; this was the perfect opportunity for him to infiltrate the camp.

He pressed himself against the tree trunk, moving like a nimble civet cat, silently and without sound.

The troops of Black Bear Stronghold and Flying Eagle Stronghold drew nearer, and the torches at the camp gate burned brighter, illuminating everything around.

Just then, Jiang Xiaomu seized the moment, darting out in a leap; before anyone could react, he flipped over the camp's wall.

Jiang Xiaomu, relying on his prior memory and keen observation, silently and familiarly arrived outside Hu San Dao's residence.

Inside, Hu San Dao was embracing a captured woman, drinking and making merry; after three rounds of wine, he shoved the woman in his arms to the ground and violently tore at her clothes. The woman let out a startled cry, which soon turned into a sultry moan.

Suddenly, urgent knocking came from outside the door, accompanied by panicked shouts: "Big Boss! It's terrible! The people of Black Bear Stronghold and Flying Eagle Stronghold are coming to kill us!"

Hu San Dao's motion paused, a flicker of panic crossed his face, he snatched the saber from the table edge and roared: "What's going on? How dare they join forces?!"

The person outside stammered: "I… I don't know either… they… they have many people, already approaching the camp gate!"

Hu San Dao kicked the door open, grabbed the person's collar, and snarled: "How many? What weapons do they have?"

"Rep… replying to Big Boss… I… I didn't see clearly… but… but… a sea of black… I'm afraid… there may be over a thousand… all… all armed with blades and spears…"

Hu San Dao flung that person to the ground, silently cursing "trash". He forced composure, shouting at his underlings: "What are you staring at? Grab weapons! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

At that moment, a figure leapt down from the beam, landing steadily before Hu San Dao. It was Jiang Xiaomu, gripping a rusty dagger in his hand.

"Hu San Dao," Jiang Xiaomu's voice ice-cold, like an emissary from hell, "you have made enemies everywhere, and now you reap what you sow."

Hu San Dao stared, then burst into hysterical laughter, as if hearing the greatest joke.

"You little brat, we meet again! Last time you luckily escaped; this time it won't be so easy.

Hahaha! Speaking of which, I actually have to thank you—if it weren't for you bringing this rabble, I wouldn't have had the chance to annex Black Bear Stronghold and Flying Eagle Stronghold!"

Jiang Xiaomu's face was expressionless, his eyes icy as a blade. "Hu San Dao, your evil deeds are myriad; today is your death! Kill you, and these bandits will naturally retreat."

"Just you? A wet-behind-the-ears brat, and you dare spout such boasts!"

Hu San Dao's cheek flesh trembled, and a vicious light shone in his eyes.

"Today I'll show you what real power is!"

He brandished his saber, slashing toward Jiang Xiaomu; the blade tore through the air, emitting a piercing whistle.

Jiang Xiaomu flickered aside, easily dodging Hu San Dao's attack.

Though his dagger was rusty, it was unusually sharp, flashing with a cold light in the dim lamp glow.

"Overestimating yourself!" Hu San Dao roared, swinging his saber again.

This time, his assault grew more ferocious, his swordplay more vicious.

Jiang Xiaomu remained calm, his movements agile like a nimble leopard, handling Hu San Dao's attacks with ease—sometimes dodging, sometimes blocking, sometimes countering; each strike was precise and ruthless.

Hu San Dao's astonishing strength was like a surging tidal wave; an ordinary dagger would surely have been shattered to powder under such impact.

Fortunately, Jiang Xiaomu wielded the system‑granted dagger; although its appearance was battered and covered in the patina of age, it displayed extraordinary resilience at the crucial moment.

Time and again it steadfastly blocked Hu San Dao's thunder‑like heavy blows; amidst the clash of blades, it held the line firmly, without the slightest retreat or damage.

In the flashing interplay of blade and sword, Jiang Xiaomu keenly seized the fleeting opportunity; his system dagger, like a snake emerging from its hole, slipped forward and carved a gash on Hu San Dao's forearm.

That wound seemed at first glance merely a faint line, hardly worth noting, yet Jiang Xiaomu knew it was sufficient to achieve his aim.

The two traded blows, and for a moment the battle fell into a stalemate, victory unclear.

At this point, the crafty Hu San Dao's eyes shifted as he conceived a scheme.

His face instantly assumed a feigned surrender: "I surrender, I surrender! I admit defeat."

While speaking, he raised both hands and walked toward Jiang Xiaomu.

Seeing Hu San Dao's gesture, Jiang Xiaomu momentarily couldn't guess what he was plotting; he held his weapon and stood still.

When Hu San Dao had distanced himself a certain amount from Jiang Xiaomu, he suddenly lifted his great saber and swung it at Jiang Xiaomu.

The nine‑ring broadsword was accompanied by a whooshing wind.

It came down like Mount Tai pressing down, fiercely chopping toward Jiang Xiaomu.

The icy blade flashed instantly before Jiang Xiaomu's face.

Yet Hu San Dao's motion came to an abrupt halt.

Immediately, his complexion turned bluish‑purple and his eyes widened.

It turned out that the poison Jiang Xiaomu had inflicted on him during the chaos had now taken effect.

The toxin swiftly spread throughout his body.

It can be said that at this moment, even an immortal could not save Hu Sandao.

Hu Sandao's body shook uncontrollably a few times, then fell straight down like a puppet with its strings cut, and he breathed his last.