Chapter 27: Commanding the Militia

Hu San Dao collapsed with a boom, kicking up a cloud of dust. Those around saw this, first stunned, then burst into terrified shouts: "The Big Boss is dead! The Big Boss is dead!"

Jiang Xiaomu's expression was grim, his eyes like ice blades sweeping coldly over the surroundings.

At that moment, the dagger from the system, after enduring Hu San Dao's successive fierce blows, could no longer bear the load and instantly turned to powder, vanishing in the air.

Jiang Xiaomu couldn't help feeling a chill, secretly frightened, thinking that if he had to endure another such fierce attack from Hu San Dao, he would likely already be lying dead on the spot, a soul beneath that icy blade.

He slightly clenched his fists, took a deep breath, struggled to calm himself, and considered his next countermeasure. The militiamen, who had originally been trembling with fear, now seemed to have suddenly found their backbone, all turning their gazes to Jiang Xiaomu. This young man who stepped forward in the crisis appeared, in their eyes, like a deity descending to earth.

"Everyone," Jiang Xiaomu said loudly, his voice echoing in the valley, "Hu San Dao is dead; as long as I, Jiang Xiaomu, am here, these bandits will dare not invade again!"

His words rang out with force, carrying a strong confidence that instantly ignited hope in the militiamen's hearts. Their previously despairing eyes now blazed with fierce fire.

"Jiang Xiao Brother! We believe you!" a young militiaman shouted loudly.

"Right! We believe Jiang Xiao Brother!" others also chimed in, their voices growing louder until they formed a deafening roar.

Jiang Xiaomu surveyed the crowd, a surge of heroic spirit rising in his heart. He recalled the mission issued by the system and its generous reward, and a smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"If that's the case, I, Jiang Xiaomu, will take on this responsibility!" He raised the dagger in his hand, "From today onward, I am your leader!"

"Leader! Leader! Leader!" the militiamen shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and earth.

Hei Xuan and Qin Feng waited silently outside the stockade.

Suddenly, a commotion arose inside the stockade, followed by shouts of "Leader!" that broke through the night, clearly reaching their ears.

The two exchanged a smile, tacitly understanding that Jiang Xiaomu had surely succeeded in achieving his goal.

Without further hesitation, they turned soundlessly and swiftly vanished into the night, withdrawing from this place of right and wrong.

Jiang Xiaomu watched the defeated bandits, his heart feeling no relaxation at all.

He knew this was only a temporary victory. Hu San Dao was merely one among many bandit chieftains, and greater challenges lay ahead.

He turned his head to look at the cheering militiamen, silently thinking: to survive in this chaotic world, one must possess greater strength.

"Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: one Xuan Tie Heavy Sword, one Marrow Cleansing Pill, and one copy of the martial arts secret manual *Thirty-Six Variations of Heavenly Gang*."

【Ding, having successfully overcome the major crisis, you have now acquired your own force, and the survival crisis is preliminarily resolved.】

【The reward system hereby presents: one Dagger Technique manual, 100 Heaven's Mandate Points, and one Strengthening Pill.】

【This Dagger Technique was carefully selected by the system; its moves are fierce and exquisite, its power extraordinary. After studying it, the Host's skill in dagger usage will greatly increase, adding several points of advantage and intimidation in battle.】

Upon hearing the reward details, Jiang Xiaomu's heart was instantly filled with ecstatic joy; these rewards were exactly what he had long dreamed of.

With excited feelings, he quickly entered the system space to select a weapon.

Before him appeared many mysterious boxes, each marked with different point values ranging from a few hundred to several thousand, inside which were sealed various alluring weapons.

Jiang Xiaomu hesitated among these boxes, his gaze sweeping over weapons that glittered with strange light and emitted powerful auras, but he ultimately resolutely invested all his Heaven's Mandate Points and chose a dagger that appeared outwardly ordinary.

In his view, though the dagger lacked a splendid appearance, it seemed to harbor some unique, unknown power, convincing him that its value far exceeded its outward appearance.

He was anxious as fire, wishing he could immediately grasp the reward, so he clicked to claim it without hesitation.

In an instant, the selected dagger flashed like a stream of light and steadily landed in his palm.

Jiang Xiaomu stared closely; on the dagger's surface, several lines of glowing text gradually emerged—its exclusive description.

This dagger, when successfully striking an enemy and causing them to bleed, can continuously increase the wielder's stamina.

Thereby greatly enhancing its endurance in battle.

"This dagger actually has such a miraculous effect similar to the blood-drinking sword in games!"

Jiang Xiaomu muttered to himself, his eyes filled with disbelief.

As long as the condition of attacking the enemy and making them bleed is met, it is as if a source of energy is opened, allowing him to sustain combat.

Stamina is continuously replenished, as if he possessed endless combat potential, undoubtedly adding a powerful trump card for his future struggles in various hardships and dangers.

Jiang Xiaomu gripped the dagger, feeling its cold touch transmitted from it, and a mysterious excitement welled up in his heart.

He exited the system space and returned to reality. In the stockade, the bonfire blazed brightly, illuminating the celebrating militiamen around. They sang and danced, celebrating the birth of the new leader.

Jiang Xiaomu walked to the center of the crowd, raised his dagger high, and loudly said: "Brothers, let's drink heartily tonight to celebrate our new beginning!"

The crowd burst into even more enthusiastic cheers.

After three rounds of drinks, Jiang Xiaomu used the excuse of inspecting the stockade to quietly slip away from the noisy crowd.

He came to a secluded grove outside the stockade and found a wild rabbit as a test subject.

He took a deep breath, aimed the dagger at the rabbit, and thrust it forward. The dagger struck true, and the rabbit let out a piercing scream.

A warm liquid flowed along the dagger into Jiang Xiaomu's hand; at the same time, he felt a warm current surge through his body, instantly filling his previously fatigued form from days of travel with strength.

"Indeed effective!"

Jiang Xiaomu secretly rejoiced. He swung the dagger again, completely finishing off the rabbit.

After several consecutive trials, Jiang Xiaomu gained a deeper understanding of the dagger's power.

As long as he can inflict bleeding damage, he can continuously replenish his stamina.

This means that as long as his enemies do not instantly kill him, he can stand invincible!

Returning to the stockade, Jiang Xiaomu noticed the atmosphere was somewhat off.

The militiamen were no longer cheering; instead, they gathered in small groups, whispering. He felt a faint ominous premonition.

"What's going on?" Jiang Xiaomu seized a militiaman and demanded sternly.

The militiaman stammered in fear: "Ch... Chief, the remnants of Hu San Dao... they... they have returned!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart sank; he hadn't expected the remnants of Hu San Dao to make a comeback so quickly.

He hurried to the stockade gate and saw a dark mass of figures advancing toward the stockade.

In the firelight, the blades in their hands reflected a cold gleam.