Chapter 31: Attack

"It's over… everything is over…" the small squad leader muttered, the saber in his hand drooping weakly.

At that moment, a flash of cold light passed, a huge head flew into the air, blood spurting out, dyeing the small squad leader's terrified eyes red.

Jiang Xiaomu, holding his knife, stepped closer to the remnants of Tooth Granny's forces.

"Not a single one of Tooth Granny's people will be left!"

His voice was icy, without a trace of emotion.

The long blade in his hand was like the grim reaper's scythe; each swing would take several lives.

The originally fierce Tooth Granny army, now like a bereaved dog, was slaughtered by Jiang Xiaomu to the last man.

What should have been an easy ambush turned out to be a massacre awaiting them.

"Devil! He's a devil!" a soldier screamed in terror, dropping his weapon and turning to flee.

However, Jiang Xiaomu was faster; he flickered and instantly appeared behind that soldier, thrusting his blade through the soldier's heart.

"Run? Can you escape?"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold snort, letting the soldier's corpse fall to the ground.

The battle lasted less than half an hour; Tooth Granny's thousand-strong army was completely wiped out by Jiang Xiaomu.

Although victorious, Jiang Xiaomu's anger did not subside; instead, it burned ever fiercer.

"Boss! Are you alright?"

A rough voice broke the silence of the battlefield.

"I'm fine."

Jiang Xiaomu's tone was icy, as if squeezed from between his teeth.

"That old Tooth Granny is truly cunning and deceitful, actually setting an ambush."

"If it weren't for your divine calculations, Boss, and your advance preparations, we would have..."

Xiong Kuohai spoke with lingering fear, unconsciously touching the wound on his arm that was still bleeding.

Jiang Xiaomu did not respond, merely casting a cold glance over the battlefield, his eyes full of killing intent.

He knew in his heart that this victory was only temporary; Tooth Granny was full of tricks, having suffered a loss this time, she would surely retaliate even more fiercely next time.

"Pass the order: clean the battlefield, count the casualties. Also, immediately send someone to fetch Xiao Yu."

Jiang Xiaomu said in a deep voice.

"Fetch the Miss? Now? Boss, the fighting has just ended, everywhere is unsettled; what if..."

"No 'what if'!" Jiang Xiaomu shouted, cutting him off,

"Xiao Yu is my weakness, and also my motivation. Only by bringing her back safely can I set my mind to fight with all my strength and completely eliminate this threat from Tooth Granny."

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu's firm attitude, he ceased his objections and immediately set off to carry out the order.

Jiang Xiaomu watched Xiong Kuohai's retreating back, silently calculating his next move in his heart.

He knew that behind Tooth Granny lay an even greater power; this battle was merely a beginning.

To eradicate this scourge completely, he needed to be more cautious, more powerful.

He must quickly increase his strength to protect himself, protect his sister, and protect everyone he wishes to protect.

At dusk, a detachment of elite cavalry escorted a carriage slowly into Jiang Xiaomu's main camp.

The carriage stopped, the curtain was lifted, and a girl in a pale yellow dress leapt down, like a ray of spring sunshine.

"Brother!"

The girl cried out joyfully and flung herself into Jiang Xiaomu's arms.

Jiang Xiaomu opened his arms and tightly embraced his sister, Jiang Xiaoyu.

Feeling his sister's soft body and warm temperature, his previously tense nerves finally relaxed.

"Xiao Yu, are you alright? Were you frightened?"

Jiang Xiaomu gently stroked his sister's forehead.

"No, Brother, I knew you would definitely come to save me!"

Jiang Xiaoyu raised her head.

"Brother is truly wonderful."

Jiang Xiaomu smiled indulgently and lightly flicked his sister's nose.

"Alright, it's fine, everything is over now."

Jiang Xiaoyu leaned in Jiang Xiaomu's embrace, feeling his brother's warmth.

Night deepened; Jiang Xiaomu stood alone outside the tent, gazing up at the starry sky.

Countless stars scattered like shattered diamonds across the dark canopy.

Suddenly, a shooting star streaked across the night sky, fleeting.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred; an inexplicable premonition welled up. He felt that something was about to happen…

"Boss, are these weapons… enough?"

Jiang Xiaomu patted Xiong Kuohai's shoulder, his tone carrying undeniable domineering authority:

"Whether they're enough depends on whether Tooth Granny is tough enough! This time, I will make her know what befalls those who move against Jiang Xiaomu!"

Xiong Kuohai said with a worried expression:

"Boss, Tooth Granny has many strong men under her; it's said she also raised a band of death warriors, each highly skilled and fearless of death."

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold chuckle:

"Experts? Death warriors? I want to see whether their blades are faster or my spear is harder! Pass the order: all brothers, intensify training and stand ready at any moment!"

"Yes!"

"……"

In the following days, Jiang Xiaomu's stronghold was very busy.

The blacksmiths forged weapons day and night, the newly recruited soldiers trained hard, and the whole stronghold was filled with a solemn, killing aura.

The next morning, Jiang Xiaomu led his elite troops, marching mightily toward the lair of Tooth Granny.

"Brothers, Tooth Granny has committed countless evils, oppressing the people; we go now to rid the populace of harm and avenge our fallen brothers! Kill!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" the soldiers shouted, their killing cries shaking the heavens.

Tooth Granny's lair was located in a stronghold that was easy to defend but hard to attack.

Cliffs and steep walls surrounded the stronghold on all sides, with only a narrow mountain path leading to the gate.

Jiang Xiaomu led his great army to the foot of the stronghold; looking up, he saw high walls and strict guards—indeed, one man could hold the pass against ten thousand.

"Big brother, this stronghold is hard to attack!"

Xiong Kuohai frowned and said.

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold snort: "Hard to attack? Then we'll blast it open!"

He waved his hand, ordering the soldiers to bring up the explosives.

"Light the fuse!"

At Jiang Xiaomu's command, the soldiers then hurled the explosives forcefully at the gate.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A series of deafening explosions rang out, the gate was blown to pieces, and a large section of the stronghold's defenses collapsed.

"Charge!"

Jiang Xiaomu led the charge, riding ahead as he led the soldiers into the stronghold.

The garrison inside the stronghold was caught off guard, slaughtered helplessly by Jiang Xiaomu's army.

Jiang Xiaomu wielded a spear, cutting through as if no one were there, slaughtering his way deep into the stronghold.

Just as Jiang Xiaomu was enjoying the slaughter, a figure suddenly descended from the sky, blocking his path.

"Jiang Xiaomu, you've finally come!"

She was a tall woman with a stern visage.

"Who are you?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked warily.

"I am the adopted daughter of Tooth Granny, the Black Widow!"

The woman said coldly, "Today is your day of death!"

As soon as her words fell, the Black Widow brandished her blade and attacked Jiang Xiaomu; the blade flashed, a chilling aura pressed in—clearly she meant to kill.

Jiang Xiaomu dared not be careless, quickly raising his spear to block.

"Clang!"

A clear metallic clang rang out, sparks flying.

Jiang Xiaomu felt a powerful force transmitted, his palm going numb.

What strong internal energy!

Jiang Xiaomu secretly startled. It seems this Black Widow is not easy to deal with!