Chapter 44: with translation of chapter title

"Kid, give your name! My axe won't strike a nameless ghost!"

"Heifeng gripped his axe tightly, shouting arrogantly at Zhao Hu."

"Zhao Hu looked at him expressionlessly, coldly spitting out two words:"

"Zhao Hu."

"Good! I'll remember you!"

"Heifeng roared in anger, swinging his axe at Zhao Hu."

"Zhao Hu sidestepped Heifeng's attack, simultaneously drawing his waist sword and thrusting straight at Heifeng's face."

"Not bad—this guy can actually attack while dodging!"

"Heifeng steadied his stance, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes."

"As expected of the Ghost Face Army."

"However, if you want to beat me, you're still too green—go die!"

"Heifeng roared again, swinging his axe at Zhao Hu once more."

"However, Zhao Hu could easily dodge his attacks."

"Bang!"

"Heifeng let his guard down, taking a kick to the chest from Zhao Hu and flying backward."

"Chief!"

"Big brother!"

"The surrounding Heifengzhai bandits, seeing this, all cried out in alarm."

"Heifeng spat out a mouthful of blood, a fishy sweetness spreading in his mouth."

"He shook his head, feeling dizzy, and grabbed the axe that had fallen nearby; its handle was already stained red with blood."

"Cough cough... pah!"

"A tearing pain surged through his chest, the vicious light in his eyes intensifying,"

"You bastard, you've got some skill! I'll hack you to death, ahhh!"

"Heifeng's strength is indeed astonishing; he wields a fifty- to sixty-catty axe with tiger-like vigor."

"Bang!"

"The two exchanged blows; although Heifeng was severely wounded, his strength showed no decline, instead growing fiercer with each fight."

"Zhao Hu gradually felt the strain; Heifeng's strength far exceeded his imagination."

"Damn, I almost bought it here!"

"Heifeng's eyes were bloodshot."

"He swung his axe again, wildly hacking at Zhao Hu."

"Clang!"

"Heifeng's axe cut through air; the immense force made his stance somewhat unsteady."

"Zhao Hu seized the opportunity, thrusting his blade into Heifeng's body."

"Ah!"

"Heifeng let out a miserable cry and slowly collapsed."

"Chief!"

"Who dares to move!"

"Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold shout."

"The Ghost Face Army soldiers behind him all drew their weapons in unison, pointing at the Heifengzhai bandits."

"Jiang Xiaomu walked up to Heifeng, his eyes devoid of any pity,"

"Heifengzhai chief, you have lost."

"Heifeng clutched his belly, his face pallid."

"Fine! I admit defeat—winner takes all, loser loses; do as you wish, just give me a quick death!"

"I have only one request: spare my brothers; they merely followed my orders."

"Jiang Xiaomu smiled faintly, crouched down, and patted Heifeng on the shoulder,"

"Heifengzhai chief, I respect you as a true man."

"I give you two choices: one, death; two, submit to me and become one of my subordinates."

"Heifeng stared for a moment; he hadn't expected Jiang Xiaomu to offer him a second option."

"He asked, 'Will you really let me go?'"

"Jiang Xiaomu wore a cold expression:"

"The Ghost Face Army's fearsome reputation comes from its willingness to kill—men, women, old and young; anyone who opposes me dies!"

"If I truly wanted your life, you wouldn't even have the chance to speak to me."

"Life or death—it's your decision!"

"As long as you submit to me, I will not only spare your life but also let you continue to lead Heifengzhai."

"A flicker of struggle crossed Heifeng's eyes; submitting to another left him somewhat unwilling in his heart."

"How? Unwilling?"

"Seeing his hesitation, Jiang Xiaomu's tone carried a hint of impatience,"

"I don't have that much time to waste on you."

"Heifeng gritted his teeth, steeled himself,"

"Fine! I agree!"

"A wise choice."

Jiang Xiaomu stood up,

Someone, come! Give Heifeng, no, should call you Tieniu, give him bandage his wound.

Two Ghost-Faced Army soldiers stepped forward and helped Heifeng up.

They skillfully bandaged Tieniu's wound; Tieniu grimaced in pain but dared not utter a sound.

Jiang Xiaomu patted Tieniu's shoulder, his tone tinged with teasing:

Chief Li, from now on just follow me.

""I guarantee you'll eat well and live large, far more carefree than in this bird‑shit stronghold.""

Tieniu cursed silently:

""Damn it! I may be just a local emperor in this stronghold, one person below, ten thousand above—now you want me to be your dog?""

But he had no choice but to put on a smile:

""I, your humble Tieniu, will from now on be at your command, Lord Jiang!""

Jiang Xiaomu nodded in satisfaction:

""From today on, Heifengzhai is renamed Tieniuzhai, and Tieniu remains chief.""

""But you must obey my orders! Any defiance will be met with immediate execution!""

The bandits glanced at each other, angry but silent.

Jiang Xiaomu walked to the center of the stronghold, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

""I know you resent me, thinking I've seized your territory.""

""I tell you, being a bandit will eventually get you wiped out; even without Imperial Court troops surrounding you, another bandit gang will come to take your land.""

""But follow me, and you'll gain even more—glory and wealth, riches, women—all within easy reach!""

He paused, his tone turning cold,

""But if you dare betray me, I'll make you know what it means to be unable to live and unable to die!""

All fell silent like cold cicadas, kneeling to show submission.

Jiang Xiaomu took a liking to Heifengzhai, not because of Tieniu's martial strength, but because of the strategic importance of this territory.

Heifengzhai sits right in the middle of several bordering cities, essentially a natural watchtower that can monitor the movements of surrounding cities at any time. This is crucial for his future campaigns in all directions.

""Tieniu," Jiang Xiaomu called,"

""How much do you know about the situation of the surrounding cities?""

Tieniu hastily replied:

""Reporting to Lord Jiang, I have a rough idea of the situation of the surrounding cities.""

""To the north is the prosperous Yun Cheng, whose City Lord is a greedy, lecherous old man;""

""To the east is the hard‑to‑attack Hulao Pass, whose defending general is an old, crafty strategist;""

""To the west is the weakly defended Qingzhoucheng, whose City Lord is a timid, mouse‑like man;""

""To the south is our Heifengzhai's territory, a hundred li in radius, all under our control.""

Jiang Xiaomu listened, nodded slightly, and Tieniu's description basically matched the intelligence he had previously received.

He walked over to a rickety wooden table, picked up a charred stick of wood, and sketched a simple map on the ground.

""Yun Cheng is prosperous, but its City Lord is dim‑witted and incompetent, making him a usable target.""

""Hulao Pass is easy to defend but hard to attack; for now a direct assault is inadvisable. Qingzhoucheng's forces are weak, making it a good breakthrough point.""

""As for the south…""

Jiang Xiaomu's lips curled into a sinister smile,

""From now on this place will be our base; whoever dares to come and seize it, I'll wipe out his whole family, humph humph.""

He pointed to Heifengzhai on the map and said to Tieniu:

""I want you to send people to closely monitor the movements of the surrounding cities; any sign of trouble, report to me immediately.""

""Furthermore, focus on monitoring these city lords' movements, especially their families!""

Tieniu hastily nodded in agreement, though inwardly he lamented bitterly.

He had merely wanted to survive in this chaotic world, never expecting to be drawn into a larger vortex.