Chapter 56

"What's going on?"

Bai Shen and Long Er were both stunned.

Jiang Xiaomu silently thought, "Not good!"

Cao Man had taken some kind of forbidden drug, stimulating his own potential.

"Kill!"

Cao Man crazily charged at Jiang Xiaomu and the others!

At that moment, the system's voice sounded:

【Warning! Cao Man took the Berserk Pill, combat power increased fivefold】

【Duration: half an hour. Host survival rate: 10%!】

Jiang Xiaomu felt a chill run down his spine:

10%! Cao Man is really ruthless, even using this life-draining forbidden drug.

He glanced at Bai Shen and Long Er; although brave, they were visibly struggling against the drugged-up, berserk Cao Man.

"Retreat!" Jiang Xiaomu feinted a move, grabbed Bai Shen and Long Er, and broke out.

"You want to run? Not that easy!"

Cao Man roared like a beast, his speed surging, and threw a punch at Jiang Xiaomu's back.

Jiang Xiaomu felt a sharp pain in his back, and a mouthful of blood spurted out.

"Leader!" Bai Shen exclaimed in alarm, rushing forward to shield Jiang Xiaomu.

"Cough..." Jiang Xiaomu struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth.

"Damn it!"

The system's voice sounded again:

【Host injury detected as severe; recommend immediate use of healing medicine.】

"Use it!" Jiang Xiaomu immediately swallowed a healing pill, his condition slightly improving.

"You two hold him off; I'll be right back!"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a low shout, then turned and vanished into the night.

Bai Shen and Long Er exchanged a glance; years of fighting together had made them exceptionally in sync.

"Come on, beast!"

Bai Shen roared, swinging his long blade toward the frenzied Cao Man.

Long Er, like a leopard, nimbly circled Cao Man, waiting for an opening to strike.

However, after taking the drug, Cao Man's strength and speed were greatly increased, making Bai Shen and Long Er's attacks feel like tickling to him.

"Bang!"

With a loud bang, Bai Shen was sent flying by Cao Man's punch, spitting blood.

"Bai Shen!"

Long Er's eyes reddened, he recklessly charged at Cao Man, but Cao Man seized his neck and lifted him high.

"Insect! Die!"

Cao Man sneered, tightening his grip; Long Er's breathing grew ever more difficult, his face flushing red.

Meanwhile, outside Hulao Pass, Cao Meng was directing the army's assault on the city when he suddenly received an urgent military report from a scout.

"Report! General, things are bad! The granary inside Hulao Pass is on fire, possibly due to a traitor!"

Cao Meng, hearing this, flew into a rage and grabbed the scout's collar.

"What did you say?! The granary's on fire?! Who did it?!"

"It's said… it's Jiang Xiaomu!"

The scout stammered in reply.

"Jiang Xiaomu?!" Cao Meng felt a chill shoot from his feet to his head.

"Damn it! This brat actually dared to play me!"

Cao Meng roared and hurled the scout to the ground.

"Pass the order: the entire army retreats to Hulao Pass immediately! I will personally kill Jiang Xiaomu!"

"Yes!" The messenger hurriedly took the order and left.

Cao Meng's heart burned with anxiety; once the supplies were destroyed, the army would collapse without fighting.

He had to rush back to Hulao Pass as quickly as possible to stop Jiang Xiaomu!

Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaomu had already sneaked into Cao Man's tent and found a peculiarly shaped black iron box.

【Ding! Congratulations, host, you have discovered the Black Fire Thunderbolt! Proceed with binding?】

"Bind!" Jiang Xiaomu said.

【Binding successful! Black Fire Thunderbolt activated!】

Jiang Xiaomu looked at the Black Fire Thunderbolt in his hand and formed a plan.

This Black Fire Thunderbolt is a special weapon rewarded by the system, with immense power capable of destroying the entire Hulao Pass!

Jiang Xiaomu's heart tightened:

Cao Man, Cao Meng, just wait to feel my wrath!

He turned and vanished into the night.

He came to a concealed high ground, set up the Black Fire Thunderbolt, and set the detonation time.

After doing all that, Jiang Xiaomu quickly sent a signal, telling Bai Shen, Long Er, and the others to retreat immediately and flee toward the outside of Hulao Pass.

Nan Shan and Lei Bao quickly joined the battle.

Brothers, be careful!

Translation: "Brothers, be careful!" (Note: "brothers" = brothers (comrades). Keep as "Brothers".) Output: 【61】 Brothers, be careful!

Bai Shen spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, reminding them.

Bai Shen spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, reminding them.

Though drugged Cao Man was ferocious, his two fists were no match for the six-armed relentless fury, and he couldn't break through the siege.

Interpretation: After taking medicine, Cao Man was fierce, but ultimately his two fists could not withstand the six-handed angry roars repeatedly, yet he could not break through the encirclement. Need to translate faithfully. Let's produce: After taking medicine, Cao Man was fierce, but ultimately his two fists could not withstand the six-handed angry roars repeatedly, yet he could not break through the encirclement.

At that moment, Jiang Xiaomu's signal flare streaked across the night sky, signaling retreat.

Translation: At that moment, Jiang Xiaomu's signal flare shot across the night sky—that was the retreat signal. Let's produce: At that moment, Jiang Xiaomu's signal flare shot across the night sky—that was the retreat signal.

"Withdraw!" Jiang Xiaomu's voice rang out from afar.

Translation: "Retreat!" Jiang Xiaomu's voice came from afar. Let's produce: "Retreat!" Jiang Xiaomu's voice came from afar.

Bai Shen, Long Two, Nan Shan, and Lei Bao exchanged a glance, silently understanding each other.

Translation: Bai Shen, Long Er, Nan Shan, and Lei Bao exchanged a glance, understanding each other implicitly. Let's produce: Bai Shen, Long Er, Nan Shan, and Lei Bao exchanged a glance, understanding each other implicitly.

Nan Shan roared, brought down the huge hammer hard on the ground, shaking Cao Man off balance; Lei Bao seized the moment to throw his two short spears, which firmly nailed the banner symbolizing the commander's status behind Cao Man.

"You beast, I'll leave you a keepsake!"

Translation: "You beast, I'll leave you a memento!" Let's produce: "You beast, I'll leave you a memento!"

Bai Shen smirked, broke a thick iron chain, attaching one end to the banner and swiftly wrapping the other around Cao Man.

Translation: Bai Shen grinned wickedly, snapped a thick iron chain, one end attached to the flag, the other quickly winding around Cao Man's body. Let's produce: Bai Shen grinned wickedly, snapped a thick iron chain, one end attached to the flag, the other quickly winding around Cao Man's body.

Cao Man struggled frantically, but the more he struggled, the tighter the chain grew, its barbs sinking deep into his flesh.

Translation: Cao Man struggled wildly, but the more he struggled, the tighter the wound became, the barbs on the iron chain sinking deep into his flesh. Let's produce: Cao Man struggled wildly, but the more he struggled, the tighter the wound became, the barbs on the iron chain sinking deep into his flesh.

"Move out!" Nan Shan ordered, and the four turned and walked away nonchalantly.

Translation: "Go!" Nan Shan gave the order, and the four departed in a carefree manner. Let's produce: "Go!" Nan Shan gave the order, and the four departed in a carefree manner.

At the same time, Cao Meng led his forces racing back to Hulao Pass.

Translation: At the same time, Cao Meng led the troops rushing back to Tiger Lock Pass. Let's produce: At the same time, Cao Meng led the troops rushing back to Tiger Lock Pass.

In the distance, he saw the sky‑high flames staining half the sky red — something was terribly wrong.

Translation: From afar, he saw the sky‑high flames dye half the heavens red—something was terribly wrong. Let's produce: From afar, he saw the sky‑high flames dye half the heavens red—something was terribly wrong.

Pick up the pace!

Translation: "Pick up the speed!" Let's produce: "Pick up the speed!"

Cao Meng bellowed hoarsely, his voice raw.

Translation: Cao Meng bellowed hoarsely. Let's produce: Cao Meng bellowed hoarsely.

Upon reaching Hulao Pass, the sight before him made his eyes nearly pop out.

Translation: When he arrived at Tiger Lock Pass, the sight before him made his eyes almost burst. Let's produce: When he arrived at Tiger Lock Pass, the sight before him made his eyes almost burst.

The granary was now a sea of fire, with thick smoke rolling and blocking out the sky.

Translation: The granary had become a sea of fire, rolling thick smoke blocking out the sky. Let's produce: The granary had become a sea of fire, rolling thick smoke blocking out the sky.

"Brother! Who did this! Who killed you! I will tear him to pieces!"

Translation: "Brother! Who—who killed you! I will tear him apart limb from limb!" Let's produce: "Brother! Who—who killed you! I will tear him apart limb from limb!"

Cao Meng's furious roar rang across the sky.

Translation: Cao Meng's angry roar echoed across the heavens. Let's produce: Cao Meng's angry roar echoed across the heavens.

……

Translation: …… (ellipsis). We need to output exactly the same? The line contains three dots. We should translate as "……" maybe keep as is? The rule: render exactly what source says. So we output the same three dots. So: 【80】 ……

At the same time, Jiang Xiaomu led Bai Shen, Long Two, Nan Shan, and Lei Bao, using the cover of night to race back to Iron Bull Village.

Translation: At the same time, Jiang Xiaomu led Bai Shen, Long Er, Nan Shan, and Lei Bao, taking advantage of the night, galloping back to Tieniu Village. Let's produce: At the same time, Jiang Xiaomu led Bai Shen, Long Er, Nan Shan, and Lei Bao, taking advantage of the night, galloping back to Tieniu Village.

"Chief, we really gave Cao Meng a hard time this time; that bastard will at least feel the pain for a while!"

Translation: "Chief, this time we really screwed Cao Meng over—this dog thief will at least be heartbroken for a while!" Let's produce: "Chief, this time we really screwed Cao Meng over—this dog thief will at least be heartbroken for a while!"

Long Two chewed on a stalk of straw.

Translation: Long Er had a stalk of straw in his mouth. Let's produce: Long Er had a stalk of straw in his mouth.

"Yeah, that black fire thunder's power is really strong; if we hadn't run fast, we'd probably have been caught in the blast." Nan Shan said, still feeling uneasy.

Translation: "Yeah, the power of that black fire thunder is truly fierce—if we hadn't run fast, we'd likely have been caught in the blast." Nan Shan said, still feeling uneasy. Let's produce: "Yeah, the power of that black fire thunder is truly fierce—if we hadn't run fast, we'd likely have been caught in the blast." Nan Shan said, still feeling uneasy.

"This time we owe it to the chief's clever plan; otherwise we might not have made it out unscathed."

Translation: "This time we really owe it to the Chief's clever plan; otherwise we might not have made it out intact." Let's produce: "This time we really owe it to the Chief's clever plan; otherwise we might not have made it out intact."

Bai Shen rarely praised Jiang Xiaomu.

Translation: Bai Shen rarely praised Jiang Xiaomu. Let's produce: Bai Shen rarely praised Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu merely gave a faint smile, said nothing more, with the system at his side, everything under control.

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu merely smiled faintly, said nothing more, with the System at his side, everything under control. Let's produce: Jiang Xiaomu merely smiled faintly, said nothing more, with the System at his side, everything under control.

He gazed into the distance, thinking to himself:

Translation: He gazed into the distance, silently thinking: Let's produce: He gazed into the distance, silently thinking:

Although this time we dealt a heavy blow to Hulao Pass, Cao Meng is still alive.

Translation: Although this time we dealt a heavy blow to Tiger Lock Pass, Cao Meng is still alive. Let's produce: Although this time we dealt a heavy blow to Tiger Lock Pass, Cao Meng is still alive.

As long as he isn't dead for a day, the danger remains!

Translation: As long as he isn't dead for a day, the danger remains! Let's produce: As long as he isn't dead for a day, the danger remains!

Returning to Iron Bull Village, Li Tieniu was directing his men to clean up the battlefield, the village bustling with activity.

Translation: Returning to Tieniu Village, Li Tieniu was directing his subordinates to clean up the battlefield, the village bustling with activity. Let's produce: Returning to Tieniu Village, Li Tieniu was directing his subordinates to clean up the battlefield, the village bustling with activity.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu return, he hurried forward to ask:

Translation: Seeing Jiang Xiaomu return, he hurried forward to ask: Let's produce: Seeing Jiang Xiaomu return, he hurried forward to ask:

"Master Jiang, you're back! How did it go, is the mission accomplished?"

Translation: "Master Jiang, you're back! How did it go—did you get the job done?" Let's produce: "Master Jiang, you're back! How did it go—did you get the job done?"

"Rest assured! Everything went smoothly." Jiang Xiaomu replied briefly.

Translation: "Rest assured! Everything went smoothly." Jiang Xiaomu replied concisely. Let's produce: "Rest assured! Everything went smoothly." Jiang Xiaomu replied concisely.

Upon hearing that, Li Tieniu instantly beamed with joy.

Translation: Upon hearing that, Li Tieniu instantly beamed with joy. Let's produce: Upon hearing that, Li Tieniu instantly beamed with joy.

"Great! Excellent! Now that bastard Cao Meng is going to suffer!"

Translation: "Great! Excellent! Now that dog Cao Meng is going to suffer!" Let's produce: "Great! Excellent! Now that dog Cao Meng is going to suffer!"

"Come on, let's drink till we drop tonight and celebrate properly!"

Translation: "Come on, tonight we won't stop until we're drunk—let's celebrate properly!" Let's produce: "Come on, tonight we won't stop until we're drunk—let's celebrate properly!"

At the victory feast, everyone's cups clashed, the atmosphere lively.

Translation: At the victory feast, everyone's cups clashed, the atmosphere lively. Let's produce: At the victory feast, everyone's cups clashed, the atmosphere lively.

A few days later, the system notification sounded again:

Translation: A few days later, the System's notification sounded again: Let's produce: A few days later, the System's notification sounded again:

【Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the hidden mission: deal a heavy blow to Tiger Lock Pass and slay Cao Man.】

【Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the hidden mission: deal a heavy blow to Tiger Lock Pass and slay Cao Man.】

【Xuan Iron Heavy Armor set, an advanced tactics manual!】

Translation: 【A set of Profound Iron Heavy Armor, a volume of Advanced Military Tactics!】 Let's produce: 【A set of Profound Iron Heavy Armor, a volume of Advanced Military Tactics!】

Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy and quickly checked the system rewards.

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy and quickly checked the System's rewards. Let's produce: Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy and quickly checked the System's rewards.

The Xuan Iron Heavy Armor is impervious to blades and spears, truly a lifesaver.

Translation: Profound Iron Heavy Armor—impervious to blades and spears—is truly a lifesaver. Let's produce: Profound Iron Heavy Armor—impervious to blades and spears—is truly a lifesaver.

Advanced military tactics, moreover, can enhance his military command ability, allowing him to be like a tiger with wings on the battlefield.