Chapter 424: The Engagement

Hong Sect encampment.

Listening to the sounds of shouting and killing outside, Cheng Feng naturally would not be the first to stick his neck out.

Coordinating with the aerial view from the Sun, Cheng Feng could clearly see the Red Lotus Sect rebels' tactic of surrounding on three sides while leaving one open.

This was both to lower the intensity of the resistance within the city and to give the common people inside the county town a glimmer of hope.

In Cheng Feng's view, this was hope.

As for actually facing the rebel army head-on, Cheng Feng had not even considered it.

A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall.

"Someone come, we head toward the North Gate."

Having clarified the hope and planned before acting,

Cheng Feng naturally would not sit and wait for death.

The remaining men of the Hong Sect naturally agreed.

Those who were still holding their ground at this time were basically those with families in tow.

Regarding this remaining group of people, Cheng Feng could only say that this was their own choice.

Those with a bit of foresight had long since arranged for their families to go to Hong Village.

Because there was not enough space in Hong Village, they even expanded further into the depths.

Many hands make light work, and many logs make a high flame.

With Cheng Feng's instruction and the Hong Sect Martial Artists also joining in to help, the construction of New Village was naturally extremely rapid.

The sound of hooves came clattering.

Cheng Feng watched the military general who was about to arrive at the Hong Sect.

He naturally did not want to get entangled.

But the rebel soldiers were not easily fooled.

In order to prevent the Hong Sect from fleeing and ruining the general's amusement,

They naturally pursued with effort, confirming back and forth.

"Report, General, a group of people has been discovered at the Hong Sect encampment ahead, preparing to leave."

Han Lei wore an expression of excitement: "Good, good, good. Little ones, follow!"

The Sun, high above, naturally provided a warning.

Cheng Feng immediately gave the order: "Those of the Hong Sect with Martial Dao training, stay behind to cover the retreat. Li Yang, hurry and take the people north, go straight to the old place. Master, follow Li Yang."

Wang Tieshan was still preparing to say something,

but Cheng Feng had long anticipated it: "Master, rest assured. I will just block them for a while; nothing will happen. The faster you leave, the faster I can withdraw from here. The junior brothers at the Martial Arts Hall still rely on you."

A sentence or two completely blocked off any excuses Wang Tieshan might have had.

Wang Tieshan gritted his teeth, finally nodded, and led a group of the old, weak, women, and children to run wildly toward the North Gate following Li Yang.

The sound of hooves grew closer and closer, as if it were the Grim Reaper's summons; every beat struck at Cheng Feng's heart.

Cheng Feng looked at the twenty-some Hong Sect Martial Artists left behind to cover the retreat; these people were mostly Hong Sect disciples who were well-trained in daily life, but at this moment, fear was still mixed into their eyes.

Cheng Feng took a deep breath and said loudly: "Brothers, you all know who I am.

Now your families are right behind us; we must buy time for those who have left.

Rest assured, even if we die, I will be the first to die."

"Cheng Sect Master, rest assured! To let my family leave first, I have long since given this life of mine to the Hong Sect!" a burly man shouted in response, and the others echoed him one after another, their voices reverberating over the Hong Sect encampment.

"Good. Those who survive, I will give you one hundred taels of Silver and reward you with a powerful martial art.

If you die, I will provide for your families and give your children a chance to embark on the Martial Dao."

Under the triple stimulation of family, Silver, and martial arts,

the remaining Hong Sect disciples, who were only in the Skin Refining Realm, were finally no longer afraid.

In this day and age, human life is as cheap as grass, yet there was actually a ladder to climb; everyone wanted to give it a try.

What if they happened to survive?

At this time, the rebel soldiers had already rushed to the entrance of the alley at the Hong Sect encampment.

The leading general, Han Lei, rode on a tall horse, looking at this group of Hong Sect Martial Artists preparing to cover the retreat,

and a look of disdain appeared on his face: "Just you few small fry want to block us? You are simply seeking your own deaths!"

Cheng Feng gave a cold laugh and waved the long blade in his hand: "Less talk, if you want to fight, then fight!"

As soon as his voice fell, the Qi and Blood in his body surged, his figure moved like lightning, and he was the first to charge toward the rebel soldiers.

The long blade in his hand flashed with cold light; every swing brought up a spray of blood, and in an instant, several rebel soldiers fell under his blade.

Han Lei narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself: "Oh, still an expert?"

The other Hong Sect Martial Artists did not show weakness either, shouting as they charged toward the enemy.

Although they were few in number, they were all skilled hands with Martial Dao, and for a time, they were actually locked in a stalemate with the rebel soldiers.

However, even if the rebel soldiers did not have many Martial Artists, they still had the upper hand due to their numbers.

Soon, the Hong Sect Martial Artists were struggling to hold their own.

A Hong Sect Martial Artist was struck in the shoulder by a rebel soldier's spear, and fresh blood instantly stained his clothes red.

But he gritted his teeth and did not retreat half a step, instead swinging the weapon in his hand even more fiercely.

Seeing this scene, Cheng Feng's heart tightened, and he shouted loudly: "Brothers, hold on! Li Yang and the others should have already gone far!"

Just at this moment, Han Lei suddenly leaped from his horse and pounced toward Cheng Feng. He held a long halberd in his hand, the blade flashing with cold light, his momentum fierce.

Cheng Feng did not dare to be careless; he dodged to the side, avoiding Han Lei's strike, then quickly closed in, backhanded his blade, and slashed toward Han Lei's waist.

Han Lei reacted extremely quickly; he retreated a step, dodged Cheng Feng's blade, and then swung the long halberd to slash at Cheng Feng again.

The two went back and forth, fighting to a standstill.

The surrounding rebel soldiers and Hong Sect Martial Artists all moved away from this area, avoiding this intense clash.

Cheng Feng fought with increasing courage; his Blade Technique was incomparably fierce, every move carrying powerful momentum.

Han Lei was not to be outdone; his long halberd whistled with wind, every strike containing immense power.

Gradually, Cheng Feng began to gain the upper hand, his blade continuously leaving wounds on Han Lei's body.

Han Lei was greatly alarmed in his heart; he had not expected Cheng Feng to be this formidable.

He could not discern his Martial Dao realm, and his martial skills were also beyond compare.

Is this really a genius from a county Martial Arts Hall?

Just as he was somewhat distracted, Cheng Feng seized the opportunity and slashed his arm with one blade strike.

Han Lei felt the pain, and the long halberd in his hand nearly fell.

Cheng Feng took the opportunity to launch another attack, thrusting his blade toward Han Lei's throat.

Han Lei widened his eyes; he wanted to dodge, but it was already too late.

Just as the blade tip was about to pierce his throat, an arrow suddenly shot over from a distance, striking Cheng Feng's arm exactly.

Cheng Feng's hand trembled, and the blade veered off course. Han Lei took the opportunity to retreat a few steps, putting distance between himself and Cheng Feng.

Cheng Feng instinctively covered his injured arm, only to discover,

Huh? I am not injured.

Oh, then it's fine.