Chapter 79: Liu Dong

Two teams were arranged for the day, and two teams for the night.

As it happened, Cheng Feng's team was assigned to night patrol, sleeping during the day.

A Martial Artist's Qi and Blood are exceptionally vigorous; staying up for three or five days is no problem.

There were rotations in between, so this was no different from a normal patrol.

The only possible downside was that if the Black Wind Stronghold bandits wanted to come, they would most likely attack at night.

During the day, there were so many people, and with so many eyes, nothing would surely happen.

Cheng Feng took the opportunity to sound out the bottom line of his team.

The one who wielded the big spear was called Lin Zhi, at the Skin Refining Late Stage; Zhao Hu, Zhao Bao, and Zhao Niu, the three brothers, were all at the Skin Refining Mid-Stage, but having many people at the Skin Refining Realm still had its advantages.

Cheng Feng claimed to be at Skin Refining Perfection; for the sake of the silver, he couldn't lower his status any further.

As the team's strength anchor, Cheng Feng had no interest in the captain position, but Zhao Hu would not casually order around Cheng Feng and Lin Zhi, who were stronger than himself.

This made the atmosphere of this small team rather strange; the three Zhao brothers were one group, and Cheng Feng and Lin Zhi were another, changing shifts at separate times, which also avoided some trouble.

But for normal assignments, Cheng Feng still listened.

Just walking around with Lin Zhi, as a Blood Refining Realm practitioner, he circulated his Blood Qi to his ears; the rustle of grass within a twenty-meter radius could not escape Cheng Feng's ears.

Every once in a while, Cheng Feng would listen; everything was very calm.

On the third day, Zhao Bao watched the Cheng Feng duo go out again, walked over to Zhao Hu's side, and whispered, "Big Brother, if we don't act now, I'm afraid the Stronghold Master won't be able to wait."

Zhao Hu had also figured out the strength of the two, but he always felt that both were hiding something.

After all, one was Skin Refining Late Stage and one was Skin Refining Perfection; he couldn't tell what they had hidden.

Zhao Hu whispered, "When they come back to eat and rotate, put some medicine in the food. We are mainly here for the Li Family's silver; as for the others, it doesn't matter if we kill them or not, as long as they don't block the way."

Zhao Bao and Zhao Niu nodded.

They were originally hunters who had learned martial arts by chance and were accidentally taken under the wing of the Black Wind Stronghold master, as practicing martial arts consumed quite a lot of resources.

Otherwise, given the three brothers' aptitude, they might have already stepped into Blood Refining.

The Black Wind Stronghold master had proposed that the newly joined Zhao brothers infiltrate the Li Family to spy and find the right moment to signal.

These past few days, it was about time.

But to truly have the heart to kill, the three Zhao brothers still couldn't quite bring themselves to do it.

Cheng Feng and his companion returned from night patrol, eating their meal and preparing to rest, when suddenly Cheng Feng felt his blood flow become somewhat sluggish.

As a Blood Refining Realm practitioner, controlling Blood Qi is a basic skill, especially the purity of the blood; he could clearly feel it when impurities entered.

Cheng Feng remained calm, watching Lin Zhi, who was still eating and drinking, continuing their back-and-forth.

Internally, he accelerated his blood flow to condense the impurities in his blood.

After eating, he drank a cup of tea and spat the impurities out through his mouth.

Seeing that Lin Zhi had a tendency to faint on the table, Cheng Feng also fell down accordingly.

The three Zhao brothers were patrolling as usual according to the rules; as they walked, Zhao Bao stood by the wall, took a stone from his bosom, and threw it outside the wall.

He listened to the three thumping sounds coming from outside the wall.

Zhao Bao acted as if he had finished relieving himself and returned to the team safely and soundly.

As the night deepened, the scouts of the Black Wind Stronghold began to quietly climb over the walls and head toward the Li Family.

Zhao Hu led a team of men and silently approached the Li Family's main residence.

They climbed over the wall, avoided the patrolling servants, and moved silently toward the Li Family's treasure vault.

However, just as they were about to reach their destination, a black shadow suddenly flashed out from the darkness, holding a Long Sword, and thrust it straight at Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu reacted quickly, dodging the attack with a sidestep, and simultaneously drew his short blade to engage the black shadow.

"Who goes there?" Zhao Hu shouted while engaging the black shadow.

"Hmph, bandits from the Black Wind Stronghold, daring to run wild in the Li Family!" The black shadow's voice was cold and dignified; clearly, they were no ordinary person.

Zhao Hu was shocked; he hadn't expected the Li Family to have such an expert hidden in the house.

He dared not be careless and fought the black shadow with all his might. However, the opponent's Sword Technique was extremely exquisite; although Zhao Hu was incomparably brave, he gradually felt some strain. Zhao Hu was certain the opponent was at least Skin Refining Late Stage, and coupled with the opponent's fierce Sword Technique, a frontal assault would not end well.

Just then, the sound of footsteps of a large group of people and the rapid sound of horse hooves came from afar.

Zhao Hu's heart tightened; he knew the government officials had arrived. He understood that this operation had been exposed, and continuing would only be more dangerous.

He made a prompt decision and shouted, "Retreat!" Then he led his men and quickly withdrew from the scene.

However, they did not notice that in the darkness, there was still a pair of eyes coldly staring at them. The owner of those eyes was none other than the Head of the Family of the Li Family—Li Tianyun.

He silently followed Zhao Hu and the others as they left, a sneer appearing on his face: "Bandits from the Black Wind Stronghold, actually daring to come and provoke my Li Family; truly not knowing life from death. However, this can be considered a lesson for you."

As the sound of horse hooves faded into the distance, the Li Family returned to calm.

Leaving behind only a dozen corpses of Li Family servants, reflected in the moonlight.

Outside the city, the team organized by the Li Family experts had already met with the Black Wind Stronghold master, Liu Dong. Seeing his nephew tied up like a zongzi, the younger brother of the Li Family Head, who was also Li Mo's second uncle, Li Chen, shouted: "Mo-er, how are you?"

Li Mo looked up at his second uncle, Li Chen, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Although tied tightly, he still tried to remain calm, his voice sounding slightly hoarse as he said: "Second Uncle, I am fine, just tied a bit too tightly."

Liu Dong watched coldly from the side, a mocking smile curling the corner of his mouth: "Li Chen, you have arrived quite quickly. However, you people of the Li Family always seem so tactless."

Li Chen glared at Liu Dong, his eyes full of anger and hostility: "Liu Dong, stop with the sarcastic remarks. Our Li Family and your Black Wind Stronghold have always minded our own business; why did you kidnap my nephew?"

Liu Dong waved his hand, looking indifferent: "Hmph, kidnapping? Your Li Family is wealthy and powerful; we just came to borrow some money to spend. However, it seems you are not willing to cooperate."

Li Chen took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone calm: "Liu Dong, if you release my nephew now, I guarantee I will not pursue this matter."

Liu Dong laughed loudly, as if he had heard some joke: "Pursue? Do you think the government will go to war with our Black Wind Stronghold for a nephew of your Li Family? I tell you, that is impossible!"

Li Chen's face darkened; he knew that reasoning with a scoundrel like Liu Dong would not work. He glanced at Li Mo, who was tied to the side, and a nameless fire rose in his heart. He gritted his teeth, suddenly drew the Long Sword from his waist, and pointed it at Liu Dong: "Liu Dong, I will ask you one last time, will you release him or not?"

Seeing Li Chen get serious, Liu Dong did not show weakness and drew his own big saber. The Black Wind Stronghold lackeys behind him also drew their weapons, and for a moment, the atmosphere became tense to the extreme.

Just as both sides were about to move, the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from afar. Li Chen's heart stirred, and he looked back to see a team of government soldiers approaching rapidly. His heart filled with joy, knowing the government officials had arrived. He took the opportunity to shout at Liu Dong: "Liu Dong, look, the government officials are here! If you release him now, it is still not too late!"

Seeing this, Liu Dong's expression changed. He knew that once the government officials intervened, things would be troublesome.

However, wealth is sought amidst danger: "Silver, bring the silver over and I won't kill the hostage."

Li Chen hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he waved his hand, signaling his men to bring the silver forward.

Two thousand taels of silver, neatly arranged; Liu Dong sent someone forward to confirm there were no errors.

He waved his hand backward, signaling his underlings to release the hostage; after Li Mo's ropes were untied, he immediately ran to Li Chen's side.

He looked at his second uncle gratefully, and then they headed toward the government soldiers together. Under the escort of the government soldiers, they safely left this dangerous place.

As for a bloody battle, isn't there still the government?

Meanwhile, Liu Dong led the men of Black Wind Stronghold and quickly withdrew from the scene. He knew that after taking some advantage this time, it was time to retreat. After all, the power of the government was something they could not contend with.

As the sound of horse hooves faded into the distance, this disturbance finally subsided. But Li Mo and his second uncle Li Chen both knew clearly in their hearts that this incident was only the beginning; the grudge between Black Wind Stronghold and their Li Family was far from over...