Chapter 74

Heigou almost got knocked off his horse by that slap; although his eyes were full of resentment, he still managed to stay seated, wanting to persuade, but what he saw next was beyond belief.

He saw a figure riding a black warhorse speeding over like a flash of light; immediately a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and Heixuanfeng's head flew off, landing right in front of his horse.

Before Heigou could react, the black warhorse had already appeared beside him, a icy-cold long saber now at its neck, and seated on it was Shen Tianxing with a smile.

"Congratulations, Host, for successfully slaying Sixth-Rank Warrior Heixuanfeng, gaining Killing Value 50,000, item drops: heavy armor equipment 100 sets, food 50 loads, fodder 50 loads, low-standard equipment 5 sets. Silver 500 taels."

"You are a smart person; before you lie two paths: die by my blade, or have these bandits lay down their weapons and surrender to become my soldiers."

Hearing Shen Tianxing's words, Heigou instinctively swallowed, then looked to the other side—Second Chief Ertuzi was already dead, his head cut off by Tian Guangguang.

His bandits had long since fallen into chaos, unable to withstand a single blow, all crowded together, frightenedly watching the few hundred people; the bandits didn't move, and those hundreds merely surrounded them.

"Sir, we are merely mountain ruffians—how could we possibly serve under your command? You must be joking; please spare us, we'll scatter and cease our wrongdoing."

Heigou didn't believe they could become soldiers, so he could only beg for mercy; as long as he kept his life, he could follow through, since being a bandit was never his intention.

"There is no third option; if you refuse, killing you will still leave someone able to step up and lead."

Shen Tianxing wore a satisfied smile; as he spoke, he slowly sheathed his saber, then unhurriedly raised it again—this terrified Heigou.

"Sir, spare my life, I am willing, but many of these people will not obey my orders, and they have never regarded me as the Third Chief."

Heigou hurriedly begged for mercy and stated the facts.

"Today I give you a chance: whoever here does not obey you, whoever has bullied you, now strike and kill them; the rest will thereafter be your brothers—will you live and die with them?"

Shen Tianxing said with a smile, then turned to the bandits, now fewer than eight hundred, and laughed:

"I don't care why you became bandits; now I give you two options: lay down your weapons and kneel to serve under my command, or each choose one among you for a one-on-one duel—the winner may leave."

"Of course, if you lose you will die; those who lay down their weapons and kneel by the count of three will be considered my brothers, while anyone still standing or holding a weapon must choose a one-on-one duel."

The bandits looked at each other, continually swallowing saliva, deep inside extremely fearful; soon one person threw down his knife and knelt, followed by another and another dropping their knives and kneeling.

"1"

But as soon as the first number was spoken, countless knives were thrown down and countless people knelt.

"2"

"3"

When Shen Tianxing counted to three, almost everyone threw down their knives and hastily knelt; at that moment, only twenty-odd people still held their knives and stood.

"Those standing must have all bullied you; if not, I'll give you this chance—you alone against twenty-plus of them, kill them, and that will count as your pledge of loyalty."

Shen Tianxing turned to Heigou, and without waiting for his reply, he looked at the twenty-plus standing bandits.

"You can fight him together, or else follow the one-on-one duel I just mentioned."

Heigou was quite capable, but while in the stronghold he had constantly been suppressed by the Chief and Second Chief; even many ordinary bandits could order him around, and Heigou only dared to be angry but not speak out.

Because Heigou well knew that Heixuanfeng and Ertuzi were just waiting to find fault with him, looking for an excuse to punish him, which is why Heigou had constantly endured the bandits' abuse.

Upon hearing Shen Tianxing's words, those twenty-plus bandits' eyes lit up at the prospect of a one-on-one fight against assault troops and cavalry; they simply lacked the courage for that, but facing Heigou with twenty-plus against him, what difficulty could there be?

"We'll fight him, hoping you keep your word—if we win, you'll release us."

Among these twenty-plus, a one-eyed dragon with Martial Dao Realm at Third-Rank Six Layers stepped forward, pointed at Heigou, and spoke these words, acting as their representative.

"Exactly, we'll fight him. We hope you keep your word."

The remaining people could be said to speak with one voice; Shen Tianxing smiled and nodded.

"No need to choose now—send them on their way; if there's anyone else you want to kill, you can dispose of them as well, but only today."

Heigou instinctively nodded, then dismounted, picked up the saber that had just fallen from fright, looked at the twenty-plus, and slowly walked toward them.

The other bandits had already retreated to the side, but still knelt on the ground, daring not to move.

Seeing Heigou approach, the leading one-eyed dragon let out a loud shout.

"Brothers, those who want to live, follow me in killing him—kill!"

The one-eyed dragon led the charge, and the remaining twenty-plus bandits, without the slightest hesitation, roared as they rushed forward.

"Kill!"

Shen Tianxing crossed his arms over his chest, wearing a playful expression, and immediately a series of miserable cries rang out.

Heigou swung his saber, felling one with each strike, his eyes bloodshot; the one-eyed dragon, at the forefront, was beheaded, and then one after another the others were cut down—each with a miserable cry and a wail before losing life.

When Heigou lowered his saber, blood-soaked, he scanned the surroundings at the bandits kneeling on the ground, seemingly finding no one who had escaped.

He bent over, wiped the knife on the corpse's clothing, then stood up and suddenly threw the knife away.

A big-bearded bandit hiding among the many bandits was pierced through, fell forward with his chest, and his eyes immediately showed terror.

Starting today, I, Heigou, will lead you to follow the lord, become his soldiers; whoever is willing, whoever is not.

Heigou's voice was icy, his gaze like a sharp blade. Many mountains and waters, they looked at each other. They looked at Heigou and then turned to look at Shen Tianxing, who wore a smile.

We are willing to follow the third chief, follow the lord, go through fire and water for the lord, without hesitation.

A few bandits responded first, and then the others all shouted in unison.

Follow the lord, go through fire and water for the lord, without hesitation!

Very good, I am satisfied. Remember, I am Shen Tianxing, and remember what you said today. Pick up your knives and take me to your stronghold.

Yes, lord!

Heigou and the remaining seven hundred or so bandits responded in unison, and Shen Tianxing also heard the system's notification sound.

Congratulations, Host, for completing the beheading mission: beheading the bandit chief Heixuanfeng, recruiting the surviving bandits as soldiers, defending the safety of Autumn Wind Town.

Reward: 100,000 Killing Value points, activate Reputation Value, Reputation Value 1,000 points, standard ordinary equipment 1,000 sets, Ordinary Golden Wound Medicine 1,000 portions, Intermediate Lottery three times, Beginner Lottery five times, Silver ten thousand taels.