Chapter 105

Zhou Tao and his followers were captured, and the notice to pacify the people was posted.

It let the dead-water-like Riverside County revive, but also stirred up the silt beneath.

The news of opening granaries to distribute grain and using labor in place of relief fell like sweet rain upon the long-drought land.

It let the vast majority of the people see hope for life.

But it also made those bandits who were accustomed to profiting from chaos and living by plunder feel an unprecedented threat and unrest.

Although the chief villain was eliminated, several bands of fierce bandits still held strongholds within Riverside County, especially along the key mountain passes surrounding it.

They remained a sword hanging over the newborn order.

If these malignant tumors are not excised, the people's hearts cannot be at peace, construction cannot proceed, and trade routes cannot be opened.

Chen Wen deeply understood that benevolent rule must have authority as its cornerstone, especially in this chaotic age where law and order have collapsed.

The county office has now become the temporary Command Hub.

The front courtyard was garrisoned by Li Yan's troops, maintaining order;

The rear courtyard became the meeting and decision-making place for Chen Wen and his core team.

Under candlelight, a rough map of Riverside County was spread on the table, with Qian Gui pointing to several spots marked in vermilion on it.

"Sir, based on investigations over the past two days, the three most harmful forces in the territory are:"

Qian Gui's voice was low and clear.

"First, the 'Hei Shan Lang' of Black Wind Stronghold, entrenched twenty li northwest of the county seat on Black Wind Mountain, the terrain is treacherous, with about eighty or more bandits, being the largest faction."

"The leader 'Hei Shan Lang' was originally a deserter from the army, cruel and crafty, often descending the mountain to loot caravans and villages; even when Zhou Tao was in power, troops were sent to encircle and suppress, but all failed due to unfavorable terrain and insiders leaking information."

"Second, the 'Water Ghost Gang' lurking in the reed marshes east of the county, about thirty or more members."

"Its leader bears the nickname 'Fan Jiang Shu', familiar with waterways, coming and going like the wind, specializing in robbing riverside vessels and the fishing villages and granaries along the banks."

"Third, the 'Zuan Di Shu' active in the southern hills, numbering not many, about twenty persons."

But their movements are mysterious, they excel at digging tunnels, often raiding wealthy households' manors or small granaries, fleeing immediately after success, making them hard to track.

Qian Gui finished his report and stepped aside.

Zhang Cheng, Shi Dun, Li Yan and others gathered around the table, their faces solemn.

These three bandit forces, especially Hei Shan Lang, are undoubtedly the greatest obstacle to peace in Riverside County.

"Capture the bandits by first capturing their leader."

Chen Wen's finger heavily pointed at the location of Black Wind Stronghold on the map.

"First crush the most arrogant and strongest Hei Shan Lang, only then can we maximally deter the remaining petty outlaws and let the people truly believe we have the ability to protect them."

Li Yan frowned and said: "Sir Chen, Black Wind Stronghold is easy to defend but hard to attack; previous encirclement and suppression attempts all returned without success."

"If we launch a strong assault, casualties would likely be heavy, and our forces are not abundant either."

The troops he brought must be divided to guard the city and maintain order, leaving limited mobile forces.

Shi Dun, however, rolled up his sleeves and cracked his knuckles.

"What's there to fear! As long as you let me bring my brothers up there, I'll flatten any wolf's den or dog's hole!"

Chen Wen raised his hand, stopping their words, his gaze falling on Shi Dun.

He also scanned the marked perilous route to Black Wind Stronghold on the map.

A frontal attack would naturally cause excessive losses and does not suit our goal of a swift battle to establish prestige and serve as a warning.

He paused, a flash of sharp light crossing his eyes.

So, we must achieve the greatest victory with the smallest cost.

He looked at Shi Dun:

Shi Dun, select another ten from the elite troops of Jiao Tu Zhen!

They must be skilled in mountain stealth, climbing, and night combat.

Including you, eleven will form a vanguard squad.

Eleven people?

Li Yan exclaimed, feeling this was overly presumptuous.

That's over eighty fierce bandits entrenched in their stronghold!

Shi Dun, however, placed blind trust in Chen Wen, thumping his chest: "Brother Wen, just tell us what to do and we'll do it!"

Chen Wen did not explain, but said to Qian Gui:

Qian Gui, your men must ensure the intelligence is flawless!

Especially the locations of the Black Wind Stronghold's open and hidden sentries, the shift changes, and where the 'Black Mountain Wolf' usually stays within the stronghold.

I want the most detailed map of the stronghold's interior layout and defenses.

Rest assured, sir, the map will be delivered no later than tomorrow morning!

Qian Gui confidently accepted.

His Scouts had already managed to capture an informant from the outskirts of the Black Wind Stronghold and were intensively interrogating to verify.

Chen Wen finally looked at Shi Dun, speaking in a low voice:

Make your preparations, bring three days' worth of dry rations and climbing gear, and set out after nightfall tomorrow.

The chou hour of the day after tomorrow will be the time to strike.

His gaze was deep, his tone carrying an undeniable force: "At that time, I will lend you a hand."

Shi Dun seemed to understand something, his eyes flashing with astonishing light as he clasped his fists firmly: "Yes!"

The next day, everything proceeded according to plan.

Sure enough, Qian Gui delivered a relatively detailed stronghold defense map in the early morning.

The ten elite warriors Shi Dun selected were all veteran soldiers who had fought their way out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood at Jiao Tu Zhen alongside him, rich in experience and resolute in will.

They inspected their personal equipment—daggers, crossbows, grappling hooks, ropes, and fire‑starting items—silently and efficiently.

Night fell.

The eleven‑person squad, like ghosts merging into the night, left Linhe County silently and sneaked toward the Blackwind Mountains to the northwest.

Chen Wen held the fort at the county office, eyes closed, nurturing his spirit, yet his mind was sharply focused, sensing the distant squad.

Between him and Shi Dun, due to long‑standing side‑by‑side combat and the system's hidden link, there existed a tacit understanding and perception beyond ordinary people.

Just after midnight, he estimated that Shi Dun's squad had reached the predetermined outer position of Blackwind Stronghold and began to hide.

Chen Wen suddenly opened his eyes and whispered to Zhang Cheng and Li Yan standing beside him: "It's begun."

He drew a deep breath, sank his thoughts into the sea of consciousness, and made contact with the dormant "Cow Horse System."

He did not choose the broad but weaker 2× grant.

Instead, he highly concentrated his spirit and locked onto the eleven familiar auras far away, twenty li out.

"Ability Granting—concentrated, fourfold!"

An invisible surge, centered on Chen Wen, crossed the spatial distance and instantly descended upon Blackwind Mountain's foothills, upon Shi Dun and his ten men!

Shi Dun, hidden in the bushes and carefully watching the lights and sentries on the mountain, shuddered violently all over!

It was not pain, but an indescribable, surging sense of power that instantly filled his limbs and bones!

His vision became extraordinarily clear; the outlines of distant sentries in the darkness appeared as if right before his eyes;

his hearing became extraordinarily sharp, even the faint rustle of mountain wind over grass was clearly discernible;

bodily fatigue vanished, his muscles held explosive power, and his control over his own movements reached an unprecedented precision.

He even felt his thoughts had become much sharper; his judgment of the surroundings and choice of tactics instantly became clear and definite.

Not only Shi Dun, but the ten elite warriors behind him also experienced this earth‑shaking change at the same moment!

They stared at each other in astonishment, seeing in each other's eyes disbelief, wild joy, and fighting spirit.

They did not know where this power came from, but they knew it must be related to that miraculous Magistrate Chen!

"Brother Dun… he's made his move!"

Shi Dun let out a low growl in his heart, with no hesitation whatsoever.

He gave a covert signal, and the eleven figures, like ghosts, moved using their fourfold‑enhanced senses and physique.

They easily avoided the few drowsy sentries on the mountainside.

Using grappling hooks and ropes, they traversed the steep cliff as if on flat ground, silently approaching the stronghold's rear wall.

According to Qian Gui's map, they found a relatively weak spot in the defenses.

With fourfold strength, Shi Dun bare‑handed pried open a seemingly sturdy wooden barricade gap, and the eleven filed in single file.

Most of the bandits inside the stronghold were already asleep, only scattered patrols and tower sentries remained awake.

With fourfold senses, the sentries' breathing and footsteps sounded like drums.

Shi Dun's squad worked in clear pairs, using shadows and structures for cover.

Like hunting leopards, they precisely and swiftly eliminated the outposts along the way.

Crossbow bolts split the air, daggers slit throats, hardly making a loud sound.

Shi Dun personally led three men straight to the rear hall of the assembly hall marked on the map as the "Black Mountain Wolf's" location.

At the door stood two guards dozing with their blades; Shi Dun swept past them like a whirlwind.

His hands clamped like iron vises on their throats; a slight twist ended their lives.

He kicked the door open!

Inside, a burly man with a fleshy face and a wolf tattoo on his chest was waking from sleep.

Just as he reached for the ghost‑head knife at the head of the bed, Shi Dun lunged forward!

Fourfold speed and power exploded; he slammed a fist hard onto the wrist of the "Black Mountain Wolf" holding the knife!

"Crack!" a sharp bone‑breaking sound rang out.

The "Black Mountain Wolf" howled in agony, the knife flew from his hand.

He still wanted to resist, but Shi Dun's other hand lightning‑fast seized his throat.

He was pressed hard onto the bed, a cold blade edge pressed against his cheek.

"Don't move, or you die!"

Shi Dun's voice was low, laden with the killing intent of his fourfold enhancement.

It made the battle‑hardened "Black Mountain Wolf" instantly feel as if plunged into an ice cave, his whole body stiffening.

At the same time, brief clashes of weapons and cries echoed from other corners of the stronghold, but they quickly died down.

The other ten elite warriors, bolstered by fourfold ability, swiftly seized the gate, granary, and the barracks where bandits gathered, with overwhelming superiority.

Many bandits were disarmed while still dreaming and bound up like zongzi.

From infiltration to total control of the stronghold, the whole process took less than half an hour!

Eleven against over eighty, zero fatalities, only three lightly wounded—truly a miracle!

When Shi Dun led the ashen‑faced "Black Mountain Wolf" to stand before the assembly hall,

looking at the gathered, shivering captives, the east had just begun to whiten with fish‑belly dawn.

He lit the stronghold's warning beacon, a prearranged signal.

On the wall of Linhe County twenty li away, Chen Wen, who had been gazing northwest, saw the beacon soaring skyward; his tense face finally relaxed into a relieved smile.

He gradually withdrew his spirit, and the fourfold power that had crossed space to grant ability ebbed away like a tide.

Although his spirit felt slightly fatigued, the effect far exceeded expectations.

"Pass the order!"

Chen Wen said to the stunned Li Yan and Zhang Cheng beside him.

"Muster a detachment of troops, bring along prison wagons, head to Black Wind Stronghold, receive the captives and seized goods. At the same time, spread the victory report throughout the entire county!"

The news, as if it had grown wings, swiftly flew to every corner of River-facing County.

"Have you heard? Pacification Commissioner Chen Wen sent out heavenly soldiers and generals, and in just one night they took down Black Wind Stronghold!"

"Eleven people! With just eleven people they defeated over eighty bandits! Heishan Lang was captured and brought back!"

"Real or fake? This is too miraculous!"

"Absolutely true! Notices have been posted saying that tomorrow at noon, Heishan Lang will be tried publicly at the county government office gate!"

Amazement, ecstasy, disbelief—various emotions spread among the populace.

If one were to say that earlier Chen Wen's capturing corrupt officials and distributing grain to relieve disaster was 'kindness'...

Then this time, using thunderous force to exterminate the most formidable bandits is 'might'.

With kindness and might employed together, the hearts of the people of River-facing County only now truly begin to solidify.

The Water Ghost Gang and the Earth-drilling Rat, entrenched elsewhere,

Upon hearing this news, they were even more terrified, hiding their tracks and daring not to show their faces again.

Chen Wen stood on the high place of the county office, looking down at the street that had become more lively thanks to the victory report, knowing that this first step of establishing prestige through suppressing bandits had been perfectly taken.