Chapter 1278: First Volume, Chapter 1278: For the People of the Northern Border

First Volume, Chapter 1278: For the People of the Northern Border

"Let me tell you straight — that woman is prettier than a Celestial Immortal; I've never seen a woman so beautiful in my life."

"Maybe she's a wealthy lady from afar who accidentally wandered onto Yunlan Mountain?"

"Why do you care so much? This is the Northern Border — even heaven's own emperor can't interfere here."

Hearing his comrades' chatter, Iron Beard grew extremely excited.

Although the Northern Border is wealthy, every city, big or small, has copied Beixi County's model — fortified like an iron barrel. Not even bandits or bandit gangs can breach them, let alone the Regular Army — any attempt to capture a Northern Border county city comes at a massive cost.

Since Iron Beard and his men came to the Northern Border, they haven't pulled off a single decent "job."

Even when they ambush villages and turn them upside down, the loot they can scavenge is extremely limited.

A few days ago, an Imperial Spy disguised as a civilian accidentally spotted a newly arrived group.

The group numbered no more than thirty, all mounted on horses, each horse's rump hanging a large cloth sack; the spy guessed the sacks were all wedding dowry.

Because the spy had seen with his own eyes a woman in the group as beautiful as a Celestial Immortal.

Based on Iron Beard's experience, he could confidently conclude this group was a bridal escort — a wealthy lady from afar, being escorted to marry into the Northern Border.

Not only did they carry a lot of dowry, but any bride from outside would surely have attendant maids.

If they pulled this off, Iron Beard wouldn't just gain a bride as beautiful as a Celestial Immortal — he'd also feast to his heart's content, filling his coffers to the brim.

Thinking of this, Iron Beard could no longer contain his excitement and shouted loudly: "Attack!"

"Besides the wealthy lady, any other women you find on the mountain are yours."

"The wealthy lady will surely have attendant maids — and those maids will be just as stunning."

Hearing this, the bandits, starved of female company for so long, let out beastly roars, snatched up their weapons, and charged up the mountain.

Unbeknownst to them, the Tianji Camp Guards had been watching from the woods for a long time, fully prepared.

As the dense wave of bandits surged upward, the Military Advisor made an instant decision and ordered: "Kill!"

Twenty Tianji Camp Guards leapt from their hiding spots, with no tactical formation — they charged straight into the throng of bandits with the simplest, most brutal force.

These bandits, clad in ragged clothes and wielding Broad Axes or hatchets, faced Tianji Camp Guards clad in full Armor, elite to the extreme — the outcome was predictable.

Facing such rabble, the Military Advisor didn't even draw his spear — he simply seized Sword and Shield and charged forward, stabbing and cutting down.

In the blink of an eye, three bandits were cut down by the Military Advisor.

Before the surrounding bandits could react, another had his head severed.

Against such enemies, Sword and Shield were far superior to the spear — there was no stalemate, no need to pierce armor.

Besides the Military Advisor, the other Tianji Camp Guards also scored heavily — all had drawn blood.

In a single clash, nearly fifty bandits were slaughtered across the mountain — their once-high morale instantly withered like frostbitten eggplants.

Where had they ever seen warriors so fierce and formidable? When they finally came to their senses, they screamed for their mothers and fathers, scrambled and crawled down the mountain in panic.

"Run! Something's wrong — these aren't bridal servants!"

"They're all wearing Armor — damn it, we've been tricked!"

"Damn those spies — did they even look properly? Were those sacks filled with dowry… or weapons and Armor?"

"So many comrades dead in an instant — these people are even more terrifying than the Regular Army. If we don't run now, we'll lose our lives."

Bandits who always relied on overwhelming numbers had virtually no morale — they collapsed at the first touch.

Down the mountain, Iron Beard, eagerly awaiting the outcome, heard the screams from above and grew even more excited.

"They've started fighting! Hahaha — that beauty is mine!"

Beside him, the Military Advisor, hoping to claim a maid among the spoils, hurried to flatter Iron Beard.

"Boss, your military genius is unmatched — this charge, though simple, reveals your decisive nature."

"No one else would have acted with such promptness as you."

Iron Beard, already in good spirits, was thoroughly pleased by these words.

"Well said! If there are extra women after this, you'll get your share."

The Military Advisor's face lit up instantly; he bowed deeply: "Thank you, Boss."

At that moment, bandits began fleeing down the mountain — Iron Beard's eyes brightened, thinking his men had already seized the loot, and he praised loudly: "These comrades move fast!"

The Military Advisor seized the opening to fawn further: "Of course! Under your leadership, Heifeng Camp has become the largest bandit garrison in the entire Northern Border!"

"Hundreds of comrades charging up — even by sheer numbers, we'd crush them."

As the Military Advisor rambled on, Iron Beard's smile slowly faded — he sensed something was wrong.

The men running down from the mountain weren't carrying loot — they weren't jubilant — they were… crawling and rolling down in panic.

On closer look, many bore wounds, drenched in blood — clearly beaten, stripped of Helmets and Armor, utterly routed.

"What's going on?!"

Iron Beard growled, shouting at a fleeing bandit: "You useless bastards — did you get beaten by bridal servants?!"

The bandit's face twisted in despair, wailing: "Boss, we got it wrong — those weren't servants — they were Armored Warriors! The most elite Armored Warriors!"

"We charged — before we could react, dozens of comrades were cut down."

What?!

Iron Beard froze, eyes wide with disbelief.

What kind of identity did this bride from afar have? Why were Armored Warriors escorting her? Was she a noble's daughter?

Yes! She must be a noble's daughter!

Realizing this, Iron Beard gritted his teeth and roared: "Everyone — stop!"

"That woman — I'm taking her."

"If Armored Warriors are escorting her, her origins are extraordinary — she must be carrying vast amounts of gold and treasure."

"Even those Armors — to us, they're treasures."

The Military Advisor, who had been so animated just moments ago, was now dumbfounded.

"Boss, didn't you hear clearly? The other side is all Elite Troops and Armored Warriors—you can't beat them just by having more bodies."

"Unarmored men against Armored Warriors is simply suicide."

Iron Beard kicked the Military Advisor over and, his face dark with anger, roared: "Idiot, and you call yourself a Military Advisor? Who says we have to fight them to the death to wipe them out?"

"We just need to seal off Yunlan Mountain!"