Chapter Seven: The Assault on Black Wind Village

Night had fallen over Black Wind Mountain, enveloping the forest in a profound silence, broken only by the occasional call of an owl.

Liu Er, clutching a crucial secret letter, hunched low as he hurried cautiously along the mountain path. His eyes darted warily around, as if every tree and stone might conceal danger.

At last, he reached the hidden tree hollow they had chosen long ago at the mountain’s base. He stopped carefully, scanning the surroundings once more. Satisfied all was clear, he crouched down and tremblingly withdrew the secret letter from his bosom. Bringing it close to his lips, he whispered, “I must be extremely careful this time; if discovered, my head won’t be safe.”

With that, he quickly slipped the letter into the hollow and covered it with leaves and grass. Rising, he dusted off his clothes and prepared to leave.

Unbeknownst to him, Chen Tong had been lurking quietly in the nearby bushes, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Liu Er’s every move.

Once Liu Er vanished into the night, Chen Tong sprang from the shadows like a swift leopard, crossing the distance in a few agile steps to the tree hollow. He bent down, retrieved the letter, and unfurled it under the bright moonlight for a careful examination.

A cold sneer curled Chen Tong’s lips as he muttered to himself, “Hmph, these traitors think they can succeed so easily? Today will be your end.”

He then pulled out ink and brush from his bosom, thinking, “Luckily, while training under Brother Iron Bull, I never neglected my calligraphy practice. Today, it will prove useful.”

As he prepared to alter the letter’s contents, faint footsteps sounded behind him.

Startled, Chen Tong thought it might be Liu Er returning or another accomplice. He swiftly concealed the letter behind his back and turned to face the approaching figure.

A low-ranking henchman emerged from the darkness, yawning as he asked, “Who’s there?”

Chen Tong’s heart raced, but he maintained a calm facade and smiled. “It’s me, brother. I just stepped out for a moment. Where are you headed?”

The henchman rubbed his eyes, glanced at Chen Tong, and said, “Oh, Young Master Xie, I just finished my patrol and am heading back. Be careful out here this late; don’t fall.”

Chen Tong returned the smile. “Thanks for the warning. You should get some rest too.”

The henchman nodded, yawned again, and turned away.

Only then did Chen Tong breathe a sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. “That was close. Nearly ruined everything.”

Chen Tong unfolded the letter again and, drawing on his calligraphy skills, deftly altered its contents, changing the treasure meeting place to a valley rigged with traps and ambushes he had prepared in advance.

Satisfied, he slipped the letter back into the hollow and melted silently into the darkness, awaiting the next move.

Soon after, the authorities received the tampered letter.

Inside the government hall, several military officers gathered, greed gleaming in their eyes as they read the letter’s contents.

A portly officer stroked his beard excitedly. “This is a godsend! If we get our hands on this treasure, we’ll strike it rich and maybe even earn promotions and titles!”

A tall, lean officer nodded eagerly. “Indeed, sir. We must act quickly and not let those Black Wind Bandits escape.”

Without hesitation, the government forces assembled a large troop and marched toward the designated spot.

As the main force thundered into the valley, tension became palpable.

Sunlight filtered through dense foliage, casting mottled shadows on the ground but failing to dispel the grim mood hanging in the air.

Suddenly, a deep, lingering horn blast echoed throughout the valley.

Instantly, the surrounding forest seemed to awaken like a fierce beast. Countless bandits from Black Wind Bandit’s stronghold surged forth like a tide, their war cries shaking the very earth.

Xie Qingshuang stood tall on a hill overlooking the valley, clad in sleek black attire.

Her long, raven hair streamed wildly in the wind, and her sword gleamed with a cold light in her grasp.

Flames of fury burned in her eyes as she shouted, “Brothers! Today, we avenge our fallen comrades!”

“Think of those butchered by the government troops. Remember the suffering Black Wind Bandits have endured. Now, strike hard and show these soldiers the might of Black Wind! Make them pay dearly for their crimes!”

Iron Bull stood bare-chested, muscles rippling with veins bulging, as if brimming with unstoppable strength.

He raised his great blade high, its shining surface reflecting the sunlight.

Charging through the crowd, he roared hoarsely, “Kill! These government dogs have long oppressed us! Today is their death day!”

“Don’t spare a single one! For the Second Leader, for Black Wind—charge!”

Iron Bull’s voice thundered like an earthquake, drowning the battlefield's clamor.

Inspired by Xie Qingshuang and Iron Bull, the bandits’ morale soared. Like famished wolves, they charged recklessly at the government soldiers.

At the same time, hidden traps within the valley were triggered.

Soldiers concealed in the grass pulled ropes.

Suddenly, arrows rained down from all directions like relentless raindrops.

The government troops, caught off guard by the sudden volley, screamed in agony.

“What’s happening? Black Wind Bandits have such deadly traps?”

A panicked officer shouted, “Sir, we’ve been ambushed! Retreat!”

But their cries came too late.

As the soldiers scrambled to flee, massive boulders above the valley were set rolling by the traps.

The enormous stones crashed down with unstoppable force, pulverizing soldiers into bloody pulp wherever they struck. Cries of agony and pleas for mercy filled the valley, turning it into a hellish battlefield.

“Help! I don’t want to die!”

A young soldier, pale with terror, ran wildly but was instantly crushed by a speeding boulder.

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