Chapter 13: Night Raid

Chapter 13: Night Raid

Days passed one by one.

Su Mu left early and returned late every day, rain or shine, perfectly fulfilling his duties as a hunter.

His points were also slowly accumulating.

The Fubo Blade Technique required quite a few points to advance from Minor Accomplishment to Major Accomplishment—three hundred points. For Su Mu, this represented five months of accumulation; it was a long and arduous road.

Fortunately, his goal was clear, and there were no distractions. As long as he did his part and remained persistent, he would reach his destination sooner or later.

After the trouble Sun Dazhao had caused last time, Su Mu deliberately kept a low profile.

Of the prey he caught each day, he only brought a small portion back to the city, discarding the rest.

Although it was a pity, it was better to be safe than sorry; caution never hurt anyone.

He had secretly inquired and learned that the few hunters Sun Dazhao had introduced to Constable Xing had never returned after going to the South City Office.

Su Mu guessed that they were likely dead.

Silver was good, but one needed to be alive to spend it.

Since then, he had become increasingly cautious in his actions.

Perhaps because he was diligent in his hunting, the rate at which points increased on his panel had improved slightly compared to before.

Now, he could earn five points every two days.

In a month, he had already saved up a full seventy points.

"At this rate, in three months at most, I will have mastered the blade technique. By then, I should be considered someone of note in the South City."

Su Mu thought to himself. After running around outside the city hunting all day, even though his physique was much stronger now, he felt quite exhausted.

He fetched water to wash up, then lay down on his bed and closed his eyes, conserving his energy for tomorrow's hunt.

…………

There were no stars tonight.

Looking down from the sky, the entire Wuling City was shrouded in darkness.

Unlike the brightly lit Inner City, the Outer City was almost entirely in darkness and dead silence.

Only in a few places could lights be seen.

One of those places was the office of the South City Office.

*Smash!*

A teacup was thrown to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The tea from the cup splashed onto Xing Zhaofu, soaking a large portion of his blue constable uniform.

Yet, this big shot, whose mere stomp could make the South City tremble, kept his head bowed, looking completely submissive.

The person who could make Xing Zhaofu—known as the "Venomous Snake"—so obedient could only be the number one figure of the South City Office: Sima He Yuxing.

"Xing Zhaofu, look at the mess you've made!"

He Yuxing’s face was full of rage as he pointed at Xing Zhaofu and cursed, "In half a year, you've lost men and suffered defeats, yet that Black Dragon Stronghold remains at large. A dog leading the force would be better than you!"

Xing Zhaofu looked bitter. "Sima, I have truly tried my best. It is just that the Great Chief of the Black Dragon Stronghold is already a Body Tempering Third Realm expert, and the Second and Third Chiefs are also at the Second Realm.

In our South City Office, besides myself being at the Second Realm, all other martial artists who have entered the path are only at the First Realm.

We can't beat them; we really can't."

"Are the bailiffs you recruited just for show? Even if you have to pile up corpses, you must level the Black Dragon Stronghold for me!"

He Yuxing’s eyes flashed with intense killing intent. "If you can't pacify the Black Dragon Stronghold and the higher-ups blame me, you will be the first one I deal with!"

"Sima, that Black Dragon Stronghold is extremely cunning. They always hide in the deep mountains and forests to ambush us. However, I have already thought of a way. I will recruit a group of hunters skilled in navigating the mountains and forests. With them leading the way, I will definitely be able to round up everyone in the Black Dragon Stronghold!"

Xing Zhaofu said confidently.

"Hahaha, a defeated general, what big words!"

Just then, a burst of loud laughter rang out.

"Who's there!"

Xing Zhaofu’s expression changed. With a *clang*, he drew his blade and rushed into the courtyard in a few strides.

He Yuxing was so scared his face turned pale, and he rolled under the table with a thud.

*Cling! Clang!*

Amidst a few crisp sounds, two figures collided and then abruptly separated.

Xing Zhaofu retreated repeatedly, only stopping when his foot hit the steps. His right hand holding the blade trembled slightly, his face a mix of shock and rage.

"A little lesson for you today. If you dare to provoke my Black Dragon Stronghold again, I will surely take your head!"

The other figure leaped onto the wall. He was thin, draped in black, with a palm-sized blue birthmark on his cheek, and he let out a strange cry.

As soon as he finished speaking, a whistle sounded.

Immediately after, several fire arrows were shot from all directions into the South City Office.

"Fire!"

The flames surged with the wind, and the constables, bailiffs, and servants fell into chaos, running in all directions.

"I'll fight you to the death!"

Xing Zhaofu was furious.

He never dreamed that the people from the Black Dragon Stronghold would be so bold as to raid the South City at night!

A group of bandits raiding the South City Office at night and setting it on fire—Xing Zhaofu could already imagine his fate.

With the Black Dragon Stronghold causing such a scene, his future was definitely gone, and it was questionable whether he could even keep his life.

Having followed He Yuxing for many years, he knew all too well how ruthless this Sima was.

Now, the only way was to take down the Third Chief of the Black Dragon Stronghold; perhaps the Sima would spare his life for his hard work, if not his achievements.

At the very least, if he, Xing Zhaofu, died in battle here, the Sima might spare his wife and children.

Xing Zhaofu lunged forward with his official blade, disregarding his own safety, and launched a frantic attack on the Third Chief of the Black Dragon Stronghold.

*Rip!*

Soon, a wound appeared on the Third Chief’s body, and he was both shocked and angry.

Xing Zhaofu was at the Body Tempering Second Realm, and he was also at the Second Realm; their strengths were basically equal.

Originally, he had the upper hand due to his rich combat experience, but now Xing Zhaofu was like a madman, attacking without regard for his life.

For a moment, he was not only forced onto the defensive but couldn't even find a chance to escape.

Xing Zhaofu’s eyes were bloodshot, looking like a mad demon, his blade whistling through the air.

*Puff!*

Xing Zhaofu took a slash to his shoulder, but at the same time, his blade broke through the opponent's defense, slicing across the man's chest and nearly disemboweling him.

The Third Chief of the Black Dragon Stronghold spat out a mouthful of blood, his face ghastly.

A look of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. He kicked Xing Zhaofu to the ground and leaped backward instantly, leaving a trail of blood.

"Xing, I’ll remember you! Just you wait!"

The Third Chief’s voice came from afar; he had actually escaped.

"Unless I am dead, you won't escape today!"

Xing Zhaofu scrambled up from the ground. His shoulder was a bloody mess, and blood had stained half his body.

But he couldn't care about his wounds now.

He absolutely could not let the Third Chief of the Black Dragon Stronghold escape.

If the man didn't die, he would be the one to die.

Tearing off a piece of his undergarment, he wrapped his wound haphazardly, gripped his blade, and gave chase.

Along the way, he didn't forget to shout for the arriving constables and bailiffs to surround and suppress the Black Dragon Stronghold bandits who had broken into the South City.

…………

In his sleep, Su Mu suddenly opened his eyes.

The next moment, he rolled over, leaped up silently, and immediately rushed to the crack in the door to look outside, his face full of vigilance.

(End of chapter)