The grand hall of Heifeng Stronghold was spacious yet dark, filled with the stench of decay and mustiness.
Dim oil lamps hung on the surrounding walls, casting flickering shadows that deepened the gloom within the hall.
At the front of the hall, a large character “义” (Righteousness) was particularly striking, but at this moment, it was stained with the blood of the three chieftains.
Upon seeing this so-called “义,” Ye Chen let out a cold laugh:
“You lot of bandits, claiming kingship over the mountains, oppressing the people, and plundering their possessions, causing their suffering—this is inhumane!”
“You have no gratitude for the land that nurtured you, and you destroy it wantonly—this is unrighteous!”
“You betray the court, refuse to serve the nation, and instead bring disaster to the region—this is disloyal!”
“You disregard the hopes of your parents, wives, and children, making them live in fear and even shame due to your evil deeds—this is unfilial!”
“You treat your brothers with no sincerity, turning on each other over trivial gains—this is unbrotherly!”
“For scum like you, who are devoid of humanity, righteousness, loyalty, filial piety, and brotherhood, to hang a sign with ‘义’ here is the most absurd thing in the world!”
Without further ado, Ye Chen tied the heads of the three chieftains to his waist, just as he did during his battle with the Tuman tribe’s main force outside Yunzhou City.
Before leaving, Ye Chen cast a glance at the sign with the character “义,” feeling a surge of anger. With a swift kick, he shattered the sign into pieces before walking away with satisfaction.
Outside the hall, countless bandits had surrounded the entrance, weapons in hand.
They wore vicious expressions, cursing and trying to appear fierce.
However, when Ye Chen emerged, exuding a murderous aura, an invisible pressure fell upon the bandits, silencing them instantly.
They looked at Ye Chen, their eyes betraying fear, and they unconsciously retreated.
Ye Chen stood still, a cold smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
He unfastened the heads of the three chieftains from his waist, raising them high for all to see.
“The leaders of Heifeng Stronghold have been executed. Surrender your weapons now, and you may die quickly.”
The bandits, upon seeing the heads, erupted into chaos. Some screamed in terror, while others nearly collapsed from fear.
Ye Chen glanced at the disorganized mob and shouted, “Yunzhou soldiers, attack!”
His voice boomed like a great bell, and the bandits, already wavering, saw their morale completely crumble under Ye Chen’s oppressive aura.
“The bosses are dead! Run for your lives!”
“He’s a demon, a demon!”
“Don’t kill me! Spare me!”
…
The bandits scattered in all directions, utterly routed. Some threw down their weapons and fled, while others knelt, begging for mercy.
The soldiers of Yunzhou, exhausted from their bitter struggle with the bandits, were reinvigorated when they saw the enemy begin to collapse under Ye Chen’s intimidation.
Their eyes gleamed with excitement, a fire reigniting within them.
Gripping their weapons tightly, they were once again filled with strength, each soldier now brimming with killing intent.
Old Huang, wielding a knife to replace his axe that had become nicked and dulled, shouted, “Brothers, the prince has killed the bandit chiefs! Charge!”
“Kill!”
The Yunzhou soldiers rose in unison, weapons raised, and charged forward with unprecedented morale. Their collective momentum was like a ferocious lion, pouncing on the retreating bandits.
Seeing this, Ye Chen commanded loudly, “Wipe out Heifeng Stronghold. Leave no one alive!”
This order, like a battle horn, ignited the soldiers’ fighting spirit to its peak.
Once again, shouts of killing echoed through the mountains. The Yunzhou soldiers, like tigers descending the mountain, pounced on the fleeing bandits.
At this point, the Yunzhou soldiers’ attacks were swift and ruthless, each strike aimed to kill.
Some soldiers swung their blades at the bandits’ necks, while others thrust their spears, piercing their enemies’ chests. Blood splattered everywhere, and the stench of blood filled the battlefield.
The slaughter lasted for half an hour, and the Yunzhou soldiers seemed tireless, continuing to fight until no bandit remained standing.
Their bodies were drenched in blood, but their gazes remained resolute and cold.
When the last bandit fell, the entire Heifeng Stronghold became deathly silent.
The Yunzhou soldiers stood on the blood-soaked ground, panting heavily, as victory and the satisfaction of revenge filled their hearts.
Old Huang, his body covered in blood, couldn’t hide his excitement. He was the first to rush to Ye Chen.
Zhang Zhi, Zhao Yun, and Xu Da followed closely behind, their eyes filled with admiration and excitement.
They came before Ye Chen and, with joint effort, lifted him high into the air.
Old Huang shouted at the top of his lungs, “Long live the prince!” Zhang Zhi, Zhao Yun, and Xu Da echoed in unison, “Long live the prince!”
Their voices seemed to carry a contagious power, spreading quickly throughout the Yunzhou army.
The soldiers of Yunzhou shouted in unison, “Long live the prince!”
For a time, the cry of “Long live the prince” resounded throughout Heifeng Stronghold.
The soldiers’ faces were filled with joy from victory and reverence for Ye Chen. Their cheers rose louder and louder, reverberating through the valley, as though they wished for heaven and earth to witness this glorious moment.
After the celebration, Ye Chen raised his hand, and the soldiers immediately fell silent, standing tall like pines, awaiting his command.
“Heifeng Stronghold’s bandits have preyed on the people for years. This stronghold was stolen from the people of Yunzhou.”
After inspecting the stronghold, Ye Chen realized that, despite its current bloody state, it could serve as a decent mountain base. A new idea suddenly sparked in his mind.
“After resting, clean up Heifeng Stronghold. Return all valuable and useful items to the people of Yunzhou, but keep the stronghold intact.”
“Yes!”
After giving his orders, Old Huang, Zhang Zhi, Zhao Yun, and Xu Da rested on the spot, while Ye Chen left the stronghold alone, planning to rush to Yunzhou to discuss an important matter with Chen Xing overnight.
At midnight, the mountains of Yunzhou were dark, and the road ahead was pitch-black.
Ye Chen descended along the winding mountain path, his mind occupied with thoughts of the brilliant idea that had just struck him. He failed to notice the pair of eyes watching him closely from the shadows.
As Ye Chen reached the mountainside, suddenly, a thick wooden stick struck him heavily from behind.
He felt his vision darken, his consciousness fading as his body collapsed.
Ye Chen had been exhausted from the day’s events, and with his mind preoccupied, he hadn’t reacted in time to the ambush.
However, just before losing consciousness, he caught a glimpse of the assailant’s face.
“Old Fang, this guy doesn’t look like a bandit. Could you have made a mistake?”
“Impossible. Heifeng Stronghold just had a huge battle. Who else could be running around here if not one of their bandits? Hurry, carry him back!”
With that, the two figures quickly lifted Ye Chen and disappeared into the night.
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