Chapter 68

68. Thinking it might be okay to do so

When Isomin saw that Grandfather's expression remained unchanged, she pounded her chest in frustration.

"Phew! Do you really believe that?"

"Next time we meet, we'll know."

"Tch! I doubt it. He won't show his face in front of Grandfather again, will he?"

"Well, you can check for yourself later. He won't avoid you."

Surprised by the unexpected words, Isomin blinked.

Seeing Grandfather's calm face, it didn't seem like a joke.

"Are you telling me to keep an eye on that thief?"

"Why? Don't you want to?"

"Well... "

Isomin trailed off.

'The Grandfather is curious, so I should do this much for him, right?' she thought. It's not because of any curiosity about him.

Eichun Jianzun Li Yizheng and Isomin quietly left Oufeng Mountain.

Due to his fondness for Lian Jieha, Li Yizheng did not touch Oufeng Mountain's stronghold.

Thanks to this, Oufeng Mountain's stronghold could alleviate the worry of revenge from the Yitian Sect. While the world was noisy with the news of Mingjiao, Oufeng Mountain's stronghold was unusually peaceful.

***

The next morning.

A thug stationed in Hajiavillage hurriedly climbed up.

Feng Yanchao, who had been on high alert since Eichun Jianzun's visit, met him.

However, this time it was good news.

The Bai Shangfang's caravan was resting in Hajiavillage and would pass through Oufeng Mountain around noon. The Oufeng Ten Heroes were planning to go on a mountain trip after a long time.

With the Oufeng Ten Heroes' declaration of plunder, the bandits cheered and sharpened their weapons. "Tolls are good, but bandits are bandits; plundering is the real deal," they shouted.

In the afternoon.

A group of caravans entered Oufeng Mountain.

Wang Yigang, the head of Bai Shangfang, spoke to Lian Wudao, the leader of the Qinglong Team.

"Lian Daxia, I heard there's good news for Walong Hall soon?"

"Are you referring to the marriage of the young master?"

"Yes, to the daughter of the prestigious Yang Family in Zhengzhou?"

"That's what I heard."

"Ah! If Walong Hall and Yang Family join, they will soon be the best in Henan Province."

Lian Wudao chuckled.

He didn't want to boast about his nephew's marriage.

Honestly, he didn't like Bai Meizhu, but he couldn't deny what she did.

Lian Wudao casually glanced around while listening to Wang Yigang.

'It's about time they show up.'

Just as he thought this, a long spear flew and stuck in the middle of the road.

A green flag tied to the spearhead.

It was Oufeng Mountain's stronghold.

'They're doing something unusual today?'

Lian Wudao subtly raised his hand, and the caravan stopped.

As if on cue, the bandits from Oufeng Mountain's stronghold slowly walked out from the forest.

So far, everything was normal.

Taking a step forward, Lian Wudao spoke loudly as usual.

"The Bai Shangfang's Lian Mo is passing through Oufeng Mountain. Oufeng Mountain's heroes, please... "

Before he could finish, an arrow whizzed past his ear.

Swoosh. Thud.

The arrow shaft trembled on the trunk behind Lian Wudao.

Lian Wudao looked at the bandits in surprise.

A middle-aged man with a thick beard, whom he had never seen before, twirled a broadsword and said,

"Damn! Did you hear what Oufeng Mountain's stronghold said through your ass? Why do you do the things we tell you not to do?"

Lian Wudao looked at the bearded man in disbelief.

"Who are you?"

"Me? I'm the deputy leader of Oufeng Mountain's stronghold. And who are you? Are you Lian Mo? What kind of name is that?"

Lian Wudao felt his anger rising but suppressed it.

If he was the deputy leader, he was one of the famous Oufeng Ten Heroes.

'Finally, the Oufeng Ten Heroes have appeared!'

He noticed there were more of them than usual.

Perhaps emboldened by the Oufeng Ten Heroes, the bandits' eyes were filled with ferocity.

"I am Lian Wudao, the leader of the Qinglong Team. I have heard of the Oufeng Ten Heroes' fame... "

"Damn! You heard of our fame and still dare to show your face in Oufeng Mountain? Are you crazy?"

Deputy Leader Zhuo Goming's curses left Lian Wudao speechless. He wanted to exchange pleasantries, but the other side didn't give him the chance.

Unable to hold back, Lian Wudao raised his voice.

"Listen! No matter how famous you are as the Oufeng Ten Heroes, aren't your words too harsh? Our Qinglong Team is known in Luoyang's martial world... "

"You brat! If you mention Walong Hall's name again, I'll kill you! Everyone, kneel! I'll spare your lives!"

The bandits responded by drawing their weapons and shouting, "Waaah!"

Wang Yigang looked at Lian Wudao with a pale face.

"Lian Daxia, something seems wrong. What should we do now?"

Lian Wudao looked at the bandits with a perplexed expression.

When bandits come out of the forest, their purpose is plunder. They had passed through without any trouble until now, so why did this happen suddenly?

"Hmph! A warrior of Walong Hall can't kneel to bandits. Besides, I was curious about the Oufeng Ten Heroes' prowess. I'll find out now. Head, please step back for a moment."

He was ready for a fight.

Wang Yigang, with a frightened face, took a few steps back.

Lian Wudao shouted to the Qinglong Team warriors.

"Brothers! We are the Qinglong Team! Proud warriors of Walong Hall! Raise the sword of 'Zhimomie'! Heaven will help us!"

"Uoo!"

The Qinglong Team warriors shouted with raised voices.

The two sides faced each other.

The Oufeng Ten Heroes walked out from among the bandits.

Suddenly, Lian Jieha, looking at the Oufeng Ten Heroes lined up, said,

"There are no dangerous ones. I'll take the talkative one. Everyone, treat it like a friendly match and loosen up."

"Good!"

"How many years has it been?"

The Oufeng Ten Heroes chattered and drew their weapons.

In the midst of this, Xiaosai Bai said,

"Brother Lian, I'm so nervous. Will you help me finish quickly?"

"Don't worry. It'll be over in the time it takes to breathe. Breathe."

Xiaosai Bai exaggeratedly inhaled, "Huuu."

Suddenly, Lian Jieha darted forward.

Without his broadsword, he was bare-handed but moved without hesitation.

"You! How dare you!"

Lian Wudao, deeply hurt by the two men's conversation, swung his sword like lightning.

Swoosh.

A sword filled with sword qi shot up from below, splitting Lian Jieha.

Lian Jieha slightly twisted his upper body to deflect the sword and lunged at Lian Wudao. He gently pushed Lian Wudao's chest with his left hand.

"Choke!"

As Lian Wudao coughed and took a step back, Lian Jieha snatched his sword with his right hand.

The entire sequence of actions happened in the blink of an eye.

To an outsider, it looked like Lian Wudao had given up his sword and stepped back.

At that moment, Xiaosai Bai exhaled deeply.

"Phew!"

Lian Jieha playfully swung the sword he had taken.

"I told you, it would be over in the time it takes to breathe."

Lian Wudao, clutching his chest and gasping, fell backward with a "Grr!" sound. Injured internally and extremely angry, his body couldn't take it and he fainted.

"Kneel, you brats!"

"They're all dead!"

"Waaah!"

With a powerful cheer, the bandits of Oufeng Mountain's stronghold charged at the Qinglong Team.

Losing their fighting spirit, the Qinglong Team couldn't hold out for even half a moment (about 7 minutes) and one by one dropped their swords.

***

Luoyang.

Gongxian Pass.

Mid-June, noon.

The warriors of Sanzhen Trading Company were stationed at the entrance of Gongxian Pass.

On the opposite side, Walong Swordsman Lian Wubai stood with the Baihu Team and Shangsheng Team warriors.

Bai Shangfang's Fangzhu Li Shichang approached Lian Wubai.

"Lian Xiaoxia, we need to settle this today. It's not good to keep dragging it out."

"I understand. I don't want to make things worse either."

After the Justice Alliance issued martial notices, many knights had gathered in Luoyang. With two martial families facing off, rumors started to spread.

If things went wrong, the Justice Alliance might get involved. If that happened, all their efforts would be in vain. They needed to resolve it cleanly before that.

That's why Lian Wubai rushed to Gongxian Pass as soon as his treatment was over.

On either side of Lian Wubai, Baihu Team leader Bai Daojin and Shangsheng Team leader Lian Shengbai took their positions.

Lian Shengbai, who had been staring at the front with sharp eyes, asked,

"Are we attacking now?"

"Yes, let's go."

With that, Lian Wubai charged forward.

The Baihu Team and Shangsheng Team warriors followed closely behind.

Soon, a fierce battle broke out between the Sanzhen Trading Company warriors and the Walong Hall warriors.

The Sanzhen Trading Company had a slight numerical advantage, but the Walong Hall warriors' fighting spirit was stronger.

Especially Lian Wubai, who had gained practical experience in Yuzhou, wielded his sword more sharply than before, and no one could stop him.

Unable to hold back, two warriors attacked him together.

As swords flew from both sides, Lian Wubai unleashed the Fourth Form of Fenghuajielun.

Clang.

The moment the two swords were deflected, the Sixth Form of Tianleiwuwang swept over the two men.

They tried to retreat hastily but couldn't escape the net of sword qi. The warriors, hit in the waist and shoulder, fell backward.

After that, Lian Wubai swept through the battlefield.

After about a quarter of an hour, the Sanzhen Trading Company's defeat became apparent. Once they started to retreat, they collapsed uncontrollably.

As the hastily gathered ronins fled, the martial school warriors also dropped their swords one by one.

Lian Wubai led the Walong Hall warriors into Gongxian Pass with great momentum.

However, his expression was not bright.

Seizing Gongxian Pass by force meant it could be taken away by a greater force.

Thinking about entering a cycle of taking and losing, he felt a heavy stone in his chest.

Standing still, Lian Wubai was approached by Lian Shengbai.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Thinking if this is the right thing to do."

"The Fangzhu will handle it well."

"But the one who took it by force is not the Fangzhu but our Walong Hall."

"Still, we can protect our disciples because of this. Isn't that enough?"

"If we have to keep fighting to keep our disciples close?"

"Other martial families do the same, don't they?"

"I guess. Maybe."

Lian Wubai's expression darkened.

"By the way, the Nangong Family will also come this time?"

"Yes."

"Then it's been years since we last saw that strange brother and sister."

"Haha."

Lian Wubai couldn't help but chuckle.

Thinking of Qingyun Sword Nangong Tian and Huayongdushen Nangong Yan, he couldn't help but laugh.

"I thought my brother and that young lady would get along well in the past. Mother also hoped for it. Remember?"

Lian Wubai frowned as if he didn't want to think about it.

Before leaving for the Nangong Family, Bai Meizhu had earnestly told Lian Wubai to "do whatever it takes to make Nangong Yan your woman." He had agreed as a child, but he had never spoken to Nangong Yan in ten years.

"Shengbai, I'm afraid of women."

"Tch! You're getting married soon, and you're saying such nonsense!"

Lian Shengbai, with an envious look, patted his brother's shoulder and walked away.