Free Web NovelChapter 898: Chapter 256: Divine Skill Cuts Through Hardships, Entering the Bandits’ Lair of Illusions (Part 4)
Xie Wen’s gaze was as sharp as a torch, staring coldly at the person at hand, harshly questioning, "Explain in detail the background and martial skills of these bandits immediately, or don’t blame me for taking severe punitive measures! If I throw you to the ground, you’ll definitely become a pancake."
The person hung in mid-air, pale as paper, trembling all over, hastily divulging everything they knew.
On the ground, the leader was towering, like a majestic small mountain, clad in a wolf fur coat that exuded a wild aura.
He wore a hat made of bear fur, the brim covering his frost-white temples, and from his appearance, he seemed to be over fifty years old.
However, his face was ruddy, like a ripe apple, his eyes bright like cold stars twinkling in the night sky, showing no signs of old age, and his every move exuded a bold and unrestrained spirit. At this moment, Xie Wen, carrying Shi Xiong, returned swiftly like a black lightning bolt, landing lightly beside Shi Feiyang at the back of the Tiger Power Escort Agency team.
He bent slightly, reporting the situation he had investigated to Shi Feiyang in a low voice, "Grand Squad Leader, those intercepting us are the chief of the Old Wolf Stronghold on the prairie, Wu Biao, and his two brothers Wu Pin, Wu Bei, along with their four sons Wu Yu, Wu Hao, Wu Li, and Wu Yuan."
Shi Feiyang nodded slightly, his expression calm, a hint of alertness flashing in his eyes.
Following Xie Wen’s direction, he gazed at the group of fierce bandits.
Wu Yu was only in his twenties, his face as white as jade, eyebrows like sharp swords, eyes bright as stars, elegant and handsome, like a charming duke. In stark contrast, Wu Hao’s face was green-black, with protruding fangs, ugly and ferocious.
The other two strong men, one draped in an orange-yellow wolf fur cloak, was Wu Biao’s third son, Wu Li; the other was dressed in a black mink fur robe, Wu Biao’s youngest son, Wu Yuan. Wu Biao’s brother, Wu Qu, held a clay pipe, its stem over three feet long, thick as a walnut, forged from dark iron, radiating a weighty feel.
Wu Qu took two deep puffs from the clay pipe, exhaling thick smoke, sparks flying.
He laughed aloud, "A fierce tiger passing through the wolf’s den, our Old Wolf Stronghold has boldly come to challenge the Tiger Power. This must be Chief Fan? Rumor has it that the Chief travels throughout the land with a flag of the escort agency, renowned and respected by people of the Jianghu. It’s a pity that I never had the chance to witness your prestige; this place is remote, and I couldn’t visit Jiangnan to meet you in person. Meeting you here by chance today is truly a fortuitous fate."
Wu Qu spoke frankly, without reservation, displaying the spirit of a heroic figure in the greenwoods.
Chief Fan of the Tiger Power Escort Agency in Jiangnan immediately clasped his fists and respectfully replied, "Overpraised. The fame of the Tiger Power Escort Agency is only due to the affection of our Jianghu friends. Passing through your esteemed territory this time, we couldn’t prepare a visiting card in advance, and seek Chief Wu’s understanding, hoping to borrow the way. When I return, I promise to make up for the courtesy of visiting the mountain."
Wu Biao, listening impatiently to their lengthy exchange, interrupted, "Brother, don’t you know the rules of Jianghu? We brothers toil hard, in the cold and hardship, always need some harvest. Could you spare half of your escorted goods, so the brothers can have a peaceful year?"
"Long Arm Fist" Liao Pei, upon hearing this, burned with anger, like an erupting volcano, roaring, "No way for money, but there’s a way for your life. Hmph! Coveting our goods is simply wishful thinking!"
Wu Yu, hearing Liao Pei’s words, flew into a rage.
Though outwardly refined, he was extremely ruthless inside, his arrogance mainly stemming from his exceptional martial arts and the formidable strength of the Old Wolf Stronghold. He leapt from his horse like a black meteor, hurling towards Liao Pei, drawing his blade, and shouted angrily, "Old man, aged as you are, you still don’t understand how to behave with respect. Today, I’ll teach you the rules of the Jianghu!"
His Lightweight Technique was excellent, like a gust of wind, he instantly arrived, swinging his blade to perform the "Whirling Wind Brushing Willow" move from the Wind Thunder Saber Technique, the blade light flashing like countless silver lightning, rapidly enveloping Liao Pei.
Facing this scene, Liao Pei showed no fear, deploying the Long Arm Fist, his fists moving quickly, creating gusts of wind, his body swayed like a nimble cat, cleverly dodging Wu Yu’s fierce blade force.
Immediately, Liao Pei executed the "Subduing Dragon and Taming Tiger" move, his fists like iron hammers, striking straight at Wu Yu’s side of the forehead, shoulder, and ribs, leading to a fierce duel between the two.
Wu Hao, witnessing his brother Wu Yu and Liao Pei engaged in a heated battle, also drew his sword and leapt off his horse, swinging his sword midair, executing the Wind Thunder Sword Technique, his sword moves like a violent storm, attacking Liao Pei.
"Heaven and Earth Saber" Lie Quan, seeing this, also flew off his horse, clutching his Dual Blades, the blade light flashing coldly, soaring to confront Wu Hao.
In an instant, two pairs of fighters began an intense battle on the wide ground, with blades flashing and swords clashing, shouting and killing resonating through the air, the figures of Liao Pei and Wu Yu, Lie Quan, and Wu Hao crossing paths, attacking and defending back and forth, each move laden with deadly danger.
Liao Pei’s Long Arm Fist was powerful and fierce, each punch seeming capable of splitting mountains and cracking rocks; Wu Yu’s Wind Thunder Saber Technique was sharp and vicious, and wherever the blade light reached, even the air seemed to be sliced apart. Lie Quan’s Heaven and Earth Saber danced with the wind, the Dual Blades combined seamlessly, mastering both attack and defense; Wu Hao’s Wind Thunder Sword Technique was unpredictable, his sword moves ghostly and elusive.
Their figures moved swiftly in the melee, causing the surrounding dust to swirl and scatter.
Shi Feiyang, after a brief observation, his gaze sharp like lightning, quickly assessed the martial power of his side.
