Free Web NovelChapter 917: Chapter 259: Parting Sorrows Amid the Snow, Righteous Action at Wolf Stronghold (Part 5)
As far as the eye can see, the world is enveloped in pure white, distant mountains covered in layers of thick snow, resembling resting silver dragons, asleep in this icy realm. The pristine snow, akin to a heavy blanket, tightly wraps the entire prairie, and the rivers that usually surge are frozen by the severe cold, losing their former vitality and clamor.
There has been an age-old saying, "No use of troops in winter," but within the Jianghu, the temptation of interests often breaks all conventions.
Zhong Renwang, fitted with an iron arm and two iron palms, is blinded by greed.
To seize Shi Feiyang’s enigmatic "Holy Heart Technique" and the legendary Xu Fu Immortal Pill that promises immortality, he roams the Jianghu like a sinister venomous spider, weaving malicious rumors.
He spreads false rumors about Shi Feiyang everywhere, seeking to tarnish Shi Feiyang’s reputation and disrupt the Jianghu situation.
Meanwhile, he also gathers a group of Martial Arts masters with similar ill intentions. Under the leadership of Zhong Renwang, Dugu yan, and Xie Zhichuan, they set out for the Naiman Tribe, braving the fierce snow and wind. Their figures flicker in the snowstorm, resembling eerie specters from Hell, casting an ominous shadow over the tranquil prairie.
"Flying Eagle Detective" Xie Wen is renowned in the Jianghu as "Thousand-Mile Eye" and "Sharp-Eared."
With keen insight and a vast intelligence network, he quickly discovers this news.
Upon learning of this, Xie Wen does not dare to delay and hurries to Wulang City to report it urgently to Shi Feiyang.
At this time, Wulang City, under the cover of snow, resembles a mysterious white castle.
Shi Feiyang is in the Royal Palace, engaged in efforts to create life with Yili. Upon hearing Xie Wen’s arrival, he promptly rises and goes to the council hall to meet Xie Wen.
Hearing Xie Wen’s report, his expression turns serious. After pondering for a moment, Shi Feiyang slowly speaks: "As of now, we must not let the Naiman Tribe suffer this unwarranted disaster, leading to a devastating blow. We must redirect this war towards the Old Wolf Stronghold. Pass my order for Elder Liao to lead our forces to the Old Wolf Stronghold with a display of strength, without a genuine intention to attack, to avoid losses. I will follow soon."
Xie Wen kneels on one knee, fists clenched, receiving the command: "Understood, I will ensure it is done." With those words, he turns and quickly departs.
The mighty members of the Heroic Sakura Association, upon hearing the news, show no fear or hesitation.
They quickly mount their steeds, the horses pawing the snow, letting out loud neighs.
Against the backdrop of the swirling snow, the silhouettes of the heroes appear especially tall and resolute.
They leave Wulang City in large numbers, swaggeringly heading towards the Old Wolf Stronghold.
Horses hooves thud dully on the snowy ground, echoing like a spirited battle song.
The Old Wolf Stronghold, since the tragic deaths of the Village Chief Wu Biao and his sons and brothers, has fallen into a leaderless chaotic state.
The once piled wealth, provisions, and numerous weapons and horses disappeared overnight without a trace.
The fierce bandits, originally ordered by Wu Biao to guard the Old Wolf Stronghold, scattered upon seeing the collapse.
Currently, only over a thousand bandits remain, led by the self-appointed Village Chief Wu Yun and Vice Village Chiefs Wu Dang, Wu Hui, Wu Can, trapped in this wind-swept fortress. They have long lost their supply of provisions, enduring hunger, hoping for the early summer next year to pillage once more for wealth and food to alleviate their urgent needs.
Suddenly, reports come in urgently from subordinates, claiming that a hundred or so men from the Heroic Sakura Association are aggressively approaching to attack the Old Wolf Stronghold. Wu Yun hears this, initially stunned, then raises his head in laughter that echoes terrifyingly through the empty stronghold.
After laughter, a cunning gleam appears in his eyes as he says, "Those fools of the Heroic Sakura Association! Do they truly believe the Old Wolf Stronghold is defenseless? Humph, they are courting death!"
Wu Dang agrees from the side, "Big brother is right. We should take this chance to teach them a lesson, restoring the prestige of our Old Wolf Stronghold!"
Wu Hui also sneers, "Let them experience the might of our Old Wolf Stronghold and see if they dare provoke us again!"
Wu Can, with a sullen face, remains silent, but the murderous intent in his eyes grows even stronger.
Wu Yun then orders, "Pass my command, all brothers must immediately fortify our defenses and prepare to encounter their attack! Make sure all our traps and mechanisms are properly repaired, waiting for those thieves from the Heroic Sakura Association to fall into our trap. None shall leave alive!"
The bandits receive the orders and spring into action, plunging the entire Old Wolf Stronghold into a tense and busy atmosphere.
The cold wind howls and the snow flies, a gripping battle seems about to erupt.
The mighty heroes from the Heroic Sakura Association arrive grandly at the nearby valley of the Old Wolf Stronghold.
At this time, the valley is a sea of silver, the white snow blanketing the earth.
The surrounding mountains, veiled in snow, appear faintly like an elegant ink painting. The cold wind howls, sweeping through the valley, emitting low murmurs, narrating the tense atmosphere of the impending battle.
The heroes methodically set up camp within this valley.
The tents spring up quickly, like mushrooms after rain, with flags snapping in the wind, embroidered with the emblem of the Heroic Sakura Association, standing strikingly out in this white world.
