Five days later, Panlong Town, at the foot of Mount Caixia.
The area occupied by the Qixuan Sect and the Wild Wolf Gang was in a remote corner of Jingzhou. Because the reach of the imperial government was incomplete, the local order was maintained largely by these gangs. The Qixuan Sect’s trial missions were an essential part of cultivating its disciples, bridging the gap between martial arts training and real-world combat against the Wild Wolf Gang once they completed their apprenticeship.
A group of over thirty Qijue Hall disciples, led by two protectors, was currently undergoing a trial on a mountain outside Panlong Town. Although this was within the Qixuan Sect’s sphere of influence, it was a peripheral area. A gang of bandits had been congregating here, repeatedly raiding the Qixuan Sect’s outer sect cargo shipments. They were only seven or eight in number, and it had long been discovered that they were using a dilapidated Taoist temple as their base. The trial mission for these thirty-plus young inner sect disciples was to completely eliminate this small group threatening the security of the sect’s outer business operations.
Inside the temple, the seven or eight bandits were already surrounded by the Qijue Hall disciples. The leader, a burly man, cursed, "The Qixuan Sect is being too overbearing! Are you the only ones allowed to burn down houses, while the common folk aren't even permitted to light a lamp? You’ve seized so many industries; do you expect us to just starve?"
The leading protector retorted, "Nonsense! Our outer sect’s Sihai Hall specifically recruits men of established reputation! If you had real talent, there would be a place for you in the inner sect’s tribute hall! You’re just a pack of thugs who bully men and women because you refuse to follow the rules!"
Wu Yan, a disciple participating in the trial, spat out, "Why waste time talking to these bottom-feeders? Just kill them and be done with it!"
"Hahahaha!" The burly leader let out a wild laugh. "Since your Qixuan Sect is so tyrannical, you can't blame us for being ruthless! Lord Leopard! You were right; the Qixuan Sect really did intend to kill us all!"
At that moment, a man in purple robes emerged from the inner hall. Suddenly, dozens of men appeared on the roof and walls of the temple, all wearing the blue enforcement uniforms of the Wild Wolf Gang.
The Qixuan Sect’s lead protector turned pale with shock. "Flag Master Hu Bao! This is the heart of Qixuan territory. You Wild Wolf Gang members actually dare to infiltrate this deep!"
The blue-clad enforcers were on par with the Qixuan Sect’s protectors. In the current situation, it was effectively thirty enforcers surrounding thirty young disciples—it was a death trap. Hu Bao was a Flag Master of the Wild Wolf Gang, a rank equivalent to a Hall Master in the Qixuan Sect.
"Hmph! There were ten groups of inner sect disciples on trials this time, and the situation for all of them is exactly the same as yours! Hahahaha! These inner sect disciples are the future backbone of the Qixuan Sect! It's best to kill them while they're still young!"
A protector exclaimed in horror, "Someone leaked the mission list and the locations!"
Hu Bao chuckled. "Smart. Your team has the most relatives of elders and the sect master. I took the risk of our front-line territory being seized by you lot just to come here and take care of you personally!"
"Hahahaha! Brothers, kill all the men! Keep the women for yourselves!"
"Splat!"
"Splat!"
Two iron caltrops flew out, and the heads of the two Qixuan Sect protectors burst open. The Wild Wolf Gang were bandits by trade, specializing in rape and pillage.
"Ah!"
"Protector Li!"
The gruesome scene made the disciples scream. These inner sect disciples had almost no combat experience and had never faced the vicious Wild Wolf Gang. Some of the female disciples began to cry, and even the softer-looking boys were trembling. The blue-clad enforcers were emboldened, roaring as they charged at the Qixuan disciples.
Hu Bao, whose martial arts were far superior, was about to sit back and enjoy the show when his eyes suddenly brightened. "Brothers, cripple that one surnamed Qian! Leave him half-dead; I want to see if Elder Qian's heart aches! And keep that little chick in green for me! Once I'm done having my fun, let's see if Elder Li can still act so righteous!"
Zhang Xiuer was so nervous she could barely hold her sword. Seeing several blue-clad enforcers walking toward her, she trembling held the blade against her own neck. "You villains of the Wild Wolf Gang, even if I, Zhang Xiuer, have to die, I will not fall into your hands!"
"Junior Sister Zhang, let's fight to the death and break out together!" Zhang Xiuer was well-liked, and Guo Laoshi and seven or eight other male disciples immediately stepped in front of the women.
With the two protectors dead, the young disciples were in complete chaos, and the enemies had already leapt down from the roof.
"Master Leopard! Don't kill me! My name is Qian Duoduo, and my family owns over a dozen banks! If you spare my life, everything is negotiable!"
"Master, my family has eight restaurants in Jingzhou! Though not as many as Qian Duoduo's, they are still well-known!"
"Lord Leopard, I have long admired your name! My wealth is limited, but my uncle holds an official post in the Jingzhou government!"
...
Five of them! A total of five Qixuan Sect disciples, led by Qian Duoduo and Wu Yan, threw down their weapons. Hu Bao was more than happy to accept; he planned to squeeze these fat sheep for everything they were worth before killing them. That would be even better.
Guo Laoshi might have been simple-minded, but he wasn't a fool. "Qian Duoduo, how can you be so cowardly! Where did your usual arrogance go?"
Hu Bao glanced at the honest-looking Guo Laoshi and revealed a look of pity. "Enough. I know all your backgrounds. I have no use for the others. Brothers, do it!"
A blue-clad enforcer kicked away Guo Laoshi’s saber. Just as Guo Laoshi was about to meet his end, a sudden, shrill scream pierced the air!
"Ah!"
"Splat!"
The enforcer's head flew high into the air, and blood sprayed more than a meter high.
"Splat, splat, splat..."
A series of crisp sounds followed, and seven or eight heads rolled onto the ground. The green-clad figure was so fast the naked eye could barely track him, and he was already charging toward Hu Bao!
"Senior Brother Li!"
"It's Senior Brother Li!"
The young disciples let out a breath of relief, suddenly seeing a glimmer of hope.
"Clang!"
Hu Bao’s nine-ringed saber came out, barely parrying Li Feiyu’s Yazi Saber! Seeing heads littering the ground, Guo Laoshi’s blood surged with excitement. He roared, "Li Tiger shows his might! Slay Hu Bao!"
Li Feiyu smiled and shouted, "The Wild Wolf Gang’s ambush plan has been intercepted by the Sect Master! Qijue Protector Li Tiger, leading the Blood Blade Hall, the Outer Blade Hall, and nearby outer sect disciples, has arrived to reinforce you!"
"Kill! The Twelve Guardians of the Blood Blade Hall have arrived!"
"Kill! The Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars of the Outer Blade Hall have arrived!"
"Four Heroes of the Blood Blade, capture Hu Bao alive!"
...
Various chaotic shouts erupted from all sides. A dozen disciples who were fast on their feet jumped into the fray, and the Wild Wolf Gang found themselves surrounded. Seeing at least twice as many Qixuan Sect members as his own men, Hu Bao finally realized he had been played!
"You planned this! You knew we were going to ambush your young disciples!"
"Swish!"
Li Feiyu slashed horizontally, and Hu Bao’s topknot was sheared cleanly off. "What fine swordsmanship! I've fought every Qijue Hall protector, but none are as good as you, Li Tiger! I'm afraid even your Qijue Hall Master might not be able to beat you!" Finished speaking, he retreated in a panic for several steps.
"Clang!"
Li Feiyu moved like a ghost, his blade flicking out to slice off half of Hu Bao’s ear! It was truly disgraceful for a dignified Flag Master to be pushed to such a state by a protector.
"Our Hall Master can't beat you, but if I kill you, that means I can beat him! Take this!"
"Splat!"
As soon as Hu Bao raised his arm, Li Feiyu’s blade drove straight into his lower abdomen. With a quick tug, Hu Bao’s belly was ripped wide open! Hu Bao, in agony and on the verge of fainting, cursed silently, *How am I supposed to see his blade? It’s too fast to see!*
By now, the inside and outside of the temple had descended into a slaughter. The Wild Wolf Gang enforcers, now outnumbered by more than half, were being cut down one by one. The young disciples who had initially been afraid soon adapted, two or three of them managing to take down a single opponent.
The protectors Li Feiyu brought had initially been worried about whether this kid, not yet sixteen, could hold off Hu Bao. They had been prepared to sacrifice a few men to kill him. After all, killing a Flag Master was equivalent to taking out a senior inner sect Hall Master!
Li Feiyu, his robes stained with blood, looked like a demon. "Useless Hu Bao! Three more moves, and I’ll chop off your dog head!"
Taking advantage of Hu Bao bending over in abdominal pain, Li Feiyu slashed diagonally!
"Crack!"
Hu Bao’s arm, still holding his saber, went flying! He was terrified; he couldn't grasp the logic behind this bizarre footwork and blade technique. Moving like the wind, he leaped onto the roof without looking back.
"Shing!"
Li Feiyu appeared in front of him out of nowhere, another strike plunging into his heart!
"You! You truly are worthy of the name Li Tiger..."
"Splat!"
Li Feiyu didn't give him a chance to finish, severing Hu Bao’s head with another stroke. He stepped on Hu Bao’s corpse and shouted to those in the temple, "Hu Bao is dead! The Sect Master has ordered: show no mercy to any member of the Wild Wolf Gang! Execute the traitor Qian Duoduo immediately!"
Qian Duoduo shivered, then turned and bolted. "I'm not a traitor! Li Feiyu, you bastard! This is a personal vendetta!"