The Calm Before the Counterstrike

“But how did they break through the outer sentry posts?” Li Feiyu muttered to himself in confusion. “When we escaped back to the mountain, I specifically told everyone along the way to strengthen their watch.”

“There’s nothing strange about it,” Han Li said flatly. “The Wild Wolf Gang must have been planning this major offensive for a long time. Planting a few spies on the outskirts would have been easy for them. With those traitors leading the way, it’s perfectly ordinary for those outposts to be taken silently.”

“But there’s no way the Wild Wolf Gang can take down all the halls so easily. I estimate they’ll surround the peaks where each hall is located without attacking, then concentrate their elites to assault Sunset Peak, where the main headquarters sits. As long as they capture or kill the sect’s top leaders, the remaining halls will collapse on their own.”

“Then what should we do now?” Li Feiyu pressed, his tone growing impatient. “Head for Sunset Peak?”

Han Li was silent for a long moment. Then he turned abruptly to face Li Feiyu and spoke in a heavy voice:

“You still haven’t told me how the negotiation team—with all those experts—got completely wiped out. Logically, the Wild Wolf Gang shouldn’t have that kind of strength.”

At this, the muscles on Li Feiyu’s face twitched. He involuntarily licked his cracked lips and gave a bitter smile.

“They used a large number of repeating crossbows. Military-grade reinforced ones.”

“Military-grade repeating crossbows?”

“That’s right.”

“We had only been off the mountain for two days, crossing a stretch of grassland. Since we were still in our own territory, everyone was relaxed. Then, suddenly, Wild Wolf Gang members burst out from all around us, emerging from underground. Every single one of them was holding a hard crossbow. A hail of bolts filled the sky—so dense that any disciple with mediocre martial arts died on the spot under that volley. Only those with extremely high skill or exceptional luck managed to survive that first wave. Even then, every survivor was wounded, their combat power severely reduced. I was one of the lucky ones. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it back.”

Even now, as he spoke, Li Feiyu’s voice carried a lingering tremor. A trace of fear flickered in his eyes—the terrifying sight of that volley of crossbow bolts had clearly left a deep scar on him.

“After the bolts stopped, their experts moved in. We were caught in a bitter struggle. To increase our chances of survival, the remaining survivors split up and tried to break through on our own.”

“I was lucky too. In their eyes, I wasn’t an important enough target to kill. The people chasing me were fewer, and their martial arts weren’t that strong. I actually managed to fight my way out. But when I tried to head back, I realized that every one of our strongholds along the route had already been taken over by the enemy. The Wild Wolf Gang had replaced our people, lying in wait for any stragglers to walk right into their trap. After falling for that trick once or twice, I didn’t dare seek help anymore.”

“I wanted to know what happened to the others, so I steeled myself and ambushed one of their Blue-Robed Enforcers. From him, I learned that Sect Leader Wu and several elders had been surrounded and killed by a swarm of enemy experts. Only a few people like me—not considered important enough to target but still skilled in combat—managed to escape.”

“After hearing that, I didn’t dare delay another moment. I rushed back to the mountain as fast as I could. On the way, I ran into two other guest elders who had also escaped. The three of us fled together for a full day and night until we finally made it back.”

“Once we returned, the two guest elders went straight to Sunset Peak to inform Sect Leader Wang that the entire negotiation team had been wiped out. I made up an excuse about needing to heal my injuries and came straight to you first, to discuss what we should do.”

“Think about it—Sect Leader Wu and all those people died in the ambush. Instead, the only ones who made it back are people like us—not high enough in rank to be important, but not low enough to be ignored. To shift the blame, who knows if the higher-ups won’t take out all their anger on us and make us the scapegoats?”

“And now, before I could even explain this to you, the Wild Wolf Gang has already attacked. Tell me—what do we do now?”

Li Feiyu poured out all of this in one breath, his expression shifting to one of helplessness.

Han Li furrowed his brow after listening, tilting his head in thought.

The sounds of battle on the mountain were growing fiercer. Occasionally, a few chilling cries from dying men pierced the air, sending a shiver down anyone’s spine.

“Do you still have subordinates on the mountain?” Han Li’s voice had become very low.

“I do. I still have over twenty men. I had them stationed in a few houses near Elder Li’s residence. Originally, I planned to bring them out of the mountain on business after the negotiations were over.”

“Good. We’ll head to Elder Li’s residence first and gather with them. Then we’ll meet up with Miss Zhang Xiu’er and Elder Li. As for the next step, we’ll decide after we have a clearer picture of the situation.” Han Li spoke calmly, his demeanor entirely rational.

“Fine. I’ll follow your lead.”

“It’s so chaotic out there now. I’m really worried about Xiu’er.” A note of tension crept into Li Feiyu’s voice.

Han Li shot Li Feiyu a glance. He really didn’t know what to make of this guy. On one hand, he was incredibly anxious and caring toward Zhang Xiu’er. On the other hand, knowing full well he didn’t have long to live, he still insisted on marrying her— practically setting her up to be a widow!

“What a contradictory man.” Han Li silently added this less-than-flattering judgment to his friend’s character.

Han Li lightly leaped off the rooftop. Li Feiyu followed right behind.

“I’ll pack a few things, then we’ll leave immediately.”

“Alright. Hurry up. I’m really worried about Xiu’er’s safety.”

Han Li had no response to that.

Every time Li Feiyu spoke, it was “Xiu’er this” and “Xiu’er that,” in such a sickly sweet tone that Han Li felt both a trace of contempt and a hint of envy.

Han Li stopped paying attention to Li Feiyu, who had suddenly transformed into a love-sick fool. He turned and went back into the house, quickly gathering a few essential items.