Chapter 18: Storming the Blackwind Bandit Stronghold!

Aoki Town.

It wasn’t too far from the mountain where the Liuyun Sect resided.

After riding for two hours, Gu Yang arrived and found the Zhang family, who had issued the request.

“Master! Master! A cultivator from the Liuyun Sect is here!”

“A cultivator from the Liuyun Sect has arrived!”

Immediately, noisy chatter echoed throughout the Zhang residence.

Gu Yang wasn’t the least bit surprised.

After all, to ordinary people, even an outer sect disciple of the Liuyun Sect held a prestigious status, let alone an inner sect disciple like him.

Before long, the Zhang family head came rushing out to greet him.

“Please, come in, honored one!”

Soon, Gu Yang was invited into the reception hall and seated at the head.

“Sir, we’ve been hoping day and night for your arrival!”

“Those bandits have grown increasingly arrogant lately, plundering as they please and throwing our town into chaos. The people can barely survive!”

The Zhang family head spoke bitterly.

“Tell me the specifics,” Gu Yang nodded slightly.

The Zhang patriarch quickly began to explain.

It turned out the Blackwind Bandits had only appeared in the area over the past few years.

Aoki Town had been peaceful before their arrival.

But ever since they showed up, everything changed.

The townsfolk no longer dared to go out casually.

The bandits spared no evil, robbery, murder, extortion.

Everyone feared being targeted.

“Do you know their current location?” Gu Yang asked.

“Yes! I had someone secretly track them. They’re camped in the mountains just outside town!”

“There are hundreds of them!”

Gu Yang nodded slightly at this, it was more or less as he had expected.

“Take me there.”

“Ah?”

The Zhang family head was stunned.

He wants to strike now?

“Sir Gu, wouldn’t it be better to wait until nightfall? Their numbers are large, I worry…”

Gu Yang simply waved his hand.

“That’s enough. If you want peace, follow my instructions.”

“Lead me to their camp. Then send your strongest men to seal off the surrounding area. If any of the bandits try to flee, stop them if you can, but don’t risk your lives.”

Hearing this, the Zhang patriarch was clearly worried but didn’t dare disobey.

“Yes, Sir Gu!”

He quickly arranged for a guide to lead Gu Yang to the bandits’ camp,

and also dispatched bodyguards at the Body Tempering Realm to surround the area as instructed.

“Sir, just ahead is where the Blackwind Bandits are camped,”

said a thin Zhang clan member in a hushed, respectful tone.

Gu Yang looked up.

He could already hear noisy clamor coming from that direction.

No doubt, that was the bandits’ hideout.

“Alright. Head back,” Gu Yang said with a wave.

The Zhang clan member fled like he’d been pardoned,

clearly terrified of being spotted by the bandits.

Gu Yang merely shook his head and paid him no further mind.

Then he walked directly toward the camp.

The Blackwind Bandits had posted sentries.

The moment Gu Yang stepped into their territory,

Toot toot toot!

One of the sentries blew a large horn, sounding an alarm.

Whoosh!

Dozens of fierce-looking bandits emerged from within the camp.

“What’s going on?”

“Someone entered our territory?”

“Just kick him out, what’s the alarm for?”

“Wait, he’s wearing Liuyun Sect robes. He might be trouble.”

“What!?”

The moment they realized the visitor was from the Liuyun Sect, many of the bandits’ expressions changed.

There could be no good reason for someone from Liuyun Sect to appear here.

“Quick! Notify the boss!”

As the bandits scrambled into action,

Gu Yang was already standing at the camp’s entrance.

He glanced at the wooden gate,

then kicked it open in one blow.

“Who are you?! This is Blackwind territory! Are you tired of living!?”

A scar-faced bandit snarled at Gu Yang, his eyes filled with killing intent.

But the moment he sensed Gu Yang’s cultivation, he froze,

and then… laughed.

“Qi Condensation Realm, Second Layer?”

“Hahaha! Boys, surround him!”

The one speaking was the second-in-command of the Blackwind Bandits.

He had been nervous earlier,

after all, the Liuyun Sect was notorious for its many powerful disciples.

If they had sent a real expert, he’d be forced to flee.

But now,

they had only sent a Qi Condensation Stage Two cultivator?! Content originally comes from NoveI★Fire.net

What a joke. Was this a suicide mission?

Still, he wasn’t reckless.

Knowing that Liuyun Sect disciples often had the ability to fight above their level,

he immediately ordered his men to cut off Gu Yang’s escape route.

Now, Gu Yang was like a turtle in a jar!

Outside the bandit camp,

the Zhang family guards witnessed the scene and grew frantic.

“What do we do? Why did that Liuyun cultivator charge in alone?”

“This is bad, what if he gets captured?”

“Let’s wait and see. Maybe he’s got some unbelievable tricks up his sleeve?”

Though anxious, they had no choice but to keep watching.

As for Gu Yang,

he didn’t even spare a glance at the bandits blocking his way.

Most of them were only at the Body Tempering Realm.

And even among the Qi Condensation stage enemies,

there weren’t many.

Altogether, only about a dozen, including the scar-faced second-in-command.

However, what did surprise Gu Yang was,

something was off about the intel.

According to the mission briefing, the chief bandit was supposed to be at the Seventh Layer of Qi Condensation.

Yet now,  even this second-in-command was at that same level!

And there was another bandit nearby, also at the seventh layer,

judging by his attire, likely no less than the second-in-command in rank.

Still, Gu Yang didn’t feel fear.

Instead, his eyes sparkled with excitement.