Chapter 11: Bloodshed at Black Wind Stockade

Inside Black Wind Stockade.

Main Hall.

“WHAT?!” a burly man with the sharp chin of a swallow and the fierce whiskers of a tiger roared! “Third Brother was killed?! Who dares to kill my brother on Black Wind Stockade territory?!”

“Reporting to the Second Leader,” Sparrow stammered, kneeling fearfully. “Your subordinate… doesn’t know who he is… only that he wore plain yellow robes… his cultivation is only Body Refining Realm… and his only weapon was a wooden sword at his waist…”

The Second Leader exploded in rage, kicking Sparrow  violently! “What damn use are you?! You cowardly deserter! A mere Body Refining punk scared you this badly?! You spineless piece of filth! Third Brother is dead, and you think you get to live?!”

“Spare me, Second Leader! Spare me! That guy… he’s too weird! He’s only Body Refining, but he took down Third Leader in just two moves! And even with so many brothers surrounding him, he handled it easily! He’s a monster…!”

“Die!” the Second Leader bellowed. He raised his massive, gleaming twin battle-axes and brought them down in a devastating chop, fast as a falling star!

“Second Brother, wait.” A calm voice interjected.

A tall, somewhat slender man stepped forward, holding a grey feather fan, which he waved gently.

The Second Leader felt a powerful gust of wind blast against him!

The giant axes hummed strangely.

Then, the axes were blown clean out of his grip by the gale! They slammed into the nearby wall, embedding themselves deep within the wood! THUNK!

“Big Brother! Why?!” the Second Leader demanded, his voice thick with resentment. “This cowardly scum! If we don’t kill him, how can we appease Third Brother’s spirit in heaven?!”

The First Leader gave a cold, sinister smile. “No, we need him alive for now. I want to personally meet this man who killed our brother!”

Sparrow , having narrowly escaped death, collapsed weakly onto the floor.

The Second Leader kicked Sparrow viciously in the stomach. “Get up and lead the way, you useless trash!”

Sparrow yelped in pain but scrambled to his feet immediately. “Yes, First Leader, Second Leader! I remember the way!” he babbled.

“Second Brother, you don’t need to come,” the First Leader stopped him. “You stay and guard the stockade. I will personally lead a team to see just who this ‘sacred figure’ is.”

The Second Leader hesitated, then nodded. Ever since the three of them had become sworn brothers and founded Black Wind Stockade, Big Brother had handled everything meticulously, building their small mountain hideout into its current scale. Big Brother’s decisions had never been wrong. If he wanted him to stay behind, there must be a reason.

The First Leader waved his hand dismissively. “Send word! Third Leader has been murdered! Gather the men! We will avenge him!”

“Yes, sir!”

The order spread quickly. Soon, the elite forces from more than half the stockade had assembled at the main gate, armed and radiating killing intent.

The First Leader stood before them, his face a mask of fury. “Brothers! My Third Brother! Black Wind Stockade’s Third Leader! Your Third Leader… has been brutally murdered! And many other brothers are dead alongside him! They were our family, men we lived with day in and day out! Our kin! Now, they’ve been slaughtered! What should we do?!”

“REVENGE! REVENGE! REVENGE!” the bandits roared furiously.

“YES! We will avenge our brothers!” the First Leader yelled, his voice ringing with conviction. “Follow me! Let’s go kill the little shit who dared to lay hands on our Black Wind Brothers!” He swung himself onto his horse.

Behind him surged a mob of bandits, their morale dangerously high.

The gates of Black Wind Stockade creaked open.

The First Leader led his large contingent, charging furiously back towards Peach Blossom River Village.

A flicker of opportunity ignited in Ye Tianlong’s mind! This is the perfect chance to rescue the children!

The massive gates were slowly being closed by a single bandit.

Ye Tianlong expertly dodged the line of sight from the watchtower. In a single breath, the Wood Stone Sword flashed out! Shnk! It pierced cleanly through the gatekeeper bandit’s throat.

“Urk…” The bandit clutched his neck, collapsing silently.

Ye Tianlong quickly dragged the body into the bushes, stripped off the bandit’s outer clothes, put them on himself, and then casually swaggered into the now less-guarded stockade.

“Halt! Who are you? What’re you doing sneaking around the Prison Cell?” A guard standing at the entrance to a specific building eyed Ye Tianlong suspiciously.

Ye Tianlong scratched his head, putting on an embarrassed grin. “Hey, brother. I’m new here. Kinda curious ’bout this place, just wanted ta take a look.”

The guard waved him away dismissively. “What nonsense is this? Treating the prison like a damn market stall! Go on, scram! Wait a minute…” The guard narrowed his eyes. “Your face… I don’t recognize you. You’re not from Black Wind! Who the hell are…!”

Ye Tianlong instantly closed the distance! Before the guard could react, his sword swept horizontally! Slice!

The guard clutched his gushing neck, collapsing without another sound.

Seeing no one else around, Ye Tianlong slipped quickly inside the Prison Cell.

Calling it a “prison” was generous. It was basically a damp, dark warehouse, utterly lacking ventilation. The air hung thick and heavy with the cloying, metallic stench of old blood.

A large wooden cage dominated one side, crammed with a dozen or so children. The oldest looked maybe twelve or thirteen, the youngest barely three or four. All were dressed in rags, dirty, and covered in bruises and cuts. On the other side stood a sturdy wooden frame. Chained to it was a young man, perhaps seventeen or eighteen years old.

The young man was lean but wiry, his chest bare, a bloody mess of welts and open wounds.

A hulking bandit stood nearby, viciously whipping the chained youth.

Ye Tianlong crept closer, silent as a shadow. He raised the Wood Stone Sword, aiming squarely at the whipping bandit’s back. Just one more step, and he’d run him clean through!

Crack!

He accidentally stepped on a dry twig on the filthy floor.

The bandit instantly sensed someone behind him! He whirled around, eyes widening in shock as he saw Ye Tianlong and the bloodstained wooden sword! “Who are you?!” he roared.

Ye Tianlong didn’t answer. He thrust his sword forward! Swish!

CRACK! The long whip lashed out through the air, intercepting the thrust!

Ye Tianlong flicked his wrist, expertly wrapping the whip around his sword blade.

“Hah! Thought you were someone tough! Turns out you’re just Body Refining trash! You’re asking for death!” the bandit sneered, yanking hard on the whip handle, pulling it back towards him while trying to disarm Ye Tianlong.

Ye Tianlong stood firm, then suddenly retracted his sword slightly! The whip followed the motion, pulling taut! The sudden lack of resistance made the bandit stumble forward, off balance!

Rage flared in the bandit’s eyes! He channeled his True Qi along the whip, intending to blast Ye Tianlong! “HRAAAGH!”

Ye Tianlong used the bandit’s own momentum against him! He pushed off the ground, surging forward! Whoosh!

The Wood Stone Sword spun in the air! Sword Qi flared! Slice! It severed the thick leather whip cleanly… and continued its arc, taking the bandit’s head with it! Thump.

The entire exchange took barely two breaths! The young man chained to the frame stared, completely dumbfounded!

Shink! Shink!

Two quick slashes from the Wood Stone Sword severed the heavy iron chains.

Ye Tianlong had freed the prisoner.

The young man’s eyes shone with deep admiration and gratitude. “May I ask benefactor’s esteemed name? I, Bai Tōngmíng, will surely repay this debt in the future!”

“No need for formalities. Ye Tianlong,” he replied simply.

“Brother Tianlong!” Bǎi Tōngmíng’s face filled with righteous fury. “Can I ask you to help me rescue these children? These inhuman bandits dragged them here… slaughtered their parents and families! Damn them! I… I wasn’t strong enough… I couldn’t save them myself!”

“That’s why I’m here too,” Ye Tianlong nodded.

His gaze sharpened. His hands moved quickly. He was just about to smash the iron lock on the children’s cage when— Boom! Boom! Boom! Three loud drumbeats echoed from outside!

“Intruder in the prison! Intruder in the prison!” someone shouted frantically!

Ye Tianlong and Bai Tōngmíng instantly gripped their weapons, eyes locked on the prison entrance!

Back in the main hall, the Second Leader heard the commotion. He slammed his cup down! “WHO?!” he roared. “Who dares trespass in my Black Wind Stockade?! Brothers, follow me!”

Grabbing his massive twin axes, the Second Leader stormed out! Ten ferocious-looking bandits followed close behind him!

CRASH! CRASH! With two powerful swings, the Second Leader smashed the wooden prison door to splinters!

“Who killed my men?! Who dares break into my prison?!” The Second Leader’s mountain-like frame squeezed through the doorway, blocking most of the light, plunging the interior into deeper shadow.

Ye Tianlong and Bai Tōngmíng exchanged a quick glance, nodded, raised their swords, and charged out together!

Weapons clashed! CLANG! BANG! KSHINK!

Sparks flew wildly!

“AAAAARGH!” The bandits following the Second Leader were caught completely off guard by the sudden attack! In moments, severed limbs flew, blood sprayed, and panicked screams filled the air!

Seeing the situation instantly turn chaotic, the Second Leader bellowed, “Everyone, fall back with me! We can’t fight properly in here! Take it outside!”

With two sweeping arcs of his giant axes, WHOOSH! WHOOSH!, he cleared a path through the doorway.

Only then did the remaining bandits get a clear look at Ye Tianlong and Bai Tōngmíng’s faces.

“It’s YOU!” the Second Leader gasped, recognizing Ye Tianlong instantly! The kid with the wooden sword! He matched Sparrow’s description perfectly! The one who killed Third Brother!

Uncontrollable fury surged through the Second Leader! He hefted his twin axes, whirling them menacingly! They hummed through the air! “Kid! You killed my Third Brother! Pay with your life!”

His True Qi erupted around him! Grandmaster Realm, First Layer! Same as the black-robed assassin!

The giant axes seemed to radiate a savage aura!

“Careful!” Bǎi Tōngmíng cried out in warning.

Cold light flashed! The axes chopped down like the horns of a charging bull! Straight at Ye Tianlong!

Ye Tianlong moved like a phantom, light as a swallow, easily evading the heavy blows!

“Damn Body Refining punk! Stand still and fight, you coward!” the Second Leader roared in frustration as his axes hit nothing but air.

Ye Tianlong’s expression remained calm, almost detached.

The Wood Stone Sword drew a complex flower pattern in the air. Chilling sword intent radiated outwards!

SWISH!

Sword out!

Ye Tianlong’s blade slashed horizontally! A sickening tearing sound! Schlick! Schlick! The razor-sharp sword shaved off two thick layers of skin and muscle from the Second Leader’s arms!

“Second L-Leader!” the five remaining bandits cried out in shock.

The Second Leader touched his bleeding arms, felt the slick wetness, saw the bright red blood! Pure rage consumed him! “GET HIM! KILL HIM!” he screamed.

The five bandits charged forward!

“I’ll help you!” Bǎi Tōngmíng yelled, leaping into the fray! His whip cracked! Snap! It snaked along the ground like a nimble serpent, instantly tripping up several of the charging bandits!

“Now!” Bǎi Tōngmíng shouted! The whip tightened around their legs!

Ye Tianlong moved in a blur! Several light leaps! Wood Stone Sword flashed! Slice! Slice! Slice! Heads rolled!

The Second Leader’s eyes turned bloodshot with fury! “DAMN YOU!”

“Whirlwind Axe!” he bellowed!

He raised his giant axes high, then started spinning rapidly, charging straight at Ye Tianlong like a destructive tornado!

The axe blades became a blurred circle of lethal steel! The sound of them cutting through the air became a high-pitched shriek! He was an unstoppable vortex of destruction!

“Second Leader is mighty!”
“Kill him, Second Leader!”
“AAAH!”

A few cries of support quickly turned into screams of agony! The Second Leader, lost in his berserk rage, wasn’t distinguishing friend from foe! Several of his own cheering lackeys were sliced apart by the whirlwind of axes! Blood sprayed three feet high!

“Bǎi Tōngmíng, get back!” Ye Tianlong shouted urgently!

Bǎi Tōngmíng froze for a split second, stunned by the carnage! The deadly whirlwind was almost upon him, axes about to cleave his skull!

Ye Tianlong took a deep breath.

One sword strike!

Sword Qi surged!

This strike carried the unstoppable momentum of splitting the sea! It shot forward!

PSSSSHK!

The Sword Qi sliced through flesh and bone! The single strike cleaved the spinning Second Leader cleanly in half, vertically!

The giant axe blades stopped spinning, frozen less than an inch from Bǎi Tōngmíng’s face! In the nick of time, Ye Tianlong had saved him again!

Bǎi Tōngmíng, having narrowly escaped death yet again, collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily for breath. “Hah… hah… hah…”

“Brother Bai,” Ye Tianlong said urgently, “We can’t stay here. Let’s get the children and leave quickly.”

Bǎi Tōngmíng finally snapped back to reality. He suddenly scrambled to his feet and fell to his knees before Ye Tianlong! “Benefactor! You saved my life twice today! Such immense kindness… I have no way to repay it! Among us escorts, loyalty and righteousness mean everything! From this day forward, Brother Tianlong… you are my Big Brother!”

Ye Tianlong hesitated slightly. “Brother Bai, now really isn’t the time for this…”

“Big Brother, if you don’t agree, I won’t get up!” Bǎi Tōngmíng insisted stubbornly.

Ye Tianlong sighed, seeing he had little choice. He nodded. “Alright, alright. I agree. Get up.”

Bǎi Tōngmíng immediately leaped to his feet, beaming. “Haha! Big Brother! Let’s go rescue those kids!”

After freeing the terrified children from the cage, the group prepared to leave the bloody stockade.

Ye Tianlong paused, looking back at the sprawling bandit fortress. “Tōngmíng… To build a place like this… how many villages must they have raided…?”

“Big Brother,” Bǎi Tōngmíng looked at him, sensing his thoughts, “You’re thinking…?”

Ye Tianlong picked up a discarded torch from the ground. “A place like this… The best end for it is to burn it all down to ashes!”

Moments later, fierce flames erupted within Black Wind Stockade! Thick black smoke billowed furiously into the sky!

***

Meanwhile, back near Peach Blossom River Village…

“First Leader! Bad news! Look! Fire coming from the direction of the stockade!” A bandit pointed towards the rising column of smoke, his voice filled with alarm.

The First Leader gasped, instantly understanding. He wheeled his horse around violently! “What?! Quick, back to the stockade! It was a trick!, diversion tactic!”

The entire horde of bandits turned and frantically galloped back towards their burning fortress.