Chapter 97: The Ferocious Dragon Crosses the River—Qiyun Stronghold

They had confirmed the direction and estimated the distance.

The group decided to charge ahead and secure advantageous terrain first.

The term was a fresh one, introduced by Yan Lao’er, but after careful consideration, it made perfect sense.

It was just like digging a pitfall trap for wild animals.

The torchlight grew closer and closer.

They lay in ambush on both sides of the path, six people per group, crouched in two staggered rows.

The young deer-like boy came sprinting back, his face filled with panic.

“Second Uncle Yan! They’re refugees fleeing from famine, escorted by mountain bandits toward our direction!”

Refugees?!

No one had expected to see refugees here.

Weren’t they supposed to be on the official road?

Uncle An urgently asked, “Are the bandits trying to recruit people into their gang?”

The young boy shook his head frantically. “There are men, women, and even children among them.”

This is trouble!

For a moment, Yan Lao’er didn’t know what to do.

But Yan Huaiwen remained calm and said, “If they’re bringing refugees along, their target isn’t us. However, if they keep moving forward, they’ll run into our convoy. We have to stop them here.”

“Big Brother, there are refugees among them,” Yan Lao’er said, his anxiety rising again.

“I know. That’s why we wait until they get closer. Those holding weapons and torches are undoubtedly bandits. We stick to our plan and target them accordingly.”

He looked at his younger brother and asked seriously, “Tianyou, can you do it?”

Yan Lao’er gritted his teeth and said, “No problem, Brother!”

“Good! We’ll follow your lead.”

As the group of about a hundred people approached, those hidden in the grass remained perfectly still.

Yan Lao’er silently counted the distance.

Fifty meters… thirty meters… Closer.

Not yet. They had to wait a little longer.

The leading bandit had already reached the middle of their ambush zone.

At that moment, Yan Lao’er shouted, “First volley—fire!”

Swish, swish, swish!

From both sides of the path, a rain of bamboo arrows shot out from the grass.

“Second volley—fire!”

There was almost no pause between the two rounds. Six people targeted each bandit at such close range that, in daylight, the arrows would have practically been shot point-blank. The darkness of night and the bandits’ lack of suspicion worked to their advantage.

Some unfortunate bandits were taken down instantly, while others, luckier, avoided fatal hits.

Those at the rear of the group remained unharmed.

“What’s going on?!”

“An ambush!”

“Who’s there?!”

Yan Lao’er gathered his courage and shouted, “These people now belong to Qiyun Stronghold! If you don’t want to die, get lost! Otherwise, don’t blame us for turning your faces into pincushions!”

A particularly ruthless bandit was about to use a refugee as a human shield but hesitated upon hearing the declaration.

Not government forces—fellow bandits.

“Qiyun Stronghold, huh? We’ll remember you. The mountains don’t change, the rivers keep flowing—we’ll settle this another day!”

The bandits spat out threats but ultimately fled.

Yan Lao’er: …

That’s it? You’re not even going to try negotiating or probing for information?

The bandits: Are you kidding? Do you know how many of our brothers just dropped dead? You think we have a death wish? We got a name to report back to our leaders—good enough!

Yan Huaiwen looked at his younger brother in astonishment.

My brother Tianyou—quick-witted!

The refugees left behind didn’t dare move, shivering as they awaited their fate at the hands of a new group of bandits.

Mothers covered their children’s mouths tightly, leaving only terrified eyes exposed. Some children’s faces were turning red from lack of air.

Yan Lao’er frowned. “Hey, you there! Loosen your grip! If you keep squeezing, the kid’s gonna suffocate!”

As he stood up, the rest of the group followed suit.

Seeing so many people rise at once, the mother didn’t release her grip. Instead, she clutched her child even tighter, her fear intensifying.

Yan Lao’er sighed, then put on a deliberately fierce expression, shaking the iron crossbow in his hands.

“I said—let go! Did you hear me?!”

The woman trembled so violently she could barely stand, but she let go with a shuddering motion.

The child gasped for air but immediately started wailing in terror.

One crying child led to all the others bursting into tears.

The parents, torn between wanting to quiet their children and fearing to act, fell to their knees, kowtowing desperately.

“Great lord, great lord, please, we’ll obey! I can calm the children! Please don’t hurt them—punish us instead, but please, spare the children!”

A chorus of pleading filled the air.

Meanwhile, the retreating bandits glanced back, panting.

“Qiyun Stronghold? Never heard of it. Are they really into this act? All these kids wailing in the middle of the night—creepy as hell.”

“Shut up and run! What if they’re untrustworthy and come after us?”

“Did you see what happened to the ones in front?”

“Yeah. Shot dead! That lot’s got numbers and good archers—not worth messing with. Never seen them before, though. You think they’re trying to take over our turf?”

“What’s there to take in this godforsaken wilderness? If anything, they’re probably after business.”

Back at the ambush site, Yan Lao’er’s ears buzzed from the crying.

Yan Huaiwen stepped forward and directed the villagers to move the refugees aside.

He spoke gently, “We are not bandits…”

While Elder Yan reassured the refugees, Uncle An and his men quietly approached the wounded bandits who had survived.

Yan Lao’er noticed and called out, “Uncle An, hold on.”

Uncle An looked at him in surprise. “You want to do it yourself?”

“No, no, no!” Yan Lao’er denied quickly.

“I just want to ask them a few questions.”

Uncle An thought for a moment and then said, “Wait a bit.”

He and a few men gathered the bandits’ weapons and then proceeded to beat them until cries for mercy rang out.

Only after they were thoroughly subdued did Uncle An step aside and say, “Alright, ask away.”

Yan Lao’er stood at a suitable distance and began his questioning.

“Which stronghold are you from?”

The bandit lifted his head, eyes filled with malice.

“Old Pine Mountain.” The answer came without hesitation.

Uncle An added, “Old Pine Stronghold has over a hundred men. It’s the largest bandit nest around here.”

“Hah! That’s old news, old man. Nowadays, we’ve got hundreds of people. Just wait—our leaders will avenge us.”

Hundreds?!

Yan Lao’er gestured for Uncle An to hold off speaking further.

“The local mountain folk—they’ve all joined your stronghold?”

“That’s right! Our bosses had foresight. They rounded everyone up early. You lot showed up too late—left with nothing but scraps.”

“These people,” Yan Lao’er pointed at Uncle An’s group, “we took them from the Third Boss of Cloud-Piercing Stronghold.”

Then, he smirked and added, “I like your attitude. How about joining Qiyun Stronghold?”

“Don’t underestimate us. They say a fierce dragon doesn’t cross the river—but Qiyun Stronghold is the dragon that crossed the river!”

The bandit stared at him in silence.

“You’re still alive, and you still have a chance. We need someone familiar with the nearby strongholds. You… or one of the other two still breathing…”

At those words, the bandit suddenly snapped his head toward his two remaining comrades.

Their gazes locked.

Sparks flew.