Bai Yunfei's expression shifted erratically. He hadn't anticipated the presence of such captives within the stronghold.
Yet, on reflection, it wasn't surprising. With hundreds of bandits crammed into this fortress, it was unlikely these vile outlaws did their own washing and cooking. The existence of abducted women made grim sense; he'd simply overlooked it before. Now it clicked: those women dragged away after the bandits destroyed that village… this was their fate.
Bai Yunfei quickly gauged the time. "Don't worry. Now that I know, I will rescue you all. First, take me to where they're held. I need to assess the situation."
Guided by the middle-aged woman, Bai Yunfei arrived at a dilapidated structure resembling a jail cell block. Strangely, the door stood unguarded and slightly ajar.
Before they even got close, the sounds drifted out: raucous male laughter mixed with women's desperate pleas.
Bai Yunfei's face darkened instantly. The woman beside him only looked resigned, her eyes swimming with sorrow. "They're at it again… Recently, the bandits have been living in constant terror. They vent their fear… by tormenting the girls worse than ever…"
"Because of… me? Is it because I pushed them into this corner that they suffer more?" A wave of indescribable emotion washed over Bai Yunfei, momentarily freezing him.
He snapped his head up. His body became a blur as he shot through the doorway.
In an instant, Bai Yunfei took in the horrific scene. Five crude cells held nearly ten women each, huddled terrified in corners. Closest to him, six bandits, stripped to their vile nakedness, surrounded several young women, tearing at the tattered remains of their clothes.
Facing away from the door, none noticed his entrance. Rage, hot and blinding, twisted Bai Yunfei's features. He surged behind the nearest bandit; his Frost Thorn dagger plunged unhesitatingly into the man's back, piercing his heart.
Mindful of the terrified women, Bai Yunfei avoided overly gory methods. Within moments, all six bandits lay dead, hearts punctured by the icy blade.
The women stared, frozen in shock, mouths agape at the sudden, violent rescue.
The middle-aged woman rushed in. She flinched slightly as Bai Yunfei dumped the corpses like refuse but quickly composed herself. Moving beside him, she addressed the stunned women urgently.
"Everyone! Stay silent! Don't be afraid! This man is here to save us!"
Her words held weight, calming the group almost instantly. As understanding dawned, muted excitement stirred. Hopeful, yet fearful glances flickered towards Bai Yunfei.
Ten minutes later, Bai Yunfei wore a stolen bandit uniform. At the doorway, he addressed the middle-aged woman.
"Lock this door and stay hidden. Do not open it for anyone except me. Understand?"
He checked the moon's position, confirmed his timing, and melted into the shadows of the building facade. His target: the courtyard where the deputy stronghold master resided, as described by the woman.
......
Inside his quarters, Yang Tian sat cross-legged, attempting to circulate his soul force and prepare for the perilous scouting mission ahead. Yet, an unsettling dread clung to him, disrupting his focus. The unease only deepened.
Suddenly, chaotic shouting erupted outside his door, punctuated by the unmistakable clamor of battle.
"Deputy Stronghold Master! Emergency! The enemy attacks again!" The panicked yell from beyond his door jolted Yang Tian. He snatched his long saber and strode out.
He flung the door open. The messenger stood head bowed nearby, but Yang Tian paid him no mind. He turned sharply towards the main hall.
"Alert everyone! Prepare for combat! The Stronghold Master and I will—"
His command died abruptly. An icy shiver traced his spine; every hair on his body stood on end. The primal sense of imminent death struck him like a physical blow. Instinct took over. He spun violently on his heel, swinging his saber up in a desperate block across his chest. Simultaneously, his right leg lashed out in a powerful kick.
The kick connected, knocking his attacker back several paces. Yang Tian himself staggered backwards three heavy steps. A chilling numbness blossomed in his chest. He looked down—horror seized him. The thick blade of his saber bore a clean puncture. Half an inch of icy steel had pierced his chest itself! A hairsbreadth from death!
Seeing Li Chengfeng's diversionary attack unfold below, Bai Yunfei had seized the chaos. Disguised as a messenger, he'd launched the perfect ambush… yet Yang Tian had still dodged the killing blow.
Yang Tian felt the chilling agony radiating from the wound. His eyes locked onto the short, faintly glowing blue dagger in his opponent's hand.
"Soul Artifact! You are—"
Enough talk! "Must finish this fast! If the Stronghold Master arrives, it's over!" Disappointment flashed across Bai Yunfei's face at the failed sneak attack, but he didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, the Frost Thorn dagger vanished. Crimson light flared as the Fire-Tipped Spear materialized in his grip. Its deadly point lunged straight for Yang Tian's heart.
"Spatial Ring! It's you!" Recognition and terror warred on Yang Tian's face as the fiery spear appeared. He dared not block it head-on, throwing himself sideways in a desperate, clumsy dodge.
But Yang Tian was a seasoned Soul Warrior. Panic subsided almost instantly, replaced by cold calculation—at least outwardly. As he parried and dodged the spear's relentless thrusts, his mind raced.
He infiltrated the stronghold! But… only mid-stage Soul Apprentice? Yes, he wields formidable artifacts, but… if I can hold him here until Han Xiao arrives… Victory is possible!
Renewed confidence surged through Yang Tian. His defense solidified, shifting into calculated counter-attacks. Their strengths were evenly matched. Spear and saber clashed and sang, locked in a fierce, seemingly deadlocked duel. Bandits gathered at the courtyard entrance, drawn by the noise, but none dared intervene.
Bai Yunfei's expression grew increasingly strained, urgency etched onto his features with each passing second. Yang Tian's confidence, however, swelled; he seemed energized by the fight.
Seeing no other option, Bai Yunfei made a desperate gamble. He abandoned most defensive maneuvers, pouring everything into a reckless, all-out offensive assault.
Yang Tian's eyes gleamed with triumph. He's panicked! Lost control! He seized the opening, his saber whistling through the air, aiming relentless cuts at Bai Yunfei's exposed torso and limbs.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!" Bai Yunfei deliberately intercepted the blows with his body. The +10 Soft Armor, tested by Yang Tian's mid-stage Soul Warrior strength, groaned under the impact. Several slashes tore through the reinforced material, but it absorbed the worst. Deep gashes appeared on Bai Yunfei's waist and back, painful but not crippling.
Yang Tian's shock was palpable. Then, as his saber connected solidly with Bai Yunfei's left flank, a bizarre, violent shockwave erupted up the blade! The +10 Soft Armor's rebound damage effect triggered! Unprepared, Yang Tian nearly lost his grip; his arm jerked wildly outwards.
Bai Yunfei struck like lightning. Crimson light flared at his spear tip as he thrust it forward!
Yang Tian twisted frantically, but the spear point sank deep into his left shoulder. A wave of searing heat exploded through his body! His left shoulder felt like it was on fire; the entire arm went completely numb!
Tragically, the explosion effect didn't activate. That strike alone would have been fatal!
Raw terror flooded Yang Tian's eyes. He tried to disengage, but Bai Yunfei pressed the relentless assault, giving him no quarter. Escape was impossible; he could only fight for his life.
Shouts erupted near the courtyard entrance. Yang Tian's gaze flickered towards the sound—and relief washed over his face. Han Xiao had arrived!
Gritting his teeth, Yang Tian summoned every ounce of strength for one savage, sweeping slash, forcing Bai Yunfei back half a step. He used the precious split-second to leap sideways, putting vital distance between them.
"Stronghold Master! Aid me—!" he cried towards Han Xiao.
Mid-leap, Yang Tian noticed Bai Yunfei hadn't pursued. A flicker of hope ignited. He landed, already turning to face Bai Yunfei alongside Han Xiao, ready to finish him.
But Bai Yunfei's hand flashed blue. Something flew!
A streak of azure light—vanished in a blink—pierced straight through Yang Tian's chest!