"What? The County Magistrate's daughter has been kidnapped?"
Zhang Long stood up with a swoosh, his face changed dramatically, not expecting anyone would dare provoke at such a level.
However, those brave enough to act are definitely not ordinary.
Luofeng Slope is located at the border of Qinghe County, still within its limits. He remembered a group of bandits were entrenched around there.
"Let's go, to the County Government Office!"
Zhang Long, with Zhou Chen, Zhao Hu, and the others, hurriedly made their way to the County Government Office.
County Magistrate Chen Fan and County Magistrate Chen Dao were already present.
"County Captain Zhang, immediately take a hundred constables to Luofeng Slope for investigation. Make sure to rescue Chen Feng!"
Chen Fan's face was gloomy as he issued the orders.
"Yes, Sir!"
Zhang Long left the County Government Office with Zhou Chen, rallying the personnel.
The governmental constables were quickly assembling.
Zhou Chen went home briefly, told Qin Hongyu, then equipped with a bow and knife, arrived at the city gate to join Zhang Long and others!
Zhang Hu helped Zhou Chen by leading a warhorse to him. Once everyone was assembled, Zhang Long gave the command:
"Move out!"
Zhou Chen rode beside Zhang Long, leading the troops in grand pursuit toward Luofeng Slope.
"Whoa, such a large operation, what's going on?"
"Certainly something major has happened!"
"I'd better sell off my goods and go home, stay in for a while!"
Watching the bustling group depart, the townspeople stopped, whispered, and concerned filled their hearts.
They didn't know what had occurred.
But surely something was wrong.
And they feared the repercussions.
Zhou Chen and his group traveled swiftly, reaching Luofeng Slope in less than thirty minutes, encountering corpses scattered everywhere.
These were the guards escorting Chen Feng, some struck by arrows, others slain with swords, spears, and various weapons.
Clearly, Chen Feng's party faced an ambush. A volley of arrows took down most of the guards, crushing their will.
Then, numerous bandits swarmed, killing the remaining guards and abducting Chen Feng.
"Sir, based on the site and footprints, the bandits likely left in this direction!"
Zhou Chen carefully analyzed and reported.
"Hmm."
Zhang Long nodded, aligning with his own judgment.
"That direction leads to Wolong Mountain, where a gang of roughly a hundred bandits is entrenched. The leader's name is Tie Xiong, nicknamed Violent Dragon, with Body Refining Second Layer skills!"
"The second-in-command is Lv Xiao, nicknamed Ghost Tiger, skills unknown, some say he has none, for none have witnessed his prowess!"
Zhang Long frowned in confusion, saying:
"Previously, bandits at Wolong Mountain would rob passing trade caravans but never antagonized officials. Since Wolong Mountain is easy to defend, we've left them alone."
"But now they dare kidnap the County Magistrate's daughter?"
"Is there some conspiracy involved?"
Zhou Chen interjected.
"It's possible, either Tie Xiong's skills unexpectedly advanced, someone backed them, or perhaps just a misunderstanding?"
Zhang Long deeply furrowed his brows, unable to find concrete clues, considering numerous possibilities.
"Perhaps it wasn't Wolong Mountain bandits but others framing them, trying to divert our attention onto them!"
Zhou Chen added.
"Well said."
Zhang Long nodded, waving his hand, declaring:
"Regardless, Wolong Mountain must be visited. Even if not their doing, they shall face us anyway!"
With no other leads, attention turned toward Wolong Mountain.
"Target, Wolong Mountain, move out!"
Zhang Long led the group toward Wolong Mountain.
…
Wolong Mountain.
Hall of Unity.
Tie Xiong, burly as a Violent Bear, carried a slender, fair-skinned girl into the hall.
Beside him were Lv Xiao and a gathering of leaders.
"Tie Xiong, how daring of you to kidnap me, you must have a death wish!"
Chen Feng struggled and angrily shouted:
"Release me now, and I'll pretend nothing occurred, otherwise my father will flatten Wolong Mountain, and you'll all face doom!"
Smack!
A slap landed on Chen Feng's backside, Tie Xiong's hefty strength loud and echoing, making Chen Feng shiver, tears filling her eyes.
"Since I've kidnapped you, you think I fear your father?"
Tie Xiong's voice boomed like a bell, placing Chen Feng down, turning to face the leaders, and proclaimed loudly:
"Brothers, are you afraid?"
"Fearless!"
"Fearless!"
"Fearless!"
The group roared in unison. Some feared, but the atmosphere swayed them, lessening their terror.
"Good, worthy of Wolong Mountain's heroes!"
Tie Xiong revealed a smile, lifting Chen Feng's pale chin forcibly, displaying her to all:
"What do you think of this young lady, beautiful or not?"
"Beautiful!"
"Want her or not?"
The group fell silent, glancing at each other, not daring to speak.
"Damn it! Are Wolong Mountain's heroes all spineless?"
Tie Xiong thunderously shouted again:
"Want her or not?"
"Want!"
Roused by fervor, the bandit leaders shouted loudly.
"Since you want her, line up then!"
Tie Xiong jovially cursed, tossing Chen Feng over his shoulder.
"Ho ho ho!"
"The leader is mighty!"
"The leader is the greatest!"
All bandit leaders cheered excitedly, beginning to queue up!
"What are you doing? I was here first!"
"Don't push, I arrived first!"
"Scram, to the back!"
Amidst pushing and shoving, a long queue assembled rapidly at the entrance of the Hall of Unity.
Some wiser leaders understood the leader's intent – with Chen Feng involved, retreat wasn't an option.
Yet no one dared back down.
Moreover, for such outlaws, getting close to the County Magistrate's daughter was worth dying for.
Like the saying, dying beneath a beauty is fruitful even in death.
Half an hour later.
Tie Xiong and Lv Xiao adjusted their belts after emerging, the leader waiting at the forefront delightedly hurried inside.
Tie Xiong and Lv Xiao paid them no mind, but instead went to the entrance towers.
"Government officials will likely arrive at the mountain base in a few hours. Will Chen Fan personally show up?"
Tie Xiong gazed ahead, burdened with concern.
"Chen Fan oversees the County Government, likely won't act directly. Zhang Long should be leading the charge."
As strategists and advisors, Lv Xiao pondered: "If Zhang Long fails, Chen Fan might act as a last resort!"
"Then, we must withstand Zhang Long's assault!"
Tie Xiong and Lv Xiao began their preparations.
…
At the same time.
Zhang Long led Zhou Chen and the rest swiftly toward Wolong Mountain, arriving by two in the afternoon.
"Rest for half an hour, then attack!"
Speed is crucial, especially when the County Magistrate's daughter is held by bandits; delaying brings more suffering.
Zhang Long couldn't afford to stall.
Especially since he was now at Body Refining Third Layer, coupled with Zhou Chen's Body Refining Second Layer abilities, capturing Wolong Mountain seemed feasible!
"Fengxia, assist me with vigilance later."
Zhou Chen took no chances; even against rabbits, lions use full power.
Ji Fengxia now at Fourth-Layer Qi Refining, possessed sharper awareness than martial artists due to ghostly senses.
"Rest assured, master, this humble servant will protect you!"
Ji Fengxia lounged elegantly on a bed within the Wind and Moon Treasure Mirror, her voluptuous form enticing, she smiled seductively, her voice alluring.
Zhou Chen spoke no more, closing his eyes for meditation.
Half an hour passed swiftly.
Zhang Long unsheathed his blade, commanded:
"Attack the mountain!"
…