Steward Liu stammered, "No … I don't think so. The Black Wind stronghold is very far from here. They've never been here before …" He was the largest household in the village, so he was the first person the Black Wind stronghold came to look for.
"I heard that the villages closer to the Black Wind stronghold have strengthened their defenses and built walls. That's why the bandits are so far away. It's almost winter, so they need to store food to get through the winter. Steward Liu, your granaries are all full, right? "
"Don't tell me the government doesn't care?" Only now did Li Qingshan learn that the mountain bandits also had an "autumn hunt". For hunters, autumn was when the wild beasts were fat, but for the bandits, it was when the commoners who had just reaped the fruits of their labor were at their fattest.
"Hmph, the government collects money every year, saying that they want to suppress the bandits, but they never do anything."
Steward Liu said, "Then … then what should we do? Nephew, why didn't you bring more people back? "
Li Long glanced at him in annoyance. He was also willing to bring more people back, but he was only one of the sect master's disciples, not the leader of the Iron Fist. It was fine for his brothers to eat and drink with him, but it was impossible for them to fight the bandits of the Black Wind stronghold.
However, it was all thanks to Steward Liu that he was able to become the Iron Lion's disciple. Because of this old friendship, it was not appropriate for him to reprimand him.
He only said, "I alone am enough. This time, it definitely won't be the leader of the Black Wind stronghold himself. It's most likely one of the leaders. As long as I mention my master's name, he'll have to give me some face. However, I'll also need some people to keep up appearances. Qingshan …" Li Long looked at Li Qingshan expectantly. With such an expert by his side, he felt a bit more confident.
Li Qingshan deeply doubted this explanation. How could someone who had come all the way here just retreat after hearing his name? However, he would not let this small village that had raised him be trampled by others. He cupped his fists and said, "It's my duty."
With his promise, Li Long also calmed down. With the help of a third-rate expert, this matter would be much more assured. This was also the key reason why he was willing to tolerate Li Qingshan to this extent.
Village Chief Li and Steward Liu arranged for some workers and servants to make preparations. They also equipped some weapons. Although the news was still sealed, the atmosphere immediately became tense.
Steward Liu said with a trembling voice, "Nephew, should we go into hiding?"
Li Long said, "There's no need to avoid this. They're here to plunder. They won't commit murder or arson for no reason. But Steward Liu, I'm afraid you'll have to bleed a little this time."
Steward Liu let out a long sigh. If it was a blessing, it wouldn't be a misfortune. If it was a misfortune, it couldn't be avoided. He could leave, but his family business couldn't.
They waited quietly in the room. The two brothers, Li Hu and Li Bao, were still sweating from fright as they held their weapons. They constantly thought of the various terrifying rumors regarding the Black Wind mountain.
Li Long glanced at his brothers before glancing at Li Qingshan, who remained unfazed and resting with his eyes closed. He sighed inside. If you had even half his courage, I'd be willing to take you into Qingyang city.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Before the sky had even darkened, a gong suddenly rang out from outside the village. It was a scout stationed outside the village, a clever and nimble junior chosen by steward Liu.
"They're here!" Li Long said.
Li Qingshan snapped open his eyes. How bold of these bandits to actually plunder in broad daylight.
The gong suddenly stopped.
They hurried to the entrance of the village and saw a cloud of dust approaching from afar. In the blink of an eye, it had arrived before them. There were several dozen people. Whether they were tall or short, fat or skinny, they all had vicious expressions. The person in the lead rode a pony that could travel on mountain roads. He actually held a bloody head in his hand.
"Xiao Liu!" Steward Liu called out. The head belonged to the junior he had sent out to investigate, but it had actually been killed just like that. He became so frightened that his stomach and legs weakened. He looked at Li Long. Didn't you say they wouldn't kill people for no reason?
Li Long's eyebrows furrowed. He said softly, "They're trying to kill to establish their might!" Afterwards, he clasped his fist and said loudly, "I'm Li Long of the Iron Fist. May I ask which boss of the Black Wind stronghold has come?"
"This is our third boss. If you're sensible, hand over your money and food. Don't make us waste our time, or we'll burn down your shitty village!" A bandit called out, and the other bandits followed suit. They fiddled around with the weapons in their hands as they smiled scornfully. It was like they were looking at a group of lambs waiting to be slaughtered.
The third boss had a full beard and a fierce-looking face. He tossed the head to the ground and it rolled to Li Long's feet. "Iron Fist, if the Iron Lion was here, I'd leave immediately without another word. Who do you think you are?"
When Li Hu and Li Bao saw the cloud of dust, they were so frightened that their faces turned ashen. Their legs trembled, and at this moment, they even weakened and fell to the ground.
The bandits laughed loudly. "The third boss is so impressive!"
Li Long's expression changed and he gasped. It was rumored that out of all the bosses of the Black Wind stronghold, the third boss was the most savage and temperamental. He would plunder and plunder without hesitation. In the eyes of the villagers near the stronghold, he was someone even more terrifying than the master of the Black Wind stronghold.
However, since the third boss had asked him what he was, it proved that he was still fearful of the Iron Fist and asked about his relationship with the Iron Lion. The situation was out of his control, so he could only hold back his anger. "I'm master's final disciple. I knew you were coming, so I didn't want you to return empty-handed. I've given you a small gift, so please spare the Crouching Ox village for my master's sake."
Caretaker Liu offered up an embroidered box with trembling hands. The third boss lashed out with his horsewhip, and the embroidered box flew into his hands, demonstrating his impressive martial arts.
He opened the box, and it was filled with shiny silver. However, his face gradually darkened instead. "A hundred taels? Are you trying to send off a beggar?"
"B- great king, we've already done our best."
"Before nightfall, I want to see a thousand taels of silver and a thousand catties of rations. Otherwise, hmph!" When the third boss reached there, he suddenly licked his lips and smiled obscenely. "My brothers also want to borrow a few women. Don't worry, we're not robbing them, we're just borrowing them. Once we're done, we'll return them to you next spring."
The bandits all laughed obscenely. "Any woman that can become the wife of our third boss would be lucky!" "When spring comes, perhaps that woman won't even want to return."
Li Long knew the best. No woman could return from the Black Wind stronghold. They had all been raped to death. He said loudly, "Does the third boss really not care about the Iron Fist at all?"
Caretaker Liu was even more stunned by this number. He was stunned speechless.
"Don't make me wait too long!" The third boss did not even look at Li Long. He turned his head and ordered his subordinates, "Hurry them up!"
The twenty or so bandits laughed as they walked around Li Long's group. They entered the village and knocked on every door. If anyone dared to open the door, they would break it down. Hundreds of villagers were chased out like sheep. They gathered together in fear. The barking of dogs and the wailing of women and children filled the air.
The third boss laughed as he looked at this scene. "Let's rest in this village tonight!"
"This child is only fourteen years old. He hasn't done anything bad in his life."
Suddenly, an extremely calm voice sounded. It was so calm that it did not seem suitable for the current situation. However, within that calmness, there seemed to be an uncontrollable killing intent suppressed.
Li Qingshan picked up Little Six's head from the ground and gently closed his eyes.
The third boss narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?" He did not notice Li Qingshan. From the beginning, when the head was thrown, Li Qingshan's head was lowered and his body was trembling. He thought that it was fear.
However, Li Qingshan was no longer trembling. He slowly said, "This is a very good and clever child. His parents also love him very much."
The third boss yawned. "What are you trying to say?"
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