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Chapter 457: Chapter 101 Attacking the County City, Black Lotus Sect Saintess!_2
He couldn’t have reached this step so quickly.
Looking over the whole Luoshui County, he could claim to be among the top three. 𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
In these waning days of the year, he could even claim to be the first, the strongest in Luoshui County.
After all, the year-end was approaching, and whether it was Hong Minghu or Granny Bai from the Internal Affairs Office of the Inspection Bureau, they would all be going home for the New Year.
...
At this time.
Outside Luoshui County.
In Beiqiu Mountain.
A small group of soldiers clad in black armor appeared here.
If there were any knowledgeable people here, they could easily tell from their attire that this was the Black Mountain Army, and among this batch, there were not a few Black Mountain Cavalry astride Black Nightmare Horses, cloaked in dark iron armor.
There were more than thirty riders.
Not long ago.
Jiang Ning had slain a group of the Black Mountain Army and several Black Mountain Cavalry in Beiqiu Mountain, and another group of Black Mountain Army had advanced towards Luoshui County under the banner of vengeance.
And when Cao Rong left the Heavenly Mechanism Camp in Dongling City with orders, heading straight for Luoshui County, it was under the pretext of exterminating this group of Black Mountain Cavalry.
If Cao Rong had made it here alive, he would have turned tail and fled at the sight of this scene.
Because this Black Mountain Army was too exaggerated.
There were more than thirty Black Mountain Cavalry on Black Nightmare Horses, clad in dark iron armor.
You should know, to join the Black Mountain Cavalry, an elite force within the Church Protection Army of the Black Lotus Sect, one must be at least in the Divine Power Realm of Martial Arts Eighth Grade.
Among the Black Mountain Cavalry, five men formed a small team, with the team leader being the weakest at the Peak of Eighth Grade with a terrifying strength of three thousand jin.
Among them, there were strong individuals who were of the Seventh Grade.
Fifty men made up a large team, with the team leaders all at the Peak of Seventh Grade, having muscles refined as strong as flood dragons.
And this group of Black Mountain Army totaled over a hundred, with more than thirty Black Mountain Cavalry.
This indicated that there were at least several Seventh Grade Martial Artists.
It was quite probable that there was also a team leader at the Peak of Seventh Grade.
"The Holy Daughter, the Black Mountain Cavalry squad had perished right here."
"Our brotherhood within the Sect is dwindling!" A crisp female voice echoed through the snow-covered valley.
No sooner had these words been spoken than the people in the valley visibly lost their spirits.
Once, the Black Lotus Sect had swept across Daming Prefecture, even occupying the prefectural city.
How mighty was the Black Mountain Army at that time?
A thousand Black Mountain Cavalry had fought a great battle, shattering the imperial army of fifty thousand, and their momentum was sky-high.
Now, the Black Lotus Sect was dead or scattered, or fleeing.
Under the relentless pursuit and blockade of the official troops, the members of the Sect were dwindling.
As part of the Church Protection Army of the Black Lotus Sect, to have survived until now, the Black Mountain Army were all exceptional Martial Artists.
The weaker ones below the qualified level had already been eliminated.
At this moment, if someone were to hear these words.
They would understand that the most terrifying part of this Black Mountain Army was not the thirty Black Mountain Cavalry.
But the Holy Daughter, whom the leading person among the cavaliers referred to.
The Black Lotus Sect Saintess.
Proclaimed as the incarnation of the Black Lotus Saint Mother on earth, the spokesperson of humanity.
Just then.
The woman wearing a black veil and a long black gauze dress spoke again, her cold voice piercing into everyone’s ears.
"The brothers of the Sect must not die in vain! We must avenge them, so they can rest peacefully in the Saint Mother’s kingdom."
"What does the Holy Daughter suggest?" a rugged male voice inquired.
The woman’s voice rang out again: "Captain Jiang! The brothers are now suffering from cold and hunger, and we need to enter the county town for supplies. Luoshui County is the best choice!"
"Breaching Luoshui County will allow the brothers some respite, enable us to replenish our supplies, and also avenge the brothers who have died, so they may rest in the Saint Mother’s kingdom."
Upon hearing this, the leader of the Black Mountain Cavalry fell into deep thought.
Attacking a county town was no small matter.
Even if they succeeded, it would provoke a furious retaliation from the imperial forces.
While he pondered, he turned to glance back at his brothers.
Seeing their pale faces shivering in the cold wind, trembling all over.
He made up his mind at once.
And then nodded emphatically.
"Good! We’ll do as the Holy Daughter suggests!"
"Captain Jiang, don’t worry!" chuckled the woman lightly: "Now that the heavy snow has sealed the mountains, there’s virtually no communication between cities."
"Luoshui County is now akin to an isolated city."
"Before the snow melts, we are safe within the city."
"And with the year-end approaching, the strong warriors of the Inspection Office stationed in the county have already gone home, leaving the defense weak."
"With the hundred or so soldiers led by Captain Jiang, coupled with Captain Jiang’s strength, there’s a chance to take down a county town."
"Moreover, I too will take action when the time comes."
Hearing this.
The man with the rugged voice was instantly heartened.
He clasped his hands: "Then we’ll start the assault on the New Year’s night, hoping the Holy Daughter will extend a helping hand and join us in breaching the city."
"Rest assured! As the Sect’s Holy Daughter, of course I must avenge our fallen brothers!!" continued the woman’s cold voice "If we are overpowered, I too will cover the brothers’ retreat."
"In that case, thank you, Holy Daughter!!!" With those words, the rugged-voiced man immediately clasped his hands together and bowed.
...
At the entrance of the market.
A slender figure in a green cotton skirt was seen.
A young girl who clearly did not belong to an ordinary household was carrying on her left shoulder a tiger’s hind leg weighing around thirty to fifty pounds, and in her right hand, numerous heavy bags.
This made a striking contrast with her seemingly delicate arms.
"Innate Divine Strength!"
"The lass is extraordinary; one glance and you can tell she’s skilled in martial arts!"
"Yes, indeed! All those things together must weigh quite a bit! I wonder which Martial Arts Hall she belongs to!"
...
Amidst the conversations of the passersby, Lv Yi made her way through the crowd and quickly approached Jiang Ning’s carriage.
"Young Master, I’ve bought everything!" her voice reached Jiang Ning’s ears.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning put down the book in his hand and stood up.
Then, he brushed aside the carriage curtain and, grasping Lv Yi’s arm with a slight exertion of strength, instantly lifted her onto the carriage.
"Come in, you can put the stuff inside the carriage!"
"Yes!" Lv Yi replied.
Subsequently, under Jiang Ning’s instruction, the two Snow Red Flame Colts headed towards Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
...
Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
With the new year approaching and the weather turning foul,
most of the disciples had already gone home.
Knock knock knock—
The front door of the hall was suddenly knocked upon.
After a short while.
Boom—
The gate slowly opened.
Before Jiang Ning appeared a middle-aged woman with the appearance of an aunt.
"Who might you be?" She looked towards Jiang Ning with a puzzled expression.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning paused for a moment, then spoke up, "My name is Jiang Ning, I am a disciple of Master Wang, and today I have come to pay respects to my teacher."
Hearing Jiang Ning’s words, the middle-aged woman suddenly realized, and then hastily bowed in respect, "This humble person pays respects to Mr. Jiang!"
"No need for such formalities!" Jiang Ning slightly lifted his hand, and an invisible force stopped the middle-aged woman who was about to kneel before him.
Seeing her, Jiang Ning’s mood instantly sank slightly.
Back when he had joined the hall, Aunt Sun had taken great care of him.
He could feel that Aunt Sun had treated him like a sister would a brother—or even a mother her son.
Although their acquaintance was not long, Jiang Ning enjoyed this care.
Therefore, when he later learned that Aunt Sun had been murdered by He Jinyun, he could no longer remain silent and covertly took action to avenge her.
While he was lost in thought.
The middle-aged woman who had opened the door stepped aside, "Mr. Jiang, I have heard of you! You are Master Wang’s disciple; I will take you to see Master Wang right away."
"Thank you for the trouble!" said Jiang Ning.
Following that, Jiang Ning and Lv Yi walked behind her towards the backyard of the Martial Arts Hall.
...
In the backyard.
The middle-aged woman opened the door and stealthily peered inside.
Then, she approached Jiang Ning gently.
"Mr. Jiang, the Master has just gone to sleep, should I wake him?"
"No need!" Jiang Ning shook his head, "I will wait here."
Just then.
"Come in!" A robust voice suddenly rang out from within the room.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled.
Then he strode forward, and Lv Yi, seeing this, quickly followed with the items in tow.
Pushing open the room door.
Jiang Ning saw Master Wang, now glowing with a healthy red flush, just rising and setting his cotton blanket to one side.
"Master!" He bowed in salute.
Master Wang glanced at Jiang Ning, then at the items Lv Yi was carrying in her hands on either side.
"Why bring so many things if you’re coming to visit?" Master Wang stepped down and slipped on his shoes.
Jiang Ning replied, "It has been nearly a month since I paid my respects to Master, and with the new year approaching, how could I come empty-handed?"
Hearing this.
Master Wang chuckled, then got off the bed.
He stomped his feet, and the shoes immediately conformed perfectly to his feet.
"Leave the stuff over there!" Master Wang pointed to the table.
Lv Yi looked at Jiang Ning and, upon seeing him nod slightly, promptly placed the items she was carrying onto the table.
"Fancy a drink?" Master Wang stepped down to the table and took a sip of cold tea to soothe his throat.
"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded his head.
"Good!" Master Wang’s face immediately broke into a smile.
