novelhk Chapter 75 "An Eye for an Eye"
Chapter 75 "An Eye for an Eye"
Chapter 75 "An Eye for an Eye"
Speed is of the essence in war; there is no time to lose.
The thousand elite soldiers left behind by Zhuge Zhengwo were all stationed in the main camp outside the city and were not transferred back.
Xu Qingya, holding Liu Qingci's token, ordered the garrison commander to deploy troops and warships to wipe out the Longsha Gang.
The garrison commander's surname was Dou, and his given name was "Tiande". He was skilled with a halberd and possessed superhuman strength. His blood and qi were like a dragon's, and he was famous in the vicinity of Jingzhou.
Dou Tiande knew Xu Qingya, but he still verified the gold medal according to the rules before going to mobilize troops.
To wipe out a group of river bandits, there was no need for the entire army to be mobilized. An hour later, Dou Tiande mustered five hundred soldiers and four warships, and set off in a grand procession towards the river stronghold.
The Longsha Gang's water fortress was not located in turbulent rapids, but rather in a scenic river valley where they built a manor called "Lijing Manor".
A few days ago, Yin Yewang chartered a pleasure boat and took more than a dozen courtesans on a sightseeing tour. He accidentally discovered the Regent Villa and thought it was a very nice place to relax. So he decided to buy it.
Of course, the other party wouldn't sell it. Yin Yewang's mind was on his brother-in-law and the Dragon Slayer Sword, so he didn't pay much attention to the sudden idea. He just asked casually.
However, the other party seemed very nervous. Yin Yewang sensed something was wrong and kept a close eye on things. He instructed the boatman to keep an eye on Regent Villa. Soon, he realized that the owner of Regent Villa was not a wealthy man, but a pirate from the Blackwater Channel.
When they were fighting for the Liancheng Treasure, the Longsha Gang was almost wiped out by Xu Qingya. The Blackwater Gang took the opportunity to occupy the Regent Villa, which was then managed by the "Three Evils and Four Scoundrels".
Don't be fooled by the ranking of the Blackwater Road officials as "Three Evils, Four Sticks, Five Swords, Six Palms, and Two Divine Lords." In reality, the Two Divine Lords hold the highest position, while the Three Evils hold the lowest.
This order is for ease of pronunciation, and also represents a ranking of martial arts skills, from low to high, with increasing strength.
There have been too many things happening in Jingzhou recently, so many that it's hard to keep up. No one would have thought that Xu Qingya, who had just destroyed the Tianming Sect branch, would immediately lead his troops to attack Lijing Manor. Caught off guard, all the hidden agents on the periphery were eliminated by Yang Yan and Yin Susu.
By the time the three scoundrels saw the warship, it was too late. Xu Qingya stood at the bow, used the wind to leap up, gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with both hands, unleashed his full power, and slashed down angrily at the gate.
The Spring and Autumn Period Sword Technique is unparalleled!
Unrivaled in the world, invincible!
The blade's light surged forth from its edge, transforming into a ferocious azure dragon with its whiskers billowing and two plumes of smoke billowing from its nostrils, arrogant and domineering, swallowing clouds and spitting mist.
There are no fancy techniques, only the purest, most ruthless, and most unstoppable power and momentum. With one strike, he can cleave the world, and all living beings under his command will depend on him!
arrogant!
Arrogance to the extreme!
overbearing!
That's the ultimate in domineering!
Arrogant!
It's wild beyond a certain limit!
With a deafening roar, the gate of Regent Manor was blasted to pieces by the Azure Dragon Blade's light. All the bandits along the way were cut in half, their cries of agony filling the air. The soldiers' morale soared at the sight, the war drums thundered, and arrows rained down.
"You bastard, who are you?!"
A burly man wielding a broad axe jumped up and down, cursing angrily.
This person was named Xue Jinying, the second of the "Three Evils," and was violent, reckless, and belligerent.
"Second brother, be careful. To have mastered the Spring and Autumn Saber Technique to this level, this guy is—Xu Qingya!"
The leader of the "Three Evils," Fu Yongxiang, known as the "Double-Swordsman," is quite quick-witted and skilled at intelligence gathering.
There are many people in the martial arts world who practice the Spring and Autumn Saber Technique, but only two people have mastered it to this level: one is Xu Qingya, and the other is an old man, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of the Fengyun Escort Agency, known as "Nine Great Guan Dao" Long Fangxiao.
The man before me was a handsome man whose looks rivaled those of Pan An, clearly Xu Qingya. Some busybodies in the martial arts world said that there would be three champions on the list of martial arts princes this year.
Jiang Feng, Xu Qingya, and Li Ruohai each have their own advantages in appearance, making it difficult to argue who is superior.
The list of wealthy young men is full of frivolous businesses, and has nothing to do with these ruthless bandits who live on the edge of life. Fu Yongxiang shouted sternly, "Xu Qingya, the Blackwater Gang has no grudges against you, so why have you come knocking on our door?"
Xu Qingya sneered: "When you robbed merchant ships, did you have a grudge against them?"
Fu Yongxiang said in a deep voice, "Young Master Xu, bandits have their own rules. They live off the land and water. We are river bandits; if we don't rob, what will we eat?"
Xu Qingya gripped the Green Dragon Blade tightly: "So, now that the soldiers are arresting you, what are you complaining about?"
The "Three Evils," Zhan Qili, exclaimed in terror, "Brother, don't waste your breath on him! The soldiers are setting up their formation!"
Dou Tiande shouted, "You only just realized it? Your reaction speed is far too slow! What Twelve Linked Docks and Black Waterway? It's all utterly worthless!"
In fact, it would have been impossible for "normal" soldiers to complete the formation so quickly. However, Dou Tiande's soldiers were the most elite troops in Jingzhou, and Dou Tiande had an excellent reputation among them. With the morale boosted, the soldiers stepped on the flip-flops and quickly set up the water butterfly formation.
The "Water Butterfly Formation" is a formation created by Xu Xiaoyi, Zhuge Zhengwo's senior brother, specifically for naval warfare. Its basic principle is to invert the Bagua formation, turning Qian into Kun, and using the power of water flow to increase speed and complete the encirclement.
Naval warfare differs from land warfare.
If you can't win a land battle, you can run away. In a battle that seems to be bloody, the casualties may only be 10%. The so-called total annihilation is mostly due to being ambushed in dangerous places where there is no way to escape. The probability of this is very small.
If you can't win a naval battle, you can only jump into the river. However, the Yangtze River, lakes, rapids, and even the vast ocean that can withstand naval battles are all turbulent. Even if you have the skill to swim in the waves, you can't escape the undercurrents.
In most cases, naval battles are about who has the bigger and faster ships, whose arrows can shoot farther, and whose firearms are more powerful. As for water ghosts and the like, as long as the warship turns, the strong undercurrents it creates can capsize the water ghosts. Only water bandits like to train water ghosts.
Of course, there are also water ghosts in the Blackwater, who can stay in the water for three days and three nights, eat raw fish, shrimp and crab without changing their expression, and can see things underwater. But at this moment, these water ghosts are surrounded in Regent Villa. How can they break out?
Even if Dou Tiande manages to sneak under the warship, he only needs to change his position according to the "Water Butterfly Formation" to use the undercurrents created by the warship to throw the water ghosts away, and then cast a fishing net to easily capture them alive.
If we're talking about the study of "formations," Xu Xiaoyi is undoubtedly number one. This is because he was born weak and couldn't cultivate unparalleled martial arts, so he could only use formations to enhance his combat power.
Although the number of government troops was less than that of the river bandits, Xu Qingya, wielding a knife, held the line and had an absolute advantage in equipment. Dou Tiande was quite cautious, pressing forward step by step, and never making any rash advances.
Xue Jinying cursed until her voice was hoarse, but she could only watch helplessly as her brothers were shot and killed by government soldiers.
Yin Susu said disdainfully, "Qingya, is this the infamous Blackwater Path? What a disappointment! Their performance is even worse than that of the Ziwei Hall!"
Xu Qingya explained, "The Blackwater Bandits are not government troops. They are far inferior in terms of equipment and daily training. The reason they are so powerful is that the late emperor completely neglected the Jianghu (martial arts world) during his reign, they rely on advantageous terrain, and they only plunder merchant ships."
Yang Yan added, "The Blackwater Gang isn't the usual kind of river bandits, but a criminal organization. Their strength mainly depends on the fighting power of their leader. As long as Zhu Datianwang isn't killed, the river bandits will have an endless supply!"
Xu Qingya continued, "Susu, don't compare these people to the Angry Dragon Gang. Shangguan Fei is a former government soldier, a righteous and upright naval commander. If we were to fight him on the water, I would have been overwhelmed long ago!"
Before they could finish speaking, Dou Tiande had already blocked all the roads to Regent Manor and led his troops to occupy the dock. Xu Qingya leaped into the air and led his soldiers into the manor. His Azure Dragon Blade swept across the enemy ranks, and the Azure Dragon roared to the heavens.
"Damn it, die!"
Xue Jinying swung her battle axe at Xu Qingya.
Xu Qingya didn't even glance at him, and swept past him. Xue Jinying was about to chase after Xu Qingya when he suddenly felt a pain in his wrist, followed by a series of cracking sounds. His arms were twisted into pretzel shapes!
Eagle Claw Hand - Dislocating Tendons and Bones!
Yin Susu flung Xue Jinying three or four zhang away with force. The soldiers rushed down with fishing nets and tied Xue Jinying up like a dumpling. At the other end, Yang Yan waved her hand and pointed at Zhan Qili's acupoint. She then raised her hand and shot out an earring, sealing Fu Yongxiang's Qi Sea. The two were then bound together with ropes.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Four figures blocked Xu Qingya's path.
They are the "Four Sticks" of the Blackwater Gang. Their name doesn't sound good, but their martial arts skills are quite good.
The "Four Sticks" doesn't mean there were only four sticks inside and outside the Blackwater Gang, or that the eunuch den was that bad. Rather, it means they were the top two sticks in the Blackwater Gang!
The eldest brother Chang Wuqi, the second brother Yuwen Dong, the third brother Jin Beiwang, and the fourth brother Meng Donglin were originally skilled in fist and short weapons. Seeing Xu Qingya charging with a knife, they dared not catch the knife empty-handed, so each of them took a harpoon.
"Xu Qingya, stop—"
Before he could finish speaking, the blade struck down with a thunderous roar.
The previous rambling and nonsense was to buy time for Dou Tiande to set up the battle formation. Now that we have gained an absolute advantage, there is no need for further whine!
You think you're worthy of listening to reason?
Spring and Autumn Sword Technique - Mighty Arrival!
The blade flashed like a bolt of lightning, spreading out in a crescent shape. The four steel forks, like rotten wood and clay sculptures, were sliced in two by the blade's light, which was as easy as cutting tofu. Before the four could run away, Xu Qingya launched a flying kick, and a series of leg shadows roared in.
Wind God Leg - Torrential Rain and Gale!
Within a radius of three zhang, there were only shadows of legs. The four men had nowhere to hide or avoid. All they could hear were thuds. They had taken countless kicks to their chests and backs, and countless bones in their bodies had been broken. They had no strength left to fight back.
"Whoosh!"
Xu Qingya flew away.
The soldiers rushed forward and bound the four men.
With the "Three Evils and Four Scoundrels" captured alive, Regent Manor was powerless to fight back. Dou Tiande commanded his soldiers to capture the river bandits, while Yang Yan and Yin Susu searched the warehouse's hidden compartments to find their correspondence with Zhu Datianwang.
The battle did not last very long.
Two hours later, the warships returned to Jiangling fully loaded with prisoners and spoils of war. The water fortress was burned to the ground. Although this was akin to burning a zither to cook a crane, it was necessary to make an example of them and leave no stone unturned.
Inside the cabin, the three villains were interrogated separately.
Yin Susu interrogated Xue Jinying.
Yang Yan interrogated Zhan Qili.
-
Xu Qingya interrogated Fu Yongxiang.
The prisoner's dilemma is the best interrogation concept. Xu Qingya took out paper and pen and smiled, "Fu Yongxiang, I believe you are a smart man. From now on, whatever I ask, you answer. Don't make things difficult for me!"
Fu Yongxiang sneered dismissively: "Difficult to handle? Then don't do it! I won't say a word!"
"Good! You've got guts! I wonder if your two brothers, and the four sticks from the Blackwater Gang, are just as brave! I don't need seven confessions, one is enough!"
"We would never betray the Heavenly King!"
"Really? Have you considered that the hot-tempered and reckless Xue Jinying might be tricked into revealing information? If this guy spills some beans, and I use those beans to deceive those four sticks, what will they think?"
"Xu Qingya, you are despicable! Shameless!"
"I have even more shameless methods I haven't used yet! I can deliberately let one go, and deliberately leak false information to him, saying that Fu Yongxiang betrayed the Blackwater Gang and was an undercover agent for the imperial court. It was because of him as an inside man that the government troops were able to so easily storm the Regent Manor!"
"You—you—"
"How will King Zhu deal with you?"
"The Heavenly King won't believe such nonsense!"
"But he has to make an example of you. To appease his men, he has to bring your whole family back—you should know the punishments in the Blackwater better than I do."
"Xu Qingya! You—you bastard—you're a real demon! You're a demon! A demon!"
"Let me tell you something else. What I just said to you, those six will also hear it. Guess who won't be able to handle it? One last thing, all these years of robbing, murdering, arson, and looting merchant ships, a hundred heads wouldn't be enough to chop off, but I'm showing leniency—"
Xu Qingya's voice was alluring: "The first one to confess will be exiled three thousand miles away. Life won't be easy, but at least he'll keep his life!"
Fu Yongxiang forced a calm expression: "Xu Qingya, do you think I'd believe you? You—you—forget about it! The Heavenly King will definitely kill you!"
Xu Qingya rubbed his chin. Too much had happened in the last two days, so he hadn't shaved. Short stubble had grown on his chin, and rubbing it made him feel itchy. He looked very much like a beast in human clothing.
"Fu Yongxiang, you're a smart man. You should know that there are Zhu Datianwang's men in the city. Guess whether these men are here to rescue you or to kill you to silence you?"
"Xu! Qing! Ya!"
Fu Yongxiang nearly ground his teeth to powder. His psychological defenses were torn apart. Thinking of Zhu Datianwang's ruthless and cruel methods, he couldn't help but shudder.
Here we need to salvage the reputation of "King Zhu".
Zhu Xiawu is not a cruel and violent person. The ruthless and cruel one is his double, Zhu Shunshui. At least 70% of the responsibility for Zhu Shunshui's ruthless and cruel methods should be attributed to Zhu Xiawu. As a double, his biggest fear is that one day he will be ruthlessly killed by Zhu Xiawu.
Over time, the psychological pressure increases.
Living in a bandit's den like the Blackwater Road, the only way to vent one's anger is through killing. Not by wielding a knife, but by using all sorts of perverse methods. In fact, Zhu Shunshui's appearance was very amiable, like a wealthy man leaning against the gate with a cigarette in his mouth, without the slightest bit of the demeanor of a bandit.
The more this happens, the more it proves that this person is a pervert. As they move from one stage to another, this perversion will only deepen, eventually leading to a complete loss of reason.
There are benefits to doing this.
In the eyes of these thugs, Zhu Datianwang was the most terrifying demon and beast in the world. They had no loyalty, but they would never dare to betray him.
Unless someone can instill greater fear.
Just like Xu Qingya.
With his way, he also gave his body.
Conversely, by using Zhu Shunshui's ferocity, they broke through Fu Yongxiang's psychological defenses. In a daze, Xu Qingya's image merged with Zhu Shunshui's, especially the smile with mockery and murderous intent, which was chilling.
"You have half an hour left before entering the city! This is your last chance; make your choice!"
"I—I—confess!"
"How many people came from Blackwater?"
"As far as I know, around eight hundred!"
"Besides you, how many other managers are there?"
"There are also two elders."
"name!"
"Zhang Can Jin! Ten Thousand Broken Jade!"
Where is Zhu Shunshui?
"Of course, at the Blackwater Ridge headquarters!"
"No! You shouldn't have answered like that. You shouldn't have emphasized that if I'm not mistaken, Zhu Shunshui is near Jiangling. It's only a thousand miles to Jiangling in a day. He can travel downstream on the Blackwater Giant Ship. The journey isn't that far."
"I don't know! I really don't know!"
"This little bit of information won't save your life!"
"I—I also know—you must promise to spare my life, you swear to spare my life!"
"I keep my word. If you can provide valuable information, I will spare your life!"