Chapter 3: The Destruction of Azure Cliff Stronghold

Page (1/3) 【Divine Mechanism Battalion Repeating Crossbowman】
【Attributes】
【Health: 100%】
【Energy: None】
【Strength: 6】
【Agility: 6】
【Constitution: 6】
【Spirit: 6】
【Perception: 6】
【Talent】
【Well-Trained · Repeating Crossbowman Lv. 2: Ranged Accuracy +10%, Crossbow Reload Speed +10%】
【Skills】
【Basic Ranged Combat Lv. 10】
【Basic Bow and Crossbow Lv. 10】
【Equipment】
【Repeating Crossbow (Excellent): Rapid Fire】
【Standard Leather Armor (Common)】
【Flying-Feather Bolt Pouch ×3 (Excellent): Hundred-Fold Storage】
【Standard Short Blade (Common)】
【Standard Crossbow Bolts ×300 (Common)】

The repeating crossbowman’s attributes were not particularly high. Each of his five basic attributes was only one point above the normal standard.

However, his other skills and equipment were excessively impressive. The levels of his basic skills were even higher than Chu Danqing’s, and he possessed an excellent-grade weapon.

The only unfortunate thing was that he could do nothing but launch ordinary attacks. Once all three hundred bolts were used up, he would lose his advantage.

With the repeating crossbow’s rapid-fire capability and its innate Rapid Fire attribute, emptying all the bolts within ten minutes would be no difficult task.

The battle ended swiftly. Big Treasure dragged the two bandits over, while the repeating crossbowman lowered his weapon and stood beside Chu Danqing.

“Many thanks for the aid, honored hero.” A middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes bowed somewhat awkwardly to Chu Danqing before introducing himself. “I am Ji Yun of Yangxian.”

Chu Danqing nodded. He had not saved the man in order to seek repayment. For one thing, he believed that saving a life was better than building a seven-tier pagoda; for another, he wanted a better start.

“Chu Wusheng.” Chu Danqing introduced himself, then asked, “We are not far from Yangxian, are we?”

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“Are you also heading to Yangxian, honored hero?” A flicker of delight appeared on Ji Yun’s face.

“I was planning to, but now I may have to delay the journey a little.” Chu Danqing made no attempt to conceal his thoughts. “This bandit gang could not have appeared from thin air.”

“To dare venture out and rob homes in such bitter winter weather, they must have a bandit stronghold or den nearby. I intend to eradicate this evil completely.”

“No wonder you left two of them alive.” Ji Yun had already guessed as much, and now received confirmation. “This bandit gang came here from elsewhere.”

“My family has lived in Yangxian for generations, and I have never seen them before. They must have arrived only recently.”

“Since we know nothing of their strength, it would be safer for you to return to Yangxian with me and ask the commandery governor to send troops to destroy them.” Ji Yun offered Chu Danqing a suggestion.

“That would be too late.” There was no way Chu Danqing would agree. “I have this matter under control.”

“This…” Ji Yun did not know what else to say. But after glancing at the corpses scattered across the ground, he felt that his concern might have been unnecessary.

“Unfortunately, most of the people in my caravan are wounded or ill, so it would be inconvenient for us to accompany you in eliminating these bandits.”

“Once you enter Yangxian Commandery, you may seek me out at the Ji residence. That will allow me to repay you for saving my life.”

There was a trace of embarrassment in Ji Yun’s voice. In his own opinion, his words sounded little different from a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility.

“Very well. I will certainly pay you a visit.” Chu Danqing did not refuse. He had gained a friendly faction.

As for whether the Ji family could provide him with any assistance, Chu Danqing was not particularly concerned. He acted according to his own intentions and had no plans to scheme for anything from the Ji family.

After asking Ji Yun for the direction and location of Yangxian Commandery, Chu Danqing questioned the two bandits.

The two men proved highly cooperative, especially under Big Treasure’s threat. Before long, they had revealed a considerable amount of information.

Just as Ji Yun had said, they were not natives of Yangxian Commandery. They were merely a group of refugees who had been unable to survive on their own. In order to stay alive, they had joined Azure Cliff Stronghold and taken up a life of robbery.

They had survived, but the price was that other innocent people had died because of them.

Azure Cliff Stronghold was where they had established their base, and it was not far from here.

They had intended to settle in this region rather than continue drifting from place to place and committing robberies. Their goal had been to put down roots and establish a force of their own.

Before that force could grow, however, they encountered Chu Danqing and were wiped out completely.

Meanwhile, Ji Yun directed the members of his caravan to gather the goods they had previously abandoned. “Honored Chu, we shall return first.”

“Please be cautious when dealing with these bandits. Such men are cunning—do not trust them too readily.”

He still offered Chu Danqing a warning, lest something truly go wrong.

“Understood. I will be careful.” How could Chu Danqing fail to understand the meaning behind his words?

The lives of the two bandits were in his hands. Should anything happen, they would certainly be the first to die.

“Farewell.” After saying this, Ji Yun led the caravan away.

Chu Danqing, meanwhile, headed toward Azure Cliff Stronghold.

As for the trial mission, there was no need to hurry.

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Three days was still more than enough time.

More importantly, he had not obtained the treasure chest.

Besides, he felt that Azure Cliff Stronghold might contain some other elements crucial to establishing his starting position.

With the bandits leading the way, Chu Danqing and Big Treasure entered the mountains. After several turns, they finally located the bandit stronghold known as Azure Cliff Stronghold.

The chief had very likely once served in the frontier army. He was clearly skilled at establishing camps, and the stronghold’s location and construction made it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

“Hero, I will go trick them into opening the gate for you,” one of the captured bandits said ingratiatingly.

Chu Danqing studied the place carefully and saw that someone was standing guard atop the walls.

“There is no need to trouble yourselves. I will handle it myself.” As he spoke, Chu Danqing gave Big Treasure a meaningful glance.

Big Treasure immediately pierced through the two men’s throats with his sharp claws and twisted their heads off.

The method was brutally savage, but highly efficient. The two men died without making a sound.

Big Treasure activated his Rending Claws once more, transforming into a streak of blood as he charged toward Azure Cliff Stronghold.

“Enemy attack!” The guards on the walls noticed Big Treasure at once. They shouted while striking the alarm bell.

But in the next moment, Big Treasure leaped fiercely. Sharp claws extended from all four limbs and sank into the wall.

He scrambled up it in a few swift movements, killed the guard on duty, then climbed back down along the outer wall.

Chu Danqing could not see the battle that followed. However, through Big Treasure’s attribute panel and combat log, he could tell that Big Treasure was continuing his slaughter.

The commotion within Azure Cliff Stronghold never ceased.

Chu Danqing dared to send Big Treasure in alone because there were not many people inside the stronghold.

The chief had gone out to rob travelers and had taken roughly twenty men with him. They constituted most of the stronghold’s manpower.

There were fewer than ten bandits remaining inside.

With Big Treasure’s strength, slaughtering them all would pose no difficulty.

“The repeating crossbowman’s duration is too short. Without anyone to help me share the energy consumption, summoning him directly costs too much.”

Chu Danqing glanced at the already-recharged Divine Mechanism Battalion Repeating Crossbowman Token, his expression carrying a hint of regret.

Before long, the sounds within the stronghold gradually faded away, and the gates opened.

The one who opened them was Big Treasure.

Chu Danqing jogged over. Big Treasure’s first words were, “No treasure chest.”

“No treasure chest, then no treasure chest. Let’s look around and see whether we can find any other clues.” Chu Danqing did not insist on finding one.

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