Chương 124: Quelling the Rebellion

Black Iron Stronghold. Seeing their new Chieftains fully assembled and looking at them with hesitation, the Black Iron Stronghold bandits immediately turned obedient. They gripped their weapons and glared at Scarface and his group as if they were enemies who had killed their fathers and mothers. Bastards! You almost got me killed! The graves of the last few people who had dared to take up weapons in defiance weren't even dry yet.... Returning to Song Que.

After discovering the plot to stage a coup, he notified Nie Feng and immediately urged his horse forward. Fortunately, they were riding quality steeds, traveling through the mountains and forests with ease, and it didn't take much effort for the three of them to reach their destination. Looking at the two opposing forces still locked in a stalemate, Grandee Song breathed a sigh of relief—thankfully, they weren't too late.

Hearing Scarface still loudly demanding his head at this moment, Song Que was so angry he couldn't help but laugh.

"What's wrong? Are you still standing there? Charge!" Assessing the situation, it didn't take a genius to realize he was a 'turtle in a jar'. Buck-Toothed Su didn't know how many times he had cursed Scarface's ancestors down to the eighteenth generation in his heart, but on the surface, he wore a seductive smile and cupped his hands:"So it turns out you gentlemen are the new Chieftains of Black Iron Stronghold. This lowly one is Su Ning, everyone calls me Buck-Toothed Su.

I am here to pay my respects to the Chieftains." After bowing to Song Que and the others, Old Su immediately turned and betrayed Scarface.

"Chieftains, this lowly one was deceived by this bastard Scarface. He said Black Iron Stronghold was being massacred and arrested! Being a man who values brotherhood in the martial world, I couldn't wait to bring my men to help."

"Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, this is all due to this scoundrel's instigation. I wonder if this lowly one could request to leave first? I have many matters to attend to at home." Hearing his bizarre train of thought, Grandee Song couldn't help but laugh. Plenty of matters at home, indeed! Heh heh.

"Ha ha, you think so?" Swallowing a mouthful of saliva with difficulty, Buck-Toothed Su forced an ugly smile:"I wonder what this lowly one must do for the Chieftains to agree to spare my life?" Looking around, Song Que sneered coldly:"Drop your weapons and kneel. Surrender and I will spare you." Buck-Toothed Su was caught in a dilemma.

At this moment, One-Eyed Dragon, who was struggling to stand up despite his injuries, still possessed some grit, growling:"Doing that is no different from sitting still and waiting to be slaughtered at your whims! At worst, we'll go down together, and you won't come out of this unscathed either!"

"Fight to the death? You overestimate yourselves." Song Que didn't want to waste any more breath. He coldly commanded:"Kill!" Dashing forward, Xiong Ba, who had been suppressing his murderous desire, let out an excited roar and swung his new hammers, seeking targets to turn into 'meat pies'. Smash, smash, smash! I'll smash you all! Seeing only three people charging, One-Eyed Dragon and his men instinctively resisted for a moment, but very quickly realized their catastrophic mistake.

On the battlefield, a single mistake must be paid for with one's life. Wherever the three passed, blood sprayed wildly, and broken limbs and shredded flesh flew across the sky—a scene of hellish carnage. One-Eyed Dragon's soul began to dissipate as he opened his mouth, trying to shout,"I sur—" but never got to finish. Unfortunately, he met Xiong Ba. Like a wild beast, the foolish giant smashed everything in his path.

One-Eyed Dragon was only a Third-Grade martial artist, and a heavily wounded one at that; how could he survive even half a breath under Xiong Ba's hand? Before he could finish his sentence, his head exploded like a watermelon, splattering white and red gore all over the stronghold gate. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Kneel!

The only reason Buck-Toothed Su had survived until now was thanks to this ultimate survival technique: kneeling and raising his hands in surrender the moment disaster struck. One couldn't say his reflexes weren't fast. While Xiong Ba was still rolling his eyes looking for prey, this guy was already hugging his head and kneeling on the ground! With his hammers raised high but no target to vent his frustration on, the foolish bear was furious, his wild gaze searching the surroundings.

Regrettably, after Scarface and the others were split in two by Song Que's blade, everyone here—except the corpses—was kneeling; not a soul dared to remain standing. Frustrated, Xiong Ba pouted and lowered his hammers, looking at the distant Black Iron Stronghold bandits who had been hesitating earlier, licking his lips greedily. His mask, splattered with blood, and his savage eyes made the souls of those men scatter in terror. Some couldn't even control their bladders, but no one had the time to mock them.

Song Que looked coldly across the field. Not a single person dared to meet his gaze; everyone lowered their heads, holding their breath. Only then did Grandee Song shout in satisfaction:"Horse Face! Have your men clear the area!"

"Understood, Lord Impermanence!" No longer concerned with this place, Song Que led Xiong Ba and Li Xin to spur their horses back toward the mountain villa. With the situation settled, Nie Feng had nothing to worry about. He issued several commands, handing the remaining tasks over to Knife, while he himself went to find his Young Master.... Arriving at their residence, nodding in greeting to Xiong Ba, who was standing outside playing with his hammers, Nie Feng opened the door and saw Song Que and Li Xin inside.

Seeing the two weren't wearing masks, he simply removed his own, cupped his hands in shame:"Young Master, it was my incompetence in management that caused you trouble!" Song Que waved his hand with a smile:"It's nothing. Wasn't it just as we predicted? Something like this was bound to happen. This is for the best—by resolving this hidden threat, the Black Iron Stronghold will truly be under our control from now on."

"Thank you, Young Master, for your understanding," Nie Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Only then could he not help but curiously observe their appearance.

"Young Master, you and Li Xin, you are...?"

"Hehe, didn't I say we were practicing the Thousand Hammer, Hundred Refined Art? This is the initial side effect." Looking at the two comical bald heads, Nie Feng grinned:"It seems that once you finish practicing and become like Xu Shicai, we can call this place 'Baldhead Stronghold'."

"Ha ha, that's not impossible! The name is quite meaningful and realistic. I brought the medicinal ointment for you today. Since we are here to guard you, you should start practicing this martial art tomorrow, Old Nie."

"I shall obey your every command, Young Master!" Song Que nodded and began his 'critique session':"Old Nie, you were a bit too impulsive today. If we hadn't arrived in time, it could have turned into a catastrophe. You must not be so reckless in the future." Nie Feng had calculated carefully today, feeling he had a 50-60% chance of trapping those ragtag bandits, which was why he played along and led them into the stronghold. But naturally, he wasn't foolish enough to argue back.

Furthermore, it was fortunate that Song Que had sent the letter in time. If he had been oblivious, trapped here alone, he might very well have been "backstabbed" today. Although he didn't know how the Young Master had figured it out or managed to send a message via sparrow, since the Young Master hadn't mentioned it, Nie Feng knew better than to ask. There were plenty of extraordinary people in this world; he could only chalk it up to the Young Master's personal secret.

In his heart, he couldn't help but marvel at how almighty and unfathomable his Young Master truly was, filled with overwhelming admiration:"It was my own greed for merit that nearly ruined things, trying to wipe out the hidden threat in one fell swoop. Fortunately, Young Master, you possessed divine foresight, sending both a timely warning and reinforcements just when it mattered." Enjoying the flattery, Grandee Song mentally tossed the matter aside and started chatting aimlessly with Old Nie.

It wasn't until Xiong Ba announced that someone was looking for them outside that the two put on their masks and went out to meet the visitor.... Outside the door, Knife, having finished the post-battle count, hurried over to report to the Chieftains. Standing near the Second Chieftain, 'Ox Head', even though the other man wasn't paying him any mind, the aura of cruelty that occasionally emanated from him made Knife terrified. He felt restless and agitated, wishing he could stand as far away as possible.

Seeing the two Chieftains walk out, he couldn't wait to step forward and salute:"Greetings, Lord Impermanence, Lord Horse Face!"

"Chieftain, this is Knife. He played a significant role in the battle this time." Nie Feng took the opportunity to introduce him to Song Que.

"I wouldn't dare. Everything was arranged perfectly by Lord Horse Face," Knife replied, neither arrogant nor sycophantic. Over the past few days, Old Nie had inquired around; among the leaders of the Black Iron Stronghold, this man named Knife wasn't bad. He learned that Knife was originally from Qinghe County, but had offended a powerful official and was forced to flee to the mountains as a bandit. He was known for his loyalty, and his formidable martial arts skill had earned him the respect of the brothers.

Nie Feng whispered a few words into Song Que's ear. Although he couldn't see the expressions behind the masks, Knife clearly felt the pressure on him dissipate significantly. Only then did the Great Chieftain 'Impermanence' speak in a low voice:"You have done well. Rewards for merit, punishment for crimes—I have always been fair and just. Is there anything you wish to be rewarded with? You may speak now!"

"Thank you, My Lord! This subordinate only followed orders; I dare not claim credit. Everything is at your discretion." Seeing his calm demeanor and measured way of speaking, Grandee Song's desire to recruit talent grew. He asked curiously:"Very well, let's set this aside for now. I heard you are originally from Qinghe County and only fled here because you offended a powerful official. I am very curious, could you tell me the details?"

Knife was a straightforward man and smiled without hiding anything:"There's nothing difficult about that. If you gentlemen don't mind the time, this subordinate will tell you a story." Recalling the past, a trace of bitterness flickered at the corner of his mouth as he slowly recounted:"In the past, this subordinate had ambitions to follow a military path and was once a Lieutenant in Qinghe County. Until one time..."