Chapter Eight: Thieves Fall Out
The Gale Step was pushed to its extreme, ghostlike and elusive, entangling Swallow Piercing the Clouds so thoroughly that his vaunted lightness skill was rendered utterly useless.
Liu Guaili’s defense was formidable, yet Wen Changning focused solely on his vulnerabilities.
Her fingertips brimmed with a covert, yin energy, targeting joints and pressure points with precision.
Her movements shifted between lightning-fast and languid; at times she strolled past the net of swords as if in a garden, at others she darted around Liu Guaili like a nimble cat.
Her fingers jabbed here, prodded there—movements so awkward they bordered on comical—yet each touch sent a jolt through Liu Guaili, twisting his posture in agony.
Wen Changning sneered inwardly: The more outrageous the play, the deeper the hatred! Let all remember the arrogance of Black Wind Stronghold!
Chaos erupted on the stage. Three figures flashed like lightning, energy clashing in all directions.
The onlookers could barely follow the spectacle.
Swallow Piercing the Clouds and Liu Guaili grew ever more shocked and stifled as the fight wore on. This woman’s bodywork was uncanny, her strikes vicious, her inner strength unfathomable. Most galling of all, she was toying with them.
Those seemingly clumsy moves dripped with mockery.
The two of them together couldn’t gain the upper hand; instead, they were battered and harried, like two monkeys being toyed with.
Wen Changning watched their frustrated, furious faces and felt a surge of satisfaction.
Yes, just like this!
Etch this humiliation into your bones!
Go back and tell everyone how Black Wind Stronghold trampled your dignity.
Spotting her chance, Wen Changning feinted past Swallow Piercing the Clouds and drew close to Liu Guaili.
In his startled gaze, her slender fingers fluttered like butterflies, striking his chest’s Shanzhong and Dantian Qihai points in swift succession.
The touch was as gentle as a lover’s caress—yet laced with deadly yin force!
A wet crack sounded.
Liu Guaili reeled as if struck by a hammer, his face paling to chalk. His vaunted iron-body skill was shattered in an instant.
He spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Swallow Piercing the Clouds blanched, lunging to assist, but Wen Changning spun and slammed a palm into his back.
A crisp crack rang out.
With a shriek, Swallow Piercing the Clouds flew from the stage like a broken sack.
Defeated again!
Even two against one!
Still crushed as if by a raging storm.
The arena fell into deathly silence.
Every gaze fixed on the red-clad figure on the stage, eyes wide with horror, shock, disbelief—and a seething, boundless hatred and humiliation.
They felt less as if they’d witnessed a contest than a spectacle of calculated humiliation.
This woman…
Terrifying. Arrogant.
Infuriating.
Alone, she had ground the faces of every other stronghold into the dust, mocking them with those slow, awkward movements.
Wen Changning basked in the hatred so thick it was almost tangible, her heart calm as still water: It’s done. The flames are lit. Black Wind Stronghold’s destruction is near.
The Black Wind faction erupted in madness.
“Fifth Commander is invincible!”
“Goddess! Goddess!”
Meng Chang’s voice was hoarse from shouting. Thunder Tremor trembled with excitement. Qian Tong’s expression was a study in complexity. Liu Qiang’s face was ashen, lost in utter despair.
Wen Changning stood at the center of the stage, breathing softly, sweat beading at her brow, but her eyes burned like twin stars.
She swept her gaze across the crowd, savoring their hatred, fear, and humiliation, her crimson lips curling into a bewitching, icy smile that rang through the arena:
“Who’s next?! Is there no one left who can fight?!”
“This mountain now belongs to Black Wind Stronghold!”
Inwardly, she thought: Belongs to you?
No—it will be your ruin.
Her words had barely faded when a voice, cold as death and laced with murderous intent, rang out from the Scarlet Chain Stronghold:
“Liu Meimei, enough of your arrogance! I’ve come to take your head!”
A figure floated onto the stage like a ghost.
It was Scarlet Chain’s own chief, Jiang Hongling.
Clad in blazing scarlet, her gaze was as cold as a blade, locking onto Wen Changning with deadly focus.
The crowd erupted in an uproar.
The chief herself was taking the field!
The true battle was about to begin!
Wen Changning eyed Jiang Hongling gravely, yet her smile only deepened, touched by the thrill of a worthy opponent: “At last… someone who’s a real challenge.”
The big fish had bitten.
If she could kill or maim Jiang Hongling, Scarlet Chain and Black Wind would be locked in a death feud.
—
Just as everyone waited for “Liu Meimei” to be thrashed—
In the stands, Thunder Tremor’s brow was tightly furrowed.
As Jiang Hongling’s crimson figure ascended the stage, it was as if an invisible hand clutched at Thunder Tremor’s heart, stealing his breath.
He stared into Jiang Hongling’s dagger-cold eyes—her presence was heavier, more menacing than Swallow Piercing the Clouds and Liu Guaili combined!
Just now, Fifth Sister had fought two men in a row and was already sweating at the brow. Her breathing was steady, but she had surely spent much of her inner strength.
Jiang Hongling stepping in now was pure opportunism—she meant to finish the job.
That excited “real challenge” from Fifth Sister stabbed at Thunder Tremor’s heart like a needle.
A real challenge? This could be fatal!
If Liu Meimei died, so be it—but a victory so close at hand must not be lost.
As Jiang Hongling’s killing intent closed in on Wen Changning, Thunder Tremor suddenly leapt from the stands, planting his broad frame before the Black Wind crowd.
His thunderous shout echoed: “Wait!”
The arena stilled, then exploded with doubt.
“What’s this? Is Black Wind scared?”
“So arrogant just now, but when Scarlet Chain’s chief steps up, they want to call it off?”
“If you can’t take losing, just say so! Stopping mid-defense—how shameless!”
“They’re afraid their Fifth Commander will be killed by the chief—making excuses!”
The insults flew like stones. Meng Chang bristled, about to argue, but a look from Thunder Tremor held him back.
Thunder Tremor drew a deep breath and strode to the ring’s edge, sweeping his gaze over the jeering faces. His voice was steady, brooking no dissent:
“Why the hurry? Black Wind Stronghold has always valued strength and never shied from a fight. But there are rules. Until now, only each stronghold’s subordinates have fought. Now Scarlet Chain’s chief wants to face my Fifth Sister—a mere deputy? That’s against the rules!”
He paused, fixing Jiang Hongling with a steely gaze. “Of course, Black Wind Stronghold does not fear fighting the strong. But my Fifth Sister has already battled Bear Overlord, Willow Shoes, Swallow Piercing the Clouds, and Liu Guaili. By the rules, she has held the stage and won.”
“She’s been fighting for nearly an hour. This contest was meant to have a time limit—the sun is already low. If we continue, it’s taking unfair advantage of her fatigue.”
He looked up at Wen Changning, his tone protective. “Fifth Sister, you’ve fought long enough. Rest now—you’ve won. Tomorrow, let your brothers win the next round.”
The protests in the crowd faded somewhat, though some still muttered, “We don’t accept this!”
Thunder Tremor heard, but did not argue further. He took another half-step forward, his broad shoulders blocking Wen Changning like a mountain.
He cared nothing for accusations of cowardice or unsporting behavior.
As long as they could win back the territory, what did infamy matter?
He’d long heard of Jiang Hongling’s ruthless ways. If a fight truly broke out, even a sure victory might slip away.
He could not allow that.
Wen Changning saw Thunder Tremor shielding her, a glint of malice flickering in her eyes.
Well now, she hadn’t fanned the flames enough yet.
Clearly, more provocation was needed.
Jiang Hongling’s face was icy as she glared at Thunder Tremor, grinding out, “Thunder Tremor, we refuse to accept this—you must add another bout today!”
“So what if you refuse?” Thunder Tremor stood his ground. “Come at me now, all of you! I, Thunder Tremor, will make you yield with my own fists!”
His voice was not loud, but a bloodthirsty edge silenced many onlookers.
Liu Meimei may be detestable, but she hadn’t killed anyone.
But Thunder Tremor’s strength was formidable.
Push him too far, and the brute might start killing in earnest.
...
That night, at the third watch.
Scarlet Chain Stronghold.
Beneath the watchtower.
Two bandits huddled for warmth, their breath snatched away by the fog, leaving only shifting shadows.
“Damn this ghostly fog, can’t see a thing. Feels like I’m blind.”
The scrawny bandit spat toward the ground, but his spit vanished into the mist before landing. He shivered violently. “What’s the point of standing guard? They could freeze us solid and no one would know!”
Beside him, a squat, pudgy bandit blew into his hands, glancing nervously toward the stronghold. His voice brimmed with unease:
“Didn’t you see how the chief looked when they returned? Like whipped dogs, horses limping, all thanks to that Liu Meimei woman—they were nearly driven to despair!”
“Liu Meimei?” The scrawny one perked up, forgetting the cold. “The Fifth Commander from Black Wind Stronghold? I heard her martial arts are mediocre—just some dirty tricks.”
“Mediocre?” The squat bandit’s voice leapt an octave, then he hushed it again. “She used to be! But not today! The chief said she toyed with our brothers on the stage, and Thunder Tremor helped her. They didn’t take our four strongholds seriously at all!”
He jerked his chin toward the murky outline of the gate, anger simmering beneath the surface. “I heard she practices some yin-harvesting technique—must’ve found a tough target. Now that she’s stronger, she dares to walk all over us!”
“Heh… now that you mention it, that Fifth Commander is quite the looker.”
The scrawny one rubbed his hands, grinning—then froze. “Wait, that stuff is poison! What’s the use of good looks if you lose your life?”
Outside the stronghold, in the ancient locust tree.
Wen Changning stood lightly on a branch, her red-tasseled spear leaning against the trunk, dew dripping silently from the tip into the foliage, vanishing among the mist.
Her phoenix eyes narrowed, lips curling in a secretive smile.
This was exactly what she wanted.
Scarlet Chain was convinced Black Wind had provoked them. Let them fume at Liu Meimei—wait a little longer and add fuel to the fire, and they’d storm Black Wind Stronghold in a blood rage.
Let the wolves devour each other—how delightful!
Suddenly, she gathered her breath, her voice rolling like a stone through the fog, echoing off the mountainside and returning in layered waves:
“Listen up, you bastards from Flying Eagle Stronghold! All Cloud Sky territory belongs to our Black Wind Stronghold now!”
Her voice, deliberately sharpened, cut through the mist like knives:
“This morning I thrashed you to pieces. Tonight, I’ve brought my brothers to claim your lives!”
—
Before the shouts had faded, Wen Changning slipped through the blind spot beneath the watchtower, lit a firecracker, and hurled it toward the stronghold gate.
Time to cause panic.
On the watchtower—
Boom!
The explosion shattered the silence, followed by Wen Changning’s deliberate cry—“Black Wind brothers, charge!”—rolling into the fortress.
The scrawny bandit jolted upright, sweat breaking out despite the cold. “Damn, what’s happening? Are they really attacking?”
The pudgy one fumbled for his knife, voice quivering. “Could Black Wind really be attacking? Still holding a grudge from today?”
The scrawny one’s legs gave out and he nearly tumbled off the tower, scrambling down the ladder. “Quick, go alert the chief! Liu Meimei’s coming for blood!”
Watching their frantic flight, Wen Changning’s eyes glinted coldly as she silently followed their wake, concealed by the fog they’d stirred.
She wanted these fools to spread the rumor of “Black Wind attacking” until chaos reigned and no one knew friend from foe.
The two bandits stumbled and shouted all the way:
“We’re under attack! Black Wind’s broken in! Liu Meimei wants revenge!”
Their cries were shredded by the fog, perfectly masking the softest of footsteps behind them.
“Damn that Liu Meimei,”
A squat shadow flickered in the mist, brandishing a rusty saber, hands shaking with fury.
“She mocked us by day, and now dares to raid our stronghold at night? Does she think Scarlet Chain is easy prey?”
“Prey, my ass!” a tall, thin shadow spat, staggering deeper into the stronghold, eyes blazing.
“To the armory! Grab as many gunpowder barrels as you can! Let’s blast them to bits—if they want our turf, they’re signing their own death warrants!”
Wen Changning arched a brow, toes barely touching the earth as she shadowed them unseen.
Hearing their curses about “cutting Liu Meimei to pieces” and “blasting Black Wind flat,” she allowed herself a cold, satisfied smile.
Perfect—the fire had caught.
The two bandits, focused only on their errand, never noticed the shadow trailing them, silent as mist, all the way to the heart of the stronghold—the armory.
—
Inside Scarlet Chain’s command tent—
Jiang Hongling sat at the head, with Ji Xiang of Flying Eagle, Hu Qi of Wild Fox, and Su Tie of Iron Wall seated beside her.
The candlelight, battered by the wind, cast wavering shadows, reflecting the tension and simmering rage within the tent.
“Black Wind is too arrogant!” Wild Fox chief Hu Qi rasped in a hoarse growl.
His bony fingers dug into the table’s edge. “That venomous Liu Meimei! She made monkeys of us on the stage, didn’t even spare a shred of face for the four strongholds!”
He slammed the table, making the candle jump and scattering tea across the floor. “I can’t swallow this insult! I won’t!”
He recalled how Liu Meimei had forced him back with poison needles, how she’d sneered, “At last, a real challenge.”
He recalled Thunder Tremor’s taunt: “Fight until you submit.” Rage blazed in every breast, as if doused with oil.
“Tomorrow, we’ll join forces and ambush Thunder Tremor,” said Ji Xiang of Flying Eagle, a glint of venom in his eye, his fist clenched tight.
“Without him, Liu Meimei is just a poison hag—she’ll be ours to deal with as we please! We’ll strip her skin and show her what it means to cross us!”
Four pairs of eyes, burning with hatred, greed, and murder, met in the candlelight.
They were just settling on the plan when frantic footsteps sounded outside.
“Report—report to the chief!”
Two bandits tumbled into the tent, one shoe missing, knees buckling as they nearly collapsed, voices trembling:
“There’s shouting at the foot of the mountain—someone says they’ll raze our stronghold! It’s Black Wind!”
Jiang Hongling gripped her ghost-head saber, its scabbard thudding against the table.
Her eyes were deep as a pool, but the fury swirling within could not be hidden.
She hated nothing more than being provoked—especially after today’s humiliation.
“Liu Meimei again!”
Ji Xiang slammed his hammer to the floor—the sparks burned holes in the earth.
“She mocked us by day and now dares to bellow at our gates? I’ll smash her skull and show her who rules Cloud Sky!”
“Good! Good! Good!” Wild Fox chief Hu Qi screeched, his face twisted with excitement, voice sharp as a blade.
“Tonight we’ll bathe Black Wind in blood! If I don’t skin Thunder Tremor alive, if I don’t draw out Liu Meimei’s tendons, then I’m no Hu!”
“I want to see Thunder Tremor skinned alive—flayed!” Su Tie shouted, eyes bloodshot, pounding the table. “That cunning Liu Meimei loves to put on airs? I’ll shatter her precious bones and use them as my footstool! She’ll never rise again!”
The rage in the tent was enough to rip the roof apart; sleeves were rolled up as the chiefs charged for the door.
Just as they reached the flap, a thunderous explosion rocked the stronghold.
Dust rained from the ceiling, the candlelight shuddered and nearly went out.
“What was that?!” Jiang Hongling leapt up, saber flashing in the gloom, eyes wary.
That sound—something was wrong.
The others paled, their bravado vanished. Each looked at the others and saw only panic mirrored back.
The blast had not come from the gate, but from—
The armory!
—