Chapter 74 - 75: Sun Yun Takes Action, Heavy Losses

Chapter 74: Chapter 75: Sun Yun Takes Action, Heavy Losses

"Reporting! No abnormalities found ahead." A Guard of the Lin Family ran over, delivering the scouted news to Lin Fu and the others.

As a member of the Lin Family, Lin Fu was naturally familiar with this route to Lin Family Castle. When the Lin Family first built the stronghold, they had set up several hidden outposts here. Originally meant as a precaution for years of disaster, they had unfortunately failed to fend off Lianyun Stronghold. Worried that the bandits might have discovered these hidden outposts, he specifically sent someone ahead to scout.

"Good, keep moving!" Lin Fu declared loudly.

Ahead lay a mountainous forest. Passing through it would bring them to Lin Family Castle. The closer they got, the more cautious everyone became.

SWISH SWISH SWISH.

"What’s that sound?" Suddenly, a strange rustling noise came from the forest. Before anyone could react, sharp arrows shot out from the trees.

"Everyone, watch out!" Lin Fu shouted. Before his voice faded, the crowd drew their weapons and prepared to strike.

There weren’t many arrows, and they missed wildly, barely hitting anyone.

"What is this?" This ineffective sneak attack left everyone present stunned. Suddenly, someone noticed the smoking arrows and asked in confusion.

Seeing this, the others immediately exclaimed, "Oh no, it’s knockout smoke! Scatter, quickly!"

Yellow smoke rapidly diffused, quickly enveloping the surroundings and blocking their line of sight. Right at this moment, the sound of tearing air rang out from the forest. A dense volley of arrows rained down upon them, raising the curtain on the battle.

"Ah!"

In the thick mist, the group not only had to guard against the encroaching smoke but also against arrows flying from unknown directions. It wasn’t long before someone fell victim, crying out miserably as an arrow struck them.

"The arrows are poisoned!" an injured Martial Artist warned.

"Cowardly rats! Show yourselves and fight me if you have the guts!" Lin Fu roared furiously. The movements of his hands were a blur of light and shadow, fast to the extreme.

"Hahaha! Old man, wait until you make it out alive before you talk big!" an arrogant voice rang out. "Brothers, keep shooting! Shoot them all to death!"

"Brother, they are behind us!" Lin Shou yelled.

Hearing this, the crowd instantly found their bearings and scrambled toward the rear. Covering his nose, Lin Fu fended off the incoming arrows while retreating, trying to fight his way out of the smoke.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

Before Lin Fu could break out of the smoke, a dense whistling sound echoed. Several Martial Artists walking at the forefront were instantly riddled with arrows like sieves.

"Not good! Go to the front!" Seeing this scene, Lin Fu’s expression drastically changed, and he shouted to the people behind him.

"There are people in the front, too!" an urgent voice rang out. As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Fu’s expression turned exceedingly grim.

Lianyun Stronghold had them surrounded from all sides, and they were trapped in the smoke. The situation was highly disadvantageous.

"Who brought a bow and arrows?" Lin Fu asked after a moment of thought.

"I did!"

Taking a bow and arrows from a Martial Artist, Lin Fu rolled on the ground. Moving as swiftly as a fierce tiger, he scooped up the arrows that had landed on the dirt. He drew the bow and released. With a sharp WHOOSH, a single arrow shot out, piercing through the smoke.

"Brother, watch out!"

Zhu Bao was smugly watching the panicked Lin Fu and the others when he suddenly noticed an arrow shooting out from the smoke. Startled, he stepped forward and swung his blade, chopping the arrow in half.

However, in the next moment, three more arrows flew out of the smoke. With quick eyes and swift hands, Zhu Bao slashed them down one by one, blocking Lin Fu’s attack.

By now, the smoke had gradually dissipated, clearing the vision for Lin Fu’s group. Facing the arrow attacks, they now had countermeasures, significantly reducing their casualties.

"Stop!" Seeing this, Zhu Hu shouted a command, and no more arrows flew from the forest.

"Dammit!" Lin Fu’s face looked terrible. In just this short amount of time, they had lost more than ten Martial Artists.

Soon, the smoke completely vanished, revealing the figures of all parties. Standing behind Lin Fu were Zhu Hu, Zhu Bao, and their men. As for the person standing in front of Lin Fu, no one present recognized him.

"Zhu Hu, is Lianyun Stronghold only capable of playing such despicable tricks?" Lin Fu said.

"It doesn’t matter if the tricks are despicable, as long as they work," Zhu Hu replied with a light chuckle.

"Hmph, you underestimate us too much if you think you can kill us with these methods. Now, it’s our turn!" Lin Fu said coldly. "Attack!"

"Kill!"

At Zhu Hu’s command, the men of Lianyun Stronghold charged forward fiercely. The two sides engaged in a brutal battle!

Meanwhile.

"Are you saying that the Rebirth Sect and Lianyun Stronghold had already set up an ambush, waiting for the Lin Family and the others to walk right into their trap?" Tao Wenxuan couldn’t help but ask after hearing Tao Dingfang’s conjecture.

"Yes."

"Who did the Rebirth Sect send to assist this time?" Tao Wenxuan asked after a moment of silence.

"Sun Yun."

"Sun Yun?" Tao Wenxuan was taken aback.

"That’s right. Originally, the Rebirth Sect sent Wei Jie, but it seems Wei Jie was killed by the Assassin on your end, Uncle. Therefore, the Rebirth Sect had Sun Yun take his place."

Hearing this, Tao Wenxuan’s expression became odd. He cleared his throat. "It wasn’t an Assassin from the Government Office, but a Martial Artist named Yang Guo. This person is very strong. I only hired him to give it a try, but to my surprise, he actually pulled it off."

"Yang Guo?" Tao Dingfang hadn’t heard this name before. Stroking his chin, he muttered to himself, "To be able to kill Wei Jie, his strength must be at least at the Advanced Skill level. It’s quite strange that I’ve never heard of him!"

"I’m afraid that name is an alias. This person never shows his true face and keeps himself deeply hidden," Tao Wenxuan explained.

"No matter. As long as he doesn’t interfere with my plans, there’s no need to care." Saying this, Tao Dingfang stood up and stretched. "Uncle, time is of the essence. We can start preparing for the aftermath."

"Well... the news hasn’t even arrived yet..." Tao Wenxuan smiled bitterly.

"It will be here soon. Sun Yun is at the Perfect Skill level, and with the help of Zhu Hu, Zhu Bao, and the experts from the Rebirth Sect, Lin Fu’s group is no match for them. I’m afraid it won’t be long before we hear from them."

Hearing this, Tao Wenxuan didn’t know what to say for a moment. He stood frozen in place, unable to recover his wits for a long time.

As evening approached.

Outside White Stone City.

Several bloodstained, ragged figures stumbled over, their faces pale with terror.

"What is that?"

The City Guards’ expressions changed upon seeing this group. After closing the city gates, they shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?"

"We are from the Lin Family and the Broken Blade Sect! Open the gates quickly and let us in!"

The City Guards didn’t answer, still staring at the group with vigilance. These people were covered in blood, and they didn’t dare to act on their own authority.

Seeing the City Guards delaying, the group looked extremely anxious. One of them was supporting a man with a severed arm.

"I-I am Yan Que. Open the gates!" At this moment, a man with disheveled hair, bathed in blood, spoke with difficulty, revealing his face.

"It’s Yan Que!" The City Guard recognized him and was startled.

"This is Lin Shou!" Yan Que pointed to the unconscious Lin Shou beside him and added.

Before long, the others in the group also stated their names.

"They are from Lin Family Castle and the Broken Blade Sect. Open the gates!" the City Guard commander ordered after confirming their identities.

As Yan Que and the others entered the city, the already restless White Stone City instantly erupted into an uproar.