On the second day, Zheng Ziqi immediately brought gold and treasures to Yihetang Manor, intending to meet the lady again to discuss purchasing a life.

He was very humble and did not provoke a fight, but his status wasn't enough, and he couldn't see the lady.

Zheng Ziqi felt greatly defeated. He had been a young master in the gang since childhood, commanding the wind and rain around Black Water Port. Now, knowing his brother's killer was in the manor, he couldn't exact revenge.

Just as he was about to return the way he came.

Unexpectedly, Hua Hanying, the commander of the nursing home, secretly sent a message to inform him that Li Xian was not in the manor and was sent to Black River Village early. It was a remote and poor place; if he wanted revenge, he could go without anyone stopping him.

Zheng Ziqi was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately returned to the Black Water Gang to report the situation.

"What!"

Zheng Xuezhang slammed the table and asked, "You mean Li Xian is at Black River Village? Not long after I was injured, he had already been sent to patrol outside Black River Village?"

"For months, he hovered right under our noses without us knowing!?"

Zheng Xuezhang's voice was like thunder shock. Even though he had just recovered from serious injury, his strength wasn't as before, but having entered the "Food Essence" realm, his rebirth foundation remained.

When he shouted with anger, everyone present trembled, not daring to breathe.

"Father, it's... it's because of my foolishness, allowing him to live for several more months." Zheng Ziqi said, "If I had sent someone to investigate earlier, that Li Xian would surely have become a human sail by now. My resentment, along with that of my brothers in the gang, would have been avenged."

Zheng Xuezhang shook his head and said, "This isn't your fault."

"I was injured, and that woman's attitude was unclear. At such a critical time, how could you dare to probe? If you offended that woman again, your father might not even be alive now."

"But now, it seems... that woman sent Li Xian away, giving our Black Water Gang some face."

After saying this, he stroked his beard, feeling very gratified.

"The vengeance of my son's death cannot go unanswered!" Zheng Xuezhang said, "It's not just for my son's death; the pain and suffering of my months of recovery, it all must be blamed on this boy!"

"Father." Zheng Lvxiu stepped forward voluntarily, saying, "I request permission to personally capture Li Xian and subject him to the gang's punishment!"

The remaining sons also stepped forward one after another, saying, "We also request permission to avenge our seventh brother!"

"Good, good, my good children, all my good children." Zheng Xuezhang was very pleased, "With such intentions, I am very happy. If Caifan (彩旗) has a spirit in heaven, he would certainly be pleased."

"Though Li Xian is small, this hatred is enormous!"

"Not only do you want to go, but I... want to go too!"

"Pass my order, each of the twelve banner bearers to bring fifty gang members, waiting at the port. Our Black Water Gang... with the strength of the whole gang, will enter the mountains to capture Li Xian."

"Make that scoundrel have no path to heaven or earth!"

Zheng Xuezhang's eyes shone brightly, excited and with one punch, the redwood chair cracked and spread.

There was a great movement at Black Water Port. The gang members gathered, fully prepared, waiting for the order to advance into the mountains.

The onlookers were all astonished, curious in their hearts, but dared not approach, fearing being affected by the murderous aura.

Not long after... the twelve banner bearers, all with extraordinary martial arts, successively appeared at the lead. Zheng Xuezhang's six sons, with faces full of murderous intent, rode mighty steeds, chests held high, looking very imposing.

The elite of the Black Water Gang were all present.

Finally, Zheng Xuezhang came out, carrying a long blade on his back, riding a brown good water horse. It is said that this horse is an exotic breed, its hooves have strange webs and can walk on water.

"Set off, capture the thief Li and make him a human sail!"

Zheng Xuezhang yelled and moved to the front of the team. A few hundred people set off mightily into the depths of the mountains and forests.

"The tenth banner bearer, you lead fifty men to go west, loop fifty miles to form an encirclement."

"The fourth banner bearer, you lead fifty men to circle east and meet with the tenth banner bearer."

Zheng Xuezhang arranged in an orderly manner.

This is a very common strategy in water battles.

The Black Water Gang has many lightweight wooden boats. If they want to attack on the river, they dispatch gang members on the banks to carry the boats from both shores, and move to the rear of the enemy's ship.

Then they enter the river to surround it.

Ships are cumbersome in the water, and cannot contend with multi-sided encirclement. Naturally, they fall. Even martial artists of extraordinary skills struggle to deal with this situation.

Trapped in the water.

The Black Water Gang does not engage in frontal battles; instead, they surround, harass, shoot arrows, set fires, release toxins, using whatever means necessary.

Yet, Zheng Xuezhang, eager for revenge, was unaware of the complex terrain in the mountains. The two teams, unfamiliar with the terrain, executing encirclement tasks, were likely to get lost.

"Press onwards to Black River Village!"

Zheng Xuezhang shouted.

Getting closer and closer, it was already dusk, yet Zheng Xuezhang was indifferent, leading hundreds in force to charge forward.

"Father." Suddenly, Zheng Ziqi said, "That Black River Village belongs to the lady of Yihetang Manor, and is considered her property."

Zheng Xuezhang nodded, "I have discretion. That lady spared my life and also sent the killer of my son here. I must respect her face."

"The villagers of Black River Village should not be killed if unnecessary."

"Humph, if following my old temper, the entire village up and down would become human sails, uniting them on the ship."

Black River Village, being remote, had mountainous and forested terrain, making it complex. Sometimes, a large mountain suddenly blocked the way.

Some mountain tops had small paths to cross directly, while others were exceptionally steep, with nowhere to step, requiring detours.

After traveling for an hour, they hadn't reached Black River Village, and the sky turned completely dark. Zheng Xuezhang was eager for revenge, thinking nothing amiss. But Zheng Ziqi secretly sensed something was wrong.

"Father, why don't we rest here for the night? Wait until dawn to..." Zheng Ziqi asked.

"No, resting for the night, what if he gets word and escapes far away?" Zheng Xuezhang was resolute in his decision.

The team continued marching, coming to a hillside. On the right was a towering mountain, on the left was a stretch of forest.

Suddenly, a great rumble was heard overhead, and a huge boulder rolled down the mountain. Zheng Xuezhang shouted, "Not good, avoid it!" He clamped his legs, and his horse dashed to the side.

The boulder hit the middle of the road, followed by several cries, as several people were crushed under the stone.

"Who!" The Black Water Gang members were immediately alerted.

Just then, a light was seen from the woods, as if someone was holding a torch. Zheng Xuezhang cursed, "Pretending to be mysterious, kill them for me!"

Several banner bearers led their own elite, immediately chasing the light, rushing into the forest.

The momentum was great, but fewer and fewer human figures appeared, quickly falling silent.

"Who!"

Zheng Xuezhang, furious, chased after them personally. But after traveling several miles, his right foot suddenly stepped into emptiness, nearly falling into a wooden spike pit. He practiced lightweight skill, stepping lightly, retracting his force.

Only then was the crisis resolved.

"Father!"

Zheng Ziqi said seriously, "There are many traps here. Several banner bearers fell into traps, some gravely injured, and some died on the spot!"

"Good! Good!" Zheng Xuezhang angrily said, "Good Li Xian, he knew we would come for him and set traps early on!"

"Father, the road ahead is likely more dangerous. Why not reconsider our plans?" Zheng Ziqi already felt uneasy.

Fighting in the mountains was not the Black Water Gang's specialty. In addition, the falling boulder and firelight as bait clearly were not the work of one person.

That Li Xian... is unlikely to be alone.

"Strategy?" Zheng Xuezhang sneered, "Isn't that exactly what he wants?"

"That woman placed the meat right at my mouth; if I can't swallow it now, I'd really lose face."

"Speed up! Don't let that kid get away!"

The Black Water Gang advanced instead of retreating. Zheng Ziqi furrowed his brows in surprise. Even with his son's murderer, why was his father so impulsive? Could it be that his personality has changed after the severe injuries?

What Zheng Ziqi didn't know.

Zheng Xuezhang was injured by the lady, and at first, his resentment was boundless. However, after several months of suffering, he gradually came to realize the lady's prowess. The resentment slowly faded.

Instead, he began to admire her. The pain made it difficult to sleep; sometimes, when he dreamed of the lady's face, he found himself unknowingly infatuated.

Once he recovered, he learned that the lady sent Li Xian to be stationed outside. This move seemed to allow him to take his revenge, a cause for his delight that even surpassed the thought of revenge.

This act wasn't just for revenge...

It was also, in Zheng Xuezhang's mind, an opportunity to show himself to the lady. So he spared no effort, deploying his elite forces, as if flaunting his martial strength and courage, seeking favor.

And yet, if he still couldn't capture Li Xian.

Wouldn't that mean Zheng Xuezhang is a failure?

Therefore, regardless of how many traps and dangers lie ahead, Zheng Xuezhang must charge through them, and quickly at that.

...

...

Li Xian's expression was calm as he calculated Zheng Xuezhang's position in his mind.

"I and this man will inevitably have a duel; there's no avoiding it."

Looking into the distance, he patted the "Golden Leopard Bow" over his shoulder and the Nursing Home's narrow blade.

This time... faced with the overwhelming assault of the "Food Essence" martial artist, he was thoroughly composed and confident in his heart.

"Master Li, we are ready."

"We've activated all the trap mechanisms, heh heh, it'll surely give them a hard time."

"Also, we've trained well. Master Li, you saved our lives, so this time consider us as your soldiers! Killing one isn't a loss, killing two is a profit."

"If we die, we'll consider it repaying your kindness!"

Uncle Fu, leaning on his cane, gathered all the hundred-odd men of the village. Holding iron nets, long spears, and iron shields...

The Farmer's Noose Array taught by Li Xian had already become second nature.

Now, their fighting spirit was high, seemingly not inferior to the Black Water Gang.

"No need."

"You all should hide in the back mountains to avoid any accidental injuries. The Black Water Gang strikes ruthlessly, so avoid them if you can; this is a personal grudge of mine."

Li Xian said calmly.

"But, Master..." Uncle Fu frowned.

"Go on."

Li Xian waved his hand.

Hearing this, the villagers had no choice but to comply and hid in the back mountains. With only one bow and one blade, Li Xian climbed to a hilltop, overlooking with a wide view.

Looking into the distance, he could faintly see the Black Water Gang's forces. He took out some dried tiger meat, chewing it slowly, waiting silently.

A while passed.

The sound of hooves gradually approached, and Zheng Xuezhang arrived. Behind him, nearly forty percent of the Black Water Gang had perished, looking utterly miserable.

"Li Xian, you little bastard, come out quickly and meet your death!"

Zheng Xuezhang condensed his Qi and roared, like a thunderous shock.

"Hahaha, you killed my child, so I will weave you into my human sail!"

Zheng Xuezhang shouted again.

The six underlings all started taunting, "Human Sail Li Xian, aren't you coming out to kneel and thank us quickly? We might spare your life and let you repent on the sail for the rest of your life."

"Indeed, if you're thirsty, young master might even gift you a drink of piss."

"I'll sever your limbs and pull out your tongue, but won't gouge your eyes. Heh heh, so you can see well the consequences of offending us."

The multitude jeered.

The sound of a rushing wind arose.

The sixth underling suddenly fell off his horse, legs kicking, Qi dissipating, and in a moment, died. On his chest, an arrow was embedded.

Zheng Xuezhang's heart trembled; with his eyesight, he couldn't discern from where the arrow was shot.

Li Xian's voice came:

"Revenge for your son? Is that so?"

Another arrow was shot... Yet this arrow did not instantly claim life. Instead, it hit the fifth underling Zheng Lvxiu's right arm.

With a "bang".

The immense force blasted Zheng Lvxiu's right arm apart. But the force was exquisitely controlled, leaving the torso untouched.

"Ah..." Zheng Lvxiu screamed. It was just him earlier, clamoring to sever hands and pull tongues.

Several more arrows followed, accurately hitting Zheng Lvxiu's limbs. He fell from his horse, screaming in agony, but as soon as he opened his mouth, an arrow pierced through his tongue, pinning his head to the ground.

Zheng Xuezhang turned pale.

The sky was pitch-black; although it obstructed vision, what kind of man was Zheng Xuezhang? He should have been able to locate the source of the arrows by sound.

Yet...

He sensed nothing.

There were only two possibilities: one, that this person's bow and arrow were extraordinary with unique effects. Two, that this person's archery was extremely precise!

"Over there!"

When Li Xian shot the fourth arrow, having already killed most of his son's men, Zheng Xuezhang, under the moonlight, finally caught sight of Li Xian's figure.

He saw that young man had the bow fully drawn, the golden string shining, the bow full as the moon.

His spirit was indescribably high. The arrow on the string, he too was on the string.

My flying arrows, how dare you evade.

This arrow was aimed straight at Zheng Xuezhang. Although not yet released, its spirit already seized his throat, fixing his body in place.

Li Xian confidently laughed, "Xuezhang, you are too late!"

The arrow had left the string!

[Skill: Archery]

[Skill Level: 1156/50000 Peak!]

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