Chapter 11: Settling Debts with Cash!

As the members of Black Wind Stronghold retreated silently like ghosts under the cover of night, heading toward their respective villages, every heart was filled with lingering attachment and deep resentment.

Chen Tong walked in the middle of the procession, turning back from time to time to look at the Black Wind Stronghold as it faded into the distance.

*We must make the Black Wind Stronghold rise again.*

Meanwhile, the government soldiers stormed into the Black Wind Stronghold once more, only to be met with an empty fortress, leaving them stunned. The officer in charge, burning with shame and anger, kicked over a wooden barrel by the roadside and cursed, "These bandits are so cunning! They’ve given us the slip!"

The officer paced back and forth, his brows furrowed as he racked his brain for a way to report to his superiors.

"My lord, what if we just tell them we’ve wiped out the bandits, and this empty stronghold will serve as our proof?" a soldier suggested cautiously.

The officer glared at him. "You idiot! An empty stronghold—do you think they’ll believe that? We brought so many men here and didn’t even catch a shadow of a bandit. How am I supposed to account for that?"

Just then, another soldier leaned in and whispered something into the officer's ear. The officer’s eyes lit up, and a sinister smile spread across his face. "Good! Let’s do that."

And so, the authorities soon brought a group of death-row inmates to the Black Wind Stronghold. The prisoners, pale with terror and trembling so violently their legs could barely support them, were practically dragged onto the open ground of the fortress.

"My lord, please, have mercy! I don’t want to die!" a young prisoner pleaded desperately.

The officer replied coldly, "Hmph, you’ll be of some use even in death. Consider it a contribution to the Imperial Court."

With a series of shrill screams, the executioner's blade fell, and blood stained the soil of the Black Wind Stronghold. The officials arranged the bodies to stage a scene of a fierce battle, then triumphantly reported to their superiors that the Black Wind bandits had been successfully eradicated.

All of this was witnessed by a scout from the Black Wind Stronghold hiding in the distant woods. The scout hurried back to the village to relay the news to Chen Tong and Xie Qingshuang. Upon hearing this, Chen Tong trembled with fury. "These dog officials are absolutely insane! To use the lives of the innocent just to cover up their own incompetence!"

Xie Qingshuang’s eyebrows arched in anger, and flames of rage burned in her eyes. "This cannot stand."

***

Upon learning of the government’s atrocities, Xie Qingshuang’s beautiful eyes widened, filled with a mixture of wrath and pity, her chest heaving with emotion. She clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white and said to Chen Tong, "These people were righteous men forced into a corner by the authorities. They only wanted to survive and resist this soul-crushing tyranny. We cannot stand by and watch them die unjustly under the executioner's blade!"

Chen Tong nodded without hesitation, his gaze as steady as a torch, his voice firm and decisive. "Do not worry, Great Chief; I will support you with everything I have. Since these dog officials treat lives like grass, we will make them pay the price and save these innocent people."

Afterward, Chen Tong returned to his room alone and carefully shut the door. Taking a deep breath, he opened his system interface with a grave expression. The interface emitted a strange glow in the dim room, illuminating his solemn face. Chen Tong reached into his robes and pulled out a large bag of copper coins. While these coins were merely common currency in this era, they were precious antiques in the modern world.

He placed the coins into the system’s pawn section, his hands trembling slightly as he stared intently at the interface. The system began to identify them instantly; a dazzling light flashed, and the screen displayed the value of the coins converted into system currency based on modern market prices.

[Ding!]
[Identifying...]
[Ancient currency identified...]
[Value: 200...]
[Quantity: 200...]
[Identifying...]

The numbers danced like spirited sprites, and Chen Tong’s heart raced in tandem. Finally, the figure stabilized: 20,000 system coins.

"Excellent!" Chen Tong whispered to himself, a subtle smile appearing on his face.

However, he had no time for joy. He immediately began searching the system’s exchange mall, his fingers flying across the virtual interface as he eagerly hunted for the supplies he needed.

Yunnan Baiyao for external wounds—50 system coins per bottle. He chose 50 bottles without hesitation, costing 2,500 system coins.
Disinfectant alcohol—30 system coins per bottle. He bought 30 bottles, totaling 900 system coins.
Amoxicillin capsules for inflammation—80 system coins per box. He bought 20 boxes, spending 1,600 system coins.

"This Yunnan Baiyao is excellent for stopping bleeding. I hope it can save many more of our brothers," Chen Tong muttered, his eyes filled with worry and concern.

Next, he selected some simple medical tools.
Bandages—20 system coins per roll. He bought 100 rolls, costing 2,000 system coins.
Sterile scalpels—100 system coins each. He bought 10, costing 1,000 system coins.
Tweezers—50 system coins each. He chose 20, spending 1,000 system coins.

Once selected, he clicked confirm without hesitation. In an instant, a flash of light passed, and the items appeared before him.

When Xie Qingshuang saw Chen Tong appear with these medicines and tools, her eyes were filled with confusion. She couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Young Master Xie, where did you get these things? I have never seen such peculiar medicines and tools."

Chen Tong offered a mysterious smile, a hint of craftiness flashing in his eyes. "Great Chief, there are always people above people and heavens above heavens. Some secrets are not yet ready to be told. You need only know that these items will help us save those righteous men and spare them from suffering."

Xie Qingshuang looked into Chen Tong’s determined eyes. She hesitated, and though her heart was full of curiosity, she chose to trust him. She nodded slightly and said, "Very well, Young Master Xie. I trust you. I only hope these things will be of great use."

When the government execution squad reached the Black Wind Stronghold, Xie Qingshuang and her band of outlaws were already lying in wait. They were hidden in the dense grass and woods, the surroundings silent save for the occasional chirping of insects.

A firm, murderous intent shone in the eyes of the outlaws. Each gripped their weapon tightly, waiting for the perfect moment, like a pack of tigers about to pounce.

As the executioner raised his slaughtering blade high, the cold steel reflecting a blinding light in the sun, time seemed to freeze at the moment before it fell. Xie Qingshuang’s heart leapt to her throat; she bit her lower lip and gave the command.

"Kill!"

In an instant, the outlaws charged out from all directions like tigers. Their war cries shook the valley, as if they were tearing the very sky apart.

"Charge! Kill these dog officials!" "Avenge the innocent!"