Chapter Twenty-One: Then... Turn Their Scheme Against Them

Due to system restrictions, controlled weaponry could not be redeemed.

Chen Tong selected a batch of modern steel wood-chopping knives and multi-functional outdoor daggers—tools meant for daily tasks, yet exceptionally sharp. These blades featured unique designs and superior craftsmanship; under the sunlight, they glinted with a bone-chilling, icy light. Furthermore, Chen Tong steeled himself and spent a significant amount of copper coins to procure a large quantity of simulated grenades and compound bows. In this era, such items were unheard-of rarities.

When Chen Tong neatly laid out these novel weapons before the group, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone stared with wide eyes, their faces filled with astonishment and curiosity.

"What... what are these things?" Tie Niu’s eyes were as round as copper bells. Filled with curiosity, he reached out and cautiously picked up a wood-chopping knife. He swung it gently, and with a crisp "whoosh," an arm-thick tree branch nearby snapped clean off, leaving behind a smooth, level cut.

"Good heavens! This blade is incredibly sharp!" Tie Niu exclaimed, his face beaming with pleasant surprise.

Wang Hu, meanwhile, looked perplexed as he picked up a simulated grenade. He turned it over, examined it from all angles, shook it by his ear, and muttered, "This thing is round and doesn't look like much of a weapon. How is this supposed to deal with government soldiers and that black-hearted merchant?"

Seeing this, Chen Tong smiled slightly and explained, "Brothers, do not underestimate these items."

"Take these knives and daggers, for instance. They are forged from special steel, far sharper than the standard blades we currently use. They can cut through people as easily as slicing vegetables."

"As for these simulated grenades, while they aren't real bombs capable of taking lives, the sound they make upon detonation is loud enough to deafen a man, and they release thick, billowing smoke that can terrify the enemy into submission."

"And these compound bows—their range is far greater than the bows we typically use, and their power is immense. They can deliver a fatal blow to the enemy from a distance."

Listening to Chen Tong’s detailed introduction, the men crowded forward, picking up the new weapons and handling them with delight.

"This is wonderful! With these treasures, we have nothing to fear from those government soldiers or that treacherous merchant!"

"Exactly! This time, we shall ensure they never return!" The group chatted excitedly, their morale soaring to its peak.

Under Chen Tong’s leadership, everyone moved quickly. For three days, every corner of Black Wind Stronghold was filled with the bustle of activity.

Swift-Foot Afeng! Agile-Monkey Aqiang! Fleet-Foot Ayong!

These three experts, renowned for their incredible agility in navigating the mountain terrain, were selected for a critical mission. Chen Tong personally led the others in meticulously setting an ambush around the negotiation site, carefully considering every trap and every hidden vantage point.

Finally, the three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the appointed day arrived. The merchant arrived as scheduled, but his appearance was shocking. He was dressed in rags, his face bruised, his eyes filled with fear and helplessness—clearly, he had been threatened and abused by the government troops.

Dressed in camouflage and holding binoculars, Chen Tong hid on a distant ridge, keeping a close watch on every movement at the meeting point.

Ayong and his two companions appeared before the merchant as planned. Seeing them, the merchant wore a confused expression and asked, "How come there are only the three of you? Where is Chen Tong? Why didn't he come?"

"Swift-Foot" Afeng remained calm and replied in a loud voice, "Our Great Chief is naturally waiting in the rear. If you are sincere about this cooperation, follow us to meet him."

A flicker of hesitation crossed the merchant’s eyes. He slowly turned to look at the government official riding a tall steed nearby, wearing a sycophantic smile as he whispered, "My Lord, look at this... they say Chen Tong is waiting behind. Should we..."

Before he could finish, the official glared at him impatiently and scoffed, "Humph, it matters not where he is. Today shall be their day of reckoning! Once we capture these bandits, I shall naturally cover up your illegal salt dealings."

The merchant nodded and bowed repeatedly, not daring to utter another word.

At that moment, the official waved his hand, and hundreds of soldiers surged out from behind him. Each held long spears and short blades, their faces twisted with ferocity and their eyes filled with disdain for the bandits. They rushed toward Afeng and his team like a tide.

"Little thieves, where are you running? Today is your end!"

Clearly, they intended to use their numerical superiority to capture the trio in one fell swoop. However, the three had been prepared. The moment the official gave the signal, they turned and fled like arrows released from a bow.

"Brothers, follow the plan!" Afeng shouted over his shoulder as he ran.

"Fleet-Foot" Ayong, looking smug, yelled back, "Catching us won't be that easy! You lot of incompetent fools aren't even worth the trouble!" A look of contempt played on his face, as if the soldiers were no match for them at all.

The soldiers, unwilling to let them go, chased after them, hurling insults. "You reckless bandits, let's see how far you can run!" They assumed these were merely common bandits and that, given their own training and equipment, catching them would be a simple task. They had no idea that Afeng and his men were far more agile in the mountains than they could have imagined.

Afeng moved with vigor, dodging through the forest like an agile leopard. Ayong, meanwhile, moved with such speed that the soldiers could not even catch a glimpse of his heels.

Before long, the soldiers began to tire, panting heavily. Their footsteps grew heavy, and their breathing became labored. "This is impossible! How can these few bandits run so fast?" one soldier groaned, bending over with his hands on his knees, gasping for air.

"Pull yourselves together and keep chasing! If they get away, we shall all be in grave trouble!" the official roared from behind, brandishing his whip to drive his men forward.

Just then, a thunderous boom erupted.

"BOOM!"

A simulated grenade detonated not far ahead of them. The sudden explosion shattered the silence of the forest, the massive sound leaving the soldiers' ears ringing. Instantly, smoke filled the air, blocking out the sky, and the pungent odor sent the soldiers into fits of coughing.

"What kind of devilry is this?!" a soldier screamed, his voice filled with terror. His eyes darted around in panic, desperately searching the smoke for an escape route.

"Did the bandits use some sort of dark magic?" another soldier asked, his face turning pale and his legs trembling so violently he could barely stand.

"Run! We've been ambushed!" one cowardly soldier realized, turning to flee without a thought for his comrades. The others followed suit, and the formation collapsed into chaos. They shoved and trampled one another, some falling to the ground with cries of pain.

The men of Black Wind Stronghold, morale now sky-high, seized the moment. Aqiang, weaving nimbly through the trees, shouted, "Taste our strength! Daring to plot against Black Wind Stronghold—this is your retribution!"

Meanwhile, from a hundred meters away, Chen Tong saw that the moment had arrived and gave a resolute, resounding command:

"Fire!"