Chapter Eight: Xie Tong Falls Ill

Taking advantage of the moment the government troops were drawn toward the valley, Xie Qingshuang swiftly launched a search for the remaining traitors within the stronghold.

Before long, she discovered letters and tokens documenting communications between Wang Mazi and the government forces in a dilapidated wooden shack. With the evidence undeniable, Wang Mazi and the other bandits who had colluded with Liu Er were dragged out one by one.

The atmosphere in the Great Hall of Justice was suffocating. Xie Qingshuang’s face was cold and stern, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Her eyes burned with a fire so intense it seemed capable of consuming everything in its path. She stared intensely at the bound traitors.

"You wretched turncoats! For the sake of your own selfish interests, you betrayed Black Wind Stronghold and your own brothers. Your actions are unforgivable!"

"Black Wind Stronghold has treated you well, providing you with food, clothing, and shelter. Yet you return kindness with enmity. Have your consciences been eaten by dogs?"

Wang Mazi turned pale as paper, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. Trembling, he begged for mercy. "Great Chieftain, please spare me! I was forced by them!"

"They captured my family and threatened to kill my parents, my wife, and my children if I didn't do as they said!"

Xie Qingshuang roared, "Shut up! You have the nerve to beg for mercy? Do you realize how many brothers nearly lost their lives because of your betrayal?"

"In the battle against the government troops, how many brothers were wounded and bled, or even left us forever? What of their families? How can their blood debt ever be repaid?"

The other traitors knocked their heads against the floor until they bled, pleading incessantly. "Great Chieftain, we were wrong! Please give us another chance!"

Xie Qingshuang remained unmoved, her eyes devoid of pity, filled only with hatred for the traitors. With a wave of her hand, the bandits dragged them away. At the execution ground, the brothers of Black Wind Stronghold gathered around, their eyes brimming with anger and disdain. According to the stronghold's code, traitors were to be met with severe punishment. As the execution began, the screams of the traitors echoed through the camp, yet not a single soul felt sympathy for them.

[Ding!]
[Chen Tong has resolved the crisis at Black Wind Stronghold...]
[However, news of the government forces has vanished, and they have decided to launch a massive encirclement campaign against all surrounding bandits...]
[Because the food supply within the besieged Black Wind Stronghold cannot last long, disease has begun to spread, resulting in heavy losses...]

[As a result, Chen Tong has contracted a severe chill and died unexpectedly...]

"Damn it! This bastard system!" Chen Tong couldn't help but curse, "What is this? Just as one trouble is resolved, another arises!"

After the news of the government troops disappeared, they had actually decided to launch a large-scale encirclement. With the food already running low, the stronghold could not hold out for long. Worse still, a plague had begun to spread, leaving many brothers bedridden and causing heavy losses. Within just three days, before Chen Tong could devise a countermeasure, events had spiraled far beyond his expectations.

"Even with a system, there is no way out of this!"
"Damn it!"
"Damn system! This is no way to play with someone!"

Misfortunes never come singly; Chen Tong himself had unfortunately fallen ill with a severe chill. He felt a bone-chilling cold throughout his body. Every breath felt like a tugging at his lungs, and his head was so heavy and muddled it felt as though countless insects were colliding inside.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The violent coughing echoed through the hall. Chen Tong was pale, cold sweat seeping from his forehead. He forced his weak body to sit on the chair, surrounded by anxious bandits.

"Great Chieftain, what should we do now? The government troops have us surrounded, the food is gone, and this sickness is getting worse!" A bandit stomped his feet in desperation, his eyes filled with fear and helplessness.

Before Chen Tong could speak, Xie Qingshuang stepped forward.

"Don't panic! Black Wind Stronghold has weathered many storms; how could we be easily defeated by such a trifle?" Her voice was clear and powerful, instantly calming the chaotic hearts of those present.

Chen Tong regained his composure and continued, "First, gather all the brothers who can still move. Reinforce the walls and tighten our defenses; we must not let the government troops break in easily."

"Then, select a few clever brothers to find a way out and search for food and medicinal herbs."

"But Great Chieftain, the government troops are everywhere outside. Getting out is as hard as ascending to heaven!" another bandit said with a mournful face.

"Hard? No matter how hard it is, we must do it! Do you intend to sit here and wait for death?" Xie Qingshuang’s eyebrows arched in anger. "Also, ensure that everyone pays attention to hygiene to try and curb the spread of the disease."

At this moment, Tie Niu stood up, fists clenched, and shouted, "Great Chieftain, I will lead the men to try! I don't believe we can't break out!"

Xie Qingshuang looked at his determined expression and nodded slightly. "Very well! Tie Niu, be careful and cautious on this journey. You must return alive!"

Tie Niu patted his chest and replied loudly, "Don't worry, Great Chieftain! I, Tie Niu, have a tough life. Even if I have to risk it, I will bring back food and medicine!"

With that, Tie Niu led several brothers, weapons in hand, and cautiously crept out of the stronghold. They hunched over, using the cover of the forest to move without making a sound, their eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Not long after leaving, they heard the sound of noisy footsteps and clashing weapons nearby. Tie Niu signaled the others to stop and hide behind a dense thicket. A group of government soldiers was marching in neat rows, conducting a carpet search, their eyes sweeping sharply into every corner.

"Shh... stay quiet, don't expose yourselves!" Tie Niu whispered tensely, gripping his heavy blade so tightly the veins on his arms bulged, sweat dripping from his brow.

Fortunately, the soldiers did not discover them and continued to move into the distance. Tie Niu and his men let out a long sigh of relief and continued their difficult journey. Along the way, they avoided several patrols and finally discovered a small village in a hidden valley.

"Quick, go see if there is any food or medicine!" Tie Niu led his brothers toward the village. The villagers, seeing the fierce-looking bandits, were struck with panic.

Seeing this, Tie Niu hurriedly shouted, "Don't be afraid, folks! We are from Black Wind Stronghold. We aren't here to rob you; our stronghold is suffering a great disaster, and we desperately need food and medicine to save lives!"

The villagers hesitated for a long while, but seeing their desperate expressions, their hearts softened. A white-haired elder trembled as he stepped forward and said...