sinovels Chapter 18 Black Wind Stronghold Descends the Mountain, Li Family Recruits Soldiers
Chapter 18 Black Wind Stronghold Descends the Mountain, Li Family Recruits Soldiers
Outside Qingyun County, there is Luanshi Ridge.
The terrain here is treacherous, the roads are narrow, and it is shrouded in mist all year round, making it the place that caravans least want to pass through.
Deep within the rocky hills, a black flag with wolf patterns stands.
Black Wind Village.
The most notorious bandit group in the vicinity of Qingyun County.
They did almost anything that could earn them spirit coins: murder, robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and extortion.
Despite several attempts by the government to suppress them, they were never able to subdue them.
Because this group of people is ruthless and disorganized.
If you can't beat them, run away, and then come back to bite you.
⸻
Inside the main hall of the mountain stronghold.
The bonfire roared, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol.
A shirtless, burly man was sitting on a tiger-skin chair, devouring meat. His face was full of fierce features, and there was a scar on his left eye, revealing his menacing appearance.
This man was none other than Xing Bao, the leader of Black Wind Stronghold.
With a cultivation level of eight in Qi Refining, he possessed immense strength, having killed countless people.
Below the hall, a steward of the Wang family bowed his head and clasped his hands.
"Chief Xing."
"My patriarch is willing to offer three thousand spirit coins, requesting your village to lend a hand."
Xing Bao paused, then looked up.
"Three thousand?"
He grinned, revealing a set of yellow teeth.
"Did Wang Tonghai treat me like a beggar?"
The manager, sweating profusely, quickly added:
"If it succeeds, I'll add another two thousand."
Xing Bao nodded in satisfaction.
"Five thousand spirit coins is enough to buy a lot of lives."
He tossed the bone aside casually, a fierce glint in his eyes.
"Tell me, who do you want to kill?"
"Li Xuan, the young patriarch of the Li family."
"Furthermore, if their spiritual fields can be destroyed, an additional thousand will be awarded."
Upon hearing this, Xing Bao laughed even louder.
"interesting."
"The whole city is talking about Li Jialing Rice lately, and I'd like to try it too."
⸻
at the same time.
Black Stone Mountain.
The atmosphere inside the Li family's council hall was solemn.
Li Tianheng sat in the main seat, his expression solemn.
"If the Wang family really invites Black Wind Stronghold down the mountain, things will get complicated."
The expressions of the clansmen inside the hall all changed.
No matter how powerful the Wang family is, they still have some sense of shame.
The group from Black Wind Stronghold, however, were true desperados.
Li Yuanshan held the account book, his face turning pale.
"Young clan leader..."
"How about we retreat back to the mountains for a few days?"
Li Yuanlie sneered.
"A cowardly turtle?"
"If they dare to come, I'll cut one of them down."
Li Yuanshan angrily said:
"How many can you kill? There are dozens of people in the village!"
Li Yuanlie thought about it.
"Then I'll cut more."
⸻
Li Xuan sat to the side, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his expression calm.
The fact that the Wang family invited Black Wind Stronghold was within his expectations.
Because Wang Tonghai had run out of cards to play.
Losing in business means losing prestige and losing the support of the people.
They can only turn the tide by relying on external forces.
Are you scared?
Li Xuan suddenly spoke.
Everyone was taken aback.
After a moment of silence, someone finally lowered their head.
Of course I'm afraid.
Black Wind Stronghold earned its reputation through bloodshed.
Li Xuan smiled faintly.
"The fact that they are afraid means they still have a deterrent effect."
"But what if we lose this battle—"
"The last bit of the Wang family's prestige has vanished."
Li Tianheng's eyes flickered slightly.
He understood what his son meant.
This battle cannot be avoided.
And it has to be a beautiful win.
⸻
Li Xuan stood up and looked at everyone.
"From this day forward, the Li family will recruit soldiers."
Li Yuanshan was taken aback.
"Recruit soldiers?"
Li Xuan nodded.
"Random cultivators, guards, hunters, and refugees—anyone willing to risk their life is welcome."
"In the early stages of Qi Refining, you will receive fifty spirit coins per month."
"Mid-stage Qi Refining, 100 spirit coins per month."
"If you perform meritorious service, you will be rewarded further."
The hall fell silent instantly.
This price is not low.
Li Yuanshan's heart was bleeding.
"Young clan leader, how much will this cost...?"
Li Xuan glanced at him.
"Money only becomes life when it's spent."
Li Yuanshan opened his mouth, but was completely speechless.
⸻
Li Yuanlie, however, was amused.
"Good job!"
"With more people around, it'll be more exciting for me to chop things up."
Li Yuanshan couldn't help but say:
"Is all you think about is killing people?"
Li Yuanlie thought about it carefully.
"And drinking."
⸻
That afternoon.
The news spread throughout Qingyun County.
The Li family is openly recruiting bodyguards!
And the benefits are generous!
For a time, many independent cultivators were tempted to try it.
Wang Jiaqiang may be strong, but he has many rules and is stingy when it comes to money.
The Li family is currently on the rise and is willing to spend spirit coins, so naturally some people are willing to take a gamble.
A queue quickly formed at the foot of Black Stone Mountain.
There were down-on-their-luck rogue cultivators at the first level of Qi Refining, as well as demon hunters who had tasted blood on the edge of a knife, and several former guards who had been exploited by the Wang family.
⸻
Li Yuanshan was in charge of registration and was sweating profusely.
"Name!"
"Cultivation level!"
"Does he even know how to guard the door?!"
"Do you know how to farm... no, cross that out."
As he wrote, he became confused himself.
⸻
Li Yuanlie stood aside, screening people.
The method is extremely simple.
"You, throw a punch."
"You, lift the stone."
"You, run two laps."
"Your eyes look unfocused, don't."
After an afternoon, they actually managed to pick out more than ten decent people.
Li Yuanshan was dumbfounded.
"When did you start picking and choosing people?"
Li Yuanlie, carrying his sword, said proudly:
"A good person is one who can take a beating."
⸻
It was evening.
On Black Stone Mountain Square, the newly recruited twenty-odd people stood in neat rows.
Although not exactly elite, they suddenly gave the previously quiet Li family a more imposing and powerful appearance.
Many tribesmen's eyes lit up when they saw this scene.
The Li family is truly different now.
⸻
Li Tianheng stood on the high platform and spoke in a deep voice:
"Now that you have entered the Li family, you will have food to eat and rules to follow."
"Those who protect the Li family will not be let down by the Li family."
The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a great weight.
The newly recruited people clasped their hands in agreement.
⸻
Li Xuan stood at the back, looking at the crowd, already having a plan in mind.
These people may not be loyal.
But it's enough.
After winning a few matches, a sense of belonging will naturally arise.
Family power is never innate.
It was achieved through fighting.
⸻
Night was falling.
A scout rushed into the ancestral home and knelt on one knee.
"Reporting to the young clan leader!"
"More than thirty people from Black Wind Village have descended the mountain and will spend the night at Luanshi Ridge."
"We should be able to reach outside Qingyun County by tomorrow afternoon at the earliest!"
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned somber.
finally come.
Li Yuanlie gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
"Young clan leader."
"Who will we chop up tomorrow?"
Li Xuan slowly rose to his feet, his gaze calm yet sharp.
"Chop down Black Wind Stronghold first."
"Chop down the Wang family again."
A system notification sounded in my mind:
[Family expansion successful]
[Clan troop strength increased]
[Current Luck: 158]
[New Mission Issued: Defeat Black Wind Stronghold]
[Reward: Clan Battle Hall Open]
Li Xuan's lips curled up slightly.
Battle Hall.
The Li family's true military system is finally about to arrive.
Black Wind Stronghold arrived just in time.
What I need is a whetstone.
End of Chapter Eighteen