Chapter 63: Storming Green Ox Mountain in a Single Sweep

"What, more than a hundred of them were killed?" Lan Tianlei's eyes widened in disbelief after hearing the report.

He immediately beckoned to a nearby attendant.

"Quick, assemble the troops! Strike while the iron is hot. Dammit, I've had enough of them for a long time."

Without even bothering to check whether Chu Chen was telling the truth, Lan Tianlei was instantly energized by the news.

It wasn't as if he had never attempted to suppress the bandits before, but every previous effort had yielded meager results. Based on his intelligence, the so-called Fierce Tiger Hall of Green Ox Mountain only had around two hundred members in total.

That count included the elderly and the women, meaning the Fierce Tiger Hall could only muster about one hundred and eighty combat-ready fighters at most.

Now that Young Master Chu had wiped out a hundred of them, leaving only eighty or so remaining, what threat could they possibly pose?

He was eager to organize a force and storm the mountain immediately.

Little did he know that Chu Chen and his group had already eliminated the third chieftain and his twenty men prior to this.

Therefore, the total number of bandits left on Green Ox Mountain was actually fewer than sixty.

Chu Chen was somewhat surprised to see Lan Tianlei so enthusiastic.

"City Lord Lan, if I may interrupt, how many bandits are actually left on Green Ox Mountain, and what are their defenses like?"

Lan Tianlei promptly filled Chu Chen in on the situation.

"Holy shit, only about sixty people? What do we even need government soldiers for? I can wipe them out myself with just the men we have."

With that thought, he quickly bid farewell to Lan Tianlei, grabbed Tang Jiangtao, and headed toward Green Ox Town.

"Young Master Chu, aren't we going to wait for them to assemble their troops? Why are you in such a rush?"

Tang Jiangtao asked, looking completely bewildered.

Are you out of your mind? There are only about sixty bandits left; why would we want to share the spoils with those people?

One had to know that these bandits had been entrenched there for years, hoarding who knew how much gold and silver treasure.

Turning to Tang Jiangtao, Chu Chen said, "Brother Tang, do you want to get rich? Do you want to marry a wealthy, beautiful maiden and reach the pinnacle of life?"

Excited, Chu Chen tripped over his own words.

What the hell am I even saying? Tang Jiangtao thought to himself, though he had heard the part about getting rich loud and clear.

"Young Master Chu jokes. Who wouldn't want to get rich? But what on earth is a wealthy, beautiful maiden?"

Too lazy to explain, Chu Chen cut straight to the point.

"There are only about sixty people left on Green Ox Mountain. Do you think we have any problem taking them down with just our own strength?"

"Sixty people? You killed over a hundred of them already. With those miraculous methods of yours, any number of them would be no problem at all."

Tang Jiangtao still wore a puzzled expression.

"Then what the hell are we waiting for the city lord's garrison for? Let's just storm up there ourselves."

"Ah, why didn't I think of that? These bandits have been entrenched for years... Young Master Chu, please drive a bit faster."

Tang Jiangtao had finally seen the light.

Hearing this, Chu Chen stepped heavily on the accelerator, speeding all the way. In half an hour, they arrived at the spot in Mashan Village where the battle had just taken place.

"Second Uncle Feng, Huzi, pick twenty of our best men and get in the vehicle."

Before long, twenty robust men were selected from among the soldiers and the villagers of Mashan.

Not caring about how cramped it would be, Chu Chen shoved and crammed all twenty strong men straight into the van by sheer force.

The remaining men were told to jog along behind the van. They weren't expected to charge into battle; they just needed to keep pace in case of any emergencies.

Even Chu Chen had to admire this van. Twenty-odd men—that must have weighed well over a ton.

Though the chassis was pressed down extremely low, it still zoomed along the road, moving infinitely faster than a marching infantry.

Chu Chen finally stopped the van at the foot of Green Ox Mountain where the road ended.

The group filed out one by one, a sight that reminded Chu Chen of a joke from his past life.

Seriously, this build quality made it the ultimate national vehicle.

Some of the men who disembarked were severely carsick and immediately squatted down to vomit.

Allowing them ten minutes to rest, Chu Chen turned back to the vehicle, slipped the Type 95 rifle into the folds of his robe, and led the group toward Green Ox Mountain.

Lacking a guide, the group had no choice but to advance along the mountain trail.

Having served in the military for many years, Tang Jiangtao had some experience with mountainous terrain, so he took the lead at the front.

Second Uncle Feng brought up the rear, holding a compound bow.

Huzi closely followed behind Chu Chen. Wearing stab-resistant gear, he was determined to protect this younger brother figure.

And Chu Chen was wearing such gear himself—he was terrified of dying.

Still, he felt a warm wave of gratitude for Huzi's protective gesture.

Thanks to the speed of the van, it was still barely past noon.

Feigning the need to relieve himself, Chu Chen retrieved a stack of bread from nowhere. Everyone had been rushing and was exhausted.

Each person ate a little something to regain their strength for the road ahead.

Finished with their quick meal, the group resumed their trek up the mountain under Tang Jiangtao's guidance.

Suddenly, Tang Jiangtao raised both hands, signaling everyone to halt.

"What is it, Brother Tang?" Chu Chen asked.

Tang Jiangtao pointed toward a large tree ahead, where a figure stood with its back turned to them.

Quick-eyed and fast-handed, Huzi raised his compound bow the moment Tang Jiangtao pointed.

He whispered quietly, "Should I shoot?"

"What the hell are you waiting for? You don't save shots for the New Year! Just don't shoot him in the head."

Chu Chen instructed Huzi immediately.

Without the slightest hesitation, Huzi loosed the arrow with a sharp *thwack*.

Before the man in the tree could utter a sound, he tumbled down.

Tang Jiangtao sprang forward with lightning speed and pinned the fallen man to the ground.

"Talk. Where is the Fierce Tiger Hall?"

Drawing a dagger, Chu Chen pressed it against the man's neck and demanded.

Tang Jiangtao released his hand from over the man's mouth.

An arrow was embedded deep in the bandit's abdomen, causing him to break out in a cold sweat from the excruciating pain.

He looked in sheer terror at the group before him. He had been waiting right here for the chief to return and treat them to meat and wine.

Never did he expect his own home to be raided. The moment he tried to shout out, Tang Jiangtao had clamped a hand over his mouth.

Seeing that the man remained silent, Chu Chen slowly lowered the blade until it hovered dangerously near a vital area.

"Since you can't resist, you might as well enjoy it. Tell me where the Fierce Tiger Hall is, or else you'll only be fit for the eunuch's quarters for the rest of your life."

Feeling the chilling cold of the dagger, a strange, pungent odor instantly filled the air around them.

The man reached out with trembling hands and pointed frantically at his still-covered mouth.

I wanted to talk, but you wouldn't let me!

Embarrassed, Tang Jiangtao withdrew his hand.

"Heros, please spare my life! I'm just a lowly grunt!"

"If you want to go to the Fierce Tiger Hall, it's right at the mountain peak. Just past this path, there's another trail, and a couple more steps will get you right there."

Chu Chen exchanged a glance with Huzi, who instantly darted forward.

A moment later, Huzi returned and gave Chu Chen a nod.

Seeing this, Chu Chen slit the man's throat with a single stroke.

He muttered with a curse, "Such a coward, he pissed himself just like that."

This ruthless display startled even Tang Jiangtao. Just what kind of person was this Young Master Chu?

He killed without a second thought. Making an enemy of him was definitely out of the question.