Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World-Chapter 228 - 135 Ambush, Rout_2

"This time, everyone entering the city is from our family. Not a single member of the Black Sand Gang showed up. Could it be..."

At that thought, Zhao Qingcheng’s face grew even darker.

The Black Sand Gang were originally ruthless bandits; integrity and honorable methods were never their forte.

At this moment, Zhao Qingcheng couldn’t help but suspect Zhao Liehong was scheming to wear down their strength!

"Family Head! The young master’s signal arrow has already been fired—there’s likely been a mishap. Shouldn’t we go to support him?"

A Blood Refining Realm martial artist from the Zhao family stepped forward, looking anxiously toward the County Magistrate’s residence.

Zhao Qingcheng let out a cold snort.

"Hmph! Support my ass! This is obviously a trap. If you don’t want to die, retreat from the city immediately!"

"Family Head!"

The Zhao family members were about to say something, but Zhao Qingcheng cut them off directly.

"No more nonsense! If you don’t want to end up like the Lu family, retreat now! Any later, and it’ll be too late!"

The Zhao family members were sharper than Zhao Dezhi; upon hearing this and noticing the dense sound of footsteps coming from within the city, they quickly pieced things together and began retreating toward the city gates.

Zhao Qingcheng glanced toward the County Magistrate’s residence and sneered. "Good thing I’m smarter. This time, I’ll only lose a foolish son! Hmph, Zhao Honglie, Zhao Qingcheng will remember this!"

Outside the city, Zhao Honglie’s smile vanished the moment he heard the signal arrow. His expression became increasingly grim.

"Niu Zidong! Take a squad and check out the situation!"

Niu Zidong hadn’t reached a high position as the chief enforcer of the Black Sand Gang by being stupid.

When he saw Zhao Qingcheng and his men already retreating from the city gates, he immediately guessed most of the story.

Going now was a one-in-ten-thousand chance of survival!

Niu Zidong quickly spoke, "Gang Leader, it must be that bastard Zhang Guangqun deceiving us! We should retreat!"

Though Zhao Honglie had his suspicions, he was unwilling to give up completely.

"What are you afraid of? No matter how strong Liu Yuanhu is, he can’t kill you instantly, can he? Just check the situation. If it’s hopeless, retreat. If there’s an opening, signal with an arrow, and I’ll send reinforcements!"

Zhao Honglie’s tone was severe, his gaze icy. His right hand was already resting on the hilt of his longsword.

The meaning was clear—if Niu Zidong dared refuse, his head would roll.

Having served Zhao Honglie for years, Niu Zidong knew his temper well.

Though he held a high position in the Black Sand Gang, defying Zhao Honglie would only mean his death by that same swift and merciless blade!

Niu Zidong took two hurried steps back. "Gang Leader, calm your anger. I’ll go!"

With that, he mounted a fast horse and galloped toward the County Magistrate’s residence.

Inside the inner courtyard of the County Magistrate’s residence—

At Liu Yuanhu’s signal, archers who had been lying in ambush on the city walls immediately launched their attack.

The sharp sound of arrows streaking through the air filled the sky, and countless arrows rained down like a storm.

Of the Zhao and Lu family members, only the Blood Refining Realm and Jade Skin Realm martial artists could put up some resistance. The rest were pierced full of arrows within moments, falling like sieves.

After a volley of arrows, only a handful of people from both families remained standing.

By this time, Niu Zidong had crept into the inner courtyard of the County Magistrate’s residence.

"Who’s there?!"

Men on Liu Yuanhu’s side shouted sharply when they heard movement.

As soon as they spotted Niu Zidong, someone immediately charged to chase him down.

Through the gaps, Niu Zidong finally got a clear view of the courtyard.

"Mo Chen, the Copper-Headed Iron-Bodied!"

Upon seeing Mo Chen in the pavilion, Han Lu was so terrified that his soul nearly left his body. Stumbling, he fled toward the exit in a panic.

The distance from the inner courtyard to the outer hall was over sixty meters, yet Han Lu covered it in just two to three breaths.

Leaping onto his horse, he kicked its flank with all the strength he could muster.

"Run! Run faster!"

The horse, stung, neighed sharply and galloped madly toward the city gates.

Liu Yuanhu, spotting Niu Zidong, immediately picked up speed, bypassing Lu Kong and the others to give chase.

"Brother Mo, quickly assist me!"

"Capture those five remaining survivors at once! Rendezvous at the gates!"

After issuing commands in rapid succession, Liu Yuanhu rushed out of the County Magistrate’s residence in pursuit of Niu Zidong.

Liu Yuanhu had already briefed Mo Chen about the Black Sand Gang’s experts. Knowing that Niu Zidong was a big catch, he wouldn’t let him slip away.

Mo Chen grabbed a wine jug and dashed outside.

The remaining men swarmed toward Lu Kong and his companions.

Weakened by the aerial assault of arrows, Lu Kong and the others were far from their peak. Overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of attackers, they were hacked to death in under a minute.

Liu Yuanhu’s subordinates were proper soldiers, disciplined and superior to the Black Sand Gang and these martial clans in every way.

After finishing the fight in the courtyard, Liu Yuanhu’s forces promptly regrouped and formed ranks, heading toward the city outskirts.

Outside Canghe City—

After retreating with the Zhao family, Zhao Qingcheng gave Zhao Honglie a frosty glare, remaining silent.

Zhao Honglie, being the Gang Leader, was quick-witted.

With just one glance, he understood that Zhao Qingcheng had begun harboring suspicions toward him over this incident.

Giving Zhao Qingcheng an icy glance of his own, Zhao Honglie spoke in a sharp tone.

"That wretch Zhang Guangqun sure has some nerve to deceive me!"

"Men, go capture him and bring him here!"

Then, almost absentmindedly, Zhao Honglie gave Zhao Qingcheng another look and added, "I’ve already sent Niu Zidong to investigate. If the situation is beyond hope, we’ll withdraw for now."

In such precarious times, Zhao Honglie couldn’t afford to break ties with these martial clans. Without their support, the Black Sand Gang alone would struggle to contend with Liu Yuanhu.

As a Blood Refining Realm expert at the peak of perfection, Niu Zidong had a high status within the Black Sand Gang. Assigning him to scout the situation was a calculated move by Zhao Honglie to assuage Zhao Qingcheng and temporarily suppress the rift between them.