Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 211: Chapter 127: Night Raid!_2

”Let me remind everyone, civilians can be killed, but not too many of them. Otherwise, we risk provoking the anger of Red Cloud Prefecture, and even if we eliminate Liu Yuanhu, Canghe County still won’t fall into our hands.”

Upon hearing Lu Kong’s reminder, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

Although none of those present viewed the lowly peasants with any importance, when it came to their own interests and futures, they were naturally more cautious.

”I will make sure to warn them to prioritize killing martial artists.”

Everyone responded in agreement one after another.

Zhao Honglie nodded.

”Since that’s decided, start preparing. We strike tonight!”

Expressions ranging from eagerness to indifference to murderous intent filled the faces of those present as they dispersed.

...

Night fell.

The night was pitch black and suffocatingly dense. Tonight, the moonlight was weak, making it hard for ordinary people to see. Only martial artists, with their heightened vision and perception, could move freely.

Outside Gu’s Manor.

A total of forty martial artists stood silently in the shadows. Leading them were four figures radiating Qi Blood fluctuations—all masters of the Blood Refining Realm, at least of Small Success within the realm. The strongest among them, Lu Ming, was nearing Great Success in the Blood Refining Realm—a formidable strength, ranking in the top three of the Lu family.

Most of these martial artists belonged to the Lu family, while some were from the Black Sand Gang.

This force was already quite powerful.

Lu Ming, clad in a black combat outfit, spoke in a deep voice:

”Gu’s Manor has no more than thirty martial artists. Among them, there are three masters in the Blood Refining Realm. The strongest is Gu Jingang, a Small Success martial artist with innate brute strength. I’ll take care of him. Another Small Success martial artist is Gu Changming—Yusheng, you’ll handle him.”

”As for the third one, Gu Dajiang, he suffered injuries two years ago and isn’t much of a threat. You two handle him as quickly as possible, then assist us afterward!”

”Understood!”

Murderous intent and resolve gleamed in everyone’s eyes.

Gu’s Manor had pledged allegiance to Liu Yuanhu, making them natural enemies. If they didn’t take the opportunity to deal with these cronies now, they would become Liu Yuanhu’s assets during the final battle. If they failed to secure a victory this time, Liu Yuanhu would be on guard, making future attacks even harder, possibly even turning the tables against them.

They cherished this opportunity.

Still.

They were confident. A mere Gu’s Manor, with only three Blood Refining Realm martial artists, would be dealt with swiftly.

The martial artists waited silently.

The atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.

The night grew even darker. Lu Ming raised his head to glance at the sky, a surge of killing intent flaring in his eyes. He shouted heavily:

”Begin the operation!”

One by one, the martial artists pulled down the black cloths covering their faces, tightened their grips on their weapons, and sped toward Gu’s Manor with lightning speed.

At the outskirts of Gu’s Manor.

Gu Changming was patrolling with two martial artists. His mood was complicated. These days, Gu’s Manor was under Gu Jingang’s leadership. While the arrangement had been discussed and agreed upon with various conditions involved, the shift in status still left him somewhat uneasy.

”Once the chaos in Canghe County settles, Jingang will leave with the family...”

He shook his head, forcibly throwing aside that stray thought he shouldn’t have entertained.

”Let’s go. We’ll check over there.”

Gu Changming said to those at his side.

Suddenly.

A blood-curdling scream rang out from the distance, followed by an ear-piercing shriek that reverberated outside Gu’s Manor.

Gu Changming’s face darkened instantly, his heart sinking.

He bent his knees, leaped onto a rooftop, and gathered Qi Blood Power as he roared loudly:

”Enemy attack! Enemy attack! All units prepare to defend!!”

This was one of the several warning measures Gu’s Manor had instituted recently. It couldn’t have been triggered by mistake—there was only one possibility: the night guard had activated it in their dying moments!

”The enemy is here! How many of them could there be?”

Gu Changming’s heart instantly grew heavy.

From his vantage point, he could see only darkness. The warning device was installed far away, and the enemy’s forms weren’t yet visible. But the boldness alone spoke volumes.

”Quickly notify everyone! Have Master Gu prepare to defend!”

He shouted urgently. The two patrolling martial artists, faces pale with panic, quickly nodded and split up to relay the message.

Gu Changming stayed in place.

Continuing to shout about the enemy attack, the interior of Gu’s Manor began to stir as torchlights lit up. People were awakened by the shouts, and as the two messengers sprinted into the manor yelling, faint lights flickered one after another, and frightened eyes peeked out from windows and door seams.

Enemy attack!

A terrifying phrase.

Was it mountain bandits, roving brigands, or something else?

Ordinary villagers trembled and fretted, hoping that the defenses of the manor were strong enough to protect them.

Standing atop the tallest wooden watchtower, Gu Changming finally saw the enemy. From a rough glance, there were thirty to forty individuals, each agile and surely martial artists!

It was clear that many of them had reached the Blood Refining Realm—at least three or more!

”Damn it! So many martial artists? Has the Black Sand Gang made their move?”

Gu Changming’s pupils shrank as he grew increasingly anxious.

He leapt off the tower and raced into the heart of the manor.

Against such a large force, the heavy armor forged within the manor had to be used!

Otherwise, relying solely on the martial artists within might not be enough.

Inside Gu’s Manor.

With Gu Changming’s shouts reverberating across the skies, martial artists quickly awoke and rushed to the scene. Gu Jingang’s expression was grim. After reaching Great Success in the Blood Refining Realm, his heightened perception had allowed him to hear the warning device almost immediately upon activation. His reaction was swift, and he quickly began making preparations.

One set of heavy armor after another was donned by the martial artists, and soon, sixteen armored warriors stood before the group. These were Gu’s Manor’s top martial artists. The proximities of their residences allowed Gu Jingang to convene them swiftly.

He knew that anyone who dared raid at this time wouldn’t be a pushover.

After all, the apparent strength of Gu’s Manor was no secret. No one would dare attack without solid confidence.

Looking at these sixteen armored warriors and the powerful Qi Blood Power in his own body, Gu Jingang felt slightly more at ease. These were surprises the enemies wouldn’t have anticipated. In this moment, he was grateful he had seized control from the clan elders.

If not, he wouldn’t now be at Great Success in the Blood Refining Realm—a critical advantage.

Of course, what truly reassured him was the presence of someone even more powerful in the manor: Gu Sheng!

This gave him hope that the situation hadn’t spiraled out of control.

”Follow me to meet the enemy!”

Gu Jingang roared, leading the charge outside.

Halfway there, he encountered Gu Changming returning from scouting. Seeing Gu Jingang’s swift response and the heavy armor already distributed without needing a reminder, Gu Changming breathed a sigh of relief and rapidly described the enemy’s numbers and situation to the group.

Everyone’s hearts sank.

Gu Jingang’s eyes burned fiercely as he said:

”If it’s just these martial artists, what does Gu’s Manor have to fear!”

An armored martial artist could easily take on two opponents—or more. Coupled with Gu Jingang’s concealed Great Success in the Blood Refining Realm, they might even surpass the attacking force.

”Follow me to kill!”

Galvanized by Gu Jingang’s determination, fear in the hearts of the group began to dissipate. His bullish vigor was undeniably convincing.

Villagers huddled inside their homes, only able to feel the heavy footsteps thundering past.

Soon enough.

Gu Jingang and his men spotted their attackers: groups of agile martial artists dressed in black coming from afar. Though slowed by traps, they had suffered minimal casualties—perhaps a few injuries and one or two unlucky souls.

These traps were designed principally to stall and buy Gu’s Manor time to prepare for defense.

And they had served their purpose well.

Lu Ming was fuming inwardly. Initially, he had thought dealing with Gu’s Manor would be effortless.

But after killing just one night guard, their presence was exposed. Deciding to forcefully press forward, they then encountered various traps hindering their advance considerably.

At this point.

Having finally arrived, he stared at the defenders ahead—Gu’s Manor martial artists in full formation, particularly the dozen-odd clad in heavy armor—and his pupils narrowed sharply.

How could a small manor hold so many surprises?