Chapter 786: Sanctioning the Bandits

On the day of the market fair, over two thousand merchant households, totaling more than six thousand people, departed from Changle County. This scale was unprecedented.

Before Xu Yang's arrival, Yun San had imposed strict limits on the number of merchants attending the Changle County market fair, never exceeding five hundred households at a time. This was to avoid attracting the attention of powerful bandit groups. However, with Xu Yang now in full charge of this operation, there were no longer any such concerns.

Protecting over six thousand ordinary citizens with conventional forces would likely require the entire enforcement hall of a county to complete the escort mission. Yet, according to Xu Yang's plan, the Changle County Enforcement Hall deployed only three hundred members, placing one hundred individuals each on the left, center, and right flanks of the escorting market team. Such a seemingly meager escort team made it impossible not to be targeted.

As expected, the Three Strongholds bandits, stationed in the Hidden Mist Forest outside Changle County, all caught the scent of juicy fresh meat.

"Hahaha, boss, good news! This time, Yun San from Changle County must have lost his mind, sending out over two thousand merchant households for trade. And for some unknown reason, their Enforcement Hall only dispatched three hundred people for the escort. My guess is it has something to do with their previous competition with the Blazing Martial Hall! Yun San must have offended someone in the Enforcement Hall, and this time, the elders are deliberately making things difficult for him."

The third boss of the Three Strongholds shouted from their main headquarters on the mountaintop. Inside the main hall, the first and second bosses of the Three Strongholds eagerly rose upon hearing the news.

"Hahaha, this is excellent! Let them fight among themselves; we'll reap the benefits! Give the order: gather all three thousand of our Three Strongholds brothers for this operation! Good heavens! Over two thousand merchant households! If we pull this off, we'll be set for half a year!"

"Haha, eldest brother, I had the same thought. If we succeed with this one, our brothers should celebrate and take a good rest."

The first boss, seated on the tiger-head chair in the center, was very pleased and stood up. "My command! Everyone move out! Brothers, grab your weapons and follow me! Time to slaughter the fat sheep!"

The formidable bandit troop of the Three Strongholds rushed down the mountain and set up numerous ambushes early in the outer Hidden Mist Forest, waiting for the Changle County trade caravan to pass through again. However, they never dreamed that this mission would utterly destroy the Three Strongholds' renowned reputation. Daring to target Changle County, their three leaders were certainly the first to face the consequences.

That afternoon, the immense trade caravan had just entered the boundary of the Hidden Mist Forest, which was also the most dangerous part of their unavoidable route. The Three Strongholds bandits were stationed in the Hidden Mist Forest precisely because its terrain was extremely treacherous. Moreover, it was a vital pass connecting five nearby counties. Any trade caravan they targeted was typically attacked here. After a successful raid, they would quickly retreat into the Hidden Mist Forest, making it extremely difficult for even a sufficiently large enforcement hall to pursue and eliminate them.

Unfortunately, this time they had kicked an iron plate.

"Charge! Brothers, surround this entire Changle County trade caravan! Don't let a single one escape!" The first boss suddenly let out a furious roar. The horn of charge instantly sounded, and the entire bandit force of the Three Strongholds swarmed out.

Undoubtedly, the unsuspecting citizens of Changle County visibly panicked. They dared not resist, falling to their knees, clutching their heads, and crying hysterically. After all, for these townspeople, having one or two months' worth of savings suddenly plundered by bandits meant their lives would plunge into misery.

"Hahaha, eldest brother, this time we're truly going to get rich! Over two thousand merchant households – these goods will nearly fill all three of our storehouses!" The third boss laughed hysterically.

At the same time, the three hundred Enforcement Hall disciples within the team clashed with these sturdy, robust bandits.

"Now! Come with me!" With Xu Yang's command from his hidden spot nearby, the Five Great Dharma Kings personally led five hundred Enforcement Hall disciples out, unleashing havoc and completely disrupting the Three Strongholds bandits' encirclement rhythm.

"Damn it, how did this happen? So many people suddenly appeared?" The first boss of the Three Strongholds was stunned, grabbing the third boss next to him and pulling him forward. "Third brother, is this the information you gave us? You've completely screwed us over! This isn't just a mere three hundred-man team; it's a force of over a thousand!"

"Hahaha, eldest brother, what are you afraid of? Even if they bring another thousand, how can they be a match for our warriors? Just confront them head-on!"

The first boss didn't think much further. After all, according to the third boss, Xu Yang's side only totaled a little over a thousand people. Even in a direct confrontation, it was common sense that bandits, especially these fierce ones, were much stronger in combat than ordinary Enforcement Hall disciples. "Fine, since they're here, we can't just run back. We might as well go all the way and cut down all these Enforcement Hall disciples!"

As soon as the first boss finished speaking, he actually charged directly towards Xu Yang's location.

"Kid, you've got guts, daring to scheme against our Three Strongholds bandit force." Xu Yang glanced at the first boss before him with a look as if he were looking at a dog. "Do you believe I could kill you with a single fart?"

Xu Yang's sudden remark thoroughly amused the first boss before him. "Hahaha, what kind of fool crawled out of a rock crevice? You don't even value your own life, coming here to challenge me, the Great King! What an idiot! If I don't beat you until you soil yourself today, you can write my name backward!"

The first boss seemed to see a greenhorn who didn't know his place, instantly becoming incredibly excited, wanting to slay Xu Yang in front of everyone. However, as he raised his large saber high, preparing to strike Xu Yang's head, he suddenly felt an immensely powerful aura swiftly coursing through his meridians, forcefully stopping his downward swing. The first boss distinctly felt as if his entire body had been electrocuted, completely unable to move even an inch.

"How can this be? My arm isn't obeying me!"

Xu Yang coldly glanced at him, then calmly used two fingers to lightly flick the blade in his hand. In an instant, the sharp edge shattered. The first boss's century-old treasured saber was thus effortlessly pulverized by Xu Yang with just two fingers.

The first boss was utterly dumbfounded. He finally understood that this was nothing but a trap!