43: Building momentum

"Senior Sister Liu." Lin Mo nodded. "I want to try."

"The Black Wind Fiend is not easy to deal with. Last year, the prefecture city sent a team of elite soldiers to suppress him, but they were repelled by him using the terrain, suffering significant losses."

Liu Qingli reminded him, "Moreover, the current situation in the Northern Border is delicate. There might be shadows of other forces behind the Horse Bandits."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister," Lin Mo said. "Because of that, it's even more reason to go and see. A Martial Artist has the responsibility to root out the strong and help the weak, protecting the borders and the people."

Liu Qingli looked at him deeply and suddenly said, "Count me in."

Lin Mo was taken aback.

"I have been stuck at the Peak of the Great Accomplishment of Muscle for some time now; I need a true life-and-death struggle to seek an opportunity for a Breakthrough." Liu Qingli's tone was flat but carried determination.

"Furthermore, the terrain of Black Wind Gorge is complex. I once traveled nearby with my Family's merchant caravan and know a thing or two about it. If we join forces, our chances of winning will be greater."

Lin Mo pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "Good. With Senior Sister's help, the certainty of this trip increases greatly. I still need to find two or three more reliable helpers."

"How about Lei Meng?"

Liu Qingli suggested, "Though he is impulsive, his combat power is impressive, and his body-tempering skills are solid, making him suitable for a frontal assault. Moreover, his Family has some business in the Northern Border, so he's familiar with the situation there."

"Acceptable." Lin Mo agreed. Lei Meng had a straightforward personality, but he was loyal enough and had sufficient strength.

"We're still short one person..." Lin Mo mused.

In the Hidden Dragon Academy, there were fewer than ten Disciples at or above the Major Achievement of Muscle stage. Each had their own affairs or backgrounds; those who were trustworthy and willing to take risks were few.

"Perhaps... you could ask Chen Feng," Liu Qingli said. "His cultivation is similar to mine, his sword techniques are sharp, and he owes you a favor."

Chen Feng. Lin Mo recalled that taciturn swordsman.

In the previous monthly competition, Chen Feng had narrowly lost to him but was thoroughly convinced of his defeat. Afterward, he had proactively exchanged insights on sword techniques with him.

"It's worth a try."

The two split up to contact them.

As soon as Lei Meng heard there was a fight to be had and high contribution points involved, he agreed without a second thought.

After hearing Lin Mo's plan, Chen Feng remained silent for a moment before also nodding his agreement.

Thus, the team was assembled: Lin Mo, Liu Qingli (Peak of Great Accomplishment of Muscle), Chen Feng (Major Achievement of Muscle), and Lei Meng (Peak of Minor Achievement in Tendon Transformation, though his actual defense and strength were close to Major Achievement).

The four agreed to set out in three days, each making their own preparations.

Lin Mo returned to his courtyard and immediately began making arrangements.

"This trip to Black Wind Gorge will take ten days at the fastest, and half a month at the slowest."

He said to his core Death Warriors, "During my absence, the affairs of Qinglan City and Qingyuan Town will be overseen by Four, with Two and Three assisting."

"Four, your primary task is to ensure the smooth operation of the Hundred Herbs Hall, the Escort Agency, and various strongholds, and to be alert for any probing or suppression from the City Lord's Mansion or other unknown forces. If you encounter an emergency, you may use the reserved contingency plans; if necessary, you can abandon some peripheral industries to preserve the core."

"Yes."

"Two, Three, the intelligence work must not stop. Key points: First, monitor any abnormal movements of the City Lord's Mansion, City Guard, and Patrol Inspection Department. Second, keep an eye on whether more suspicious elements have mixed in among the refugees. Third, collect news on the Northern Border war, especially anything related to the vicinity of Black Wind Gorge. Fourth, maintain contact with the 107 squad and provide daily briefings."

"Six, step up the stockpiling of various healing, detoxifying, and recovery Medicinal Pills, especially those for blade wounds and miasma poisoning. Within three days, I want to see a month's supply for thirty people."

"Five, continue researching the rusted sword. Try nourishing it with different internal qi attributes and frequencies to see if you can establish a more stable connection or obtain more information regarding the state of the Seal."

"Fang Han." Lin Mo looked at the youth standing nearby. "You will come with me."

Fang Han's eyes lit up. "Yes, Young Master!"

"This is not a pleasure trip; it is a struggle. Your task is to handle logistics, look after the horses, guard the camp, and observe and learn at close range. Unless I order it, you are not to participate in frontal combat."

"Disciple understands!" Fang Han nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination.

Three days later, in the early morning.

Outside the Hidden Dragon Academy, five swift horses were ready.

Lin Mo, Liu Qingli, Chen Feng, Lei Meng, and Fang Han were all dressed in neat martial attire, carrying weapons and necessary supplies.

At Lin Mo's waist, besides the cloth-wrapped rusted sword, there was an additional fine steel longsword for daily use.

Liu Qingli carried a longsword, as did Chen Feng, while Lei Meng carried a thick-backed cleaver, and Fang Han brought a bow, arrows, and a short blade.

"Our destination is Black Wind Gorge." Lin Mo flipped onto his horse. "During the journey, all actions will follow my command. You may raise objections, but orders must be executed."

"Understood!" Lei Meng grinned.

Liu Qingli and Chen Feng also nodded slightly.

"Depart!"

The five riders left the martial academy, exited through the North Gate, and galloped along the official road toward the Northern Border.

Meanwhile, in the study of the City Lord's Mansion in Qinglan City.

Li Chongshan listened to his confidant's report, his face gloomy.

"Lin Mo took the mission to exterminate Black Wind Gorge? And he took Liu Qingli, Chen Feng, and Lei Meng with him?"

"Yes. They departed this morning."

"He certainly knows how to pick a time." Li Chongshan snorted coldly. "That idiot Black Wind Fiend has been making too much noise lately, attracting attention from above. It's the perfect chance to kill with a borrowed knife."

"My Lord, should we..." The confidant made a gesture.

"No need." Li Chongshan waved his hand, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes.

"Let them fight. The Black Wind Fiend is no pushover. Even if they win, it will be a pyrrhic victory. If they lose... Sun Changqing's face at the martial academy will surely be quite a sight."

He paused and lowered his voice. "That batch of goods—how is the transfer going?"

"Last night, everything was moved out of the city through the secret tunnel. It was split into three routes; one of them is taking the Eagle Ravine Trail north of Black Wind Gorge and should pass through tonight."

"Black Wind Gorge..." Li Chongshan's fingers tapped the table. "Notify our people. If Lin Mo and the others actually reach the vicinity of Black Wind Gorge, give the Black Wind Fiend a little help. Do it cleanly."

"Yes!"

The confidant withdrew. Li Chongshan walked to the window and gazed toward the north.

"Third Highness, the momentum you wanted is already being built. I only hope that what you promised me will not be reneged upon when the time comes..."

On the official road, the sound of horse hooves clattered.

Lin Mo led the way, while his mind quickly sorted through the intelligence regarding Black Wind Gorge.

Black Wind Gorge was located in the buffer zone between the northern border of Qinglan Prefecture and the grasslands. It was a treacherous canyon about ten miles long, with steep cliffs on both sides and a narrow passage in the middle, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.

The bandit leader, Black Wind Fiend—real name unknown—had suddenly appeared five years ago, gathering outlaws to entrench themselves there.

This person was highly skilled in martial arts, ruthless, and proficient in mounted archery, coming and going like the wind.

In recent years, as friction in the Northern Border intensified and border controls loosened, the Black Wind Gorge Horse Bandits had become increasingly rampant. They not only plundered merchant caravans but even dared to attack small border army patrols and villages, becoming a scourge of the Northern Border.

But strangely, several suppression attempts by the prefecture city had all returned empty-handed. There were even rumors that the Black Wind Fiend had someone in the government and could always receive news in advance.

"Junior Brother Lin, fifty miles ahead is Resting Horse Town. We can stay there tonight." Liu Qingli urged her horse forward to ride alongside Lin Mo.

"Resting Horse Town..." Lin Mo recalled the map. "It's a key node on the northern official road, with frequent merchant travel. Perhaps we can hear the latest news about Black Wind Gorge there."

"Exactly." Liu Qingli nodded. "My Family has an inn in the town; I can make arrangements."