45: Breaking Crossbow

"Follow them and see. Be careful, keep your distance."

The two trailed far behind the team, using the terrain for cover.

The team was highly vigilant, sending out riders to scout ahead, behind, and to the sides from time to time. Lin Mo and Lei Meng had to stop and hide several times.

After tracking for about an hour, a weathered stone forest appeared ahead. The team entered the stone forest and disappeared within it.

Lin Mo and Lei Meng did not rush in, but instead found a hidden spot on the outskirts of the stone forest to observe.

Before long, faint sounds of metal clashing and commands could be heard from within the stone forest! It seemed there was more to it than met the eye, and a considerable number of people!

"There's a stronghold inside!" Lei Meng's eyes widened.

Lin Mo carefully observed the entrance to the stone forest and found that while it appeared natural, there were two extremely well-hidden sentry posts. If his eyesight hadn't been far superior to ordinary people's and his observation so meticulous, he wouldn't have discovered them at all.

"This place is not simple." Lin Mo said in a deep voice, "Let's retreat.

This place is some distance from Black Wind Gorge, yet such a secret stronghold is hidden here. It's very likely related to Black Wind Gorge, perhaps even an important material transfer station or a secret Nest for them."

The two quietly retreated, erased their tracks, and returned to the camp.

In the evening, Liu Qingli and Chen Feng also returned one after another.

Liu Qingli reported: "The eastern entrance of Black Wind Gorge is heavily guarded, with overt and covert sentries intertwined. About fifty people are stationed there, changing shifts every two hours. There are fixed crossbow positions on the cliff face. A frontal assault would be extremely difficult."

Chen Feng said: "The south side is a cliff, impossible to climb. But five li south, below a broken cliff, fresh horse dung and cart tracks were found, leading southwest, roughly consistent with the direction of the stone forest you discovered."

With the information compiled, the clues gradually became clear.

The Black Wind Gorge Horse Bandits not only occupied the gorge but also had a secret stronghold in the desolate stone forest to the southwest, and an unidentified team was transporting heavy goods there.

"What that team is transporting is very likely military equipment or other contraband materials."

Lin Mo analyzed, "The stone forest stronghold might be their warehouse, or a secret location for transactions with the outside world."

"Then what do we do?" Lei Meng asked, "Do we directly take down that stone forest stronghold? Or do we stick to the original plan of attacking Black Wind Gorge?"

Lin Mo pondered for a moment.

"Split up."

He made a decision, "Senior Sister Liu, Senior Brother Chen, you take Fang Han, return to Resting Horse Town, and secretly report the situation of the stone forest stronghold we discovered to the Prefectural City garrison or trustworthy Patrol Inspection Department officials through the Liu family's channels.

Be careful not to use Qinglan City's channels, lest the news leak."

Liu Qingli frowned: "You want us to call for reinforcements? What about you and Lei Meng?"

"Senior Brother Lei and I will sneak into the stone forest stronghold to investigate the specific situation inside. It would be best if we could capture someone alive to find out what they are doing and with whom they are trading."

Lin Mo's eyes were sharp, "If there's an opportunity, we'll create chaos or try to burn the supplies."

"That's too risky!" Chen Feng objected, "The situation there is unclear. If the two of you go in and are discovered..."

"Precisely because the situation is unclear, we need to go in and see."

Lin Mo said, "We are confident in protecting ourselves. Moreover, if there really is a large quantity of military equipment stored, it must be investigated as soon as possible. Once they transfer or activate it, the harm will be even greater."

Liu Qingli looked at Lin Mo's determined eyes, knowing she couldn't persuade him, and finally nodded: "Alright. We will bring back reinforcements as quickly as possible. You two... please be extremely careful."

"Don't worry." Lin Mo smiled.

That night, Liu Qingli, Chen Feng, and Fang Han quietly left the camp and rushed back to Resting Horse Town overnight.

Lin Mo and Lei Meng, on the other hand, once again stealthily approached the outskirts of the stone forest, looking for an opportunity to infiltrate.

The night was deep, and the wind howled across the desolate plains.

The hidden sentry at the stone forest entrance was still there, but Lin Mo had noted their shift change time during the day.

zi hour was when people were most fatigued.

"Senior Brother Lei, you'll provide support here. I'll go in to investigate.

If I don't come out after an hour, or if there's intense fighting, you immediately withdraw and return to Resting Horse Town to rendezvous with Senior Sister Liu," Lin Mo instructed.

"No! I'm coming in with you!" Lei Meng glared.

"Two people are too big a target. My movement technique is better than yours, making me more suitable for infiltration. This is an order." Lin Mo's tone was unquestionable.

Lei Meng opened his mouth, then finally grunted and nodded: "Then be careful! I'll be waiting right here!"

Lin Mo changed into night clothes, covering his face, leaving only his eyes exposed. He took a deep breath, his internal qi circulating, and the Mind-Cultivation Technique of Willow Catkin Following the Wind Step silently operated.

Spotting a gap in the patrol after the hidden sentry change, his figure floated out like a phantom, so fast that it only left a faint afterimage in the moonlight, silently approaching the stone forest entrance.

The entrance was narrow, with towering rock walls on both sides.

Lin Mo hugged the shadows, moving like a gecko, avoiding a simple tripwire trap at the entrance, and successfully infiltrated the interior of the stone forest.

The interior of the stone forest was more expansive than imagined, with countless naturally formed Pillars standing tall, creating a maze-like terrain.

Lin Mo restrained his aura, heightened his five senses to their limit, catching the sound of the wind, insects, and faint human voices and metal friction.

He stealthily followed the sounds, rounded a few massive Pillars, and his view suddenly opened up.

In an open space surrounded by the stone forest, more than a dozen simple tents and wooden sheds were conspicuously set up!

Many tarpaulin-covered supplies were piled in the central clearing, and dozens of warhorses were tethered nearby.

Figures flickered, numbering about seventy or eighty people, most of them resting, a few on patrol.

And on the edge of the clearing, a larger tent was brightly lit, with voices of conversation coming from within.

Lin Mo climbed a thick Pillar like a nimble cat, observing from above, holding his breath.

The tent flap was lifted, and two people walked out.

One of them was tall, with a coarse face, one eye blind and covered by a black eye patch, exuding a fierce aura. He was clearly a Martial Artist of Great Accomplishment of Muscle cultivation! This person should be Black Wind Fiend.

But the other person made Lin Mo's pupils suddenly contract!

That person wore ordinary gray strong attire, but Lin Mo recognized him!

It was the Advisor-like person who had secretly met with the second boss of the Black Wolf Gang outside Advisor Hu's residence in Yongning Ward, Qinglan City, back then! He was the trusted aide of City Lord Li Chongshan, surnamed Hu!

Advisor Hu and Black Wind Fiend were conversing in low voices, smiles on their faces.

"...Mr. Hu, rest assured, this batch of goods will be arranged to be sent away tonight via Eagle Ravine Trail, guaranteed to be undetectable." Black Wind Fiend patted his chest.

"With Black Wind Gang Leader handling affairs, the City Lord naturally feels at ease."

Advisor Hu chuckled, "It's just that the rumors are tight recently. A few brats from the Martial Arts Academy in Qinglan City seem to be looking for trouble with the Gang Leader. The Lord wants the Gang Leader to be careful."

"Brats from the Martial Arts Academy?" Black Wind Fiend scoffed, "I've killed countless Martial Artists. If they dare to come, it'll just be a sacrifice for my brothers' blades!"

"Don't be careless." Advisor Hu said sternly, "The leader is named Lin Mo, he has some skill, even Zhao Kun fell into his hands.

The City Lord's meaning is, if they really come knocking, don't hold back, but keep your hands clean. It's best to make it look like a Horse Bandits' ambush."

"Understood!" A fierce glint flashed in Black Wind Fiend's eyes.

Advisor Hu then took a small pouch from his Huai and handed it to Black Wind Fiend: "This is extra hard-earned money from the City Lord for the Gang Leader and his brothers.

Also, regarding the gang-breaking crossbows the Gang Leader mentioned last time, the City Lord has already acquired five units and will send them together next time."

gang-breaking crossbows! Military heavy crossbows specifically designed to break a Martial Artist's protective internal qi and even True Qi! Their control is extremely strict!