Chapter 16: A Resounding Victory

Wang Wu was like an unstoppable wild bull; the bandits on horseback in front of him couldn’t get past even one move before being cut down to the ground. Time and again, he leapt high, each leap taking down an opponent, swiftly advancing until he stood before the second-in-command.

The second-in-command held the reins tightly, aware of his own advantages. For a while, the two clashed fiercely, neither able to gain the upper hand. Meanwhile, Ning Ye moved along the battlefield’s edge, ruthlessly reaping lives.

The men Ning Ye had brought had already been hardened through three battles; they could not afford to die here so easily. Whenever someone was in urgent danger, Ning Ye would shoot a crossbow bolt without hesitation. After all, there were only a few dozen of them. If they fled, Ning Ye could not pursue, but if they stayed to fight, he would show them what true despair meant.

As the number of enemies dwindled, the second-in-command sensed the dire situation. After a swift strike that pushed Wang Wu back, he turned and fled. He didn’t understand exactly why he had lost, but he knew well that as long as the mountains remained, there would be firewood—meaning survival was still possible.

He had already made his way through the hard days here; even if he moved elsewhere, he could rise again. There was no need to waste his precious life here. He had hidden plenty of gold and silver, along with many beauties waiting to be enjoyed; he would not die alongside these men.

With the second-in-command’s flight, the remaining bandits fell into a state of low morale. Wang Wu’s face was filled with disdain. If the second-in-command had chosen to fight to the death, he would have respected the opponent; but now, he was nothing more than a coward who ran away.

Despite their greater numbers and apparent advantage, they still fled. Wang Wu raised his crossbow, aimed at the back of the fleeing second-in-command, and fired a bolt that pierced deeply, knocking him off his horse.

No one rushed to save the fleeing man. Wang Wu raised his broad blade high, and as it came down, the second-in-command quickly begged for mercy, “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me. I still have money to buy my life. If you spare me, I will give you all my wealth.”

Wang Wu halted his blade and coldly said, “The one who decides your fate is not me. But since you still have some value, I’ll spare your life for now.”

Wang Wu did not return to the battlefield. The fight was nearly over, and his intervention was no longer needed.

***

Half a tea’s time later, the battle was truly finished. Thanks to Ning Ye’s aid, no new casualties had occurred. But it would be at least ten or fifteen days before any of them could fight again.

Ning Ye ordered his men to leave no survivors, then walked over to Wang Wu.

“Why keep this one alive?” he asked.

“Sir, he claims to have hidden a great deal of gold and silver. He hopes you will decide what to do,” came the reply.

Ning Ye nodded. “So he has some private stash. I still don’t know where they put the spoils they took, so having a guide is useful.”

The second-in-command quickly spoke up, “I can tell you exactly where the things we plundered are hidden. But can you spare my life?”

“Are you bargaining with me? Whether you live will depend on my mood after you hand everything over.”

The second-in-command’s face stiffened, but he understood clearly: he was like meat on the chopping block, with no right to negotiate.

Whether he lived or died depended entirely on this young man’s mercy.

Without delay, Ning Ye naturally would not let these spoils, which rightfully belonged to him, slip away. By the time everything was finished, dawn was breaking.

Fortunately, the bandits’ horses had been a considerable help. After piling all the goods onto carts, Ning Ye personally selected an exceptionally magnificent white horse—originally belonging to the chief bandit.

Mounted upon the white steed, Ning Ye cracked his whip, leading several carts behind him.

Wang Wu and the others were drenched in blood from head to toe, yet under the rising sun, they laughed heartily.

A faint smile curled at Ning Ye’s lips. From today onward, his men would be reborn.

As for the second-in-command, his head now hung upon a cart—alive survival was impossible.

All the bandits’ heads had been severed by Ning Ye. These were important trophies, used to assert authority and prove his dominance.

The remaining two large carts were filled with the grain, clothing, antiques, paintings, and treasures the bandits had stolen.

***

Facing the rising sun, Ning Ye led his troops toward Qingyuan County.

Along the way, some early risers heading to the market witnessed this awe-inspiring scene.

If not for the fact that Ning Ye and his men wore no military uniforms, many would have believed this was an elite force from somewhere.

Wherever they passed, people shied away, not daring to come near them.

When they reached the city gates, Ning Ye halted. The soldiers guarding the city were, of course, Lin Changhe’s personal guards.

This time, the guards were fully prepared with their brothers beside them, for from a distance they had already seen the mountain of severed heads.

Uncertain whether friend or foe, they instinctively sensed something serious had occurred.

Only when they recognized the rider as Ning Ye did they breathe a sigh of relief.

“Ning, could these really all be bandit heads?” one asked.

Ning Ye smiled. “If they’re not bandits, then who else? Do you think I’d dare kill innocent people for glory?”

“Hey, Ning, of course not. But we still need to inspect—if it’s convenient?”

“By all means, check as you like. I need to enter the city anyway.”

The heads of the bandit leaders were piled at the front, visible to anyone with eyes.

After confirming Ning Ye was no impostor, the guard’s eyes brimmed with admiration.

“Never expected you’d deal with these scoundrels so quickly, Ning. I’ll notify the others. Ning, you should head to the county office now.”

Ning Ye nodded slightly, then waved for his men to enter the city, the heads coming along with them.

This was a message to all in Qingyuan County: from now on, there was one more person not to be trifled with.