Chapter 325: A Show of Force
Chapter 325: A Show of Force
After making the necessary preparations, Lu HaiKong set off with Han Ma and the Wild Wolf Guard. While only a few of them were visibly traveling, the true number of their entourage remained unknown, except to Lu HaiKong, who had made the arrangements. Even so, the Wild Wolf Guard's procession was already quite a spectacle.
The Wild Wolf Guard had been growing at a rate of ten members per month, and now their ranks had swelled to sixty.
Although the minimum Strength requirement for the Wild Wolf Guard was 40, all of its members were Indigenous NPCs, and their Strength had significantly improved since joining. Among the current sixty members, the lowest Strength was 45, and the highest was close to reaching 50.
Lu HaiKong had noticed the growth potential of Indigenous NPCs, which was something that Data NPCs lacked. However, he was unaware that this potential would not have been so easily unleashed without the influence of his hidden Talent aura.
The Wild Wolf Guard's formidable Strength was matched by their impressive treatment. Each member was equipped with a set of Light Cloud Armor, a Savage Wolf Blade, a Light Iron Shield, and a Light Cloud Crossbow. This configuration was only one Light Cloud Crossbow short of the equipment provided to the Elite Guards, but it was not the standard setup for the Wild Wolf Guard.
Initially, the Wild Wolf Guard was supposed to be equipped with Elite-level gear. However, during the previous raid on the Mega Fort, Lu HaiKong had temporarily given thirty sets of Elite-level equipment to Ye Junru's group, leaving the Wild Wolf Guard currently short of their standard configuration. As a temporary measure, they had to make do with this setup.
Despite this, the equipment was still impressive, and the nearly one hundred-strong procession made its way to Dingxiang County in a grand display.
By now, Lu HaiKong's influence in Dingxiang was semi-public, and he was considered a hidden powerhouse. If it wasn't necessary, he usually traveled without concealment, boldly riding on official roads, and no one dared to stop him.
Lu HaiKong and his group soon arrived outside Dingxiang County. As before, Lu HaiKong's men had prepared a tavern for their arrival, and although their coordination with Zhang He was good, Lu HaiKong still had no intention of going directly to the Prefectural Governor's Office.
Dingxiang was well-prepared for Lu HaiKong's arrival. Before he even reached the county, the streets around the tavern he had booked were cleared, and rows of soldiers stood at attention from the entrance to the tavern. It was a grand display of force.
As Lu HaiKong and his group approached the city gate, dozens of soldiers surrounded them.
"Lord Lu, you may enter, but please ask your men to disarm," the leading general said politely, his tone humble, but his face betraying his difficulty in delivering the message.
"Are you sure?" Lu HaiKong glanced at the general, his expression calm but exuding an air of authority.
Despite Lu HaiKong's usual carefree demeanor, he was now a formidable figure, and when he asserted himself, his presence was awe-inspiring. With a simple phrase and a glance, he intimidated the general into a cold sweat, leaving him speechless.
"Step aside!" Lu HaiKong commanded, riding forward. The general hesitated but ultimately lacked the courage to stop Lu HaiKong. He allowed Lu HaiKong and his group to enter the city.
This general was from the Wang Family of Dingxiang, who had the deepest understanding of Lu HaiKong's strength. When he first received the military order, he was almost scared to death. Fortunately, he was later informed that it was just a formality, and whether he stopped Lu HaiKong or not didn't matter.
On the other side, as Lu HaiKong entered the city gates, his brows furrowed once again. "The intelligence from Dingxiang County should be fully gathered soon. This situation here is definitely a major issue. They've only been sending minor news, it seems like two months is still too short."
Upon entering the city, Lu HaiKong realized the magnitude of the other party's forces. From the city gates to the tavern, they were filled with formidable soldiers and generals. The general at the gates was aware of Lu HaiKong's might, but the soldiers were not. They stared at Lu HaiKong's group with disdainful glares the entire way.
"Intimidation all the way, what is Zhang He up to? No, this style doesn't resemble Zhang He's. Could it be that the Governor of Dingxiang County has been replaced?"
Lu HaiKong was perplexed, not in the mood to argue with these common soldiers. He led the Wild Wolf Guard straight to the tavern.
Upon reaching the tavern, Lu HaiKong saw his subordinates pushed to the side. The entire tavern, both inside and out, was filled with the other party's soldiers and generals. As soon as Lu HaiKong arrived, their people immediately surrounded him, and this time, it was completely different from the encounter at the city gates.
These soldiers were all brought by Zhang Yang, and they stared at Lu HaiKong like wolves, ready to pounce. Their fierce demeanor almost made it seem like they were about to take down Lu HaiKong. In fact, if they could, they would have done so without hesitation.
"Are you Lu HaiKong?" The leading general scrutinized Lu HaiKong, looking down at him arrogantly.
"Yes!" Lu HaiKong replied nonchalantly.
The general was condescending, and his tone was asking for a beating: "My superior has ordered that you can only enter alone. The rest of your people must disarm and wait outside. Be sensible and put down your weapons."
Lu HaiKong's brows furrowed, and a hint of impatience appeared on his face: "Another intimidation? It never ends, does it? If I don't comply, what can you do to me?"
Upon hearing this, the general opposite him swiftly drew his sword from his waist: "How dare you! A mere bandit, being able to meet the Governor is already your greatest fortune..."
"Shut up!"
Before this guy could finish his sentence, Lu HaiKong stepped forward, brandishing the Savage Wilderness Axe in his hand.
(Chapter 1691)
Seeing Lu HaiKong's axe swing, the other party was not shocked but rather pleased. He had been ordered to make things difficult for Lu HaiKong, and what he wanted was to intimidate him. Ideally, he would take advantage of the opportunity to capture Lu HaiKong.
He had been worrying about how to make things difficult, and Lu HaiKong had conveniently delivered himself. He couldn't believe it himself; he, a commandant of the mighty Han Dynasty, couldn't defeat a bandit leader?
"You don't know when to give up. Watch as I teach you a lesson!"
As Lu HaiKong and the general faced off, inside the tavern, Zhang Yang and Zhang He stood by the window, observing the scene through the window's slit.
The two men witnessed the same situation, but their expressions were completely different. Zhang Yang smirked, his lips curling upwards, while Zhang He, standing beside him, had a slightly somber expression as he watched Lu HaiKong's reckless actions. He was too lazy to say anything.
"Do you know that the general in front of Lu HaiKong is called Niu Tie? He's a renowned powerhouse in Bing Province. With him here, even a river-crossing dragon would have to lie down and submit."
Zhang Yang turned with a smug look, but before his smile could fade, a scream of agony echoed. On Lu HaiKong's side, the general who had blocked him was split in two by Lu HaiKong's extreme violent axe strike.
That extremely bloody scene caused Zhang Yang's smile to freeze on his face.
(End of Chapter)
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