https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-65-Special-Civilian-Recruitment-Mission/13030786/
Chapter 66: The Heist, Once Again!
Chapter 66: The Heist, Once Again!
2017-09-25
With thanks to 'Not-So-Mighty Akun' and 'Money-Loser' for their generous rewards!
..............................................................................
Upon receiving the mission, Lu HaiKong couldn't stop thinking about how to accomplish it.
It was clear that brute force wouldn't work; he wasn't the leader of Wang Damazi's stronghold, and he only had a few dozen men under his command. While they could bully others, if Gao Shun were to show up, it would be the end for Lu HaiKong and his men.
Even if Lu HaiKong could withstand Gao Shun's attack, it wouldn't be a favorable situation. He wasn't just up against Gao Shun, but also Shanwu County. Lu HaiKong wasn't confident he could withstand the county's offensive.
The resources of a stronghold couldn't compare to a county with a population of over ten thousand!
Coincidentally, Zhang Feng and Li Yi had returned in the past two days, but their shivering state revealed their lack of confidence in Lu HaiKong's ability to repel the county's attack.
Surprisingly, they had some decency and didn't flee. This unexpected move caught Lu HaiKong off guard.
However, seeing their pathetic state, Lu HaiKong realized he couldn't rely on them for help.
Fortunately, Lu HaiKong had a plan of his own.
Ever since Lu HaiKong's previous heist, especially after killing over a hundred of Black Wind Fort's bandits, the Zhang family had significantly improved the protection of their caravans.
Previously, they only had a small team of ten with a near-vassal-level guard captain. Now, the guard team had expanded to a hundred, and there were three near-vassal-level guard captains. It was impressive for the Zhang family to have three such individuals as guards.
This force was almost on par with Black Wind Fort's bandits. However, the Zhang family had rarely sent out caravans recently, especially between Qiangyin and Shanwu counties, fearing Lu HaiKong's raids.
Today, as Shanwu County's bandit suppression campaign officially began, the Zhang family felt it was safe, and with the salt shortage, they had no choice but to restock. So, they set out with a grand caravan.
But the Zhang family was truly unlucky. They hadn't sent out caravans earlier or later; they chose to do so just when Lu HaiKong planned something, and with such a grand caravan! It was a suicidal move.
Lu HaiKong immediately targeted this caravan and launched an attack without hesitation.
This time, Lu HaiKong only had ten men with him. Previously, they had managed to take on the horse bandits with eleven people due to a well-prepared ambush, and there was a significant element of luck. Otherwise, they wouldn't have won so easily.
However, this time, facing the Zhang family's caravan, Lu HaiKong attacked without any preparation. His confidence stemmed from their mobility and long-range strike capability!
Lu HaiKong and his eleven men were all skilled riders, with 'Riding Skill' levels of at least five, matching ordinary horse bandits.
Among the guards, only a few near-vassal-level ones had horses, making them less mobile than Lu HaiKong's group, who thus held the initiative.
This battle, in truth, was not much to speak of. Despite the enemy's numerical and equipment advantage, Lu HaiKong held the absolute initiative, and his recent defeat of over a hundred horse bandits had greatly demoralized the opposing forces from the start.
With this advantage, Lu HaiKong's group repeatedly utilized their superior mobility, circling the merchant caravan, further shattering the enemy's morale with long-range archery attacks. Finally, the eleven riders charged in, and within minutes, the escort squad's formation was broken. After slaughtering a portion of the soldiers, the battle's outcome was all but certain.
The only twist in the entire fight was when three nearly-vassal-level escort leaders, unwilling to accept defeat, launched a joint assault on Lu HaiKong in a desperate attempt to turn the tide.
It was a bold idea, and these escort leaders were indeed brave and determined. The only flaw was their inadequate strength.
With an average strength of only around 35 points, they were no match for Lu HaiKong, especially when he wielded the Ornate Battle Axe.
The three escort leaders charged on horseback through the crowd towards Lu HaiKong, all armed with long spears. One on the left, one on the right, and one directly in front, they attacked from three directions, leaving Lu HaiKong with nowhere to escape.
But Lu HaiKong didn't dodge or evade; he simply lifted the Ornate Battle Axe and struck twice. The first swing swept away the three spears, and the second cleaved the three escort leaders in half. Indeed, Lu HaiKong's initial bursts of power with the giant axe were utterly devastating!
This shocking display and the ensuing bloody scene instantly froze the escort squad's morale, and they lost all desire to resist, scattering in all directions.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
