Chapter 79: Li Yi's Ambition
Chapter 79: Li Yi's Ambition
September 25, 2017
Special thanks to 'Zhai Nan Jian Xi', 'Yin Mo Ai Yi', 'Can Xue Jing Luo Wu Hen', and 'Huan Meng Yong Yi' for their generous support!
........................................................................
With Gao Shun's inaction, Lu Hai Kong's breakout was ridiculously easy.
He crushed everyone in his path with sheer brute strength, and not a single person could stop him, even a little. Moreover, Lu Hai Kong was cunning; knowing that his group lacked horses, he didn't take the official road or the mountain path after breaking out. Instead, he headed straight into the depths of the mountains and disappeared without a trace in no time.
Along the way, Lu Hai Kong was perplexed by his sudden surge in strength. How could his breakout be so smooth and effortless? He had no idea that Gao Shun had played a significant role in his easy escape.
Lu Hai Kong's successful escape meant that Zhang Ke's five-day-long operation, which had cost the lives of nearly a thousand soldiers, had failed.
As the overall commander in the latter part of the battle, Gao Shun was in for some tough times. However, just as Gao Shun had anticipated, the Zhang family, while making things difficult for him, had no intention of killing him, especially since he was currently their only valuable asset in restraining Lu Hai Kong.
Zhang Ke himself was also aware that Gao Shun had hardly made any mistakes throughout the operation. Even at the end, it was Zhang Ke's refusal to heed Gao Shun's advice that allowed Lu Hai Kong to seize the opportunity and break out smoothly. Moreover, post-battle intelligence confirmed that Lu Hai Kong had indeed intended to break out from the cliff, but his men had rushed things and botched the otherwise solid encirclement.
Regardless, the operation had failed, and the leading party, the Zhang family, suffered heavy losses.
In contrast to the gloomy atmosphere in Shanwu County, Lu Hai Kong's side should have been more cheerful. After all, not only had Lu Hai Kong and his men significantly improved their strength, but they had also broken out successfully. Although they didn't hold out until the predetermined time, the outcome was still favorable. Lu Hai Kong was only a few days away from completing his task, and he had dealt a heavy blow to Shanwu County, which would likely take some time to recover.
With this, Lu Hai Kong's task seemed all but guaranteed. It was time for him to return home, open his small map, and find a suitable location to establish his own mountain fortress.
........................................................................
Inside Wang Damaizi's fortress, Li Yi and Zhang Feng huddled in a corner, with Zhang Feng looking conflicted and troubled.
"Do we really have to do this? Isn't it a bit dangerous?" Zhang Feng asked anxiously.
Li Yi's face twisted into a sinister grin. "I wouldn't want to do this either if I had a choice, but you saw how that guy had no intention of accepting us! Even though he didn't say it, he never trusted us. Don't forget how we first encountered him."
"But he's been treating us well lately!"
"Well-treated? Nonsense!" Li Yi scoffed, then added bitterly, "You've seen his NPC subordinates. They've all developed strength points, and they're all at the 'Bandit Chief' level. But look at us; we're still at the 'Mountain Bandit Leader' level. That guy has no intention of helping us improve."
"What does that tell you? It shows that subconsciously, he's still wary of us, still guarding against us. Following him won't lead us to any better days. Moreover, right now, we have a chance, a chance for us to rise!"
Li Yi's eyes burned with ambition, his face flushed with determination.
Li Yi, a low-level mountain bandit chief, never had the courage to betray Lu Hai Kong, not only because they shared the same bandit identity but also because Lu Hai Kong was simply too powerful. The gap between the two was immense.
Under such circumstances, Li Yi had always been obedient. However, during Lu Hai Kong's absence, Li Yi encountered a man who ignited his ambition—Li Xiong, the very man Lu Hai Kong had captured and imprisoned in the mountain fortress.
Lu Hai Kong had kept Li Xiong alive as he still found him useful, locking him up with a horse bandit. During Lu Hai Kong's absence, Li Yi had to deliver meals to Li Xiong, and thus, they had the opportunity to interact.
Li Xiong was no ordinary man. Though not physically strong, he excelled in social skills and diplomacy, which was why he handled most of the external affairs for Dark Wind Fort.
With his keen insight, Li Xiong quickly discerned Li Yi's hidden ambition during their interactions. Seizing the opportunity when Li Yi delivered meals, Li Xiong began to subtly drive a wedge between Li Yi and Lu Hai Kong.
Li Yi had long harbored grievances against Lu Hai Kong, and with Li Xiong's prodding, he was easily incited. However, Li Yi was initially cautious, lacking the courage to rebel and not fully trusting Li Xiong.
Sometimes, all it takes is a small opening. Once that breach is made, the rest becomes incredibly easy, especially with Li Xiong's expertise in such matters.
Li Xiong understood Li Yi's various grievances against Lu Hai Kong, and he knew the two reasons why Li Yi dared not rebel. Firstly, Li Yi's bandit identity prevented him from seeking a better life, and he feared losing Lu Hai Kong's protection. Secondly, Lu Hai Kong was simply too powerful for Li Yi to challenge.
In the 1691st chapter of the novel, Li Yi's concerns were addressed.
After understanding Li Yi's apprehensions, Li Xiong easily persuaded him. Soon, under Li Xiong's influence, Li Yi began secretly descending the mountain to deliver messages for Li Xiong.
On the fourth day of Lu Hai Kong's absence, Li Xiong's message reached Dark Wind Fort. In return, Li Yi's status had already elevated from a mere bandit chief to a bandit leader, significantly enhancing his strength.
"Listen, Zhang Feng," Li Yi said, his face glowing with anticipation. "Tomorrow, ten Near-Vassals from Dark Wind Fort, each with a strength of 60 points or more, are coming here. Their leader is even stronger than that Lu Hai Kong fellow. When he returns to the fortress, he will surely meet his end!"
Li Yi's eyes shone with desire as he continued, "Li Xiong promised me that once Lu Hai Kong is dead, he will help me eliminate Wang DaMaZi and hand over this fortress to me. Once I become the chief, we, as brothers, will quickly rise to prominence. More importantly, once we establish a connection with Dark Wind Fort, we won't have to worry about the court's encirclement and suppression campaigns."
Zhang Feng still had his doubts, "But can we trust Li Xiong? What if he betrays us later?"
Li Yi reassured him, "Don't worry, he won't! Li Xiong and I have sworn brotherhood, and with the NPC's rigid nature, he would never go back on his word."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
