Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

"Chief!!?"

'Split-Mountain Tiger' Zhou Kuang burst through the main gate, only to see a limp corpse, and couldn't help but have his eyes split with rage.

He and his brother nearly starved to death with their old mother more than a decade ago. It was the then-unknown Lu Jingtian who passed by and saved them, taught them martial arts, provided them with silver coins to care for their mother so she could live out her days in comfort.

After their old mother's death, Lu Jingtian was even more like their own father.

But today, he was suddenly faced with his cold, lifeless body.

From the large hole in the roof, countless tiles were flying, and a flash of green shadow disappeared.

"Shoot, damn it!"

Zhou Kuang roared.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

The sounds of military crossbow strings snapping were incessant, the flimsy roof was directly pierced, leaving many chopstick-sized holes, with numerous tiles being blasted to pieces.

However, there was not a trace of blood to be seen among them.

Zhou Kuang, ignoring his brother's attempts to stop him, stepped through the broken tiles and stood on the roof, only to see a green shadow flash and disappear into the distance, completely out of sight.

"Chase!"

Zhou Kuang's face twisted, leading a group of stronghold men in a desperate chase towards the barracks area.

The sound of gongs and drums summoned the other four 'Tigers', who were a step behind and also rushed to the scene, all triggered to furious anger, each leading their men towards the four corners of the barracks.

"Chief!"

"Damn it thief!"

Many stronghold men couldn't help but well up with tears upon seeing Lu Jingtian's stiff corpse, clenching their teeth.

Lu Jingtian wasn't a good man.

He would easily kill and rob, a stream of children were kidnapped to the mountain, never to come down again, their parents and families crying untold tears; such a person deserved a thousand cuts.

Yet, he was extremely good to those below him, providing clothing and food, rewarding generously, and those with talent could even learn martial arts.

Jiang Ding walked with his sword drawn, weaving through the barracks area, heading straight for the storeroom.

"Who's there!"

There were still more than ten people patrolling and guarding the storeroom. Startled by his sudden appearance, they gave a vigilant shout, gathered together, forming a long spear army formation, ready for both attack and defense.

"Those who block the way, die."

Jiang Ding said indifferently, his sword blade enveloped with a faint white gleam, thrusting straight forwards.

"To hell with this! Kill!"

The sergeant guarding the storeroom shouted.

Twelve stronghold men sneered without a trace of fear, their twelve 2.5-meter-long spears thrust out simultaneously, blocking any space for evasion, the spearheads flashing silver.

It was like Xianmen Sect's concentrated firepower, with a knack similar to scientific methodology.

Such an attack was something even Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists would not dare to face head-on; to resist forcefully was to die, one could only seek to avoid the sharpness and find another opportunity.

Shh!

A chilling sword-light flashed, the iron-bound hardwood spear shafts were cut smoothly at the point of impact.

"Can't see clearly!"

The sergeant could only muster this thought in his mind before he felt a chill in his throat, with gushing blood spewing out, his body fell powerlessly.

In the corner of his eyes, the remaining twelve stronghold men had fallen similarly, almost simultaneously.

Shaking off the blood, the sword was sheathed.

Jiang Ding stepped slowly into the storeroom of Fierce Tiger Village.

There were no traps as he had imagined. This place was frequently visited by the stronghold men and leaders; setting up traps would have been an annoyance for themselves.

The first thing that came into view were stacks of rice bags, mostly white rice with some millet, and at the back hung rows of air-dried meats and the like.

With such an enormous quantity, even if the stronghold were besieged for a year, there would be no worry inside.

Jiang Ding glanced left and right, then approached the solid door on the left, his sword-light flickered and the door was gently pushed open.

"Found it."

In the warehouse, piled up layer upon layer were various blades and weapons, and there were even dozens of sets of thick iron armor that looked almost identical to those of Dongling City's soldiers.

Additionally, there were soy oil, timber, cloth, and other supplies.

Jiang Ding cast his gaze on the neatly placed strong crossbows on the rack, ignored them, took two Four-stone Strong Bows from nearby, several spare bowstrings, and bound dozens of arrows to place on his back.

Clutching a bucket of soy oil and pulling a large bundle of cloth, he exerted force under his feet, and his entire body shot straight up, breaking through the roof.

"The thief is in the direction of the warehouse!"

"Kill him!"

Many of the stronghold's defenders swarmed into the barracks, wishing they could tear the fleeing shadow to pieces!

Several leaders who had spent years mastering the bow pulled back their powerful bows.

Ding ding!

Jiang Ding drew his sword and parried the arrows that flew from afar.

He tore off a roll of cloth, wrapped it around a tile soaked in soy oil, and used the blade to strike a spark, igniting it, then with a hint of the 'Point Sword Style,' he gently tossed it onto a barracks wall.

With a clang, the tile shattered along with the soaked cloth, sticking the oil on the wall and setting it on fire.

"Damn it, stop him!"

Zhou Kuang's expression changed drastically as he realized what was happening.

However, from such a distance, even if he had miraculous abilities, he could only watch helplessly now.

Bang, Bang, Bang!

One oil-soaked black mass after another flew out, smashing onto the walls and roofs of various barracks, with many receiving four or five in quick succession.

Quickly, clusters of flames appeared in different parts of the barracks and began to spread rapidly.

The people who had built the barracks were experienced, and there were a few meters' gap between each building, but in this situation with flames everywhere, it was futile—the fire spread rapidly.

"Put out the fire!"

"Evacuate!"

'Gold-touching Tiger' Zhou Sheng's face turned pale as he ordered in urgency.

By now it was a bit too late. Many defenders moved with furious efficiency, ignoring danger as they burst into each barracks looking for the thief who had tried to assassinate their leader.

In just a short time, dozens screamed as they were engulfed by the fire; those who were lucky enough to escape were severely burned, and everywhere was covered with dense black smoke, obscuring the view.

"Beast! I will have you flayed a thousand times over!"

Zhou Kuang axed through a flaming beam, leading his men into a backward retreat, avoiding areas engulfed in flames.

Within the smoke and flames, a figure lightly stepped through, occasionally brushed by tongues of fire without harm, and soon left the area swirling with flames.

As the smoke and fire cleared, the scene in front of him gradually became visible.

The troops were neatly arranged, blades and spears stood ready, bows were drawn and aimed, a forbidding aura of military formation spread, with the ferocious flames behind unable to mask it.

"Run, run, keep running, will you?"

A big man, stout as a bear and bare-chested, squeezed the words through his teeth.

'Sky-holding Tiger' Zhou Kun!

It was said that he was Lu Jingtian's cousin once removed, skilled in the "Apprentice of the Thirteen Style," with a body as tough as copper and iron that repelled blades and spears. He also had self-cultivated Inner Qi to Great Achievement, often killing alone into an entire caravan, leaving a trail of bodies, while remaining unscathed himself.

By his side stood 'Downhill Tiger' Lang Yi and 'Scorpion-tailed Tiger' Xu Sanniang from the seven tigers, both in the Minor Completion of Internal Qi.

To the left and right nearby, there were more than sixty stronghold defenders armed with spears and crossbows, all rigorously trained.

"Why should I run?"

Jiang Ding revealed a slight smile as he retorted.

A jolt struck the hearts of many defenders.

They then realized that before them was not their prey to hunt wantonly, but the fierce man who had killed the chieftain and 'Righteousness Over Clouds' Yang Dongsheng in just a few moves, both renowned experts.

"Shoot him for me!"

'Sky-holding Tiger' Zhou Kun shouted coldly.

Over twenty powerful crossbows and bows shot together, arrows flying like locusts, swamping the area in front of them.