Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Heavy Crossbow

As the portcullis swung open, a dozen county soldiers surged forward, torches blazing in one hand, crossbows gripped tightly in the other, forming a defensive line to guard the comrades behind them who were slowly pushing some unknown contraption.

Most of the bandits were still clambering along the narrow mountain path toward Dragon Claw Peak, leaving only a few dozen near Leopard Who Splits the Mountain.

Although Leopard Who Splits the Mountain still outnumbered the county soldiers who had just charged out, the sight before him sent a jolt of fear through his heart. His instincts screamed that whatever those soldiers were moving behind them was not to be underestimated.

“Second Chief, looks like they can’t hold out any longer and have come out to die!” A lieutenant at Leopard’s side shouted gleefully.

Leopard Who Splits the Mountain said nothing, his silence betraying the dread gnawing inside him. The calm steps and composed demeanor of their foes unsettled him deeply.

Through the interwoven torchlight, Leopard glimpsed the scholar in the long robe among the county soldiers. The scholar flashed him a mysterious smile, then signaled to the troops.

Immediately, the line of county soldiers raised their crossbows, aiming squarely at the bandits.

“Scatter! Fall back! Damn it, get back!” Leopard’s heart lurched. He retreated swiftly, hiding among his men.

As he withdrew, the bolts flew. The bandits shielding Leopard became pincushions in an instant, collapsing with only muffled groans in the darkness.

The sudden assault sent Leopard’s men scrambling backward, halting only after dozens of paces. When Leopard glanced back, panting, he saw the county soldiers neither pursuing nor firing further.

They advanced only a short distance, then shielded their comrades as they rotated the contraption to the right, aiming at the bandits crowded on the mountain path.

Leopard Who Splits the Mountain had no idea what they intended, but a wave of terror rose within him. At that moment, he seemed to foresee the fate awaiting his men.

A giant crossbow bolt shot out, hurtling straight for the bandits on the path. Oblivious to the threat from behind, they pressed forward in their crush.

With a sickening thud, the wrist-thick bolt pierced the first bandit and, without losing momentum, skewered four more, stringing them together like candied hawthorn before tumbling, bodies and all, into the abyss lost in the night.

Leopard and his underlings stood frozen, horror seeping into their souls. The shadow of an unknown death god loomed over each of them.

Leopard Who Splits the Mountain could not help but feel glad the giant bolt had not been aimed at him. Already, the urge to retreat stirred within.

The screams from behind drew the bandits’ attention; realizing they were under attack, many spun about in panic.

When they saw Qi Jun and his men standing firm before them, rage drove the bandits to accept the challenge, brandishing their blades as they charged.

The county soldiers’ crossbows unleashed sharp, whistling volleys. Only then did the bandits grasp that those weapons were deadly indeed.

They faltered, stepping back in fear. Seizing the moment, another giant crossbow was loaded. Qi Jun watched the anxious, frightened bandits and sneered, signaling his men.

This time, the bandits saw clearly the monstrous weapon that had slaughtered their comrades. Another giant bolt screamed forth, tearing through the enemy in a spray of blood.

Before the terrified bandits’ shouts could fade, the front line held firm with crossbows while the rear loaded a third massive bolt.

“There’s an ambush! Stop fighting! Run, run for your lives!” A bandit leader finally realized the peril of their situation, losing all courage to continue and howling for retreat.

The pressure on Sun Jiu’s side eased suddenly. Seeing the bandits’ panic, he knew Qi Jun’s plan had succeeded.

“Brothers! The scholar’s reinforcements are here! Forward! Slaughter these bastards!” Sun Jiu, eyes red with fury, bellowed the charge, and the county soldiers roared, throwing aside makeshift shields to hack wildly with their blades.

Some bandits still struggled vainly; others threw down their swords, clutching their heads and begging for mercy, while some, lost to terror and despair, leapt into the abyss and vanished.

Leopard Who Splits the Mountain watched from afar as the bandits on the Dragon Claw Peak’s path plunged into despair. The anguished cries pierced his heart. He looked at the few dispirited followers left behind and let out a long, sorrowful sigh.

He knew he was defeated.

Yet he could not fathom how a victory so close at hand had so suddenly, so swiftly, reversed.

“It was him, it must be him!” Leopard Who Splits the Mountain glared ahead, gritting his teeth. He finally realized his mistake.

The county soldiers’ fierce defense was not merely desperation born of being cornered—it was because of that scholar.

His arrival with the terrifying heavy crossbow marked the beginning of the bandits’ collapse.

“Wait for me at the foot of the mountain. Tonight, I must kill him,” Leopard said coldly, then sprang forward, vanishing into the night.

“Leopard… Leopard Chief! Let it go, there’s no returning to Panlong Ridge. We need to save ourselves, let’s get out!” The lieutenant watched Leopard’s silhouette disappear and quickly led the remaining bandits downhill.

The fierce battle at Dragon Claw Peak was nearing its end. The surviving bandits, herded by Sun Jiu and the county soldiers, were lined up and marched toward Qi Jun and his men.

As they passed the soldiers with crossbows ready, they could finally see the dread weapon that had so terrified them, instinctively giving it a wide berth.

All the prisoners were bound and escorted back to the stronghold. Sun Jiu, exhausted, led the last of the soldiers over. Blood stained their faces, wounds marked their bodies.

“Sir…” Sun Jiu wiped blood from his face. At the sight of Qi Jun, tears streamed down this stalwart man’s cheeks.

“Sun Jiu, you’ve endured much…” Qi Jun’s face was grave as the night. He silently watched Sun Jiu, then placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.

“Sir, don’t let them go! When I think of our fallen brothers, I…” Sun Jiu glanced toward the stronghold, tears flowing as he broke down in grief.

“They’re all heroes… Don’t worry, I know what must be done. Take the remaining brothers and rest well…” Qi Jun offered a few more words of comfort, watching Sun Jiu and his men trudge toward the stronghold.

Standing on the blood-soaked path, gazing at Dragon Claw Peak which had fallen silent in the night, Qi Jun’s heart remained unsettled.

From dusk until now, this defense of the mountain had been bitter and fierce.

Qi Jun closed his eyes, letting the mountain wind flutter his long robes.

He marveled at the awakening fighting spirit of the county soldiers, yet grieved the heavy cost paid.

But he found solace, for if they could fight so, this country was not beyond saving.

Lost in reflection, Qi Jun was unaware that the battlefield, though seemingly still, harbored one last threat.

In the darkness, a pair of venomous eyes fixed upon him with deadly intent.