Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Hunting Ground

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Hearing Qi Jun’s voice, Xiao Ming immediately felt a surge of confidence. He quickly got up and led the county soldiers to retreat in the direction Qi Jun was coming from.

The townsfolk watching the battle unfold “live” saw the county soldiers being defeated and their faces were filled with sorrowful sighs.

When the bandits pursued the remaining county soldiers across the bridge, the townspeople hurriedly shut their doors and windows, hiding under their blankets. Those who had just cheered for the soldiers now felt uneasy, fearful that the bandits might come kicking down their doors.

“Boss, maybe we shouldn’t chase them anymore? Our brothers have suffered quite a few casualties. Look at all these houses in the county—we can loot them for a bit, then head back,” a minor bandit leader stopped the main bandit boss who was about to continue the pursuit, pointing to the nearby houses.

The bandit boss thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead and said, “Right! Why chase after them? Since He’s turned against us, no need to give him any face. Brothers! Take whatever money you want, have your fun with the women! At dawn, we head back to the mountain stronghold!”

The bandits cheered raucously, their faces alight with villainy. They halted their chase and, like rats entering a granary, lasciviously eyed the surrounding homes.

“The boss has spoken! Brothers, let’s go! Loot the money, the grain, and the women!” the minor leader repeated excitedly, then led the charge toward a house near the bridge.

The bandits scattered into the streets and alleys like starving wolves hunting in the wilderness, each seeking their own prey.

Qi Jun and Xiao Ming’s group ran for some time, then looked back, but saw no sign of the bandits following.

“Damn it! The bandits must have stormed the homes to pillage the people!” Qi Jun was alarmed. If they were left unchecked to rampage all night, who knew how many innocent townsfolk would suffer at their hands?

But at present, he and Xiao Ming’s group were the only remaining law enforcement in Anqiang. Trying to drive hundreds of bandits out of town with just a few dozen men was no easy task.

“Captain Xiao, I’ll go harass them to buy us time. You all head quickly to the county magistrate’s office to find Lord Feng. Have him persuade the soldiers of the third squad to assist in the anti-bandit operation. Tell Lord Feng to inform Zhao Gui and the others that those willing to fight the bandits will not be punished for their role in He Wenxing’s rebellion and will be rewarded after the battle. Those who resist, desert, or join the bandits will be deemed traitors and executed!”

Qi Jun’s mind raced, mentally sorting through all possible reinforcements.

Xiao Ming was stunned. If Zhao Gui, He Wenxing’s most trusted subordinate, and the third squad’s soldiers were all imprisoned, then He Wenxing was likely finished.

In other words, he no longer needed to worry about any threat from He Wenxing. His only real support now lay with Qi Jun and Lord Feng. If they could repel the bandits tonight, there would surely be benefits for him afterward.

Xiao Ming was relieved he hadn’t chosen the wrong side tonight. Had he rashly helped the bandits fight Sun Jiu, he might have ended up a fugitive outlaw.

“When you reach the magistrate’s office, pass my message to Liu Biao as well. Have him quickly lead the anti-bandit squad from Dongling Village here!” Qi Jun reminded him.

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Xiao Ming nodded repeatedly, selecting a few sharp county soldiers to stay with Qi Jun as support. His gesture was intended both to ease Qi Jun’s burden and to leave a good impression.

“I’ll stay and help too, sir!” Ma San stepped forward from the second squad’s soldiers and stood beside Qi Jun.

Qi Jun was surprised but also touched by Ma San’s choice.

At such a perilous moment, willingly standing with him against the bandits showed true sincerity of heart.

Xiao Ming was also astonished by Ma San’s action. ‘You’re just a carter for the second squad—why stir up trouble now?’ But he didn’t dwell on it, simply nodded at Qi Jun, and led the team toward the magistrate’s office.

Qi Jun looked at the five remaining county soldiers beside him, each wearing a resolute expression, waiting for his orders.

“Brothers, you’re all brave! Listen, I’ll go harass the bandits and draw them in batches to the alleys ahead. You lie in ambush there, kill them in the dark once they enter! The more bandits we kill, the more townsfolk we save!”

“Yes, sir!” the five replied in unison. Yet Ma San’s eyes showed more worry than the others’.

Qi Jun looked anxiously toward Anxiu Bridge, then turned without hesitation and vanished into the night. The bandits terrorizing Anqiang were his quarry.

At this moment, Anqiang county town was plunging ever deeper into chaos under the bandits’ cruelty.

Centered around Anxiu Bridge, the bandits quickly spread into nearby homes and shops, kicking down doors at will, looting money, and assaulting the townsfolk.

Qi Jun ran through the dark streets, already hearing the helpless, despairing screams of women in the homes ahead, mingled with the bandits’ cruel, wicked laughter.

A disheveled woman burst out of a house, crying out, closely pursued by a short bandit wielding a knife.

The woman staggered and fell to the ground. The short bandit pounced, threw down his knife, and began tearing at her clothes, kissing her skin wildly.

“Help! Somebody help…” the woman kicked weakly, tears of despair and shame streaming down her face.

Suddenly, the short bandit froze, feeling his hair being yanked hard from behind.

“Hiss... Damn it! Who’s messing around? Can’t you see I’m busy? Get in line…” the short bandit cursed angrily, thinking one of his comrades was playing a prank.

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But the next moment, he felt a cold sting on his neck, and with horror saw blood spurting from the wound.

His body slackened, eyes wide with terror as he collapsed to the side.

The woman stared blankly at the young scholar behind the bandit, momentarily forgetting to wipe the blood that splattered her face.

Before she could thank him, the scholar turned and entered another house. Soon, the sounds of bandits screaming like slaughtered pigs came from inside.

Qi Jun was like a walking killing machine, patrolling the dark city streets. With his sword and throwing needles, he dispatched every frenzied bandit he found, sending them one by one back to hell for judgment.

He exited an alley just as a half-naked woman struggled and fell from a window, dying at his feet.

Looking up, he saw a bandit at the window grinning cruelly at the fallen woman. The bandit noticed Qi Jun and raised his hand threateningly.

“Whizz!” A crossbow bolt struck the bandit’s forehead, ending his wickedness. The other bandits committing atrocities behind him saw their comrade suddenly fall and immediately realized the danger, grabbing weapons as they charged out.

This was exactly the opportunity Qi Jun had been waiting for. Hunting bandits one by one was too slow and inefficient.

Only by luring all the bandits in an area to play hide-and-seek with him could he temporarily reduce the suffering of the townsfolk there.

“Damn it, the county soldiers are back! Grab him, kill him!” the bandits shouted as they rushed out of their respective houses, chasing closely after Qi Jun.

Normally, a few bandits like these couldn’t catch Qi Jun. But fearing they might lose him and disrupt the ambush plan, Qi Jun deliberately slowed his pace and led them in circles.

When more than ten bandits, panting heavily, chased Qi Jun into a dark alley, they saw him finally stop and turn to face them.

“Run! Keep running! Damn it, watch me take your legs off!” The leader sneered, thinking Qi Jun was exhausted, and slowly approached with his knife raised.

Little did they know, the prey they sought was in fact the hunter.