C18 Probe

Suddenly, Lee Ying and his companions were struck dumb. They had never before encountered such a bizarre situation in their lives.

Lee Fei was brimming with confidence. He pointed at Zhu Hu and called out, "Hey kid, come over here and battle me for three hundred rounds!"

At his challenge, Zhu Hu instinctively stepped back.

But Zhu Hu quickly realized his mistake. By retreating, he was clearly showing his fear.

Caught between advancing and retreating, Zhu Hu's complexion shifted between shades of red and white, as he found himself at a crossroads in life.

Lee Ying, however, showed more experience. He gave a respectful bow to Lee Fei and laughed, "Hahaha, the Head Honcho is a master of arcane arts. My earlier words were in jest. We'll descend the mountain now and promise not to trouble you again."

With that, he signaled to his followers to depart.

Zhu Hu, eager to leave, also began to rally the people from Entover.

Strength was the deciding factor here. Had Lee Fei lacked it, weapons would have been drawn and a battle ensued long ago.

"Hold on," Lee Fei called out, "Who said you could leave?"

Zhu Hu, brandishing his blade, shouted with a mix of bravado and trepidation, "Don't think you can look down on everyone just because you've mastered a few tricks. If it comes to it, I'll take you on. Is there anyone else willing to join me?"

His words were met with silence.

The onlookers gave him pitying glances. Why would anyone risk their life when more than forty bandits stood behind him?

Lee Fei burst into laughter and then said, "I've been thinking, it really is wasteful to have all this salt just sitting here. But if you want it, you'll need to trade something for it."

Zhu Hu then grasped Lee Fei's intention, but his pride was already wounded beyond recovery.

Lee Ying sensed an opportunity and turned to face Lee Fei, bowing with his fists clasped, "What would the Head Honcho like to exchange for it?"

Lee Fei replied, "Fifty steel blades, forty crossbows, five hundred bolts, and fifty sets of armor."

The mountain stronghold was not short on weapons, but their quality left much to be desired. It wouldn't be surprising if a blade broke after a single strike.

The immediate priority was to replenish our weapons. Taking a small loss in the process wasn't a major concern.

"You must be joking, Head Honcho. I can manage steel blades, but bows and armor are regulated items; they're out of my reach," Lee Ying said with a shake of his head.

The value of these items was one thing, but the real issue was their availability. Naturally, he couldn't commit to providing them.

Upon hearing this, Lee Fei felt a twinge of disappointment. He remembered from his history studies that Qouprovia had once invented a formidable weapon—the Mighty Bow, capable of reaching three hundred meters. Regrettably, it had been lost by the time of the Yuan Dynasty.

But his previous remarks were merely probing; the real issue was yet to be addressed.

Lee Fei proposed, "Let's do this: I won't make it difficult for you. If bows and bolts are hard to come by, how about just the bows? I only need ten, but I can't do with less than five hundred arrows. If armor is unattainable, we could trade for medicinal herbs instead, primarily those for treating external wounds. Three hundred pounds should suffice. What do you say?"

Lee Ying didn't immediately respond.

After a moment, an elder stepped forward from the crowd and declared, "Suzerain, we have a deal."

Lee Ying nodded and announced, "Very well, we'll proceed with the exchange. Five days from now, we'll deliver the goods on the mountain."

"I'll await your arrival in five days. Safe travels to you all; I won't accompany you further," Lee Fei said.

"Farewell." With a fist salute, Lee Ying turned and departed.

Zhu Hu approached him and inquired, "Mr. Lee, do you truly intend to deliver the items?"

Lee Ying gave him a look and assured, "Certainly, but rest easy. The benefits promised to Entover will not be shortchanged."

Feeling vulnerable on his own, Lee Ying found some reassurance in the support of Entover.

"Next time, we should bring some black dog blood, just in case he resorts to his arcane arts again," Zhu Hu suggested, still shaken by the previous encounter.

Lee Ying simply shook his head, offering no reply.

Upon their departure, White Dragon Fort's reputation soared throughout the Qingzhou region. Tales of the Head Honcho, Little White Dragon, depicted him as a reclusive sage with arcane arts powerful enough to astonish the heavens and move spirits.

The rumors grew more extravagant with each retelling, eventually claiming that Little White Dragon was a reincarnation of a divine dragon, standing over nine feet tall with purple eyes and a face as dark as the earth.

Meanwhile, Lee Fei kept busy training the bandits daily and shared the plan to rob the birthday celebration gifts with his crew, inviting them to devise strategies.

Zhao Ruyu found the idea particularly intriguing and joined Lee Fei to scout the official road. Upon their return, they crafted a plan to intercept the gifts. The plan seemed solid, yet the uncertainty of how many guards would escort the gifts on that fateful day was a potential pitfall that could unravel their scheme.

Lee Fei also intended to relocate with his followers after their successful heist, seeking a new haven for their bandit stronghold. Where they would go remained undecided; they would have to play it by ear.

Four days later, Jiang Kun arrived at the mountain as agreed, his left arm missing, yet his spirits high.

Lee Fei was delighted, warmly introducing Jiang Kun to the group and declaring him the new overseer of White Dragon Fort and captain of the three squads.

This promotion effectively placed Jiang Kun in the third highest position within the fort.

When Jiang Kun moved to kneel in gratitude, Lee Fei swiftly caught him, shaking his head, "We've been over this; we don't follow those customs here. First, pick a nickname for yourself."

Jiang Kun, puzzled, replied, "A nickname? I'm not sure what to choose."

After a moment's thought, Lee Fei had a flash of inspiration. Observing Jiang Kun's missing arm, he suggested, "From now on, you'll be known as One-Handed Blade. In our fort, we have a rule: once you join, you leave your past behind and go by your new nickname."

Jiang Kun nodded, then hesitated before speaking, "I'm hardly worthy of such regard from the Head Honcho. And with my left arm gone, I'm practically disabled. I fear I may not be up to the task of overseeing the stronghold."

Lee Fei patted his right arm and remarked, "Sometimes, quality matters more than ability. Remember that."

Jiang Kun let out a sigh and responded, "Then I shall take on the role of head steward. I only hope I won't let the Head Honcho down in the future."

"Hehe, you won't. There's a trade happening tomorrow," Lee Fei said with a meaningful tone, "I'm entrusting this task to you. Make sure you handle it well."

Jiang Kun, momentarily taken aback, inquired, "With whom are we trading tomorrow?"

Lee Fei shook his head, a mysterious expression on his face, "I can't reveal that, no, I can't."

The following morning, Lee Ying, along with his men and two carts full of goods, ascended the mountain. Accompanying him was Zhu Long, the Young Master of Entover. Zhu Hu, feeling intimidated, dared not face Lee Fei again.

At the front of the mountain stronghold, a black bear of a man stood nonchalantly, eyeing Lee Ying. "You lot wait here; our head steward will be out shortly," he said with a casual air.

His voice betrayed a tinge of sourness—why should this newcomer rise above me when I'm still just a small captain?

The Head Honcho believes that quality trumps ability. Yes, I must become a bandit of quality.

Lee Ying was seething at the man's attitude, thinking to himself, "The Head Honcho speaks with such courtesy, and yet this underling struts around with such arrogance."

Suppressing his anger, Lee Ying bowed slightly and said, "Very well, I shall wait a while longer."

And wait he did, for half an hour.

While Lee Ying could afford to wait, Zhu Long grew impatient. He stepped forward to press the issue, "Brother, could you please go and report our arrival?"

The black bear merely gave him a sidelong glance, remaining silent.

After all, even a seventh-grade official at the Prime Minister's gate needs to be greased to deliver a message.

Zhu Long was still bewildered, but Lee Ying had caught on. He coughed discreetly and slipped a few silver taels to the man, saying, "I'd appreciate your assistance."

The black bear's face broke into a grin. "Why didn't you say so sooner? Just wait here; I'll be back in a moment."

With that, he disappeared into the stronghold.

It wasn't long before Jiang Kun emerged, clad in a black robe. He was aware of the day's trade but clueless about the identity of the other party.

When Lee Ying caught sight of Jiang Kun emerging, his eyes bulged in astonishment. "It's you..." he exclaimed.

Jiang Kun initially intended to approach and pay his respects, but considering his present status, he reluctantly refrained.

With a heavy sigh and a somber look, Jiang Kun inquired, "Suzerain, has the young lady returned home?"

Regaining his composure, Lee Ying replied, "Rong'er is safely back. But she mentioned that you had died. How is your left arm?"

Jiang Kun let out a wry smile, at a loss for words, and chose to leave it unexplained.

Zhu Hu, growing impatient, blurted out, "Are we going to make this deal or not? This dithering is driving me to the brink of madness."

"Of course, we will proceed," Lee Ying affirmed.

Assuming a professional demeanor, Jiang Kun knew he couldn't let personal feelings interfere. He bowed with his fists clasped and requested, "May I inspect the goods?"

Lee Ying gestured his approval. "Go ahead and check. Everything is accounted for."

Jiang Kun nodded, rose to his feet, and meticulously examined the two carts of items. To his discerning eye, the steel blades were of exceptional quality; Mr. Lee had not resorted to any deceit.

The shipment was complete: ten bows, five hundred arrows, and three hundred kilograms of medicinal herbs, all authentic.

Once satisfied, Jiang Kun announced, "Everything is in order. Please wait, Suzerain, while I arrange for my men to bring out our goods."

Nine carts laden with salt were rolled out, and the exchange was carried out seamlessly, much to the delight of both parties.

Lee Ying wasted no time, swiftly departing with the nine carts of goods down the mountain.

Lee Fei stepped out of the stronghold and noticed Jiang Kun gazing silently down the mountain. He offered, "If you wish to join your former master, I won't hold you back."

Turning to face him, Jiang Kun declared resolutely, "I've pledged to follow you for life, and I shall never go back on my word."

Lee Fei simply smiled, saying nothing further.

His approach was a test of Jiang Kun's loyalty, and Jiang Kun's steadfast response left him thoroughly pleased.