Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 52 May the Grand Commander rest in peace!
"Inviting a wolf into the house?"

Xu Meng tossed aside the bone he had just gnawed on and casually wiped the oil stains off his clothes.
"Do you really think I'm some kind of money-grubbing fool? Let me tell you the truth, I know all about the mess in Changshan County. Those three old foxes, Gao Yuanfeng, Yang Yi, and Huang Dongchun, suffered a huge loss at the hands of the newly arrived County Magistrate Wu. Even their watchdog, the Seven Star Gang, was wiped out. They don't dare to openly touch an official appointed by the imperial court, so they can only use us as a tool to chop off Wu Kuang's henchmen and force him to admit defeat."

He stood up, stretched his thick neck, and made a cracking sound:
"But this is also a good deal for us. Repelling the government troops' encirclement and suppression, that's a pretty impressive reputation, right? We can also take the opportunity to weaken the government troops' strength. It's killing two birds with one stone. Even if something really goes wrong..."

He grinned maliciously and patted the sword at his waist. "With my skills in swimming, who can stop me?"

"But what if the government is pushed to the brink and launches a full-scale crackdown..."

"If you're in a hurry, then hurry!"

Xu Meng waved his hand dismissively: "If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. If it really comes to that, we can just abandon this stronghold and take the brothers to join the 'Azure Dragon Alliance'. We have people, boats, and money. We can live a carefree life wherever we go."

Besides, did you think all the money we've been offering over the years was just for nothing? Do you think the Azure Dragon Alliance would just stand by and watch us get wiped out, ruining their livelihood and reputation?

His words were full of confidence, even with a hint of contempt for the government. Over the years, he had killed quite a few soldiers and officials, and the government had never really been able to do anything to him.

"The chieftain is wise; I was overthinking it," the man quickly flattered.

"Stop flattering."

Xu Meng laughed and cursed, "Get back and hide right now! If you mess things up, I'll skin you alive!"

"Yes, yes, I'll go right away."

……

On the surface of Qingze Lake, deep among the reeds.

More than ten light boats, like ghosts in the dark night, silently glided towards the back of Black Snake Water Village.

A quarter of an hour ago, Wang Yue led his main force to launch a large-scale attack on the front camp in order to attract attention, while Chen Sheng and Chu Yueshan personally led more than a hundred elite troops to lie in ambush there, waiting for the right opportunity.

Chen Sheng gripped the hilt of the Cold-Slaying Blade at his waist with one hand, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the water fortress ahead.

This Black Serpent Stronghold was not built entirely on the water, but rather on a small hill rising from the lake. Surrounded by water on three sides, with its walls hidden among dense reeds, it was indeed a secluded lair that was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

"Brother Chen, stay close to me and don't act on your own to avoid any mishaps." Chu Yueshan lowered his voice and reminded him again, his tone carrying a hint of something unusual.

Chen Sheng stared at his somewhat blurry figure in the moonlight, a barely perceptible chill playing at the corners of his lips:

"Don't worry, President, there won't be any problems."

A moment later, deafening shouts of battle and the clash of weapons suddenly came from the direction of the front village.

"Do it."

A glint flashed in Chu Yueshan's eyes, and he suddenly waved his hand.

More than ten small boats shot off like arrows, cutting through the reeds and heading straight for the back gate of the water village. More than a hundred agile figures quickly abandoned the boats and went ashore, silently sneaking to the foot of the village wall under the cover of night.

Chu Yueshan covered his mouth with his hand and made several lifelike "coo-coo" sounds.

Before long, the same response came from inside the stockade. Then, the heavy wooden gate actually opened slowly, just enough for a few people to pass through!
"Brothers, follow me into battle and make a name for yourselves tonight!"

Chu Yueshan drew his broadsword from his waist, a look of excitement on his face, and charged towards the gate of the stronghold.

"kill!"

"Kill!"

The deafening shouts of battle shattered the tranquility of the rear village in an instant, and the soldiers surged into the village like a tidal wave.

In the chaos, no one noticed that Li Huaisheng, the inconspicuous follower who had always been behind Chen Sheng, had vanished into the darkness like a ghost.

The soldiers at the forefront swiftly cut down several seemingly panicked bandits guarding the village.

However, just as most of the officers and soldiers poured into the stockade, preparing to charge deeper into the enemy territory, a sudden change occurred.

The once-open gate was suddenly slammed shut from the outside with a dull thud. At the same time, dozens of figures rose like ghosts from the previously silent darkness, their cold arrowheads gleaming deadly in the moonlight!
"Shhhhh-"

More than ten arrows pierced the air and accurately struck the faces of the soldiers at the forefront.

The screams stopped abruptly, and the men died on the spot.

"Trying to ambush your Grandpa Xu?! I've been waiting here for a long time!"

A loud, arrogant laugh rang out, and Xu Meng, the Ink Dragon, strode out of the shadows, wielding a nine-ringed broadsword. His fierce gaze swept over the chaotic soldiers.

"No, I fell into a trap!"

Chu Yueshan let out a timely roar of 'shock and anger,' then, as if grasping at a straw, pointed at Xu Meng: 'Brother Chen, to catch the thief, first catch the king; he is the chieftain Xu Meng!'

"Kill him, and we can turn the tide of battle!"

He shouted as he "bravely" charged at Xu Meng with his knife, trying to drag Chen Sheng into the battle as well.

"Brothers, kill these soldiers and you'll be richly rewarded!"

Xu Meng grinned maliciously and brandished his sword, giving the order.

In an instant, the bandits who had been lying in ambush all around swarmed forward with howls.

These bandits, whom Chu Yueshan dismissed as a "rabble," were in fact all desperate men who had lived on the edge of death. They were experienced, ruthless, and their sudden attack caused chaos among the government troops, who were temporarily suppressed.

Chu Yueshan and Xu Meng instantly engaged in a fierce battle, their blades flashing and metal clanging, appearing to be evenly matched and extremely intense.

However, just as Chu Yueshan was preparing to follow the plan and retreat while fighting, drawing Chen Sheng into a duel between the two, his expression suddenly changed.

An indescribable feeling of weakness swept over my entire body without warning.

The once surging internal energy receded like a tide, becoming almost impossible to raise, and the blood and qi throughout the body became stagnant, as if imprisoned by an invisible force.

"What's going on?!" He was shocked, and his movements froze.

"Oh no...it's poison!"

In a flash, Chu Yueshan suddenly realized something.

He quickly realized something was wrong and understood that he must have been ambushed. In that instant, the first thing that flashed through his mind was Chen Sheng's seemingly submissive face.

However, just as he realized something was wrong and tried to activate his remaining internal energy to react—

"Pfft!"

Chen Sheng, who had been observing coldly, attacked without hesitation the moment he noticed a slight change in Chu Yueshan's expression. The Cold-Slaying Blade in his hand transformed into a cold, sharp light, piercing through Chu Yueshan's heart with unparalleled precision from behind.

"May the President rest in peace."

Chen Sheng's deep voice then rang in Chu Yueshan's ears.

"you……"

Chu Yueshan's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. At this moment, his internal energy was dissipated and his blood and qi were as if frozen. He could not muster any strength to resist and could only try to turn his body by instinct.

But would Chen Sheng give him that chance?
The blade suddenly flipped, unleashing a burst of violent force. The incomparably sharp blade easily sliced ​​through Chu Yueshan's flesh and internal organs. Immediately afterward, Chen Sheng's left palm, containing a powerful outward force, slammed heavily onto the back of Chu Yueshan's unprotected head.

"Bam—!"

With a muffled thud, like a ripe watermelon bursting open! Red and white matter immediately scattered and flew everywhere, staining Chen Sheng's robes and splashing all over Xu Meng, who was closest to him.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Asking for monthly ticket

(End of this chapter)