Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

After several days of intensive preparations, Liu Meng, Li Feng, and Zhang Yu, along with several capable men arranged by Fu Ankang, embarked on their journey to Black Wind Village. The morning sun shone on the winding mountain road, and the group walked with solemn expressions and hurried steps.

The closer they got to Black Wind Stronghold, the more treacherous the terrain became. Surrounded by mountains and dense forests, the occasional calls of unknown birds added to the eerie atmosphere. Zhang Yu frowned as he looked at the scene before him: "Black Wind Stronghold is indeed easy to defend and difficult to attack, with dangerous spots everywhere. No wonder it has been a scourge to this area for so many years."

Liu Meng nodded, his expression wary: "Everyone be careful, there might be Black Wind Stronghold sentries along the way."

The group proceeded cautiously when suddenly Li Feng raised his hand, signaling them to stop. He pointed to a clump of grass by the roadside and whispered, "There's movement over there; it might be a sentry."

Liu Meng crept closer, then suddenly struck, pulling a man hidden in the bushes out. The man, dressed in tattered black clothes and holding a short knife, was a sentry from Black Wind Stronghold.

"Tell me, how many hidden sentries does Black Wind Stronghold have? What is your defensive layout?" Liu Meng asked sharply, increasing the pressure on his hand.

The sentry winced in pain, but still remained defiant: "Hmph, you want me to talk? Dream on! You outsiders, daring to trespass on Black Wind Stronghold's territory, you don't want to live!"

Zhang Yu stepped forward, making a move as if to hit him: "If you don't talk, you'll suffer!"

Li Feng stopped Zhang Yu, squatted down, looked into the sentry's eyes, and softened his tone: "We don't want to make things difficult for you. As long as you tell the truth, we won't hurt you. You know that Black Wind Stronghold has committed many evils and will not have a good end. Telling the truth now is to leave yourself a way out."

A flicker of hesitation crossed the sentry's eyes. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "There are three more sentry posts ahead, one every so often. Once you enter the valley, there's a huge rock on the left, behind which archers are hiding, and there are traps in the woods on the right. Don't think you can get in easily."

Liu Meng and the others exchanged glances. Liu Meng said to the sentry, "You're quite sensible. We won't go back on our word and won't hurt you. But if you dare to lie, we definitely won't let you off." After saying that, he tied the sentry to a tree.

The group continued onward, successfully avoiding other sentries and traps as instructed by the lookout. Finally, they arrived at the foot of Black Wind Stronghold.

Black Wind Stronghold was built against the mountain, with its tall gate tightly closed. Several fierce-looking bandits stood at the gate, holding long knives and patrolling back and forth.

"What should we do? We can't just force our way in like this," Zhang Yu said in a low voice.

Liu Meng pondered for a moment: "Let's hide first and wait for an opportunity to sneak in."

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar. A group of bandits were seen leading several villagers toward the village gate.

“This is an opportunity.” Li Feng’s eyes lit up. “We’ll disguise ourselves as bandits and blend in with them.”

The group quickly changed into bandit clothes, smeared their faces with soot, and pretended to be escorting villagers as they walked towards the village gate.

"Halt! Who goes there?" the bandits at the door shouted.

Liu Meng calmly stepped forward: "We're all on the same side. We just arrested a few villagers. We're just bringing some fun to the brothers."

The bandit glanced at Liu Meng and his group, then at the villagers, and waved his hand: "Go in."

Liu Meng and his men successfully entered Black Wind Stronghold. The stronghold was in disarray, with thatched huts everywhere. Bandits gathered in small groups, drinking, gambling, and shouting insults at the villagers.

"These bandits are despicable!" Zhang Yu cursed under his breath, his eyes filled with anger.

"Don't act rashly. Our mission is to investigate clues about the Shadow Cult," Liu Meng reminded him.

They escorted the villagers around the village, looking for an opportunity to make contact with the minor figures of Black Wind Village. Finally, they spotted a thin bandit sitting in a corner, drinking alone.

Liu Meng gave a wink, and Zhang Yu and Li Feng understood. They left the others to guard the villagers while the three of them walked toward the bandits.

“Brother, drinking alone is no fun, let’s drink together?” Liu Meng said with a smile, handing over a jar of wine.

The bandit looked at Liu Meng and his two companions with wariness in his eyes: "Who are you? I've never seen you before."

Zhang Yu quickly said, "We're new here, just joined today. We heard the brothers of Black Wind Stronghold are all very generous, so we wanted to come and make some friends."

Upon hearing this, the bandit's expression softened slightly. He took the wine jar and took a sip: "Hmph, you're smart enough to know your place. This Black Wind Stronghold isn't easy to navigate; you'd better be careful from now on."

Li Feng asked with a smile, "Brother, we've just arrived and don't know much about this place yet. We've heard that Black Wind Stronghold has dealings with the Shadow Cult, is that true?"

Upon hearing this, the bandit's eyes immediately became wary, and he put down his wine jar: "Why are you asking this? Don't pry into things you shouldn't know."

Liu Meng quickly smiled apologetically, "Brother, we're just curious. We've heard the Shadow Cult is very powerful, and we want to learn more about it. Maybe we can benefit from it in the future."

The bandit hesitated for a moment, took another sip of wine, and then slowly said, "We do have dealings. The Shadow Cult sends people here from time to time to discuss matters with our chieftain. I don't know the specifics. However, I've heard that the Shadow Cult is planning something big, and our Black Wind Stronghold will also benefit greatly from it."

Li Feng then asked, "Where did the Shadow Cult members stay when they arrived? Was there anything unusual about it?"

The bandit scratched his head: "They usually live in a small, detached courtyard behind the village, which is heavily guarded. We ordinary people are not allowed to get close."

A thought struck Liu Meng: "Has anyone from the Shadow Cult come here recently?"

The bandit thought for a moment: "It seems like a few came a few days ago, but I don't know if they've left yet."

Just then, a man who looked like a bandit leader walked over and shouted, "What are you guys doing? Instead of working, you're slacking off here!"

Liu Meng and the others quickly stood up: "We'll go right away, we'll go right away."

The bandit leader glanced at Liu Meng and his two companions, then at the bandits in the corner: "You shouldn't drink anymore, get back to work!"

Watching the bandit leader walk away, Liu Meng whispered to Li Feng and Zhang Yu, "It seems there might be clues in the small courtyard behind the village. Let's find an opportunity to go and take a look."

Li Feng nodded: "But the area is heavily guarded, so we need to be careful."

Zhang Yu clenched his fist: "No matter what, we must find a way in. Maybe we can find a crucial clue."

The three discussed their plan while blending into the bandit group, searching for an opportunity to approach the courtyard. Meanwhile, in the palace, Hongli and Fuheng continued to closely monitor the secret team's movements.

Inside the imperial study, Hongli paced back and forth in front of his desk, his face full of worry: "Fuheng, the secret team has been on its way for several days, and I don't know how they are doing. I can't sleep or eat in peace until the Shadow Cult is eliminated."

Fu Heng bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that the people Fu Ankang has selected are all capable individuals, and they will certainly act with caution. I believe news will arrive soon."

Hongli frowned slightly: "I hope so. The Black Wind Stronghold's collusion with the Shadow Cult is a major threat to the court. We must eradicate them as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will continue to monitor the situation and report to you immediately if there is any news," Fuheng said.

Meanwhile, in Black Wind Stronghold, Liu Meng, Li Feng, and Zhang Yu were cautiously approaching the small courtyard. Would they be able to successfully enter the courtyard and find clues about the Shadow Cult? What would they encounter within? This battle between good and evil was entering a crucial phase, filled with unknown challenges.

This chapter concludes here. Stay tuned for the next chapter.