Chapter 48: Capture the Leader First to Seize the Bandits

Zhang Xianzhong was clad in gray armor patterned like mountain ridges, a felt hat upon his head, as he led his most trusted followers to suppress the rowdy bandits. Despite the crushing defeat they had just suffered, his murderous aura remained undiminished, and his bull-like eyes were fixed upon the village entrance.

"Since they guard the village gate, we'll split our forces," Zhang Xianzhong said, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Yi Duqiang, take two hundred men and sneak in from the rear. Kill anyone you see, set the houses ablaze. I refuse to believe that this Li Family Village is truly an impregnable fortress."

Yi Duqiang hesitated, glancing up at Zhang Xianzhong. Zhang Xianzhong barked, "Go, now!" Seeing his impatience, Yi Duqiang dared not protest, and left with his men.

Zhang Xianzhong then glared at Wang Tong. "Brother Wang, your martial skills are formidable. Lead your men and charge again, break their formation. I'll follow right behind."

Wang Tong, unnerved by Zhang Xianzhong's stare, hurriedly agreed, gathering his men and dozens of bandits, and sprinted forward.

Beside Zhang Xianzhong stood a frail young scholar, who gazed at Li Family Village in the distance and whispered, "Foster father, there must be someone capable here. We've suffered heavy casualties, and our men rely only on blood and courage. I fear we're no match. Perhaps it's better to call Li Zicheng and negotiate again."

This young man was Liu Wenxiu, a native of Yan'an Prefecture. Having studied, he was adopted by Zhang Xianzhong as a foster son, serving as strategist.

Zhang Xianzhong waved him off, his voice cold: "We've mobilized our entire force—if we can't take such a small village, we'll be mocked."

Though he spoke thus, his heart was uncertain. He could only hope the next assault would succeed.

In the deep of night, Wang Tong led nearly a hundred bandits, accompanied by the security bureau men, charging toward the village entrance. He was no reckless fool; recognizing the strength of Li Family Village's formation, he had his men carry heavy logs, rushing in.

"Throw them!" he shouted. The bandits hurled the logs into the mandarin duck formation, catching the villagers unprepared and scattering their lines.

Wang Tong was elated. "Charge! Kill them all!" he cried, stepping forward and swinging his broad-backed saber, chopping a long shield in half.

A villager raised a short spear to stab, but Wang Tong grabbed the spearhead and kicked him aside. The bandits surged in; the villagers had no time to regroup, retreating in panic, many wounded, and shouting in terror.

"The bandits are fierce—run!"

"We can't hold them!"

Fear overwhelmed their courage. Though trained for a fortnight, these villagers had never experienced real bloodshed. Facing ruthless bandits, hearing screams, they felt no safety amid the fire and chaos, and finally, terror of death broke them completely.

"Don't panic, stand firm!" Gao Jie and Gao Honest tried desperately to block the retreat, but lacking the ruthless methods of killing for discipline, they could not persuade the frightened villagers.

Wang Tong rejoiced, shouting, "They're scared! Get in there—grab money, grain, and women!"

The bandits grew even more frenzied, the vanguard already looting. Wang Tong led his men in pursuit of the fleeing villagers.

"Watch out, chief!" one swordsman yelled.

Wang Tong turned to see a tall, straight-backed youth approaching swiftly, a long spear thrusting at him. That face was all too familiar—he'd been wounded by this boy before, and had killed the Ai family's steward to escape.

The spear was lightning-fast; Wang Tong, startled, parried with his saber. The steel spear tip struck the blade, sparking. With a clang, Wang Tong's saber was knocked from his grasp, and he tumbled aside, barely dodging the spear.

Li Yi tried to pursue, but a bandit blocked him. The bandit, fierce-faced, swung his saber, only to be run through the throat by Li Yi's spear, dying instantly with a scream.

Wang Tong, who had barely escaped death, broke into a cold sweat, as if he'd seen a ghost, fleeing in utter panic. The swordsmen with him, knowing Li Yi's prowess, turned and fled as well, leaving the approaching bandits bewildered.

They stared at the youth, standing alone at the village gate, leaning on his spear, uncertain why Wang Tong and his men fled. Were they really afraid of this barely grown boy?

"Out of the way, brat!" A bandit with a broad saber advanced, ready to cut down the youth.

With a single thrust, Li Yi's spear pierced the bandit's chest. Amid screams, he flung the corpse into a burning hut.

The bandits behind halted, stunned by the bloodstained spear tip. One swallowed hard, clutching his spear and stepping back involuntarily.

But Li Yi pressed forward, without hesitation, stabbing again to pierce another's throat. Then, weaving among the bandits, his spear moved like lightning, killing five in a single breath before they could react.

The remaining bandits were terrified, turning to flee. Li Yi drew a short spear, throwing it mercilessly into the backs of two fleeing bandits.

Meanwhile, Li Zicheng, mounted, rode out and swung his saber, cutting down three bandits before returning.

"Brother Yi, your skills are truly godlike," Li Zicheng exclaimed with genuine admiration.

"You flatter me, Second Brother," Li Yi replied, shaking his head with a smile, though he sighed upon seeing the villagers regrouping in the distance.

He held no blame. The villagers' training was too brief, and they had no experience in killing. Outnumbered by bandits, terror was natural.

Yet Gao Jie and the others, who had returned, hung their heads in shame. Li Yi had provided for them, paid their wages, yet they fled in battle—there was no face left.

Li Yi clapped Gao Honest's shoulder, and, facing the villagers, raised his voice: "On the battlefield, everyone fears death—I do too. But think: if we run in fear, what will happen when the bandits enter the village? We'll be scattered, hunted down one by one, forced to watch as our elders, wives, and children are abused and killed. Is that what you want?"

The villagers kept their heads low.

Li Yi suddenly shouted, "Tell me—is it?"

"No!" they roared in unison, shame and anger burning within.

"Then show your courage! Those unafraid, follow me to kill bandits. If you're afraid, run now—never show yourself before me again."

With that, Li Yi lifted his spear and strode toward the village outskirts.

There, Zhang Xianzhong and his main force were charging in.

The hundred bandits Wang Tong led had been routed by a single youth, leaving Zhang Xianzhong furious and impatient.

He wielded a golden-backed saber, his face contorted in anger as he rode forward. "Kill them all—leave no one alive!"

At his command, the bandits surged ahead. The villagers formed ranks at the gate, bracing themselves, weapons raised.

Just as they resolved to fight to the death, one man rushed out.

The villagers gasped at Li Yi's back.

Li Yi ran with all his might. He knew that if the bandits got close, even if the villagers held, losses would be heavy. The best tactic now was to capture the bandit chief.

Seeing Zhang Xianzhong surrounded by horsemen, Li Yi charged, determined to kill him.

Bandits along the way were momentarily stunned. Several raised spears and sabers to block him, but Li Yi swept his spear, knocking their weapons aside, not pausing as he advanced on Zhang Xianzhong.

None could stop him—he either killed them outright or forced them back.

Zhang Xianzhong was shocked. What in the devil was happening?

He spurred his horse and rode to meet Li Yi, swinging his saber.

Li Yi, though on foot, possessed remarkable strength. He leapt, spear tip flashing toward Zhang Xianzhong's throat.

Startled, Zhang Xianzhong withdrew his saber, striking Li Yi's spear shaft.

The spear tip was deflected, Zhang Xianzhong's right arm tingled, and he was secretly amazed.

This boy's strength was formidable.

"Foster father, I'll help!" Liu Wenxiu cried, drawing his bow. Li Yi, his spear not yet spent, had no time to dodge, and was struck in the left shoulder.

Unarmored, the arrow lodged deep in flesh. Li Yi faltered, forced to abandon pursuit of Zhang Xianzhong.

Zhang Xianzhong looked at Li Yi, raised his saber, and demanded coldly, "Who are you, boy?"

"Eighth King, that's the one who stole Ai family’s silver," Wang Tong shouted.

Zhang Xianzhong stared at Li Yi, stunned. "You little bastard, barely grown, and you dare rob Ai family’s silver? Hah! Today I’ve seen everything."

"What silver? I have no idea what you’re talking about," Li Yi replied, snapping off the arrow in his shoulder and glancing at the gathering bandits.

"Heh, you're stubborn, kid. If Wang Tong hadn't come to me, I'd never know of this windfall. If you hand over the silver today, I'll spare your life."

Li Yi laughed aloud. "If you have the guts, come fight me. Win, and I'll tell you where the silver is."

Zhang Xianzhong hesitated.

Li Yi sneered. "I thought you were a hero, but you're nothing but a cowardly turtle."

Zhang Xianzhong flew into a rage, waving his saber. "Kid, today I’ll chop your head off for a chamber pot!"

He kicked his horse and charged at Li Yi.

"Foster father, don't fall for his provocation!" Liu Wenxiu called anxiously.

But Zhang Xianzhong, proud of his martial prowess, could not bear Li Yi's contempt.

His horse thundered, Zhang Xianzhong roared, saber raised high, swinging at Li Yi’s head.

The blow was powerful, bolstered by his steed, and its momentum was terrifying.

Li Yi showed no fear, his spear sweeping up.

The spear struck the saber with a metallic clang. Li Yi retreated a step, planted his right foot, twisted his waist, and with a flash, exchanged hands and thrust a lightning-quick reverse spear.

Zhang Xianzhong's arm went numb; he had not anticipated this move, and could only fling his saber single-handedly, meeting Li Yi’s spear tip but unable to stop it.

He tightened the reins, his horse rearing, causing him to lose balance and fall, narrowly avoiding the spear.

The terror of surviving death left Zhang Xianzhong drenched in cold sweat.

At that moment, the surrounding bandits rushed in, giving Li Yi no chance for a finishing blow. Suddenly, more shouts and cries erupted.

The villagers had formed ranks and, abandoning the advantageous terrain of the village, charged out.

This sudden turn gave Li Yi another opportunity.

He swung his spear to knock aside Liu Wenxiu’s arrow, only to see Zhang Xianzhong had abandoned his horse and run a dozen paces.

Li Yi swept aside the encircling bandits, weighed his spear, fixed his gaze on Zhang Xianzhong’s fleeing figure, and hurled his spear with all his strength.

Zhang Xianzhong heard a cry and, as if prompted by fate, grabbed Wang Tong and dragged him in front.

A rushing wind split the air, and the spear pierced Wang Tong’s body, pinning him to the ground.

Zhang Xianzhong’s legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees in terror.

"Eighth King!" Wang Tong, still alive, pointed at Zhang Xianzhong, his eyes filled with resentment and hatred.

Li Yi stepped forward, grasping his bloodstained saber-toothed spear, gazing coldly at Zhang Xianzhong lying in despair.

He raised the spear, ready to kill the bandit chief, when more bandits surged from afar.

"Benefactor, stop!" a shout rang out. Li Yi looked up to see the leader was Sun Kewang, whom he had once rescued, and behind him were dozens of villagers tied up.

Li Yi paused, lowering his spear.

Sun Kewang hurried over and knelt before him.

"Benefactor, today’s offense was our fault. I beg your mercy—please spare my foster father’s life."

Li Yi realized, at last, that this bandit chief before him was none other than Zhang Xianzhong, who would go on to become the leader of the Great Western uprising.

He looked coldly at Sun Kewang. "I once saved your life, and this is how you repay me today?"

Sun Kewang pointed at Wang Tong’s corpse, shamefaced. "Benefactor, I have never forgotten your kindness. Today, it was Wang Tong who incited my foster father, claiming you stole Ai family’s silver. Greed took hold, and so we attacked Li Family Village tonight."

Li Yi gave a cold laugh.

Li Zicheng had said Sun Kewang was cunning; now it was clear. No wonder he would later become ruler of the Great Western State.

Li Yi looked at him calmly. "Wang Tong is dead, and you shift all blame to him—how convenient for a man with no voice to protest."

Sun Kewang blushed, bowing. "Benefactor, I speak the truth. It’s better to resolve enmity than deepen it. If you spare my foster father, I promise never to pursue the silver again, and to keep your secret."

Li Yi glanced at the villagers held captive by the bandits, fixing his eyes on Sun Kewang. "And if I refuse?"