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Blackwood Cliff is the stronghold of the Sun Moon Cult and Li Yao's next target.
The Sun Moon Cult, as the most powerful demonic cult, is a major cancer in the Ming Dynasty and must be eradicated.
To destroy the Sun Moon Cult, we must first find its stronghold: Blackwood Cliff.
Most martial arts practitioners have no idea exactly where Blackwood Cliff is located.
Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard forces under Li Yao's control had to conduct in-depth investigations and pay a considerable price before finally figuring out the exact location of Blackwood Cliff.
Black Cliff is located at Xingxingtan, more than 40 miles northwest of Pingding Prefecture.
After resting for a day in Dengfeng County, Li Yao led his army straight to Black Cliff.
The army marched swiftly, its momentum overwhelming.
Wherever it went, the local people avoided it to prevent any undeserved disaster.
After the army entered the territory of Pingding Prefecture, Li Yao ordered them to set up camp near a water source, preparing to rest for one night before launching an attack on Black Cliff the next day.
Before the camp was even set up, Li Yao, who was patrolling the area, had an idea.
A large force is on its way!
"Report!"
Sure enough, a scout rushed over to deliver the news.
The scout reported: "Reporting to the commander, a large force is approaching from the northeast. They should be members of the Sun Moon Cult."
"knew!"
Li Yao nodded.
Since the headquarters of the Sun Moon Cult is located in Pingding Prefecture, this area should be considered within the sphere of influence of the Sun Moon Cult.
He led a large army of over a thousand Imperial Guards, a force so imposing that it was bound to be discovered by the Sun Moon Cult's spies.
However, he was not worried that the members of the Sun Moon Cult would flee in advance.
Because he had already mobilized the nearby Imperial Guards to guard all the key points in and out of Pingding Prefecture.
This time, the members of the Sun Moon Cult have nowhere to escape.
Of course, he believed that given the arrogance of the Sun Moon Cult, they wouldn't be scared away so easily.
However, he did not expect that the people of the Sun Moon Cult would actually come to him on their own initiative.
Without much thought, he ordered Lu Yichuan beside him, "Pass down the order to prepare for battle!"
"yes!"
Lu Yichuan readily accepted the order.
Immediately, he rode off to deliver the order: "The commander has ordered everyone to mount their horses and prepare to meet the enemy!"
At a command, all the Imperial Guards put down what they were doing, mounted their horses as quickly as possible, and formed an orderly battle formation to meet the enemy.
Just then, a dark shadowy line appeared from the northeast, rapidly moving towards them.
Based on the sounds coming from the enemy, Li Yao estimated that there were about a thousand men.
I never imagined the Sun Moon Cult had such substantial resources!
These people should be the army of protectors that the Sun Moon Cult has been cultivating over the years.
Li Yao discovered that, apart from the three leaders who were riding horses, the rest of the army had come on foot at breakneck speed.
Although these people were walking, their speed was no slower than that of a horse.
Based on their auras, Li Yao deduced that they were all martial artists skilled in martial arts.
However, in Li Yao's eyes, these people were lambs delivered to his door, just waiting for him to fleece them.
To Li Yao's surprise, the other party even brought dozens of donkey carts.
Moreover, each donkey cart carried a large wooden box.
Just then, one of the men on horseback raised his arm.
The army behind him suddenly stopped and ceased its advance.
Li Yao discovered that the enemy's position was exactly at the critical point of the Jinyiwei army's arrow range.
The distance was calculated so cleverly!
Indeed, the Sun Moon Cult has quite a few talented people!
Chapter 196 Reaping What You Sow, How Could This Be?
On one side was the Imperial Guard army, and on the other side was the Sun Moon Cult army.
Both sides were on high alert, staring at each other with wary expressions.
At this moment, a man on horseback, dressed in a short black robe, leading the Sun Moon Cult, cupped his hands and said, "I am Jia Bu of the Sun Moon Cult, greetings to Commander."
Lu Xiaochuan glanced at Li Yao, and seeing that Li Yao was expressionless, he said to Jia Bu, "Jia Bu, you've led so many people to besiege the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Do you intend to rebel?"
What a shrewd Lu Xiaochuan! He's already learned to pin the blame on others.
The moment he opened his mouth, he 'slandered' Jabu for rebelling.
That's a brilliant way to pin the blame on someone!
Jia Bu looked terrified and quickly apologized with a forced smile, "It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. How could I dare to attack the Imperial Guards?"
Lu Xiaochuan pointed at the men behind Jia Bu and demanded, "If you're not attacking the Embroidered Uniform Guard, why did you bring so many people?"
Jia Bu quickly explained, "It is like this. Our Eastern Leader of the Divine Sect has always greatly admired the Commander. Recently, I heard that the Commander happened to be passing through Pingding Prefecture, and I was very pleased. So I sent me to present some small gifts to the Commander. Please accept them."
As he spoke, he pointed to the large wooden crates on dozens of donkey carts.
A smug look appeared on Lu Xiaochuan's face.
The commander's reputation was indeed widespread; even the famous Dongfang Bubai had to rush to curry favor with him.
However, Li Yao's face remained expressionless.
Lu Xiaochuan said, "Since Dongfang Bubai admires our Commander so much, why doesn't he come in person to present his gift?"
Jia Bu quickly explained, "Our Eastern Leader is currently in seclusion and it is inconvenient for him to come in person. Please forgive him."
As he spoke, he pointed to the large wooden box and said, "How about I have someone transport these small gifts over?"
Lu Xiaochuan looked to Li Yao for instructions, and seeing Li Yao nod slightly, he raised his hand and said, "Bring them all over!"
"Someone, take the gifts over there!"
Jabu was overjoyed and immediately gave the order.
At the same time, a sly glint flashed in his eyes.
At Jia Bu's command, many members of the Sun Moon Cult formed groups of three, with one person driving the cart in front and two pushing it from behind.
One after another, donkey carts drove in an orderly fashion toward the Imperial Guard army.
Suddenly, Jabu's smile vanished, his expression turning icy, and he ordered, "Shoot!"
The next moment, the two people pushing each donkey cart simultaneously and quickly slapped the wooden box.
Then, the front side of each wooden box was tilted outwards, revealing rows of dark, sharp arrows inside.
At the same time, these sharp arrows shot out in a whooshing sound, heading towards the Imperial Guard army.
Each of the arrows seemed to have a water bag attached to it, and under the sunlight, a faint black shimmering light appeared.
Lu Xiaochuan and the other Imperial Guards were all greatly shocked.
They had no idea that these wooden boxes actually contained crossbows, not the gifts that Jabu had claimed.
Only Li Yao remained calm.
He had long suspected that there was something strange about these wooden boxes.
How could someone as arrogant and conceited as Dongfang Bubai possibly admire others?
They certainly wouldn't send anyone to deliver gifts!
The moment Jia Bu changed his expression, Li Yao had already secretly circulated his internal energy, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The instant Jia Bu gave the order, Li Yao was already enveloped in a layer of naturally formed protective energy.
Just as the arrows were being fired, Li Yao suddenly pushed his hands forward.
boom!
A tremendous surge of energy, like ripples, spread outwards.
One after another, the arrows turned around and shot back at the army of the Sun Moon Cult.
Just a moment ago, Jia Bu and the other members of the Sun Moon Cult were extremely proud, believing that victory in this battle was inevitable.
The next moment, these people were terrified, their faces filled with fear, and they all turned and ran.
Thump thump thump...
As the arrows, now with their arrowheads reversed, flew over the Sun Moon Cult army, the water bags attached to them burst open.
The eerie black water from the water bag poured down like a torrential rain.
hiss hiss hiss...
A series of terrifying and eerie corrosive sounds rang out, and the strange black water dripped onto the donkey cart, causing puffs of white smoke to rise.
In an instant, many terrifying corrosion marks were left on the donkey cart.
At the same time, many members of the Sun Moon Cult were drenched in strange black water.
Instantly, wherever the eerie black water touched their bodies, it was rapidly corroded and dissolved, revealing their dark bones.
The intense, excruciating pain caused them to let out a series of chilling screams.
This poisonous water can corrode not only flesh but also bones.