Chapter 27: Reinforcements

In Gusu City, six young men rushed down the streets in a line of five in front and one behind, moving as quickly as firefighters.
“Damn it!”
“Xiao Li, can’t you slow down and explain things?”
“Running so fast—I bet you’re trying to flee with money.”
“Don’t be so mean. How much money? What’s the big deal?” The five young men chased behind them, panting, while still calling out and teasing.
Only the man in the green robe followed closely behind, staring thoughtfully at Xiao Li’s retreating figure.
It wasn’t until they entered a weapons shop that the six of them got a moment to catch their breath!
“Owner, give us five sets of willow leaf flying knives! Hand over the silver quickly!” Xiao Li slammed the counter excitedly, calling out bravely.
“Certainly. Fifty taels of silver,” the owner replied, glancing at Xiao Li before reaching for the money.
“Damn! I thought it would be a lot more. It’s only fifty taels, and you’re borrowing it from all of us…” The five who had chased up were furious, one of them making a exaggerated gesture with five fingers.
It turned out Xiao Li didn’t know the price of the willow leaf flying knives either. He simply asked to borrow money from the five of them, then took them along as “mobile ATMs” back to Gusu City. Although fifty taels was a significant amount for newcomers, it wasn’t much of a problem for them.
The only thing that puzzled the five was Xiao Li’s reaction! Why such urgency when buying something? It was way too exaggerated! If someone didn’t know, they might think he was rushing off to be a filial son (how awful!).
Ximen Qing, who had remained silent until now, walked up to the counter with a helpless and wry smile, shaking his head:
“Xiao Li… You really put us through hell today! What’s the matter? Why are you running like crazy without even stopping? We’ve been waiting in the tavern for ages. The thugs are already showing up, and you just run away!”
“I’m sorry, guys. It’s really urgent and important. I need to cross the Suzhou River right away to deliver something. I’ll apologize to you all when I come back.”
Hearing Xiao Li’s words, the group grew even more curious:
“No need to apologize. It’s not a big deal. Just explain clearly what’s going on… What are you delivering? Who dares to use you as a porter?”
“Right.”
“Who exactly?”
At that moment, Ximen Qing seemed to figure out something from Xiao Li’s words and said doubtfully, “Cross the Suzhou River? Is the person who sent you the message at Black Wind Fort?”

Among the six, Ximen Qing had happened to cross the river once before and knew the location of Black Wind Fort. Hearing this, it seemed as if something was triggered in him, and his expression changed instantly!
Xuanfeng Xiao Li was also surprised:
“Brother Qing, you know this place too?”
“…”
A serious look flashed across Ximen Qing’s face as he nodded:
“That’s right. I’ve been there once. After crossing, I realized that Black Wind Fort had blocked one of the exits from Gusu City to other directions. It seems your friend is quite strong.” At that, he gave a deep look at the five sets of willow-leaf flying knives taken out by the shopkeeper. “He actually went to Black Wind Fort to level up.”
“From what you say, Brother Qing, does that mean Black Wind Fort is a higher-level mission site? I still haven’t dared to go to Hanshan Temple…” One of the young men interjected.
“What’s like Black Wind Fort?” Everyone was extremely curious about high-level mission locations. Even the other players in the shop paid close attention, pricking up their ears.
An awkward expression appeared on Ximen Qing’s face:
“I’m not sure about the specifics of Black Wind Fort, but I know it’s a den of bandits. Even the lowest-level bandits are as ruthless as hooligans, and they don’t hesitate to kill. Usually, they appear in groups of two or three…”
“Isn’t that very dangerous?”
The group exchanged glances and gasped in shock, becoming even more interested in the friend mentioned by Xuanfeng Xiao Li. “Brother Xiao Li, who exactly is your amazing friend?”
At that moment, Ximen Qing spoke up again:
“Although there are many stronger people in Gusu City than me, few can survive in Black Wind Fort. Your friend, Brother Xuanfeng, must be the one from the Murong family, right?”
His tone became hesitant and serious as he spoke, even with a hint of expectation and confirmation.
“Is it him?”
“The Blue-Robed Gentleman Sword!”
The other four spoke in unison, staring in disbelief at Xuanfeng Xiao Li, who now showed obvious pride, his expression excited and thrilled, as if he had seen another Blue-Robed Gentleman Sword. “Last time you asked, you said you didn’t know him well. How come he sent you a message today?”
“Hurry up and tell us!”
With Xuanfeng Xiao Li’s implicit confirmation, the group couldn’t stay calm.
But Xuanfeng Xiao Li didn’t let his pride cloud his judgment. He picked up the five sets of willow-leaf flying knives from the counter and took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you about these later. I need to deliver these to him right away—he needs them urgently.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Ximen Qing’s expression changed, and he blurted out, “Could it be that he’s triggered that mission too?”
“Mission?”

Everyone couldn’t help but turn their gaze toward him, their eyes filled with keen curiosity:
“What mission is it?”
“We can’t delay! Come on! I’ll go with you and explain on the way.”
Ximen Qing took half of the willow leaf daggers from Xiao Li and pulled him along.
“Hey, wait for me!”
“Me too!”
How could such an “exciting” event be without their four followers? The four of them, eager to have the chance to speak up close with the Blue-Robed Gentleman Sword, hurriedly rushed out of the city.
They asked along the way.
It turned out that…
Any player with level 9 martial skills and chivalry points could trigger the storyline related to Black Wind Fort across the Suzhou River.
The day before yesterday, Ximen Qing had already experienced something like this. He had taken on the mission too, but after seeing the group of strong men at Black Wind Fort, he couldn’t defeat them and ended up trapped inside, dying once again.
“Ah.”
“Why didn’t you mention it?”
“It’s not exactly something good,” Ximen Qing replied, speechless.
After a long pause, he said to Xiao Li, “It seems your eldest senior brother must have a way to deal with the people at Black Wind Fort; otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry. Truly worthy of being the number one swordsman in Gusu City—the Blue-Robed Gentleman Sword. I’m not as good as him.” Though he said this, he was even more eager to see for himself what Master Murong’s skills were like.
Soon…
A group of people crossed the river!
From afar, across the river, the six of them faintly saw a blue figure standing firm on the opposite bank, upright and tall, with his robes fluttering in the wind, his hero’s headband waving in the breeze, and his long sword held casually in his hand—like a scene from a movie.
“The Blue-Robed Gentleman Sword!”
Including Xiao Li, the six of them almost simultaneously held their breath. That was the demeanor of Master Murong from the Murong family—a true epitome of a martial artist.