Chapter 152: Firestorm Assault

Chapter 152: Firestorm Assault

The muffled galloping of hooves grew louder, and within moments, over a hundred mounted bandits came charging into the gorge, their presence kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Brother Feng, they're here!" Bai Ziyue whispered excitedly, hiding himself atop the cliff.

Mu Feng gripped the fire crystal tightly and nodded. "Get ready. When I signal, you'll trigger the formation at the exit. Don't miss the mark." Bai Ziyue clenched the crystal and moved to the opposite side of the gorge, prepared to follow orders.

The Trap Is Sprung

The bandits galloped deeper into the gorge, led by their leader Ma Li. Once all of them were within the range of the first formation, Mu Feng's eyes gleamed with cold determination.

Pulling his arm back, he hurled the fire crystal into the designated slot in the entrance formation. The moment the crystal landed in place, a burst of energy erupted.

BOOM!

A towering fire wall, over ten meters high, roared to life at the gorge's entrance, sealing it off completely. Moments later, Bai Ziyue hurled his fire crystal into the exit formation, triggering a second fire wall.

The gorge was now an inferno.

"Retreat!" one of the bandits at the rear shouted, but their path was already engulfed in flames. The blazing walls emitted waves of searing heat, making the air shimmer.

"Damn it! What's going on?!" Ma Li bellowed as he dismounted his horse, his face twisting in fury.

"Boss, we're surrounded! There's fire blocking both ends!" a subordinate shouted in panic.

Ma Li turned to glare at Gu Lao Er, the traitorous bandit. "You! What is this treachery?"

Gu Lao Er stammered, unable to come up with an excuse. Before he could respond, laughter rang out from above.

The Attack Begins

From atop the gorge, Mu Feng and Bai Ziyue appeared, silhouetted against the night sky.

"You've terrorized innocents for long enough, Ma Li!" Mu Feng shouted. "Today, justice comes for you!"

Ma Li snarled, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the two youths. "Two brats think they can take down my men? You'll regret this!"

He waved his hand, sending several bandits scrambling up the gorge walls. But before they could reach the top, fire runes flung by Mu Feng and Bai Ziyue exploded into flames.

BOOM!

Flames and shockwaves engulfed the climbing bandits. Those closest to the explosions were reduced to ashes, while others screamed as they plummeted back into the gorge, ablaze.

"Trigger the fire runes!" Mu Feng ordered.

Bai Ziyue and Mu Feng simultaneously activated the fire rune traps embedded throughout the gorge.

Hell Unleashed

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The gorge turned into a warzone as dozens of fire runes exploded in rapid succession. Blinding flashes of red and orange erupted, sending flames cascading across the rocky terrain. Horses screamed in terror, many collapsing under the intense heat.

Bandits caught directly in the explosions were incinerated or blown apart, their charred remains scattered among the jagged rocks.

"Scatter! Get off the horses!" Ma Li roared, his voice barely audible over the roaring flames.

But it was too late. With every step, another trap was triggered, sending fiery death into the midst of the bandits. Rocks shook loose from the gorge walls, crushing some of the survivors.

When the final explosion faded, the gorge was a scorched battlefield. Of the hundred-strong force, only a handful of men remained, many of them injured or singed.

The Fight for Survival

Ma Li, his face blackened with soot, glared up at the two youths. "Damn you both! You'll pay for this!" Gripping his cleaver, he leaped toward Mu Feng, scaling the rocky wall with impressive agility.

"Brother Feng, he's coming for you!" Bai Ziyue warned.

"I'll handle him. Take care of the others," Mu Feng replied.

As Ma Li reached the top, Mu Feng hurled several golden sword talismans at him.

Swoosh!

The talismans transformed into radiant blades of energy that shot toward Ma Li. He snarled and swung his cleaver, deflecting the attacks with precise movements. However, the impact forced him to leap back to avoid injury.

"I underestimated you, boy," Ma Li growled, landing back in the gorge.

Mu Feng jumped down after him, brandishing his Shura Bloodblade, which pulsed with a sinister crimson glow.

A Final Gambit

As the two clashed, Bai Ziyue faced the remaining bandits. Wielding his sword with deadly precision, he activated his golden sword talismans, sending waves of glowing energy slicing through the air.

The remaining bandits fell like wheat before the scythe. The ground was littered with corpses, and Bai Ziyue's Wind Wolf and Snake-Tail Leopard prowled through the carnage, finishing off any stragglers.

Meanwhile, Ma Li and Mu Feng circled each other in the charred gorge. Ma Li's movements were slow and calculated, while Mu Feng's eyes gleamed with fiery resolve.

"You're from Tianyun Academy," Ma Li said, realization dawning on him. "Let's make a deal. Spare me, and I'll give you half of my loot."

Mu Feng sneered. "Your wealth is stolen, and your hands are stained with innocent blood. The only thing you'll give me is your head."

Roaring in anger, Ma Li charged at Mu Feng with a powerful slash. The clash of their weapons echoed through the gorge as sparks flew.

The Tide Turns

Though Ma Li's strength was superior, Mu Feng's tactics and agility kept him in the fight. When Ma Li attempted a heavy downward strike, Mu Feng sidestepped and countered with a precise thrust of his Bloodblade, nicking Ma Li's shoulder.

"I'll kill you, brat!" Ma Li roared, his movements growing more erratic as his frustration mounted.

"Not today," Mu Feng muttered, activating another golden sword talisman. The energy blade shot forward, piercing Ma Li's thigh and forcing him to his knees.

Before Ma Li could recover, Mu Feng leaped forward, raising his blade high. "For the innocent lives you've taken!"

With a final, powerful slash, Mu Feng's blade descended, ending the reign of the Ma Shan Bandit Gang's leader.

Victory

Bai Ziyue arrived moments later, his sword dripping with blood. "Brother Feng, it's done. The rest are finished."

Mu Feng stood over Ma Li's lifeless body, breathing heavily. "Good. Let's inform the villagers. Justice has been served."

As the two left the charred battlefield, the moonlight revealed the devastation left behind—a stark warning to anyone who dared to follow in Ma Li's footsteps.