Chapter Thirty-Four: Subduing the Enemy Without a Battle, Protected by Merit

“Hahaha!”
With a burst of laughter echoing from above, a heavy stone gate crashed down at the entrance behind them, sealing it completely.
From the eight openings on the second level of the cave, more than ten black-clad men armed with bows surged out, quickly occupying the surrounding stone corridor, aiming their arrows at the hall below.
“You truly are formidable, to have managed to break into this secret manor, and to destroy so many of its countless, terrifying traps.
But since you’ve come here, you’ll remain forever!”
“It’s Yu Tianlong!” Han Chong whispered, immediately activating his invisibility technique.
The constables raised their torches, forming a protective circle on the perimeter, while the Demon-Slaying Captains stood at the center, all gazing grimly up at the hundred archers above.
The cave was steep and vertical, with no cover, and the stone corridor stood nearly thirty feet high above the hall—those below were nothing but sitting ducks.
If a volley of arrows rained down, the dozens of constables present would surely meet their end!
In such a dire situation, no matter how skilled or clever one might be—even the likes of Captain Wu, Captain Ning, and Ouyang Jingguan—there was no way out, with death all but certain!
“Damn it! We were too careless. I never imagined this cave hall would be such a deadly trap!”
Captain Wu cursed loudly.
Everyone gritted their teeth, searching desperately for a way to reach the stone corridor, but there was no foothold to be found anywhere.
...
“Everyone, stop right now!”
A strange, thunderous voice suddenly rang out from the center of the crowd, startling all present.
It turned out to be the scar-faced man in black, who stepped out from among the people and looked up at Yu Tianlong above.
The constables moved to arrest him, but Captain Ning and his companions stopped them—they had seen Han Chong use his disguise technique to impersonate the Mountain Lord, and all suspected this youth was clever and resourceful!
“Yu Tianlong, you scoundrel! Can’t you see I’ve been captured by these men? All brothers, obey my command—arrest him!”
The hundred black-clad men exchanged confused glances; after a brief hesitation, they turned their bows and arrows toward Yu Tianlong!
The dozen men near him also suddenly drew their swords.
“Deputy Ding, you’re still alive?”
Yu Tianlong’s smile froze, disbelief in his eyes as he looked down.
He had calculated everything, but failed to foresee this—these black-clad bandits were all Ding Xingxiu’s men!
“Hmph! You wish I were dead! You’re the one who lured the constables here. Brothers, seize him for me!”
The scar-faced man sneered coldly, barking another command.
“Don’t listen to him! He’s already been captured by the authorities. Without me, you’ll all die!”
Yu Tianlong shouted hoarsely at the approaching bandits.
“Don’t spout nonsense! The court has agreed to let me make amends for my crimes and will recruit all our brothers.
From now on, we’ll be eating the emperor’s grain, never again forced into banditry—seize Yu Tianlong at once!”
Hearing the scar-faced man say this, all the bandits rejoiced and rushed toward Yu Tianlong.

Although Yu Tianlong fought desperately, two fists could not prevail against a hundred hands; the corridor was narrow, and he was quickly bound tight.
“Well done, brothers! Excellent work—come down now!” The scar-faced man laughed heartily.
A bandit leader pressed a hidden switch on the cliff wall, and two stone gates in the cave below rumbled open. The bandits descended from the corridor into the cave hall.
They were about to welcome back the scar-faced man, when he suddenly transformed into another person—Han Chong!
With a swing of his black sword, several bandit leaders fell dead, and Captain Wu and the others charged at the bandits.
Yu Tianlong, bound and furious, realized it was a disguise!
He had sensed something was wrong—the scar-faced man would never be captured so easily, at worst he would have fought to the death!
Moreover, when he appeared, the constables had moved aside, but Yu Tianlong had failed to grasp the situation in time, regretting it deeply!
For these murderous bandits, there was no question of mercy—the Demon-Slaying Captains slaughtered them like chopping vegetables!
Over a hundred bandits, seeing their fate sealed, dropped their weapons and knelt to beg for mercy, only to be shackled by the constables.
...
“Yu Tianlong, I’ll give you another chance. Reveal the mastermind, and perhaps you can earn redemption!”
“Is this true? I... I’m willing!”
Yet, just as with the scar-faced man before him, the same scene played out again.
A black lotus appeared on Yu Tianlong’s chest, releasing black flames!
Han Chong was prepared; he suddenly crouched and inhaled the black flames!
The Flame-Spitting Technique could both expel and, when reversed, absorb fire.
But these black flames were sinister and unknown—who knew what danger awaited?
However, Han Chong had already tested his skills after mastering the Burial Technique, surviving the consumption of corpse-poisoned river water. He believed there was no mortal danger!
Those watching were nonetheless terrified—the horror of the black flame was etched in their minds, leaving them uneasy!
Though Han Chong had previously swallowed endless corpse-poisoned water, the power of fire far exceeded water; if his body was incinerated, all would be lost!
Black threads of flame entered Han Chong’s mouth, turning his face pitch black.
Yu Tianlong stared in shock—this Han fellow was a madman!
Yet he felt his body improving, the black flames all being absorbed.
Han Chong felt an evil energy, neither demon nor monster, raging within his chest and abdomen.
Yet suddenly, a surge of righteous Daoist energy emerged, clashing fiercely with it!
The two forces battled violently, causing Han Chong agony—his whole body burned, as if within a furnace!
But just as he was about to collapse, the hidden force of merit within him surged through his limbs, enveloping the two energies like a protective membrane, separating them from his flesh!
All saw Han Chong lying on the ground, his body awash in black and blue light, writhing in pain.
Then, a faint golden glow spread across him, as if auspicious fortune had descended!

His pain ceased abruptly, though his brow remained furrowed and he was unconscious.
After half a stick of incense had burned, the three glows faded, and Han Chong finally opened his eyes, gritting his teeth.
He had not expected the black flame to be so terrifying, far beyond his predictions.
Fortunately, this flame was rootless; it was eventually worn away and dissolved by the blue fire within him.
“Heaven bless you, Captain Han! You truly are extraordinary—always turning misfortune into fortune. But this was too risky.
Last time you swallowed corpse-poisoned river water, I was so anxious; now you’ve swallowed demon flame—truly a madman!”
Captain Wu sighed in relief, laughing.
“This flame is indeed strange—the one who controls it must be no less powerful than the Horned Demon King!”
Ouyang Jingguan nodded in agreement.
Han Chong’s eyes turned icy as he looked at the dumbstruck Yu Tianlong.
“I risked my life at death’s door to save you—now it’s time for the truth!”
“Thank you, Brother Han, for saving my life. I never imagined the Black Lotus Sect Master would plant such a deadly fire poison in us—utterly cruel!
I swear to tell you everything I know!
It happened half a year ago, when I was escorting a treasure cart through Falling Goose Gorge and was ambushed by that scoundrel Ding Xingxiu.
He was skilled in martial arts; I couldn’t defeat him and was captured.
Then, in this secret cave, a masked man in white appeared. He gave me a black lotus seed to swallow.
The seed was peculiar—after taking it, my strength increased greatly, but the side effect was a black lotus mark on my chest.
Every three months, the lotus burned painfully, and I had to bring treasures to Ding Xingxiu for another seed to restore myself.
Later, Ding Xingxiu thought my tribute was lacking, and conspired to kill Chief Yun. Both of us were no match for him, but the masked man in white appeared and defeated Yun.
He intended to recruit Yun, but Yun was resolute and smashed his head against the cliff, dying instantly, after which I became the chief.”
“Who is the masked man in white? Where is he? What does he want?” Han Chong pressed further.
“We only call him the Black Lotus Sect Master. He has two deputies, four guardians, and I am one of them.
No one has ever seen his true face—only that the Black Lotus Sect has over a thousand followers throughout Peijun Prefecture. That’s all I know.
As for his intentions, I suspect it’s merely to amass wealth.”
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Yu Tianlong had confessed to the murder of Yun Tianxiao, so he likely wasn’t lying—he truly did not know the identity of the Black Lotus Sect Master.
“Oh, right—I once heard Ding Xingxiu mention a place called Egret Academy. I don’t know if it’s connected to the Black Lotus Sect Master!”
Yu Tianlong’s eyes brightened as he hurriedly spoke.
“Egret Academy?” Han Chong looked questioningly at Captain Ning and Captain Wu.