"But this time I’m using the entire city of Cangyun County as a bargaining chip. If he isn’t tempted, do you think those noble families around him won’t be?"
"Hurry up and drink! I’ll need to rely on you, old brother, in a moment."
...
When Zhang Guangqun arrived at the city wall, he indeed found that the city garrison had been completely replaced.
He drew the longsword from his waist, climbed the city head, and started the slaughter.
After killing off these death row prisoners disguised as guards, he took out a signal flare from his waist and shot it.
"Whoosh!"
"Boom!"
The signal flare exploded in the air, its sharp sound traveling far.
Zhao Honglie, who was ready to go ten miles outside Canghe County City, laughed heartily upon hearing the signal flare.
"Haha, Zhang Guangqun has sent the signal. Now that Liu Yuanhu’s group is limited by the Blood Locking Powder, this is a great opportunity for us to take Cangyun County City in one fell swoop!"
"Gentlemen, who among you is willing to be the vanguard for this battle?"
Zhao Honglie, who rose from being a refugee to his current position, relied on steady hands. Although Cangyun County City was now within reach, he still did not let his guard down.
Without seeing Liu Yuanhu’s head with his own eyes, he wouldn’t risk himself.
When it came to the vanguard, the Black Sand Gang certainly wouldn’t volunteer.
After all, this information came solely from Zhao Honglie, and Zhao Qingcheng and Lu Kong weren’t fools; they wouldn’t foolishly volunteer for the vanguard.
"Boss Zhao, let’s wait until we see the situation in the county town before discussing who will be the vanguard!"
Zhao Qingcheng was the first to speak.
"Alright! Then let’s set off!"
Zhao Honglie waved a large hand, and the coalition army marched grandly towards Cangyun County City.
When they reached Cangyun County City, they indeed saw the city gates open wide, and scattered around the city walls were guards with their throats slit.
Zhang Guangqun walked from inside the city and coldly looked at Zhao Honglie, questioning him.
"Where is my son?"
Seeing the wide-open city gate, Zhao Honglie couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
"Brother Zhang, don’t be so anxious! You handled this matter so beautifully; how could I harm your nephew?"
"Bring him over!"
Soon, people from the Black Kill Gang brought over a burlap sack.
Zhang Guangqun opened the sack and saw that although his son’s face was somewhat bruised, his breathing was still quite steady, and his heart finally calmed down.
"Where are Liu Yuanhu and his confidants?"
Zhao Qingcheng suppressed the excitement in his eyes and asked.
Zhang Guangqun glanced at him and said coldly.
"Of course, they’re at the County Magistrate’s residence. I mixed Blood Locking Powder and large amounts of sleeping powder into today’s drinks. Not only can they not exert any strength right now, but they’re also sleeping like pigs. Whatever you want to do, do it quickly."
Zhao Qingcheng couldn’t let such an opportunity fall to the Lu family, and he hastily spoke as well.
"Brother Lu, your Lu family suffered heavy losses before. Although the city gates are open now, who knows if there are any ambushes inside? Let our Zhao family be the vanguard!"
At these words, Lu Kong immediately glared angrily at Zhao Qingcheng.
"Humph! Pretentious! The Lu family’s affairs are none of your business. We are set on being the vanguard!"
Seeing the two families argue, Zhao Honglie quickly intervened.
"Alright, alright. This enormous Canghe County City is ours now; why fight for such petty advantages? Since you both want to go, then both of you should go! Leave the outside to my Black Sand Gang."
"Once inside, remember to find Liu Yuanhu and the others and eliminate them first to prevent future problems. Once accomplished, fire a signal arrow as a mark; if there’s any mishap, fire two."
With a glare at Zhao Qingcheng, Lu Kong snorted and led the Lu family into the city.
Zhao Qingcheng was not willing to lag behind and signaled his Zhao family members to follow closely.
After the Zhao and Lu families entered Canghe County City, Liu Honglie looked up at the bright moon in the night sky, and his right eyelid started twitching uncontrollably, an unexplainable cloud enveloping his heart, making him feel very uneasy.
Inside the city, Liu Yuanhu had long made arrangements.
The ordinary people had closed their doors, and not even a single light was lit, plunging everything into silence.
"Father, this... this silence seems a little unusual!"
Seeing the silent streets, Zhao Dezhi’s heart became anxious, and he whispered to Zhao Qingcheng as he approached him.
Zhao Qingcheng also sensed something strange, but having already entered the city, retreating was impossible now.

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