Chapter 657 - 470: Separation for the Sake of the Great Cause

"What?" Xiaolang was shocked and knelt abruptly beside the middle-aged man.

"Master, have I done something wrong to upset you?" Xiaolang’s eyes filled with tears. "If that’s the case, you can scold me however you like, but could you please not leave?"

Moments ago, Xiaolang, who faced enemies with ease, now cried like a child who hadn’t grown up.

The middle-aged man said irritably, "Why are you crying? Stand up. Is this how I taught you?"

Xiaolang pursed his lips, stood up aggrievedly, and looked pitifully at the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was at a loss under Xiaolang’s gaze, and his heart softened involuntarily.

After all, he is still just a child.

"The reason I have to leave is because I have other important matters to attend to, not because you did anything wrong."

"You are a good kid and can handle things well. Even if I’m not by your side in the future, there shouldn’t be a problem."

Xiaolang, with reddened eyes, said, "Master, if there’s anything, you can let me handle it. I can definitely do it well. Couldn’t you not leave?"

The middle-aged man tenderly patted Xiaolang’s head and said affectionately, "You’re already doing it. Continue what you’re doing now, and that would be the best repayment for me."

The middle-aged man still left.

To achieve the teacher’s goal, one Xiaolang was not enough. They needed dozens or even hundreds of Xiaolangs.

"Little Wolf Cub, don’t die on me."

After successfully capturing a Fire Rock Ore, Xiaolang triumphed over the official army encircling him ten days later, firmly establishing his standing and growing his reputation.

Northern State.

"These damned rebels!" The leading officer looked at the mess before him and angrily swung his whip.

A month ago, three rebel groups in the Northern State joined forces and managed to capture the county city.

Although the champion soon recovered the city and beheaded one rebel leader.

Despite successfully dealing with these rebels, the damage they caused to the city was immeasurable.

Since then, the officer has been relentlessly pursuing these rebels.

But these scoundrels were like cockroaches in a trash heap, impossible to kill off completely.

Clearly, these people aren’t united.

At critical moments, they betray and sabotage each other, which has become common practice.

For instance, he once pinned these people on a ridge, but one group of rebels not only escaped from the ridge but also sabotaged the road, forcing the other group to cover for them.

In the end, although he scattered the rebels, he let the rebel leader escape.

Soon after, that escapee had formed another squad.

In every battle, it was a victory for the official army, yet the number of rebels kept increasing.

Initially, only four rebel leaders were considerably strong, two of whom were killed in successive battles.

Unbelievably, there are now six powerful rebel leaders, who have been dubbed the Six Demon Kings.

Even the revered masters from the Zhao Family faced losses against them.

These wretched people, while betraying and sabotaging each other, showed an unusual unity against the revered masters.

Whenever one of them was in trouble, everyone rushed over to help.

Initially, revered masters were eager to confront those rebel leaders, but now no one is willing.

The last two revered masters moved with the army, waiting for reinforcements from other revered masters.

Despite the rapid expansion of rebel forces, the gap between ordinary peasants and a trained army remains significant.

So, no one truly takes these rebels seriously.

He never expected that just an hour ago, while they were pursuing rebels into a mountain pass, arrows suddenly rained from the sky, and massive stones fell endlessly from the mountains above.

The sudden attack inflicted considerable losses on the official army.

One revered master was caught off guard and hit by several massive stones.

Though not killed, he was seriously injured and surely needed to recuperate.

More importantly, after this battle, the official army suffered losses exceeding half their force, forcing them to retreat and regroup.

Others might still not take these rebels seriously, as they’re just bandits, after all.

So far, they haven’t even faced the real elite and experts. Everyone believes that as soon as the Imperial Court takes it seriously, eradicating these rebels would be as easy as lifting a finger.

Only the generals who battled with these rebels for months sense their threat.

"This retreat could make it much harder to wipe them out next time."

However, what he may need to worry about most is his own future.

Western State.

A hideous scar ran across Hex Chengpi’s face, resembling a giant centipede lying diagonally from the left side of his forehead to the right corner of his mouth.

Before him, besides Tang Jianjun, were the familiar faces he drank with previously.

Only missing was the man who wielded the giant axe.

"Brothers, our target this time is Linjiang City. Do you know why?"

The remaining men all wore expressions of blazing anger: "Because the one who killed the fifth is now in Linjiang City."

"Good, it seems no one has forgotten the grudge for the fifth," Hex Chengpi nodded approvingly. "This time, we shall breach Linjiang City and avenge the fifth!"