Perhaps seeing that the tide had turned, the Luo Sai Nan was starting to go mad.
Over the years, his Qingfeng Stronghold had engaged in robbery and plunder, committing many evil deeds and harming many nearby commoners. The Luo Sai Nan also knew well that he was no righteous bandit who robbed the rich to help the poor; now that his stronghold was breached, he would surely die!
Since he was bound to die, he might as well fight to the death!
It was just a pity that he hadn't had time to consummate the marriage with that young woman!
It was all this kid's fault!
All the resentment in the Luo Sai Nan's heart was directed at Zhang Chen. No need for words, even if he died today, he would drag Zhang Chen down with him!
The Luo Sai Nan gritted his teeth, let out a series of frantic yells, swung his large saber wildly, killing several Soldiers around him, and charged straight towards Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen watched from afar and immediately cast Insight Eye.
【Name: Zuo Zizhangba】
【Possessed Traits: Xiao Fang Qu Shuai (Blue), Proficient Swordsmanship (Purple), Immense Strength (Purple), Lustful (White), Witless (White)】
Zhang Chen knew this person. Like the Zhang Leigong and Guo Daxian from before, this person was a mountain bandit from the Hebei area, and later joined the Black Mountain Army, becoming a leader of a faction.
However, this person's attributes were quite good, actually having two purple traits! Moreover, one of them was actually Immense Strength!
No wonder the surrounding Soldiers were no match.
Heh heh, his own Immense Strength trait was just one short of being able to fuse and upgrade. Wasn't this just delivered to his doorstep?
Zhang Chen was instantly overjoyed, immediately dismounted, and ordered, "All troops, fall back!"
Without a word, Zhang Chen charged forward with his spear and thrust it towards him.
Zuo Zizhangba raised his steel saber and met the attack with all his might, fighting Zhang Chen.
He had a purple Proficient Swordsmanship trait, and Zhang Chen had a purple spear mastery trait; they were well-matched opponents. In terms of strength, both had Immense Strength, so they were equally matched.
For a time, the two fought an inseparable battle.
After dozens of exchanges, Zuo Zizhangba suddenly swung his steel saber, chopping backhand. Zhang Chen quickly blocked with his spear. But in an instant, he saw Zuo Zizhangba's momentum surge, and he continuously chopped several more times, each strike more powerful than the last.
Zhang Chen was greatly alarmed and continuously defended, actually starting to struggle.
What was going on? Both he and Zuo Zizhangba had purple traits, so why did Zuo Zizhangba suddenly become so much stronger?
It seemed he had unleashed his potential in a moment of crisis!
Zhang Chen didn't dare to be careless. Just then, Zuo Zizhangba struck down with another saber blow.
This attack seemed to carry the weight of a thousand jun. Zhang Chen didn't dare to take it head-on, so he retreated several steps.
At the same time, a long spear suddenly shot out, blocking the steel saber.
Zhang Chen looked closely and saw that it was Zhang He. Unbeknownst to him, Zhang He had arrived from the rear stronghold. Just now, thanks to his timely action, Zhang Chen might have been in danger!
"Lord, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Junyi. You came at the right time. This villain has some tricks!"
"Lord, rest a moment. See Zhang He capture him!" Zhang He said, then charged forward with his spear, shouting, "Villain, do you recognize your Grandpa Zhang He!"
Upon hearing Zhang He's name, Zuo Zizhangba and the surrounding mountain bandits immediately changed color.
Zhang He's martial arts were superb, known to everyone in Wei Commandery.
Zhang He thrust left and right, his spear moves sharp and impenetrable. Zuo Zizhangba fought and retreated, his decline evident.
Zhang He's spear technique had reached its peak; how could Zuo Zizhangba compare? In less than a moment, Zhang He knocked the steel saber from his hand with one spear strike, and with another, ended his life.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen smiled slightly and then used Hand of Plunder to collect the two purple traits into his possession.
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully plundering the purple trait "Immense Strength", gaining 200 plunder points!】
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully plundering the purple trait "Proficient Swordsmanship", gaining 200 plunder points!】
【Ding! Detected that the host currently possesses identical traits, meeting the fusion conditions. Fuse and upgrade?】
Fuse!
Zhang Chen was excited; he was about to possess his first golden trait!
Before him, the familiar light screen reappeared, and three purple Immense Strength trait cards floated before his eyes in a 'pin' shape. The three cards gradually approached, gathered in the center, and finally overlapped.
A dazzling golden light suddenly burst forth!
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully fusing the golden trait "Heavenly Strength", gaining 600 plunder points.】
【Heavenly Strength (Gold)】: You are exceptionally gifted, possessing innate divine strength, rarely seen in the world! (Strength attribute is greatly increased)
In an instant, Zhang Chen felt his entire body's blood and qi surge, as if boundless strength was pouring into his limbs and bones. He immediately felt refreshed and incredibly at ease.
Zhang Chen couldn't wait to try the effect of the golden trait, so he looked around and found a marble table not far away under a tree.
Perfect, he would use this trait to establish his authority today!
Zhang Chen smiled slightly, walked over leisurely, grabbed a mountain bandit casually, and coldly demanded, "Where are the two young women you kidnapped today?"
The mountain bandit was already scared out of his wits, unable to speak clearly, stammering, "She... they... they..."
Zhang Chen grabbed the man, threw him aside, and instantly sent him flying several meters.
Seeing this, Zhang He couldn't help but frown slightly.
Zhang Chen glared fiercely, his sharp gaze sweeping over the bandits, and he roared, "I will ask one last time, where are those two young women? If you still stammer and don't answer, don't blame this official for shattering you into pieces, just like this table!"
Saying that, Zhang Chen struck down with all his might, slamming his palm onto the marble table.
With a 'crack' sound, the table shattered outwards from the point where Zhang Chen struck, instantly breaking into several pieces!
Zhang Chen hadn't expected it to be so easy; the stone table was smashed like a piece of tofu!
Was this Heavenly Strength? It was too awesome!
This scene astonished everyone present, whether Soldiers or mountain bandits.
Zhang He frowned even tighter, looking at Zhang Chen with a puzzled gaze.
Strange, just now when Lord fought that bandit chief, he was clearly at a disadvantage. How could he do this in less than a moment?
If he had this much strength, how could he have been no match for that fellow just now?
Could it be that when they were fighting just now, Lord deliberately held back?
That shouldn't be the case. There seemed to be no need to do so.
Wait, could it be that he had another breakthrough?
Zhang He looked at Zhang Chen with an unbelievable gaze.
In this world, could there truly be such an extraordinary person?!
The mountain bandits on the side were already terrified out of their wits, kneeling down one after another to beg for mercy, kowtowing like pounding garlic.
At this moment, a relatively articulate mountain bandit bravely said, "L-Lord, spare us! The two young women, one is locked in the woodshed, and the other was taken by the Boss as his wife, and she is currently in the front hall. We... we... we were planning the wedding ceremony, but haven't... haven't... you arrived..."
The man's voice grew fainter and fainter, and by the end, he didn't dare to speak at all, glancing timidly at Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen's face was like ice, full of fury.
"Men, go to the woodshed and release that woman," Zhang Chen said. "Junyi, I'll leave this place to you. All the money, grain, and supplies in the stronghold are to be collected and registered, and transported back to Ye City. As for these people, you decide what to do with them."
"Yes!" Zhang He responded, then turned and ordered the Soldiers to begin inventorying the stronghold's supplies and transporting the heavy grain and fodder.
Zhang Chen, meanwhile, headed directly towards the front hall.