However, Su Jie also realized that his progress had slowed down. Now, he had to consume 10 Body Strengthening Pills a day to replenish himself!
"I have to think of a way to obtain a Blood Refinement Technique…" Su Jie thought to himself. A Blood Refinement Technique would allow him to cultivate his Qi and blood, causing them to transform so he can reach the Blood Qi realm. It should be able to allow his strength to improve again!
"To Heiye City."
Su Jie calculated the time. It was almost time to suppress the bandits at Heiye City again. He packed up and set off for Heiye City.
In the evening, Su Jie arrived at Heiye City.
It was customary for Su Jie to head to the Yan Residence when he came to the city. If there were to be any operations, Wang Wu would come to the Yan Residence to inform him.
What surprised Su Jie was that not long after he arrived at the Yan Residence, not only did Wang Wu come but even the magistrate, Zhou Yun, came to the Yan Residence. Furthermore, Zhou Yun's brows were tightly furrowed. It was obvious that something had happened!
In the living room, Su Jie, who was wearing an ape mask, saw Zhou Yun and Wang Wu.
Su Jie looked at Zhou Yun and inquired: "Magistrate Zhou, why are you frowning? Is there something wrong?"
Although Zhou Yun was not an extremely cunning or shrewd person, his mental fortitude must be very good for him to become a Magistrate. For him to show his worry on his face, it was obvious that something big had happened!
Sure enough, Zhou Yun nodded slightly and said with a bitter smile: "Brother Ape Demon, have you heard of the Black Wolf Bastion?"
"The Black Wolf Bastion?"
Su Jie's heart skipped a beat. Of course, he had heard of the Black Wolf Bastion. He killed a bunch of bandits belonging to them in their last operation.
Zhou Yun said with a solemn expression: "The Black Wolf Bastion's Black Wolf Mountain is not far from Heiye City. It's a hundred kilometers away. Our countryside has always been peaceful. However, a few days ago, the Black Wolf Bastion suddenly invaded our countryside. Their aim was to capture several people but they captured several dozens of villagers from a village nearby."
This surprised Su Jie. The Black Wolf Bastion was unscrupulous in their actions. They even attacked commoners?
Zhou Yun continued, "Not only that, but two days ago, someone from the Black Wolf Bastion sent a letter to me. The person who wrote the letter was the Black Wolf Bastion's chief, Qin Heilang. He said that he had dozens of commoners and several officials as captives. He wanted me to personally go to the Black Wolf Bastion to talk to him and negotiate. Otherwise, all these captives will die."
Wang Wu gritted his teeth. "These damn bandits are really bold. Are they trying to rebel?"
Of course, Zhou Yun could ignore the Black Wolf Bastion's request but if he did that, those captives would definitely die. This would tarnish Zhou Yun's reputation by making him seem like a coward who refused to help others,
Moreover, Zhou Yun already had an idea in his heart. He wanted to negotiate with this Qin Heilang. If he could make the other party disband the Black Wolf Bastion and give up on evil, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for the people. It would also make his career more glorious!
Su Jie said in surprise: "Magistrate Zhou, aren't you afraid that the other party will harm you if you go to the Black Wolf Bastion to negotiate?"
Zhou Yun had the intention of going to the Black Wolf Bastion to fulfill his promise. However, if he did do that, he would be akin to a wolf entering the mouth of a tiger.
Zhou Yun shook his head and countered: "I'm an official of the imperial court. No matter how bold this Black Wolf Bastion is, they won't dare to really harm me!"
Hearing this, Su Jie nodded. That was indeed the case. Even if the Black Wolf Bastion committed evil, it was still rather inconspicuous in the vast Great Xia Dynasty's grand scheme of things. They were like a bully who committed evil in some remote village. They were not worth the Great Xia Dynasty's attention. However, if Zhou Yun, who was an official of the Imperial Court, died in the Black Wolf Bastion, everything would be completely different.
It would be the equivalent of slapping the Great Xia Dynasty in the face! The Black Wolf Bastion most likely did not have the guts!
Therefore, Zhou Yun had the confidence to go to the Black Wolf Bastion to negotiate.
However, no matter what, Zhou Yun was just an ordinary person. It would take a great deal of courage and guts for someone like him to enter the Black Wolf Bastion!
At that point, Zhou Yun told Su Jie: "Even so, I definitely won't go alone. I need to bring a team of elite soldiers and guards…"
It was obvious that Zhou Yun wanted Su Jie to go with him. It was a precautionary measure and a front of strength and caution. If the other party was so crazy that they did not care about the consequences, he would at least have the ability to protect himself and not be slaughtered.
Su Jie looked at Zhou Yun's sincere face and couldn't help but admire him a little. This Zhou Yun was a good official which was rare during the time. There was no need for him to personally take the risk.
"Fine. I'll come with you." In the end, Su Jie sighed and nodded slowly.
Zhou Yun was one of the few upright officials that Su Jie had seen. Moreover, their cooperation during this period was quite pleasant so Su Jie did not reject his request.
Of course, the most important thing was that Su Jie was confident in his strength!
He was confident that even if the Black Wolf Bastion had evil intentions, he could still escape safely with his strength!
"That's great! Brother Ape Demon is heroic!" Zhou Yun did not expect Su Jie to agree. After all, this was very dangerous. If he was not careful, he would not get to leave the Black Wolf Bastion forever. Zhou Yun was overjoyed that Su Jie agreed to go with him so easily.
Wang Wu, who was at the side, was naturally delighted. During this period of time, he had seen Su Jie's strength. With him going together, it would undoubtedly be much safer!
"Tomorrow morning, we'll head to the Black Wolf Bastion."
After the agreement was made, Zhou Yun and Wang Wu left the Yan residence to prepare.
"The Black Wolf Bastion?"
Su Jie stayed at the Yan Residence for the night. He was also looking forward to the trip to the Black Wolf Bastion. He only hoped that the Black Wolf Bastion would not do anything stupid. Otherwise, Su Jie did not mind making the Black Wolf Bastion pay a heavy price!
The next morning, Su Jie gathered with Zhou Yun, Wang Wu, and the others.
Apart from Wang Wu and Zhou Yun, two other people were accompanying him. Although Su Jie did not know these two people, they were both tall and strong. They were most likely elite guards chosen by Zhou Yun to protect him.
Including Su Jie, there were a total of five people. They rode out of the city and headed towards the Black Wolf Bastion.
They set off in the morning and as the sky gradually darkened, Su Jie and the others finally arrived at the Black Wolf Mountain where the Black Wolf Bastion was located.
On the mountain path of the Black Wolf Mountain, there were several mountain bandits dressed in armor and holding weapons standing guard.
Although they were bandits, they looked like disciplined soldiers who had been trained for a long time!
"The bandits of the Black Wolf Bastion are indeed different from the other bandits. Compared to the bandits of the Black Wolf Bastion, those bandits are just a mob!"
Wang Wu couldn't help but be secretly shocked. As the commander of Heiye City's soldiers, he could tell at a glance that these bandits were well-trained.
Qin Heilang of the Black Wolf Bastion would usually conduct military training with his subordinates. Therefore, the mountain bandits he trained were all disciplined and could be compared to regular soldiers.
"Halt! Name and origin!"
As Su Jie, Zhou Yun, and the others approached, the bandits at the entrance of the mountain path shouted warily.
Wang Wu took a step forward and said in a deep voice: "This is Heiye City's magistrate, Magistrate Zhou Yun. He was invited by Qin Heilang."
"So it's Magistrate Zhou Yun. Please wait a moment, we'll report immediately!"
When the Black Wolf Bastion Bandits heard this, they immediately replied respectfully.
Previously, Qin Heilang had instructed them to not be expeditious if Zhou Yun came. Therefore, when these mountain bandits heard that it was Zhou Yun, they did not dare to be disrespectful!