"It's about here."
Ron surveyed the area; it was a small forest, the location specified by the bandits in the extortion letter.
Everyone waited, but the leader of the bandits didn't show up.
After half an hour passed, Murl suddenly looked up. A group of silhouettes emerged in the distance, led by a figure resembling a bull, with a long scar on his face and a fierce, powerful aura, wielding two battle axes.
"Bull Knight Gra of the Taal dukedom!"
Murl squinted, recognizing the approaching man as Gra, a wanted criminal from the Taal dukedom, known as the Bull Knight.
Seeing Bull Knight Gra, Murl's expression sank.
"Are you Arnold's family?"
Bull Knight Gra appraised Ron, sneering, "You look a bit like that old guy."
Ron's expression darkened; Arnold was his father.
"Are you Sir Gra?"
Before Ron could speak, Murl preemptively spoke, a hint of a smile on his face, "I've heard that Sir Gra wields twin axes with astonishing strength."
"Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved!"
Upon hearing Murl's praise, Bull Knight Gra sneered.
"Nonsense, did you bring the gold?"
Bull Knight Gra lifted his head, leisurely saying, "Twenty thousand gold coins. If one is missing, none of you will leave here alive today."
Ron, with an expressionless face, gestured for the guards to bring two boxes.
Upon opening them, they revealed a full load of gold coins, exactly twenty thousand. Ron had managed to acquire them by selling off family assets.
"Not bad!"
A greedy glint flashed in Bull Knight Gra's eyes. He immediately ordered his men to take away the two iron boxes filled with gold coins.
However, at that moment...
"Where's my father?"
Ron took a step forward, coldly asking, "I've brought the twenty thousand gold coins. Now, release my father, right?"
"Want to see your father?"
A strange smile appeared on Bull Knight Gra's face, "Sure, I'll take you to him now."
Before Ron could react, Bull Knight Gra rushed forward.
"Ron, be careful!"
Murl's complexion changed, immediately drawing his cruciform sword, fearlessly blocking in front of Ron.
With a sneer, Bull Knight Gra lifted his axe and clashed with Murl's cruciform sword, producing a cracking sound.
Murl groaned, feeling his hand trembling slightly.
"With this level of ability, you dare to block my way?"
Bull Knight Gra sneered, relentless with his axe. Another strike came, and Murl spat out blood, flying out like a kite with its string cut.
"Murl, Uncle!"
Ron's eyes widened, pulling out his cruciform sword, ready to confront Bull Knight Gra head-on.
However, with Ron's current strength, fighting against Bull Knight Gra was almost like throwing himself into a death trap, with no chance of winning.
"I'll send you off!"
Bull Knight Gra's face showed disdain. As he raised his axe, he was about to smash Ron's head.
Just at that moment...
Swish!
The sound of breaking air suddenly rang out. An arrow shot forward.
Bull Knight Gra's pupils shrank. Before he could react, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as the arrow pierced through flesh.
"Ron, come back!"
Sauron's eyes were calm. He quickly bent his bow, aimed at Bull Knight Gra again, and shot three more arrows in quick succession.
A hint of caution appeared on Bull Knight Gra's face.
Facing such accurate and swift arrows, he didn't dare to be careless. He quickly retreated, swinging his axe to deflect the arrows.
Ron, now alert, also moved back.
"Knight?"
Bull Knight Gra stabilized his stance, eyeing Sauron. A tinge of surprise appeared on his face, seemingly not expecting Sauron to be a Knight at such a young age.
Sauron remained expressionless, sighing inwardly.
Although both were Knights, Bull Knight Gra had become aware, making it difficult for Sauron's arrow techniques, no matter how excellent, to hit the target again.
"Didn't expect you to bring a talent!"
Bull Knight Gra's expression turned ferocious, saying, "Good, I love torturing talents. Just thinking about all you future great characters dying in my hands before you grow up is so delightful!"
With that, Bull Knight Gra roared loudly.
Facing the berserk Bull Knight, Sauron remained calm. He quickly bent his bow, shot arrows at Bull Knight Gra in rapid succession.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sound of breaking air continued. Bull Knight Gra didn't dodge but roared angrily. A layer of earthen-colored Battle Qi enveloped him.
The arrows hit, dropping harmlessly off the Battle Qi.
In almost an instant, Bull Knight Gra rushed forward. The two battle axes swung, exuding an imposing manner as if splitting mountains and rocks.
"Sauron, be careful!"
Not far away, supported by Ron, Murl had stood up. Having fought Bull Knight Gra just now, he knew how terrifying the opponent's strength was.
On the spot, Sauron rapidly retreated.
At such close quarters, the bow and arrow were useless. Sauron immediately drew his cruciform sword, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes.
"Come on!"
Sauron's eyes flickered, unleashing the Armybreak Swordsmanship. He engaged in a battle with Bull Knight Gra, using his agile movement methods to dance around the opponent.
At the same time, the underlings of Bull Knight Gra also rushed forward.
Murl wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took a deep breath, and led his bodyguards into a clash with the bandits.
"Break through a Thousand Armies!"
Sauron lightly uttered the words, slashing out fiercely with his cruciform sword.
Bull Knight Gra raised his battle axe, forcefully pushing Sauron back. A sinister smile appeared on his face as he suddenly threw the other axe.
"Die!"
Bull Knight Gra roared.
Sauron's eyes flashed, swiftly dodging to the side. Then, in a single step forward, the cruciform sword stabbed out, piercing through Bull Knight Gra's chest in an instant.
"You!"
Feeling the pain in his chest, Bull Knight Gra's complexion changed. But immediately after, Sauron rapidly withdrew the sword, and blood gushed out like a spring.