Chapter 82: Administer the Poison First
Duan Gujin silently transmitted the true identities of the soldiers to Seventh Imperial Uncle, not wanting him to make a misjudgment.
Upon hearing this, Seventh Imperial Uncle then realized that those who appeared before them were not really soldiers from Sky Martial Country, but instead a gang of bandits from within the borders of Country Gulai. He was immediately furious.
"We must eradicate this band of bandits!" Seventh Imperial Uncle stated coldly.
"Seventh Imperial Uncle is right!"
Duan Gujin nodded hurriedly, a glint of cold light flashing through his eyes. He knew that if he really did manage to eradicate this band of bandits here today, it would be unpredictable when the Duan Family might face extinction.
"It's a pity that in my previous life I couldn't uncover the truth. Am I going to be just like in my last life this time, unable to find the truth?"
The eyes of Duan Gujin flickered. His mind raced as he contemplated why these bandits were so brazen. Were they not afraid of encountering Country Gulai's regular army at all?
"The reason they are so reckless must be because they have a powerful backer behind them!"
After some thought, Duan Gujin felt he should try to find the real culprits from among these bandits.
"It has only been a few days since Sky Martial Country's soldiers invaded Country Gulai, yet these bandits already appeared here, disguised as Sky Martial Country's soldiers. They must have prepared in advance!"
After some contemplation, Duan Gujin felt that the backer behind these bandits was definitely not simple.
It must be noted that if these bandits, disguised as Sky Martial Country soldiers, really encountered the regular army of Country Gulai, they would not stand a chance.
Still, those bandits remained fearless and openly disguised themselves as Sky Martial Country soldiers, which surely had its reasons.
No matter what reasons the bandits had, Duan Gujin was absolutely not going to let these bandits in front of him off the hook.
He extended his Divine Sense outward and after observing for a while, he deduced that there were more than two thousand bandits in the group he saw.
He remembered that in his previous life he saw the bandits in their prime, numbering more than three thousand. He suspected that very possibly some bandits were left to guard their stronghold and did not come out.
Duan Gujin immediately sought out Seventh Imperial Uncle, and after some discussion, they devised a plan.
"What we need to do first is to take down these bandits, clear those obstacles, and then have the Cavalry launch a surprise attack. In this way, we will have a possibility of an easy victory!" Seventh Imperial Uncle declared.
"Good!"
Duan Gujin had thought of the same method, not wanting to see the Cavalry under Seventh Imperial Uncle's command sacrifice in vain.
"Among this group, I believe you're at least top ten in terms of strength, Duan Gujin. Are you willing to join me in this action?"
Seventh Imperial Uncle asked Duan Gujin before they took action.
"I would be very willing!"
Duan Gujin quickly nodded his head in agreement with this action.
What followed was going to be extremely perilous as they would need to infiltrate the highly vigilant bandits, numbering over two thousand.
Therefore, Seventh Imperial Uncle decided to select eight other individuals with strong abilities from his troops to join him and Duan Gujin in infiltrating the bandit group.
The ten of them quickly approached the bandits, their abilities being the best among the Cavalry troop that numbered over a thousand.
Thus, they went unnoticed by the bandits.
And so, Duan Gujin followed Seventh Imperial Uncle to the bandits' kitchen where they proceeded to poison the bandits' food.
Duan Gujin knew that they were now facing a group of bandits who killed without batting an eye, and it was impossible to deal with them in an open and honest manner.
He also understood that there would definitely be some among these bandits who would not consume the meals.
If his poison plot were successful, then they would have to prepare for battle against the bandits who hadn't eaten the food.
They quickly left the bandits' camp and watched from a high spot nearby.
Both Duan Gujin and Seventh Imperial Uncle's eyes were locked onto the bandits' kitchen, with the hope in their hearts that all the bandits would be poisoned.
Time ticked away, and soon, the bandits began their meal.
Seeing the bandits eating, Duan Gujin and Seventh Imperial Uncle breathed a sigh of relief, praying that at this moment a sufficient number of bandits would consume the food.
An hour later, Duan Gujin saw many bandits collapsing; he knew that those who fell had been poisoned.
"Let's make our move!"
Duan Gujin knew there was no time to delay; those bandits who should be poisoned were poisoned already, and those who weren't poisoned were unlikely to be affected.
Now was the best time for them to strike.
With that thought, Duan Gujin's body flashed, transforming into a streak of light as he rushed out.
As he approached the bandits, he quickly unleashed his Demonized Martial Soul.
Under the immense pressure, many bandits' movements slowed, some even trembled in their legs.
Faced with Duan Gujin's Demonized Martial Soul, the bandits had no courage to resist in their hearts.
While the bandits were trembling with fear, Duan Gujin launched a fierce attack on them.
"Shu shu shu shu shu shu!"
At this moment, Duan Gujin, Seventh Imperial Uncle, and others continuously executed their most powerful skills against the bandits' bodies.
Under the strong onslaught of Duan Gujin and the others, those bandits who had not been poisoned fell apart, completely unable to defend or fight back.
And those who were poisoned couldn't escape their fate either; after being hit by the Sword Qi released by Duan Gujin and the others, they were either killed or seriously injured.
While pushing forward, Duan Gujin recognized some of the bandits.
After all, in his previous life, he had observed these bandits up close to deal with them.
Thus, he still had some memory of the leaders among those bandits.
"In the last life, you died by my hand, and in this life, you shall too!"
Duan Gujin knew he couldn't let these bandits leave this place alive.
He was aware that if these bandits were allowed to escape, they would definitely seek revenge against the Duan Family later.
Duan Gujin looked around and saw that their side was already gaining the upper hand.
Although there were also some skilled fighters among the bandits, they were no match for Duan Gujin and his allies.
Most of the bandits' cultivations were in the Innate Realm, and very few reached the Martial Artist Realm.
The reason these bandits had been able to run rampant in Country Gulai for many years was mainly due to their overwhelming numbers; they used their large numbers to overpower the skilled fighters.
These bandits were all of average talent; they were not backed by a Major Sect, nor could they rely on talent like the disciples of the Major Sects to make their way in the world; their strength lay in having a large group and using various mechanisms and Hidden Weapons to plot against their enemies.
Once they became bandits, they no longer focused on cultivation, but instead used disreputable means to overcome their adversaries.