Long Zai Tian, Bai Qi, and the soldiers sat on the hill, eating the fruits and rations they had stored, taking turns to rest while keeping a watchful eye on the Goblin village. After four hours, as evening approached, a hundred Goblins emerged, accompanied by two larger ones—[Goblin Warriors]. The two leaders split the group, each taking fifty Goblins and heading in different directions.
Watching this, Long Zai Tian remarked, "This is our chance. Bai Qi, gather the soldiers; we will follow the first squad. Send two scouts to track the second squad. Let's move!"
Bai Qi rose and ordered the soldiers to prepare for combat. He dispatched two scouts behind the second squad, instructing them to mark the trees with distinct signs so he could track their path later. Then, he and Long Zai Tian began to shadow the first squad, following them stealthily through the woods.
Long Zai Tian, Bai Qi, and the soldiers shadowed the Goblins with stealth until the creatures stopped to rest after their hunt. No sooner had the Goblins sat down than a rain of arrows descended upon them from nowhere. Long Zai Tian and Bai Qi had launched a sudden ambush. Following the first wave of arrows, which left thirty Goblins dead or wounded, Long Zai Tian, Bai Qi, and their men pounced on the remaining twenty.
It was 35 against 20. Long Zai Tian fought like a lion; with every leap, he claimed a Goblin's head, his strikes packing the full force of 8,000 kg. He was like a roaring hurricane. Within two minutes, he had personally slain seven and found himself facing the Goblin Warrior. The duel reached a fever pitch; the Goblin Warrior was an experienced and formidable combatant at the Bone Forging stage—the fifth level of cultivation—with a strength of 6,000 kg. They traded blows until the Goblin grew weary. Seizing a moment of weakness, Long Zai Tian struck his neck with lightning speed, ending him.
Surveying the battlefield, Long Zai Tian saw that all the Goblins had been eradicated. He smiled and declared, "Soldiers, this is a crushing victory! Now, let us move quickly to the second squad and eliminate them, then we shall invade their village. Let's go!"
With renewed resolve, Long Zai Tian, Bai Qi, and the soldiers rushed in the opposite direction. Bai Qi led the way, scanning the trees for the distinct marks left by the two scouts. They eventually reached the scouts, who were hiding behind thickets. Ahead of them, the Goblins were gathered around a fire, feasting greedily on their abundant hunt.
Watching the scene, Long Zai Tian said, "A perfect opportunity to finish them. Soldiers, ready your bows." The soldiers aimed their arrows. "On my signal... one, two, three—NOW!"
As Long Zai Tian waved his hand, a barrage of arrows struck the Goblins, leaving about thirty dead or wounded on the ground. The remaining Goblins fell into a panic, unable to even reach for their weapons before hearing a thunderous cry: "CHARGE!" Long Zai Tian and his men burst from behind the bushes. He and Bai Qi tore through the Goblins with terrifying ferocity, reaping their souls. After ten minutes, Long Zai Tian stood amidst the aftermath, smiling. "Soldiers, you have performed magnificently! Victory is ours, and their village is now an easy prey. Let us return to the hill to rest for a moment, then we shall finish them off."
The soldiers responded with heated passion in a single voice: "As you command, your majesty!"
Long Zai Tian, Bai Qi, and the soldiers returned to the hilltop, carrying the spoils of war—the curved short swords they had looted from the Goblins. They looked down at the village as night fell. Confusion seemed to have gripped the settlement; the inhabitants were clearly unsettled by the failure of the hundred Goblins to return. Inside the village, the last Goblin Warrior was pacing in a state of distress, wondering where the two squads had gone and why they were late.
Long Zai Tian observed the village and turned to Bai Qi. "Only twenty warriors remain in the village, Bai Qi. The rest of the one hundred and eighty are children, females, and the elderly. What do you think? Should we raid them now, or wait for the remaining twenty to emerge so we can eliminate them?"
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should reveal ourselves and force them into submission," Bai Qi replied. "When the power is in our hands, there is no need for further deception."
"Hmm, you are right," Long Zai Tian nodded. He stood up from the hill and ordered the soldiers to gather around him. "Soldiers! We are now going to reveal ourselves to the Goblin village. Be cautious and stay at the peak of readiness."
"At your command, Your Majesty!" the soldiers responded with fervor.
"Then, let us move!"
Long Zai Tian and his men descended and surrounded the Goblin village. The Goblins were shell-shocked at the sight of them, and panic began to spread like wildfire. The Goblin Warrior stood paralyzed, unsure of what to do, left with only his twenty weakest fighters.
After ten minutes of the siege, an elderly goblin emerged from the village. He spoke with the last goblin warrior, and then both stepped forward in front of Long Zai Tian and knelt.
[Ding!]
[System Alert: Logue Village surrenders to you. Do you accept?]