I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 53 - 47: Ambush Kill

The most important thing in life is to recognize your own limitations.

Yan Hongxue had known for a long time that she wasn’t suited to lead a team.

But due to various reasons, she had led Tao Liu, An Xiaoxue, Wu Kun, and Chen Zhizhen out on missions.

Since the missions she chose were mostly on the periphery—either Riding Patrols or Garrison duty—they weren’t very dangerous. After a few assignments, the team hadn’t suffered many losses, and no one had died in battle.

However, the mission in Baishui County was a harsh wake-up call.

Chen Zhizhen’s betrayal felt like a thorn in her side. Ever since the mission ended, she couldn’t sleep well at night. Even when she managed to drift off, she would jolt awake in shock.

Under these circumstances, she was naturally unfit to accept missions or go on field assignments.

When Tao Liu and An Xiaoxue approached Gu Zheng, Yan Hongxue wasn’t angry. In fact, she was secretly relieved.

As for why she approached Gu Zheng herself, firstly, she needed merit points to exchange for a Profound Treasure Pill and break through to the Alien Body Shadow stage.

Secondly, by acting together, she could watch over Tao Liu and An Xiaoxue.

They were her former team members. Yan Hongxue couldn’t do much else, but protecting them for one mission was no problem. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

...

Gu Zheng didn’t dwell on Yan Hongxue’s reasons for seeking him out.

According to intelligence from the Demon Slayer Bureau, the situation in Qiayu Prefecture and Daping County was somewhat complex. Bringing along another Demon Suppression Guard who possessed a Divine Wondrous ability would be an asset.

Especially since Yan Hongxue’s cultivation was at the Mountain-Shaking stage of the Alien Body realm, on the verge of reaching Alien Body Shadow.

The Warriors, however, were not needed.

They weren’t going to encircle and annihilate tangible Scattered Demons, so bringing a squad of Warriors would only hinder their movements.

Zhang Boshong, Zhang Ning, Yan Hongxue, Tao Liu, and An Xiaoxue—these five were different.

As Demon Suppression Guard Small Banners, each of them could play a significant role.

...

"Hyah!"

A thunder of hooves echoed as dust billowed into the air.

Gu Zheng took the lead, his fine steed of Half-demon Bloodline galloping through the towering mountains and precipitous ridges.

Qiayu Prefecture and Jing’an Prefecture were both located in the southern part of Fengzhou.

The only difference was that Jing’an Prefecture was to the southwest, while Qiayu Prefecture was due south.

To get to Qiayu Prefecture, they had to pass through Dashun Prefecture.

Dashun Prefecture was a mountainous region.

Gu Zheng’s group of six riders traveled along the mountain path. The forests on both sides were lush and green; though it was winter, patches of green grass and flowers could be seen from time to time.

After the Celestial Change, the climate had become abnormal, and the forests had mutated along with it.

It wasn’t just the Demon Fiends; the wild beasts and plants in the mountains had also changed, becoming ferocious, bloodthirsty, and extremely aggressive.

Under these conditions, even though Gu Zheng was focused on making good time, he never let his guard down, remaining vigilant of his surroundings.

He extended his Spirit, listening in all directions.

"Halt!"

Suddenly, Gu Zheng pulled on his reins, clamped his legs against the horse’s belly, and raised a hand, shouting.

Zhang Boshong, Zhang Ning, and the others behind him immediately reined in their horses.

"Mr. Gu, what’s—"

RUMBLE~!

The ground shook, and the mountains on either side seemed to sway.

Two enormous, round boulders, accompanied by a deafening rumble, began rolling down from the mountaintops ahead, one from the left and one from the right.

"This is..."

RUMBLE~

The rumbling sound started up again.

Behind the party, the sound of more boulders rolling down the mountainside and smashing through trees echoed out.

Everyone turned their heads and saw three more massive, round boulders on the mountains behind them, crashing through rock and wood as they hurtled toward the base of the mountain.

Billowing clouds of dust rose with the tremors, creating an earth-shattering scene that assaulted the senses.

"Follow me! We’re breaking through!"

Seeing through the tactic, Gu Zheng spurred his mount forward, charging ahead.

Zhang Boshong, Zhang Ning, Tao Liu, An Xiaoxue, and Yan Hongxue had no time for questions and quickly followed.

BOOM~ BOOM~

The two boulders in front reached the base of the mountain but didn’t stop. They continued to roll along the path toward Gu Zheng’s group, attempting to block their way.

"SHING!"

Gu Zheng drew his blade. As his Divine Wondrous power surged, the new Celestial Frost Blade unleashed a flash of snow-white light, which shot out like a bolt of silk and struck the nearest boulder.

BANG~!

A muffled explosion echoed through the forest.

The rolling boulder, over two meters tall, exploded on impact, shattering into countless small fragments that scattered through the air.

Gu Zheng led the team and charged through the debris.

They rushed out of the relatively narrow mountain pass just before the other large boulder could close in on them.

However, at that very moment...

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH~

Sharp whooshes suddenly tore through the air, carrying terrifying piercing power as they flew straight at them.

Gu Zheng, at the very front, bore the brunt of the attack.

But...

"BANG~!"

Without pulling his reins, Gu Zheng kept his horse charging forward. As if he had already anticipated it, he swung his blade and shattered a thick, long crossbow bolt flying toward him.

He not only shattered the heavy crossbow bolt aimed at him with a single strike, but with two more swift slashes, he also shattered and deflected the bolts targeting Zhang Boshong and Zhang Ning behind him.

Powerful Qi exploded outward like muffled thunder.

The six riders charged out from the base of the mountain without pause, entering an open area.

However, before they could get a clear look at their ambushers, dozens of pitch-black iron balls were suddenly thrown into the air, flying toward the team from a distance.

SWOOSH!

Gu Zheng still didn’t stop. He simply reached out and waved a hand at the incoming iron balls.

In that instant, the dozens of iron balls bizarrely vanished from mid-air.

"Hold your breath!"

Gu Zheng shouted, slashing his blade toward a small mound dozens of meters ahead.

The Sword Gang was like a rainbow, pulling with it a tangible ribbon of Powerful Qi.

RUMBLE~

An explosive sound erupted as upturned soil was blasted high into the air, scattering everywhere.

From behind the small mound, a dozen or so figures in black charged out through the falling dust, attacking Gu Zheng’s group by shooting Darts, throwing Wooden Tubes, and firing Crossbow Arrows.

"SHING! SHING! SHING!"

Gu Zheng swung his blade. His Divine Wondrous power surged, forming sheets of Sword Gang that cut outward and forward, dragging a long trail of blade light behind them.

He crossed the ten-zhang distance in an instant. Then, with a reverse slash, Gu Zheng sent the trail of blade light he’d been dragging flying back.

WHOOSH~

"BOOM!"

The air cracked. The blade light scattered, instantly rushing into the ranks of the black-clothed figures and enveloping every one of them.

"Ah!"

"SQUELCH~"

"SQUELCH!"

Screams echoed along the road. Amidst sprays of blood, severed limbs flew through the air and fell to the ground, smashing the various jars and pots that had been hidden along the roadside.

Gu Zheng’s group of six riders charged through at the perfect moment, plunging into the thick green fog that billowed out from the broken containers.

They were moving fast enough, and they were all holding their breath.

None of the six riders inhaled the mist. Their steeds of Half-demon Bloodline breathed in a little, but it seemed to have no effect.

And so, the team continued to charge forward.

However, after charging less than a hundred meters, Gu Zheng abruptly pulled on his reins, stopping his steed’s advance.

"Stop!"

The six riders stopped as if they had slammed on the brakes.

Just over ten meters ahead, the road was cut off. The ground had collapsed, forming a chasm dozens of meters wide and several hundred meters long.

"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"

The moment the team stopped, a dense rain of arrows appeared from behind and from both sides, covering them like a dark cloud.

WHOOSH~

Still on his horse, Gu Zheng’s Divine Wondrous power surged. He unleashed his Fire Manipulation, creating flames out of thin air that instantly formed a long, dragon-like serpent of fire. Baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, it danced and coiled around the six riders, sweeping through the volley of arrows.

Resounding explosions, accompanied by roaring waves of heat, were deafening and incessant!