BSI Chapter 169 Wang Bodang, it's been a long time since I've seen him.
Chapter 169 Wang Bodang, it's been a long time since I've seen him.
"Don't waste time arguing with him! Take the man and go claim your reward from Chief Lü!"
One of Zhai Rang's former subordinates mustered his courage and shouted, making a feinting thrust forward with his long sword, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot, refusing to move forward even half a step.
He was surrounded by seven or eight people, all eager to try, but none of them dared to be the first to step forward.
Although Wang Bodang was not the most capable fighter in Wagang.
Shan Xiongxin and Luo Shixin are both stronger than him, but they have survived to this day in the chaotic world, so they must have some real skills.
Moreover, he had been operating in Wagang for many years, and his prestige remained.
Even though they were poisoned at the moment, the sight of those bloodshot eyes still made everyone want to back away.
"Heh heh heh..." Wang Bodang looked around, his cold laughter like a knife scraping across everyone's faces. "A bunch of useless trash!"
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly leaped up and pounced on the flock of sheep like a tiger.
A flash of sword light, and blood splattered.
The three heads landed almost simultaneously, rolling far away.
Two other soldiers collapsed, clutching their disemboweled abdomens and screaming in agony. Their intestines spilled out onto the ground, and they struggled a few times before going still.
The crowd dispersed like the receding tide.
The man who had just been shouting about taking someone as a reward was now deathly pale, his hand holding the sword trembling like a leaf.
"Come on!" Wang Bodang flicked the blood from his sword, his voice hoarse like a trapped beast. "Weren't you going to use me for a reward? Come on, all of you!"
His hair was disheveled, and he was covered in blood; it was impossible to tell which parts belonged to the enemy and which to him.
The sword that had been with him for many years was already dull, and the nicks were jagged like serrations.
But as he stood there, not a single person dared to approach him.
"Don't be afraid!" came another encouraging voice from the back of the crowd. "He's been poisoned! He won't last much longer!"
"Yes! If we don't capture him, how can Chief Lü forgive our sins!"
Fear, fueled by self-interest and hatred, gradually transforms into courage.
It's unclear who took the first step, but then came the second, the third... advancing layer by layer like a tide.
"kill!"
More than ten people shouted and rushed forward.
Swords, spears, even wooden sticks and hoes—all sorts of weapons were aimed at Wang Bodang.
Wang Bodang was struggling to keep up, and his swordsmanship gradually became chaotic.
He suffered seven or eight more wounds, some deep and some shallow, with the skin and flesh torn up.
"Quickly! The imperial army has entered the camp! Capture Wang Bodang as soon as possible!"
Another group of people surged in from the direction of the village gate. Seeing that Wang Bodang was still putting up a stubborn resistance, they immediately joined the siege.
More and more people gathered, forming layers upon layers, completely surrounding Wang Bodang.
Wang Bodang, holding his last remaining sword, looked at the densely packed figures all around him and suddenly smiled.
That smile contained relief, resentment, mockery, and a hint of inexplicable sorrow.
"We got it!"
A dozen hands reached out at the same time; some pulled hair, some grabbed arms, and some twisted shoulders.
Wang Bodang was like a lion that had been pounced on by a pack of wolves. Finally exhausted, he was pinned to the ground.
His face was pressed against the cold ground, and he caught a glimpse of the broken sword not far away.
The blade reflected the firelight, flickering as if bidding him a final farewell.
The gates of the stockade had already been opened, and the imperial troops poured in like a tide.
Wherever it goes, those who kneel live, and those who stand die.
Those Wagang soldiers who still harbored illusions and tried to resist fell into pools of blood in an instant.
Some tried to play dead. They lay on the ground, held their breath, and prayed that the soldiers wouldn't notice them.
But when the horse's hooves trampled over it, the iron hooves pounded on its body, causing it to convulse instinctively in excruciating pain.
Immediately, a fatal blow followed, turning his feigned death into a genuine one.
"Those who surrender will be spared! Those who kneel and lay down their weapons will live!"
Li Jing rode his horse through the village, his voice booming like a bell.
More and more Wagang soldiers threw down their weapons and knelt on both sides of the road.
They lowered their heads, not daring to look at the ferocious imperial soldiers, nor even at the council hall in the center of the village, which was brightly lit by torches.
That place used to be their meeting hall.
As dawn broke, a brand-new flag fluttered in the morning breeze atop the city tower of Wagangzhai.
The flag bears a large character – Lü.
After a night of fierce fighting, the dust has settled.
Of the Wagang generals led by Li Mi and Wang Bodang, a few were killed in the chaos of battle, while most were captured.
The council chamber was brightly lit.
The generals of Yanshan and the generals of the Chixiao Army stood on both sides, completely silent.
Footsteps outside the hall grew louder as they approached.
Lu Xiao, dressed in a black brocade robe and wearing a three-pronged purple-gold crown, strode into the hall.
Lü Xiao did not immediately walk to the main seat, but instead paced slowly in the hall with his hands behind his back.
His gaze swept over every pillar, every window, and every corner of the hall.
He was extremely familiar with everything here.
He once swore an oath of brotherhood here, raised his cup in celebration, and laughed and talked about heroes of the world.
He once gave a passionate speech here, saying that he would build Wagang into the number one stronghold in the world, overthrow the tyrannical Sui Dynasty, and relieve the people from their suffering.
It was here that he was forced to relinquish his power and leave in disgrace by Wang Bodang, Xu Maogong, and others, who used the excuse of considering the overall situation.
"General Qin," Lü Xiao spoke, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears, "does this place seem quite familiar to you?"
Qin Qiong stood at the head of the military officers' ranks, bowed his head and clasped his hands: "Yes... I am quite familiar with it."
"Heh." Lü Xiao chuckled lightly, and said nothing more.
He waved his hand and raised his voice, "Bring him up!"
A squad of Red Guard soldiers led more than ten prisoners in single file.
Wang Bodang was at the very front.
He was disheveled, covered in blood, and his armor was torn. He was dragged into the hall by two soldiers who held him by the arms.
He looked up and his eyes met Lü Xiao's.
In an instant, he looked away and slowly lowered his head.
"Wang Bodang," Lü Xiao said, leaning back on his throne with a languid posture, but his tone was sharp as a knife, "It's been a long time."
The hall was completely silent; even breathing was done very quietly.
"Back then, because of the throne of a small, shabby village," Lü Xiao said, emphasizing each word, "you so-called chivalrous heroes of the martial world turned your backs on me and kicked me out."
He paused, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "And the result? What's mine is mine after all. How can a commoner's throne compare to a king of a different surname in the imperial court?"
These words were like a slap in the face, not only to Wang Bodang, but also to all the former members of Wagang.
Wang Bodang suddenly raised his head, his eyes burning with rage: "Lü Zilie! The world is about to descend into chaos, how long can you remain smug!"
"The Sui Dynasty is corrupt, and Emperor Yang Guang is tyrannical! You aided and abetted the wicked, and you will surely be a sinner for all time!"
I'll be watching from the afterlife, watching how you lackeys are scorned by the world!
"Is the world about to descend into chaos?"
Lu Xiao listened quietly to him finish speaking, and instead of getting angry, he smiled:
He stood up and looked down at Wang Bodang.
"I possess unparalleled martial prowess throughout history, and the ability to hold up the sky with one hand. Whether the world is in chaos or not is up to me."
He took a step forward, his voice suddenly turning cold: "Unlike you, Wang Bodang."
Despite all their scheming and plotting, they couldn't even hold onto a small stronghold like Wagang Village.