Chapter 356

Michael had just finished hiding Chuck’s corpse under a low wall when a sharp voice shouted, “Who’s there?”

“It’s me,” Michael calmly replied, mimicking Weston’s voice.

At the same time, he wiped the blood from his hands onto his clothes.

A man approached from ahead, face covered with a scarf, holding a torch.

He shined the torch in Michael’s face. Lu’s hand tightened slightly around his dagger, his eyes cold and wary as he stared at the bandit in front of him.

Just as he was about to strike, the man moved the torch away. “Your disguise skills are truly remarkable. If it weren’t for your waist token, I almost wouldn’t have recognized you. Stop dawdling and help me deliver this wine to the chief.”

Crisis averted, Michael quietly let out a breath.

He put away his dagger and asked casually, “Is there something to celebrate today?”

“Of course! We’ve plundered a good haul of gold and jewels lately. The chief said it’s time to reward the brothers.” As he spoke, the man handed the load to Michael.

Suddenly, he looked up with suspicion. “You’re acting strange today. Everyone knows about this celebration, and you’re asking me? Tell me. What’s my name?”

The unexpected question made Michael tense instantly.

He glanced at the man’s waist token. It bore the number nine.

Michael replied, “Come on, Vincent.”

But Vincent gave Michael a stern look. Just as Michael thought he’d been exposed, Michael suddenly burst into laughter.

“You’re always so serious! Not fun at all. Hurry up and carry this. If we delay delivering the wine, both of us will be in trouble.”

The night was thick as ink, enveloping Azure Fort.

A chill wind blew past, and Michael realized his back was soaked with sweat. He picked up the load of wine and followed behind Vincent.

With every checkpoint, a gate would shut behind them.

They wound through countless turns and paths. Finally, scattered lights came into view.

Michael was shocked by what he saw. The entire Azure Fort was built into the mountain. Everywhere were lookout posts and communication points. Even if discovered, they could flee instantly.

It was no wonder they had never been caught.

After another gate, sounds of shouting, clinking wine bowls, and shrill laughter from women drifted over.

Vincent said with admiration, “I’ve never admired anyone but our chief. I truly respect him. Without him, we’d all have been wiped out by the authorities.”

He laughed. “Since he took over, even the government can’t touch us…”

Michael nodded along while scanning the hall.

Inside, the bandits were drinking heavily, no one even glanced at him.

The tension in his chest eased just a fraction.

After more twists and turns, the guide finally stopped before a massive stone gate, heavily guarded.

The thick doors slowly opened, revealing a large, brightly lit hall. This was the true heart of Azure Fort, the Gathering Hall.

Michael was stunned. The number of bandits was far beyond what he imagined. There were at least several thousand of them.

And that was just inside. There were more bandits outside the building.

If they were allowed to grow unchecked, they’d become a true threat, potentially inciting rebellion.

“Leave the goods here. You can go now,” the escort growled.

Michael nodded and slowly set down the load.

But in his mind, he was weighing his options. He had come with the resolve to die. If he left now, there might never be another chance to get in again. If he could kill even one, it would be worth it. More importantly, he had to send Ryker the signal to expose the real location of the bandit stronghold.

“Hey, why aren’t you leaving?” the escort urged impatiently when Michael didn’t move.

Michael suddenly attacked, punching the man and sending him flying.

In a flash, he grabbed the man’s sword and slashed down. Another bandit’s scream pierced the hall, cutting through the drunken revelry.

Only now did the others realize someone had infiltrated.

Panic erupted as they scrambled for weapons, shouting, “Kill him! Kill him!”

These were hardened criminals, desperate men.

But against Michael, they were no match. In a blink, two were down. His strength and skill were far beyond what these thugs could handle.

Soon, bodies littered the ground.

Michael only fought harder. His reckless, fearless attacks made the rest hesitate.

They surrounded him, but none dared to step forward.

Michael forcefully hurled every wine jar in the hall to the ground. The deafening cacophony of shattering jars filled the air.

The smashing was constant. Finally, the bandits realized. “Stop him! He’s going to burn down the fort!”

Michael’s face showed grim resolve as he pulled out a signal flare from his waist.

Backing into an open space, he gave a satisfied smile. “Too late now.”

He was just about to fire. Suddenly, a blade sliced through the air with a shrill screech, knocking the signal flare from his hand.

Michael’s heart jolted. The attacker was too fast. He had no time to react.

Before he could recover, another blade shot toward him.

His cheek stung, followed by the ripping of fabric.

The black scarf covering his face was torn off by a powerful force and fluttered to the ground.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Lord Osborne.”

A cold, slippery female voice, dripping with mockery like a serpent’s hiss, rang out from the high seat at the hall’s heart.

Loretta reclined lazily on a chair covered with tiger skin. In her fingers, she twirled a thin, leaf shaped throwing knife, its stars catching the flickering torchlight.

A mocking smirk played at her lips, her eyes cold as she looked down at Michael.

It was a trap! The realization hit Michael like thunder.

From the very beginning, every move he made had been under her control.

He had underestimated Azure Fort.

He looked at the woman on the seat, stunned.

“It’s you, Loretta?”

He had seen the woman who raised Willow, but never imagined the seemingly harmless woman was the true leader of the bandits.

“Lord Osborne, long time no see,” Loretta said with a charming, disdainful smile. “If you weren’t such a promising talent, you’d have died the moment you stepped into our fort.”

She added, “If you know what’s good for you, surrender. Spare me the trouble of taking you down.”

Michael’s eyes blazed with killing intent.

He roared, “Bring it on!”

Like a wild beast, he charged straight toward Loretta.