Snow Eagle's Lord

Inside the Room

Zong Ling was half-reclining on the bed, leaning against the headboard.

Tong San sat on a chair beside him, and both men looked toward the door as Dongbo Xueying rushed in.

"Uncle Zong! Are you alright?"

Xueying examined him carefully.

Zong Ling had changed into a clean white robe, and at first glance, he didn't seem to have any visible injuries.

However, his face was pale.

Zong Ling smiled weakly.

"The leader of the Scimitar Alliance is truly formidable… If not for my alchemic inner armor, I might have lost my li—"

"Cough, cough!"

Before he could finish speaking, he started coughing violently.

He quickly grabbed a handkerchief and pressed it against his mouth.

In mere moments—

The pure white fabric turned crimson as blood spread across it.

Xueying's heart clenched.

He's coughing up blood?

Internal injuries?!

"Uncle Zong!"

Xueying immediately sat down beside the bed, his face filled with concern.

Zong Ling waved his hand dismissively.

"It's nothing serious. I won't die from this."

He tossed the blood-stained handkerchief into a nearby basin, then chuckled.

"This is nothing. Back when I traveled with your parents and Uncle Tong, we suffered injuries far worse than this—many times over."

"Don't worry, Xueying."

Tong San spoke up, his tone calm and reassuring.

"For a Six-Armed Serpent Demon, an injury like this will heal in a month or two."

He had seen far worse wounds in their past life-and-death adventures.

"But, Zong Ling… how did you get hurt so badly?"

Tong San frowned.

"You took an entire battalion of soldiers with you. How could the Scimitar Alliance's leader be this strong?"

Zong Ling sighed.

"Stronger than I expected."

His expression darkened slightly.

"He truly deserves his reputation as the most powerful bandit in the Yishui region."

"Who is the leader of the Scimitar Alliance?"

Xueying was completely confused.

Zong Ling nodded.

"It's time you learned about these things. After all, one day, the responsibility of ruling Xueying Territory will fall to you."

He looked straight into Xueying's eyes.

"As a lord, you hold absolute power over your land.

But that power comes with a duty—to protect it and its people.

If bandits invade your territory, killing and pillaging, you must wipe them out!"

Xueying nodded firmly.

"When your parents were here, your mother was a Heaven-Tier Mage.

With a powerful mage supporting the army, our military strength was significantly enhanced.

On top of that, Snow Eagle Territory was equipped with a large number of Star-Piercing Crossbows.

Because of this, no bandits in Yishui County dared to provoke us."

Zong Ling explained, his voice calm but serious.

"But after your parents were taken away, the bandits began to watch us closely.

They were wary of the Star-Piercing Crossbows."

Dongbo Xueying understood very well just how powerful these weapons were.

His father had purchased 500 of them—

The total cost was 50,000 gold coins.

That was enough to buy the entire Snow Eagle Territory!

Within Yishui County, the Dongbo Family was well known for its military strength.

"Our taxes are low, and the people love their lord.

Over the years, life in Snow Eagle Territory has been stable and prosperous—something that many bandits have been envious of."

Zong Ling continued,

"With your parents gone, those bandits have been growing restless.

Eventually, the most powerful bandit group in all of Yishui County—the Scimitar Alliance—made their move.

They invaded our territory and began their plundering."

"When I received word of the attack, I immediately led a battalion of 300 cavalry soldiers, each armed with Star-Piercing Crossbows.

But by the time we arrived…

Over 500 civilians had already been slaughtered, their homes looted and burned."

Dongbo Xueying's eyes turned red with rage.

"Over 500 dead…?"

His heart pounded violently.

These damned bandits!

Those innocent people had done nothing to deserve this!

"When I arrived, I began tracking the bandits' movements.

But I never expected the leader of the Scimitar Alliance—the ruthless 'Gaibin'—to be hiding alone in the very village they had just massacred."

Zong Ling let out a deep sigh.

"He launched a surprise attack on me.

We were caught off guard, and my 300 soldiers fell into chaos.

I had no choice but to engage him directly."

"Gaibin, the leader of the Scimitar Alliance, is a Meteor-Tier Knight.

I've fought Meteor-Tier Knights before and can usually hold my ground for a while…"

Zong Ling's voice grew heavy.

"But Gaibin's blade techniques were terrifyingly fast—far faster than any normal Meteor-Tier Knight.

I suspect he has mastered a special Dou Qi technique that enhances his speed."

Dongbo Xueying listened intently, his fists clenching tightly.

Among his father, Uncle Tong, and Uncle Zong,

Uncle Zong was the strongest.

Even though he was only a Heaven-Tier Knight,

He belonged to the royal bloodline of the Serpent Men!

As a Six-Armed Serpent Demon, he possessed:

Immense physical strengthThe ability to attack with six arms simultaneouslyA powerful, agile snake tail, granting exceptional speed and flexibility in battle

Because of these advantages, he could even hold his own against a Meteor-Tier Knight for a short time.

"My blade techniques are fast, but his were even faster. I couldn't block him in time—I was struck three times!

If not for my alchemic inner armor, I would have died on the spot."

Zong Ling sighed.

"Even so, I still suffered internal injuries.

Luckily, our 300 soldiers retaliated immediately with the Star-Piercing Crossbows, forcing the Scimitar Alliance's leader to retreat.

He was wounded as well, but his speed and agility are terrifying.

No wonder he has such a fearsome reputation."

Dongbo Xueying felt a chill run down his spine.

Uncle Zong was struck three times…

If his luck had been worse, or if the battle had lasted just a little longer, he might not have survived at all!

"Xueying, don't worry."

Tong San's deep voice was steady and reassuring.

"In all of Yishui County, there are only four Meteor-Tier Knights and one Meteor-Tier Grand Mage.

Among the bandits, Gaibin is the only one of that level.

Now that he's been injured and has seen the power of our Star-Piercing Crossbows, he won't dare to take the risk again.

Next time, we'll be even more prepared!

If he doesn't dare return, then no other bandit gang will either."

"Mm."

Dongbo Xueying let out a breath of relief.

But then—

"Gaibin is a Meteor-Tier Knight.

With that kind of power, he could have done anything… so why become a bandit?"

Xueying frowned in confusion.

"Hmph."

Tong San snorted coldly.

"Xueying, not all powerful warriors seek honor. Some are greedy, lazy, and would rather take from others than work for it.

Gaibin was once a noble knight, but his greed got the best of him.

He killed another noble over treasure. When his crime was discovered, he became a wanted man.

Since he was already an outlaw, he simply embraced a life of crime and became a bandit lord."

Zong Ling nodded.

"Even before that, his reputation wasn't great. He had always been known for his cruelty.

It was only a matter of time before he exposed himself.

Eventually, his crimes caught up with him, and he was declared a fugitive.

But his strength allowed him to escape.

Now, he hides deep within the Destruction Mountains, leading an army of ruthless criminals."

"Forget about him for now. There's nothing we can do about it."

Dongbo Xueying silently agreed.

The Destruction Mountains were too vast.

Even imperial city guards avoided launching attacks there.

The mountain range stretched over 100,000 miles, spanning across four provinces.

It was the largest mountain range in the empire, home to countless terrifying magical beasts.

Many outlaws sought refuge in the outer regions of the Destruction Mountains.

Even they dared not venture deeper—the inner regions were far too dangerous.

"I'll let him live for now…"

"But one day, when I'm strong enough, I'll wipe out this disease myself!"

Xueying vowed silently.

"Xueying, have you decided about Changfeng Academy?"

Suddenly, Zong Ling changed the subject.

"Xueying!"

Tong San's voice was urgent.

"Changfeng Academy is the top institution in all of Anyang Province.

It's the most powerful force in the entire region—stronger than even your mother's Moyang family!

Its headmaster, 'Longwind Rider' Chi Qiu Bai, is the province's number one warrior!

With your talent and spear skills, you're guaranteed to qualify for admission!

But it's already winter. If you don't enroll soon, you'll miss your chance!"

Zong Ling nodded.

"Ten years old is the cutoff age. If you turn ten, they won't accept you."

His eyes locked onto Xueying.

Dongbo Xueying fell silent.

He had already been thinking about this for a long time.

Changfeng Academy

Only accepted students younger than tenThis was because younger children had the most potential for growthThe body's rapid development phase was the most critical time for a knight's trainingSome early developers even started growing rapidly at tenThat's why the academy set ten years old as the age limit

Changfeng Academy was the strongest force in Anyang Province.

Its headmaster was the most powerful warrior in the province.

Every student who entered as a normal child—

Graduated as at least a Heaven-Tier Knight.

Many even reached Meteor-Tier.

But entry was extremely difficult.

Of course—

With Xueying's physical condition and spear skills, passing the exam would be effortless.

After a long pause, Xueying finally spoke.

"I've thought about it for a long time…

And I've made my decision."