As Renxian approached the bar, he was welcomed by a bunch of brawny individuals, one of whom bore the distinctive marks of claw scars on his skin. These men were like titans in human form, and they all seemed to radiate an air of ruthless strength.
Among them, a renowned rogue cultivator, known for his formidable power, stood unfazed. Their intimidating sight did little to shake Renxian's composure, and he faced them with a calm demeanor. It was as if he had expected this encounter.
"I never thought the rumors were true," he leaned forward, his eyes searching for confirmation. "Well, are you the deviant cultivator himself?"
[Side Quest (Confront or Avoid): The Bandit Assault]
"Is this optional?" Renxian asked the system in his mind.
[Yes, facing them or avoiding them won't change the outcome later.]
"Give me a reason why I should confront them," Renxian, who had been looking down, now glanced at them. "And a reason why I should avoid the fight."
[With your current strength, the damage you could inflict might be fatal for the village if you confront in combat. However, if you choose to avoid it, you might prevent such a catastrophe.]
"Fair enough," the man muttered and then offered an awkward smile to them.
"Gentlemen, it seems you have the wrong person," Renxian said, causing the bandits to exchange uncertain expressions. "I am not the one you're looking for. We're just wanderers seeking a place to rest."
The muscular man with the scar on his forehead down to his cheek then shouted, "Rumin, hand over the wanted poster!"
One of his men handed the paper that depicted Renxian with exactness, down to the smallest details of his appearance. The bandit leaned forward and examined it, their brows furrowed as he uttered, "It looked the same."
"What are you talking about? Look, he's different from me!" Renxian exclaimed, his finger emphasizing the distinct characteristics of the illustration. "What is this? I'm not this bad!"
However, the bandit leader paid little heed to the differences Renxian pointed out and started to crumple the wanted poster. His resolute declaration hung in the air, "Never mind! You won't escape this time, rogue cultivator!"
In a deliberate and measured motion, Renxian countered the man's attempt to seize his hand, reversing the situation. With an unexpected burst of strength, he sent the bandit out of the room, shattering the inn's door and sending him crashing to the front square.
The sudden violence in the quiet space left everyone present in shock and disbelief, the shards of the broken door bearing witness to the unexpected turn of events.
As Renxian turned back to face his surroundings, he couldn't help but mutter, "Oops, I didn't mean that." In an instant, the bandits, fueled by anger and a desire for revenge, swarmed around him.
Renxian's movements were a mesmerizing display of skill as he sidestepped their attacks. It was as if he were dancing amidst a chaotic battlefield, and not a single one of the bandits managed to lay a hand on him. With practiced elegance, he avoided their strikes until he chose the right moment to leap out of the inn, landing in the dirt.
Every eye in the area was now fixed on him, the onlookers still in a state of shock, and Renxian rose to his feet with his head held low. The tension in the air was noticeable as the villagers and bandits watched.
To the amazement of most onlookers, it became evident that many of the so-called bandits were, in fact, cultivators themselves. They were well-attuned to the force Renxian exuded, and their widened eyes and expressions of terror hinted at an awareness of his overwhelming strength.
It was the flow that appeared insurmountable, something beyond the scope of effortless defeat.
[Learn the martial arts. Feel it within yourself. Renxian's remembrance will follow.]
Renxian smiled and assumed a distinctive combat stance, widening his stance with one foot forward and the other back. His right palm extended forward, while the left was clenched and positioned by his hip. This stance only heightened the bandits' anxiety, as fear gripped them.
However, the bandit leader, driven by unchecked ego and foolhardiness, rose to the challenge. He knew that Renxian would be an incredibly tough opponent, but his arrogance pushed him to engage. Activating a technique that enhanced his body's agility, he swiftly lunged toward Renxian.
The speed at which he moved was astonishing, given his imposing stature, launching a precise attack at Renxian. To everyone's surprise, Renxian remained remarkably composed. When the bandit's fist was right in front of his face, Renxian deftly redirected the attack to the side, striking him with his left, clenched hand.
The impact of the blow sent a shockwave through the area, leaving onlookers in stunned silence. The force of the attack even caused some to stumble, and wares belonging to local merchants were scattered. All were left in awe of the power of the rogue cultivator.
[The Wolfhound Bandits. Their reign of terror has left this village in despair. The residents have silently fled, and several merchants have scratched this place off their routes. They not only seize what is rightfully others but also abduct women to enslave.]
Renxian's eyes widened upon hearing this revelation. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? If I had known, I wouldn't have held back!"
[Do it without causing significant harm to the village itself. With your martial arts, you can minimize collateral damage.]
As the bandit leader remained sprawled on the ground, unconscious, Siuxa couldn't help but be taken aback by the noticeable change in Renxian's demeanor. His typical composure had been replaced by a more intense and resolute presence, leaving her in surprise.
However, the remaining bandits, despite the horror display of power they had just witnessed, summoned their courage and defiantly stepped forward to confront Renxian. The rogue cultivator came to a halt, his piercing and intimidating gaze directed squarely at them.
"I've heard about all the trouble you've caused here," Renxian's voice rang out, commanding their attention. "I've had enough of people who trample on others!"
Without waiting any longer, the bandits, still reflecting their fear, forced themselves to attack, knowing they had no way to escape. One of them swung a meaningless blow at Renxian, who effortlessly evaded it.
The bandit trying to strike Renxian ended up receiving a kick from the rogue cultivator, crashing into several of his comrades. Some of them went into a frenzy and simultaneously bombarded Renxian with a flurry of seemingly futile strikes.
While deftly avoiding their attacks, Renxian actively delivered counterattacks with devastating impact, rendering some of the bandits unconscious. Some were sent flying or collapsed to the ground from Renxian's powerful blows, and Siuxa, who was watching, began to realize their numbers were dwindling.
Even when he was surrounded by simultaneous attacks, Renxian leaped into the air. Upon landing, he suddenly conjured a burst of intense flames beneath him, startling and frightening those nearby, causing them to fall backward.
Of the five remaining bandits, they used all their abilities but ended up lying helpless on the ground. Only one remained, sitting and attempting to crawl away. Renxian approached him, causing the bandit to panic, with sweat pouring down his pale face.
As Renxian stood right in front of him, he roughly pulled the man's clothes, forcing him to kneel while looking up at him with a pleading expression. "Please, spare me! I was only following their orders! I had no other choice! Please, spare my life!"
Renxian, with a cold expression, just looked at him cynically. For some reason, this situation felt familiar to him. The bullying he had endured, the pleas for mercy, the need for release – it all brought back memories, piercing his heart and rekindling deep-seated trauma.
"Stop, young man!" A hoarse voice came from an old man who suddenly appeared, hobbling toward Renxian and his assistant. "Don't do this!"
Renxian released his grip on the bandit as he turned his attention to the old man. With a bewildered expression, he allowed the village leader to continue, saying, "This will become a significant issue for us!"
The villagers who had witnessed the scene began to calm down and checked on the unconscious bandits. Siuxa quickly approached Renxian, her curiosity piqued. "What does that mean? Weren't they the ones causing you trouble?"
The old man fell silent for a moment, observing the chaos, then turned his attention back to Renxian. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Uris, the village head here. And they are not just bandits, but they are the henchmen of the County Magistrate himself."
Renxian furrowed his brow, appearing skeptical of the village head's words. "What?"
He sighed and took a deep breath. "It seems we need to have a private conversation, Sanxiu¹. This matter is more complicated than you think. But, aren't you a wanderer? I didn't expect you to be interested in the conflicts of a village that's barely even acknowledged."
"No, we will listen," Renxian turned to Siuxa, who stood beside him. "We want to know about your village."