"What's this! The Bloodcloaked Guards!"
"Indeed, it's the Bloodcloaked Guards; they must have come for vengeance on behalf of the merchant caravan!"
"We're doomed…"
…
Upon hearing Ye Tian's thunderous shout, the mountain bandits were instantly thrown into a state of disarray. As outlaws lurking around the outskirts of Xueyu City, none were ignorant of the formidable reputation and ruthless nature of the Bloodcloaked Guards.
When they witnessed the charging horde of hundreds led by Ye Tian, their immediate instinct was to flee.
What a joke!
The might of the Bloodcloaked Guards was renowned, and these bandits, having lived near Xueyu City for years—some even having ventured into it—were acutely aware of their strength.
Particularly, as they watched Ye Tian demonstrate his prowess, cutting through foes as if they were mere vegetables, none dared to stand in his path, sending them into a state of utter terror, leaving no courage to press onward.
"Kill! Ha ha! These bandits are worthless; brothers, slay them all! Once we're done, let's drink! We shall not return until we're inebriated tonight!" Old Zhang, the ten-man leader, bellowed.
"These bandits are nothing but a bunch of cowards! I've said it before; they pose no threat. We should charge down sooner!" Liu Hongwu scoffed, effortlessly dispatching four mountain bandits with a single strike, her momentum formidable.
The Bloodcloaked Guards who charged alongside her unleashed their strength as well; each was a level seven martial artist, formidable wherever they stood. At that moment, hundreds united like a razor-sharp sword, piercing deeply into the hearts of the bandits.
In nearly an instant, the mountain bandits facing them collapsed, unable to withstand the assault of the five hundred Bloodcloaked Guards.
As a result, the morale of the bandits plummeted, with the more timid among them already preparing to flee.
Of course, not all the bandits were weak; especially the two level nine martial artist leaders. After initially succumbing to panic, they quickly regained their composure, rallying the stronger bandits and leading them to confront Ye Tian's group.
"Brothers, do not be afraid! Can't you see they're not wearing true blood cloaks? Don't be fooled; they're not the Bloodcloaked Guards!" One of the level nine bandit leaders, a scar-faced man, shouted hoarsely.
"Right! They don't wear blood cloaks!"
"And they don't carry blood knives…"
"Liars! They aren't the Bloodcloaked Guards!"
Under the scar-faced man's exhortation, some bandits began to awaken to the truth. Indeed, Ye Tian and his followers weren't clad in the signature blood cloaks, nor did they wield the feared blood knives they had previously associated with the Bloodcloaked Guards.
Instantly, the bandits' morale lifted slightly. Although they were shocked by Ye Tian's strength, their deepest fear lay in the fame of the Bloodcloaked Guards. Now that they realized they weren't facing the true guards, they felt emboldened.
After all, these bandits were accustomed to bloodshed, and many among them were vicious and bold, willing to confront those stronger than themselves.
Especially with the two level nine martial artist leaders leading them, the bandits swiftly gathered their strength to counter the onslaught of Ye Tian and his men.
"Hm?" Amidst the fray, as Ye Tian continued to slay the surrounding bandits, he kept a watchful eye on the movements ahead. As the leader of the Bloodcloaked Guards, it was his duty not only to fight but also to command his subordinates.
After the two level nine bandit leaders organized their forces—
Ye Tian quickly sensed something was amiss; the number of bandits around him was increasing, and their expressions shifted from fear and panic to madness and bloodlust.
"Now that's some talent!" Drawing on his past experiences, Ye Tian discerned the situation, a smirk creeping across his face as he offered a mild compliment.
However, his gaze then darted to a small red figure not far behind him, and he shouted, "Little girl, do you dare charge alongside me to take down those two bandit leaders?"
Liu Hongwu was busy showcasing her might, injuring bandits left and right. Why did I say injuring? Because although this girl had a fiery temper, she had never taken a life, especially in the heat of battle where dismembered bodies and blood frightened her.
Yet, having grown up among the Bloodcloaked Guards, coupled with Ye Tian's provocation, her competitive spirit surged forth. She struck down a bandit attempting to sneak attack her, lifted her chin defiantly, and declared, "What's there to fear? And don't call me little girl; you're only a year older than me!"
"Ha ha! We'll take those two bandit leaders—one for each of us! Whoever kills theirs first gets to call the other a little girl!" Ye Tian laughed heartily before charging forward. In a blur of flashing blades, several bloody heads soared through the air.
"Hmph, let's see! If you lose, you're just a little brat!" Liu Hongwu retorted with a teasing smile, employing her mysterious footwork to dart through the bandit crowd, approaching the level nine bandit leader.
Her speed was astonishing; despite Ye Tian starting first, she quickly surpassed him.
The girl's steps were ethereal, like a gust of wind, and in the blink of an eye, she left him far behind. Ye Tian's eyes widened in admiration as he exclaimed, "What a nimble footwork! No wonder she's a privileged child; we poor folks can't compare!" He felt a pang of envy, realizing that having a powerful father was truly beneficial!
Moments later, they weaved through the bandit ranks and finally neared the two bandit leaders.
As they saw the fierce duo charging at them, the bandit leaders' expressions turned frantic. They could clearly perceive Ye Tian and Liu Hongwu's might, which was beyond their capacity to contend with, filling them with panic.
"Come here and face me!" In an attempt to win the contest, Liu Hongwu, despite her aversion to killing, had to become ruthless. She unleashed her ultimate move, sending forth a torrent of palm strikes that sent nearby bandits flying.
Thus, a bloody path was carved open before her as she aimed directly for the stunned bandit leader.
Just as she was about to secure her victory, a razor-sharp blade of light shot forth, severing the opposing bandit leader before she could strike, splattering her with a spray of blood.
Liu Hongwu froze, her face splattered with the blood of the bandit leader.
"Little girl, it seems you've already secured the title of little girl, ha ha ha!" As Liu Hongwu stood in shock, a figure shot past her from behind, targeting the other bandit leader—it was none other than Ye Tian.
Taking advantage of the bloody path Liu Hongwu had opened, Ye Tian unleashed his blade intent, seizing the opportunity to slay her prey.
At this moment, Liu Hongwu remained stunned, only snapping back to reality when she saw Ye Tian dispatch the other bandit leader as well. Gazing at Ye Tian's triumphant stance, she pouted and cried out, "Ah~~ you little brat! I'm going to kill you!!!" With that, she charged toward Ye Tian.
But just then—
"Boom!" With a resounding explosion, a nearby cave collapsed, and a slender figure erupted from within, emanating a violent aura as it quickly approached Ye Tian and the others.
"Who are you? How dare you invade my Yufeng Village? Do you wish to die?"
The resounding voice carried a tempest of fury and violence.
The newcomer exuded tremendous power, his blood energy surging like tumultuous waves. His single eye, seemingly carved into a scarred visage, emanated a terrifying light filled with ferocious intent.
He was a one-eyed middle-aged man, radiating an overwhelming aura. His hands thrust forward, unleashing an unending force that surged like a colossal wave toward Ye Tian and Liu Hongwu.
With a start, Ye Tian narrowed his eyes and raised his blade in defense, his formidable presence exploding forth to confront the one-eyed warrior.
Liu Hongwu, however, was a fraction slower, caught off guard by the sheer might and sent flying, her form appearing rather disheveled as horror filled her expression.
"A Martial Master! He is a Martial Master!" Liu Hongwu shouted, her face etched with urgency.
"Martial Master!"
Like a whirlwind, the revelation sent shockwaves through the remaining Blood-Clad Guards still engaged in battle, their eyes widening with terror as they turned toward the source of the commotion.
Panic, tension, and dread surged within their hearts.
A Martial Master—a chasm of disparity between realms, akin to the gulf between heaven and earth. Aside from a handful of extraordinary prodigies, none had ever achieved victory over a Martial Master while still in the realm of Martial Artists.
The appearance of a Martial Master among the bandits sent the Blood-Clad Guards into a frenzy; they understood all too well the might of such a warrior, realizing they were no match for him.
"Charge!"
Just as five hundred Blood-Clad Guards wrestled with the choice to retreat, a commanding figure suddenly soared into the air, resembling a deity as he descended with an overwhelming aura, his blade aimed at the Martial Master bandit.
In that moment, the imposing figure seemed forever etched into the memories of the Blood-Clad Guards; the fierce scene would haunt them for a lifetime.
"It's the Boss!" cried one of the Blood-Clad Guards, disbelief written all over his face.
Others turned in astonishment toward the soaring figure, a mere seventeen-year-old boy, radiating like an eternal sun, emanating intense light.
"It's really the Boss!" Elder Zhang exclaimed, astonished, failing to notice the deep respect that had taken root on his face.
Not just him, but every Blood-Clad Guard and bandit present felt a profound sense of reverence upon witnessing the commanding youth.
"Boom!"
The blade energy erupted, slicing through the air with lightning-like speed. The dazzling cold light resembled the scythe of death, sending a chill through everyone present.
"Hm?" The Martial Master bandit's expression shifted dramatically as he sensed the tremendous force behind the strike, shock and disbelief flooding his mind.
Boom!
He dared not underestimate it, swiftly retrieving the massive blade strapped to his back, countering with a strike of his own.