The sudden turn of events left the remaining warriors of Tianlongzhai dumbfounded.
They spun around quickly, their eyes locking onto a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy who had appeared silently behind them. His gaze was cold and piercing.
"Boy, who are you? Why are you interfering with Tianlongzhai's business?" growled a bald man wielding a large blade. His expression was fierce and menacing.
Jiang Chen's icy voice echoed across the plains. "I don't care whether you're from Tianlongzhai or some other nest. Bullying helpless civilians is unforgivable. People like you deserve to die."
The moment his words fell, Jiang Chen's figure blurred into a phantom. In an instant, he was among the warriors, weaving through them like a butterfly flitting through flowers.
Swish!
In mere moments, all the warriors collapsed to the ground one after another.
Each one bore a deep gash across their neck, red blood pooling beneath them.
---
The old man and the girl stood frozen in place, watching in disbelief as the boy swiftly ended the lives of the marauders.
It was only after a moment that the old man finally regained his senses.
Dropping to his knees, he cried out, "Thank you, young hero, for saving our lives!"
Beside him, the young girl stared at Jiang Chen with wide eyes. Her expression held a mix of gratitude and wonder as she gazed at the calm, imposing boy.
Jiang Chen helped the old man up. "It was nothing. You don't need to thank me, elder."
He then asked with a frown, "Who are these warriors? How can they act so brazenly near Fenghuo City?"
The old man sighed. "They're thieves from Tianlongzhai, a bandit stronghold located in Tianlong Mountain, west of Fenghuo City."
Jiang Chen's brows furrowed deeper. "The people of Tianlongzhai are running wild. Doesn't Fenghuo City do anything to stop them?"
The old man smiled bitterly. "The Huo family used to keep them in check, but things have changed. Tianlongzhai's leader, Tianlong, recently broke through to the Foundation Opening Realm. He's become an expert now, and it's said he gravely injured the head of the Huo family."
"With the Huo family struggling to protect themselves, how can they deal with Tianlongzhai?"
"I see..." Jiang Chen murmured, understanding the situation.
The Huo family's predicament had weakened their control over Fenghuo City, and Tianlongzhai was taking advantage of the chaos.
He turned to the old man and said, "Elder, Fenghuo City isn't safe anymore. It's too dangerous for you and your granddaughter to travel through these parts."
"If you're willing, head to Baodan Pavilion in Lingyun City and ask for an errand there. Tell them Jiang Chen sent you."
Without waiting for a reply, Jiang Chen's figure blurred as he sped toward Fenghuo City.
---
About half an hour later, Jiang Chen reached the outskirts of Fenghuo City.
From a distance, he could see two opposing forces standing near the city gates, locked in a tense standoff.
It wasn't hard to guess who they were—one group belonged to the Huo family of Fenghuo City, while the other was from Tianlongzhai.
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen strode confidently toward the city gate.
---
"Hey, kid! What do you think you're doing?"
The voice of a middle-aged man from Tianlongzhai rang out sharply as he noticed Jiang Chen approaching.
He stepped forward, his expression darkening. "Can't you see Tianlongzhai is handling business here? If you don't want to die, get lost!"
"Otherwise... I'll kill you where you stand!"
Jiang Chen stopped in his tracks and glanced at the man calmly.
"I'm not looking for death," he said, his voice steady and cold. "I'm looking for someone."
"Hah! A snot-nosed brat dares to talk big in front of Tianlongzhai?" the middle-aged man sneered, his face twisting with anger.
"Xiang Hu, deal with him!"