After leaving Azure Cloud Town, Cloud Beguile, now known as the "Carefree Wanderer", journeyed northward, deliberately avoiding the bustling towns and crowded markets, opting for the obscure mountain paths. Along the way, he admired the scenic vistas while cultivating the Azure Lotus Sword Techniques, honing his swordsmanship. He understood that the jianghu was perilous, and the hearts of men unfathomable - only by continuously strengthening his own abilities could he hope to establish an unassailable position.
One day, he arrived at a small town called Sunset Town. As the name suggested, the town was nestled in a valley, and when the setting sun cast its golden glow over the settlement, it would be transformed into a breathtaking sight.
The town was modest in size, home to only a few dozen families, most of whom made their living through hunting. The peaceful tranquility, however, was soon shattered by cries and wails.
As Cloud Beguile approached the town entrance, the commotion caught his attention. The voices were laced with anger, fear, and despair. His brow furrowed, and he quickened his pace towards the source of the disturbance.
Turning a corner, Cloud Beguile was appalled by the scene before him.
In the town square, a group of fierce-looking bandits, wielding swords and knives, were brazenly terrorizing the townspeople. These ruffians were hulking, their faces etched with cruelty, exuding an aura of menace. Clad in animal hides and adorned with various weapons, some even carrying massive spiked clubs, they radiated an unmistakable bloodlust that struck fear into the hearts of the unarmed, ordinary folk.
The townspeople, helpless against these vicious marauders, could only endure the abuse, their faces contorted with terror and hopelessness.
"Haha, you useless wretches! Hand over your money and valuables, or else you'll get a taste of our blades!" the burly bandit leader, a man with a thick beard, bellowed as he wielded a gleaming broadsword, threatening a trembling old man.
"Please, have mercy, sir! We are but poor folk, with no wealth to speak of. Spare our lives, we beg you," the old man pleaded, kneeling on the ground.
"Spare your pathetic pleas! I don't care if you have money or not. Today, if you don't give us something, we'll tear down your homes and slaughter your families!" The bandit leader spat, then kicked the old man to the ground, eliciting a cry of pain.
"Haha, boss, this old geezer's got some backbone. Why don't we start by cutting off one of his hands, teach him a lesson?" A lanky bandit, clutching a sharp dagger, approached the old man with a sinister grin.
"Good idea!" The leader laughed. "Show him what happens when he tries to defy us!"
"Stop!"
Just as the thin bandit was about to strike, a clear, authoritative voice rang out from the crowd, halting everyone's actions.
All eyes turned to see a young man in azure robes, a sword slung on his back, slowly making his way towards the center of the square. It was Cloud Beguile.
While resting outside the town, Cloud Beguile had heard the commotion and, though initially inclined to mind his own business, the bandits' taunts and the townspeople's cries of despair had stirred the sense of justice within him. The Cloud Clan had long upheld the virtues of chivalry and protecting the weak - even in the wake of his family's destruction, that core belief remained.
"Who's this scrawny brat, daring to interfere in our business? You looking to get yourself killed?" The bandit leader scowled as he spotted Cloud Beguile.
The other bandits also turned their menacing gazes towards the young man, their eyes gleaming with malice, as if ready to devour him.
Ignoring their threats, Cloud Beguile went to the old man who had been knocked down, helping him to his feet and asking with concern, "Elder, are you alright?"
"Thank you, young sir, I'm unharmed," the old man replied gratefully.
"Good to hear." Cloud Beguile nodded, then turned to face the bandits, his tone ice-cold. "You wretched thieves, terrorizing the innocent in broad daylight - your crimes are unforgivable. Surrender now, and perhaps I will spare your lives."
"Haha, you're really full of yourself, boy!" The bandit leader let out a bellowing laugh. "Do you have any idea who we are? We're from the Black Wind Stronghold. How dare you interfere with our business? You must be tired of living!"
"Black Wind Stronghold?" Cloud Beguile's brow furrowed slightly. Though new to the jianghu, he had heard of the infamous bandit lair and its ruthless leader, the Black Wind Fiend, a powerful cultivator with hundreds of underlings who had terrorized the surrounding towns.
"I don't care if you're from the Black Wind Stronghold or any other den of thieves. You've preyed upon these innocent people, and you must pay the price!" Cloud Beguile's voice was cold as ice.
"Haha, you really are courting death!" The bandit leader's laughter turned manic, and he brandished his broadsword, pointing it at Cloud Beguile. "Brothers, kill this impudent brat!"
"Kill him!"
The bandits, upon their leader's command, charged at Cloud Beguile, their blades flashing.
"Fools!" Cloud Beguile's eyes narrowed as he drew the Azure Enigma Sword.
"Azure Lotus Sword Technique, First Form: Azure Lotus Blossoms!"
With a shout, the Azure Enigma Sword became a bolt of azure lightning, sweeping towards the bandits.
"Splish, splish, splish..."
The sword light flashed, blood spraying as the foremost bandits were instantly cut down, collapsing in pools of crimson.
"Ahhh!"
Witnessing their comrades' swift demise, the remaining bandits were seized by panic, retreating in terror, no longer daring to approach.
"What, afraid now?" Cloud Beguile sneered at the bandits. "Too late for that!"
He swung the Azure Enigma Sword, charging at the retreating ruffians.
"Azure Lotus Sword Technique, Second Form: Azure Lotus Sword Dance!"
Cloud Beguile's figure flickered like a ghost among the crowd, his movements unpredictable and elusive.
"Splish, splish, splish..."
Sword light flashed, blood spraying as the bandits were no match for Cloud Beguile, falling one by one to his blade.
In the blink of an eye, the group of dozens of bandits had been reduced to half.
"This... this boy's sword skills, how can they be so formidable?" The bandit leader's face drained of color, his eyes wide with terror.
He never imagined this seemingly young lad would possess such terrifying prowess.
"Boss, we can't beat him! Let's get out of here!" The remaining bandits, now gripped by fear, discarded their weapons and fled.
"You think you can escape?" Cloud Beguile's cold voice rang out as the Azure Enigma Sword became an azure blur, chasing after the fleeing bandits.
"Splish, splish, splish..."
Sword light flashed, blood spraying as one by one, the running bandits were cut down and fell to the ground.
The bandit leader, seeing his men cut down, was seized by sheer panic. He turned to run, but Cloud Beguile's speed was too great - a single thrust of the sword stopped him in his tracks.
"You... don't come any closer!" The bandit leader trembled, his words stammering.
"Your sins are unforgivable. You deserve no mercy!" Cloud Beguile's voice was frigid, and with a thrust, he pierced the man's heart.
"Thud!"
The bandit leader collapsed, lifeless.
...
The battle concluded, the square littered with corpses, the ground stained crimson. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood.
Cloud Beguile stood amidst the carnage, his gaze devoid of pity. These were criminals who had reaped what they sowed.
"Thank you, young sir, for saving us!" The townspeople who had been terrorized now knelt before Cloud Beguile, tears of gratitude in their eyes.
"Please, rise. There's no need for such formalities," Cloud Beguile quickly helped them to their feet. "Seeing injustice and rushing to aid is the duty of us cultivators."
"Your chivalrous spirit is truly admirable, young sir. The people of Sunset Town will forever be grateful for your kindness!" the townspeople said with heartfelt appreciation.
"It was nothing, merely a small deed." Cloud Beguile smiled.
"Sir, you were absolutely amazing, like a divine hero descended from the heavens!" A burly, dark-skinned young man approached Cloud Beguile, his eyes shining with admiration.
"I am Cloud Beguile. And you, my friend?" Cloud Beguile asked warmly.
"I am Wang Tiechu, a hunter from Sunset Town," the young man introduced himself with a simple smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tiechu." Cloud Beguile bowed politely.
"Cloud Sir, your noble deeds today will never be forgotten by me, Wang Tiechu. From now on, you are my sworn brother. If you ever need anything, just say the word - I will brave fire and water to help you!" Wang Tiechu thumped his chest, speaking with earnest sincerity.
"You're too kind, Tiechu. It was nothing more than a small gesture." Cloud Beguile smiled.
"Cloud Sir, don't be so modest. From now on, just call me Tiechu," the young man insisted.
"Very well, Tiechu." Cloud Beguile nodded.
And so, in the town of Sunset, Cloud Beguile had made his first jianghu friend - Wang Tiechu.