Chapter 78

After camping by that quiet stream for another night, Chu Feiyue and Qin Yue got up early in the morning and ran to the teleportation square to find Sister Aurelia.

The LED screen on the square was still shining. Chu Feiyue glanced at it, and saw that Lan Cangming was still level 13. It seemed that although he leveled up quickly, he didn't do it by grinding bosses, making him much weaker compared to herself.

Walking into the inner room of the teleportation square, Chu Feiyue knocked on the crystal ball. Then, Sister Aurelia, rubbing her sleepy eyes, yawned and emerged from the crystal ball, holding a pillow and wearing a nightgown.

A snow-white pillow!

"Who is it? Don't you know that disturbing someone's sleep will make you bite your own eyeball during meals?" Her curse still sounded soft and cute.

"Sister Aurelia, wake up, it's us." Chu Feiyue squatted down to be at her level. "We want to go to Huahua Village, can you help us?"

Sister Aurelia rubbed her eyes hard, seeming a bit more awake. She looked at the two people and the staff in front of her. "Oh, it's the goddess candidate and the little saint. Dick has already handed Freya over to you... It seems he's not very confident about your mission."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing. Freya's protection is very strong, so those bandits won't be able to hurt you. Alright, I'll send you to Huahua Village."

Sister Aurelia casually tapped the crystal ball, and a spatial rift swallowed the two people and the staff.

"I hope you can get through this..." She hugged her new queen ant pillow, looking worriedly towards the west, her thoughts already flying to the distant village.

...

Sister Aurelia's teleportation was the safest and most stable Chu Feiyue had ever used. She didn't even feel anything before the teleportation was complete.

They were now in the front yard of a civilian house. Chu Feiyue, who had been to the village chief's house in the beginner village, knew this was a village chief's house.

At this moment, voices from outside the door could be heard.

"Koyang, there seemed to be a light in the yard just now. I'll go check it out."

"Okay."

Then the yard gate was pushed open, and a soldier in elaborate leather armor stuck his head out.

"Hello, I'm Meng from Huating, here to clear out the bandits."

Chu Feiyue explained her purpose to him, and the soldier nodded and led her to meet his captain.

The captain was studying a sand table with his subordinates in the yard. Upon hearing the report of the envoy from Huating, he came out to greet them.

"Subordinate Yang Xijie, greeting the special envoy."

The captain took off his helmet and bowed, and the other captains behind him also bowed.

"There's no need to be so formal. I just need some information, not to supervise the troops."

The captain breathed a sigh of relief. If the headquarters took over this matter, he wouldn't have to lead the troops to fight, which would save his soldiers from casualties, a good thing.

If it weren't for the lack of options, who would want to go to war? Those who want war are always those who don't have to fight themselves.

So, the captain led Chu Feiyue to the sand table in the yard, pointing out some of the intelligence he had.

"Special Envoy, our current Huahua Village is here." He pointed to a small green flag on the east side of the sand table.

"That, is the bandit stronghold." He pointed to a small red flag in the mountains. "That mountain is called Qingsong Mountain. The bandit leader, Jiang Qinghu, is a ruthless and merciless madman. Huahua Village didn't pay the protection fee as he demanded, so this madman led his men to massacre the village. The stronghold has about 150 able-bodied men and 250 women and children, a considerable force."

Then, his hand traced a winding path from the red flag to the green flag. "This is the flattest route from Huahua Village to Qingsong Mountain. We originally planned to march this way. But if it's you, sir..." He drew a straight line. "This one will do."

You have quite a bit of confidence in me. Chu Feiyue looked at the straight line that crossed countless mountains, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

...

After entering the mountains, the road became much harder to travel. Looking down at the countless thorns, Chu Feiyue couldn't help but think how nice it would be to have a pair of shoes that could walk smoothly on any terrain.

At this moment, two less common spells came in handy: Wind Armor and Earth Spikes.

Using the wind blades from Wind Armor to cut through the obstructing weeds and Earth Spikes to climb mountains and cross rivers. Although the road was up and down and difficult to travel, their speed was not slow.

But even with a fast pace, it was already noon when they approached the stronghold.

Why doesn't this game have a return scroll? It's not up to standard. Chu Feiyue counted the time it would take to return, and if she didn't want to camp in the deep mountains, she would have to log off for the night.

It seems it's been a long time since she logged off.

The stronghold on the hillside was already in sight. With Chu Feiyue's now enhanced vision, she could clearly see two bandits arm wrestling on the wall, with a group of bandits cheering them on.

"They're so relaxed..." Chu Feiyue looked from a distance and shook her head.

Let me teach you, with blood, that as a criminal, you must always be on guard.

...

Finally, when Chu Feiyue entered within 100 meters of the stronghold, she was spotted by a lookout. The lookout blew his eagle whistle to alert the others.

A group of bandits rushed out.

Chu Feiyue waited leisurely for these monsters that looked only a bit stronger. To be honest, she had been fighting monsters beyond human level for days, so she was curious about what human monsters looked like.

But they looked no different from normal people, just a bit more ferocious.

"Strong Bandit: Level 17 Elite. HP 800. Description: Bandits on Qingsong Mountain, almost without any redeeming qualities. Skills: 1. [Three Bandit Moves]: Charge, Slash, and Sweep, quite powerful. 2. [Survival Instinct]: Will flee or beg for mercy in dangerous situations."

These bandits are so weak, they even run... With her magic attack boosted to 240 by her staff, Chu Feiyue could easily skewer them with a single Fire Wind Cone.

A clearly stronger man with a beast-headed greatsword stepped out. He had long straight hair, a nose like a bull, and eyes as large as antelopes. His chest and back were bare, revealing countless scars of honor.

"Qingsong Bandit Leader - Jiang Qinghu: Level 25 Bronze Boss. HP 3800. Description: Younger son of the martial arts family Jiang, later taken to Qingsong Mountain by bandits and trained by them. After mastering martial arts, he killed the bandits and became the leader of Qingsong Mountain, bitter and resentful after witnessing the murder of his parents and sister. Skills: 1. [Six Jiang Sword Techniques] (including ultimate move): Six inherited sword techniques, ruthless and cruel. 2. [Bandit Leader]: Bandits' morale will not collapse as long as he is present. 3. [Fighting to the Death]: His tragic childhood made him fearless, not retreating even in the face of powerful enemies."

He is a pitiable person, but also a hateful one.

"Girl, what are you doing here?" Jiang Qinghu carried his greatsword on his shoulder and whistled at Chu Feiyue. "Could it be that you heard I'm handsome and came to be my wife?" The bandits laughed.

"Ridiculous, die." Chu Feiyue sent several wind blades towards his limbs.

"Damn, a mage?" Jiang Qinghu quickly swung his greatsword to block the wind blades, but one slipped through and cut his pants. "Are you from Huating?"

"Save your breath, you're a dead man." Chu Feiyue began to gather her Windstorm Kill, preparing to take out this boss directly.

Jiang Qinghu licked his lips and cautiously watched the gradually forming greenish-red cone in Chu Feiyue's hand.

"Everyone behind me, get out of the way!" He shouted and charged at Chu Feiyue.

Six Jiang Sword Techniques, Breaking Army Style.

He used his strongest move right away. A red glow attached to his blade, and with a desperate will, his greatsword seemed to extend, aiming straight for Chu Feiyue's head.

Then, a fiery red light beam shot over. Chu Feiyue's Windstorm Kill was ready.

"Ha, break it!" Jiang Qinghu swung his greatsword down, the red glow on the blade turning into an enlarged blade shadow that split the light beam in two. The split light beam formed a "Y" shape and hit the ground behind him.

"Pfft."

A small flame appeared on Jiang Qinghu's head, which he easily extinguished. He wiped the ash from his face, grinned, and jumped up to slash at Chu Feiyue's head.

Six Jiang Sword Techniques, Thousand Jun Style.

A yellow glow wrapped around his blade, and with a heavy wind, it struck the ground where Chu Feiyue had just stood.

Chu Feiyue had already used a teleport to dodge, but the flying stones still hit her, making her wince.

Chu Feiyue glanced at her status bar, which showed her HP had dropped by 24%.

Even small stones can't be blocked, the Traveler account's characteristics are really a pain...

He can't be allowed to attack anymore. Determined, Chu Feiyue began to release countless wind blades to bombard and suppress, while secretly gathering a more powerful Fire Wind Cone.

The overwhelming wind blades even blocked Jiang Qinghu's vision, turning his face pale. He was forced to use the only defensive move in his Six Jiang Sword Techniques, "Pine Disk Style," to block the wind blades.

The wind blades also cut into the bandits trying to help, and several of them were torn to pieces and fell to the ground, blood and flesh flying.

Just as Jiang Qinghu was fully using "Pine Disk Style" to block the wind blades, a fiery red light appeared in his vision. Then, a burning cone pierced his heart.

His sword technique faltered, and countless wind blades sliced him into pieces.

"You have killed the Qingsong Bandit Leader - Jiang Qinghu for the first time. The system, in its great mercy, rewards you with 5 gold coins and 50 reputation."

"Your level has increased to 16."

Hearing this, Chu Feiyue breathed a sigh of relief and dispersed the wind blades that had been bombarding Jiang Qinghu.

As the wind blades blocking her view gradually dissipated, the remains of Jiang Qinghu, now a pile of minced meat, were revealed. Blood and flesh splattered the ground, turning a five-step radius into a cruel blood-red. A piece of intestine was still twitching on the ground, and Jiang Qinghu's head, with half its face skin missing, stared at Chu Feiyue with its remaining eye, its long tongue hanging out of its mouth. Various organs and muscles, some completely shredded and some still recognizable, decorated the ground like a feast of demons.

Seeing this, Chu Feiyue's smile gradually faded, and her face turned green.

She finally realized what she had done. She, had killed a person.

A person, a once living person, not a monster.

Blood, flesh, and the dead man's resentful gaze flooded her mind.

Dizziness and the fear of killing surged, stimulating both her nerves and her stomach. A wave of acid rose from her stomach.

"Ugh! Ugh ugh~~~."

Chu Feiyue knelt on the ground, retching, tears streaming down her face.

After the wind blades stopped, the bandits on the other side breathed a sigh of relief. They looked at their leader, who was now a pile of minced meat. The terrifying mage was on the ground, vomiting painfully, looking like a toothless tiger.

"Kill her now, she's never seen a dead person!" Someone in the crowd shouted, and the bandits, who had been a bit disoriented, immediately turned their hateful gazes towards Chu Feiyue.

They tightened their grip on their knives and slowly approached Chu Feiyue.

"Brother!" Qin Yue looked worriedly at her brother, not understanding why he was like this. But now wasn't the time to vomit; the bandits were already close!

Qin Yue summoned her harp and prepared to play "Trembling Note," but Freya was faster.

The young lady of the staff positioned herself between her owner and the bandits. Her eyes in the crystal column narrowed, and the wind blade storm Chu Feiyue had just released came back, even more powerful this time.

The wind blades targeted the bandits. Seeing countless semi-transparent blades slicing through the air towards them, the terrified bandits dropped their weapons and turned to run. But how could they outrun the wind? They were quickly caught by the wind blades, which shredded them into various pieces of meat.

Blood splattered, as if dyeing the sky dark red.

Chu Feiyue, in pain, lifted her head and saw Freya release the wind blades, turning nearly a hundred people into minced meat.

This scene was a hundred times more disgusting than killing Jiang Qinghu.

Chu Feiyue couldn't bear this bloodthirsty sight. She seemed to break down.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh