Chapter 45

Yang Ji reacted quickly, taking several swift steps to hide in the shadows beside "Hundred Herbs Hall," moving so fast that the vigilant bandit outside didn't even notice him.

*Whoosh!*

With a leap, Yang Ji shot up the wall like an arrow, easily crouching on top. The courtyard was filled with shouts and cries, but no one paid him any attention.

"Hundred Herbs Hall" was in chaos, with people screaming and fleeing everywhere.

*Hiss! What formidable sword skills!*

Yang Ji, crouched on the wall, took a quick glance and immediately drew a sharp breath.

Inside the courtyard, the six bandits wielded their swords with such ferocity that they seemed like tigers among sheep, forcing the Li Clan's guards to retreat in disarray, completely routed.

The Li Clan was a major clan in Pingchuan County, with many skilled fighters, even several "Warriors" at the Martial Path realm. In theory, six bandits should have been no threat.

But in reality, the smaller group held the absolute advantage.

While the Li Clan had its share of experts, they couldn't match these bandits who lived by the edge of their blades. In terms of ruthlessness and viciousness, the two sides were not even in the same league.

As the saying goes, "An inch longer is an inch stronger, an inch shorter is an inch weaker." The six bandits wielded their long, gleaming sabers, and the Li Clan's people either died or were injured.

In such a situation, a Li Clan expert at the Tenth Stage of Breathing couldn't even hold his own against a bandit at the Ninth Stage of Breathing, instead being forced to retreat step by step.

"These bandits are so fierce, no wonder the road from the border to the heart of the empire is firmly in their control. The imperial army has been trying to eliminate them for decades but has failed!"

Yang Ji thought to himself.

He had considered helping them, but immediately dismissed the idea. With his current strength, he had no confidence in dealing with these bandits. Rushing in recklessly might not only fail to help but could also lead to his own demise.

*Whoosh!*

Yang Ji leaped down from the wall and quickly moved to the shadow of a pillar. This was his first encounter with these bandits, and it was a great opportunity to understand them.

"Three at the Tenth Stage of Breathing, two at the First Level of Martial Path, and one at the Second Level of Martial Path."

Yang Ji quickly assessed their strength.

Among the six bandits, three emitted a strong blood glow, very noticeable in the darkness. The strongest one even had a layer of blood-red light enveloping his long saber.

Yang Ji focused intently, constantly changing his position to observe the six bandits' sword skills, while his mind worked to memorize and analyze their techniques.

He was naturally gifted and could quickly grasp the essence of any technique. In just a short while, he realized that all six were using the same set of sword skills.

"These bandits use a total of six moves, but the complete set seems to have more than six moves..."

Yang Ji's mind raced, quickly analyzing the basic structure of the sword skills and identifying some of their weaknesses.

Seeing the chaotic battle in the courtyard, Yang Ji's heart stirred, and he suddenly leaped up, flipping over the wall.

"Who's there!"

A loud, alert voice came from below, and in an instant, a fierce blade of light swept towards Yang Ji.

*Whoosh!*

Yang Ji didn't dodge; instead, he lunged forward, grabbing the blade of light.

"Looking for death!"

The bandit on guard outside sneered, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. To him, Yang Ji's actions were utterly reckless.

"Empty-handed against a blade," he thought, "might work against a child, but against us seasoned, ruthless bandits, it's laughable."

"I'll send you to your death!"

The bandit snarled, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, ready to sever Yang Ji's arm. But the next moment, the blade of light froze, and a steel-like hand grabbed it firmly.

"How is this possible!"

The bandit was struck as if by lightning, his eyes wide with shock. At that moment, he heard the sound of his throat bones cracking.

"Too fast!"

This thought flashed through his mind as his vision went dark, and he knew no more.

"Indeed, I was right."

Yang Ji's successful move confirmed his thoughts, boosting his confidence. His Cloud Hands technique, though seemingly slow, was actually very fast, striking first despite being the last to move. Once he understood the pattern of their techniques, a bandit at the Breathing realm was no match for him, no matter how experienced or ruthless.

Yang Ji dragged the bandit's body to a dark spot and prepared to change into his clothes. But when he lifted the mask, he was startled.

"It's him!"

Yang Ji immediately recognized the man as Liu Qi, the one he had bumped into earlier.

"Enemies meet by chance, no wonder!"

Yang Ji thought to himself, stripping the man's clothes and quickly putting them on.

"Roar! Stop! Who are you, you bastards!"

Suddenly, an angry roar came from inside the courtyard, and the air was filled with a fierce wind and surging energy.

"Hmph! Good question! The Li Clan has the heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard, daring to kill our Red Eyebrows. Now, we're just giving you a small lesson."

Another cold voice responded, filled with a chilling aura.

"Red Eyebrows! These are Red Eyebrows bandits!"

Yang Ji was shocked.

In the borderlands, the Red Eyebrows were a legend. Yang Ji had heard of their fearsome reputation since he was young. They were the most ruthless and terrifying bandit leaders, rumored to be close to the Martial Saint realm.

Even the imperial court dared not act against them lightly.

"Why are the Red Eyebrows here?"

Yang Ji was puzzled.

The Red Eyebrows were highly respected and rarely acted, appearing like a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail. Everyone knew that their territory was far from Pingchuan County, and they did not operate here.

Now, the Red Eyebrows were in Pingchuan County, an unprecedented event!

*Whoosh!*

Yang Ji flipped over the wall and entered the courtyard. "Hundred Herbs Hall" was in chaos, the battle reaching a fever pitch. Yang Ji quickly spotted the hall's manager, whose body was covered in blood, clearly a Warrior at the Martial Path realm.

But in terms of combat power, the people of "Hundred Herbs Hall" were clearly no match for these bandits.

"Li Third Young Master, come out! I know you're in this room, and you can't escape."

The six bandits formed a sword formation and advanced towards a room in the northeast corner of the inner courtyard.

"Is that so? If that's the case, come in then. I'll wait for you to catch me."

A young, calm voice came from the room. Everyone who heard it felt a strange sensation, as if nothing could affect this young man, even the intense battle happening right next to him.

"Li Third Young Master? It's Li Chen!"

Yang Ji was slightly surprised, a thought flashing through his mind. Even if they hadn't met, he knew of Li Chen. Both were from prominent families.

This Li Chen was a direct descendant of the Li Clan and had risen rapidly after reaching the Martial Path realm. Yang Ji remembered him not because of his status as the Third Young Master, but because he was one of the "Three Heroes of Pingchuan."

The "Three Heroes" represented the most outstanding figures among the young generation of Pingchuan County, a status far above the "Five Tigers of the Yang Clan," including Yang Meng.

The "Five Tigers" represented the most outstanding disciples within the Yang Clan, while the "Three Heroes" were recognized by everyone!

"Charge in and capture him to exchange for our Red Eyebrows!"

In a flash, the six bandits, their blades flashing, formed a cone and charged in.

*Boom!*

Just as they rushed in, a blood-red light shot up from the southeast corner of the room, and a powerful, yang energy surged out, overwhelming the sky.

The six bandits screamed in agony, all of them, along with the two doors, were thrown out by the solid wave of blood.

"!!!"

Yang Ji's expression changed dramatically. Although he had heard of Li Chen's reputation among the "Three Heroes of Pingchuan," he hadn't expected his cultivation to be so high.

"Martial Path Third Level, definitely a Martial Path Third Level expert!"

Yang Ji was deeply shaken. This person hadn't even shown his face, but the feeling he gave Yang Ji was even stronger than the "Zhou Butler" by the Lady's side.

"Martial Path Third Level! You've actually reached Martial Path Third Level!..."

The strongest bandit leader was also shocked, just like Yang Ji. According to their information, this Li Third Young Master was only at the Second Level of Martial Path, and their formation should have been able to suppress him, but they had failed.

"Surprised?"

The young man who walked out of the room didn't even look up as he asked. He wore a white robe and held a cup of tea, walking out slowly.

Everyone who saw him felt a strange sensation, as if he had been calmly drinking tea in the room the entire time, despite the intense battle.

Most shockingly, his cup of tea remained steady, not spilling a drop, as if the battle was not enough to rouse his interest.

*Swish!*

A blade of light flashed, and just as Li Chen spoke, a blood-red light shot out from the ground, a blade of light slicing towards him.

"Overestimating yourself!"

Li Chen's eyes turned cold, and he finally looked up. As the blade of light shot out, he moved with incredible speed, appearing in front of it in an instant.

*Boom!*

The air shook, and a fierce explosion sounded. A blood-red light flashed, and the entire night sky seemed to ignite. A crisp crack was heard, and all the blade of light immediately stopped.

Li Chen stood on the ground, his expression cold, a steel-like hand crushing the bones of the bandit leader.

*Hiss!*

At this moment, all the bandits were terrified, their eyes wide with fear, and a chill running through their feet.

"Run!"

The remaining few, losing all will to fight, leaped over the wall and fled.

Before them, Yang Ji had already retreated even faster.

The Yang Clan and the Li Clan were in the same area. If Li Chen caught him in his night clothes, it could cause a lot of trouble.