Chapter 57. This Body is Lianshu Zhu

At first, when Huayang Shangfang's Xin Yidai leader Tian Feng and Yang Wuqi challenged Wufeng Mountain Bandit Camp, they felt as if they had been cheated.

Contrary to the rumors of being "terrifying," the bandits of Wufeng Mountain were just mediocre.

It was to the point where they felt a sense of self-contempt, thinking, "Have I been paying tolls to these kinds of people all this time?"

Still, they had to admit the bandits' fighting spirit.

But if it was just a children's war game?

The bloody battles between the Shangfang and the bandits are not decided by fighting spirit alone.

The battle ended in the Shangfang's victory before a quarter of an hour had passed.

They killed five bandits and captured fifteen as prisoners.

Despite achieving a greater victory than expected, Yang Wuqi felt uneasy.

It was because the bandits' attitude was too brazen.

Even though the prisoners had poor martial skills, they still had a fierce look in their eyes, as if mocking, "Is this really the end?"

They were quite different from the fleeing Jiefeng Cai in many ways.

When they ascended the mountain camp, a new world unfolded before them.

It was more like a small village hidden in the mountains than a bandit's den.

He never expected to see children playing happily in the Green Forest mountain camp.

Stunned, he stood there, and Huang Dongye approached him.

"Yang Daxia, did the Wufeng Ten Bandits escape?"

"I don't think so."

So far, five Shangfangs have challenged Wufeng Mountain Camp, but none of them have entered the camp.

'This can't end so easily.'

Judging by the prisoners' attitude, the Wufeng Ten Bandits are definitely in the camp.

At that moment, an old man appeared.

From his pale face and unsteady gait, it was clear he didn't have much time left.

Yang Wuqi, along with the Luoyang Five Heroes, approached the old man.

The old man, Gumi Fu Jian, smiled nervously and said, "Hehe, who are you, sir?"

Yang Wuqi frowned slightly.

The old man seemed to be trying to appear friendly, but it just irritated him.

"I am Yang Mo of Huayang Shangfang's Xin Yidai. These are the Luoyang Five Heroes, disciples of a famous martial arts school. Where are the Wufeng Ten Bandits?"

Yang Wuqi emphasized "martial arts journey" and "famous martial arts school" in case of any trouble. He meant to intimidate, and the unpleasant old man seemed to understand.

"Ah! Martial arts journey. May I ask which family's children you are?"

Yang Wuqi, feeling relieved, introduced the Luoyang Five Heroes.

"…Especially this young lady, she is the daughter of Yitian Gate's leader, Junzi Jian Li Lianyi, and this young lady is the sister of Walong Swordsman."

'Please be intimidated or run away!'

Did Yang Wuqi's silent plea reach Xin Yangge?

Xin Yangge looked at Li Xiaomin with a surprised face.

"Is your father really Junzi Jian?"

Li Xiaomin replied with a serious face, "Yes. Who are you? Where are the Wufeng Ten Bandits?"

"This old man… is Fang Tong. The Wufeng Ten Bandits will come down soon."

Xin Yangge didn't dare to use his real name and called himself Fang Tong.

"Come down?"

"Yes, they went up to the highest peak of Wufeng Mountain because they sensed guests arriving."

"Hmph! You like guests, don't you? Or did they run away that way? Or maybe they dug a trap and are waiting for us?"

"No, the seventh brother is on the highest peak, and he went to welcome you."

While the two were talking, Yang Wuqi gathered the merchants in a corner.

He wanted to keep them away in case they got hurt in the chaos.

When the battle preparations were almost complete, ten men and women appeared at the entrance.

Exactly ten.

Yang Wuqi and the Luoyang Five Heroes knew they were the Wufeng Ten Bandits.

Yang Wuqi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The Wufeng Ten Bandits, like the Jiefeng Cai, stood with a young boy in the center, forming a determined stance.

As the Wufeng Ten Bandits approached, Yang Wuqi couldn't help but look at the old man, hoping he would introduce the Luoyang Five Heroes.

'Old man, speak up!'

Lian Jieha frowned at the bandits tied up like dried fish.

Huang Yaoming, the Lone Wanderer, shouted with a swollen face, "Brother Lian! Yang Wuqi of Huayang Shangfang brought these crazy guys and made us like this! I'm sorry for disgracing the name of Wufeng Mountain Camp!"

Lianshu Zhu gritted her teeth.

She had spared their lives out of reluctance to kill, but they were still disrespectful and cursing. These kinds of people would continue to act this way until the Wufeng Ten Bandits knelt.

'You only cry when you see the coffin…'

Lianshu Zhu's hand moved towards her sword hilt.

At that moment, Huang Dongye subtly grabbed her arm.

It meant not to act yet.

Honestly, Huang Dongye's feelings were no different from Yang Wuqi's. If Lixiaomin got hurt in the chaos, he wouldn't know how to deal with the aftermath.

Xin Yangge bowed to Lian Jieha.

"Brother Lian, these are Yang Wuqi of Huayang Shangfang and the Luoyang Five Heroes, young martial artists. Among the Luoyang Five Heroes is the daughter of Yitian Gate's leader, so please be lenient."

Lian Jieha tilted his head.

As a newcomer to the martial world, he didn't fully understand the power of the Seven Sects and Ten Schools.

"Yitian Gate's leader?"

"Yes, Yitian Gate's leader is called Junzi Jian, a formidable martial artist. He is said to be on par with the Three Respects of the Green Forest."

"Who are the Three Respects of the Green Forest?"

"The Three Respects of the Green Forest are the three most powerful bandits after the Overlord of the Green Forest, Batian Majun. They are in seclusion now, so it's hard to meet them."

"Ah!"

Lian Jieha nodded nonchalantly, and Xin Yangge added, "Actually, Junzi Jian's father, Yitian Jianzun Li Yizheng, is even more formidable. He is known as one of the Ten Great Martial Artists, like Batian Majun."

Lian Jieha scratched his head, understanding the comparison to Batian Majun.

"So, you're saying not to be too harsh because of Yitian Jianzun?"

"If you offend Yitian Jianzun, it could cause trouble."

"Che, it seems some people are born with good parents. Damn. How nice. They get good treatment everywhere because of their parents. Some people are treated like dogs even in their own homes…"

Lian Jieha sighed deeply.

Of course, Yang Wuqi and the Luoyang Five Heroes were experts in both internal and external martial arts.

They could clearly hear the conversation from about fifteen meters away.

Li Xiaomin's face turned red and then pale.

No one had ever spoken about her like that before.

"Those guys dare to…"

"Sister, hold it. This is a common tactic used by bandits to create division. Don't fall for it."

Although she said that, Lianshu Zhu's expression was not much different from Li Xiaomin's.

While Li Xiaomin was angry about the comments on her family, Lianshu Zhu was seething with jealousy.

It was all about Yitian Gate, both at Jiefeng Cai and here.

No one recognized Walong Zhang.

Not even the famous Nangong family acknowledged Walong Zhang.

As the two young ladies were seething, Yang Wuqi stepped forward.

"I have heard of the Wufeng Ten Bandits! But your evil deeds end today. I, Tian Feng of Huayang Shangfang, and the Luoyang Five Heroes, for the sake of the world…"

"Bro, be quiet. My head is a mess right now."

Lian Jieha interrupted Yang Wuqi.

As Yang Wuqi was about to burst out in anger, Lianshu Zhu, who had been waiting, rushed forward.

"You! You keep talking nonsense like a puppy who doesn't know the fear of a tiger! I need to check if your skills match that annoying mouth of yours!"

Swish.

Lianshu Zhu, drawing her sword as she ran, struck like lightning.

The dazzling sword technique, rising from below in a zigzag pattern, was called 'Dragon Ascending to Heaven.'

Swoosh.

The Luoyang Five Heroes gasped in admiration at the beautiful sword strike.

That sword technique was always impressive.

Every time Lianshu Zhu drew her sword, someone would fall.

They thought, 'A young bandit who hasn't shed his puppy skin can't possibly withstand that sword.'

Lian Jieha was equally surprised.

The sword technique was all too familiar.

He never expected to encounter the Nine Heavens' Sword Technique in such a way!

In a panic, he stepped back and blocked the 'Dragon Ascending to Heaven' with his saber.

Clang.

In the blink of an eye, Lian Jieha moved away and shouted.

"Who are you!"

"I am Lianshu Zhu, a female swordsman of Walong Zhang and one of the Luoyang Five Heroes! Are you scared now?"

"You!"

Lian Jieha gritted his teeth.

How could he forget that name!

Lianshu Zhu was his half-sister.

Looking closely, her face from childhood was still there.

For a moment, the faces of Lian Wubai, Lian Shengbai, and Bai Meizhu flashed before his eyes.

The past he had tried to forget came flooding back like a tide.

The memories of being bullied by his half-siblings and the abuse from his stepmother Bai Meizhu.

The days spent locked in the warehouse.

And the complaints from Walong Zhang's warriors about his stubbornness.

In a fit of anger, the inner strength of the Nine Heavens' Sword Technique surged from his dantian.

Whoosh.

A whirlwind formed around Lian Jieha on a windless day.

Lianshu Zhu's face, which had been full of confidence, turned pale.

Who wouldn't be afraid of a storm of energy right in front of them!

The young bandit's eyes, like lanterns, blazed with fire.

It felt as if the lord of hell had descended before him.

Seized with fear, Lianshu Zhu gave up on fighting and took a step back.

At that moment, the young bandit's figure vanished with a puff.

Lianshu Zhu, looking around in shock, saw a massive dark force pouring down from the sky, as if the heavens were collapsing.

"Ah!"

Lianshu Zhu's blood-curdling scream echoed through Wufeng Mountain.

She then collapsed weakly.

Li Xiaomin, shocked, rushed to Lianshu Zhu's aid.

But the deranged Lian Jieha didn't spare her.

Following 'Dragon Ascending to Heaven,' he unleashed 'Dragon Soaring in the Clouds.'

The Nine Heavens' Sword Technique, performed with the Nine Heavens' Sword Method, was different from Walong Zhang's version. The air distorted and whirlwinds formed wherever his saber passed.

Finally, when his saber drew a crescent moon above his head, the whirlwind transformed into a massive tornado.

A blue dragon's shape writhed within the tornado.

It was the very same Dragon Form Blade Qi that had once injured Tian Ji Shangren.

Boom.

The tornado and the saber descended to the ground.

"Ah!"

Li Xiaomin clutched her head with both hands.

Her scream was long and sharp, far more piercing than Lianshu Zhu's.

The Dragon Form Blade Qi spiraled around her body like a caress and descended.

Sssss.

Neatly sliced pieces of clothing and hair flew with the tornado.

The Xin Yidai leader Yang Wuqi and the other Luoyang Five Heroes couldn't move a finger.

In the face of such overwhelming power, the will to fight had vanished.

Especially Yang Wuqi, he couldn't even breathe deeply.

'Is this the end…'

Now he understood why the merchant caravans couldn't defeat Wufeng Mountain Camp and why the rumors about Tian Ji Shangren had faded away.