Chapter Twenty-Six: The Tragic Bandit

After a night's rest, Nuotian and Yixin departed at once. In Jushan City, they purchased two horses as their means of travel; since they were to attend the martial assembly of the secular world, they felt it proper to adopt the bearing of wandering swordsmen. Yixin did not object to her young master's wish to participate in this worldly martial gathering; as long as it was his decision, she would never oppose it. Thus, the two of them rode at an unhurried pace toward the assembly.

Yishan lay three hundred li east of Jushan City, a mountain not particularly high or famed in the past, but now known to all because of one man. Guo Tian, barely over forty, was already the strongest figure in the martial world of the Yunteng Kingdom. Ten years prior, Guo Tian's name had shaken the entire realm; he had single-handedly fought dozens of elite demonic sect masters, and when the evil sects invaded, he rose to defend the land, defeating all challengers with his unparalleled strength. He was henceforth hailed as the Supreme Lord of the Martial World.

He later founded the Wandering Dragon Sect on Yishan. Disciples flocked to become his students, and soon the sect was firmly established. Rumor had it that the Wandering Dragon Sect was deeply entwined with the royal family of Yunteng, so no one dared provoke them thereafter.

Guo Tian had only one daughter, Guo Yue, fifteen years old—renowned for her beauty and said to possess outstanding talent in martial arts, greatly beloved by her father. In the martial world, it was said that to marry Guo Yue was to gain both fortune and beauty.

To reach Yishan, one had to pass through a dense forest—a necessary route. Nuotian and Yixin made no attempt at caution, riding side by side, chatting and laughing openly on the road. Anyone witnessing this would have instantly judged them to be naive newcomers to the martial world.

Zhang Xianba was a famed bandit in Yunteng, though reputedly he only robbed corrupt officials and, admittedly, had a weakness for women. In his thirties, he was already the leader of a formidable gang. This time, Zhang Xianba was leading his men to attend the martial assembly. The Wandering Dragon Sect had declared that from the second to the third month of the year, during the assembly, no martial faction was to cause trouble—anyone who did would be opposing the sect itself.

Fearing the sect’s prestige, Zhang Xianba swaggered openly, intent on taking part. If he could win the martial contest for marriage, he would never have to live as a fugitive again. Sometimes he felt this was fate's arrangement for him; the Wandering Dragon Sect had announced that anyone under thirty-five could compete for Guo Yue’s hand. Though accustomed to hiding, as long as he didn't encounter any old monsters of the martial world, he feared no one. This time, he brought his men to show the world his strength.

When Nuotian and Yixin appeared at the inn, Zhang Xianba had already set his sights on them. They looked young—likely disciples of some sect—but he did not fear such backgrounds. He didn't know how beautiful Guo Yue truly was, but the girl before him stirred his desires; though still slightly youthful, she already possessed the beauty and figure of a peerless maiden. As for their martial skills, Zhang Xianba dismissed them outright. He decided to intercept them on the road—if they resisted, he would not hesitate to shed blood, then disappear as usual.

Nuotian and Yixin rode side by side. Suddenly, Nuotian pulled the reins and stopped. Seeing this, Yixin also halted. "Young master, what is it?"

Nuotian glanced into the distance. "It seems someone wishes to meet us." His expression was odd; could it be that common bandits had set their sights on them? Yet, from afar, Nuotian could already sense their strength—apart from one at about the fifth level of Mortal Transcendence, the rest were nothing but a rabble.

If ordinary folk had encountered these men, they would surely have fallen victim, but Nuotian was no ordinary person.

He briefly explained the situation to the still-bewildered girl beside him. When Yixin understood, she found it amusing—how entertaining it would be if these bandits knew they were trying to rob a pair of legendary cultivators!

Yixin’s interest was piqued. "Young master, let us go quickly!"

They spurred their horses forward, and before long, a formidable gang of over a hundred men blocked the road ahead. The leader, a man in his thirties, had a prominent nose, thick eyebrows, and large ears. He wore a tattered cloth robe, but what drew the eye most was the neat bunch of beard at his chin, carefully tended.

Yixin regarded the group with interest. Glancing at her young master, she saw only a playful expression, as if he had no other intention. She rode forward and asked in a trembling voice, though her expression was oddly amused, "Who are you people, and what do you want?"

A lecherous-looking man stepped out from the crowd, showing yellowed teeth. “Little lady, our chief fancies you. From now on, you’ll be his wife, living in luxury and comfort.”

Only then did Yixin realize she was their target. She turned to her young master, who gave her a strange look, making her feel somewhat embarrassed. But she heard him tease, "Who would have thought, Xin’er, that you possess such charm? They’ve mustered such numbers just to abduct you!" She shot him a reproachful glance.

Turning back to the bandits, she thought: These fools have given my master cause to mock me—I must not let them off lightly. "Just the likes of you dare to seize me?" she retorted, exuding authority. But Zhang Xianba, instead of anger, looked at her with growing admiration—truly a beauty, even her anger was captivating.

He was a little surprised by her words, suspecting she might have some skill, but soon dismissed the thought, taking her for a proud sect girl who underestimated men like him. Today, he would make her yield.

Zhang Xianba strode forward. "Feisty girl, you’re quite arrogant! I’m going to take you as my wife—how about that? Don’t worry, once you’re mine, I’ll send all my other women away, so you’ll be my only one. How does that sound?" His bravado was unrestrained.

Yixin was first angry, then smiled slyly. "If you want me as your wife, it’s not impossible—but you’ll have to defeat me first."

Hearing this, Zhang Xianba was elated. If he could beat her, he would claim her—he longed for her to willingly submit to his dominance. His chance had come. "Little lady, I don’t want to hurt someone as beautiful as you. If I injure you, my heart would ache," he said, feigning concern.

Yixin leaped lightly from her horse, landing without so much as stirring a speck of dust. Zhang Xianba failed to notice this. Seeing her dismount, he declared, "Afraid you won’t be convinced? I’ll even give you ten moves."

Yixin nodded and walked toward him unhurriedly. Seeing her approach unarmed, and having already made his boast, Zhang Xianba let down his guard. Up close, he realized she was no ordinary beauty—perhaps even Guo Yue, famed across the land, could not compare. She reached out a slender hand, placing it delicately against his chest—not touching his heart, but close enough to feel a thrill. Yet, that thrill lasted only a moment before a terror he had never known surged through him.

The watching bandits saw the beauty approach their chief, extending her delicate hand. They were amazed by their chief’s charisma; clearly, the little beauty had already succumbed.

What happened next left them all dumbstruck. That fair hand pressed against their chief’s chest—he did not show pleasure, but instead a look of utter horror. His body flew backward, crashing into the crowd, knocking his men aside as he spewed blood. He flew nearly a hundred meters, finally smashing into a giant tree, which shook violently and sent dust billowing.

For a moment, all were stunned, then they stared at the unruffled beauty as though seeing a monster. Several lackeys rushed to their chief, helping him up as he spat blood several meters.

Yixin approached the battered Zhang Xianba, who was now stripped of all arrogance, his face filled only with terror.

"Still want me as your woman?" she asked sweetly.

He shook his head vigorously.

"What a pity," she replied with a smile.

By now, Nuotian had come over. All eyes turned to him—clearly, if this man was with the monstrous woman, he must be terrifying as well. The bandits were paralyzed with fear.

Yixin walked to Nuotian’s side. "Young master, the problem is solved."

To think that this woman, powerful as a demon, was merely this man’s maid—my heavens, what kind of person was he? Despair washed over the bandits; they had truly misjudged their prey.

Amid their terror, Nuotian took out a pill. "Take this. You’ll recover quickly. For the next few days, you’ll come with me."