Chapter Fifteen: Who Are the Real Bandits?

All the bandits in the lair looked at the disheveled bandit who had just escaped back, teasing one another. Although he appeared utterly bedraggled, they assumed he had been rushing all the way back, which explained his state. The second-in-command must have already taken care of things!

Zhang Baldy was gasping heavily, his clothes soaked through with sweat. His mouth was parched as if dehydrated, and he had no time to answer. Grabbing a water jug from a nearby table, he gulped down water fiercely. Seeing this, the bandits around burst into loud laughter.

“Alright, you’ve had enough to drink, haven’t you? Don’t you see the boss is still waiting here for your good news?” one bandit nearest to Zhang Baldy scolded with a grin, kicking him in the rear.

Everyone was eagerly awaiting a report of victory. However, Zhang Baldy’s face showed no trace of excitement. Instead, he looked as if he had lost his parents, mourning with a wretched expression, wailing, “They’re all dead! All of them!”

“What? All dead?” The boss rose from his chair. Tall and imposing, his face was chiseled with sharp features, radiating an aura of severity. Draped in a tiger-skin coat, he exuded even greater authority. Yet his expression was grim as he snorted coldly, “What did the second-in-command do? Didn’t I say, as long as Chen Xuan’s life is spared, not a single woman around him is to be harmed?”

“But he went and killed them all? How am I supposed to find women to give to Mr. Sima when he comes asking?” His face darkened considerably at the thought.

The bandits around muttered their dissatisfaction, “The second-in-command acted too rashly.” “Yeah, how could he kill the women too?” “This is bad. I bet Mr. Sima will demand half our payment back.”

These bandits, ruthless and lawless, even dared to challenge government forces, yet they held profound respect for Mr. Sima, who hired assassins—a testament to his high status and terrifying backing.

“Hmph, when the second-in-command returns, he’ll have to explain himself!” The boss’s displeasure was evident. The underlings lowered their heads, silent, none daring to defend the second-in-command.

Zhang Baldy was stunned by their reactions. This was a misunderstanding!

He hurriedly explained, “Boss, it’s not Chen Xuan and his women who died. It’s the second-in-command and our brothers who were all killed. Only a few escaped. From what I see, I’m the only one who made it back. The others are likely doomed!”

Boom! The place fell into a deathly silence. Everyone’s faces showed disbelief.

“What did you say?” The boss’s eyes bulged, glaring at Zhang Baldy with a gaze like blades that could flay flesh and bone. If looks could kill, Zhang Baldy would already be stripped alive.

“Boss, that Chen Xuan... he’s no weakling...” Zhang Baldy recalled the brutal scene of Chen Xuan slaughtering men with cold efficiency—killing ten at a time without a blink. He was far more ferocious than any of them bandits. Fortunately, Zhang had fled quickly, or else...

Shivering, Zhang Baldy hurried to recount the entire incident.

“You’re saying he broke the second-in-command’s neck with a single move?” “Impossible! The second-in-command is our camp’s second strongest, a fifth-level martial artist. Even the boss couldn’t kill him so easily. That Chen Xuan is known in the capital as a worthless nobody who can’t cultivate.” “Besides, Chen Xuan is barely in his twenties. The most renowned young prodigy in the Chen family, Chen Tian, is only a fourth-level martial artist. How could Chen Xuan instantly kill the second-in-command?”

Seeing many doubted him, Zhang Baldy insisted, “Boss, every word I say is true!”

“Report!” Just as he finished, a subordinate staggered in, terror written all over his face.

“Boss, bad news! Someone’s attacking the camp! They’ve already killed many of our gate guards!”

“What?” The place exploded instantly.

“Who the hell is so bold as to attack our Golden Peak Camp?” “Could it be the Flowing Peak Camp? Those bastards have always wanted to swallow up Golden Peak.”

At the mention of Flowing Peak Camp, the bandits’ faces darkened with hatred.

The mountain was home to dozens of bandit camps of varying sizes. As is tradition among outlaws, the larger preyed on the smaller. Flowing Peak was bigger than Golden Peak and had long tried to absorb it, but Golden Peak refused at all costs. The two camps had fought fiercely for years, suffering heavy casualties and becoming sworn enemies.

“Damn it, they must have learned that the second-in-command took men out. Our camp is understaffed now, so they launched a sneak attack!” someone guessed grimly.

“How many came?” The boss clenched his fists, his voice ice-cold.

“Two, boss.”

“What?”

Everyone was stunned.

Two?

“Boss, really just two. A young man and a young woman. The man wore fine clothes, looking like a rich kid, but he kills without mercy. The girl seemed no more than a teenager, trailing right behind him...” Zhang Baldy’s unease grew as he listened. Suddenly, a realization struck him. Slapping his head, eyes wide, he exclaimed, “It’s Chen Xuan—they’re chasing us down!”

Just then, the clash of swords rang out at the door, accompanied by screams of pain.

“Ah—”

“Boss, trouble! Someone’s forcing their way into Golden Peak Camp...”

Boom! A body crashed heavily inside.

The next moment, Chen Xuan stepped in, sword in hand, walking forward steadily.

Backlit, his face was briefly obscured; only his outline was visible.

Yang Ying’er followed behind him, her large eyes no longer lively, swollen and red from tears.

She had fought their way here, countless bodies lying at her feet, her clothes stained with blood.

“So this is Golden Peak Camp, huh?” Chen Xuan said coolly.

Drip, drip.

Blood dripped steadily from the sword in his hand as he slowly raised his gaze to the assembled bandits.