Chapter 23: The Eerie Bandits

A crisp snapping sound echoed—bones breaking with a sharp clarity. No one present saw how Long Yun made his move. By the time Brother Hu realized what had happened, one of his arms was already twisted by Long Yun, wrung like a rag.

A scream, raw and piercing, rang out like a slaughtered pig. Cold sweat poured from Brother Hu’s brow, agony stabbing through his right arm, his face contorted in pain and fury.

“I don’t want to ask a third time. Speak, and I’ll spare your lives; otherwise, none of you will leave here today!” Long Yun’s voice was icy, a vast murderous aura billowing forth.

The other three men collapsed onto the ground, terror flooding through them, chilling them to the core. They had no doubt: this seemingly handsome, refined youth would kill them without hesitation if dissatisfied.

Brother Hu’s legs trembled; if not for Long Yun gripping his arm, he would have collapsed completely. Among the bandits, his skills ranked highly, yet now he hadn’t even seen how the other struck before his right arm was ruined. The difference in strength was absolute; his arrogance vanished, the pain in his arm seeming to fade in the presence of overwhelming fear.

“I truly don’t know his name. The chief brought him in to teach us martial arts. He’s extremely skilled—all the people in our stronghold combined aren’t his match!” Brother Hu finally answered honestly.

Long Yun’s heart stirred. This bandit gang was leagues beneath the monks’ stronghold—a rabble, really. Yet this method of training in martial arts likely originated from a cultivator. Though there were plenty of wandering cultivators in these parts, most were proud and solitary, unwilling to associate with others. Coupled with the events at the monks’ stronghold, Long Yun began to suspect something.

“How long has he been here? Has he ever mentioned what level his cultivation is?” Long Yun pressed.

Brother Hu dared not anger Long Yun further, replying meekly, “He came to our stronghold five years ago. The chief met him by chance and invited him to teach us. As for his cultivation, I don’t know.”

Brother Hu was wracked with regret. This fellow must be a disciple of some righteous sect, out training with his partner, and he had the misfortune of running into him—what terrible luck!

“You’ve committed countless crimes, oppressed the villagers, and deserve death a hundred times over. But today I’ll give you a chance—a chance to make amends.” Long Yun’s tone was calm.

Brother Hu, anxious over his fate, heard Long Yun’s words and hope flickered in his eyes. He nodded rapidly, “I’m willing!”

“Good.” Long Yun’s fingers moved like lightning, tapping eighteen points on Brother Hu’s body. “This technique is a secret of my sect. It will activate every three hours, feeling like thousands of ants gnawing your bones. If you don’t believe me, you can try it now.” With that, he raised a finger, aiming for Brother Hu’s right shoulder.

Brother Hu collapsed to his knees, sobbing and begging, “Spare me, great hero! I believe you, I believe you! Whatever you command, Brother Hu will see it done!”

Long Yun was satisfied with Brother Hu’s submission. “Very well. If you perform well, I’ll release your acupoints within three hours. For now, follow my orders and return to your stronghold!”

“Yes, yes!” Brother Hu turned to leave but paused, face crestfallen. “Great hero, what am I to do when I return?”

He knew his life was in Long Yun’s hands, but was uneasy at being sent back without instructions.

Long Yun smiled lightly. “Inform that master who taught you martial arts about everything that happened here.”

“And you, great hero?” Brother Hu asked cautiously, glancing at Long Yun.

Long Yun smiled. “Don’t worry about me. If you complete this task, I’ll reveal myself to you.”

Brother Hu nodded but hesitated, continuing, “Great hero, one of my brothers has already gone back to report. The master and chief will likely come soon!”

Long Yun laughed. “He’s in the courtyard. Take him back with you—and that one, too.” He gestured to the man lying on the ground.

Brother Hu shuddered again. He had hoped the master and chief would come to humiliate this youth, but Long Yun had already blocked every escape. Quietly, he had dealt with the returning brother—such strength that even the master might not match. Daring no further delay, he gathered his men and hurried out.

The departing brother stood motionless in the courtyard. Brother Hu shivered and quickly led him away, banishing any further wicked thoughts.

“Will you follow them?” the woman in white asked after a pause.

Long Yun nodded, “It’s suspicious for a cultivator to appear in this remote place, don’t you think?”

The woman in white said nothing, turning to enter the house. Her voice drifted back, cool and distant: “Be careful.”

Long Yun was momentarily stunned, unable to believe his ears as he glanced at the empty doorway as if he’d seen a stone bloom.

“Good heavens! Did I hear that right?” Long Yun muttered to himself. Suddenly, a white flash shot from the doorway, streaking toward his face.

Reacting instinctively, Long Yun snatched up a teacup, carefully placed it on the table, and walked over to Dai Mo and his wife.

The series of shocks had left Dai Mo and Huang Yun bewildered. The youth they’d felt so close to now seemed a distant, unfathomable master.

As Long Yun approached, both Dai Mo and Huang Yun froze, barely daring to breathe.

“Brother Dai Mo, I’m sorry for dragging you into this. But rest assured, I’ll deal with the bandits. From now on, the village will never pay tribute again!” Long Yun said softly. Seeing their fearful glances, his nose stung with emotion.

Knowing they were in no state to reply, he sighed heavily and turned to leave.

After a long while, Dai Mo recovered, wiped the blood from his mouth, and said to Huang Yun, “Wife, do you think what we just saw was real? Brother Long Yun—”

Huang Yun nodded, her face still pale with shock.

Dai Mo managed a bitter smile and shook his head. “Brother Long Yun is still our brother, after all. He never revealed his true identity while he stayed with us. I suppose he expected our reaction today. No matter who he is, he risked himself for us against the bandits. We owe him for that.”

Dai Mo, a man in his thirties, thought it over and quickly understood, feeling remorse for his earlier attitude toward Long Yun.

Before Huang Yun could reply, a cool voice sounded from within the house: “He treated you like family these days. No need to say anything extra. When he returns, act as you always have. If you try to explain, it’ll only make him uneasy.”

Had Long Yun been present, he would have been even more astonished. He would never have expected that the woman who had never shown him a kind face understood him so well.

Perhaps even the woman in white wasn’t sure why she spoke those words. After a moment’s thought, a faint, barely perceptible blush spread across her cheeks.

Meanwhile, Long Yun concealed himself in the shadows, following Brother Hu and the other bandits at speed. With his cultivation, they couldn’t possibly detect him.

The bandits’ stronghold was not far from the village; within a little over an hour, they reached their mountain refuge. Long Yun halted his pursuit, slipping away into the endless forest.