The three bandits lunged toward Brother Tian, blades raised, silent and deadly.
But before their swords could strike, a sharp metallic clang rang out—one of their weapons was knocked aside mid-swing.
All three froze.
A fourth blade had entered the fray.
The blur that had rushed past Wu Ken now stood directly between Brother Tian and the attackers—a woman with dark green hair, her sword gleaming in the fading light. Her brown eyes were sharp and unflinching, her hair tied back in a tight braid that swung behind her like a whip. She wore a fitted black-and-silver uniform, the crest of Stonegate Town stitched proudly on her shoulder. Her boots were caked in dust, her gloves worn from battle—but her stance was flawless, her presence commanding.
With a single sweeping motion, she pushed the bandits back, forcing them to stumble.
The clash of steel halted.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Even Elder Huan paused and looked toward the newcomer. Brother Tian lowered his hammer slightly, blinking in surprise.
The bandit leader's face twisted in shock.
"Everyone—stop! That woman… that's Commander Lin Fei!"
Gasps rippled through the bandits.
"She's the Second Division Guard Commander of Stonegate Town!" he shouted, panic rising. "She's at the 9th Star of the Body Tempering Stage! Run! All of you—run!"
The bandits didn't hesitate. Like frightened dogs, they turned and fled into the forest, following their leader.
But two of them—severely injured—collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
"Leader! Help us!" one cried, reaching out.
No response.
Elder Huan walked over calmly and knocked both unconscious with swift strikes to the back of their necks.
Commander Lin Fei didn't even glance at the fleeing bandits. Her eyes scanned the battlefield, assessing the situation.
Wu Ken exhaled in relief, his heart finally slowing.
"I thought Brother Tian was done for," he muttered.
Zang Ai's voice chimed in, dry and amused.
"You always forget to check your surroundings when you're focused. See? I didn't even notice that girl coming. I was too busy watching the hammer dance. Tsk, shame on me. I'll deduct one point from my master score."
Wu Ken chuckled, the tension easing.
"You're supposed to be the wise one."
"I am! Just… selectively wise."
Elder Huan, Brother Tian, and Wu Ken approached the commander respectfully.
"Thank you for your help," Huan said, bowing slightly.
Brother Tian nodded.
"You saved my back. Literally."
Just then, the fat man with bright green hair—Ji Nang—limped forward, supported by two of his guards. His robes were torn, his face bruised, but his voice was cheerful.
"Elder Huan! It's been a while," he said warmly. "Thank you for your help."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the forest.
Everyone turned.
A group of twelve uniformed guards emerged, carrying unconscious bandits over their shoulders. One man, tall and broad-shouldered, stepped forward with the bandit leader slung over his back.
"Commander," he said, saluting, "this was the third batch of bandits. We caught them trying to regroup."
Lin Fei raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm. Good work, Chen Bo."
She turned to him with a faint smile.
"You're doing well as Co-Commander. Keep it up."
Chen Bo grinned.
"Thank you, Commander."
As the two exchanged words, a subtle shift in the atmosphere followed. Despite her commanding presence, Lin Fei's tone was light, her smile easy. She clapped Chen Bo on the shoulder and cracked a joke about how he always managed to find the smelliest bandits.
The guards chuckled.
Her humor and warmth stood in stark contrast to the grim battlefield, and it was no wonder her squad moved with such ease around her.
She then gestured to the squad.
"Return to town and lock them up. I'll stay behind and make sure this group gets out safely."
Chen Bo hesitated.
"You'll escort them yourself?"
Before Lin Fei could answer, Ji Nang stepped forward.
"Commander, I know we haven't met, but… would you mind helping us get back safely? My guards aren't in fighting shape."
Lin Fei gave a mock sigh.
"As if I could say no to that face. Alright, I'll come with you. But you owe me a meal when we get back."
Ji Nang laughed.
"Deal."
Wu Ken, watching quietly, turned to Elder Huan and Brother Tian.
"Are you both okay?"
Brother Tian wiped his brow.
"I'll feel it tomorrow, but I'm fine."
Huan nodded.
"Nothing serious."
Wu Ken's eyes drifted to Chen Bo.
"Master, what's his cultivation?"
Zang Ai replied casually,
"Same as that auctioneer you saw. Solid foundation, but not flashy."
Things began to settle.
Ji Nang sat down, catching his breath.
Wu Ken approached Elder Huan quietly.
"Who is he, really?"
Huan smiled.
"Ji Nang is the grandson of the village chief of Gallop Hill—named after the horse symbol on their flag. Their village is just like ours. No cultivation, but strong bonds. We've been allies for years."
Ji Nang overheard and chuckled.
"And who's this sharp-eyed boy?"
"This is Wu Ken," Huan said proudly. "He's… special."
Ji Nang nodded.
"I can see that."
As Ji Nang and his guards prepared to leave, Elder Huan placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Take care of yourself, Ji Nang. Don't let your luck run thinner than your armor."
Brother Tian added with a grin,
"And next time, bring more guards who can actually swing a sword."
The conversation drifted into lighter tones—brief updates, shared memories, and a few jokes about bandits who couldn't even hold their swords properly.
Eventually, the guards departed with the captured bandits, disappearing into the trees.
Commander Lin Fei accompanied Ji Nang and his convoy, escorting them safely toward Stonegate Town, while Wu Ken, Elder Huan, and Brother Tian returned to their own path.
When they arrived, Old Man Li and Sister Lei were waiting by the cart, arms crossed.
"What happened?" Lei asked. "You've been gone for over an hour!"
Elder Huan sighed and began to explain.
"We ran into a group of bandits attacking a merchant convoy. Brother Tian jumped in first, and then things escalated…"
He described the fight, the arrival of Commander Lin Fei, the bandits' retreat, and the capture of their leader.
His voice was calm, but the story carried weight.
After a few minutes, he finished.
Old Man Li blinked.
"All that? And I missed it?"
Then he frowned.
"Wait… Ji Nang was here? That green-haired rascal? I missed my chance to talk to him!"
Huan chuckled.
"He's in a hurry. Their village must be in urgent need of supplies."
After a few more exchanges, the group resumed their journey toward Sunstone Village, the forest quiet once more.
But Wu Ken's mind was anything but quiet.
He had seen strength.
Strategy.
Brotherhood.
And he had learned something new.
The world was vast.
And he was just getting started.
Chapter End