Skull-Crushing Maniac

After Juechen left, Miejue took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in her heart before looking at Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo.

"Do you know why, before taking action, I had people investigate the bandits' stronghold?"

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiruo replied, "Was it because Master did not wish to wrongly kill innocent people?"

Miejue nodded. "That was one reason."

Zhou Zhiruo looked puzzled. "But weren't the bandits plaguing Jade Mountain City reported by the shijie stationed within Jade Mountain City? Why did Master investigate again?"

Miejue said gravely, "This is also something I want you to remember. If you have not witnessed something with your own eyes, you must not listen to only one side of the story, lest you be used by others and become a blade in their hands."

Zhou Zhiruo hesitated before asking, "But wouldn't that make the shijie who sent the message feel that she was not trusted?"

Miejue shook her head. "A gentleman's heart is open and honest. If one has acted uprightly, why fear investigation?"

"Though it may take more effort, it also brings greater peace of mind."

"Remember this: our Emei Sect is a renowned righteous sect, not demonic fiends who slaughter the innocent. This is the principle by which Emei disciples conduct themselves in the martial world."

"Therefore, when you two travel the martial world in the future, you must remember not to kill innocents indiscriminately."

By the end, Miejue's expression and tone had both become considerably more solemn.

Like an obedient student, Zhou Zhiruo nodded earnestly in response.

By now, how could Gu Shao'an fail to see that Miejue had brought the two of them along not only to broaden their experience and temper their courage, but also to shape their outlook on life along the way?

So that they would not grow crooked in the future, possessing strength but unable to distinguish good from evil.

Only after confirming from Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo's reactions that they had taken her words to heart did Miejue change the subject.

"Furthermore, your Shishu Juechen, the other elders, and I have sufficient strength to protect ourselves, but there are also other Emei Sect disciples joining this bandit suppression."

"If we do not understand the situation within the stronghold, it will undoubtedly add further danger when we eliminate the bandits."

"When you two act in the future, remember that only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you remain undefeated in every battle."

"If there is a way to reduce the danger your fellow disciples may encounter beforehand, yet you choose not to do it, that is foolishness."

As Miejue slowly explained the true purpose behind sending people to scout ahead, her gaze flicked toward Ding Minjun beside her.

After a brief pause, she said, "Tonight, to ensure everyone's safety, I will personally deal with the three bandit chiefs. At that time, I will inevitably be distracted."

"Minjun, remember to watch over Shao'an and Zhiruo. You must not let anything happen to either of them."

Ding Minjun replied respectfully, "Rest assured, Master. I will do my utmost to look after Shidi and Shimei."

"Good! Seeing you all so close brings me great comfort."

Miejue nodded with a smile.

The night was deep, and not a star was visible.

Blackwood Mountain.

As the steepest mountain outside Jade Mountain City, only two paths connected its foothills to its mountainside.

Everywhere else consisted of sheer cliff faces.

Given the terrain alone, it was certainly easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Even if they encountered government forces, the Mountain Bandits of Blackwood Mountain could rely on the terrain to drive back their enemies.

Although Jade Mountain City also had garrison troops, there were only a few hundred of them in total. With such a small force, wanting to wipe out the Mountain Bandits on the mountain was nothing more than a fool's dream.

That was why, over the past half year, the Mountain Bandits of Jade Mountain City had not only remained unscathed but had instead grown increasingly powerful.

Beside a forest about three li from the stronghold on the mountainside, Zhao Lao San crouched behind a boulder.

He slapped a mosquito crawling on his neck to death, wiped his hand on his clothes, and muttered gloomily, "Damn it, there are so many people in the stronghold. Can't everyone take turns standing watch? Why do I have to guard this shitty place alone for three months?"

Thinking of those men in the stronghold having their fun atop those little girls while he was here feeding mosquitoes, Zhao Lao San felt a suffocating resentment lodge in his chest.

However, just then, a cool breeze suddenly drifted in from behind him.

Immediately afterward, a hand silently appeared above Zhao Lao San and struck down swiftly and fiercely.

As the palm landed on the crown of his head, Zhao Lao San seemed to hear with perfect clarity the sound of the bones in his skull shattering.

A few breaths later, several figures stepped forward and looked at his body slumped crookedly on the ground.

"I didn't expect these Mountain Bandits to be so cautious. From the foothills to the mountainside, they actually set up six hidden sentries."

To be honest, if Miejue had not arranged for Juechen and the others to secretly scout the mountain beforehand, Gu Shao'an would never have imagined that a group of Mountain Bandits could be so careful.

Miejue said, "Never underestimate anyone. Not Mountain Bandits, nor even a beggar by the roadside or an ordinary street vendor. They may seem insignificant, but if you are careless, they may very well bring trouble upon you."

Gu Shao'an nodded. "This disciple will remember."

After speaking, Gu Shao'an glanced once more at Zhao Lao San, whose seven orifices bled and who was clearly dead. His eyelid could not help twitching.

Six hidden sentries, and every time Miejue acted, she simply struck with one palm and smashed the other person's crown to pieces.

She was clearly a skull-crushing maniac.

Master likes striking people on the crown of the head so much. Could this move somehow feel different?

After muttering inwardly for a few moments, Gu Shao'an followed Miejue and the others as they continued toward the stronghold.

Looking into the distance at the buildings where flickering lights could clearly be seen, and thinking of the battle that was about to begin, Gu Shao'an could not help tightening his grip on the longsword in his hand. An inexplicable thrill rose within him.

Thick clouds blanketed the stars and moon, leaving only several swaying lamps in the stronghold to cast dim yellow halos that stretched distorted shadows across the stone steps and sharpened wooden barricades. Mountain winds swept through the forest with a mournful howl, yet could not drown out the faint clamor and lewd laughter drifting from the distant stronghold.

At the stronghold gate, two Mountain Bandits leaned against rough wooden posts and held broadswords as they yawned in boredom. The one on the right was tall and thin, rubbing his lower back, sore from standing too long.

The other was powerfully built and picked black grime from beneath his fingernails.

Suddenly, the bandit rubbing his back stiffened. His half-lidded eyes snapped wide open as he stared fixedly at the edge of the impenetrable darkness beneath the stone steps.

"Who goes there?!"

His companion jolted and also raised his broadsword, his voice trembling with startled suspicion.

Several blurry figures emerged from the darkness like mountain spirits and ghosts, silently stepping onto the stone stairs.

Who else could they be but Miejue and the others?

Yet Miejue did not even spare the two Mountain Bandits a glance. Instead, she looked at Gu Shao'an.

Understanding Miejue's meaning, Gu Shao'an said nothing. He drew his longsword and took a deep breath.

The excitement of entering battle for the first time collided with nervousness in his chest, driving the rapid circulation of his inner force.

The next second, Gu Shao'an pushed off the ground with the tip of his foot. The explosive force of Three Manifestations of the Divine Dragon surged forth, and he shot low across the ground like an arrow loosed from its bow!

The part about testing poison was written rather foolishly, so the author rewrote it. Everyone can go take a look. Also, quite a few readers had opinions about the entry colors, so their order has been changed. From lowest to highest, they are gray, white, green, blue, red, purple, gold, orange, and rainbow.