Skull Crusher

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

"Do you know why, before we took action, I had someone scout the bandit's lair?"

Zhou Zhiruo pondered for a moment and replied, "Master, is it because you didn't want to kill good people by mistake?"

Miejue nodded, "That's one part of the reason."

Zhou Zhiruo looked puzzled and said, "But isn't the news that the city's bandits are rampant in Jade Mountain City the message passed back by our senior sister stationed in Jade Mountain City? Why did Master still need to investigate again?"

Miejue said solemnly, "This is also something I want you to remember. Never believe one-sided accounts of anything unless you witness it with your own eyes, lest you be used by others and become their blade."

Zhou Zhiruo hesitated and said, "But won't this make the senior sister who sent the message feel untrusted?"

Miejue shook her head, "A noble person is open and aboveboard. If everything is done right, why worry about being investigated?"

"Although it will take a bit more effort, it also brings more peace of mind."

"You must remember, our Emei Sect is a righteous sect, not demonic cultists who kill innocents indiscriminately. This is the principle by which Emei disciples conduct themselves in the martial world."

"So when you two walk the martial world in the future, you must also remember not to kill innocents indiscriminately."

By the end of her speech, Miejue's expression and tone had become more solemn.

Zhou Zhiruo nodded earnestly like a well-behaved student.

Gu Shao'an could now see that this time, Miejue brought the two of them for training not only to increase their experience and temper their courage but also to instill a worldview in them along the way.

This was to prevent them from having great power in the future but lacking a sense of good and evil, thereby going astray.

After confirming that the two had heard her by observing their reactions, Miejue changed the subject.

"Furthermore, while your Shishu Juechen and the other Elders and I are capable of protecting ourselves, there are other Emei Sect disciples involved in eradicating these bandits this time."

"If we are unaware of the situation within the bandit lair, it will undoubtedly add some danger when eliminating them."

"You two must also remember in your future actions that knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in a hundred battles."

"It is foolish not to try to reduce the potential danger to fellow disciples if a way can be found beforehand."

As Miejue slowly revealed the true meaning behind sending people to scout ahead, her gaze swept over Ding Minjun, who was beside her.

After a moment of thought, she spoke, "Tonight, to ensure safety, I will personally deal with the three bandit leaders. I will inevitably be distracted then."

"Minjun, remember to look after Shao'an and Zhiruo. Make sure nothing happens to them."

Ding Minjun responded respectfully, "Master, please rest assured. I will do my best to look after my junior brother and junior sister."

"Good! It makes me very happy to see you all so close."

Miejue nodded and smiled.

The night was deep, and the stars were not visible.

Blackwood Mountain.

As the steepest mountain outside Jade Mountain City, there were only two paths connecting the mountainside and the foot of the mountain.

All other areas were steep cliffs.

Given its terrain, the mountain could certainly be described as easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Even when encountering government officials, the bandits on Blackwood Mountain could rely on the terrain to repel their enemies.

Although Jade Mountain City had a garrison, their numbers did not exceed a few hundred. With such a small force, it was wishful thinking to try and eliminate the bandits on the mountain.

This was why, for the past six months, the bandits on Jade Mountain City had not only been unharmed but had also shown a growing trend.

In the woods about three li from the stronghold on the mountainside, Zhao Lao San was hiding behind a rock.

He swatted a mosquito that had landed on his neck, wiped himself casually, and then said in a mournful tone, "Damn it, with so many people in the stronghold, can't they take turns on guard duty? Why do I have to be the one guarding this cursed place alone for three months?"

The thought of everyone in the stronghold having fun with the young women while he was here feeding mosquitoes made Zhao Lao San feel a surge of frustration, leaving him breathless.

However, at that moment, a cool breeze suddenly blew from behind.

Immediately after, a hand appeared silently above Zhao Lao San's head and struck down quickly and powerfully.

When the palm landed on the crown of his head, Zhao Lao San clearly heard the sound of his skull cracking.

A few breaths later, several figures stepped forward and looked at the body lying askew on the ground.

"I didn't expect these bandits to be so cautious. From the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, they've set up six hidden sentries."

Honestly, if Miejue hadn't already arranged for Jue Mie and others to scout the mountain beforehand, Gu Shao'an wouldn't have thought that some bandits would be so careful.

Miejue said, "Never underestimate anyone. Let alone bandits, even beggars by the roadside, or ordinary street vendors, who seem unremarkable, can cause you trouble if you are careless."

Gu Shao'an nodded, "Disciple understands."

With that, Gu Shao'an glanced again at Zhao Lao San, who was lying on the ground with blood seeping from all seven orifices, clearly dead. His eyelids twitched involuntarily.

Six hidden sentries, and Miejue's every strike was a simple and direct palm strike, shattering the opponent's crown.

Clearly, a skull crusher.

"Does Master have a preference for hitting the crown of the head? Does that move feel any different?"

After muttering to himself a few times, Gu Shao'an followed Miejue and the others towards the bandit stronghold.

He gazed into the distance, spotting buildings with visible lights. Thinking about the imminent action, Gu Shao'an couldn't help but tighten his grip on his long sword, a strange excitement bubbling in his chest.

Thick, dark clouds obscured the moon and stars, leaving only a few flickering lights from the mountain stronghold to cast a dim, yellowish glow, stretching distorted shadows across the stone steps and barricades. The mountain wind whispered through the trees with a mournful sound, yet it couldn't drown out the faint sounds of revelry and lewd laughter drifting from the distant stronghold.

At the entrance to the stronghold, two bandits leaned against rough wooden posts, clutching their large sabers, yawning listlessly. The bandit on the right was tall and thin, rubbing his lower back, which ached from standing for so long.

The other was burly, picking black dirt from under his fingernails.

Suddenly, the bandit rubbing his back froze, his narrowed eyes snapping wide open as he stared intently at the edge of the impenetrable darkness below the stone steps.

"Who's there?!"

His companion jolted, grabbing his saber as well, his voice trembling with startled suspicion.

From the darkness, several indistinct figures emerged like mountain spirits or phantoms, silently stepping onto the stone stairs.

Who else could it be but Miejue and her companions?

However, Miejue paid no attention to the two bandits, instead looking at Gu Shao'an.

Understanding Miejue's intent, Gu Shao'an said nothing further. He drew his long sword and took a deep breath.

The excitement of his first battlefield, mixed with nervousness, surged within his chest, urging his inner force to circulate rapidly.

The next second, Gu Shao'an pushed off the ground, the explosive power of Three Manifestations of the Divine Dragon propelling him forward like an arrow released from a bow, skimming low to the ground!

The author felt the previous description of poison tasting was a bit clumsy and has rewritten it. Readers are welcome to take a look. Additionally, many readers had opinions about the color coding of entries, so the order has been changed. From lowest to highest, the colors are: gray, white, green, blue, red, purple, gold, orange, and rainbow.