Establishing Authority and the Battle of Black Wind Pass

A shrill scream, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattered the camp's tranquility.

All eyes snapped towards the center of the commotion.

Under the bonfire's glow, they saw the newly joined, seemingly scrawny youth single-handedly gripping a镖师's wrist. The镖师, usually so arrogant, now had a contorted face, drenched in cold sweat, his other arm hanging limply at a bizarre angle.

"What happened?"

Team Leader Zhang, the One-Eyed Dragon, strode over with a grim expression, exuding an aura so oppressive it seemed to freeze the surrounding air.

The other escorts also gathered, their faces unfriendly, their weapons already drawn.

"Team Leader! This kid... this kid crippled my hand!" the sharp-featured, monkey-faced escort wailed, seeing his leader arrive.

Team Leader Zhang glanced at the mangled wrist, a cold glint flashing in his single eye. He turned to Lin Xiao, his voice like ice: "Kid, give me an explanation."

Lin Xiao slowly released his grip, letting the镖师 stumble back into the crowd. Without a trace of fear, he met Team Leader Zhang's gaze calmly and said, "He tried to steal my things and threatened to kill me."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, heard by everyone present.

At his words, a flicker of embarrassment crossed the faces of the surrounding escorts. They were men who lived by the sword, and while they might engage in petty theft, robbing a guide and threatening to kill him was hardly something to boast about.

The injured镖师's face turned pale, then flushed. He tried to argue, "I... I was just trying to joke with him! Who knew this kid would be so ruthless!"

"A joke?" Lin Xiao sneered, his eyes, exceptionally bright in the darkness, swept over everyone present. "Joking with murder? Or perhaps, according to the rules of your Black Wind Escort Agency, bullying the weak and killing for profit are just 'jokes'?"

His words struck each镖师 like a slap to the face.

Team Leader Zhang's expression grew even darker. He knew his subordinate was in the wrong. But as the team leader, he couldn't let an outsider humiliate his men.

"Kid, even if my man was in the wrong, your actions were still too heavy-handed." Team Leader Zhang slowly drew the Ghost-Head Saber from his waist, its heavy blade reflecting a terrifying gleam in the firelight. "My men are not yours to discipline. Take three of my strikes, and this matter will be settled. Otherwise, you'll leave your life here today!"

Before he finished speaking, a powerful aura erupted from him.

[System Notification: Scanning Target: Zhang Kui]

[Realm: Body Refinement Fourth Level]

[Cultivation Technique: Fierce Tiger Saber Technique (Beginner)]

[Weakness Analysis: Old injury on left leg affects explosive power; Saber technique is wide and open, with slow defensive recovery.]

Body Refinement Fourth Level!

Lin Xiao's heart leaped. That was a full three minor realms above him! He had no chance of winning in a direct confrontation.

But he couldn't back down now. He knew this was Team Leader Zhang testing him, establishing his authority. If he backed down today, his journey ahead would be filled with endless trouble.

"Alright, three strikes it is." Lin Xiao slowly drew his rusty dagger.

Seeing his dilapidated weapon, the surrounding escorts let out derisive chuckles.

"Trying to block Team Leader Zhang's saber with that thing? It'll break in one strike!" "This kid is dead!"

Even the fat merchant, Boss Zhao, poked his head out of his carriage, watching the scene with interest, showing no intention of intervening.

Team Leader Zhang's single eye flashed with surprise when he saw Lin Xiao accept the challenge, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness. "Kid, you've got guts! Watch out!"

He roared, stomping his foot. The Ghost-Head Saber in his hand whistled through the air, bringing a fierce wind as it cleaved down towards Lin Xiao's head!

This strike was powerful and heavy. If it landed, Lin Xiao had no doubt he would be cut in two.

However, in Lin Xiao's eyes, Team Leader Zhang's movements seemed to slow down. He clearly saw a subtle, uncoordinated stiffness in Zhang Kui's left leg as he exerted his strength.

Now!

Lin Xiao didn't try to block. Instead, at the last moment before the blade touched him, he slid his foot at a strange angle to the front left.

"Swish!"

The heavy saber blade grazed his back, missing him by inches, and slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The strike missed!

Everyone was stunned. They hadn't expected Lin Xiao to dodge such a seemingly certain blow in such a perilous way.

Team Leader Zhang was also startled. He hadn't expected Lin Xiao's footwork to be so agile. Without time to think, he twisted his wrist, sweeping the saber horizontally towards Lin Xiao's waist!

The second strike was faster and fiercer than the first!

But Lin Xiao was faster! After dodging the first strike, he didn't pause. Crouching low, he charged forward, his entire body like a civet cat, instantly closing in on Team Leader Zhang's side!

This was the blind spot where Zhang Kui's defense was slowest!

"What?!" Team Leader Zhang exclaimed in alarm. He tried to retract his saber to defend, but it was too late.

Lin Xiao didn't attack. He simply placed the rusty dagger lightly against Team Leader Zhang's neck.

The cold touch instantly froze Team Leader Zhang's body.

The entire place fell silent.

Everyone stared at the scene, dumbfounded, unable to believe their eyes.

The team leader of the escort agency, a Body Refinement Fourth Level expert, had been subdued by a Body Refinement First Level youth in just two moves?

"You lost." Lin Xiao's voice remained calm, but the dagger at his throat was steady, without a tremor.

Team Leader Zhang's face turned a mottled white. Cold sweat trickled down his temples. He could feel that if the dagger moved forward even a fraction, his life would end here today.

This young man is definitely not an ordinary hunter! His ghost-like movement and his precise timing are clearly the skills of a battle-hardened assassin!

After a long while, he finally squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "I... I admit defeat. You have one more move."

Lin Xiao slowly retracted his dagger and took two steps back, shaking his head. "No need. I just want to reach Cloud Creek City peacefully. As long as no one bothers me, I won't provoke anyone."

He knew when to stop. All he wanted was to establish his authority, not to make enemies.

Team Leader Zhang gave him a deep look, his expression incredibly complex. He waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to retreat, then cupped his fists towards Lin Xiao. "Young man, you have impressive skills. I was blind not to recognize your prowess. From today onwards, you are not just a guide; you are a distinguished guest of the Black Wind Escort Agency!"

With that, he turned and kicked the escort whose wrist had been crippled. "You worthless fool! Hurry up and apologize to the young master!"

The escort scrambled forward, falling to his knees before Lin Xiao and kowtowing like he was pounding garlic. "M-my lord, spare me! I was blind, and my dog's mouth can't speak human words!"

Lin Xiao didn't look at him, merely saying calmly to Team Leader Zhang, "Team Leader Zhang, control your men."

With that, he turned back to his carriage and continued to rest with his eyes closed, as if nothing had happened.

After this incident, no one dared to underestimate Lin Xiao again. The escorts' gazes towards him shifted from initial disdain to reverence and fear. Boss Zhao also specially sent over fine wine and meat, significantly upgrading his treatment.

Lin Xiao welcomed the peace, using this rare tranquility to focus on cultivating the Qi Gathering Art.

The caravan took a detour, adding two days to their journey, but they finally passed without incident.

However, just as they thought they were completely safe and about to leave the mountainous region, the unexpected happened.

That afternoon, as the caravan entered a narrow canyon, piercing shrieks suddenly echoed from the mountain walls on both sides!

"Screech! Screech! Screech!"

Dozens of poisoned crossbow bolts rained down like a storm, covering the entire caravan!

"Enemy attack! Form ranks!"

Team Leader Zhang reacted swiftly, roaring as he wielded his Ghost-Head Saber, turning it into a blur of light that deflected all the incoming bolts.

The other escorts raised their shields to protect the carriages.

But the bandits' attack was too sudden and dense. Instantly, several guards were hit and fell, dark blood flowing from their wounds.

"Hahaha! You scumbags of the Black Wind Escort Agency, your grandpa is back!"

A rough, arrogant laugh echoed from the mountain wall, followed by the appearance of over a hundred bandits wielding weapons and wearing ferocious expressions. They charged out from the dense forests on both sides like tigers descending from the mountain, surrounding the entire caravan.

The leader was a burly, one-eyed man with a full beard, carrying a massive cleaver. The aura he exuded was that of a Body Refinement Fifth Level expert!

"One-Eyed Dragon King! Weren't you wiped out by the authorities?" Team Leader Zhang's face turned incredibly grim upon seeing him.

"Wiped out?" The One-Eyed Dragon King spat disdainfully. "By those useless fools? I just went away to lie low for a while! Zhang Kui, be sensible and hand over the goods and the women, and I might spare your pathetic lives!"

Team Leader Zhang's face was so dark it could drip water. The enemy outnumbered them more than three to one, and their leader, the One-Eyed Dragon King, was a Body Refinement Fifth Level expert. A direct confrontation would surely mean death.

"Brothers, let's fight them! Kill one, and it's even; kill two, and we profit!" Team Leader Zhang raised his saber, preparing for a desperate struggle.

Just then, Lin Xiao, who had been by the carriage, suddenly spoke.

"Team Leader Zhang, don't be rash. Seventy paces away on the left mountain wall, under that crooked tree, there are three archers. Behind that black rock to the front right is their second-in-command. Take care of them first, and their formation will break."

His voice was not loud but clearly reached Team Leader Zhang's ears.

Team Leader Zhang abruptly turned, looking at him with shock and disbelief. The canyon was densely forested on both sides; how did he know about the ambush?

But he had no time to think. He chose to trust Lin Xiao!

"Third brother, fourth brother! Go for the crooked tree on the left! The rest of you, follow me and charge towards the black rock on the right!" Team Leader Zhang made a decisive command.

Two agile escorts immediately separated from the group and climbed the left mountain wall like monkeys. Team Leader Zhang personally led the remaining elites, charging like a sharp blade towards the black rock in front and to the right!

The One-Eyed Dragon King was clearly taken aback that his setup had been seen through so quickly.

In that moment of stunned hesitation, three screams rang out from the mountain wall. Those three archers had already been dealt with by two skilled fighters from the Black Wind Escort Agency.

Meanwhile, Zhang Kui had led his men to the black rock and engaged the Body Refinement Fourth Level second-in-command in a fierce battle!

"Damn it! Kill them!" The One-Eyed Dragon King roared in fury, swinging his cleaver and charging towards the caravan.

The battle instantly erupted!

Lin Xiao did not move. He remained by the carriage, calmly observing the entire battlefield. Countless data streams flashed rapidly across his retinas.

[Scanning battlefield environment...]

[Analyzing enemy and friendly strength comparison...]

[Calculating optimal attack routes...]

The entire chaotic battlefield transformed into a three-dimensional model of data and lines in his eyes. The strength, weaknesses, and movement trajectories of every bandit were clearly presented to him.

"Boss Zhao, have your men push the third and fifth carriages forward to block the gap on the west!" "Team Leader Zhang, your men's stamina is halved; have half retreat and let the other half take over to maintain formation!" "You with the dual blades, there's a sneak attack from your rear left!"

Lin Xiao's voice, like a phantom on the battlefield, continuously rang out at critical moments.

At first, the escorts were half-believing, half-doubting him. But every time they acted according to Lin Xiao's instructions, they avoided danger or even killed enemies!

Gradually, everyone, including Team Leader Zhang, developed a near-blind trust in him. Lin Xiao had effectively become the behind-the-scenes commander of this battle!

The One-Eyed Dragon King grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He realized that despite having superior numbers, his side was constantly at a disadvantage, and every move seemed to be predicted by the enemy, making the fight incredibly frustrating.

He soon noticed the young man who was constantly issuing commands.

"Let's kill that brat first!" the One-Eyed Dragon King roared, abandoning his opponent and charging directly towards Lin Xiao's carriage!

"Protect the distinguished guest!" Team Leader Zhang was shocked and wanted to retreat, but he was entangled by several fierce bandits.

Just as the One-Eyed Dragon King's massive axe was about to fall on Lin Xiao's head.

A cold killing intent flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes.

He had been waiting for this opportunity!

The moment before the axe fell, his figure suddenly disappeared from the carriage.

The next second, he appeared beside the One-Eyed Dragon King, his rusty dagger like a viper's fangs, silently stabbing towards the opponent's ribs.

That was the inevitable opening when wielding such a wide-ranging axe technique!

"Thwack!"

The dagger accurately pierced the One-Eyed Dragon King's soft ribs!

"Ah!"

The One-Eyed Dragon King let out a scream, never imagining that this seemingly weak youth possessed such terrifying speed and ruthless methods!

He swung his axe back, trying to force Lin Xiao away.

But Lin Xiao, having struck successfully, gave him no chance. He released the dagger, twisted his body at an unbelievable angle to dodge the axe blade, and simultaneously delivered a chop to the wrist of the One-Eyed Dragon King's axe-wielding hand!

"Crack!"

A bone-cracking sound rang out. The One-Eyed Dragon King could no longer hold the heavy axe, and it clattered to the ground.

"You..."

He was about to say something when Lin Xiao's attack came like a storm!

Fists, elbows, knees, legs!

Lin Xiao perfectly combined all the combat techniques he had seen in his past life with the strength and speed of his current Body Refinement realm, unleashing over a dozen attacks on the One-Eyed Dragon King's vital points in just three seconds!

"Bang bang bang bang!"

After a series of dull thuds, the One-Eyed Dragon King, this bandit leader at Body Refinement Fifth Level, collapsed like a tattered sack, blood flowing from his nose and mouth. He was clearly beyond saving.

[Successfully killed Body Refinement Fifth Level cultivator: One-Eyed Dragon King]
[Gained Experience: 80 points]
[Level Up! Current Level: 4 (36/100)]
[Strength +1 Agility +2 Spirit +1]

With the bandit leader's fall, a momentary silence fell over the battlefield.

Everyone stopped their actions, staring at the scene in disbelief.

"T-the... the boss is dead?" "Run!"

The remaining bandits finally reacted, their faces drained of color. They dropped their weapons, crying and wailing as they scattered in all directions.

The battle ended in such a dramatic fashion.

Team Leader Zhang and the escort guards looked at the youth standing beside the bandit leader's corpse, his body unstained, their eyes filled with shock and reverence.

At that moment, no one saw him as a youth needing protection anymore.

In their eyes, Lin Xiao was an unfathomable monster!