Three Ferocious Bandits of Tieling

The Three Ferocious Bandits of Tieling. Ning Qi keenly caught hold of the key phrase.

Here it came again.

Naturally, he knew of the Purple River Sword Sect. It was one of Qing Province's first-rate sects, and its strongest member, the Purple River Sword Venerable, was likewise one of the Top Experts of the Core Formation Realm.

"Eldest Senior Brother, has the Purple River Sword Sect come more than once?"

Ning Qi asked.

Luo Wentian nodded.

"This is their second time. Next month is the Purple River Sword Venerable's one hundred and twentieth birthday. By rights, Master should attend in person, but when they came last time, Master was in seclusion. They've probably come to extend the invitation again."

"Master carries considerable weight in Qing Province. I'll go meet them. It's nothing serious—you can focus on your own affairs."

Luo Wentian patted Ning Qi's shoulder and prepared to leave.

But Ning Qi said:

"I'll go with Eldest Senior Brother."

Luo Wentian paused. It was rare for Ning Qi to make a request of his own accord.

"Very well. Sooner or later, you'll need to see more of the world."

Before long.

They met the visitors from the Purple River Sword Sect. Their leader was the Purple River Sword Venerable's third disciple. He looked to be about the same age as Luo Wentian, though his cultivation was somewhat lower.

"Brother Luo, forgive our presumptuous visit. My Esteemed Master has been thinking of Longshan Senior and hopes he might come for a chat. May I ask whether Longshan Senior has emerged from seclusion?"

Luo Wentian shook his head.

"We are deeply grateful for the Purple River Sword Venerable's regard, but unfortunately, my master remains in seclusion. When the time comes, I will attend on my master's behalf. Please forgive us."

The third disciple repeatedly waved his hands. "Brother Luo, you are being too serious. It was already an imposition for us to come with a second invitation. It is merely that my Esteemed Master wondered whether Longshan Senior might need any help, so he had me come and take a look while I was here."

Luo Wentian narrowed his eyes, then smiled.

"I appreciate the Purple River Sword Venerable's concern. However, my master is entering seclusion this time to break through to the Heaven-Human Realm. Success is as certain as ten out of ten—it is only a matter of time."

Respect appeared in the third disciple's eyes. "So that is how it is. Then I wish Longshan Senior a smooth emergence from seclusion. I still need to invite others, so I shall not disturb you further."

They watched the people from the Purple River Sword Sect depart.

Ning Qi, who had remained silent the entire time, slowly spoke.

"Eldest Senior Brother, why do I feel that the people from the Purple River Sword Sect weren't here to invite us to a birthday banquet at all, but rather to probe into Master's condition?"

Luo Wentian said:

"Junior Brother, you are perceptive. Do you know what rumors are currently spreading through Qing Province?"

"I do not."

"Some say that Master was wounded at the source by an expert from the Demonic Sect and was forced into seclusion to heal. They even say he is gravely injured and on the brink of death."

Jiang Baishan, standing nearby, snorted coldly. "If not for that traitor, how could such trouble have arisen?"

Luo Wentian shook his head slightly. "Our True Martial Sect has grown too towering in recent years, drawing the wind to its branches. Sooner or later, we were bound to attract covetous gazes. Master's attempt to break through to the Heaven-Human Realm in this seclusion is also a test for us. Fortunately, Fifth Senior Brother has already advanced to the Gang Yuan Realm. With him holding the fort, there should be no major problem."

"The Purple River Sword Sect is not the only one testing us, but there is nothing to fear. Since they have invited us, I will go openly and forthrightly. Otherwise, it would only make us appear lacking in confidence."

"When I leave to attend the birthday banquet, Fifth Senior Brother, you must stay alert. If anything happens, discuss it more with Second Junior Brother and the others."

Jiang Baishan nodded repeatedly.

"Rest assured, Eldest Senior Brother. With us here, nothing will happen at home. Just go to the birthday banquet without worry."

Ning Qi's eyes flickered slightly.

He always felt that things were not so simple. Inwardly, he made up his mind to stay sharp during this period.

He was worried.

Fifth Senior Brother Jiang Baishan might not be able to hold the situation together.

Time passed.

Half a month later, Luo Wentian selected several outstanding inner and Outer Disciples and prepared to descend the mountain for the Purple River Sword Venerable's birthday banquet.

The journey was long, so they needed to set out early.

"Fifth Senior Brother, you are the strongest among us, so be more careful lately. And Second Junior Brother, Third Junior Sister—you must all remain vigilant. Under no circumstances can you let anyone disturb Master's seclusion," Luo Wentian instructed.

"Don't worry, Eldest Senior Brother. My sword has yet to taste blood since I broke through to the Gang Yuan Realm."

Jiang Baishan's words brimmed with killing intent.

The True Martial Sect might uphold righteousness, but what martial artist had never stained their hands with blood?

"Do not let your guard down."

After another reminder, Luo Wentian departed with his group.

Within the Seeking Dao Institute, Ning Qi received the news, and his gaze shifted slightly.

He told White Ape to pay close attention to the Sect's movements lately and report to him at once if anything unusual happened.

No one knew.

This Junior Brother, just over six years old, was the strongest being in the True Martial Sect aside from the Dragon Mountain Daoist.

Luo Wentian's departure did not bring many changes to the True Martial Sect.

With Jiang Baishan holding down True Martial Mountain, the disciples all felt greatly reassured.

Looking across the land, not many sects possessed Gang Yuan Realm experts. Such people were great masters renowned throughout a region. Though Inner Yuan Realm cultivators in the True Martial Sect were merely disciples, if placed outside, they would still be top-tier experts.

The Great Yan Dynasty was divided into provinces, prefectures, and counties. Within a single county, someone who had completed Body Tempering was already enough to dominate the area and become a local powerhouse.

Yet Jiang Baishan and the others remembered Luo Wentian's warning and did not lower their guard.

The sect's disciples patrolled even more closely.

In the blink of an eye.

Ten days had passed.

The night was deep.

At the foot of True Martial Mountain.

Three black-clothed figures crouched atop tree trunks, their true faces concealed. Only their fierce, brutal eyes showed, like night hawks, sending chills down one's spine.

One was broad and sturdy, one tall and slender, while the man in the middle carried the most vicious aura.

Anyone familiar with the three would have recognized them.

The Three Ferocious Bandits of Tieling—Iron Dragon the River-Mixing Dragon, Iron Tiger the Ground-Walking Tiger, and Iron Eagle the Sky-Flying Eagle. The three were infamous fiends throughout Qing Province, slaughtering entire families and leaving no fixed trail. All three were in the White Mist Realm; even ordinary first-rate sects dared not provoke them.

"Big Brother, we've waited all this time. When are we charging up there to kill?"

Iron Tiger could not help licking his lips, his eyes bloodthirsty.

"It's been a long time since we last wiped out a sect. Qing Province has probably nearly forgotten the majesty of us three!"

He let out a sinister chuckle that made one shudder.

But Iron Dragon, in the middle, barked in a low voice:

"Iron Tiger, are you fucking looking to die? Old Taoist Longshan is still here. You want to wipe out his sect?"

"Didn't Qing Province spread word that Old Taoist Longshan had his heart meridians severed by an expert of the Demonic Sect? He's probably not far from death. I've never killed anyone in the Core Formation Realm before. Heh, if I can kill a Core Formation Realm cultivator, this life will have been worth it." Iron Tiger was unconcerned.

"Idiot!"

Iron Dragon angrily rebuked him.

"You really think those rumors are true? There are also rumors that Old Taoist Longshan is about to advance into the Heaven-Human Realm. Why don't you believe those?"

Iron Tiger immediately shut his mouth.

A Heaven-Human Realm cultivator killing him would be no different from crushing an ant.

Iron Eagle, who had remained silent all along, spoke with a smile.

"Enough, Big Brother. You've known since the day we met that Third Brother has no brains. No need to get angry with this muddleheaded fool."

"Whether those claims about being grievously wounded and on the verge of death, or breaking through to the Heaven-Human Realm, are true, I don't know. But one thing is certain: that Wang fellow definitely did not lie to us. Old Taoist Longshan is in Seclusion for Breakthrough. As long as we don't make too great a disturbance, he will never come out and risk his life."

"Without Old Taoist Longshan, the True Martial Sect only has Jiang Baishan, who has just broken through to the Gang Yuan Realm. The rest are nothing to fear."