Crimson Beard Dragon Xiong Ba! Qingshi Army!

Content with a sense of satisfaction, Su Haoran pushed open the door of the woodshed, preparing to head to the kitchen for some food and to catch up on the temple's recent affairs.

For the past three months, he had been completely absorbed in his cultivation, oblivious to the outside world.

However, the moment he stepped out of the woodshed, he keenly sensed something was amiss.

The Prajna Temple in the early morning was usually filled with life, even if not bustling with noise.

The sounds of scripture chanting, the shouts from martial arts practice, and the rustling of sweeping monks cleaning the grounds all intertwined into a unique morning symphony.

But today, the entire temple was shrouded in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

The monks he encountered on the road, whether sweeping monks or scripture monks, were all hurrying along, their brows furrowed, their faces etched with unspoken worry.

Even the usually lively martial arts field was unusually quiet. Only a few martial monks were practicing in silence, their movements lacking their usual sharpness and carrying a sense of heaviness.

What surprised Su Haoran even more was that at this hour, there were always devout pilgrims at the mountain gate, offering incense and praying for blessings. Yet today, the bluestone path leading down the mountain was completely deserted, appearing exceptionally desolate.

Something had happened!

This was Su Haoran's immediate thought.

His heart tightened, and he quickened his pace, heading directly towards the Martial Monk Courtyard.

Not long after, he spotted a familiar figure – it was Zeng Qiu, the martial monk who was grateful to him.

"Senior Brother Zeng!" Su Haoran called out.

Zeng Qiu turned at the sound of his voice. Seeing Su Haoran, the tight knot in his brow first loosened, then furrowed with even deeper worry. He quickly walked over, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Senior Brother Su, you've emerged from seclusion?"

"Yes, I just finished my closed-door cultivation," Su Haoran asked directly, "Has something happened at the temple? Why is the atmosphere so somber?"

Upon hearing this, a bitter and indignant expression crossed Zeng Qiu's face. He lowered his voice and said, "Senior Brother Su, you may not know, but these past three months have been difficult for us at Prajna Temple!"

"Is it Crimson Hair Stronghold?" Su Haoran's gaze sharpened.

"Exactly those beasts!" Zeng Qiu angrily punched a nearby tree trunk, causing snow to fall. "Ever since Senior Brother Su eliminated the Ghost Shadow Leopard Cat and Shadow Hand Liao Fan, bringing justice to the people, the First Boss of Crimson Hair Stronghold, 'Crimson Beard Dragon' Xiong Ba, has gone mad!"

A flicker of fear crossed Zeng Qiu's eyes. "We all thought he would hide in his stronghold and not dare to come out. Who would have thought that unable to find the killer, he would hold our entire Prajna Temple responsible!"

"For the past month, Xiong Ba has changed his ways. Instead of staying put in his stronghold, he's been leading his fierce bandits down the mountain to raid us frequently! They don't dare to attack the temple directly, but they specifically target our temple's farmlands and tenants!"

"They've blocked the road down the mountain, robbed passing merchants, burned three of our estates, and... and killed over a dozen tenants working on the estates and two junior brothers who went down the mountain to purchase supplies!"

As he spoke the last words, Zeng Qiu's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Su Haoran's expression instantly darkened.

A killing intent quietly spread within his heart.

I thought killing the Second Boss and Third Boss of Crimson Hair Stronghold would be enough to deter these bandits and keep them in check for a while...

He hadn't expected the First Boss, Xiong Ba, to be so insane, turning his revenge towards defenseless civilians and ordinary temple disciples.

"Xiong Ba is said to be a Bone Forging realm expert, incredibly formidable. And he's become exceptionally cunning, never confronting us directly," Zeng Qiu continued. "Elder Hui Jue and several Martial Uncles led people down the mountain to surround and suppress them twice, but Xiong Ba was extremely vigilant. He would immediately lead his men into the deep mountains at the slightest disturbance. Once the elders left, he would reappear to continue his evil deeds. We can't guard against it!"

"What's most infuriating is that he, a dignified Bone Forging realm expert, resorted to ambushes! Once, Martial Uncle Wujing was leading a patrol and fell into his trap. If not for several senior brothers sacrificing themselves to protect him, Martial Uncle Wujing might have already..."

Su Haoran's brow furrowed deeply.

A madman who disregarded his status, using his Bone Forging realm power for ambushes and guerrilla tactics, was indeed troublesome.

"If that's the case, why..." Su Haoran looked at Zeng Qiu, asking the question that was on his mind, "Why didn't the Abbot and the elders inform me?"

Given his current strength and status in the temple, such a major event concerning the temple's safety should have been brought to his attention, even involving him.

Hearing this question, the indignation on Zeng Qiu's face receded slightly, replaced by a complex expression.

He sighed and said, "Senior Brother Su, this is precisely the intention of the Abbot and Elder Hui Jue."

"A few days ago, Abbot Daoming convened a meeting of all monks above the rank of deacon. Someone suggested inviting Senior Brother Su to take action. After all, even the Second Boss and Third Boss fell to you, Senior Brother, so perhaps you have a way to deal with the First Boss."

"However, Elder Hui Jue immediately rejected this suggestion."

"Why?" Su Haoran pressed.

Zeng Qiu's tone was filled with emotion. "Elder Hui Jue said that Senior Brother Su is a martial arts prodigy rarely seen in Prajna Temple in a hundred years, the hope for our temple's future rise. Your task is to focus wholeheartedly on cultivation and continuous breakthroughs, not to be entangled in these worldly affairs, and certainly not to be put in extreme danger."

"The Elder also said that you have already made immense contributions to the temple. Dealing with bandits is, in the first place, the temple's responsibility. How can we immediately send a hero who has just shed blood to fight again? The storms outside should be weathered by us old bones. As long as we old guys are still breathing, we must shield you youngsters!"

"Abbot Daoming also strongly agreed and strictly ordered that no one should disturb you during your seclusion. Everything would be handled by them first..."

Zeng Qiu recounted the events exactly as they happened, his words filled with respect for the elders of the temple.

Su Haoran listened quietly, a warm current surging from the depths of his heart.

Since his transmigration, he had been cautious and deliberate, always planning his next step for survival and to become stronger. He was accustomed to relying on himself, placing all his hopes on his own abilities.

Su Haoran had never imagined that in this cold and cruel chaotic world, there would be someone, a group of people, silently shielding him from the wind and rain. They were not unaware of his strength, but they valued his future even more.

They would rather face danger and bear losses themselves than create a stable cultivation environment for themselves.

Thinking of this, Su Haoran took a slow breath, suppressing the surging Blood Essence and emotion in his chest by force.

He didn't say any grand pronouncements, just nodded to Zeng Qiu and calmly said, "I understand. Thank you, Senior Brother, for informing me."

After speaking, he turned and walked towards his own firewood courtyard.

Watching Su Haoran's departing back, Zeng Qiu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a long sigh.

In his opinion, Senior Brother Su was following the elders' arrangements and preparing to continue his secluded cultivation.

However, upon returning to the firewood courtyard, Su Haoran's eyes became sharper and more resolute than ever before.

He didn't alert anyone, merely changed into a black monk's robe convenient for movement, slung the Monk's Knife across his back, and checked the medicinal herbs and dry rations in his embrace.

Then, with a thought, the Major Accomplishment level Breath Concealment Art quietly activated.

His aura instantly vanished, as if he were a stubborn rock, a withered tree, completely merging with his surroundings.

He moved like a wisp of smoke, silently leaving the firewood courtyard, evading everyone's eyes and ears, and stealthily heading towards the direction of Prajna Temple's back mountain.

Crimson Beard Dragon, Xiong Ba...

Your death day has come!

Meanwhile, at the Qingshi City military camp at the foot of Prajna Temple mountain.

A chilling aura permeated the entire camp.

Teams of soldiers clad in dark armor, holding long halberds, were training on the drill ground. Their shouts were unified, filled with the scent of iron and blood.

Inside the main military tent, a tall, resolute general was resting his hand on the saber at his waist, gazing intently at a large map.

He was around thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with sword-like eyebrows reaching his temples and eyes like stars. His custom-made centurion armor made him appear even more heroic and extraordinary.

This person was none other than the centurion of the Qingshi City garrison, Wei Yan.

A personal guard strode quickly into the tent and knelt on one knee, presenting a deployment order.

"General, an urgent order for the camp!"

Wei Yan took the deployment order, tore open the seal, and quickly scanned it.

"Hmph, a bunch of mountain bandits dare to disrupt our Qingshi City's trade routes? They truly court death."

The contents of the deployment order were simple. Due to the recent rampant activities of the Crimson Hair Stronghold, which severely threatened the trade routes that Qingshi City relied on for survival, the city's tax revenue had plummeted, and merchants were complaining vociferously.

The City Lord's Mansion had issued a strict order, commanding him to immediately lead his troops to clear out the Crimson Hair Stronghold and ensure the trade routes were reopened within a week.

"General, the area where the Crimson Hair Stronghold is located overlaps significantly with Prajna Temple's territory," the personal guard asked cautiously, looking up. "Should we inform Prajna Temple before dispatching our troops and ask for their assistance? After all, they are more familiar with the mountain terrain."

"Inform those monks?"

Wei Yan scoffed upon hearing this.

He turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on his personal guard, his tone filled with disdain and arrogance.

"Reciting scriptures is one thing, but what use can they be in eradicating the Crimson Hair Stronghold? How many years has that stronghold been under their noses? Have you ever heard of them taking any action?"

"I heard that a while ago, two of the leaders of the Crimson Hair Stronghold were killed by someone. And what was the result? Not only did Prajna Temple fail to seize the opportunity to eliminate the remnants, but they were also thrown into chaos by one of the bosses, unable to even protect their own estates. It's simply a disgrace!"

"You want our elite soldiers from Qingshi City to cooperate with such incompetent people?" Wei Yan snorted coldly. "It would be a great help if they didn't drag us down!"

In his opinion, these so-called martial arts sects were nothing more than a mob.

They might be fine dealing with a few local ruffians, but once they encountered real bandits, or even an army, their true colors would be revealed.

Why would they need anyone's help to eradicate a mere Crimson Hair Stronghold? The hundred elite soldiers under his command were enough to flatten the stronghold back and forth three times!

"Issue my order!"

Wei Yan waved his hand abruptly.

"Assemble the entire army! Inventory the provisions and weapons. We depart in one hour!"

"Yes!"

The personal guard, intimidated by the powerful confidence and killing intent emanating from him, dared not say more and immediately took his leave.

Soon, urgent and muffled horn calls echoed through the military camp.

One hundred elite soldiers, clad in iron armor and wielding sharp weapons, quickly assembled. They formed neat ranks, silent, each exuding the fierce aura of seasoned warriors.

Wei Yan stepped out of the tent, and a groom immediately brought over a warhorse of exceptional spirit, completely black.

This horse was half a head taller than ordinary horses, with stout and powerful legs and intelligent eyes. It was a Dark Cloud Steed, a mount only officers of the centurion rank and above were qualified to be equipped with.

He mounted the horse, drew the standard military saber from his waist, pointed forward, and his voice boomed like a bell.

"Target, Black Wind Mountain!"

"Annihilate the Crimson Hair, and display our military might!"

"Depart!"

"Roar!!"

A hundred guards roared in unison, their voices shaking the wilderness, their momentum like a rainbow.

With Wei Yan's command, this elite force, like a black torrent of steel, majestically surged out of Qingshi City and galloped towards Black Wind Mountain.

On the snow-covered ground, rows of neat footprints were left behind, only to be quickly covered by fresh snowfall.

Wei Yan rode his horse, the cold wind whipping his cloak behind him. His face was filled with the confidence of assured victory.

In his eyes, this so-called bandit suppression was nothing more than a simple mission.

That Crimson Beard Dragon, Xiong Ba, might be considered a master by those in the martial world.

But before his well-equipped and well-trained army, he was merely a paper tiger, utterly incapable of putting up a fight!