Bandits Attack

Fifty li outside Mengzhou City.

In a nameless mountain, the Golden Saber Sect's numerous martial artists emerged in full force, completely taking control of the small mountain.

In a deep valley within the mountain, the Golden Saber Sect's sect leader, Pei Wanchun, stared sternly at a middle-aged man in coarse, plain clothes.

"Mister Plainclothes, the plan hasn't even begun, and the Golden Saber Sect's losses are already unimaginably large. Two elders, dozens of inner disciples, including even an Innate First Rank expert!"

The middle-aged man, known as Mister Plainclothes, held a string of ancient bronze coins, a wooden sword on his back, and was constantly calculating.

After a moment, he said helplessly, "Mister Pei, this was an unforeseen circumstance. No one expected the Imperial Court to send an Innate expert."

"What do you mean, Mister Plainclothes? We were all persuaded by you to decide to seize Mengzhou. Now that the Imperial Court has sent someone, are you going to abandon us?"

Pei Wanchun's expression grew increasingly cold.

There was no choice; Elder Fire's death had affected him too greatly.

Originally, the Golden Saber Sect and the Sword Worship Sect were of similar strength. Now, the Sword Worship Sect had seized the opportunity and was subtly gaining an edge over the Golden Saber Sect.

Mister Plainclothes smiled and shook his head.

"Of course, I won't stand idly by. Although the Imperial Court has sent someone, they are likely here to protect the Ninth Princess and pose no threat to the plan. The Cult Master has already promised to help you sweep through the Mengzhou martial arts world after this is accomplished."

Just then, another old man in blue robes, carrying a long sword on his back, walked over with an arrogant expression.

"Mister Plainclothes speaks the truth. Brother Pei, don't let a momentary impulse ruin the grand plan. If the Sword Worship Sect takes advantage of the situation then, wouldn't you be even more upset?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Wanchun snorted coldly.

"Brother Ouyang, you flatter me. I am not so inconsiderate. It's just that, Mister Plainclothes, I must have the head of that Imperial Court Innate!"

"Naturally." Mister Plainclothes nodded, then looked at the old man in blue.

"Sect Leader Ouyang, are the arrangements for Liuhe Mountain in place?"

The old man in blue cupped his fists and said, "Everything is within the plan. Those Six Mansions Cave Lords are all greedy and lustful. After I sent them a few women from Cuiping Mountain, they willingly became your dogs. We are now less than thirty li from Mengzhou City."

"Excellent. Remember, Mengzhou City is secondary in this battle; the ultimate goal is to draw out the Ninth Princess."

Mister Plainclothes's eyes turned cold, and with a slight exertion, a bronze coin in his hand turned to dust.

Meanwhile, in the wilderness thirty li outside the city.

Groups of mountain bandits, wielding various weapons, ferociously charged towards Mengzhou City.

The bandit leader at the front rode a fine horse, his face covered in thick flesh. A young woman in tattered clothes was slumped on the horse.

Judging by her attire, she should be a female disciple from Cuiping Mountain, from the same place as Lin Hanzhi.

Lin Hanzhi's master and senior sisters had committed suicide to avoid humiliation, but some people did not, becoming playthings.

The bandit leader whipped the woman roughly while shouting arrogantly.

"Today, heroes emerge from the mountains! Let's see who the real men are! Brothers, Mengzhou City is just ahead! We'll break the city and kill for three days and three nights! Brothers, loot as you please!"

Instantly, the bandits became excited.

"Great Leader is mighty! Liuhe Mountain is invincible!"

Countless shouts erupted. Most of them were not Liuhe Mountain bandits but from other small mountain strongholds, all joining in the uproar.

The six leaders at the forefront heard the earth-shattering roar and felt immensely satisfied.

"Big brother, this time someone will help us hold off the army camp. Little Mengzhou City will be ours for the taking!"

"Exactly! I've long wanted to storm in and loot thoroughly. Let's move all the brothels in the city back to the mountain stronghold, hahaha!"

"Look at your ambition! This is our chance to make a name for ourselves across the land. After this battle, the Six Mansions Cave Lords will be the foremost heroes of the martial arts world!"

The six men burst into laughter simultaneously.

The dust kicked up by the horses' hooves almost engulfed the wilderness.

At this moment, outside Mengzhou City, many martial artists had voluntarily come to defend the city.

Among them were not a few reclusive first-class experts, arranged on the city walls to boost morale.

Of course, in Ye Kang's opinion, a dozen or so first-class experts could not change the situation.

The only way was still through the system.

Seeing Ye Kang's solemn expression, Lin Hanzhi walked over.

"Lord Ye, if things go awry, will you defend all the citizens of the city, or go to protect the Ninth Princess?"

"Naturally, the Princess comes first." Ye Kang said without hesitation.

He was no saint.

If he could fight, he would fight. If he couldn't, he would take the princess and run.

Lin Hanzhi was relieved to receive this answer.

"My Lord is right. Then, before it's too late, please help Mengzhou kill more bandits!"

Lin Hanzhi cupped her hands and bowed deeply.

Tears streaked her eyes, yet she forced herself to remain composed, moving among the city defense troops.

Ye Kang didn't say much. Instead, he grabbed Lin Hanzhi's arm, and green Wood Element True Qi flowed slowly into her through his arm.

"Don't worry, you don't need to do anything. Just watch what this official does tomorrow."

Lin Hanzhi felt a wave of softness wash over her body and couldn't help but let out a soft moan. By the time she realized what was happening, her face was already flushed crimson.

Lord Ye's True Qi feels so good...

Night.

Grand Tutor's Mansion.

An Imperial Guard finished reporting the situation and left the Ninth Princess's room.

The Ninth Princess, holding a brush and writing a letter, said with a sigh, "Old Wu, the mountain bandits are closing in. Can we succeed?"

Old Wu nodded kindly.

"Your Highness, please do not worry. You came to Mengzhou by sacrificing yourself to draw out those rebels. Her Majesty knows your resolve, which is why she asked me to stay by your side."

"But if we can't deal with those martial arts rebels tomorrow and the mountain bandits break through the city, the people..."

"The moon waxes and wanes, Your Highness has already done your best. This old servant will also risk her life to beat those rebels to death. I will not let the Princess bear the infamy of all generations."

Old Wu gently stroked her cane, on the head of which was a pure gold dragon head.

For centuries, countless people had died under this dragon-head cane.

This night was destined to be sleepless.

As dawn broke, the sound of horses' hooves echoed from outside the city, startling a guard.

A single flame appeared, then ten, then a hundred, and finally thousands of flames formed a long dragon, advancing across the distant wilderness.

"Enemy attack!!!"

Horns blared, and the torches on the city walls flared brightly. Hundreds of ballistae were brought out.

At this moment, all the defending soldiers' hearts were in their throats.

The mountain bandits had arrived, and there were too many of them!

They were a dense, dark mass, seemingly unstoppable!

Everyone's palms began to sweat, and many had already started to consider retreating.

Lin Baichuan put on his official robes and, along with Lin Hanzhi, stood high on the city wall, a look of determination in their eyes.

"Father, your health is frail. Be careful not to catch a cold."

"It's nothing. If my death can awaken this world that breaks the law with martial arts, I will face it calmly!"

A stubbornness flickered in Lin Baichuan's eyes.

Just then, the crisp sound of horses' hooves, accompanied by the sound of the city gate opening, rang out.

Everyone looked down in astonishment.

Ye Kang, dressed in black, holding a long saber, and riding a red-maned horse, leisurely rode out.

The city gate closed, and Ye Kang had already reached a few hundred meters outside the city.