Skull Crusher

After Juechen left, Miejue took a deep breath and forced down her anger before turning to Gu Shaoan and Zhou Zhiruo.

"Do you know why I had someone investigate the bandits' lair before we made our move?"

Zhou Zhiruo thought for a moment, then replied, "Was it because you didn't want to kill innocent people by mistake, Master?"

Miejue nodded. "That's one reason."

Zhou Zhiruo looked puzzled. "But weren't the reports of bandits running rampant in Yushan City sent back by the senior sister stationed there? Why did you have someone investigate again?"

Miejue said gravely, "This is another lesson I want you to remember: if you haven't witnessed something with your own eyes, don't take anyone's word for it. Otherwise, you may be used by others as a blade in their hands."

Zhou Zhiruo hesitated before saying, "But wouldn't that make the senior sister who sent back the report feel that you don't trust her?"

Miejue shook her head. "A virtuous person has nothing to hide. If everything is aboveboard, why worry about being investigated?"

"It may take more effort, but it also leaves us with a clear conscience."

"Remember, the Emei Sect is an upright school, not a demonic cult that slaughters innocents. This is the principle our Emei disciples must live by as they travel the martial world."

"So when the two of you travel the martial world in the future, remember this as well: never kill innocents indiscriminately."

As she finished speaking, Miejue's expression and tone turned more solemn.

Zhou Zhiruo nodded earnestly, like a well-behaved student.

By now, Gu Shaoan could see that Miejue had brought them along not only to broaden their experience and steel their courage, but also to help shape their values along the way.

She wanted to make sure that in the future, they wouldn't have strength without a sense of right and wrong, and end up going astray.

Only after seeing that Gu Shaoan and Zhou Zhiruo had taken her words to heart did Miejue change the subject.

"Also, your Uncle-Master Juechen, the other elders, and I are strong enough to protect ourselves. But other Emei disciples will be taking part in this bandit suppression as well."

"If we don't know what the bandits' lair is like, we'll only put them in greater danger when we move against the bandits."

"When you act in the future, remember that knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to winning every battle."

"If you could take steps beforehand to reduce the danger your fellow disciples might face, but failed to do so, that would be foolish."

As Miejue explained the real reason behind having someone scout ahead, she glanced at Ding Minjun out of the corner of her eye.

After a moment's thought, she said, "To ensure everyone's safety during tonight's bandit suppression, I'll personally deal with the three bandit leaders. I may be distracted while doing so."

"Minjun, keep an eye on Shaoan and Zhiruo. Make sure nothing happens to either of them."

Ding Minjun replied respectfully, "Don't worry, Master. I'll do everything I can to look after my junior brother and junior sister."

"Good! It gladdens me to see you all so close."

Miejue nodded with a smile.

Night hung heavy, and the stars were hidden from view.

Heimu Mountain.

It was the steepest mountain outside Yushan City. Only two paths connected its foot to its middle slopes.

Everywhere else was sheer cliff face.

The terrain made it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Even when faced with government forces, the bandits on Heimu Mountain could rely on the mountain's terrain to drive them off.

Yushan City did have a garrison, but it numbered only a few hundred. With so few soldiers, wiping out the bandits on the mountain was nothing but a pipe dream.

That was why the bandits had not only survived for the past six months, but had grown stronger by the day.

About three miles from the stockade on the mountainside, beside a patch of woods, Zhao Laosan crouched behind a rock.

He slapped a mosquito off his neck, wiped his hand on his clothes, then muttered, "Damn it, there are so many people in the stockade. Couldn't we take turns standing guard? Why do I have to sit out here in this godforsaken place for three months?"

Thinking of the men in the stockade having their fun with the women while he was stuck here feeding mosquitoes, Zhao Laosan felt a knot of resentment tighten in his chest.

Just then, a cool breeze suddenly drifted in from behind him.

A hand soundlessly appeared above Zhao Laosan and came crashing down with swift, brutal force.

As the palm struck his crown, Zhao Laosan seemed to hear the bone in his skull crack.

A few breaths later, several figures approached and looked down at Zhao Laosan's crumpled body.

"Who would've thought these bandits were so cautious? They've set up six hidden sentries between the foot of the mountain and the middle slopes."

Honestly, if Miejue hadn't arranged for Juechen and the others to scout the mountain in secret beforehand, Gu Shaoan would never have expected a bunch of bandits to be so careful.

Miejue said, "Never underestimate anyone. Whether it's a bandit, a beggar by the roadside, or an ordinary street vendor, even someone who seems insignificant can cause you trouble if you let your guard down."

Gu Shaoan nodded. "I'll remember that, Master."

As he spoke, Gu Shaoan glanced again at Zhao Laosan, who lay on the ground with blood flowing from every orifice, unmistakably dead. His eyelid twitched.

At all six hidden sentries, Miejue had struck with one simple, direct palm, smashing each victim's skull.

She was clearly a skull crusher.

Does Master like smashing people's skulls so much because it feels different?

After muttering to himself, Gu Shaoan followed Miejue and the others toward the stockade.

He looked into the distance at the buildings where lights were clearly visible. Knowing they would soon be fighting for real, Gu Shaoan tightened his grip on his sword, excitement rising inexplicably within him.

Thick clouds covered the stars and moon. Only a few swaying lights in the stockade cast a dim yellow glow, stretching twisted shadows across the stone steps and the sharpened wooden stakes. The mountain wind swept through the trees with a mournful howl, but it could not drown out the distant clamor and lewd laughter from the stockade.

At the entrance, two bandits leaned against rough wooden posts, their broadswords in hand as they yawned listlessly. The one on the right was tall and thin, rubbing his lower back, sore from standing so long.

The other was burly and was picking black dirt from beneath his fingernails.

Suddenly, the bandit rubbing his back froze. His narrowed eyes flew open as he stared at the edge of the inky darkness below the stone steps.

"Who's there?!"

His companion jolted and grabbed his broadsword, his voice trembling with suspicion.

Several indistinct figures emerged from the darkness like mountain spirits and ghosts, stepping soundlessly onto the stone stairs.

Who else could they be but Miejue and the others?

Miejue ignored the two bandits completely and looked instead at Gu Shaoan.

Understanding what she meant, Gu Shaoan said nothing. He drew his sword and took a deep breath.

The excitement of entering a battlefield for the first time surged through his chest alongside his nerves, driving the rapid circulation of his inner strength.

In the next instant, Gu Shaoan pushed off with his toes. The explosive force of Three Manifestations of the Divine Dragon surged through him, and he shot low to the ground like an arrow loosed from its bow!