"Seventh Chief is dead!"
"Let's avenge our chief! Together!"
"Kill him!"
The remaining Green Ridge Stronghold bandits shouted bravely, but when they stepped forward, they turned and ran. They were quick, too.
"A bunch of spineless cowards." Fang Man's face was full of disdain.
Fang Yuan didn't need to deal with the four remaining bandits. They were just right for the Family disciples to practice on.
"For a late-stage Innate expert, he sure was poor."
Fang Yuan rummaged through Scarface's belongings and found nothing worth much—just some silver and pills.
The Shi Family members, who had been stunned for quite a while, hurried over to thank him.
"Might you be the Young Master of the Fang Family?"
The Shi Family's sixth-level Innate cultivator asked uncertainly, his gaze full of suspicion.
"That's right."
Fang Yuan made no attempt to hide his identity. The Shi Family had a good relationship with the Fang Family, which was why he had stepped in at the right moment.
The Shi Family members looked at Fang Yuan with even greater respect.
"With strength like that, it's hard to imagine you failed the Great Sect's trial."
Shi Kai thought of the recent rumors in Prefecture City. He glanced at Fang Yuan and wondered inwardly, Does this look like someone who's seriously injured?
Truly, rumors could lead people astray!
Shi Kai had originally wanted to offer some material compensation, but when he thought of Fang Yuan's status, he really couldn't come up with anything suitable.
"We should report this to the family head."
While Fang Yuan spoke with the Shi Family, the battle involving Fang Man and the others was already drawing to a close.
Fang Man dragged two bandits who were barely breathing over to a large tree, then smiled amiably at the Shi Family members.
The Shi Family members were quite puzzled, but still returned his smile politely.
Then, in the next moment,
their eyes widened.
Fang Man first used an iron rod to break the two men's arms and legs. Then he drew a long blade and chopped off all four of their limbs, spraying blood everywhere.
Afterward, he took out a rope, tied them up, and hung them from the tree, leaving their cries of pain and agony to echo through the air.
"This..."
Shi Kai's mouth fell open, his face full of shock.
That was far too brutal. Even bandits weren't usually so vicious and terrifying.
Cultivators had strong vitality. Unless their vital organs were injured, they wouldn't die easily.
Which meant—
before they died, the two men would endure unending pain, slowly feeling their lives ebb away.
"It's all taken care of."
Fang Man came over to greet them, still smiling broadly.
"Safe travels. I won't see you off any farther."
Fang Yuan prepared to leave.
Shi Kai hurriedly bowed. "I'll never forget your life-saving kindness. Please visit the Shi Family when you have time."
Fang Yuan gave a slight nod, then led the younger disciples around Falling Mist Mountain for a while. They found no bandits, but did encounter some demonic beasts.
"It's getting dark. Let's head back early."
The mountains were full of dangers after nightfall. It wasn't safe at all.
"Falling Mist Mountain is fraught with danger, and Family disciples often fall there. Young Master Fang Yuan'er, you needn't blame yourself too much."
Fang Zheng looked at Fang Yuan'er, who had returned injured and covered in grime, and offered him some comfort.
"Besides, the Green Ridge Stronghold bandits are vicious by nature. They're all wanted criminals listed by the authorities."
"They're seasoned and cunning," Fang Zheng continued. "Even I often suffer heavy losses when I run into them."
"Entering the Innate Realm at your age means you're certain to have a bright future and accomplish great things."
"I'll take responsibility for all the losses this time. No one will blame you."
Fang Yuan'er showed little emotion. He knew exactly what Fang Zheng wanted, so he made his promise.
I refuse to believe Fang Yuan and the others will come back safe and sound after going out.
Fang Yuan'er had arrived earlier than Fang Yuan and had a group of followers with him.
When he learned that Fang Yuan planned to enter the mountains and kill bandits, he'd thought, How could a man let himself fall behind?
Who would have thought things would go badly right from the start? They ran into a mid-stage Innate bandit chief and nearly lost their lives.
I wonder how things are going for the Young Master.
Fang Zheng grew worried. Seeing how late it was, and remembering what had happened to Fang Yuan'er, he even considered sending people out to search.
Fang Yuan'er was the Grand Elder's son and a key figure the Family was nurturing.
Fang Zheng couldn't afford to offend him.
He had to make sure to stroke his feelings. It cost nothing to say a few pleasant words, especially since the disciples had all set out under his command.
On the surface, the matter had little to do with him, but if anything happened, their elders would inevitably hold it against him.
"Ask two Stewards to go into the mountains and catch some demonic beasts. We're running short on food."
Fang Zheng gave one of his subordinates a meaningful glance.
Just then,
more than ten figures appeared before him. The one at their head was elegant and refined, with an otherworldly air. A three-foot-long sword hung at his waist.
"Young Master!"
Joy flashed across Fang Zheng's brows. He immediately trotted forward, making Fang Yuan'er frown slightly beside him.
"The brothers have been working hard all day. Steward Fang Zheng, please prepare some extra meat for them," Fang Yuan said with a smile.
He was already used to Fang Zheng's enthusiasm.
Their clothes are neat, and no one's hurt. Looks like they didn't run into the Green Ridge Stronghold bandits. They sure were lucky, Fang Yuan'er guessed.
"How did you all get hurt?"
The Fang Family disciples knew one another. Now that the two groups had run into each other, someone asked in a low voice.
"We ran into bandits. I'll tell you, those guys were seriously strong..."
"You didn't run into them?"
"Of course we did, damn it. I even killed one."
They were all cultivators, so everyone present could hear the disciples' quiet conversation perfectly clearly.
He had slain the Green Ridge Stronghold chief with a single sword strike.
He had saved the Shi Family caravan.
Fang Yuan'er's face turned livid. He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of blood rise in his throat.
He turned and went back to his small room in the row of houses. Unable to suppress his injuries and misery any longer, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Will I never be able to catch up with him in this life..."
"No. That's impossible."
After his frenzy passed, Fang Yuan'er gradually regained his composure. He sat cross-legged, swallowed some pills, and his body began to radiate a blood-red aura.
Three days passed.
Fang Yuan led the disciples and used the same trick again, ambushing and killing two more groups of Green Ridge Stronghold bandits. They also wiped out a band of roving bandits.
Passersby took notice of their actions and applauded them without exception.
After learning Fang Yuan's strategy, Fang Yuan'er began to follow his example, turning defense into offense and killing a group of bandits.
For a time, morale at the Fang Family's Mine soared to unprecedented heights.
The Green Ridge Stronghold had suffered heavy losses. They gradually realized how serious the situation was and began to consider ways to strike back.
"Second Brother, the Fang Family has gone too far! They're using our men as whetstones for their disciples."
The hot-tempered Fifth Chief of Green Ridge Stronghold wanted to gather his men and attack the Mine again, destroying it once and for all.
"The boss still hasn't emerged from seclusion. We shouldn't act rashly."
The Second Chief was much calmer. After their last failed night raid and several more consecutive setbacks, they had already been badly battered.
Without absolute confidence, he wouldn't make a move lightly.
"Let the brothers rest for a few days."
The Second Chief issued his orders. "Since they like lying in ambush so much, leave them waiting for a few days."
"After that, have the brothers change the locations where they waylay travelers. Choose open ground whenever possible."
Before you continue