The Small Bandits Hid a Doomed Human Trafficking Ring Behind Them

Bird Mouth Mountain.

Although it's called a mountain, it's actually just an inconspicuous hill beside the official road.

The bandits were hiding in a dense forest behind the hill.

A large yard was enclosed by a wooden fence.

There is also a crooked black flag stuck at the entrance of the courtyard, with the word "" crookedly written on it.

That's it?

Yu Feng looked on incredulously. "This is too shabby!"

"They have over a hundred brothers, at least. Show them some respect," Shi Mo said earnestly.

Ye Qing glanced at the layout of the bandit's den and got a general idea of what it was like.

More than a hundred bandits, twenty-five Soul Master, and even the strongest Owl Boss, was only Soul King.

For the Imperial Fighting Team, which has just graduated from the Sunset Forest Hell Mode, this level of difficulty is not even a warm-up.

"There aren't many Soul Master on the other side, you're in charge of clearing them out."

Ye Qing casually separated one of his One Qi Transforms Three Purities to keep order on the outskirts, while his main body headed deeper into the bandit camp.

I'll go inside and take a look.

"Brother Ye, you again--"

Before Yu Feng could finish speaking, Ye Qing's figure had already disappeared into the dense forest.

Dugu Yan didn't bother to ask further questions and went straight into command mode.

"As usual, the Shi Brothers will lead the way, with Yu Feng Osler both flanks and Lingling Ning Rongrong at the rear."

She flexed her wrists, and the Green Phosphorus Flood Dragon's claws materialized at her fingertips. "Stop dawdling, get to work."

The Imperial Fighting Team was like a sharp dagger plunged into the bandit's den.

No, it's more like a bulldozer than a sharp knife.

"Boom!"

The wooden fence shattered into pieces upon impact with the Shi Brothers ' Black Tortoise.

Before the bandits who rushed out could even see what their enemies looked like, they were sent flying by the wind blades of the Yu Feng Sword and the Ghost Leopard Claws of Osler.

Several Soul Master around level 20 or 30 attempted to organize a resistance.

Just as they were getting into position to unleash their Martial Soul, Dugu Yan activated her Jade Phosphorus Poison Body, and as the Poison Fog spread, the three of them immediately went weak in the knees.

Her poison is so potent that even a single whiff of it is enough to cripple a level 20 or 30 low-level Soul Master for half a day.

"This is way too easy..."

Ning Rongrong stood at the back; the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda's amplification hadn't even reached its maximum before the battle was almost over.

Ye Lingling not only prepared to treat the person, but also used her Soul Bone Skill "Ten Thousand Year Vine" to help bind them.

The four vines moved like an assembly line, grabbing, tying, and throwing with astonishing efficiency.

From the initial attack to the final blow, it took less than five minutes.

More than a hundred bandits lay sprawled on the ground, scattered about.

The twenty-five Soul Master were tied up and piled together like dumplings.

Even the Soul King Owl Boss, with his Soul Ring Configuration, was easily subdued by Dugu Yan.

A dimensional reduction attack, nothing more.

That's it?

Yu Feng dusted off his hands, still somewhat unsatisfied.

"I thought a bandit's den would be exciting, but it's not even as good as the thousand-year-old Soul Beast of Sunset Forest."

"Nonsense, you've been fighting against Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast in the Forest for half a year. Now you're coming to fight a bunch of bandits? It's no wonder you're getting crushed," Osler retorted expressionlessly.

Of course, the most important thing is that the quality of the Soul Master here is not high; almost all of them have white, white and yellow, or white, yellow and yellow Soul Ring Configuration.

Even Soul Grandmaster and Soul Elder are the weakest among Soul Master; how could they compare to the elites of the Imperial Fighting Team?

Just as everyone was cleaning up the battlefield.

"Hahahaha! You're all finished! You're all finished!"

A burst of wild laughter came from the bandits.

The heavily injured Owl Boss, who was tightly entangled by Ye Lingling's Ten Thousand Year Vine, was laughing loudly with his head thrown back, his face full of arrogance.

Despite being completely bound by Ten Thousand Year Vine and unable to move, he showed no fear.

Do you know who I work for?

"I have powerful figures backing me in Heaven Dou City. If you mess with me, your whole family will suffer!"

His eyes gleamed with a crazed smugness. "My backer is someone you bunch of greenhorns can't afford to mess with!"

"Kill me? Try and see!"

Yu Feng's smile froze.

The Shi Brothers exchanged a glance, their expressions changing slightly.

A big shot in Heaven Dou City...

The powerful and influential factions within Heaven Dou City are intricately intertwined.

The fact that a bandit leader dared to so arrogantly flaunt his backing shows that the person behind him is indeed no ordinary individual.

The group exchanged glances.

Dugu Yan made a decision, saying, "Let's wait for Ye Qing to return and decide how to handle this matter."

Not long after.

Ye Qing returned from the depths of the bandit's den.

He walked very slowly.

Everyone noticed his expression immediately.

He didn't have his usual playful or calm demeanor towards Dugu Yan.

Rather, it was a rare, heavy solemnity.

Everyone realized that Ye Qing was in a bad mood.

"Brother Ye?"

Dugu Yan frowned. "What's wrong?"

Ye Qing did not answer immediately.

After listening to everyone relay Owl Boss's words, his eyes flickered slightly, and then he spoke, saying only one sentence, "Come with me."

He turned and walked towards the deepest part of the bandits' den.

The group exchanged bewildered glances and followed.

After passing through several crooked dirt paths, we arrived at the innermost part of the camp, where there was a stone chamber.

Three large padlocks were hanging on the iron gate.

Ye Qing raised his hand, and a flash of Chaos Green Flame melted the three iron locks instantly.

The iron gate creaked open.

The scene inside caused everyone's expression to change instantly.

A dozen or so girls.

Their ages range from seven or eight to seventeen or eighteen.

Everyone huddled in a corner of the stone chamber, their clothes tattered and their faces filled with terror.

Some were trembling, some were crying silently, and some were staring blankly at the ground.

The moment the iron gate opened, they all huddled together, covering their heads with their arms.

That's an instinctive reaction that only people who have been living in fear for a long time would have.

"This..."

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth with her hand.

Her eyes instantly reddened, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

Anger welled up automatically.

Dugu Yan's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

The snake-like patterns flashed across his emerald green pupils, and his killing intent almost materialized.

Ye Lingling didn't say a word, but her clenched knuckles had turned white.

"These beasts..." Shi Mo's voice was squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Forced abduction of a woman?" Yu Feng's face turned ashen.

"No."

Ye Qing spoke.

His voice was calm, but beneath that calmness lay an extreme chill.

"Look."

He pointed to the girls.

"The clothes were worn but mostly intact, and there were no signs of assault on the body."

"Everyone was 'stored' very well."

"There was water, simple food, and even a change of old clothes."

"If it were just ordinary bandits abducting women for their own lust, they wouldn't be so 'refined'."

Ye Qing turned to look at the crowd, his gaze sharp. "Considering the powerful figure in Heaven Dou City that Owl Boss mentioned, I suspect this might not be a simple robbery."

"It is not a single entity, but a complete human slave trade industry chain."

"The bandits were responsible for 'purchasing' from the surrounding villages and towns, while the powerful and wealthy within Heaven Dou City were responsible for 'selling' and 'consuming'."

He paused for a moment. "These girls will ultimately be treated as commodities, sold to the high-ranking officials and nobles in Heaven Dou City as playthings."

The air froze at that moment.

"I will never tolerate such a thing!"

Ning Rongrong was the first to erupt, her voice filled with the hatred of grinding her teeth.

"Regardless of who's behind him..."

Dugu Yan's voice was so cold it could freeze. "This kind of scum deserves to die."

Ye Lingling remained silent.

But her four Ten Thousand Year Vine silently straightened, causing Owl Boss to cough up blood.

Ye Qing glanced at her and sighed inwardly: The gentler a person is, the more terrifying they can be when they get angry.

"Soothe them first."

Ye Qing made a decision. "Lingling, Ning Rongrong, you two go and take care of these girls. Treat those you can and comfort those you can."

"The rest of you, keep watch outside."

He turned and walked outside, his tone suddenly softening, but that softness sent chills down one's spine. "As for the interrogation, I'll handle that."

No one witnessed the interrogation.

All that is known is that when Ye Qing began the interrogation, Owl Boss was still cursing and swearing.

Ten minutes later, when Ye Qing came out, Owl Boss was ashen-faced, with blood and foam at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes were filled with fear.

They were even more terrified than the girls he imprisoned.

A cryptic smile played on Ye Qing's lips.

Dugu Bo had taught him some "effective communication" skills, and today was the first time he put them into practice.

The effect is good.

"He confessed."

Ye Qing returned to the group and succinctly relayed the information. "Owl Boss is merely the outermost 'collection point' of this industry chain, responsible for abducting young girls from surrounding villages and towns."

"Every now and then, someone comes to collect the goods."

"Who is it?" Ning Rongrong asked impatiently.

"The recipient's identity was kept strictly confidential; he only knew that the other party was a steward from a noble household in Heaven Dou City."

"Each transaction took place in an abandoned mill outside the city."

"As for who this nobleman is, he doesn't know, or rather, he dares not know."

Everyone's faces looked grim.

Ye Qing looked around, his tone becoming serious. "This matter ends here. Don't make a fuss."

"I know everyone is angry, and so am I."

"But this connection involves powerful and influential figures within Heaven Dou City, and it could potentially go even deeper."

"Acting rashly will only alert the enemy, or even backfire."

"Once we return to Heaven Dou City, we can investigate secretly, but until then, no one is allowed to leak the word."

"Brother Ye Qing."

Ning Rongrong bit her lip. "I can ask the sect for help."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has deep roots in Heaven Dou City; investigating a steward of a noble household is not difficult."

Ye Qing thought for a moment and nodded, "Ning Rongrong's connections are indeed useful."

It would be better if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could take direct action to handle it.

This industrial chain involves the powerful and influential in Heaven Dou City, and may even involve higher levels of society.

If not handled properly, it could indeed backfire.