Establishing Authority

Looking at the dark mass of people before him, Xiao Ming frowned, feeling a headache coming on.

He had not expected there to be so many bandits even in this backwater place.

Although Xiao Ming was extremely unwilling to get involved, looking at the huge crowd before him, he knew that if they were left to fend for themselves without anyone to restrain them, what had just happened to Little Peach and her mother would happen again.

With that in mind, Xiao Ming pushed off with both feet and leaped onto the highest point of Black Demon Stockade.

"Quiet, all of you!"

Facing the chattering mass of bandits, Xiao Ming gathered all his battle qi and roared.

At Xiao Ming's furious shout, the noisy scene instantly fell silent, leaving only the sound of breathing echoing through the area.

Seeing the astonished expressions on their faces, Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction.

Very soon, someone in the crowd noticed Xiao Ming standing above them.

Faced with a strange face they had never seen before, the bandits below immediately erupted into an uproar.

"Shut the hell up, all of you! This is the new chief of Black Demon Stockade!"

At that moment, among the black-clad men who had followed Xiao Ming back to Black Demon Stockade, the eldest-looking one snarled viciously at the crowd.

Hearing the black-clad man's words, the bandits' eyes widened.

"Chief?"

"That brat is the chief of Black Demon Stockade?"

At the black-clad man's words, the bandits began discussing it heatedly, their gazes toward Xiao Ming filled with doubt.

This guy looked even younger than them. How had he become the chief of Black Demon Stockade?

The black-clad man looked down arrogantly at the bandits, acting high and mighty as though they were all his underlings.

"I don't care what you're thinking. From now on, you must obey the new chief's orders, or get the hell out!"

"Hmph!"

At those words, the bandits below were all dissatisfied.

"Why should we?"

"Yeah, why should we listen to this brat the moment he shows up?"

"Who the hell are you, kid? How could you possibly become the chief of Black Demon Stockade?"

"I'd say this kid is probably a fake!"

The bandits muttered among themselves, full of resentment toward what the black-clad man had said.

After all, in their eyes, Xiao Ming was nothing more than a wet-behind-the-ears brat. What right did he have to order them around?

"All of you, shut up, or don't blame me for getting rough!"

As he spoke, silver light flashed in Xiao Ming's hand, and then Gungnir appeared in Yun Shan's hand.

In an instant, everyone present felt as though they had been locked onto by an ancient beast.

The bandits who had been shouting moments before broke out in cold sweat as soon as they sensed Gungnir's aura. Some of the more timid ones even collapsed directly to the ground.

Seeing the bandits scared half to death, Xiao Ming wore a smug expression. Watching these normally arrogant and overbearing bandits reduced to such a state, the black-clad men nearby could not help laughing.

"You country bumpkins, now you know how formidable the chief is, right? If you don't clean up your mouths, be careful you don't bite off more than you can chew!"

Gungnir's deterrence was simply too overwhelming. Before Gungnir, the bandits had no ability to resist at all and fled miserably back into Black Demon Stockade.

After they left, Gungnir turned into a streak of silver light once more and returned to Xiao Ming's sea of consciousness.

At this moment, the older black-clad man came to Xiao Ming's side and asked respectfully.

"Chief, shall we prepare a banquet tonight to welcome you?"

"No need. Just find some food and wine outside the stockade to fill our stomachs. There's no need to make such a big fuss."

After hearing the black-clad man's words, Xiao Ming replied blandly. He did not take becoming the new chief of Black Demon Stockade too seriously.

Although Black Demon Stockade was indeed quite large for the current Xiao Ming, he did not think it was anything worth celebrating.

After all, Black Demon Stockade's overall strength was truly too poor to look at. Moreover, Xiao Ming had come to Black Demon Stockade largely to prevent Little Peach and her mother at the foot of the mountain from being oppressed again.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ming turned to the black-clad man beside him and said, "Immediately send some men down the mountain to bring Little Peach and her mother up here. Remember to be polite. Don't scare them!"

Hearing Xiao Ming's order, the black-clad man promptly replied, "Yes, Chief."

Having received his orders, the black-clad man stepped aside.

Before long, several burly men brought Little Peach and her mother up the mountain.

When Xiao Ming saw Little Peach and her mother cautiously arriving at the stockade gate, he quickly had the gates opened and then leaped down from atop them.

"Little Peach, Auntie, are you two all right?"

Seeing Little Peach and her mother looking pale, Xiao Ming asked with concern.

Seeing the concern in Xiao Ming's eyes, Little Peach and her mother were deeply moved. Recalling everything that had just happened, tears immediately began streaming down their faces.

At this moment, Little Peach wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked at Xiao Ming. "Thank you, Big Brother. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't have known how to save Mom."

Hearing Little Peach's words, Xiao Ming was stunned.

He had not expected Little Peach to call him Big Brother. That form of address made him incredibly excited.

However, he still shook his head with a serious expression and said, "No need to be so polite. It's what I should do."

Seeing Little Peach's mother looking nervous, Xiao Ming quickly smiled at her.

"Auntie, it's all right. Don't worry, I've already taught these people a lesson. Nothing will happen now, so you don't need to worry. I invited you and Little Peach up the mountain specially for dinner."

Xiao Ming smiled at Little Peach's mother and Little Peach.

Hearing this, Little Peach's mother finally relaxed, looking at Xiao Ming with gratitude written all over her face.

"Um... Young Master Xiao, Little Peach and I didn't prepare any gifts..."

Little Peach's mother awkwardly searched around herself before speaking softly to Xiao Ming.

Seeing Little Peach's mother in such an embarrassed state, Xiao Ming could not bear it and hurriedly said, "Auntie, you and Little Peach saved my life. Saying that makes us strangers!"