Choice

Afterward, Xiao Ming turned and called over the older man in black known as Seven Baleful Intents.

"Quickly find two men to tidy up a quieter room in the stockade, then settle Little Peach and her mother there."

"Remember to arrange two sharper men to take turns standing watch at night. If anything goes wrong, I'll make sure they pay dearly."

Because Little Peach and her mother were present, Xiao Ming's tone was not particularly fierce, yet to Seven Baleful Intents, his words were like thunder.

This youth's strength was simply too terrifying—utterly unfathomable!

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

With that, Seven Baleful Intents swiftly left.

Watching Seven Baleful Intents depart, Little Peach's mother could not help furrowing her brows.

"Young Master Xiao, this is...?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ming turned to look at Little Peach's mother and smiled faintly.

"You and Little Peach are both my saviors. Besides, I can see that it has been quite difficult for you to raise Little Peach alone. This area has never been very peaceful. It was fortunate that I was here this time, but if you run into other bandits next time, both you and Little Peach will be in danger. That is why I made this decision on your behalf and brought both of you into the stockade."

Upon hearing Xiao Ming's words, excitement flashed across the faces of Little Peach and her mother.

When they had first found the unconscious Xiao Ming, they had never thought about how he might repay them afterward. Yet Little Peach's mother had not expected him to be so generous, willing to help them like this.

Warmth filled Little Peach's mother's heart. She immediately pulled Little Peach down to their knees before Xiao Ming.

"Thank you, Young Master Xiao, for coming to our aid so righteously. Little Peach and I will remember this kindness forever."

Seeing this, Xiao Ming hurried forward and helped Little Peach's mother to her feet.

"Young Master Xiao, you need not do this." Little Peach's mother was helped up by Xiao Ming, yet she still stubbornly shook her head.

"I know what you are thinking. Rest assured, as long as I, Xiao Ming, live, no one will be allowed to harm even a hair on your or Little Peach's head."

Xiao Ming looked at Little Peach's mother and spoke with utmost solemnity.

The reason he was helping the two of them was not merely because they had indeed saved him. More importantly, from Little Peach and her mother, he had felt a warmth born of human nature that he had never experienced in either of his two lives.

After settling Little Peach's mother in her quarters within the stockade, Xiao Ming, accompanied by Seven Baleful Intents, arrived at the stockade's former assembly hall.

The moment Xiao Ming entered the assembly hall, he discovered that it was already packed with people.

All sorts of clamorous voices continuously reached his ears.

However, the instant Xiao Ming stepped into the hall, every sound around him vanished.

The bandits who had been loudly shouting among themselves seemed as though someone had pressed a mute button. Every one of them focused their gaze on Xiao Ming.

At this sight, the corners of Xiao Ming's lips lifted slightly, imperceptibly.

It seemed that his actions that afternoon had, to some extent, intimidated these usually unruly bandits.

Yet this was still far from Xiao Ming's original objective in coming up the mountain.

The mountain occupied by Black Demon Stockade was less than half a day's journey from Wutan City, where the Xiao Clan was located.

Moreover, this was the only route outsiders could take to enter Wutan City.

As a result, aside from the mountain occupied by Black Demon Stockade, quite a few bandits had long occupied the several nearby peaks as well.

It was simply because none of them possessed the strength of Black Demon Stockade's former chief, allowing them to command those scattered bandits.

Even so, the existence of those bandits still posed a threat, more or less, to the small villages around Wutan City.

In Xiao Ming's memories, even the Xiao Clan's goods had once been robbed by these bandits.

Whether out of personal selfishness or a sense of duty, now that Xiao Ming had become the chief of Black Demon Stockade by chance and become the bandit leader within several hundred li, he felt obligated to properly set this situation right.

Black Demon Stockade was merely the first stop in his grand ambitions.

Thinking this, Xiao Ming looked at the bandits before him and let out a soft cough.

Hearing the sound, the bandits immediately focused their attention on Xiao Ming, who stood at the seat of honor.

"Everyone, look over here. I know it will be difficult for you to accept my appearance for the time being, but this is a world where the strong prey upon the weak. Your former chief was defeated at my hands because he was not strong enough. Therefore, I have become your new chief."

Xiao Ming spoke in a deep voice.

At this, the bandits began discussing among themselves.

"How is that possible? Our boss was incredibly strong. How could he have died at your hands?"

Some of those who had not witnessed Gungnir that afternoon voiced their doubts, while the other bandits immediately distanced themselves from the man who had spoken.

Xiao Ming merely smiled faintly at the sight.

"I have always advocated personal freedom. If anyone here does not wish to remain in Black Demon Stockade because of my arrival, then please leave."

As soon as Xiao Ming's words fell, the many bandits below instantly fell silent.

"Those who do not wish to stay, stand on the left. Those willing to follow me, Xiao Ming, and fight for our future, stand on the right. I guarantee that you will receive ample benefits!"

Xiao Ming slowly walked toward the seat of honor atop the steps as he said, "I hope everyone considers my words carefully. I will not mistreat anyone."

"We swear to follow Boss unto death!"

Seven Baleful Intents and the others beside Xiao Ming were the first to shout. Then, they immediately ran to the right in front of Xiao Ming.

"We are willing as well!"

Seeing Seven Baleful Intents and the others move, the many bandits below who had witnessed Gungnir came to their senses and promptly shouted in unison. The sheer force of their voices shook the entire hall!

Xiao Ming secretly nodded. He was extremely satisfied with Seven Baleful Intents' actions. It was clear that aside from being somewhat lacking in personal strength, Seven Baleful Intents was indeed admirable in his understanding of social dealings.

As for the remaining few...

The men following Seven Baleful Intents were likewise worth cultivating. If Xiao Ming wanted to swiftly bring all of Black Demon Stockade under his control, he had to quickly nurture a group of trusted confidants of his own.