Alech’u said to the scimitar bandit, "They are government troops, after all. They do have some ability."
"Big brother, you give them too much credit. Those fellows from Dangqu Mountain are a disorganized rabble. The armored men can manage ordinary vicious bandits like them.
"But if they really faced our Scimitar Bandits, we could rout them, never mind you, big brother, with your God-and-Demon Power!"
"We should still probe cautiously," Alech’u said with a faint smile.
Alech’u said to the Dangqu Mountain bandit, "Bunu, a pity about those sworn brothers of yours. You won't blame me, will you?"
Bunu, the bandit chief of Dangqu Mountain, shuddered in fright at the thought of this ruthless bandit's infamy and vicious methods. He immediately shook his head and said:
"How could I? They were only fair-weather friends. You are my true brother."
Alech’u chuckled at that. "You became the chief of a mountain stronghold through your exceptional wits. That is your gift."
"Please take this humble man in." All Bunu's men were dead; he could only submit to the Scimitar Bandits.
"Among the Five Hu and Ten Bandits, our Scimitar Bandits rank ninth. That hardly disgraces you," Alech’u said smugly.
"Who in the world hasn't heard the fearsome name of the Five Hu and Ten Bandits? Being allowed to join you is an honor earned over three lifetimes," Bunu said, his face awash with tearful gratitude.
... On the mountain road, Qu Zan traveled with the group of Mìdì soldiers and nobles.
"Miss Nabuling, why did that 'Redbeard' come to this area?" Taking advantage of there being no one nearby, Qu Zan asked the noble relative.
Nabuling smiled. "Doje, Tuba was only frightening you. The Five Hu and Ten Bandits are all great outlaws. How could we run into them so easily? Besides,