The bandit stammered in terror, "P-probably… around ten people left…"
Murderous intent flared in Xiao Chen's eyes. "This village should've had dozens of residents. Now there are only ten?"
The bandit's face twisted in panic, his words tumbling out in a desperate plea. "Mercy, heroes! Please spare me… sob… don't kill me… I'll talk, I'll tell you everything!"
Seeing the man nearly scared out of his wits, Xiao Chen withdrew his killing aura, let out a cold snort, then suddenly smiled. But his eyes held no warmth. His tone turned breezy. "Heh~ Brother, if you want to live, cooperate. Just do one thing, and I guarantee your life will be safe."
Hearing a chance to survive, the bandit reacted as if hearing divine music. He kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you… thank you, noble heroes!"
He scrambled to his feet, fawning. "What do you need me to do?"
Xiao Chen and Xuan Chen exchanged a glance, both amused by how quickly the man's face could flip—almost comically so.
Xiao Chen's smile was like frost. "Simple. Take us into your base."
The bandit's heart leapt with secret delight: Back in my turf, I'll have plenty of ways to deal with you. He thumped his chest. "No problem! That's easy—leave it to me! But… how do you plan to blend in?"
Xiao Chen glanced around, about to speak, but Xuan Chen interrupted softly, "We'll pretend to be villagers you captured."
Xiao Chen sent a thought-message: Xuan Chen, why not pose as bandits?
Xuan Chen replied calmly: Only four bandits left the village. One's missing, two look different. If two more 'bandits' show up, they'll suspect something. Even with masks, our build and aura would give us away.
Xiao Chen nodded and turned to the bandit. "So? We'll help you earn credit—pretend we're villagers you caught and bring us back. But don't try anything clever. You know what'll happen."
The bandit shivered, voice trembling. "I understand! I understand!"
Xiao Chen warned coldly, "If someone asks about the other three?"
The bandit hesitated. "Uh…"
Xiao Chen stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder. "Say there were women hiding in the village. The other three stayed behind to catch them. Got it?"
The bandit winced in pain, forcing a smile through clenched teeth. "Got it… got it!"
After Xiao Chen and Xuan Chen changed into disguise, Xiao Chen suddenly frowned, glanced at Xuan Chen, then crouched down and scooped up a handful of wet mud.
Xuan Chen raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
Without a word, Xiao Chen smeared the mud across Xuan Chen's face with a swift motion.
Xuan Chen stared, stunned, raising a hand to wipe it off. "You're messing around at a time like this?"
Xiao Chen stopped his hand. "Don't wipe it off. When have you ever seen a villager hiding from bandits with a clean face?"
Xuan Chen paused, then nodded silently. He grabbed a handful of mud and smeared it across Xiao Chen's face, chuckling. "Mm. Now you look the part."
Xiao Chen pouted, just about to retaliate, but Xuan Chen's expression turned serious. "Once we're inside, what do we do with this bandit? He'll definitely turn on us the moment we enter the camp."
Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow, his tone icy. "Isn't it obvious? You knock him out with a talisman. Once we find the hostages, we kill him. Scum like him—who aid tyrants and prey on the weak—don't deserve to live."
Xuan Chen's eyes flickered. "Didn't you say we wouldn't kill him?"
Xiao Chen grinned. "I haven't changed my mind. Besides, you're the one killing him, not me."
Xuan Chen let out a quiet laugh and shook his head. "You sly fox, dragging me into it."
Xiao Chen's face turned solemn. "Don't you want to?"
Xuan Chen nodded, his voice calm. "I do."
Xiao Chen turned away, his voice low and resolute. "Let's go. Tonight, we uphold the way and defend the world."
——
Night had deepened. Cold winds howled through the mountains.
A bandit led two bound captives up a narrow mountain path, ropes tied around their wrists. Midway up the slope, the terrain leveled out into a cliffside plateau—the hideout of the roaming bandits.
The gate stood two or three zhang high, flanked by wooden watchtowers on either side. Bandits with bows stood guard atop them. Flickering torches cast eerie shadows across the camp.
The mounted bandit leader shouted, "I caught two hiding villagers! Open the gate!"
A guard on the tower called down warily, "Boss, why are you alone? Where are the other three?"
The leader scowled, clearly annoyed. "What, I can't come back alone? They found some women hiding and went off to have fun. I'm just bringing these two back first. Still gotta head down again—don't waste my time or I'll make you regret it!"
The guard, reassured by his usual tone, lowered his guard and signaled to open the gate.
With a creak, the wooden gate swung open. The three entered the camp.
Just as they crossed the threshold, the leader suddenly swayed and collapsed from his horse.
The guards gasped. Several bandits immediately raised their weapons, aiming at the two captives.
Xiao Chen and Xuan Chen were already kneeling, unmoving, faces full of fear.
"What did you do!" one of the leading bandits barked.
Xiao Chen widened his eyes, voice trembling. "Sir, we didn't do anything! We swear—we didn't even touch him!"
The bandit snapped, "You think I'm an idiot? Why would he suddenly pass out for no reason?"
Xiao Chen lowered his head, voice soft and innocent. "On the way here… he told the villagers… he'd already messed with two women back in the village… Maybe he overexerted himself?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Xuan Chen nearly choked on his breath. His face turned pale.
The surrounding bandits exchanged awkward glances. The atmosphere turned strangely tense.
"Take the squad leader inside. Lock these two up—with the rest of the captives!"
A bandit led Xiao Chen and Xuan Chen forward, tugging the rope that bound them. Xiao Chen kept his head down, but his eyes flicked constantly around the camp, silently memorizing every guard's position and the layout of the buildings. Xuan Chen's breath was steady, as if some quiet calculation had already begun in his mind.
Suddenly, a sharp, commanding female voice rang out from a nearby watchtower.
"Hey—you there. Stop."
The bandit froze, startled. Xiao Chen and Xuan Chen both looked up.
From the distance strode a young woman clad in light armor, her posture upright and imposing. She looked to be in her early twenties, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes. Her steps were swift and sure, her gaze like a blade. The bandit who had been grinning moments ago instantly straightened his back.
"Where did these two come from?" Her tone brooked no argument.
The bandit quickly bowed his head. "Reporting to the Princess… Captain Chen brought them back from the village. He ordered me to take them to the holding cells."
The woman said nothing. She circled Xiao Chen and Xuan Chen once, then with a flick of her wrist, drew a short dagger from her waist. With a sharp swish, she sliced through the rope binding Xuan Chen.
The bandit gasped, about to speak, but the woman had already taken the severed rope and tugged Xuan Chen forward. Without looking back, she said coldly:
"This one—I'm taking. If there's a problem, tell Chen Chong to come find me."
"Y-yes… Princess…" The bandit broke into a cold sweat, not daring to ask further.
He quickly led Xiao Chen alone to the holding cell, locked him behind an iron door in a stone chamber, and fled in a panic.
——
As Xuan Chen was led away by the woman who called herself "Princess," his heart remained calm.
The scent around her was soft and feminine—though he stayed alert, he couldn't help but notice its strange allure. His gaze lowered, breath steady. To outsiders, he appeared no more than a frightened young villager. In truth, his fingers moved subtly, spiritual energy quietly shifting. He had already mapped the surrounding auras and movement patterns, laying down his silent strategy.
The princess walked briskly, saying little, guiding Xuan Chen through a side corridor into a room filled with a delicate fragrance. The scent was gentle, distinctly feminine. It was the first time Xuan Chen had encountered it, and for a moment, he found himself slightly dazed.
Once the door closed, the princess suddenly pressed him against the wall, one hand brushing through his long hair, her cheek nearly touching his. Xuan Chen's face flushed red, his heartbeat faltered—he was momentarily speechless, unsure how to react.
She whispered, her breath warm, "What's wrong? Never been alone with a woman before?"
Xuan Chen turned his head away, silent, avoiding her gaze. Seeing this, the princess grew more pleased, her tone teasing. "Don't you want to know why I brought you here?"
Xuan Chen suddenly met her eyes, gaze turning cold and clear.
She stared into his pupils and said, "I… like you."
The words struck him like lightning. He froze, then stumbled backward in shock, his face burning crimson.
He stammered, "Princess, please don't joke. I'm just a humble villager—how could I dare dream of such a thing?"
The princess stepped back a few paces, then turned coldly. "You're… not an ordinary person, are you?"
Xuan Chen's surprise flickered and vanished. He replied calmly, "Why would you say that?"
She gave a cold laugh. "Your eyes are too clear. Your steps too light. You haven't shown a shred of panic. If you're a villager, then I'm your mother."
Xuan Chen smiled faintly. "If I were your enemy, you'd already be unable to speak."
She chuckled. "You wouldn't. You're a real man. Besides, judging by how red your face got just now, I can tell you've never been with a woman."
With that, she sat down at the table, resting her chin in her hands, her gaze fixed on him.
Xuan Chen nodded, sighing softly. "Didn't expect to slip up here."
Her eyes deepened. She asked quietly, "Are you here to investigate this place?"
Knowing she'd already seen through most of it, Xuan Chen chose to be direct. "We passed through this area and were shaken by what we saw in the village. If you truly are the princess of this bandit camp… I may have to consider whether to spare your life."
Her expression tightened. "Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?"
"I don't," Xuan Chen replied frankly. "But I do know this camp hides things that can't see the light of day. And since you haven't fully joined their ranks, nor have you escaped, there must be a reason."
She fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "These bandits… are my people, and yet not. Fine. You're not stupid."
Xuan Chen pressed, "What do you mean by that?"
She poured him a cup of tea and spoke slowly. "My name is Yan Ruoyan. I'm the younger sister of this camp's leader, Yan Sha. To protect me, my brother pledged loyalty to the Fourth Elder of the Crimson Refining Sect and became the leader of this group. We didn't choose this path. We were… forced into it. So… if I truly want to leave this place, there's only one way…"
Xuan Chen raised his cup and asked, "Then why did you keep me here?"
Yan Ruoyan's expression turned solemn. Her words were startling. "To make you my husband."
Xuan Chen was so shocked he spat out his tea. His pulse faltered, and he stammered, "Princess, you must be joking. I'm not someone who takes Dao companionship lightly."
Yan Ruoyan gazed at him, her voice soft but unwavering. "I'm serious. My brother once said—if I found a true partner, he would leave this place and break free from the Crimson Refining Sect's control. I know the path is difficult, but I want to try… He said he'd find a way."
——
Xiao Chen sat cross-legged in the corner, quietly observing his surroundings.
The cell held seven or eight people. Some had missing limbs, some were emaciated to the bone, and a child curled up in the corner, silently sobbing. The thick stench of blood hung heavy in the air, like resentment steaming from rotting mud, cloaking the entire space.
An elderly man, hunched and frail, leaned against the wall and asked in a weak voice, "Young man… are you new here?"
Xiao Chen nodded, then asked in return, "How long have you all been locked up? Is there anywhere else in the camp where more people are being held?"
A flicker of surprise passed through the old man's eyes. "You dare ask that… You're not an ordinary person, are you…"
Xiao Chen said nothing. He simply pulled out a small piece of dried food from his sleeve and handed it over.
The old man's fingers trembled as he accepted it, murmuring, "Behind the camp, in the mountain's rear, there's a dungeon. It's a holding place before they're sent to the mines… Most of the people locked there… are women and children…"
Xiao Chen's gaze darkened. He whispered to himself:
"Looks like… we came just in time."