Chapter 75: Encountering Sha Wei

In just a few short exchanges, the life-taking bandits suffered heavy losses.

The leader’s eyes flashed with a murderous gleam, his face twisted with ferocity. “No matter how skilled he is, he’s still just one man. Attack together!” With that, he raised his long saber and charged toward the young man.

It seemed these bandits were somewhat trained; as soon as the leader spoke, the group encircled the youth in a ring.

The young man remained unshaken. A pale yellow internal energy surged in his hands. With a turn of his foot, his fist shot toward the leader.

The man’s expression changed drastically. He threw himself to the ground, barely evading the blow. Cold sweat drenched him; had that punch landed, he would have ended up like the others—spitting blood on the spot.

Just then, another bandit leaped into the air behind, a vicious grin on his face and his saber aimed straight for the youth.

Suddenly—“Swish!”—a sword radiating icy mist shot from the woods.

“Clang!” The man was pinned to a tree by the sword. Strangely, not a drop of blood seeped from his body. Frost quickly spread across the trunk.

The youth glanced in the direction of Lu Han, then continued his onslaught.

Soon, all the bandits lay defeated—save for their leader.

Seeing his men collapse, the leader cried out in terror and fled toward the depths of the forest.

The youth stepped forward, vaulted through the air, and landed before him.

Seeing this, the man dropped to his knees at once. “Master, please spare me! I swear I’ll never do it again!”

A sharp stench rose in the air—the man had wet himself in fright.

Ignoring the bandit’s frantic kowtowing, the youth turned his head. “My friend, thank you for your assistance just now. I am Sha Wei. Might I ask you to come out and meet me?”

The wind rustled the leaves. A figure emerged slowly from the woods—it was Lu Han.

He walked to the tree, a flash of white light at his fingertips. With a “whoosh,” the Bilu Sword flew back into his hand.

“Thud!” The bandit’s corpse dropped to the ground.

Sha Wei stared in wonder at the Bilu Sword. There wasn’t a trace of blood on the blade, only a cold, gleaming light.

With a crisp sound, the Bilu Sword slid back into its sheath.

“Brother Sha, I suspect even if I hadn’t intervened, that man wouldn’t have been able to do anything to you. My help was mere happenstance,” Lu Han said, glancing at Sha Wei.

“If you hadn’t acted just now, I could have blocked them, but I would have been injured. From today, you’re my friend!” Sha Wei declared heartily.

Lu Han looked at him, bemused by the sincerity on his face. Was friendship so easily given, just for a single act?

Sha Wei seemed to sense his confusion. “Grandfather always told me, ‘Travel the world and make friends everywhere.’ You’re the first friend I’ve made since leaving the village.”

Seeing his earnestness, Lu Han asked, “Is this your first time away from home, Brother Sha?”

“Yes. Grandfather never let me leave the village before, said I had no means to protect myself…” Sha Wei replied in his deep voice.

As he spoke, Lu Han learned Sha Wei came from a remote village. This journey was to the Imperial Academy in the capital, whose triennial admissions would begin in half a year. Passing through these parts, Sha Wei had heard of the bandits who often robbed travelers, killing those without valuables. Determined to rid the world of this scourge, he had acted as he did.

“I’m Lu Han. Since you’re so righteous, Brother Sha, count me in. Now that we’ve come across this matter, I suppose I must visit the bandits’ stronghold myself,” Lu Han said with a smile.

Sha Wei’s words stirred a sense of heroism in him. To uphold justice—one need not right all wrongs, but when faced with evil, one should intervene.

“Brother Lu, I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you!” Sha Wei clapped Lu Han’s shoulder.

Lu Han’s face turned pale. “Brother Sha, you’re rather strong, aren’t you?”

If not for the body-strengthening training of “Heavenly Raiment,” he would have been hurt by those hearty slaps.

“Sorry, Brother Lu. I can’t help it. I’ve always been unusually strong since childhood,” Sha Wei said, scratching his head apologetically.

The two turned their gazes to the only surviving bandit.

Lu Han asked, “What level is your leader? How many men are at your stronghold? Tell us the details. If your answers please us, I may consider letting you go.”

“Really?” The bandit’s eyes lit up.

“Would I lie to you at this point?” Lu Han replied coolly.

“Our leader is at the peak of the Ninth Heaven of the Acquired Realm. There are over sixty of us. The stronghold is well hidden—ordinary people can’t find it. I can guide you there,” the man said.

Lu Han and Sha Wei exchanged a glance.

The peak of the Ninth Heaven of the Acquired Realm posed little threat to them.

They didn’t notice the fleeting cruel smile on the bandit’s face as he lowered his head. “Hmph, two clueless youngsters. Soon, you’ll meet your end! I’ll make sure to ‘welcome’ you properly,” he thought.

Lu Han felt something was off, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

As Lu Han pondered, Sha Wei slapped his back. “Brother Lu, let’s wipe out these bandits today!”

Old Ling, sitting inside the ring, was about to speak when his expression shifted. He looked past Lu Han and Sha Wei, then relaxed and fell silent.

Not long after Lu Han and Sha Wei left, an old man appeared in the forest. Watching them depart, he shook his head. “They have courage, but lack experience. Still, that young man—what is his background? And that sword… not ordinary!” He looked fondly at Sha Wei’s retreating figure.

Suddenly, with a rumble, a large pit opened in the ground. The corpses floated up and dropped into it, after which the earth closed over them again.

In a flash, the old man vanished.

The captured bandit, for his part, behaved and led the way without tricks. Lu Han strolled along, seemingly nonchalant, but his eyes watched the surroundings closely—though he noticed nothing amiss.

Soon, the three arrived at a mountain peak. Before them stood a stone fortress, guarded by two bandits at the gate.

“Who goes there?” one barked.

Sha Wei placed his hand firmly on the captive’s shoulder. “Tell them to bring out your leader!” With a squeeze, the man broke out in a cold sweat but dared not make a sound.

“Brothers, it’s me, He Yong! Quick, go call the leader!” he gasped.

“Captain He? Hurry, fetch the leader—someone’s attacking the stronghold!”

The situation was clear—He Yong had been captured. Though the two newcomers were young, they knew He Yong had left that morning with a dozen men. Now he returned alone.

Best to report to the leader.

“I say, you can let me go now, right?” He Yong asked, glancing back at Sha Wei.

Sha Wei released him, and He Yong scrambled to the gate.

He suddenly burst into laughter. “Ha! You little brats think you can destroy us? I’ll have you both killed here! No, I’ll have you chopped into pieces!”

Sha Wei and Lu Han exchanged uneasy glances.

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