The winds blew gently today, perfect for embarking on a journey with wine and song. The disturbances caused by monsters in the area were typically dealt with by the disciples of the Qinming Sword Sect, who would descend the mountains to travel and explore. Thus, when chaos arose in Gu Province's Ten Nations, it was generally due to one of two reasons. Within Gu Province, there were ten nations, and under Azure Nether Mountain lay the Shangxuan Kingdom, where Bai Qiuran hoped to find the alchemical materials he needed.
The bandits, frightened, scattered in different directions, eyeing Bai Qiuran and his companion carefully. Bai Qiuran turned his gaze toward the newcomer. Hearing the bandits’ banter, the young gentleman beside him turned crimson with anger.
Though Bai Qiuran maintained his smile, there was a hint of danger lurking within it. Even though he had already transcended into a realm beyond the ordinary, he found it difficult to completely let go of his ties with the Qinming Sword Sect.
Now away from the sect and far from the mountain gates, Bai Qiuran finally felt free to be himself, simply Bai Qiuran, rather than the Sect's Ancestral Martial Uncle. Each descent from the mountain lightened his spirits.
However, if he were to encounter robbers on the road, things would change. The power struggles within Shangxuan Kingdom were their affair, but these bandits posed a threat to every innocent passerby. Upon encountering such villains, the disciples of Qinming would always eliminate the evil without hesitation. Therefore, instead of relying on his cultivation to race ahead, Bai Qiuran made his way to the nearest town from Hanging Sword Town, securing a horse with his funds before leisurely following the main road of Shangxuan Kingdom.
"Is this the law of the land?"
"This is it. A few of us brothers noticed the gentleman's remarkable demeanor and thought to borrow a bit of money – just to help each other out," the leader of the bandits shouted as he ran into the nearby forest without looking back.
Several bandits threw down their weapons in panic and rushed into the woods, while the young gentleman remained rooted in place, his expression cold as he watched them, unwilling to act further. It was as though he were a cat or dog, intimidating other beings invading his territory, simply wishing to scare off the bandits rather than annihilate them.
While Bai Qiuran had achieved a transcendent state, he still felt a lingering connection to the Qinming Sword Sect. After three thousand years of cultivating himself, being good-natured didn’t mean he wouldn’t become angry when faced with trouble.
“Excuse me…”
There were ten kingdoms within Gu Province, and under Azure Nether Mountain lay Shangxuan Kingdom, where Bai Qiuran hoped to find the alchemical materials he needed. Looking around, he recalled his descent several hundred years ago when Shangxuan Kingdom was a land of prosperity, where the common people lived happy lives. Facing a group of robust men with mid-level body refinement cultivation, Bai Qiuran softly smiled and asked, “My friends, is there something you wish to discuss?”
The leader brandished a broadsword with copper rings, licking his lips greedily. “Would you like to join in? Once we have the loot, I’ll happily take you to town for some entertainment, alright?”
As blood flew and a headless corpse dropped onto the ground, a wave of golden sword energy erupted, causing the bandits’ expressions to change drastically. Facing this group of robust men in mid-level body refinement, whose strongest member had reached late body refinement, Bai Qiuran perpetually wore a calm demeanor. “Is there something you want?”
The bandits continued to laugh, claiming, “The Emperor of Shangxuan is gravely ill, and the soldiers guarding this road have long since been reassigned. If you don’t give us money, even if the heavenly lord descends today, you won’t stand a chance!”
Though Bai Qiuran maintained a polite smile, his hand imperceptibly grasped the hilt of his sword, revealing a piece of its blade with a gentle push of his thumb.
“This matter?” One of the bandits whimpered.
For Bai Qiuran, while he aimed to prevent the harm of innocent people, these robbers were to be dealt with. His journey which he initially treated as an outing to gather alchemical materials had transformed into a stroll through the world.
“Are you robbing the road?” Bai Qiuran calmly asked.
“Indeed, we’ve fallen upon hard times!”
However, a sudden figure flew by from behind, kicking one cowardly bandit aside. The leader, fearing authority, thought better of it and suggested retreat. The previously rambunctious bandits froze in shock as a white streak sliced through the woodlands, leaving a clear sword mark across them.
“Today proves to be a fine day indeed,” Bai Qiuran thought to himself.
Now, seeing the crowd begin to dissolve, the young gentleman aimed his sword at the bandits and sternly declared, “How dare you rob on the king’s road, right under the sun! Are you not afraid of the law of Shangxuan Kingdom?”
Just then, sounds of cracking woods echoed as swords danced around them, setting the scene for the storm that was to soon unfold.
Bai Qiuran smiled as he prepared for the chaos ahead, feeling more invigorated than ever as he positioned himself for what was to come.