As we moved along the bumpy path, I asked my brother, "Why are we taking the road to Chongqing instead of Guizhou? Isn't Guizhou safer? I heard Chongqing is full of bandits."
My brother replied calmly, "Yes, Guizhou would be safer for any ordinary traveler. But for us, Chongqing is better because the Hundred Weapon Sect is trying to take full control over Guizhou. They already have considerable influence there. It would be more dangerous for us if we traveled that way. Through Chongqing, we have a better chance to stay hidden. After that, we'll head to Sichuan, then Qinghai, and finally try to reach the Kunlun Sect."
Suddenly, our cart stopped.
My brother stepped outside to check. He came back and said, "The caravan is making camp for the night."
We got down to have a simple meal. Even though we never removed our veils, I could feel every woman's gaze lingering on us. It made me extremely uncomfortable.
Once again, the caravan manager, that unpleasant woman, approached us with her disgusting smile.
"Well, gentlemen, how's your journey going?" she said mockingly. "We're just taking a short break. I have quite a feast in my cart. How about you join me for a meal?"
Before I could say anything, my brother politely refused, his voice sharp yet courteous.
"We are fine, thank you," he said, grabbing some food to take back to our cart.
As we retreated, I noticed the manager's face twisted with annoyance.
She muttered under her breath, "Hmph, for now, I'll leave you be. But soon enough, I'll enjoy you both after my plan succeeds. Hehehehe..."
Inside our cart, we ate quickly. Suddenly, the peaceful night was shattered by the sounds of fighting and screams.
"It's a bandit attack!" a guard shouted outside.
My brother and I peeked through the curtain and saw chaos. The bandits were numerous, and they clearly outnumbered the caravan guards.
Realizing it was impossible to stay hidden, my brother decided, "We need to run!"
We jumped out, trying to flee into the jungle. But the bandits surrounded us before we could even make it five steps.
The bandits were mostly second-class warriors, with a few first-class warriors among them. Their leader stood at the center — a tall, muscular woman with a scar across her face, wielding a massive heavy sword. Her aura was powerful — an initial master-stage warrior.
Her dirty gaze swept over us, and beside her stood the caravan manager, who pointed at us gleefully.
"See, my lady? What did I tell you? They're rare beauties!" she cackled. "After you're done with them, please let me have a turn."
The leader licked her lips and said arrogantly, "You weren't exaggerating. These two are one-in-a-million jades. Don't worry, after I enjoy them, I'll hand them over to you."
Then she looked at us directly, her voice dripping with filth.
"If you cooperate properly, everything will be over without anyone getting hurt. Hahaha."
My brother whispered to me under his breath, "I'll handle the leader. Can you take care of the others?"
I nodded. "Piece of cake."
Without hesitation, we launched into action.
I drew my sword and performed Special Crane Sword Art, Second Form — Swift Crane. My movements became swift and unpredictable, slashing through the lower-ranked bandits.
But soon, three first-class warriors surrounded me.
"This pretty boy's tough," one sneered. "But he's still just a third-class warrior. Let's show him the real world!"
They attacked together, using their Rogue Bandit Sword Style.
Meanwhile, my brother engaged their leader. Their swords clashed fiercely, sending shockwaves through the camp.
The leader chuckled darkly, "Well, who would've thought these pretty things could fight back? I like breaking tough ones even more!"
With disgust burning in his eyes, my brother countered her with cold determination.
"I would rather die than be sullied by the likes of you," he spat.
He unleashed the Third Form of Greater Crane Sword Art — Crane Claw. His martial essence flared, and his sword began to glow faintly, resembling true sword qi.
The leader paused for a split second, startled.
"Heh... Had me fooled there. I thought you actually had sword qi," she said, laughing. "But it's different. Interesting! I'm getting excited!"
She roared and countered with Great Bandit Sword Style — Heavy Sword, enveloping herself and her massive weapon in a thick aura of martial essence.
The clash between them intensified.
Meanwhile, my battle was getting tougher.
I was tired, and the three first-class bandits mocked me, believing victory was within their grasp.
Little did they know, I still had one trick left.
I whispered under my breath, "Third Form of Special Crane Sword Art — Double Swift Crane!"
In one explosive burst, I channeled all my remaining energy into a single attack.
Before the bandits could react, I slashed with blinding speed, cutting through their swords — and their arms.
One moment they were laughing, the next they were screaming on the ground.
Breathing heavily, I fell to my knees and muttered, "Grandpa's sword technique is truly something else..."
I turned my gaze toward my brother.
His duel was reaching its climax.
My brother, sensing his exhaustion, knew he had to end it.
He activated Fifth Form of Greater Crane Sword Art — Illusion Sword.
His blade glowed brilliantly again.
The bandit leader laughed mockingly, "Same trick again? Ha! You're desperate!"
She lunged forward and struck at what she thought was his sword. But her weapon passed harmlessly through the illusion.
In the next second, my brother reappeared behind her and thrust his sword cleanly through her heart.
The leader gasped, "Impressive... illusion... sword..." before falling lifelessly.
My brother staggered toward me, his chest heaving.
Around us, the caravan guards had finally defeated the remaining bandits.
Relief flooded me — but it lasted only a heartbeat.
Suddenly, an overwhelming killing intent swept over us.
One of the ordinary-looking second-class bandits began laughing maniacally.
One of the ordinary-looking second-class bandits began laughing maniacally.
Her aura changed. White hair sprouted, her skin turned ghostly pale, and her pupils gleamed blood-red.
I froze in terror. I knew this pressure. I had felt it once before — the aura of a Grandmaster.
My brother muttered grimly, "No doubt... she's a Lust Devil. And a high-ranking one at that."
The woman smiled wickedly. "Oh? To think you could recognize me! You're right. I'm a high-ranking Lust Devil."
Her eyes locked onto me.
"And what a treasure I've found... a Supreme Yang Physique."
Desperation gripped us.
My brother quickly looked for an escape, but she merely laughed.
"No need to run. There's no escape," she said, clapping her hands.
From the surrounding shadows, several other figures appeared — Lust Devils in human form, each exuding the aura of a master-stage warrior.
I was exhausted. My brother was drained. The guards couldn't even stand.
Lianzhen stood between me and the Lust Devils.
"Leave my brother alone," he growled.
But the Lust Devil ignored him.
She bypassed my brother in a blink, reaching out and grabbing me roughly.
My brother tried to intervene, but the other Lust Devils overpowered him.
The scene turned into a nightmare.
Laughing cruelly, they began tearing my brother's clothes.
"No!!" he screamed, struggling helplessly.
Meanwhile, I tried to break free, but the Lust Devil whispered in my ear, "No need to hurry, little one..."
She tore my robe and licked my neck, her hands roaming hungrily.
Just when despair filled me—
"That's enough."
A clear, sharp voice cut through the chaos.
In a blur, someone snatched me from the Lust Devil's grip.
With another motion, she cut down every lesser Lust Devil in a single sweep, leaving only the high-ranking one.
She gently draped a robe over my brother's naked body as he cover himself in shame.
I looked up — it was the same woman from the Emerald Cloud Pavilion — the righteous traveler!
She stood between us and the greater Lust Devil, her sword glowing faintly.
The Lust Devil snarled, "Who are you?!"
The woman tilted her rain hat slightly, her smile cold.
"Just a righteous warrior, passing through."