Chapter 33: Seeking Allegiance

Before one reaches a certain level of martial prowess, their presence generates a unique magnetic field that permeates the surrounding environment. Consequently, any subtle change in that environment registers as a disturbance in the field, which can be perceived by those of sufficient strength.

This was precisely the situation An Ruxue now faced. Her instincts and cultivation told her that a large contingent of people lay ahead. Although they were invisible to the naked eye in the darkness, their existence was undeniable.

Chen Xuan felt a jolt of surprise. Having reached the eighth stage of the Martial Artist realm, he still could not detect any abnormality ahead. The fact that An Ruxue could suggested that, had she not been injured, her power would have far exceeded his own.

"Wait here. I'll go ahead and take a look," Chen Xuan said, his expression grim. He decided to scout the path alone; if it were a true ambush, it would be easier for him to retreat solo.

The women had no objections. After the previous incident with the one-eyed bandit, no one dared to be reckless.

Just as Chen Xuan was about to mount his horse, he spotted a cowering figure standing atop a large boulder, peering toward them with a hand shielding its eyes. Suddenly, the figure caught sight of Chen Xuan and began jumping about like a frantic monkey, turning to shout excitedly to those behind:

"Chief! He’s here! He’s finally here!"

A wave of cheers erupted from the group of bandits.

"Quick! Go invite Master Chen over!"

"Understood!"

The scrawny figure let out a shrill reply, then scrambled down and began racing toward Chen Xuan on all fours, moving with the agility of a primate.

"Is that a monkey?" Xu Ruolan asked, her mouth agape.

Because it was night, they could only rely on the moonlight to navigate. Nearby objects were clear, but anything further away remained obscured. The figure’s monkey-like gait certainly made him look the part.

"That’s one huge monkey! And it isn't even afraid of us? Is it not worried we’ll eat its brains?" She licked her lips, nearly drooling, and muttered to herself, "Come to think of it, I haven't had monkey brains in ages. That taste..."

Li Xiuning shot her a sidelong glance and retorted, "Eat, eat, all you ever think about is eating! Look closely—is that a monkey? That’s clearly a human!"

"Huh? A human?" Xu Ruolan blinked.

By now, the figure was close enough for her to see clearly. He wore clothes and stood upright. Though he was gaunt, with a jutting jaw and an upturned nose—giving him the appearance of an unfinished evolutionary project—his face was hairless. He was, indeed, a man.

"What a strange person, walking like a monkey. You nearly made me think we were having monkey brains for dinner," Xu Ruolan grumbled. She did have a habit of chattering on.

Chen Xuan cast a glance at her, surprised to find she was such a foodie.

"He is heading straight for us," An Ruxue remarked, frowning as she looked to Chen Xuan, curious how he would handle the situation.

Chen Xuan had already been studying the monkey-like man. The more he looked, the more familiar the fellow seemed. Suddenly, it clicked. "Little Six?"

Was this not the same minor bandit from Liufeng Stronghold who he had beaten up earlier?

"Greetings, Master Chen," Little Six said, bowing deeply with a sycophantic grin. He then turned to the women and chirped, "And greetings to the ladies."

The women were stunned; they hadn't expected Chen Xuan to know the man.

"Husband, who is he?" Xu Ruolan asked.

"Just the small-time bandit from Liufeng Stronghold I mentioned earlier," Chen Xuan replied casually. He looked at Little Six and frowned. "What are you doing off the mountain instead of staying put at Liufeng?"

In his mind, Chen Xuan already had his answer: the group An Ruxue sensed was surely the men from Liufeng Stronghold.

"Master Chen, our Chief wishes to see you," Little Six said, pointing behind him. "He is waiting for you right there."

"See me?" Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Is your Chief unsatisfied and looking for another beating?"

At these words, Li Xiuning and the others grew alert. They had heard that bandits were vengeful, but to see it play out so quickly—before the night was even over—was another matter.

Seeing their reaction, Little Six panicked. If they misunderstood, he would be in deep trouble. He waved his hands frantically. "No, no! Master Chen, please don't misunderstand! Our Chief admires you greatly; he would never seek revenge!"

Out in the wild, one could hardly trust the words of a stranger, especially when that stranger was practically an enemy.

Chen Xuan chuckled. "If you aren't here for revenge, why are you all hiding ahead instead of coming out to meet me? Are you trying to lure me into a trap?"

Little Six was momentarily taken aback. From their current position to where Liu Jinyu and the others stood was quite a distance, and in the dark, it was nearly impossible to see. How had Chen Xuan known a large group was waiting?

*No wonder he could defeat the Chief,* he thought. *He really has some skill.*

Realizing Chen Xuan had misjudged their intent, Little Six hurriedly explained, "Master Chen, that’s not it at all. The Chief brought everyone to wait for you, but it’s not an ambush—it’s a plea for asylum."

"We’ve emptied the entire Liufeng Stronghold of its gold and treasures. There’s so much baggage piled up there that it’s hard for us to move, but you'll understand once you see it for yourself."

"Asylum?" Now it was Chen Xuan’s turn to be stunned.

He had considered many possibilities: Liu Jinyu being unwilling to let go of a grudge, an attempt at extortion, or even an offer to hire him to attack other bandit dens. He had imagined every scenario except this one.

And it wasn't just Liu Jinyu; he intended to bring the entire Liufeng Stronghold along. That was over five hundred men! And every one of them was a sturdy, young fighter.

After all, the bandits of Hanfei Mountain were not typical outlaws; they were more like private soldiers raised by corrupt officials. Or perhaps, they were something else entirely—a suicide squad.