Qi Xuan’s Divine Sense had already swept through here; they did indeed have a significant amount of gold and silver, which must have been looted. It also meant they had many lives on their hands.
"Do you want me to take action, or will you follow me to report yourselves?"
"Are you dreaming?" More than ten people surrounded Qi Xuan again.
Even with weapons, they were no match, let alone now. Quickly, he knocked them down.
"Seems like you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit." He found some ropes and tied the eleven together, leading them from the front.
If any of the eleven resisted, Qi Xuan would use a stick to beat them; it was only when descending the mountain that they stopped resisting. After all, those who didn’t cooperate would get beaten.
Qi Xuan didn’t initially intend to do much, but these few people were too wicked.
Leading them this way toward the city. He moved quickly, and if any of the eleven were slow, they got whipped.
After walking for over an hour, two government officers approached on horseback.
"What are you doing?"
"Gentlemen, these are mountain bandits."
"Captured by you?"
"No, we are not bandits!"
Qi Xuan nodded, ignoring the one who just spoke; whether or not they were, they couldn’t escape from him.
"Gentlemen, please take them back."
The two were quite conflicted. This was an obvious achievement, but the work was still inplete.
Qi Xuan had a sense of their thinking.
"Gentlemen, many have died over there. You two alone might not be sufficient."
They were aware but were only two sent down by their superiors.
"Gentlemen, perhaps let them do some work."
"Good idea, but what if they escape?"
"Not to worry, they won’t." Leading the eleven back this way.
Upon reaching the site where they killed people, it was already dark.
Qi Xuan squinted and saw the Ghost Messengers.
With a wave of his hand, mortals couldn’t hear or see them.
"Are you taking souls, gentlemen?"
"Yes." The two didn’t want to say much; others couldn’t see clearly, but they could. Why were there only big figures here?
Qi Xuan contemplated visiting the Underworld, though that’s a matter for after reaching the Nascent Soul stage; it would be good to know some people meanwhile.
It appeared they didn’t wish to engage with him, but no rush; he’d have plenty of chances in the Mortal World to see them, and could address it later.
"Please, gentlemen."
Watching them lock away more than ten souls, he thought about how fragile human life really was.
Here the eleven needed to work properly. Qi Xuan’s stick came out again, "Doesn’t this place feel eerie to you now? Burying them with your own hands might reduce your sins."
Even those reckless weren’t keen on burying people at night, finding it terrifying.
The two government officers watched aside, getting fifteen into the earth within two hours.
"Gentlemen, farewell."
"Wait, hero, e with us to send them back, there’s a reward."
The two had entertained ideas of taking the credit alone. Still, considering the forthing interrogations, trouble was certain.
"No need."
"Hero, it’s too dangerous for the two of us to escort them; your assistance is needed."
This time, Qi Xuan didn’t refuse.
The two officers carried torches, but this group moved too slowly.
Only at dawn did they reach the county town.
The bandits were infamous here; seeing them brought in sparked jubilation among the locals.
Qi Xuan truly wasn’t accustomed to this, eager to hand them over.
At the county government, two officials stopped Qi Xuan who was leaving, "Hero, wait a moment, you can soon receive your reward, five hundred taels of silver."
Qi Xuan pondered, needing to live in the Mortal World for a while more. Having Silver wasn’t bad; it was earned by him.
At that moment, the family of four from yesterday arrived, spotting Qi Xuan.
"Benefactor, thank you for saving us." The old man said, attempting to kneel. Qi Xuan quickly stepped forward to support him, "No need for such courtesy, sir." He hadn’t intended to save anyone yesterday, making this gratitude quite undeserved.
"Benefactor, we will repay your great kindness with all we have."
"Please, sir, don’t be formal." He couldn’t handle such warmth.
A government officer walked over, inviting Qi Xuan to meet the County Magistrate.
This county magistrate appeared around thirty or forty.
Qi Xuan’s pride led him to courteously greet the county magistrate.
"Hero, such remarkable skills."
"Too kind, County Magistrate. Seeing injustice and assisting, it’s also to rid evil for the people."
"Hero, your virtue is mendable; here is the reward, please accept it."
"Thank you, County Magistrate."
"Where is the hero from?"
Qi Xuan casually named a village, the County Magistrate couldn’t recall it after thinking for a while.
Qi Xuan bid farewell, unaccustomed to such interactions.
Outside, seeing the family of four still waiting.
Quickly leaving, disliking prolonged engagement with them.
Knowing their sincere gratitude, but really not needing it himself.
Xiao Wan seeing Qi Xuan’s back, called her family to chase after him.
Qi Xuan felt rather helpless; turning around to see the family running, the elderly and young, quite laborious.
"Benefactor, please receive a token of our gratitude."
"No need, sir. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving."
The family watched his back; the old man sighed, "Such a good man."
"Indeed. Let’s hurry to the escort agency, it’s time to depart."
Qi Xuan wandered alone in the county town, feeling different from browsing in a workshop.
Here, there were more people peddling and trading; indeed, it felt more lively.
Having entered fasting, he had no food requirements.
Yet, the aroma was pleasing.
The county town was bustling, shops were busy with customers.
After touring once, deciding to leave town; he wanted to visit more countries, and through this experience, contemplated heroism somewhat.
Not for praise or gratitude; rather, seeing merit in such deeds.
He camped outside amidst the fire, finding open-air lodging amusing, wondering how his third brother was faring, presumably better.
Thus, wandering and pausing, ten days later he saw another mountain.
Upon climbing, there wasn’t much here. Animals were more sensitive; even wolves fled with tails between their legs.
Quite dull, but plenty of mountain fruits to taste, gathered some.
Otherwise, really lacking interest; he had no real needs.
Spent the night on the mountain; Spiritual Energy here was denser than below; his meditation was okay.
Listening to birds singing in the mountains, he felt good.
Heading southeast again, two days later encountering bandits once more.
Coincidently running into the same family of four, wondering what fate this was.
Xiao Wan saw Qi Xuan and felt they were saved once again.
Reviews
All reviews (0)