After a long journey, Zhou Jin led three hundred elite soldiers, traveling day and night to reach Baiqu County, where Jiu Lan Mountain was located.
"Duan Wang Dianxia."
The County Magistrate of Baiqu County had brought his men to greet Zhou Jin early on the official road. Before Zhou Jin even dismounted, the magistrate and his entourage knelt in salute.
Zhou Jin tugged on the reins, and the steed trotted in place a few steps before finally halting on the main road.
Zhou Jin leaped off his horse. He wore a deep blue robe with subtle patterns over a white collar, and at his waist hung a red-beaded jade pendant with emerald tassels. With his steady strides, the tassels fluttered.
"Rise." Zhou Jin disliked empty formalities; suppressing the bandits was an urgent matter.
The County Magistrate of Baiqu County was around forty years old, dressed in official robes with a long beard and a rather kind face.
"Please provide a detailed report on the situation with the bandits in Jiu Lan Mountain."
For important matters, Zhou Jin preferred his subordinates to report verbally rather than relying solely on written documents.
When it came to the bandits, the County Magistrate of Baiqu County spoke fluently and with great familiarity.
"The bandits in Jiu Lan Mountain of Baiqu County have been a long-standing menace, and their numbers have been growing steadily. The ringleader is the desperado Xu Shaofei, a man of extreme cruelty."
At this point, the county magistrate's voice trembled.
"Not long ago, those bandits massacred Baixi Village. The men were disemboweled, had their eyes gouged out, and their tendons severed before being hung on wooden poles."
"Young women were violated and then brutally killed. The elderly, weak, and children were all executed with a single stab."
Noticing the county magistrate's unusually strong reaction, Zhou Jin suddenly asked, "Magistrate, what is your connection to Baixi Village?"
"This humble official hails from Baixi Village. Thirteen of my relatives died in this massacre."
Normally, officials were not allowed to serve as magistrates in their hometowns, but Baiqu County was a place where lives were often lost—several previous magistrates had met their ends here.
The County Magistrate of Baiqu County had volunteered to take up the post here but never expected to face retaliation from the bandits, implicating his relatives.
"Do you have any intelligence on the bandits?"
The county magistrate waved his hand, and an attendant behind him presented the documents.
Zhou Jin picked up the papers and skimmed through them quickly, realizing just how cunning these bandits were.
While a cunning rabbit has three burrows, these bandits had over a dozen.
Suppressing bandits was different from fighting a war. The complex terrain and treacherous landscape placed them at a significant disadvantage.
Xu Bao'er rode her little donkey, heading toward Jiu Lan Mountain.
Only if Zhou Jin fell in love with her could Xu Bao'er achieve her goal of Many Children, Much Fortune.
Otherwise, given Zhou Jin's attitude, getting him to touch her again would be nothing but a pipe dream.
Given Xu Bao'er's status, approaching Zhou Jin was as difficult as climbing to the sky. But using the identity of Zhang San was feasible—after all, he didn't know her true identity.
"Little donkey, you need to walk faster."
"I have a feeling that during this bandit suppression, Zhou Jin will face a bloodshed disaster."
"If we're late, his life might be in danger."
"Then I'd become a young widow."
The little donkey brayed twice, as if understanding Xu Bao'er's words, and quickened its pace.
"So obedient." Xu Bao'er patted the little donkey's head, munching on an apple with carefree ease.
In the dense forest, shadows flickered among the trees. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
"This road was opened by me, these trees were planted by me. If you wish to pass this way, leave your toll money."
Seeing that Xu Bao'er was alone, the bandits who had been hiding in the forest all sprang out.
The leader was a tall man dressed in linen clothes, his ferocious face partially hidden by a black eye patch—clearly a one-eyed brute.
"Well now, what a tender-skinned young master."
"Never tried a man before, boss."
"Hahaha, today we can give everyone a taste."
The bandits exchanged glances, followed by a chorus of lewd laughter.
"What’s your connection to the Jiu Lan Mountain bandits?"
Xu Bao'er hadn’t expected to see the emblem of Jiu Lan Mountain bandits so far from their territory.
The black eagle totem was rather distinctive.
The bandit leader’s smile vanished as he scrutinized Xu Bao'er cautiously.
"Who are you? How do you recognize the Jiu Lan Mountain bandits’ emblem?"
Xu Bao'er hopped off the donkey, swaying a fan in hand, and tossed an apple aside. The little donkey immediately trotted over to nibble the fruit on the ground.
"I’m just a passerby. Who hasn’t heard of the famed Jiu Lan Mountain bandits?"
"Hahaha, true enough."
The bandit leader, mistaking Xu Bao'er’s words for praise, swelled with foolish pride.
Interesting. If Jiu Lan Mountain bandits are here, the situation is far more serious than it seems.
It means they’re no longer just a local force—they must have stronger backing.
"Grab him!"
"Let’s take turns with this pretty boy."
So lovely, the leader thought, itching to knock Xu Bao'er unconscious and haul him back to the stronghold.
As the bandits lunged forward, Xu Bao'er flicked the fan, its handle transforming instantly into a gleaming sword.
Having once been a master weaponsmith, Xu Bao'er’s skills remained sharp even in this new world.
A cold light flashed as Xu Bao'er swung the blade, pivoting gracefully. The hem of their white camellia-patterned robe, embroidered with silver thread, fluttered like scattering butterflies.
Accustomed to overcoming physical disadvantages with efficiency, Xu Bao'er fought with minimal words, delivering fatal strikes with precision.
The throat-slitting motion flowed like water—less a killing blow than an act of artistry.
One bandit, sensing doom, turned to flee.
But Xu Bao'er never spared enemies mercy—to hesitate was to betray oneself.
With a light tap of white boots, they soared forward, landing before the escapee. A backward swing of the sword, and blood sprayed from the bandit’s throat, ending his life.
The leader, witnessing this, nearly wet himself. He never imagined the delicate youth in white could be so ruthless.
Smiling like a bodhisattva while killing, with a heart darker than a demon’s.
"Running already? Weren’t you going to capture me? Come on."
Blood dripped from the sword’s edge, splattering tiny crimson blossoms.
Come? Only a fool with a death wish would.
The leader scrambled away in terror, his face twisted as if he’d seen a ghost.
With all his comrades dead, charging forward would be suicide.
A blade suddenly shot toward him from behind. He jerked sideways, but the edge still grazed his cheek, drawing beads of blood.
His legs gave way, collapsing him to the ground.
Surviving the near-death experience, the leader glanced at Xu Bao'er—now unarmed—and felt a surge of malice.
He seized his sword and hacked wildly at Xu Bao'er, vowing to claim the youth’s head to avenge his brothers.
Xu Bao'er dodged the frenzied strikes with ease, toying with the man like a cat with a mouse.
Enraged, the leader narrowed his eyes and intensified his attacks.
Growing bored, Xu Bao'er flicked a hand, scattering knockout powder across the bandit’s face.
After just a moment, the lead bandit collapsed limply on the ground, only his eyes remaining open.
"Heh, got hit with my Tendon Weakening Powder, now you're tame."
"If I didn't need to keep one alive, I wouldn't have spared you this long."
Xu Bao'er took a dog chain from her bundle and fastened it around the lead bandit's neck, nearly making him die of fury.
"Don't be angry, it suits you quite well."