The bandit leader laughed loudly.
“So…” “Two more little sheep have arrived.” The other bandits burst into laughter.
One of them spun his axe on his shoulder.
“Boss.” “I’ll deal with the boy.” “The girl looks valuable.” Yue Qingxue’s eyes turned cold.
She slowly stepped forward.
“Watch the civilians.” She said quietly to Lin Tian.
“I’ll stop their leader.” Lin Tian nodded.
“Be careful.” Yue Qingxue disappeared like a blue shadow.
Whoosh!
She appeared in front of the bandit leader before he could react.
Clang!
Their weapons collided.
A powerful wave of Spiritual Qi exploded outward.
The leader’s eyes widened.
“Spirit Gathering Realm!” He immediately realized he had underestimated her.
Meanwhile…
Three other bandits charged toward a merchant wagon.
A little girl hid behind her frightened mother.
“Please…” “Don’t hurt us!” One bandit raised his axe.
“Hand over everything!” Lin Tian’s eyes narrowed.
“No!” He rushed forward.
The bandit turned around.
“Oh?” “The little brat wants to play hero.” He swung his axe.
Lin Tian quickly stepped to the side.
The heavy blade crashed into the ground.
Boom!
Dirt flew everywhere.
The old man’s voice echoed in Lin Tian’s mind.
“Don’t fight with strength.” “Fight with your mind.” Lin Tian remembered every lesson.
Stay calm.
Watch your opponent.
Wait for an opening.
The bandit pulled his axe from the ground.
He laughed.
“Too scared to attack?” Lin Tian remained silent.
He watched every movement.
The man’s attacks were powerful…
But slow.
Very slow.
The bandit roared and charged again.
Lin Tian waited.
Five steps…
Four…
Three…
Two…
Now!
He dodged to the left.
The axe missed him completely.
At the same time…
Lin Tian swung his sword.
Slash!
A cut appeared across the bandit’s arm.
“Argh!” The bandit stumbled backward.
Blood dripped onto the road.
“You little…” His face twisted with anger.
Lin Tian didn’t celebrate.
He knew the fight wasn’t over.
The injured bandit attacked wildly.
His movements became reckless.
The old man laughed.
“He’s angry.” “Angry people make mistakes.” Lin Tian nodded.
He calmly avoided another attack.
The bandit’s axe became stuck in a wooden wagon.
Before the man could pull it free— Bang!
Lin Tian kicked him hard in the chest.
The bandit fell backward onto the road.
His weapon remained trapped.
Lin Tian pointed his sword at him.
“It’s over.” The bandit’s eyes filled with fear.
He quickly raised both hands.
“I surrender!” Lin Tian hesitated.
He had never spared an enemy before.
The old man spoke calmly.
“A defeated enemy today…” “May become tomorrow’s threat.” Before Lin Tian could decide…
The bandit suddenly pulled a hidden dagger from his sleeve.
“You fool!” He lunged forward.
Lin Tian reacted on instinct.
His sword flashed.
Slash!
The dagger fell to the ground.
The bandit froze.
A thin cut appeared across his chest.
He slowly collapsed.
Silence filled the road.
Lin Tian stared at the man.
His hands trembled.
He had survived.
But he also learned something important.
Not every surrender was honest.
Behind him, the merchants looked at Lin Tian with new respect.
The little girl stepped forward shyly.
“Big brother…” “Thank you for saving us.” Lin Tian smiled gently.
“You don’t have to thank me.” “Just stay close to your family.” The girl nodded happily.
At that moment, another loud explosion echoed from farther down the road.
Lin Tian immediately turned.
Yue Qingxue was still fighting the bandit leader.
But something about the battle had changed.
The bandit leader was smiling.
As if…
He had been hiding his true strength all along.