Chapter 43: Slaughter of Bandits (Part 1)

The resounding tolling of the bells echoed throughout the entire city!

"Something is amiss; it's the alarm bells. There must be a significant event unfolding!"

By now, Luli had discerned the direction of the ringing, emanating from the city gates.

Eastwood City had four main gates, each accompanied by a bell tower in accordance with the laws of the Western Qin. In times of war or urgent matters, the city guards would ring the alarm bells.

Luli walked into the courtyard; the door had already been urgently knocked on, indicating the urgency.

Upon opening the door, Ah Xiu found two guards from the Lord's residence outside.

"Young Master Li, a large group of mountain bandits is attacking the city urgently. Lord Long has instructed us to inform Young Master Li. Lord Long also inquired whether Young Master Li's family should temporarily relocate to the Lord's residence! It's the safest place!"

Mountain bandits attacking a city was a rare occurrence. Western Qin's cities were heavily fortified, making it challenging for bandits to breach them. Even if they had overwhelming numbers, capturing a city was no easy feat. Moreover, every city had signal towers; if one was attacked, the others would swiftly send reinforcements.

However, considering the recent assassination attempt on the Celestial Envoy, Luli speculated that this attack was related to the Twelve Strongholds of the Celestial Clan.

Surprisingly, these strongholds had grown formidable enough to openly gather forces and attack a city, a move bordering on rebellion.

For Luli, the bandit attack presented an opportunity to showcase his skills and accumulate prowess points. Regardless of the Celestial Clan's motives, Luli wouldn't let this chance to gain prowess slip away.

With Lord Long overseeing Eastwood City, Luli was aware of the formidable background of this young city lord. If Eastwood City fell, it would be nothing short of a joke.

Concerned for his mother and the two maids, Luli decided that the safest place for them was the Lord's residence. The guards accompanying him were formidable experts, and there was hardly a safer place than the Lord's residence.

"Very well. I appreciate your efforts. Escort my family to the Lord's residence," Luli instructed.

"Young Master, rest assured. We will ensure the safe arrival of Young Master's family," the guards assured.

"Young Master, I don't want to go to the Lord's residence. I want to stay with Young Master; I am also a martial artist!" protested Luo Xiaozhao.

Luli playfully pinched Luo Xiaozhao's nose. His main concern was his mother and Luo Xiaozhao; he couldn't let them accompany him in the battle against the bandits.

"Yes, we know Xiaozhao is a martial artist. That's why it's essential for her to accompany my mother and the other ladies to the Lord's residence for their safety. You must protect them!" Luli insisted.

"But, Young Master!"

"Young Master will be fine. Quickly go with the guards to the Lord's residence! Remember, protect my mother!"

"Understood."

As Luli watched his family and the guards leave the courtyard, he called Chen Kang and his daughter. Their loyalty was high, making them suitable companions for harvesting prowess points.

"When we reach the battlefield, remember to prioritize your safety. Killing enemies is secondary; preserving your life is paramount. Chen Kang, focus on the lesser bandit minions, and Ah Xiu, stay in the rear and use your archery skills. Absolutely no charging into the frontlines!"

These encouraging words, although unconventional for rallying troops, deeply moved Chen Kang and Ah Xiu.

Prioritizing one's safety, with killing enemies being secondary.

The Young Master was considering their well-being. How could they not be moved?

With just these few words, both Chen Kang and Ah Xiu's loyalty soared to over eighty.

Outside the courtyard, chaos reigned. People were fleeing in every direction, and the distant beacon towers were ablaze. In case of emergency, white smoke during the day and flaming beacons at night served as signals.

Arriving at the city wall, Luli saw injured soldiers being transported down. Had the bandits become so formidable that they had breached the city walls?

"How's the situation now, good sir?" Luli stopped a soldier carrying a wounded comrade, seeking information.

"Just now, two martial artists from the bandits managed to reach the city wall, but we collaborated and defeated them!" the soldier reported.

"I see."

Rushing to the city wall, Luli surveyed the scene. The view was obscured by a multitude of bandits, making it impossible to gauge their numbers in the dark.

"Be cautious; they are attacking again!"

As the voice echoed, Luli saw several martial artists leaping onto the city wall. Judging from their skills, they were all at the Fifth Stage of Meridian Qi Realm or higher.

These martial artists had just arrived when they started killing ordinary soldiers, causing chaos. Soldiers in the rear formed a spear formation, and archers from a distance aimed at the martial artists.

However, the martial artists were at a higher realm than the soldiers, easily disrupting the spear formation and causing significant casualties.

Further away, archers were frustrated; the martial artists were entangled with their own soldiers, making it challenging to target them.

If these martial artists secured a stable foothold on the city wall, the bandits behind them would continuously climb up, creating a dire situation.

Several defenders from the city rushed toward the scene. At that moment, Luli snatched a penetrating crossbow from a nearby archer. The crossbow was a standard weapon in Western Qin, specifically designed to pierce through heavy armor within a hundred meters.

Without hesitation, Luli removed the bowstring, and with his heightened senses at the Fifth Stage, the arrow wouldn't deviate from its target.

Indeed, a martial artist was in the process of killing when a powerful arrow penetrated his nose, exiting through the back of his head with a bloody, triangular arrowhead.

"Congratulations to the host for killing the second-in-command of Tianwang Stronghold, +7 Prowess!"

"Congratulations to the host for surpassing a realm to kill a martial artist at the Sixth Stage of Meridian Qi Realm, +2 Prowess!"

"Second brother! Kid, I'll make you pay!"

As Luli killed the bandit martial artist, a heart-wrenching roar echoed, and a figure lunged toward him, wielding a sword with earth-shattering force.

"Such brotherly affection. Well, then, let's keep him company!"

Discarding the penetrating crossbow, Luli unsheathed the Red Sleeve Blade. Its crimson glow resembled a beautifully carved ruby.

With a flash of the blade, a red radiance streaked through the air. The martial artist charging toward Luli was cleaved in half, blood raining down like a waterfall. The intense stench filled the surroundings, drenching those below in blood.

The Red Sleeve Blade was in motion, and Luli advanced towards several bandits. Despite being at the Fifth Stage of Meridian Qi Realm, Luli was already at the pinnacle, capable of breaking through to the Sixth Stage at any moment.

The rudimentary cultivation technique had elevated his internal energy far beyond his peers. Moreover, he wielded the fearsome Red Sleeve Blade, a

 spiritual weapon of incredible power.