Chapter 154: A Bloodbath on the Mountain Path

Chapter 154: A Bloodbath on the Mountain Path

Thud!

The cold blade pierced through the chest, nailing Ma Li's body firmly to the ground. His wide-open eyes stared blankly at the indifferent youth above him, pupils dilating as life slipped away. His head slumped to the side, lifeless.

The Shura Spirit Jade absorbed nine drops of pure blood essence from Ma Li's shattered heart. The remaining blood energy in his corpse flowed into the jade, fueling its power.

Meanwhile, Bai Ziyue, his sword in hand, approached with steady steps. Between the two youths and their fierce beasts, over a hundred bandits lay dead.

The blood energy extracted from the corpses was stored in the Shura Spirit Jade, replenishing its reserves and enabling the refinement of another batch of Blood Pills.

Mu Feng severed Ma Li's head and wrapped it in a piece of his tattered clothing before storing it in his Spatial Ring. This gruesome trophy was the proof needed to complete his mission.

"What's Next?"

"What now? Should we head back?" Bai Ziyue asked, tilting his head curiously.

"No," Mu Feng said with a smirk. "We've still got a treasure trove waiting for us."

"Treasure trove?" Bai Ziyue blinked before realization dawned on him. "Oh, you mean the bandit camp?"

"Exactly. Ma Li's gone, and all that's left up there are small fry," Mu Feng replied, his voice calm but resolute.

He pocketed Ma Li's blade, a second-tier artifact weapon worth a decent sum. Apart from that, the slain bandit leader had little of value on him.

Mu Feng popped a Fasting Pill to replenish his stamina and drank some water. He and Bai Ziyue then gathered the charred corpses into a pile and burned them with Elemental Fire, leaving no trace behind. Mounting their beasts, they began their slow march toward Ma Shan.

The Bandit Camp

By dusk, the two arrived at the foot of the mountain. The lights of the stone fortress halfway up the slope flickered faintly in the gathering darkness.

Despite the hundred or so bandits still in the camp, without their leader or any Condensed Core Realm experts, they posed little threat to the two youths.

Near the camp's gates, a dozen sentries stood guard. Undeterred, Mu Feng and Bai Ziyue rode their beasts straight toward the entrance, their calm demeanor raising alarm.

"Halt! Who goes there?" one of the guards barked, stepping forward with his weapon raised.

"We're..." Mu Feng's cold gaze glinted with murderous intent. With a flick of his fingers, two golden energy bolts shot out, piercing the guards' skulls with explosive force.

"...here to claim your lives."

Before the remaining guards could react, Mu Feng unsheathed a lightning-infused spear. With a swift motion, the blade of the spear slit a guard's throat, sending his head tumbling to the ground.

"Enemies at the gate!" one of the guards managed to scream before chaos erupted.

Storming the Fortress

A mighty roar echoed as Mu Feng's Snake-Tail Leopard lunged forward, pouncing on a bandit and snapping his neck in one swift motion. Meanwhile, Mu Feng deflected two incoming blades with his spear, countering with a deadly thrust that skewered two bandits simultaneously.

On the other side, Bai Ziyue unleashed a wave of Wind Blade Energy, decapitating one bandit while his Wind Wolf tore another to shreds.

In mere moments, the dozen guards at the entrance were wiped out. Without hesitation, the pair charged up the mountain path toward the main fortress.

The Bandits Rally

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sharp ringing of alarm bells filled the air as dozens of bandits poured out from their huts, armed and shouting.

"Kill them!" a voice roared as the bandits began their descent.

Mu Feng, mounted on his leopard, charged headlong into the advancing horde. His spear flashed in arcs of deadly lightning, each swing cutting down multiple foes.

"Jump!" Mu Feng commanded his mount. The leopard leaped several meters into the air, landing amidst the bandits.

"Slash!" Mu Feng roared, swinging his spear in a wide arc. A blade of purple lightning extended from the spear, cleaving five bandits in two.

The Snake-Tail Leopard followed suit, emitting a blast of elemental energy from its jaws that incinerated one attacker. Another bandit fell under its claws, his throat ripped apart with terrifying efficiency.

Not to be outdone, Bai Ziyue charged in, his sword dancing through the chaos. Every swing of his blade unleashed energy that carved through the enemy ranks, leaving bodies in his wake.

Within minutes, the narrow mountain path was slick with blood, forming rivulets that pooled at their feet. Between the two of them, over thirty bandits lay slain. Those still alive hesitated, their courage shattered.

A Last Stand

"Who... who are you?" stammered a mustached bandit, his trembling hands clutching his blade.

Mu Feng smirked, pulling Ma Li's severed head from his spatial ring. Gripping the head by its hair, he held it aloft.

"Your leader, Ma Li, is dead," he declared coldly. "Surrender now and descend the mountain. Live honest lives, or resist and face annihilation."

The surviving bandits recoiled in terror at the sight of Ma Li's head, his lifeless eyes wide with shock. Murmurs of panic rippled through their ranks.

"Drop your weapons!" Bai Ziyue shouted, his voice laced with authority.

Slowly, one bandit after another began to lower their weapons. Even the mustached lieutenant hesitated before finally laying down his blade.

But as he did, his expression twisted with rage. "You'll pay for this!" he roared, lunging at Mu Feng with a hidden dagger.

"Foolish," Mu Feng muttered, his spear flashing in a blur of light.

Thwack!

The lieutenant's head separated from his body, blood spurting skyward as his lifeless corpse crumpled at the leopard's feet.

The End of the Bandits

Terrified, the remaining bandits threw down their weapons and raised their hands in surrender. Mu Feng and Bai Ziyue rode through their midst, their blood-soaked figures resembling wrathful gods of death.

"Which one of you is the highest-ranking left?" Mu Feng asked icily.

The bandits turned to a burly man with a thick beard. Trembling, the man stepped forward. "I... I'm just a small-time leader. Please, spare me! I haven't done anything too evil!"

Mu Feng's gaze bore into the man. "You know the truth of your actions. The rest of you may leave. Abandon your lives as bandits and never return. As for you..." Mu Feng's voice dropped, his tone colder than death itself. "You stay."