C83 A Oneonone Battle

They were labeled as bandits, primarily rogue cultivators with a criminal past.

Ordinary folks might prey on the solitary traveler, but pillaging a village? That's a different story.

In this Otherworld where cultivation is universal, demons and bizarre creatures abound. Even those lacking innate talent learn some form of physical enhancement to defend themselves.

Should any average person dare to raid a village without vastly superior numbers, the villagers, hardened by battles with wild beasts, would likely take up arms and fiercely resist.

"What's your take?" Qing Yangde asked, turning to a contemplative Lee Yu.

The military outpost was strategically located on the edge of Qingshan County's heartland. Venturing further meant a seven or eight-day forced march to the territory's boundary.

Qing Yangde's initial suspicion was a clan's trap, but he quickly dismissed it, realizing that such infiltration would be a direct affront to Qing's border defenses.

"In the field, your word is law," he affirmed.

Lee Yu, puzzled by Qing Yangde seeking his opinion, wondered silently about his own authority in the matter. Knowing his limitations, he had no experience with such issues and certainly wasn't about to overstep his expertise.

"Shall we check it out?" Qing Yangde proposed. "The bandits' appearance here is likely a fluke. I doubt there's any real danger. Consider it a warm-up exercise!"

He was confident in Qing's governance of Qingshan Prefecture, which had maintained peace and upheld the rule of law.

Yet banditry was an ineradicable scourge. Divine Path and Martial Tao practitioners who had erred often couldn't endure the hardship of hiding and would avoid the strict surveillance of larger towns by roaming the countryside.

Lee Yu pondered briefly, "Shall we go now?"

His thoughts drifted to Stone Village, also a victim of banditry. Recalling that ordeal, he realized he was no longer the greenhorn who had just earned his entry into the Otherworld. If he could lend a hand, he was more than willing.

Though he's officially a Sixth Grade cultivator, thanks to the Thunder Bloodline and the bonuses from daily check-ins, anyone who underestimates him as merely a Sixth Grade would be making a big mistake. Qing Yuan learned that the hard way and paid the price.

Both Lee Yu and Qing Yangde were decisive and efficient in their actions. Considering the bandit count, which was mostly comprised of commoners, they decided to bring along only 300 soldiers from the Azure Sun Army.

As night enveloped them, Lee Yu and Qing Yangde led the way, followed by a seemingly ordinary contingent of three hundred armored cavalrymen. They merged with the darkness, the only sound being the faint clinking of their metal armor.

"Are there often this many bandits?" Lee Yu asked, his posture steady atop a tiger-like beast.

Riding training was a minor part of the curriculum at Qing's. After all, his surefire goal was to become a Third Grade Divine Dao cultivator. Once he mastered the Spiritual Realm, he'd be an unremarkable flying expert. Riding wasn't essential.

Lee Yu didn't hold back, using his skills to their fullest potential.

"Not too many," Qing Yangde replied. "Most cultivators of the In-grade hold high status and are well-provided for, so they typically don't resort to crime."

But if these individuals were to be pursued by Qing's, they wouldn't last long in hiding. Unable to access larger areas, they'd inevitably prey on villages. This was the primary source of banditry in Qingshan County and why it was so hard to manage.

Of course, such status was only relevant outside of Qing's. Below Sixth Grade, one would be just another ordinary person within Qing's, living a decent, if unremarkable, life.

"Your technique is impressive," Qing Yangde remarked, watching Lee Yu. His mastery of the beast was something even some cavalrymen couldn't achieve.

The tiger-like creature had limbs covered in snake-like scales and was draped in frosty armor, presenting a formidable appearance. Yet, it was incredibly fierce, and without the right technique, it would be unmanageable for most.

If he wasn't mistaken, Lee Yu had rarely had the chance to practice such skills within Qing's, had he?

How could his technique be so masterful?

"I've taken a few classes on it; it's not that hard," Lee Yu nodded, glancing ahead. "We're nearly there."

The village's silhouette was faintly visible in the distance, with the glow of fires shining brightly in spots.

No sooner had he spoken than he saw cavalry approaching—scouts who had been dispatched earlier. They were divided into two groups: one to check for ambushes and the other to assess the situation within the village.

Qing Yangde, who had been smirking, also noticed the scouts drawing near. His aide sped up, breaking formation to meet with the scouts, and soon returned with the intelligence.

"General, the resistance in the village is winding down. The bandit leader possesses Eighth Grade Divine Path skills. Additionally, there are six at the Ninth Grade of Martial Tao and two at the Ninth Grade of the Divine Path, making a total of twenty-eight," the aide reported.

"Send two squads to encircle them!"

After a moment of contemplation, Qing Yangde relayed the command. Instantly, two hundred soldiers from his ranks split off, picking up speed and forming a line to encircle the village as if they were hunting an exotic beast.

"Should we just go in?" Qing Yangde squinted at the village, now just a stone's throw away.

'Why does he always seek my opinion?'

Lee Yu was at a loss for words. This was his first encounter with such situations, and he had been prepared to follow orders throughout.

Unknown to him, Qing Yangde had already been instructed by Qing Heng before their departure. One objective was to foster a closer relationship with Lee Yu, as opportunities for joint outings were scarce.

The other was to expose Lee Yu to more of the world's realities.

Qing Heng had astutely noted Lee Yu's curiosity about the outside world—a world he had yet to experience since joining the Qing's. This was the very reason Qing Yangde consistently sought Lee Yu's input, not only as a friendly overture from the Qing's but also to fulfill the County Duke's task of acquainting Lee Yu with the broader world.

"Since we've got the overwhelming strength, why not just head straight in?"

Lee Yu, unable to tolerate Qing Yangde's piercing gaze any longer, voiced his suggestion.

A hundred-strong cavalry unit stood behind him, each member an unremarkable Eighth Grade Supreme Dao practitioner, facing nothing more than a ragtag group of a dozen bandits.

"Overwhelming strength," Qing Yangde agreed with a nod, taking the lead atop his exotic beast. "Well said."

Lee Yu trailed behind, grumbling, "Hold on. If those bandits put up a fight, let them decide whether they want a duel or a brawl!"

The bandit leader was merely an Eighth Grade Supreme Dao cultivator. Whether it was a one-on-one duel with anyone from their side or a free-for-all against the entire hundred, it wouldn't pose a problem.

Give him the choice! It's not about being a bully.

The cavalry remained silent, simply heeding Qing Yangde's gesture. As they entered the village, they dismounted their weapons from the beasts.

In the moonlight, the jet-black blades seemed to soak up the lunar glow, betraying not the slightest glint of cold steel.