Chapter Thirteen: Then Let Me Help Once More

"Kill them all! Avenge the Second Chief!"

The Black Bandana bandits were all desperados. They quickly snapped out of their shock at their leader's death and, urged on by the gaunt man, threw themselves into battle against the couple led by the man surnamed Xu, as well as Du Hai, Cheng Wu, and the other guards. Though they still outnumbered their foes, the loss of their formidable Second Chief meant it would not be so easy for the Black Bandana bandits to overwhelm the Changfeng Escort Agency in a short time.

The battle became fiercely contested, the clash of steel and the cries of combat echoing continuously.

Xiao Wenzi paid no heed to the chaos. He blissfully continued to feed, converting blood into system coins; after all, there was no danger from the dead. Soon, however, he discovered that a few minutes after Feng Kui’s death, when the blood grew viscous and slowed, he could no longer absorb it to activate the blood drop icon.

In other words, while the blood of the dead could be exchanged for system coins, there was a time limit: he could only feed within a few minutes of their demise.

Fortunately, he had already amassed several dozen system coins—a considerable haul. Xiao Wenzi left Feng Kui’s corpse and soared toward the thick of the battle.

By now, several of the bandits had already fallen to the blade of the man surnamed Xu, and though the men from Changfeng Escort Agency bore wounds, it was the perfect time for Xiao Wenzi to fish in troubled waters.

"Well then, I’ll lend them another hand."

He swooped over the melee, ignoring the wounded and unconscious bandits sprawled on the ground, and instead launched himself at the gaunt man besieging Xu and his wife.

With a spray of blood, the gaunt man twisted his neck and exposed a weakness. The middle-aged man, blade flashing with cunning skill, seized the moment and cleaved into his shoulder.

Without armor to protect him, flesh and bone could not withstand the long blade’s edge. The man's right shoulder and arm were severed at the root, his ghost-head saber clattering to the ground as he toppled from his horse with a scream.

Perhaps fate had turned on him, for while the loss of an arm might not have been fatal, as he fell his head struck a stone. The searing pain and dizziness caused him to lose consciousness.

Thus, the Fourth Chief also fell in confusion, sending the remaining bandits into further disarray. The man surnamed Xu rallied his guards and counterattacked, turning the tide.

Soon, as several more bandits were slain, the survivors broke ranks and fled.

"Kill them all! Leave none alive, or they’ll warn the others!"

---

Seeing the remaining bandits scatter and flee, the man surnamed Xu called to his wife and the beaming guards, leading the charge in pursuit.

Feng Kui had admitted to being only the Second Chief. Where was the main leader? Moreover, a notorious bandit gang in the southern counties would hardly number just thirty or forty men.

Knowing these were only a fraction of the roaming bandits, he realized that if they managed to summon their chief and the rest, death was all but certain.

Though wounded, Du Hai, Cheng Wu, the beautiful woman, and the others did not hesitate to spur their horses after the fleeing enemy.

The slaughter began anew, but now the tables had turned entirely: Changfeng Escort Agency were the hunters, and the Black Bandana bandits the desperate prey.

The sounds of pursuit faded into the distance, and soon the battlefield was left quiet. Only Fat Qian, having survived by luck, mopped the cold sweat from his brow. Drops of foul-smelling liquid dripped from his trousers—he had lost control of his bladder and bowels in terror.

So many bandits lay dead, branches broken, blood pooling everywhere. The weather was mild, and soon ants and flies drawn by the scent of blood gathered on the corpses.

Xiao Wenzi busied himself feeding on the gaunt man, inconspicuous amid the swarm of flies and bodies.

Though the man had lost his arm and passed out from pain, he hadn’t died immediately; his blood still flowed freely.

With his arm severed at the shoulder, blood poured endlessly, and Xiao Wenzi feasted at the vessel, savoring the moment.

But soon the thick stench of blood drew more flies. As they attempted to land, Xiao Wenzi spread his wings, lifting his gaze, and unleashed the chilling force of his demon spirit. The flies instantly veered away, too frightened to approach.

No surprise there: in the wild, the law of the jungle reigns. Flies may lack true intelligence, but they are instinctively terrified of demonic energy.

This is why powerful demon cultivators can command beasts to launch a beast tide.

With no outside interference, Xiao Wenzi continued to feed and exchange for system coins.

One by one, the blood drop icons lit up and converted into coins. This was far more satisfying than preying on the Wang family servants or maids, for at least the bandits were evil—he had no moral qualms.

Time passed. Xiao Wenzi lost track of how many exchanges he made. Only when an incense stick’s time had passed and the gaunt man finally died of blood loss did he stop.

Meanwhile, Fat Qian had gotten to his feet. When no one was looking, he cleaned himself up, changed into a dead bandit’s clothes, and prepared to slip away.

---

Just then, the sound of hooves approached. Looking up, Fat Qian recognized the man surnamed Xu and several guards from Changfeng Escort Agency. Overjoyed, he hurried to meet them.

By now, the wounds of the beautiful woman, Du Hai, Cheng Wu, and the others had been roughly treated. Several fine horses had become their spoils of war. Yet their faces were pale, not only from blood loss but from the knowledge that the bandits had not been wiped out.

Two had escaped, meaning the Black Bandana gang could return at any moment. Even if they fled to Qingtian Town, they might not withstand another attack.

Fortunately, the fugitives had not headed toward the main road to He County. For now, their only option was to keep escorting their client toward He County.

They hoped that once within the city, they could rely on the local garrison to wipe out the bandits. At the very least, they could take refuge behind the walls, where the enemy would not dare attack.

"Manager Qian, are you all right? I must apologize—the fault is mine for lacking skill, and you nearly fell victim to the bandits."

While the other guards searched the corpses for loot, the man surnamed Xu and his wife approached Fat Qian, offering their regrets.

"You are too kind, Master Xu. If not for your heroic effort in repelling the bandits, I would have perished long ago..."

Fat Qian had no idea that Feng Kui and the gaunt man had met their end thanks to Xiao Wenzi’s secret interference. Instead, he already regarded Xu as a master in disguise, speaking with utmost respect.

"Very well, Manager Qian, please mount up. We must make haste to He County."

By now, Du Hai and the others had returned from stripping the bodies. With a word, Xu called Fat Qian to mount, and they all spurred their horses forward.

None of them noticed that beneath the upturned leather of the beautiful woman's saddle, a tiny mosquito had hidden itself.

Originally, Xiao Wenzi had not intended to continue with the group from Changfeng Escort Agency, fearing they might flee to Qingtian Town after this ordeal.

But after hearing their conversation and confirming they were still heading for He County, he did not hesitate to channel his demon spirit and slip into the safety of the saddle.

As for why he chose the beautiful woman's saddle, it was not out of any unseemly desire—her horse simply happened to be the nearest.