Chapter 1 The Vastness of Jiu Fu Realm

The Jiu Fu Realm is vast. If one were to walk across it in a single day, they could experience all four seasons.

The states of Feng, Qing, Liang, and You are covered in heavy snow in the depths of winter, the ice chilling to the bone, while the states of Yun, Zheng, and Jiannan are enjoying gentle spring breezes.

Yet, in the far west, above the great desert, it is as scorching as summer.

Mo Province is located on the border of the Great Feng Dynasty, separated from the Great Yan Kingdom by the Han Sea. There are numerous border guards, with checkpoints barring the entire desert.

Hoo hoo~~~

In the fierce wind carrying heavy heat waves, a merchant caravan trudges through the sand and dust.

The caravan is of great scale, with hundreds of camels and horses, fully loaded with goods, food, and fresh water. The vast majority of the people carry swords, clearly possessing martial arts skills.

In the scorching sand and dust, everyone is wrapped in white turbans and veils to prevent the sand from entering.

Because of the complex terrain of Mo Province, the imperial court rarely manages to reach it. Coupled with the high profits from trade between Great Feng and Great Yan, countless bandits and robbers have sprung up in this harsh environment.

Any merchants who travel band together. Lone merchants are often buried by this sand and dust, swallowed either by nature or by human greed.

"Brother Zhao, this sandstorm is strong. Could there be a storm coming?"

A tall man with a heavy broadsword on his back walked to the front and asked an old man.

The old man was thin, wearing a gray robe. His face, uncovered by a headscarf or veil, had a yellowish tinge.

The old man's name was Zhao Mu Lian. He was the leader of this temporary merchant caravan, an old hand who had been traveling in Mo Province for decades, whom everyone trusted.

Hearing this, he looked at the sky and shook his head slightly:

"Although this sandstorm is not small, the sky doesn't look like a storm is coming... But just in case, we still need to be careful. Judging by the distance, there should be an inn ahead. Let's rest there for the night."

A trace of worry arose in Zhao Mu Lian's heart.

Mo Province has been quite turbulent recently. It is said to be related to the duel between two great figures in the martial world. Many martial artists have entered Mo Province.

Although these martial artists have killed many sand bandits, they themselves are also extremely dangerous.

"Alright, after walking for so many days, my nostrils are full of sand. It's time to rest."

The big man's expression eased slightly.

Although he had inner strength, he was still a little tired after walking in the sandstorm for many days.

"Lao Wang, you tell them not to panic when we get to the inn. Although the Han Long Inn doesn't have a good reputation, as long as we pay enough silver, there won't be any major problems."

Zhao Mu Lian added:

"Remember, don't cause trouble there. Mo Province has been quite turbulent these days."

"Don't worry, old man."

Wang Chang responded with a smile. He had traveled this road several times and naturally knew what to do.

"After this trip, I'll settle down in Great Yan and never walk this Mo Province trade route again. I hope this trip is peaceful."

Zhao Mu Lian sighed deeply.

There is no safety on the Mo Province trade route. Even if you walk it ten or a hundred times, it won't be much different from the first time.

More terrible than the harsh environment is still the human element.

He was indeed an old hand, but that didn't necessarily mean he was confident.

Hoo hoo~~~

Not long after walking, his face suddenly changed, and the surrounding camels also began to stir restlessly.

"Haha! You little brats, stop for me!"

Suddenly, a violent shout pierced through the rolling sand and dust, its sound waves vast. In an instant, the entire caravan was in turmoil.

Zhao Mu Lian's face changed.

He saw a group of people riding towards them in the distance, stirring up sand and dust, their speed extremely fast. As the sound of their voices echoed, they had already spread out like a fan in front of the entire caravan.

The group was riding tall horses, carrying gleaming sabers. The leader was a burly bald man.

In the midst of the swirling sand, he was naked to the waist, revealing a torso covered in scars. At a glance, one could only feel the murderous aura washing over them.

"The Seventy Wind Chasers!"

"It's bandits, it's bandits!"

"The Seventy Wind Chasers, heavens, how did we run into them?"

The entire caravan immediately erupted, everyone drawing their swords, as if facing a great enemy.

Bandits and robbers are everywhere in Mo Province. The Seventy Wind Chasers are a notorious group of bandits. Legend has it that they are innately cruel, without a fixed abode, wandering through the Han Sea all day long. Almost no caravan they encounter can escape.

Even if they hand over all their goods, they will be tortured and killed before the bandits leave, satisfied.

Other bandits only seek wealth, but this group of bandits wants both wealth and lives!

This is the reason for their panic.

"Hahaha! These idiots actually drew their swords, how interesting!"

Laughter rang out from the bandits.

Soon, the bandits had surrounded them. Their numbers were only a quarter of the caravan's, but everyone in the caravan looked panicked.

"So it's Leader Wei!"

Zhao Mu Lian stood at the forefront. Upon seeing who it was, his face also darkened.

"You recognize me, then quickly hand over all your money and goods!"

The bald man wiped his saber across his scalp, a bloodthirsty smile appearing on his face.

"Don't even think about it! There are only a few dozen of you. If we really fight, who knows who will live and who will die!"

Someone couldn't help but shout, drawing his sword and spurring his horse forward:

"Brothers, fight them!"

"Truly brave."

The bald man grinned.

"Leader Wei, don't do it!"

Zhao Mu Lian's face changed drastically. He immediately wanted to stop him, but how could he be in time?

The bald man grinned, spurred his horse forward, and swung his saber in a sweeping arc of light, instantly sweeping through ten zhang of sand and dust.

He chopped the man who had spoken into two pieces, along with his horse and sword.

The stench of blood soared into the sky.

The bald man's horse reared up on its hind legs: "You little brats, if you know what's good for you, kneel down and beg for mercy. If I'm in a good mood, I might let you live!"

"Ah! You deserve to die!"

Wang Chang roared and was about to draw his sword, but Zhao Mu Lian grabbed him.

"Leader Wei!"

Zhao Mu Lian's face twitched: "Our goods, including the gold, silver, camels, and horses, are worth at least thirteen thousand taels of silver. If you want it, we can give it all to you!"

Amidst the shouts of opposition from Wang Chang and others, Zhao Mu Lian gritted his teeth and said, "But you can't kill anyone. Otherwise, we'll fight you to the death!"

With the last sentence, Zhao Mu Lian channeled his strength, instantly shaking the sand and dust, causing some of the bandits to change their expressions.

He had been traveling in Mo Province for decades. Although he didn't have much of a reputation, his martial arts were not weak.

"So, there's an expert here."

The bald man's face also changed slightly, but it quickly turned into a cruel, cold grin:

"But what are you? How dare you bargain with me!"

"Hahaha!"

The bald man spurred his horse forward, his saber raised, reflecting a chilling light under the scorching sun:

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

With a command, dozens of tall horses moved in unison, dozens of bandits drawing their sabers, waving a forest of blades.

Instantly engulfing the entire caravan.

"Fight! Fight them!"

Seeing the stench of blood rising in the sand and dust, Zhao Mu Lian's eyes turned red. He immediately pushed Wang Chang away:

"Brother Wang, take Tian Feng and run!"

After a roar, he leaped forward ten zhang, two short blades in his sleeves waving a web of light, meeting the bald man who was riding his horse and swinging his saber.

"Old Brother Zhao!"

Wang Chang's eyes were tearing apart, wishing he could draw his sword and fight.

But he gritted his teeth and turned back, picking up a crying child from the camel caravan. With a burst of strength, he took a slash from a bandit, knocked him off his horse, and rode away.

"The old thing has guts!"

The bald man swung his saber, breaking through the incoming web of blades, and fought with Zhao Mu Lian.

His martial arts were much higher than Zhao Mu Lian's. Even though Zhao Mu Lian was fighting desperately, after more than ten moves, his arm was cut off.

Another saber strike, and his head flew off, blood splattering in the yellow sand.

The bald man wiped the blood off his face, grinned as he looked at Wang Chang fleeing into the desert, and roared:

"None of you will escape!"

Run!

Run!

Wang Chang's clothes were stained red with blood as he ran towards the Han Long Inn in the distance, facing the sand and dust.

He knew that in this desolate desert, only the inns had people, and only there would they have a chance to escape.

"Grandpa! Grandpa!"

In Wang Chang's arms, Zhao Tian Feng cried out.

The crying stopped as Wang Chang's body suddenly shook in the face of the oncoming sand and dust, spurting a mouthful of blood.

Zhao Tian Feng saw an arrow piercing Wang Chang's chest:

"Uncle Wang!"

"Tian Feng, hold on to the reins, hold on tight, hold on tight!"

Wang Chang's face twitched in pain, warning him before suddenly jumping off the horse.

In mid-air, he drew his saber and swung it down, knocking one of the pursuing bandits to the ground.

Using the horse for leverage, he lunged at the bald man who had just lowered his bow!

"How bold!"

The bald man spurred his horse forward, a white saber light sweeping across like a crescent moon, cutting off half of Wang Chang's body.

But the next moment, his face changed.

He saw that even with such a grievous injury, Wang Chang still pounced on him, slamming into him.

Almost knocking him off his horse.

"You bastard!"

He mustered his strength, pulled Wang Chang off him, and glanced at the child on the horse.

Roaring, he spurred his horse and chased after him.

His horse was much better than the other bandits' horses. Even though he was far behind, he quickly caught up with Zhao Tian Feng, who was fleeing on the horse.

Just as he drew his bow, ready to shoot the little brat dead on the spot, his expression suddenly changed.

He saw a man walking slowly through the sand and dust, in the sea of scorching light.

His eyesight was very good, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to see these caravans from afar through the sand and dust. Now, he looked closely.

The man wore a green robe and a bamboo hat, all alone, without a sword or blade.

What made his heart turn cold was that the man was walking in the light, and there was no shadow around him!

"Who is this person?"

The bald man's heart turned cold.

He saw a pair of indifferent eyes lift from under the bamboo hat.

Boom!

Like a heavy hammer falling from the sky, the bald man only had time to let out a scream before his entire head exploded.