Chapter 23: An Encounter with the Bandit Chief

"Bleh!" She made a funny face at Xiao Yang.

"Alright, you two, settle down," Zhou Jingpeng spoke up.

Immediately, both of them became model students.

"Xiao Yang."

"Yes, I'm here!"

Zhou Jingpeng glanced at him before continuing, "Some people need to be taught a lesson. If they dare cause trouble, don't hold back—beat them within an inch of their life. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility!"

"What?"

"What do you mean 'what'? Did you hear me?" Xiao Yang nodded quickly.

"I heard you."

He hadn't expected his master, who usually kept a low profile, to be so ruthless. Xiao Yang himself would only cripple an opponent, leaving them alive, but his master was ready to go all the way with just a word. At this moment, Xiao Yang was thoroughly convinced—no wonder he was the master.

"In another month, the sect’s grand competition will be held. You two should prepare," Zhou Jingpeng said as he stood up.

Without waiting for a response, he returned to his room.

"Senior brother, what does my father mean by this? We've never participated before, so why now?" Zhou Yan asked, puzzled.

Although Spirit Sword Peak was one of the seven major peaks of the Giant Spirit Sect, there were only two disciples—Zhou Yan and Xiao Yang. Because of this, they had always voluntarily withdrawn from the sect's grand competition in previous years.

"I don't know," Xiao Yang shook his head, equally confused by Zhou Jingpeng’s intentions. But he knew one thing: since the master wanted them to participate, and he had just returned to Spirit Sword Peak, he hadn’t prepared any gifts. Winning the grand competition could make do as a present.

"If Master wants us to participate, then we should," Zhou Yan agreed, though she glanced at Xiao Yang with concern. She herself was safe—as long as Zhou Jingpeng was around, no one would dare touch her. But Xiao Yang was different. If he joined the competition, he’d likely become everyone’s target.

He had twice injured and humiliated Zhang Yong—news that would surely reach Zhang Long, the fiercely protective elder brother, who would never let it go. On Spirit Sword Peak, even Gongsun Miao wouldn’t dare act, but on the arena, life and death would depend on fate. With the influence of the Grand Elder, many would seize the chance to prove themselves by targeting Xiao Yang.

Zhou Yan considered, then tentatively suggested, "Should I talk to my father and ask if we can skip it this time?"

Xiao Yang refused. "No way! It’s not easy to get a chance to compete—I won’t waste it."

The sect’s grand competition was no trivial matter; the champion would receive many valuable rewards, worth hundreds of thousands at least. He wouldn’t go for nothing—why not participate?

"But your situation..." Zhou Yan began, but Xiao Yang only smiled.

"If I don’t compete, will the Grand Elder let me off?"

"Of course not. He’d probably resort to even dirtier tricks, which would put me at an even greater disadvantage."

Zhou Yan’s eyes brightened, clearly understanding now. "I see," she nodded, half comprehending.

Xiao Yang smiled, "Let’s go find Big Rooster."

Since the master had forgiven him, it was time to retrieve Chicken King. While at it, he’d visit Zhao Youcai and cash in his bet.

"Let’s set out," Xiao Yang said, though he still felt a bit disgruntled. He had told Chicken King that after six days, he’d be released, but the creature had run off and hadn’t returned even today. When he found him, a good scolding was in order.

"Junior sister, take me to the last place you saw Chicken King," he said, and the two slipped into the forest.

Xiao Yang was also highly alert, constantly on guard. Although the mountains around Giant Spirit Sect had been cleared long ago, and all beasts above the third level had been killed, making the area generally safe, caution was never a bad idea.

"Senior brother, it’s here," Zhou Yan stopped suddenly, pointing ahead.

Though more than six days had passed, Xiao Yang could still feel a familiar aura—distinctly belonging to Chicken King—but it was faint, on the verge of dissipating.

"Eh!" Xiao Yang paused. On an ancient tree, he saw two shallow marks—a triangular footprint, left by Chicken King. He looked at Zhou Yan in confusion: what could have happened to make Chicken King flee so desperately, leaving claw marks on the tree without realizing? He must have been terrified.

Xiao Yang suspected there was more to the story than he knew.

"Senior brother, any new discoveries?" Zhou Yan asked nervously, feeling guilty about Chicken King’s departure.

"Yes, there’s a clue. Stay close," Xiao Yang nodded. He had sensed the faint aura and headed in its direction. Following it, they should find Chicken King soon.

The two ventured deeper into the woods.

Not long after, trouble struck.

Rustling! Suddenly, dense footsteps sounded ahead.

Both of them tensed, ready for battle.

The next moment, three disheveled figures burst from the bushes.

Seeing Xiao Yang and Zhou Yan, their faces lit up.

"Ha ha ha! We’re saved!"

"Let these two unlucky souls block the Mountain King for us, and we’ll be safe!"

They spoke openly, eyes shining with excitement.

"Boy, stand still! Move and we’ll kill you," snarled the leader, a scar-faced man.

Zhou Yan frowned, clearly recognizing them.

"Big brother, this girl’s quite pretty. Why not..." one skinny man leered at Zhou Yan, but was quickly shut down.

"Is this the time to think about women?" the scar-faced man snapped, though his gaze lingered greedily on Zhou Yan.

"You’re Ma Jinghong," Zhou Yan said coldly.

Hearing this, the scar-faced man paused, then laughed loudly.

"Ha! Didn’t expect a little girl to recognize me."

"And you, boy—you must’ve heard of me," he turned to Xiao Yang, grinning viciously.

Xiao Yang shook his head helplessly. Ma Jinghong or not, he’d never heard of him.

The three men were taken aback.

One of the henchmen piped up, "This is the bandit chief of Wolf Mountain, Ma Jinghong, Ma Master!"

The henchman puffed up proudly, but Xiao Yang remained confused.

After ten years as a menial servant, he’d had no time for gossip, so he had no idea who this was.

Zhou Yan explained quietly, "Senior brother, he’s a ruthless bandit—years ago, he led a massacre in a village of a thousand."

Xiao Yang’s eyes flashed with murderous intent.

A village massacre! Clearly not the work of a good man.

No need to hold back.

Just then, Ma Jinghong and his men approached. The scar-faced man reached out to pat Xiao Yang’s shoulder.

"Be good and stand still, and Ma Master won’t kill you."

"If you don’t listen, I’ll slaughter your wh