Chapter Eleven: Mount Bhikkhu

Bikou Mountain lay several hundred miles from Jade Sword Sect, and the path was treacherous; yet Long Yun and Xiao Leng, both possessing profound cultivation, moved swiftly, as if treading level ground.

“There it is—Bikou Mountain ahead. Long Yun, the bandits here are not as simple as you imagine,” Xiao Leng suddenly remarked.

Long Yun smiled faintly. “I know. Otherwise, the Grand Elder would not have entrusted me with this task.”

“You know?” Xiao Leng was momentarily taken aback. The leader of Bikou Mountain’s bandits was a formidable master of the Eighth Stage, Seventh Tier—the Rebirth Realm. His ferocity was renowned; Xiao Leng himself might not withstand him, let alone Long Yun, who was only at the Gathering Essence stage.

Yet Long Yun spoke so lightly of it. Xiao Leng pressed, “Do you realize how difficult this mission will be?”

“Nine deaths for one life,” Long Yun replied calmly, a smile curling at his lips. Back on Dragon Island, every mission he undertook was a brush with death, and each time, he emerged unscathed.

That exhilarating sense of danger made his blood boil with excitement.

Xiao Leng fixed his gaze on Long Yun’s tranquil face, unsure what allowed this gifted junior brother to maintain such composure.

“We’re here—the mountain is just ahead.” After about half an hour’s journey, Xiao Leng pointed to a peak not far away.

From a distance, one could make out the tall gates of the bandit stronghold, guarded on both sides—a vigilant defense.

“We’ll sneak in from the other side, strike at the heart, and attack by surprise. Otherwise, it will be near impossible.” Xiao Leng whispered.

Long Yun nodded, following Xiao Leng as they silently slipped in from a steep slope.

Soon, they infiltrated the stronghold. Several squads of lax guards wandered past; accustomed to easy days, they posed little obstacle, and the two evaded them effortlessly.

Given their skills, the pair could have dispatched the guards quietly, but they refrained. Both shared the same strategy: capture the chief first.

Scattered huts clustered about, but the two headed directly for the largest among them—a structure of blue bricks and tiles, standing out conspicuously. Around it was a sprawling courtyard, encircled by many smaller huts.

Two shadows darted like phantoms onto the roof, quietly lifting several tiles and peering through the gaps.

Inside, the house resembled a miniature palace. At the center stood a tiger-skin wooden chair, its armrests carved with dragons, backed by a lavish screen.

Clearly, the leader was a man fond of luxury. Seated on the tiger-skin chair was a bare-chested middle-aged man. His knotted muscles rose like small hills, veins bulging with explosive power. His square face, wide brows, and fierce demeanor made him formidable.

On either side, twenty men sat in neat rows—likely the lieutenants of the bandit gang, each radiating menace, none to be trifled with.

“Chief, we robbed a merchant caravan this time, gained a fortune, and captured over ten beautiful women. The brothers have made a killing!” A one-eyed middle-aged man stood up, laughing boisterously.

The chief opened his eyes, two sharp rays flashing forth. He spoke slowly, “Distribute the women among the brothers. The money stays in the treasury, doled out monthly as usual.”

The one-eyed man’s face brightened. “Chief, you treat us well. We’d die for you. But among the merchant caravan, there’s one exceptional beauty we saved especially for you.”

“Hmm?” The chief frowned. He was not particularly lustful; every time they seized women, he gave them to his men, never keeping any for himself, and the others understood this.

Now, his loyal one-eyed lieutenant suggested setting one aside for him, which displeased him. His gaze grew sharp.

The one-eyed man quickly explained, “She’s like a celestial maiden, stunning beyond compare. Though the brothers fancy her, they know only you are worthy of such a beauty. If you don’t want her, I’ll let the brothers have her.”

“Wait!” The chief’s expression softened. Since the one-eyed man so highly recommended her, breaking their unwritten rule, she must be extraordinary. His interest piqued, he waved, “Bring her here.”

“Brother Xiao, are you interested in beautiful women?” Long Yun whispered, sending his voice directly to Xiao Leng.

Xiao Leng frowned, his cheeks reddening slightly. He shot Long Yun a glare but said nothing, his gaze never lingering on Nangong Ruoli’s face.

Long Yun, rebuffed, turned his attention back to the chief.

The man was clearly a practitioner of external martial arts, likely stronger than Xiao Leng, already at the Rebirth Realm, with immense physical strength—very challenging to deal with.

As he pondered, a woman in white was brought forward. She walked gracefully, following the one-eyed man, unbound by any rope. A delicate veil hung from her forehead, obscuring her face.

At her appearance, Long Yun’s eyes widened. He sensed in her a familiar energy—a presence that stirred his own blood, making his aura tremble involuntarily.

“Who?!” Long Yun’s breath caught, a thread of true energy escaping him. Though almost imperceptible, the chief—an expert of the Rebirth Realm—detected it instantly. With a roar, he unleashed a punch, its force streaking toward their hiding place.

A crimson beam shot upward, sweeping with unstoppable might, striking directly at Long Yun and Xiao Leng’s position.

“Not good! Dodge!” Xiao Leng grabbed Long Yun and rolled into the room below, landing lightly inside.

A surge of murderous intent enveloped them.

Xiao Leng felt his scalp tingle as twenty formidable warriors rose, drawing gleaming weapons and surrounding them.

“Hmph! Disciples of Jade Sword Sect? Usually, we mind our own business. Today you sneak into Bikou Stronghold—do you think we’re so easily bullied?” The chief remained seated, tapping his finger on the armrest, speaking coolly.

Xiao Leng frowned. Among the twenty warriors, the two closest to the chief were the strongest—one a Bone-Melting master, the other a Spirit-Concealing expert, both top-tier. Then came four Gathering Essence cultivators; of the remaining fourteen, five were at the Condensing Qi stage, the rest at the Opening Meridian and Subtlety stages.

Such a lineup was formidable, and with a Rebirth Realm chief, it was no wonder Bikou Stronghold held its own among the factions of the Green Mountain region.

“Bikou Stronghold plunders and murders, committing every crime. As righteous sects, it is our duty to destroy you!” Xiao Leng declared, his gaze flickering to Long Yun, surprised to see him staring fixedly at the white-clad woman.

Xiao Leng wondered—did Long Yun know her?

Yet the woman, from start to finish, never returned Long Yun’s gaze, as if she didn't recognize him. The beauty beneath her veil betrayed no emotion.

Xiao Leng grew uncertain—perhaps Long Yun was mistaken?

“Brother Long Yun, focus!” Xiao Leng’s voice rang in Long Yun’s ear, jolting him back to his senses.

The chief suddenly stood, laughing heartily as he pointed at them with disdain. “Righteous? So you’re here to rid the world of evil? Just the two of you? One Bone-Melting, one Gathering Essence? Two brash youths, who have no idea how vast the world truly is!”