"Rip," a sound was heard as an entire face was torn off. The nasal bone, teeth, eyeballs... were all exposed to the wind and snow, seemingly terrifying. Though the move was simple and ordinary, Tang Feng felt bitter in his heart, realizing he was no match, and was about to shout.
Jing Chun Daoist, holding a whisk, had anticipated this, making a circle around them, which surprisingly isolated the sound. No matter how Tang Feng shouted, his voice couldnât travel beyond an inch from his body. This move came from the "Dustless Swordsmanship," a very powerful martial art of the Yueshan Sword Sect.
Tang Feng was angry and speechless. He knew the enemy was right above his head, yet no matter how he attacked, he couldnât touch even a bit. Jing Chun Daoist thought, "This bandit has committed much evil, dying so easily is too convenient. Although his strength is inferior, if delayed further, unforeseen changes might come." A whisk then swept towards Tang Feng.
This whisk swept towards the top of his head, seemingly light and without any lethal force. If faced with "rock," "iron plates," or similar objects, it would only sweep away dust. However, when it hits a person, it has the marvelous ability to erase vitality.
She made this move over the top of his head. Tang Feng stiffened all over, fell straight forward, and died just like that! Jing Chun Daoist coldly laughed, "This person must be of elder status, yet in a direct confrontation, he was so vulnerable. The Flower Cage bandits are no more than miscellaneous bugs and rats."
At this time, Wang Long and Ji Hui had both returned, saying, "Master, the Flower Cage bandits, all have been killed!"
Jing Chun said, "Very good. Transport the bodies here and count them carefully, donât miss any small fry."
Wang Long ran back and forth, carrying a few corpses with one hand. Ji Hui, unwilling to touch the corpses, moved them using her sword. In no time, they were all moved to the backyard.
The commotion here drew the attention of the night-shift waiter, who was so frightened by the scene, he sat down in the snow in shock. Jing Chun Daoist smiled gently, feeling quite apologetic, held his shoulder, stopping his falling momentum.
Jing Chun Daoist said, "Young man, donât be afraid." The waiter, seeing Jing Chun Daoistâs face up close, fair and flawless, with full red lips, was truly beautiful. But seeing the corpses all around, he was scared out of his wits: "You... you people..."
On the verge of fainting.
Jing Chun Daoist flicked her finger and fed him a Calming Pill, then said, "These people are villains, we killed them to eliminate the scourge."
The waiter said, "You... youâre talking nonsense. They are obviously merchants... I see... see you are the villains."
Ji Hui, hands on hips, said, "You ordinary clay embryo, how could you see anything?" Jing Chun Daoist smiled, "This young man doesnât know the details; itâs normal for him to think this way. LongâEr, tell him what happened."
Wang Long had little patience for ordinary clay embryos, but since the master instructed, he explained truthfully. The waiter, unaware of the "Flower Cage Sect" matters, naturally found it hard to believe. Jing Chun Daoist said, "Well, thereâs no helping that."
He temporarily ignored the waiter and proceeded to count the corpses. Wang Long said, "Master, there are a total of thirty-five bodies here."
Jing Chun Daoist nodded. She had come in a hurry and did not know the number of people in the merchant caravan, though their actions were secretive, claiming no fish slipped through the net, but ultimately lacked verification. Suddenly she thought the waiter might know the caravanâs number and asked, "Young man, how many people were in that caravan?"
The waiter dared not speak. Ji Hui frowned, "Youâre so annoying; my senior brother explained so much to you, and you still donât believe us! Does this young lady look like a homicidal maniac?"
Jing Chun Daoist said, "Young man, please speak." Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, having practiced the "Spring Observation Treasure Manual," a health care skill, for many years.
Health care skills... primarily have shallow effects at first, primarily fortifying the body and extending life. However, profound health care skills become increasingly mysterious as one delves deeper. Nangong Liuliâs "Avoid Jade True Skill" was of this kind.
Jing Chun Daoistâs "Spring Observation Treasure Manual" was also of this kind. When practiced deeply, speech could make people feel as if they are in the presence of spring, naturally letting down their guard, believing her words, and talking with her at ease.
Li Xianâs "Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture" has a similar effect, but this scripture embodies the pure yang martial arts principles of its school, more profound and complex, defying a mere "health care skill" description.
The waiterâs spirits swayed and he said, "If I remember correctly, it seemed to be forty-one people."
Jing Chun Daoist frowned slightly. The waiter trembled all over: "You... you arenât planning to hunt them down, are you?"
Jing Chun Daoist saw the wind and snow were heavy, and hunting them down might be challenging. Since this phase had achieved a major victory, having killed the bandit leader, there was no need to pursue absolute perfection. Seeing the waiter trembling, overly frightened, was truly pitiful.
She said, "Are you really that scared? Even if you regard me as a demon, I wonât kill you."
The waiter said tearfully, "Scared... scared of you killing me is one thing. But... but even if you donât kill me, I... I wonât survive."
Ji Hui said, "Youâre babbling; just focus on serving people; this matter isnât your concern." The waiter said, "Who said itâs not? Iâm on duty tonight; suddenly, over thirty people died. You all can leave carefreely tomorrow, but these thirty-some corpses will inevitably fall on me. Elder City Lord He loves his people like his children; although he will investigate clearly, Iâll surely be implicated. I... Iâll surely be beheaded!"
Jing Chun Daoist was slightly surprised; she hadnât thought of this. She knew these people were Flower Cage bandits, nameless, buried on the spot, no one would inquire. But then changed her mind and asked, "You said your City Lord He loves his people like children? What kind of person is he?"
The waiter, full of worship, once again described City Lord Heâs character. Jing Chun Daoist thought, "These bandits died too easily. Killing them leaves me with a clear conscience; why bother with covering things up? Since City Lord He is reasonable and righteous; perhaps explaining to him could work."
"Why not just wait here and see if the officials come."