Chapter Two, The Wild Sands Roll (Three)

Juting Lake is a large lake located in the northern part of the Kubuqi Desert, abundant in water and shaped like a full moon. The lake surface is filled with flying birds, and herds of cattle and sheep gather along the shore. Further north lies the boundless grasslands of the northern desert, vibrant with blue skies and green fields. The Huangsha Fort, built by the Eight Knives of the Northern Desert, is situated not far from the Gobi outside the southern shore of Juting Lake. This area has been plagued by such malignant tumors, prompting the Tatar state to dispatch troops multiple times for suppression. However, the Huangsha Fort has already established its presence, and small contingents of soldiers are unable to make a difference. Mobilizing a large army for encirclement inevitably leads to leaks of information. Once the Mo brothers catch wind of it, the bandits, often thousands strong, will disperse and hide into the vast sea of sand before the officials even arrive at the Huangsha Fort. After the large army retreats in frustration due to the harsh conditions, these individuals re-emerge to commit further misdeeds. Thus, the authorities find themselves at a loss for effective eradication methods. Moreover, in recent years, the Huangsha Fort has also shown some restraint, leaving its existence to be tolerated.

In recent years, Xiao Lin, Xie Xu, and the other two have made significant progress in their martial arts, achieving notable accomplishments. Particularly, Yang Sheng Xiao Wanshan possesses excellent innate talent and is extremely diligent; at this point, his martial skills are quite impressive. Feng Du is well aware that a mighty eagle should soar in the sky rather than be confined to a warm nest, so he intends to train the four of them. Thus, he entrusted them with this year's procurement tasks within the sect.

At this moment, nothing is more pressing than to first eliminate the Eight Blades of the Northern Desert and disrupt the Yellow Sand Stronghold. However, at this time, Xiao Wanshan was still unaware that the Eight Blades of the Northern Desert had now been reduced to only Seven Blades.

Mo Chen pulled her elder brother and ran all the way to the hall of the stronghold. At this moment, several hundred members were gathered outside the hall, looking on. Mo Chen kicked aside a blocking henchman and forcefully pushed through the crowd, dragging Mo Shaqi inside.

In the center of the hall, Mo Yin was placed on a Taihe-style armchair. His originally pale and waxy complexion was now unusually flushed, and it was evident that he was breathing more out than in. Beside him, Mo Jiu was gripping a local country doctor from a nearby town. This doctor was usually capable of treating minor injuries and ailments, but how could he possibly treat the internal injury caused by Xiao Wanshan's fierce Sun Palm, which had severely damaged Mo Yin's lungs.

The Huangsha Stronghold's Martial Arts Hall, though named as such, seldom sees anyone practicing here. At this moment, the vast room is empty, with only the leader, Mo Sha, present. The old weapon rack is haphazardly filled with various weapons, yet no one tends to them; most are covered in rust, and some are even incomplete. In essence, the entire Huangsha Stronghold is merely a gathering place for a band of highway robbers. Among this motley crew, not only are there few skilled fighters, but even those with some proficiency in martial arts are scarce. Most are desperate individuals relying on their brute strength, living day by day on the edge, indulging in drinking today, and facing danger tomorrow. Whenever they have free time, they either gamble in groups or frequent taverns and brothels. The Mo brothers themselves are no exception, each indulging in their vices of drinking, gambling, and deceit. Apart from Mo Sha, who occasionally comes to practice due to his combative nature, none of the other brothers are willing to visit this martial arts hall. Seeing their leader so disinterested, the underlings naturally follow suit, becoming increasingly lazy.

Two flowers bloom, each on its own branch. It is said that Mo Laosan, known for his indulgence, has always been excessively hedonistic. Not only has he forcefully taken eighteen wives, but he also frequently lingers in places of pleasure. Whenever he encounters a hint of flirtation, he exhausts all his efforts in pursuing such affairs. His debauchery has long since drained his vitality. In his early years, Xiao Wanshan had heard of Mo Laosan's reputation and exploits while following Fengdu at Huangsha Stronghold. He also resented Mo Laosan's disrespect towards Lin Wanyao. His fierce Sun Palm, already unmatched in power, was fueled by his anger, and Mo Laosan, who appeared strong but was actually weak, could not withstand even a single strike. Xiao Wanshan thought he had merely injured him, but little did he know that this blow ultimately cost Mo Laosan his life of debauchery.

The Yang Saint Xiao Wanshan is vigorous and robust, the Yin Saint Lin Wanyao is ethereal and light, the Sun Saint Xie Jingtao is steady and composed, and the Moon Saint Xu Qingxuan is enigmatic. Although all four were taught by Fengdu, each has achieved different levels of internal and external martial arts. This clearly demonstrates that the martial arts of Fengdu have indeed reached an extraordinary and unparalleled level.

Mo Tan searched this man's waist pouch and found several taels of scattered gold and silver, along with a knife manual. The brothers secretly hid some of the gold and silver from their leader and diligently practiced the knife manual in secret. The eight brothers, endowed with talent and willing to endure hardship, managed to achieve some remarkable skills without anyone to guide them, gradually establishing a reputation for the Eight Knives of the Northern Desert. Over the years, they established the Yellow Sand Stronghold, gathering over a thousand desperate outlaws under their command. They also evaded several encirclements by the imperial troops, engaging in robbery with great flair. Thus, in this desolate land, the eight brothers' fame grew, but their martial skills gradually declined with their wealth, and even Mo Sha was not as ruthless and diligent as he had been in his youth. Over the years, they established the Yellow Sand Stronghold, gathering over a thousand desperate outlaws under their command. They also evaded several encirclements by the imperial troops, engaging in robbery with great flair. Thus, in this desolate land, the eight brothers' fame grew, but their martial skills gradually declined with their wealth, and even Mo Sha was not as ruthless and diligent as he had been in his youth.

In the hall, Mo Sha was originally seated quietly, but suddenly leaped up, raising his right hand with a single knife. In an instant, the training hall was filled with flashes of the blade. A large ghost-headed knife danced up and down, its gleaming edge seemingly everywhere. Those with slightly weaker eyesight could only see a flurry of blade light, while Mo Sha, wielding the knife, was concealed within this dazzling display. After completing a set of moves, Mo Sha sat down again, hesitated for a moment, and took out an old knife manual from his side, as if pondering over something.

Thus, the earlier scene unfolded. Xiao Wanshan and Lin Wanyao were certainly not afraid of the formidable bandits in the desolate wilderness. However, the procurement of goods was extensive, and the two needed to gather many laborers and drivers to form a caravan for transporting the cargo. At that time, even if they possessed extraordinary abilities, it would be difficult for them to ensure the safe passage of the caravan through the encirclement of thousands of bandits in the vast desert

As the brothers saw the elder brother arrive, Mo Jiu hurriedly released the collar of the doctor, wanting to say something, but before he could open his mouth, tears as big as beans began to flow down. Mo Sha looked at the doctor and said lightly, "What now?" The doctor, seeing the chief of the stronghold had arrived, quickly said, "Your Majesty, spare me, Your Majesty, spare me, the third stronghold master cannot be saved..." Before the words were finished, a flash of white light appeared before him, and a good man's head had already rolled to the ground. Mo Sha, while wiping his steel knife, coldly said, "Old Er, you take people to search for the doctor nearby, no matter what means you use, bring him back, regardless of whether he is willing or not!"

Mo Sha was staring blankly at the sword manual, reminiscing about the past, when the door of the training hall was suddenly slammed open with great force. It was his eighth brother, Mo Chen, who rushed in and shouted, "Elder brother, something bad has happened!" He grabbed Mo Sha and pulled him outside. Mo Sha knew that although his eighth brother had a somewhat irritable temperament, he usually respected him and would not dare to act this way unless something serious had occurred. Thus, he followed Mo Chen without hesitation.

Mo Sha waved his hand to signal him to remain silent and conserve some energy. Generally, he opened Mo Yin's chest, revealing a charred handprint on his chest, the area struck by Xiao Wanshan appeared as if it had been scorched by fierce flames, emanating a burnt odor. This was also due to Xiao Wanshan's initial mastery of the Sunfire Palm, which had not yet been perfected. The Sunfire Palm, as the martial artist's power deepens, becomes increasingly potent and fierce. Before it is fully mastered, the practitioner’s palms unleash fiery energy to defeat the enemy, inflicting seven parts damage to the enemy while suffering three parts injury themselves. The burnt odor emanating from the wound was a testament to Xiao Wanshan's initial mastery of the Sunfire Palm. As the martial artist's power deepens, the heat intensifies and the might grows stronger. Before it is perfected, the practitioner’s palms are like fire, defeating the enemy while injuring themselves. Once the power deepens and the internal energy becomes more intense, the practitioner's palms will be no different from those of an ordinary person, defeating the enemy without harming themselves. The injury inflicted on the opponent will feel as if it has been burned by fire, affecting the internal organs, which can be considered a minor success. As the power deepens further, the overwhelming aura will gradually be contained, and the injury to the opponent will burn the internal organs while leaving the exterior completely unharmed. Only then can it be considered a major success.

Mo Sha was investigating the injuries of his third brother, while Mo Shi was recounting how Mo Yin had been injured. However, due to his usual clumsiness in speech and his current anxiety over his brother's condition, he was unable to articulate clearly, only managing to convey a rough idea with the help of a small leader from a nearby mountain stronghold who had accompanied Mo Yin. Firstly, the brothers had been entrenched in this desolate wasteland for decades and were unaware of many of the prominent figures in the current martial arts world. It was said that the rogue had taken advantage of the third brother's unguarded moment to inflict harm with some despicable weapon. Secondly, Mo Yin had indulged excessively for many years; while outsiders were unaware of the details, Mo Sha and the others knew well that their brother had been completely drained of vitality. Despite their attempts to persuade him, they could not change his mind. Thus, it seemed that the couple in question was not particularly formidable, and everyone paid little attention to the matter. Suddenly, Mo Yin coughed up a mouthful of blood, splattering Mo Sha's face with it. Yet, Mo Sha merely held his third brother's body, allowing the warm blood to drip onto his face. It turned out that Mo Yin's injuries were so severe that he could not wait for Mo Dao to fetch a doctor and passed away just like that. The eight brothers had relied on each other since childhood, forming a deep bond. The eighth brother, Mo Chen, picked up a steel knife and rushed out to seek revenge.

The four individuals divided into two groups: Xie Jingtao and Xu Qingxuan headed towards the Turpan Kingdom, while Xiao Wanshan and Lin Wanyao hurried through the night to the Dada Kingdom

Mo Dao, upon hearing the words, did not dare to delay and immediately took a few subordinates out of the camp. The Mo brothers, eight in total, had lost their parents early; for them, the eldest brother Mo Sha was like both father and mother, as if he were the sky itself. At this moment, Mo Yin, hearing the voice of his elder brother, suddenly felt a surge of strength and struggled to say: "Elder brother, that thief is truly formidable..."

In those years, the eight brothers were still young when their parents passed away one after another. Mo Dagou, being the sole heir of the Mo family, had no relatives. Moreover, the eight brothers of Mo Sha each had their own peculiar temperaments, causing the neighbors to avoid them at all costs. During that time, the brothers survived by begging on the streets. Mo Shi, being young and gluttonous, once when the second brother Mo Dao felt pity for his seventh brother, he attempted to steal meat buns from a roadside shop while the owner was distracted. However, he was caught and hung up for a beating. When Mo Sha saw his lost second brother and came to the street to look for him, he happened to witness this scene, his eyes reddened with rage. He snatched a sharp knife from a meat stall and chopped the shopkeeper into minced meat. The shop's staff, frightened by the murder, scattered to report to the authorities. Seeing no way out, the eight brothers made a desperate decision to join a band of robbers. Although at first they were merely relying on their youth and ferocity to be small-time thugs, they managed to survive through this. Later, while the brothers were on a narrow path "borrowing" money, they encountered a down-and-out hero from the Central Plains. This hero was originally a master swordsman from the North, but while traveling alone, he fell into an ambush by enemies, sustaining serious injuries and narrowly escaping after many battles. In a panic, he fled without a clear direction and ended up in this desolate desert, only to find that he had evaded his enemies but met his demise in the endless yellow sands.