Chapter 0007: Seeking Death

The faces of Song Fei and others also revealed expressions of anger, clearly indicating that the earlier conversation between the two bandits about robbing the village had deeply provoked them

Li Jincheng let out a gentle sigh: "If we hadn't discovered these two sneaky fellows today, who knows when these bandits might have crept into the village? By then, if we are unprepared and caught off guard, who can guarantee that we won't be completely wiped out by these bandits?"

Another bandit echoed in agreement, and the two of them had unknowingly walked to the side of this row of bamboo

Li Jincheng chuckled, squatted down, and looked at the two of them with great interest. He shook his head and said, "If we were on the same side, you two wouldn't have needed to set your sights on this village just now. The four of us belong to this village, and we would have made your demise quite clear."

Be careful! A hoe suddenly thrust out from the side, as Li Qiu arrived just in time to assist after seeing Li Jincheng subdue the bandit directly. The hoe struck heavily on the bandit's back, causing him to let out a low growl and fall to the ground. Meanwhile, Song Fei and Zheng Qing, who had been seething with anger, used their hands and feet to beat the bandit first, then picked up his knife and held it directly against his neck. They exchanged a glance, and both Zheng Qing and Song Fei spat at the same time. The hoe struck heavily on the bandit's back, causing him to let out a low growl and fall to the ground. Meanwhile, Song Fei and Zheng Qing, who had been seething with anger, used their hands and feet to beat the bandit first, then picked up his knife and held it directly against his neck. They exchanged a glance, and both Zheng Qing and Song Fei spat at the same time.

This is nothing but a delusion!" Song Fei could not help but argue anxiously

The two bandits were clearly taken aback, caught off guard and knocked down by Li Jincheng. Before the bandit could regain his senses, the sickle in Li Jincheng's hand was already pressed against his neck. The bandit shivered, his eyes wide open as he stared at Li Jincheng, evidently unaware of the origins of this sudden intruder.

At the utterance of the word "death," the last trace of color drained from the faces of the two mountain bandits.

The young man leading the way appeared to be even more formidable, seeming to be more than just a simple-minded hunter from the mountains

Good heroes, may I ask which mountain peak you hail from? We must not let the flood wash away the Dragon King's temple, for it is possible that we are all from the same side, our own people! Upon seeing Li Jincheng and the others ready to take serious action, the two bandits immediately softened and repeatedly begged for mercy

Then what should we do if those two say nothing, Brother Chen?" Li Qiu could not help but ask curiously, looking at the two upright bandits.

"Take these two away!" Li Jincheng said with a raised eyebrow and a serious tone. They had originally come out this time to hunt wild boars, and naturally, they had prepared ropes in advance. Zheng Qing and Li Jincheng had their sickles pressed against the necks of the two mountain bandits, while Li Qiu and Song Fei gradually regained their composure and skillfully took out the ropes.

This village appears to be quite large. We have already raided two or three villages before, but we have never encountered one of this scale. As the voices grew louder, accompanied by the approaching sound of footsteps, the bandit spoke with an expression of anticipation, saying, "As long as we can raid this village as well, the brothers can at least live a peaceful life for the next six months."

Zheng Qing and Song Fei involuntarily relaxed their grip, and the bandit they were holding down struggled fiercely. If it weren't for Li Qiu's quick reflexes in pinning down the bandit's leg, he might have truly broken free. Without hesitation, Li Jinchen delivered a punch to the bandit's stomach, causing him to curl up in pain. Only then did Li Jinchen coldly say

"You are taking advantage of the weak and lurking in the shadows, you are not true heroes!" shouted the bandit who was being firmly held down by Li Jincheng.

Li Jincheng had no time to think carefully. He exchanged a glance with Song and the three others, whose faces were filled with anger, and then suddenly lunged forward. Zheng Qing and his companions followed closely behind, with the four of them pairing up to tackle one of the bandits each, bringing the two mountain thieves down to the ground.

Compared to your utter lack of conscience, we are indeed heroes

Song Fei and Zheng Qing also cast puzzled glances, clearly wanting to know why Li Jincheng did not directly ask about the matter, but instead went to great lengths to bring these two fellows back to the village

On the other side, a startled cry was heard as a bandit struck Zheng Qing in the stomach with a punch, forcing him back. The bandit's knife gleamed menacingly as it was swung directly at Song Fei. Although Song Fei had hunted in the mountains for many years, he had never faced a person in a direct, knife-to-knife confrontation. He hastily raised his sickle to block the incoming blade, but the bandit kicked him down to the ground. With Song Fei having raised his sickle, his lower body was left vulnerable. The bandit's kick sent him staggering, even though he had a relatively stable stance. The sickle flew into the air, nearly falling back down to injure Song Fei himself.

"What a bold statement!" Li Jincheng squinted his eyes, while Song Fei and Zheng Qing, without needing his command, kicked with their left and right feet, causing the two bandits to stagger forward a few steps before kneeling heavily on the ground with their faces towards the earth

As several individuals traversed the mountain path, the two bandits, upon realizing that their trap had been uncovered, were immediately struck by a complex expression. When they glanced at Li Jincheng and the others, they became even more cautious. These individuals appeared to be seasoned travelers in the mountains, their experience not commensurate with their age. Even the two bandits, who had spent a considerable amount of time in the mountains themselves, questioned whether they could measure up. Faced with such a well-prepared village, they wondered if their companions could truly subdue them.

"Chen Ge, why don't we threaten them to get to the bottom of this?" Li Qiu asked with confusion while carrying two knives, "These two guys don't seem like they are completely tough nuts; logically speaking, a few hits should make them confess."

Li Jincheng squinted his eyes: "These two individuals are unaware of our identities, so it is impossible for them to say anything. Moreover, once they realize that we are the hunters of the village, they will be even less likely to easily disclose their family's plans. After all, for us, having two living captives is far more useful than having two corpses. And just as they mentioned, even if we were to truly kill them, those bandits would go to great lengths to ensure that our entire village pays the price for their deaths. There is nothing to fear."

However, they both immediately raised their necks, and one of them sneered: "So it turns out that the person who is about to die at the hands of our brothers has nothing to fear. Whether to kill or to mutilate, feel free to do as you please. Our brothers will definitely turn your village into a river of blood, and even if we both die, it will not be in vain!"

Li Jincheng let out a cold laugh and exchanged a knowing glance with Song Fei and Zheng Qing. The two understood and pulled up the two bandits who had dirt all over their mouths. Li Jincheng examined them from head to toe, said nothing further, and simply waved his hand for Song Fei and Zheng Qing to take them away. Of course, before they left, Li Jincheng did not forget to stuff a piece of cloth into each of their mouths to prevent them from shouting and causing even greater trouble.

The expressions of the two bandits changed slightly

Li Qiu and the other two sensed the ominous tone in Li Jinchen's words, their hearts sinking with a thud

Li Qiu and the others instinctively shuddered, and upon recalling the names of the villages mentioned during the conversation between the two bandits earlier, they felt an even greater chill.

Li Jincheng slightly tilted his head and after a moment of silence said: "They would rather die than speak, yet they do not know that there is a feeling in this world called 'better off dead'"