Chapter 50: Deterrence

Seeing the bandits lying motionless on the ground, Li Xuan did not hesitate; a thought and the Burning Heart Seal instantly emitted high heat.

The bandits who had been lying on the ground were scorched and literally sprang up, then stared at each other bewildered, and the next second they all knelt before Li Xuan.

"Master, spare us!" the men said in pain, kowtowing to Li Xuan.

After the Burning Heart Seal was activated, the searing heat burned their backs with excruciating pain.

"Alright, you were sleeping too deeply; I just woke you up. Stop sleeping for now and introduce yourselves—what are your names? Let me get to know you, since you'll be handling my daily affairs from now on," Li Xuan said lazily, leaning against the carriage, scanning the kneeling men, his voice a bit cold as he asked.

These people are basically ruthless villains; Li Xuan sees no need to be kind to them, otherwise they'd become arrogant.

Suddenly, one of them looked up at Li Xuan with a sycophantic gaze.

"In reply, Master, my name is Qian Fugui, a broker in White Wind City. I just lost some money gambling a couple of days ago, so I thought of pulling off a big job to clear my debts. I hadn't thought of you. Master, you are so powerful—if you want to buy anything or haggle, you can come to me!" Qian Fugui beamed with a flattering smile, speaking to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan used the Burning Heart Divine Flame to sense Qian Fugui, whose emotions showed little change, confirming the fellow wasn't lying.

However, this fellow is a gambler; it seems he must be strictly controlled.

"Alright, go aside," Li Xuan waved his hand and said.

Then he asked the remaining four men, who were bandits from a nearby mountain; today they learned of Li Xuan from Qian Fugui and were thinking of slaughtering Li Xuan, the fat lamb, with relish.

Unexpectedly, their leader died a tragic death, and the four of them were captured, becoming someone's slaves directly.

The four are named Wang Er, Liu San, Sun Si and Feng Wu; the dead one was their leader, surnamed Li, called Li Da.

"Alright, since that's the case, from now on you follow me. I won't concern myself with your past, and you needn't worry that I'll enforce heavenly justice. Of course, following me, I won't mistreat you. Rest well tonight; tomorrow morning I'll give you a list to go to White Wind City and procure for me. Understood?" Li Xuan smiled and said to the men.

"Understood..." the men said shakily.

"Find a place to rest yourselves, but I advise you not to think about escaping. If you go beyond a certain distance from me, the flame will automatically activate; I think you shouldn't want to experience that again," Li Xuan shrugged and said nonchalantly.

At this point Li Xuan was already very sleepy; being woken up in the early pre-dawn was enough, and he didn't lose his temper, which was already good.

Back in the carriage, covering himself with a blanket, Li Xuan fell asleep quickly.

…

Early the next morning, Li Xuan got up early; although he hadn't slept well, his internal clock woke him up promptly.

After getting up, Li Xuan stepped out of the carriage; the bandits from last night were huddled together, keeping warm through the night so they wouldn't freeze.

Li Xuan counted them and found two were missing.

"They really have some backbone, huh? Seems the intimidation last night wasn't enough," Li Xuan shook his head helplessly; indeed someone tried to escape.

Li Xuan closed his eyes and sensed the distribution of the Burning Heart Seal; as long as it is within two kilometers of Li Xuan, he can perceive it.

"Got you," Li Xuan opened his eyes, flashing a brilliant smile, and lunged toward the distance.

Two kilometers from Li Xuan's carriage, he saw two bodies reduced to charred cinders, still frozen in the agonized poses they had at death.

Li Xuan didn't mind the filth; he took a rag, wrapped the two corpses, and carried them back near his camp. "Bang!"

Li Xuan tossed the bundle containing the two corpses onto the ground, waking the still-sleeping men.

"Good morning, Master!" the men immediately rose from the ground and knelt before Li Xuan.

"Take a look," Li Xuan said, pointing at the bundle on the ground.

Qian Fugui, just woken, still looking dazed, stepped forward and opened the bundle.

A whiff of burnt char instantly pierced Qian Fugui's nose, and the next second he felt unusually invigorated.

"This... this... this... this is Wang Er and Feng Wu; they... they were burned to death!" Qian Fugui stammered, pointing at the char and speaking to Li Xuan, while the other two stared wide-eyed, unable to believe the char before them.

"Alright, when you think of escaping, remember these two bodies. This is your breakfast; after you eat, go back to White Wind City and procure more supplies for me. Then we'll wander outside for a while," Li Xuan took out several Large Rye Breads from the Void Pearl and tossed them to the remaining three.

"Yes, Master!" the three knelt, trembling as they replied to Li Xuan.

However, judging by their looks, they seemed to have no appetite.

Li Xuan shook his head and returned to the carriage.

In the early morning, Li Xuan didn't want anything greasy, so he took a Butter Bread from the Void Pearl, ate it while drafting the procurement list.

Li Xuan had been busy shopping in White Wind City yesterday, and there were many items he hadn't thought of then; now he realized he still needs to purchase some.

More importantly, Li Xuan sensed that in the coming days a wanted order would reach here, and he might have to wander in the wild for a while.

Back in the carriage, Li Xuan took out the Butter Bread, ate it while beginning to write the list.

Soon, Li Xuan produced a long list.

The carriage had compartments that could hold many daily items, so Li Xuan bought freely, acquiring both useful and unnecessary things.

Li Xuan divided the list into three parts, handed them to the slaves who had finished the Large Rye Breads, and gave them some Soul Coins.

"You may try to escape, but rest assured, as long as you stay too far from me, the flame will automatically ignite within your bodies, letting you experience the feeling of being burned alive, so go ahead," Li Xuan smiled faintly, then gestured for them to go procure supplies.

"Yes, Master," they said respectfully to Li Xuan, then took the money and headed toward White Wind City.

Given the deterrence of the two charred bodies from last night, these three probably won't think of escaping.

Watching the three walk away, Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction; now at least someone is driving for him, saving him a great deal of effort.

"I can't just idle either," Li Xuan said, then took out alchemy tools from his backpack and began refining pills.

The round trip for these people takes at least a day, so they can't set off today; Li Xuan also prepared to leave this place.

Wish all the readers and lords a happy weekend, thank you for your support, I bow in gratitude.

(End of chapter)