Chapter 10: Going Up the Mountain to Suppress Bandits

Among the military guards, a group of people heard they were to suppress bandits, and all retreated three lodgings, after all, who doesn't know that the bandits of Mount Zhengyang are all desperadoes who kill without blinking?

But since the order has been issued, someone must go.

What, my subordinates under Hu San Dao are all a bunch of cowards?

Hu San Dao shouted loudly, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his subordinates below.

He naturally also knew the bandit suppression mission was fraught with danger, and they had always been locked in endless conflict with the Mount Zhengyang bandits, the enemy regarding them as mortal foes.

This was also a major worry for him.

Hu San Dao wore a grim face, this time saying whatever it takes to exterminate that bandit gang completely.

Ying Tuzi, how about you lead a team to suppress the bandits?

Hu San Dao began to pick officers; he had few usable subordinates, Ying Tuzi counted as one, brave and resourceful, capable of shouldering a heavy responsibility.

Yes, I will surely take Mount Zhengyang and kill this bunch of lazy bandits cleanly.

Ying Tuzi expressed his resolve, but inside he felt apprehensive; these elite bandits are so fierce, it's not as if he could just kill them all at will……

But Hu San Dao had already called his name; at this point he absolutely could not retreat, otherwise how could he hold his head up among his brothers later?

Now he had no choice but to go, like forcing ducks onto a shelf.

Ying Tuzi had made up his mind; if things looked bad, he would flee at once, for although he cared about face, nothing was more important than his life.

Brothers willing to go with me to suppress the bandits, step forward.

Ying Tuzi let out a loud shout, his aura imposing.

Some of the other military guards exchanged glances, yet none were willing to step forward.

I'll go with you.

Jiang Xiaomu strode forward, his voice loud and clear.

Everyone looked at Jiang Xiaomu, some surprised, some contemptuous……

You?

Ying Tuzi furrowed his brows, but then thought this might be an opportunity; at that time he could kill Jiang Xiaomu without anyone knowing, and no one would discover it.

Just you, and a few of you.

Before Ying Tuzi could answer, Hu San Dao readily agreed, and he even cast an appreciative glance at Jiang Xiaomu.

At this time to volunteer eagerly is commendable courage.

The others who were selected had faces turning extremely grim, yet they dared not voice refusal.

Soon a troop was assembled, ready to set out at any moment.

Let's go.

Ying Tuzi led the way, a group of people marched mightily toward Mount Zhengyang; along the road Jiang Xiaomu clearly felt Ying Tuzi's gaze upon him was most unfriendly, like a hidden poisonous snake ready to strike a deadly blow at any moment.

【……】

【You follow Ying Tuzi to Mount Zhengyang to suppress bandits, yet Ying Tuzi constantly wants your life.】

【In the end, during the bandit suppression, Ying Tuzi took advantage of the chaos to slash you with a knife; you failed to dodge in time, ultimately dying from excessive blood loss.】

Jiang Xiaomu opened the system and indeed saw the prompt, yet his ending was still death.

He sighed; it seemed he must first deal with Ying Tuzi.

But here, aside from him, everyone are military guard personnel who obey Ying Tuzi; he must devise a foolproof plan.

Soon they arrived at Mount Zhengyang, and Ying Tuzi prepared to kill Jiang Xiaomu amidst the utmost chaos of the bandit suppression.

Yet what he never expected was that the bandits' numbers far exceeded their imagination, and they also held bows and arrows in their hands.

Before they even advanced, several brothers had already been shot dead.

Not good, our intelligence is wrong.

Ying Tuzi's face fell; having just arrived at the enemy's gate, he could not retreat without fighting.

Charge for me.

Ying Tuzi's voice turned fierce, and the group surged forward.

Jiang Xiaomu followed behind; before the bandits could act, he simply fell to the ground, becoming a captive of the bandits.

Ying Tuzi himself could barely protect himself, finding no chance to kill Jiang Xiaomu; moreover, the military guard suffered heavy casualties and had to retreat.

In the end, the entire military guard, including Jiang Xiaomu, totaling three persons, were captured; they were bound tightly and brought to see the Mount Zhengyang stronghold's chief.

All of you, kneel for me.

A thin, tall bandit kicked Jiang Xiaomu with one foot.

The other several people were even worse off, with dozens of wounds on their bodies, blood continually dripping.

【You feigned capture, entering the bandit lair of Mount Zhengyang.】

【But the stronghold chief of Mount Zhengyang is addicted to killing, always showing no mercy to captives, executing them on the spot.】

【However, the stronghold chief's lady has fallen gravely ill; if you can cure her, there may be a slim chance of survival……】

Jiang Xiaomu looked at the system in astonishment; he never expected this time he would not die, and the system also gave him crucial information to resolve the crisis.

This system, could it have upgraded again?

Jiang Xiaomu pondered, otherwise he suddenly wondered where he would know how to treat illness.

He knew nothing about medicine; if he failed to cure the stronghold lady, he would likely die even faster.

But the system actually gave such a hint, proving he had the ability to cure the stronghold lady's illness.

Right, the Detoxifying Chant can cure a hundred poisons!

Jiang Xiaomu raised his eyebrows; he had almost forgotten this detoxifying pill, which he had exchanged in the system the day before.

He had originally intended to save it for any danger Jiang Lüzhu might face later, but he never thought he would need to use it now.

But with the system present, such detoxifying pills are surely not scarce.

Big Boss, we've captured three prisoners.

A lanky bandit, respectfully, as if seated above, shouted to the Big Boss.

They had intended to wipe out this group of military households in one fell swoop, but unexpectedly still let many escape.

With just you lot, you dare come to suppress bandits?

Big Boss coldly swept his gaze over Jiang Xiaomu, revealing a disdainful look, and the other bandits also began to jeer.

In his view, these military guards are overreaching, actually repeatedly attempting to suppress bandits.

Drag them down, chop them all up, and feed them to the dogs.

At Big Boss's command, a dozen or so bandits rushed forward instantly, seeking to drag Jiang Xiaomu away.

Hold on, Big Boss, I have something to say.

Jiang Xiaomu hurriedly spoke, his face filled with anxiety.

However, Big Boss had no desire to hear his nonsense, waved his hand, indicating his underlings to keep dragging him away.

Big Boss, I can cure your wife's illness!

Jiang Xiaomu spoke again; this time he felt he was on the verge of life and death.

Indeed, upon hearing the word "wife", Big Boss's expression shifted; his mountain stronghold's lady had been ill for over ten days, and he had consulted a hundred physicians to no avail.

But how did the captive before him know about this?

Big Boss, I was framed; I never wanted to be your enemy, I'm not a military guard either. I know you're curious how I know about your wife's illness—because you've been going down the mountain to seek doctors, I happened to overhear, and I also happen to have a way to cure her illness.

Jiang Xiaomu hurriedly explained, his eyes full of sincerity.

Big Boss stared at Jiang Xiaomu, seemingly weighing the credibility of his words.

However, seeing that Jiang Xiaomu bore no military guard tattoo, and he was thin and weak like a refugee, he was clearly not a military guard.