Chapter 8 — Bandits in the Outer Forest
Morning arrived slowly in Cloud Veil Outer Mountain.
Cold mist covered the small huts.
The world here always woke up tired.
Poor people woke first.
Rich people lived far away on inner mountain.
In one small hut, Su Lan sat cross-legged on the floor, breathing quietly.
She was cultivating.
Her forehead had a little sweat.
Her face looked calm, but she was trying hard.
She only had a weak spirit root, but she did not give up.
Long Tan opened his eyes slowly.
He stretched his body.
His muscles still felt strange from yesterday's breakthrough.
Stronger… but still not fully stable.
He looked at Su Lan.
She was trying her best for a better life too.
He felt warm in his chest.
> I have to protect her.
I cannot be useless.
I need to grow stronger and earn spirit stones.
He stood up and packed his small bag.
Inside he placed:
raw dried meat
low-grade healing wine
low-grade poison-cleaning wine
low-grade Qi-nourishing wine
flint for fire
his simple iron saber
He also wore his old leather shoes. They were torn but still usable.
Su Lan opened her eyes and looked at him.
"You are going again?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Long Tan nodded. "Outer forest. Herbs. I will return at noon."
"Be careful," she said.
Her voice trembled a little.
Long Tan smiled a little.
He didn't tell her his real cultivation.
He wanted to stay low.
If people knew he was at Qi Condensation 4th Level, problems would come.
He touched Su Lan's head gently.
Then he left the hut.
---
Outer Mountain Morning
The outer settlement was waking up.
A few women carried water.
A child chased a chicken.
A tired old man cleaned a rusty spear.
Two hunters whispered near the gate, holding cheap knives.
Everyone here was weak.
Everyone here was poor.
Everyone was trying to survive one more day.
Long Tan walked slowly toward the forest path.
He kept his aura completely hidden.
> Cannot show my level.
If I look strong, someone will try to use me.
If I look weak, someone will try to rob me.
Best to look like nothing.
He passed some outer-mountain guards.
They didn't look at him.
They only cared about inner-mountain people.
He entered the forest.
Birds made small noises.
Branches shook lightly with wind.
The air smelled fresh and damp.
He saw three other cultivators picking mushrooms.
He saw two boys catching rabbits with rope traps.
He saw one woman collecting wild herbs for medicine.
He nodded silently to them and walked deeper.
> Outer forest is safe if careful.
Inner forest is danger.
Deep forest is death.
---
Bandit POV
Not far away, three men hid behind trees.
They watched Long Tan walk.
One had a thin body and a bow.
He was Qi Condensation 1st Stage.
His eyes were sharp like a rat.
One had a scar on his cheek and held a rusty saber.
He was Qi Condensation 2nd Stage.
He thought he was very strong.
The third one had two knives.
He was Qi Condensation 1st Stage.
His hands shook, nervous and greedy.
Thin bandit whispered,
"That's him. Long Tan. Yesterday he sold things at old man's shop. He got spirit stones."
Scar-face grinned,
"We kill him. Take stones. Three vs one. Easy."
Knife bandit swallowed,
"If he cry? If someone see?"
Scar-face kicked him,
"Shut up. No one comes here this early."
They got ready.
They licked their lips like hungry dogs.
---
Ambush
Long Tan felt the air change.
A slight rustle.
A movement behind tree.
Then — an arrow shot at him!
Whoosh!
He moved just in time.
It passed near his head, cutting one hair.
He turned quickly and pulled out his saber.
Three men walked out, laughing.
Scar-face sneered,
"Hand over your spirit stones. We saw you yesterday. Don't act smart."
Long Tan looked at them calmly.
Thin bandit smirked, "Kill him."
---
The Fight
Bow man shot again.
Long Tan ducked.
Arrow missed.
Scar-face ran forward.
Long Tan stepped back.
He gathered Qi — Flame spark formed.
> "Fire Burst."
Boom!
Small fireball hit scar-face shoulder.
He screamed.
Knife man rushed forward.
Long Tan blocked knife, kicked his stomach.
Knife man fell, coughing blood.
Bow man tried to shoot again.
Long Tan rushed, faster than before —
kicked bow man's leg, he fell.
Scar-face swung saber wildly.
Long Tan blocked — his arm shook —
but his power was stronger now.
He slid forward and cut scar-face's side.
Blood spilled.
Knife man charged again.
Long Tan turned and cut his neck.
Blood splashed leaves.
Bow man tried to crawl,
"No no no—"
Long Tan threw a fire spark at his leg.
He screamed.
Scar-face tried to run.
Long Tan jumped and cut across his throat.
Scar-face dropped like stone.
Silence.
Birds flew.
---
After Fight
Long Tan breathed hard.
> If I was still 3rd stage… I would be dead.
Good thing I broke through.
He searched bodies.
He found:
6 spirit stones
dried jerky meat
two small herbs
two knives and one bow
3 cheap storage pouches
He pocketed the stones quietly.
He dragged bodies behind bushes,
covered them with branches,
and burned their clothes and weapons.
No trace.
No witnesses.
> If people know, trouble will come.
Bandits have friends.
Sect might ask questions.
Better to stay silent.
He sat down and meditated for a few minutes.
His Qi calmed again.
---
Return Home
He took a long route back to avoid others.
At home, Su Lan ran to him,
"You are late! I worried."
Long Tan smiled,
"Found herbs. Took time."
He did not tell her about killing.
He did not want her heart heavy.
They ate simple food.
He shared one small sip of Qi wine with her.
"Cultivate more," he told her.
"Only strength keeps us alive here."
Su Lan nodded.
That night, he laid quietly beside her.
> I must become stronger.
This world only respects strength.
For her… I cannot fail.
The lamp faded.
Outside, the mountain was cold and quiet.
But inside the hut, warmth lived.
Tomorrow, danger might come again.
He was ready.