As soon as the leader's command fell, his men immediately stopped debating. Like shadows, they slipped through the forest, spreading out silently, hiding as if the woods themselves were a trap, waiting for their prey to walk into it.
The leader perched high, eyes sharp and predatory like a wolf stalking prey, coldly watching the two seemingly innocent boys step into their encirclement.
As the boys walked deeper into the trap, they didn't sense a hint of danger. They even chatted casually. More absurdly, just before the confrontation, they fumbled nervously to unsheath their bronze swords.
Yet, the leader neither pitied nor mocked them. He remained calm, lurking like a venomous serpent, waiting for the right moment to strike.
When he saw them draw their swords, he first froze in disbelief, then his mind clicked. Perfect opportunity!
With a roar, he brandished his broad-back greatsword: "Kill!"
Hidden bandits, ready and waiting, leapt out from the trees, long blades raised, charging at the two boys.
No mercy, no hesitation—just swinging steel.
Though their formation was chaotic, their strikes were disciplined. Clearly, these bandits were all Wu Tu.
Qin Yi reacted instinctively, drawing his sword, using the scabbard for leverage, and met the first blow with an offensive parry.
Hmm? Their strength isn't as formidable as imagined.
He glanced at a burly six-foot-tall man and shook his head. All that size for nothing.
Qin Yi blocked and countered, even sneaking a glance at Qin Wei.
Qin Wei had been a step slower; as the enemy's blade descended, he hadn't finished untying his bronze sword. He had to sidestep, then finally freed the sword, and with a swift motion, struck one opponent in the lower back. The man crumpled, clutching himself in pain.
Wow, Qin Wei hits hard!
The fallen bandit yelled: "Impossible! That's Wu Dao Qi… He's a martial artist!"
Qin Yi, seeing Qin Wei defeat an enemy with a single move, increased his own offensive intensity.
His sword swiped, knocking a blade from another assailant's hand. Before the man could react, Qin Yi's blade struck his chest, toppling him.
While engaging, Qin Yi observed Qin Wei, who danced among three or four enemies, sword slicing and dicing, leaving one opponent after another on the ground.
Having Wu Dao Qi makes everything easier, Qin Yi thought. Efficiency far surpasses mine.
Suddenly, a postnatal martial artist leapt forward, striking at Qin Wei.
"Been waiting for you!" Qin Wei glanced at the three or four enemies he'd previously defeated. Assuming they knew he was postnatal but delayed action, he sneered: "Trying to waste my true energy with Wu Tu? Laughable!"
The leader, puzzled, didn't understand, and muttered in regret: "Too bad he dodged… that strike could have seriously injured him!"
Qin Wei continued, analyzing the opponent's intent, aiming to break their morale: "Stop with the excuses! You didn't attack when my sword was sheathed—just a cowardly excuse! You don't value your men's lives; I pity them!"
The leader's expression darkened: "You brat, small skills but bold lies! Enough talk, show me your true strength!"
Qin Wei glared with contempt and pressed his verbal attack: "Since you declared war, why not risk life and death? Hmph! You see, I keep my sword sheathed and you're still afraid! Coward!"
After the exchange, the leader realized words alone couldn't touch this boy. He gritted his teeth, silently swinging his greatsword forward.
The two boys tactically moved away, avoiding interference from each other's Wu Dao Qi.
Qin Wei even uses words to affect enemy morale? Qin Yi thought. Unbelievable!
The real benefit for Qin Yi was observing two postnatal martial artists up close, clearly seeing the effective range of Wu Dao Qi.
Qin Wei's range is barely over three feet? So small!
The apparent bandit leader's Wu Dao Qi barely reached four feet. Postnatal martial artists' aura really is limited.
After the two left, only a chest-high Wu Tu boy remained. The remaining five bandits, also Wu Tu, felt emboldened.
They exchanged looks and charged together, shouting, trying to overwhelm Qin Yi.
His leisure was gone. Focus entirely on battle, he stood firm, like a green pine on a cliff. His bronze sword flickered like a serpent, "clang clang clang," blocking every incoming blade at half a foot away.
Time passed, and Qin Yi's sword felt lighter, movements more fluid.
Suddenly, two enemies exposed weaknesses. Now!
Qin Yi twisted, dodging one strike, and thrust his sword into the other's chest. The boy fell without reacting.
With one down, Qin Yi's pressure eased. He seized another flaw, striking another down.
The remaining three exchanged glances, then, abandoning Qin Yi, scattered into the forest.
Qin Yi shouted after them in frustration: "Don't run!"