Seven World Martial God

Chapter 57: Bandit Suppression

The recruits filled the dining hall with their eager spirits, most of them exclaiming over their first encounter with Inner Heart Arts.

However, the true excitement was with the Level Ten Martial Artists who had been able to open up Acupuncture Points.

All the Level Ten Martial Artists were comparing their achievements.

Ye Tian and the Centurions were no exception.

Bai Shui had cultivated Inner Heart Arts since his youth and had opened up eighteen Acupuncture Points, his early experience eliminating him from the competition. Huang Fei’s three Acupuncture Points was actually quite good.

Yun Feifei pouted at being beat. “I only opened two, you braggart!”

Her words made even the big burly Huang Fei embarrassed to the happy amusement of Bai Shui. Everyone could tell that Huang Fei had certain thoughts about Yun Feifei.

While Huang Fei was suffering his embarrassment, Wu Qinghu smiled. “I did pretty good as well. With my dense Qi, I opened six Acupuncture Points.”

The Half-Step Martial Master’s face was glowing with vigor and excitement, eager to break through to the Martial Master Realm.

“Wow, Big Brother Wu, incredible!” Yun Feifei called out in surprise.

Huang Fei and Bai Shui were also astonished.

None of them were too surprised. After all, with Wu Qinghu’s Half-Step cultivation, six Acupuncture Points was still reasonable.

In truth, the only person they were really curious about was Ye Tian; after all, he was a genius who had attracted the attention of a Commander. He was a sixteen year old Level Ten Martial Artist.

“Little Brother Ye, what about you?” Wu Qinghu turned his smile to Ye Tian.

Yun Feifei’s large eyes were also wide with curiosity as she teased: “Little Brother Tian, quickly tell this sister. How many Acupuncture Points did you open last night?”

Huang Fei and Bai Shui waited eagerly for the reply.

Ye Tian smiled faintly, replying, “Similar to Big Brother Wu, I also opened six Acupuncture Points.”

“Ah!”

The Centurions gasped, their mouths falling wide with astonishment.

“Do you need to react so dramatically?” Ye Tian rolled his eyes as he commented.

The other Centurions recovered, ignoring Ye Tian’s protests. “You’re a monster!”

Ye Tian rubbed his nose, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“Six Acupuncture points? Then you opened a point each hour! Only a Half-Step Martial Master like Big Brother Wu can compete with you.” Bai Shui sighed.

Huang Fei suffered a huge blow and he murmured: “Now I know why people hate comparing.”

“Little Brother Tian is incredible. When you become rich and powerful in the future, don’t forget your Sister Yun!” Yun Feifei giggled and teased.

The Centurions could only sigh in amazement. Ye Tian was truly gifted—no wonder the Commanders were interested in him.

“Alright alright. What are your plans for the New Year Festival?” Ye Tian said, waking them from their astonishment.

“Of course you have to go window-shopping. New Year’s Eve is when Blood Jade City really becomes fun…” Yun Feifei immediately replied, launching into an explanation of shopping and exploring cities that could seemingly go on for hours.

Very quickly, she began to test the patience of the other Centurions.

At that moment—

A Scarlet Guard entered the dining hall, calling out loudly.

“By Order of the Commander, all recruits must assemble in the arena.”

After delivering the message, the Scarlet Guard hurried away.

The recruits paused in surprise before quickly putting down their utensils and rushing over to the martial arts arena.

“Looks like we’ll have to postpone our shopping.” Ye Tian smiled as he stood.

The other boys grinned, freed from Yun Feifei’s demonic claws. Only the lady in their midst was reluctant, but she couldn’t disobey the Commander’s orders, only able to take out her annoyance on her bowl as she tossed it down before following Ye Tian and the others.

Zhao Dapeng stood by himself on the arena grounds, patiently waiting for the recruits to assemble behind their officers and salute.

Saluting in return, Zhao Dapeng began speaking, his voice cool: “Today is New Year’s Eve, but I cannot let you off for the holiday.”

The recruits listened carefully, catching Zhao Dapeng’s serious mood.

“We just got news that one of our city’s trade caravans has been attacked by bandits, and we’ve not only lost goods from far away but even lost many of our caravan men,” Zhao Dapeng continued.

As one, the recruits stiffened.

“Bandit hunting!” Ye Tian immediately guessed.

None of the Centurions were fools; they could all guess their task.

Zhao Dapeng’s voice was cold with killing intent: “Perhaps some of you don’t understand the importance of our traders. Blood Jade City is quite remote, and the only reason we prosper is because of our merchants and traders. For example, this Scarlet Saber in my hand—”

Clang!

Zhao Dapeng unsheathed his weapon, the scabbard ringing as the dazzling weapon revealed itself.

Many of the recruits looked on with eager admiration at the beautiful blade.

“In order to forge the Scarlet Saber, we need Red Flame Stone. We trade with the Red Scale City ten thousand miles away for this ore, and without our traders, we wouldn’t have the Scarlet Saber!”

Zhao Dapeng’s voice grew colder and colder, the killing intent congealing in the air around him.

Zhao Depeng was furious beyond belief. Not only had the bandits robbed the goods but they had even dared to kill the traders, truly courting death.

“The City Lord and General are furious, and we would usually send out our Guard to hunt these bandits down, but you recruits still need to test yourselves. This is a good opportunity. If you successfully suppress these bandits, you will be promoted to true Scarlet Guards,” Zhao Dapeng announced.

Eyes gleamed with eagerness; to think that the day of their promotion had come so soon!

Even Wu Qinghu, Huang Fei, and Bai Shui were thrilled.

“Here is the map to the bandit’s camp. There is one for each Centurion. Set out immediately. Take no prisoners and kill every bandit,” Zhao Dapeng called out coldly, his voice dripping with anger.

The five Centurions stepped forward to collect the maps, saluting the Commander before turning away and gathering their men. “Get your horses and assemble by the camp gates!”

“Yes!” The recruits called out, hurriedly turning to gather their steeds.

“Your subordinates will take their leave!”

Ye Tian and the others saluted Zhao Dapeng once more, heading off to prepare.

Zhao Dapeng watched the recruits leaving, sighing to himself. Bandits who dared to attack the Blood Jade City caravans were definitely not simple figures; if these recruits were careless, they might be in for an unpleasant surprise. Perhaps, many lives would be lost.

But such was life.

In order to join the Scarlet Guard, they would need to experience these trials of death. Every single one of the five thousand Scarlet Guards had gone through something similar.

“Hopefully half of them survive!” Zhao Dapeng sighed, turning to leave.

…

In an empty staging ground by the Scarlet Compound Gates, Ye Tian and the other Centurions gathered, their sharp, serious eyes flashing with killing intent.

Behind them, their subordinates were assembled.

“Depart!

“Forward!”

…

The Centurions ordered, everyone mounting their horses and riding to the city gates.

Outside on the city streets, the gathered crowds stopped and watched the troops marching. Some of the more well-connected already knew why Ye Tian’s group was setting out.

The citizens of the city began chattering, gossip filling the city.

Everything was well-ordered and the Scarlet Guard Recruits easily passed through the gates.

Once outside the city walls, Ye Tian and the other Centurions stopped for a moment.

“Brothers, Little Sister Yun, we all have different missions. Let us part here. Be safe!” Wu Qinghu spoke first, bowing towards the others with hands clasped.

There was more than one group of bandits and each Centurion had been sent to a different camp.

“Take care!” Huang Fei echoed, clasping his hands in the martial salute.

“Don’t be careless. My family told me that these bandits aren’t simple. Be careful, brothers,” Bai Shui warned the others, having heard news from his family’s informants.

Ye Tian and the others nodded. None of them were arrogant and they were all careful.

“Take care!”

“Take care!”

…

The five Centurions separated, each bringing their command towards their target.

Ye Tian’s assignment was a group of mountain bandits. The number and composition of the bandit party was unknown, and he would have to find out everything by himself.

The Scarlet Guard Recruits quickly approached a nearby mountain and quietly slipped into the woods, everyone silent and on guard.

“Brat, where are we going? Why have you stopped?” A familiar sound broke the peace, the instantly recognizable voice of the annoying Liu Hongwu.

Ye Tian wanted to ignore her, but since Liu Hongwu had already volunteered herself, Ye Tian sent her to gather the other Squad Leaders.

Although Liu Hongwu had a strange temper, she still obediently followed his command, pouting as she went to summon the other officers.

When they had all arrived, Ye Tian took out the map and began explaining:

“Look, that canyon over there—that’s our target…”

The Squad Leaders followed his fingers to examine the canyon before turning back to listen to Ye Tian’s words.