Immortals Step into Heaven

Chapter 218: Reward for Suppressing Bandits

Zheng Yuan quietly gazed at the old city lord, his lips curling up slightly in a faint smile. He then nodded gently, as if saying a silent farewell. Then, his figure gradually became ethereal and transparent, like mist dispersed by a gentle breeze, slowly disappearing from the spot, leaving only a faint trace of his presence to prove that he had stayed there.

The old city lord stared intently at the spot where Zheng Yuan had disappeared, his eyes revealing a complex mix of envy, emotion, and reminiscence of the past. For a long time, he remained motionless, like a wooden sculpture, lost in his own thoughts. After a long moment, he could be heard muttering to himself, "It's wonderful to be young! That vibrant energy, that fearless courage, it feels like everything in the world is within your control. And this path to immortality, with its infinite wonders, allows one to break free from the constraints of the mundane world. How wonderful!"

A few days later, in the bustling yet turbulent Yunzhou City, a bounty for bandit suppression caused a stir. Posted at the city gates, the market center, and at major restaurants and inns, the bounty read: Eliminate a bandit gang of a hundred men for a hundred taels of silver; annihilate a bandit force of a thousand men for a thousand taels of silver; and eradicate the feared bandit gang of ten thousand men for ten thousand taels of silver, with the bandit's head serving as proof of the reward.

The announcement of this decree instantly shook the entire city of Yunzhou. In the streets and alleys, people rushed to share the news, some marveling at the bounty offered, while others discussed the brutality and cunning of the various bandit gangs. Warriors rubbed their hands, their eyes gleaming with passion, and many were already secretly plotting how to gather men and supplies, heading into the deep mountains and ancient forests to secure the fortune and glory that could change their lives. Merchants rejoiced at the prospect of a more stable trade route, yet also worried about the impact of the turmoil during the suppression of the bandits. Ordinary people, eager for a peaceful life after the bandits were eliminated, also worried about those about to embark on the perilous journey. For a moment, the atmosphere in Yunzhou City was filled with tension and anticipation. A bandit suppression campaign, a matter of life and death, and a matter of fortune, slowly began on this land.

In the quiet courtyard, Zheng Yuan had just heard the bounty order issued by Yunzhou City for suppressing bandits. His expression was calm, yet a hint of determination lingered. He turned and walked back inside. Soon, he took out the "Shura Shatian Jue" and gently called Ling'er to his side. With a solemn yet gentle expression, he said, "Ling'er, this technique is a rare opportunity for a mortal to achieve immortality."

He paused slightly, a subtle flicker of complex emotion in his eyes, and continued, "Brother Xiao Yuan has come a long way, from being ignorant to achieving his current modest success. He has experienced countless life-and-death battles, and has killed many people, both righteous and evil. The path to immortality is inherently cruel, like trudging through a sea of ​​blood and corpses. The road to immortality is paved with countless corpses."

Zheng Yuan's gaze gradually grew firm, and he looked at Ling'er with hope in his eyes. "Today, the bandits in Yunzhou are all extremely vicious. They burn, kill, rob, and commit all kinds of evil, bringing the people into dire straits. This time, we will use the lives of these bandits to help you embark on the path of enlightenment. This is not only for you, but also for the people of Yunzhou City. Do a great deed with immeasurable merit. Ling'er, you have a kind heart, but on this path of cultivation, some killing is inevitable. Don't worry too much."

Ling'er's face showed hesitation, her hands tightly clutching the corners of her clothes, her eyes filled with struggle and reluctance. She looked up at Zheng Yuan, her lips trembling slightly, wanting to speak but hesitant, as if a fierce inner struggle was raging between her inner self and her inner self. The "Shura Sha Tian Jue" lay quietly beside her, as if silently predicting the bloodshed and cruelty to come. The atmosphere in the courtyard became solemn and oppressive.

Zheng Yuan looked at Ling'er and smiled, saying, "Don't worry, I'm by your side." After that, he patted Ling'er's shoulder gently, as if to pass on strength and courage to her.

Ling'er nodded slightly, the struggle in her eyes lessened a little. She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind: "Brother Xiaoyuan, Ling'er will listen to you. Ling'er is not afraid." Zheng Yuan showed a look of relief on his face. He picked up the "Ashura Shatian Jue" and began to explain to Ling'er the exquisite techniques and tricks of using the exercises. Ling'er listened carefully and asked some questions from time to time. Zheng Yuan patiently answered them one by one.

A month passed in the blink of an eye. In this short period of time, Ling'er, relying on her own excellent talent and Zheng Yuan's careful guidance, had already mastered the introductory techniques of "Shura Sha Tian Jue". The only thing left was to cultivate her essence, blood, and soul!

Meanwhile, Zheng Yuan kept a close eye on any disturbances outside. The bounty for the bandits had been like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. Numerous chivalrous men, drawn to the bounty, responded to the call and flocked from far and wide, forming sizable bands and launching fierce attacks upon the mountaintops entrenched by the bandits.

As the knights continued to exert pressure, the bandits outside were suddenly in a state of panic. They knew that if they continued to fight alone, they would sooner or later be defeated one by one by these brave and fearless knights. So, in order to seek a glimmer of hope, many bandits began to collude with each other, gathering together to support each other.

The largest concentration of bandits was Liuyun Mountain. Its strategic terrain was easily defended and difficult to attack, creating a natural fortress. Dozens of bandits, numbering over ten thousand, gathered there. They densely packed the mountains and forests, forming a formidable defensive line. This overwhelming momentum left even the most confident knights feeling frustrated. After all, facing such a large and stubborn resistance, breaking through the enemy lines was no easy task.

Zheng Yuan sat quietly inside his room, his gaze seemingly piercing the wall, gazing towards the distant Six Cloud Mountains. Upon hearing the news that the bandits had gathered there, his lips curled up slightly, his eyes flickering with undisguised joy. Until now, these bandits had been scattered across Yunzhou, tucked away amidst the towering mountains, a loose sandy mass that was difficult to trace. Finding ten thousand of them was like searching for a needle in a haystack, a task that posed a significant challenge to Zheng Yuan. But now, the tide had turned. They had spontaneously gathered, as if a thread of fate had drawn them together, saving him the trouble of searching individually.

"This is really God's help." Zheng Yuan whispered softly, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes. The end of those bandits is about to come, and Ling'er's path to cultivating immortals will also take a solid first step in this bloodbath.