Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 78: Bandits

"Behind the big mountain to your right, there are a few fierce-looking men holding large knives, gathering at the foot of the mountain. They should be part of a patrol of bandits. As for their lair, it’s too far away, beyond the scan range."

"Host, 500 meters ahead of you on the right, there are six bodies floating in the muddy river water."

The further they walked, the worse it got. With the system’s report, Cheng Xiaoxiao’s heart was pounding. They hadn’t even reached the town yet, and things were already like this. Could it be the town didn’t take in refugees or provide porridge?

As Cheng Xiaoxiao was wildly speculating, suddenly, the system spoke seriously, "Host, 200 meters ahead, behind the big rocks on both sides, there are two adult men ambushed, each holding a large knife. It looks like they intend to rob you."

The system had just finished reporting when Leng Qi stepped forward, shielding Cheng Xiaoxiao behind him, "Be careful, I sense something’s not right."

System: "This guy is a bit useful, being able to sense something from such a distance."

Cheng Xiaoxiao paused, "He may lack common sense, but his skills are top-notch. Nobody’s perfect! We need to be tolerant."

System: "Didn’t you look down on this guy?"

Cheng Xiaoxiao was at a loss for words, "When did I look down on him? I just complain a bit, but at critical moments, we still rely on him."

System: "..."

Who was it that just cursed him so harshly?

The men ambushed behind the rocks, seeing Cheng Xiaoxiao and Leng Qi stop moving forward, exchanged glances and communicated with their eyes.

Seedy Big Man on the Left: "Big brother, have they discovered us?"

Expressionless Big Brother on the Right: "Impossible, they’re still so far away."

Seedy Big Man on the Left: "Then why did they stop walking?"

Expressionless Big Brother on the Right: "Maybe they’re tired and need a rest. Don’t worry!"

Seedy Big Man on the Left: "There’s only two of them, and one is a girl. What are we afraid of? Let’s just rush them."

Expressionless Big Brother on the Right: "I think that guy knows martial arts. Better be cautious. Let’s observe a bit more."

Seedy Big Man on the Left: "Big brother, you’re wise."

Just as the man behind the rock was giving a thumbs up to his big brother, he suddenly saw darkness, was lifted into the air, and flew towards the sky,

Aah!

With a scream, Cheng Xiaoxiao saw a large dark silhouette fly in a parabolic arc.

Bang! A sound.

With a freestyle landing, a cloud of dust was stirred up, followed by three consecutive sounds!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Each person that landed hit the first person, each time eliciting a scream.

Watching from a distance, Cheng Xiaoxiao winced in sympathy.

Leng Qi leapt forward, planting his long leg on the back of the person on top, "Confess honestly, or else..."

With his voice, there was the sound of bones cracking, followed by unending cries of pain.

The men pleaded in terror, "Spare us, kind sir!"

"We’re just refugees, we’re not bad people!"

"Please, sir, have mercy! My bones are broken!"

Leng Qi pressed harder, "Ah! So painful, I’m dying, spare me, sir. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you everything."

He kicked the pile of people apart, "I want the truth. If anyone lies, you’ll report to the Yama Hall today."

The seedy man was the first to surrender, trembling as he spoke, "We’re really just civilians. I’m from Linjiagou. Our village was flooded, and we became refugees. The town and county wouldn’t take us, so we... we had to follow the bandit leaders."

Cheng Xiaoxiao stepped forward a few steps, "Explain clearly, what’s the situation in town now?"

Knowing they had encountered a true threat today, the seedy man replied carefully despite the pain, "After the heavy rain, many homeless citizens spontaneously went to town, but the town’s gates were closed tight, ignoring the people’s lives. When food ran out, many had to eat tree bark, chew grass roots. Later, the situation grew more chaotic as more people were pushed to their limits outside.

Then, a few bands of bandits joined forces with the refugee groups. Three days ago, they broke through the city gates, and everyone rushed in, looting everything inside, each claiming a territory."

The expressionless big brother also pleaded, "Kind lady, we really had no choice but to become bandits. We haven’t killed anyone, really!"

"Yes, yes, we were just going to rob money, not harm anyone."

The other two also nodded in agreement, enduring the pain.

Their poor acting was obviously seen through by Leng Qi’s sharp eyes. This group of bullies was not worth any sympathy, but he wasn’t sure if Miss Cheng would be soft-hearted listening to their nonsense.

Leng Qi looked at Cheng Xiaoxiao, who remained expressionless, unmoving.

At the moment, Cheng Xiaoxiao was listening to the system report important information.

Because at a place a thousand meters away from them, a few men who had been patrolling the mountain were in conflict with some other men who had returned, bringing back three women, two children, an old man, and a young man.

The old man pleaded desperately, "I beg you, gentlemen, let them go. They’re just children. You can take my life."

The young man struggled fiercely, cursing loudly, "Beasts, you’re all beasts. Let go of Lady Yuan. If you dare touch her, I’ll haunt you even as a ghost."

The two children cried their hearts out, while a few bandits were about to fight over the three women.

"Old Six, be content. It’s good to get at least one. Stop being picky." The man returning to the mountain, with a scar-faced appearance, looked fierce and sinister.

The muscular man called Old Six wasn’t pleased, "The Boss said the next time there’s a newcomer, I get to pick one."

Scarface: "Didn’t we give you one? Even though she’s not a virgin... women with experience are naturally more flavorful." He said, smirking lewdly.

The henchmen in the background jeered, "That’s right, that’s right. I prefer strong ones, too. The young ones aren’t enough to handle."

Hahaha!

Old Six didn’t back down, "I want that one."

He pointed at another delicate little girl. The girl’s face turned pale as she understood the man’s words, her legs trembling, her entire body shaking.

Scarface: "That one’s not possible. She’s reserved for the third-in-command."

Old Six: "I’m choosing her. I’ll speak to the Big Boss later."

Then he tried to pull the girl, but Scarface wouldn’t let go, and a standoff ensued, the tension reaching its peak.

Simultaneously, the old man, hearing the man’s intentions to harm his granddaughter, no longer pleaded. Suddenly, he summoned all his strength, broke free from the bandit holding him carelessly, and charged at the man holding his granddaughter, roaring, "You beasts, let go of my granddaughter. She’s only 12 years old! How dare you, you can’t touch her, you depraved beasts, you won’t die well."

As the old man barely uttered those last two words from his throat, he fell into a pool of blood, on the brink of death.

The scar-faced man, who had just stabbed the old man, wiped the blood off on the old man’s clothes, "Disgusting!"