Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 39

“Just a little? Really?”

Liang Cheng eyed Lu Xuan suspiciously. The so-called “little” felt more like a gap of eighty thousand miles.

The Verdant Ridge Mountains

A pair of feet stepped onto the lush green grass, shaking off the morning dew clinging to the blades.

The newcomer was none other than Lu Xuan.

Ever since learning from the bandits that they had a master, Lu Xuan had felt as though a thorn was lodged in his throat.

So, early the next morning, he rushed to the Verdant Ridge Mountains to verify the bandit’s claims.

If they were true… well, then those who dared target the Lu family would regret it.

He would never allow anyone who threatened his family to remain alive.

Lu Xuan’s cold gaze swept over the undulating peaks ahead as he recalled the detailed location the bandit had revealed before his death.

Without hesitation, Lu Xuan channeled his inner energy, his figure blurring into a streak as he vanished into the mountains.

With his inner energy enhancing his Swift Wind Step, Lu Xuan moved like a tiger with wings—even the steepest cliffs felt as smooth as flat ground beneath his feet.

Less than half an hour after Lu Xuan’s departure…

Five figures stepped onto the same path he had just taken.

“Officer Li, this is the road leading deeper into the Verdant Ridge Mountains. Fang Sheng, the leader of the Black Wind Bandits, is hiding there.”

The speaker was Chen Shi, the chief constable of the county magistrate’s office. Beside him stood Li Yanran, her two companions, and Ye Qingxuan—who had stubbornly begged Li Yanran to tag along.

However, Ye Qingxuan and Chen Shi would only stand guard outside the bandit stronghold while Li Yanran and her team dealt with Fang Sheng inside.

Li Yanran followed Chen Shi’s gaze, scanning the mountains before speaking.

“Lead the way, Constable Chen. We shouldn’t delay—Fang Sheng might catch wind of us.”

“Yes, Officer Li!”

…..

Meanwhile, Inside the Bandit Stronghold…

Fang Sheng’s face was dark with fury.

The white lotus embedded in his chest pulsed with an eerie glow, casting a sinister light across his features. The fleshy embryo on the lotus had grown larger, throbbing violently—as if it might burst free at any moment.

Crash!

A teacup shattered as Fang Sheng swept it off the table in rage.

“Useless!”

“Worthless trash!”

With the Second and Third Chiefs still missing, Fang Sheng could no longer contain his wrath.

The white lotus inside him was rapidly draining his vitality, and the stronghold’s medicinal stockpile had already been exhausted.

The commotion drew several bandits rushing into the hall—only to freeze in fear at the sight of their leader’s fury.

“Chief… the Second and Third Chiefs haven’t returned yet. Should we send men to Qingyun County?”

“GET OUT!”

The bandits nearly collapsed in relief, scrambling to leave—

But then…

“Wait.”

A cold voice stopped them in their tracks.

Fang Sheng’s eyes blazed with a strange white light, his pupils narrowing into the shape of a ghostly lotus.

Hunger.

Ravenous, all-consuming hunger.

His last shred of reason snapped.

An unthinkable craving surged through him—

He wanted to devour them.

The scent of meat filled his nostrils.

“Wait.”

The bandits stiffened, their hearts pounding as they slowly turned—

Thud!

A withered arm pierced through the chest of the nearest man, clutching a still-beating heart.

The others barely had time to scream before Fang Sheng’s hollow eyes locked onto them.

“M-Mercy, Chief—!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Their pleas were cut short as bodies hit the floor.

…..

At the Mountain’s Foot…

Lu Xuan had finally arrived.

Despite the bandit’s directions, this was his first time in the Verdant Ridge Mountains—and he had gotten lost along the way, delaying his progress.

Just as he prepared to ascend, footsteps echoed behind him.

“Hm?”

His brow furrowed.

Bandits? Or something else?

Turning, he spotted five figures approaching rapidly from a few hundred meters away.

“Him?”

“Chief Constable Chen Shi?”

“And that woman… she looks familiar.”

Lu Xuan had met Chen Shi a few times before—the constable had even attended his father’s birthday celebration.

But just as he considered hiding, they spotted him.

Sighing, Lu Xuan stayed put, waiting as the group closed in.

“Officer Li, be careful—someone’s ahead!”

Chen Shi’s warning came too late. Li Yanran’s sharp eyes were already fixed on Lu Xuan.

When the distance between them shrank to less than ten meters—

Two voices rang out in shock.

“You!”

“You—the Lu family brat!”