CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: BRIBING BANDITS

Sanatan Flame Sect members stood face-to-face with the Iron Mountain Bandits. The air was thick with tension. Shocked expressions and jaw-dropped faces stared in disbelief at Shaurya.

With a smirk on his face, Shaurya spoke, "So big guy, what do you want to choose?"

Jian Fan’s face darkened. But then, suddenly, he burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha!"

Shaurya was confused. Jian Fan, with a terrifying smile, said, "Do you really think you can recruit us into your team just because you’re rich?"

Without hesitation, Shaurya replied with a straight face, "Yes, of course."

Jian Fan was shocked. "You... What do you think you are, little brat?!"

Enraged, Jian Fan swung his massive axe at Shaurya. But before the strike could land, Wang Tian intercepted it, defending his master.

"You dare to attack?" Wang Tian said sternly, forcing Jian Fan several feet back.

All the bandits were shocked.

Shaurya patted Wang Tian on the shoulder and began walking toward Jian Fan with a smile. "Come on, big guy. Join my sect. You won’t have to roam the mountains for food and money anymore. I’ll give you food, and I’ll even pay you."

The bandits looked at each other in disbelief.

Jian Fan released his powerful grey aura. "You think I can trust a rich young master like you? Never! People like you only know how to play with others using your money."

Shaurya raised an eyebrow. "Young master? What young master? I’m not from any noble family."

Jian Fan took a step back. "You aren’t? Then who are you?"

Adjusting his sunglasses, Shaurya replied dramatically, pointing one finger toward the sky and another on his forehead, "I am the Sect Leader of the Sanatan Flame Sect—Shaurya the Great!"

His disciples gave him awkward smiles.

Jian Fan’s jaw dropped. "Wait... Sanatan Flame Sect? Isn’t that the sect that destroyed the Lin-Gu family and offended the royal family?"

Shaurya smiled. "I didn’t know my sect was that famous."

Jian Fan chuckled. "If I’m not wrong, you’re a righteous warrior who fights evil."

Shaurya nodded. "Yeah, I am."

"Then why do you want bandits like us in your sect?" Jian Fan asked.

"Because you’re not evil. You’re just little bad guys," Shaurya replied. "You’re different from other bandits. That’s why I want you."

Meow Mao stepped forward and said arrogantly, "You dare to order us? Do you even have the qualifications?"

Wang Tian and Luo Chen got angry. Luo Chen growled, "You really want to see our qualifications? Don’t cry after witnessing it."

Shaurya raised his hand slightly, stopping them.

Meow Mao continued with arrogance, "Why stop them? Afraid I’ll kill your disciples?"

With a mocking smile, Shaurya replied, "Oh no, of course not. I stopped them because I know they’d kill you very easily."

Enraged, Meow Mao tried to move forward, but Jian Fan stopped him and released his aura into a battle stance.

"I really want to see your qualifications," Jian Fan said.

"Fine," Shaurya answered.

He took out a box from his storage ring. The bandits tensed, alert for an attack.

Shaurya opened the box with a serious expression. A brilliant light shone out, forcing the bandits to squint.

Jian Fan was shocked. "What is this?!"

When the light faded, their shock deepened. The box was filled with Gold Tales.

Shaurya said, "If you join my sect, I’ll give you 30,000 Gold Tales as a joining bonus. I’ll also give you a place to live, nice clothes to wear, and food to eat every day."

The bandits huddled into a circle, whispering.

Iron Spike, the red-haired man, said, "Boss, don’t mind me saying, but it’s not a bad deal. Food, shelter, even money... isn’t that what we’ve always wanted?"

Meow Mao added, "It does sound fishy... but still, the deal is too good to reject."

A grey-haired, fat-faced man named Fatty said, "Boss, this could be our once-in-a-lifetime chance."

Jian Fan listened carefully and nodded. "You’re right. I also don’t want this bandit life—roaming the mountains, hunting for food, earning barely anything. Maybe we should accept this."

Suddenly, a voice chimed in, "Yes, you should."

They turned, surprised to find Shaurya standing in the middle of their group.

They jumped back, shocked.

"Hey! What kind of sect master are you?! How can you listen to our private conversation?!" Jian Fan roared.

Meow Mao added, "Yeah! Don’t you have any shame?!"

Striking a proud victory pose, Shaurya replied, "I’m born shameless."

Lin Shu slapped her forehead and sighed, "What are you proud of exactly...?"

"Let’s leave that aside. If you’re joining my sect, hurry and fill out this form," Shaurya said, handing out forms.

Jian Fan signaled Meow Mao, who stepped forward to collect and return to his group handing them the form.

Shaurya said, "Hurry up sign the form."

They all seeing the form. But Jian Fan after seeing the form hand it to Meow Mao and picked up his axe.

He stepped toward Shaurya. "Before that... let’s have a duel. Just you and me. If you beat me—or even impress me—I’ll join your sect. But if I win, I’ll take the gold and won’t join."

Shaurya replied instantly, "Okay, I accept."

Jian Fan was surprised. "You just accepted? Without even thinking? What if you lose?"

With a confident smile, Shaurya said, "Don’t worry. I won’t lose."

He removed his sunglasses and stored them into his storage ring. "Because I am the strongest."

Jian Fan was stunned by Shaurya’s confidence. He smiled. "You’re really underestimating me."

He released his full aura. "Golden Vein Stage, Level 1!"

Shaurya was shocked. "I didn’t know you’re at the Golden Vein Stage."

Jian Fan smiled proudly. "Yeah, I recently broke through. What? Scared already?"

Shaurya laughed. "Stop flattering yourself."

He powered up, releasing his aura. "Golden Vein Stage, Level 10!"

All Bandits was terrified.

Jian Fan stood frozen. "G-Golden Vein Stage, Level 10...?!"

He thought, I heard the Sanatan Flame Sect is unique especially thier leader was strong... So it wasn’t a rumor.

He gulped. Shaurya teased, "Who’s scared now?"

Jian Fan closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled. "He’s too strong... I stand no chance. But I can’t back off. This is just a duel, not a death match. If I surrender like a coward, I’ll never be able to face my men."

Just then—

BAM!

Shaurya’s fist slammed into his abdomen. Jian Fan coughed blood, shocked.

Then—CHOP!

A strike at the carotid sinus at the base of the neck. Jian Fan collapsed, unconscious.

All the bandits were speechless, jaw-dropped.

The Sanatan Flame disciples wore awkward smiles.

Lee Bie said, "Hey... the duel hadn’t even started yet, and Master already attacked."

Chen Fang added, "Isn’t that cheating?"

Luo Chen smirked, "Cheating? Hah. There is nothing called cheating for Powerful people, they make their own rules."

Shaurya turned to the bandits. "So... what now?"

They instantly dropped to their knees and bowed.

Meow Mao cried, "Ah! Where do we sign?!"

Iron Spike shouted, "Hey, give it here—it’s my turn!"

They all scrambled to fill the forms.

—

Scene shift: Sanatan Flame Sect.

Jian Fan opened his eyes. He tried to sit up, clutching his neck. "Ahhh... what happened...?

He looked around. "Where... am I...?"

He looked down—his outfit was completely changed. "What is this...? What the hell is going on?!"

He turned to see Meow Mao asleep on a nearby bed. Jian Fan kicked him off.

"You mother—"

Meow Mao, startled, paused when he saw Jian Fan. He composed himself instantly.

Jian Fan a terrifying smile on his face he cracked his knuckles. "What did you said"

"Mother... father... brother... My boss Jian Fan, you’re finally awake! I’ll go report to the Sect Master!"

"Sect Master?!" Jian Fan was stunned.

Meow Mao blinked. "Don’t you remember? We joined the Sanatan Flame Sect. You lost to the Sect Master in just two moves."

Realization struck Jian Fan like lightning. He muttered, "So... thi... this means..."

Meow Mao nodded.

"WHAAAAAAT?!" Jian Fan screamed. His voice echoed through the training area.

All disciples paused and turned.

Shaurya heard the scream and smiled. "Looks like Jian Fan is awake."

He lay back on his couch while his disciples resumed their training, preparing for the confrontation with the royal family—training intensely...

While, Shauraya completely relaxed lying down on his couch drinking chocolate milkshake.

Well... not all of them.

Shaurya shouted, "Get lost, you greatest author! You made me so strong, so why should I train?! Let me relax! Go to heavens!"

To be continued...