Ling Xian'er smiled sweetly and said,"We are officers of the court, carrying out official duty, yet you block the road and rob travelers. Have you no regard for the law?"
Hu Yu, chieftain of Niutou Mountain, stepped forward, a lecherous thought rising in his mind. With a frivolous grin, he said,"I am Hu Yu of Niutou Mountain. Miss, would you care to become my bandit wife?"
Ling Xian'er let out a light laugh."Even if I wished to be your bandit wife, I wonder how many you already have. I have no interest."
Ruo Hu of Tiger Head Mountain stepped forward slowly. Unlike Hu Yu's crude teasing, he wore a polite smile and cupped his hands."I am Ruo Hu of Tiger Head Mountain. My stronghold has yet to take a wife. Why not come with me and become mine?"
Ling Xian'er chuckled, calm and composed."You block the road and rob others, yet still lack a 'bandit wife'? How curious."
At that moment, the burly Qiang Jiang of Horse Head Mountain let out a crude laugh."Miss, I am Qiang Jiang. If words won't do, why not just tie you up and take you?"
A man of the outlaw world—simple and brutal.
Ling Xian'er cast him a glance."You may try—if you think you're capable."
Lust clouding his mind, Qiang Jiang grinned wickedly."This one suits my taste. If I take her, she's mine!"
With that, he lunged forward, arms outstretched to seize her.
Ling Xian'er shifted lightly and avoided him."Come now, little sister," he mocked, "don't run—let your brother hold you!"
His hand shot toward her waist.
In an instant, Ling Xian'er twisted aside, redirecting his force. Stepping in, she struck—
A sharp crack!
Before Qiang Jiang even realized what had happened, a palm landed squarely across his face. The force spun him halfway around as he staggered, clutching his cheek.
Furious, he snarled,"You refuse a toast only to drink punishment!"
Ling Xian'er's voice turned cold."If one slap doesn't wake you, don't blame me for what follows."
Enraged, Qiang Jiang struck with a fierce left punch, his fist cutting through the air like a tiger's charge. Ling Xian'er met it calmly—her left hand deflecting, her right countering in a seamless flow.
Attack and defense intertwined.
After several exchanges, she executed a move—"Lotus Ascends the Tree."
Borrowing his force, she stepped in close. Their palms clashed at close range, moves flowing into one another.
Suddenly—like lightning—her hand caught his wrist. With a burst of internal force—
Smack! Smack!
Two more slaps landed in quick succession.
Qiang Jiang staggered again, spinning helplessly before collapsing to the ground, dizzy and disoriented.
The scene shocked all the bandits.
Ling Xian'er said coolly,"Have those slaps woken you yet?"
Qiang Jiang roared in anger,"Chiefs! This woman is formidable—let's take her together!"
Ruo Hu stepped forward swiftly, smiling faintly."No need. Let me handle this. Once I take her, she'll be mine."
Qiang Jiang muttered,"Roses have thorns…"
But Ruo Hu, consumed by desire, ignored the warning."Watch me pluck this rose."
He stepped forward and suddenly reached for her shoulder.
Ling Xian'er withdrew slightly. Her hand traced an arc through the air, her palm striking like a raging wind—swift and fierce.
Ruo Hu was startled and hastily met the strike.
Bang!
The force drove him back five or six steps before he could steady himself. His face turned pale with shock.
This was the first move of the Seven Absolutes Palm—"Feign Refusal, Yet Welcome."
Ling Xian'er did not pursue. She merely smirked."Still wish to continue?"
Hu Yu burst into laughter."Stand aside, both of you. Let me be the one to pluck this flower!"
He leapt forward in a series of swift bounds, striking toward her shoulder.
Ling Xian'er mirrored his motion—stepping back, her palm swirling like a cyclone before striking again.
Bang!
Hu Yu was sent staggering backward several steps, his face darkened, all arrogance gone.
Her profound and exquisite martial skill stunned the entire field. Three victories in succession drew thunderous cheers from the Tang soldiers, while the three bandit chiefs stood ashen-faced.
It was as if:
The lotus flows as soft as water,The rose, a beauty rare,Her strikes—mysterious and profound,Who says such grace bears thorns?
Ling Xian'er looked at them calmly."Well? Do you still wish to test me?"
The three men flushed with embarrassment. Moments before, each had dreamed of capturing her—gaining both beauty and spoils in one stroke.
At last, Ruo Hu shouted,"Together! Take her down!"
Ling Xian'er swept her gaze across them, her tone filled with disdain."So you mean to win by numbers? Very well—no need to delay. Come at once."
The three exchanged glances, nodded—
—and charged forward together.