C12 He Was on Guard

Upon hearing those words, Jing Chong's body involuntarily shuddered, and his heart was instantly engulfed in a tumultuous storm.

Highway robbery!

Was there no justice left in this world? Just a few days ago, he had endured the death of his parents, and yesterday, he had narrowly escaped an assassination in his own home. To save himself, he had helplessly watched his second grandfather fall to a villain's cold blade.

Was the bloodshed and the repeated blows not enough to mark his life as tragic? Had he not suffered enough?

After surviving countless dangers, Jing Chong had hoped that waking up would bring him a new world, but instead, he was confronted with a highway robber. Had the heavens gone mad? Why was he burdened with the world's misfortunes? What debt had he incurred in a past life?

A torrent of introspective questions and resentment toward the heavens filled Jing Chong with rage that seemed to ignite his very forehead. Fighting through the searing pain within, he gripped his steel blade tightly, his pale lips quivering and his teeth clenching with an audible grind.

"I'll fight you with my last breath!"

In his rage, Jing Chong became resolute. Facing inevitable death, he preferred to go down fighting, to ensure that even if he perished, he would have settled his score.

His hand followed his heart's command, and with a swift motion, he raised his steel blade. With the speed of lightning, Jing Chong lunged at his adversary.

The blade's chill was piercing, the cold air daunting. As the blade drew within a mere five inches of his foe, the figure finally moved, dodging with the agility of a fish darting through a river, astonishing Jing Chong and causing him to gasp in shock. He realized he was facing a formidable opponent.

But just as despair set in and he braced for the end, a distinct "Plop!" resounded from below, kicking up clouds of dust. Following that, a mournful plea for mercy reached Jing Chong's ears.

"Mercy, young hero, mercy! I was blind not to see the mountain before me, ignorant of the supreme skill you possess that shakes the world. I beg you, consider my eighty-year-old mother who awaits my care, and my infant brother who needs my support. Please, lift your noble blade and spare my life. I will be eternally grateful!"

Jing Chong's ears were filled with this well-rehearsed plea, which left him momentarily stunned. Instinctively, he glanced over his shoulder, only to find no one there. Turning his attention back to the figure at his feet, he took a closer look.

It was then that he realized the "robber," who had seemed so formidable moments ago, was now prostrate before him, desperately knocking his forehead against the ground. Despite the man's broad frame suggesting strength, Jing Chong could tell he was no older than himself.

The man's words, though delivered with conviction, were riddled with inconsistencies upon closer inspection. How could someone who appeared to be only eleven or twelve years old have an eighty-year-old mother to care for, or an infant brother to raise? It was all absurd, empty talk.

With a helpless shake of his head, Jing Chong found himself feeling an unexpected fondness for the man.

He wondered why this seemingly simple, honest, chubby kid had strayed from the straight path to mimic the ways of highwaymen.

Observing the man's cowardly demeanor, Jing Chong couldn't help but chuckle to himself. How on earth did such a coward come by a knife? And was that supposed scar on his face even real?

As Jing Chong's doubts grew, he hesitated, then finally sheathed his steel knife. He caught his breath after the initial scare, which had left him tense. Now, as he relaxed, he felt an unusual weakness throughout his body.

Yet, in the presence of this would-be robber, he dared not show too much vulnerability, so he remained on his feet.

It took some time for Jing Chong to regain his strength, all the while the robber continued his relentless kowtowing and pleading. The man's well-memorized lines had been repeated so many times that Jing Chong's ears were practically calloused from hearing them.

However, to better deter the individual, Jing Chong cautiously circled around him before finally clearing his throat and loudly reprimanding, "You villain, why do you rob at such a young age? Don't you realize that this is morally wrong?"

Jing Chong's stern lecture seemed to genuinely enlighten and fill the little fatty with remorse. He knelt on the ground, nodding earnestly as he awaited Jing Chong's next words. Only then did he dare to take a deep breath and lament, "Ah, there's a saying that desperation can lead one to lose their conscience, but who would choose to be a thief if there were any other way? You see, big brother, I'm like a mute person who's eaten bitter herbs—I can't complain. If I hadn't been driven to this point, how could I have ever thought to rob you?"

While speaking, the little fatty slowly rose to his feet, his large eyes scanning the surroundings. Seizing the moment when Jing Chong was off guard, he began to retreat toward the left, muttering under his breath, "Such bad luck, running into another tough one. Why can't I ever encounter an old man or a child? If I could just dispatch them with one strike, wouldn't that make my initiation easier?"

After venting his frustration with a thump on his sizable head, he made a show of attempting to flee.

At that moment, Jing Chong caught on to his antics and couldn't help but be intrigued by this little bandit who was all talk and no truth. Though he was inclined to let him go, his playful nature got the better of him, and he decided to have a little fun.

Stealthily, Jing Chong followed the little fatty. As the latter was hitting his own head, Jing Chong leaped forward and delivered a resounding smack.

The force must have been too much, for the little fatty shuddered in pain, stumbled, and fell to the ground, his face turning ashen. He quickly looked back and pleaded, "Big brother, have mercy, please! I swear I had no intention of running away!"

At this plea, Jing Chong couldn't help but chuckle. The more the little bandit protested, the more it betrayed his guilt. As he amused himself with the bandit's folly, Jing Chong noticed the heaviness in his heart had quietly lifted.

It seems that the power of the human spirit is indeed formidable. Those in high spirits feel an unparalleled sense of relaxation, while those burdened with worries are left feeling weak and drained of energy.

In a brief span of time, he had gleaned a valuable lesson: no matter the circumstance, one must strive to maintain control over their emotions.

"By the way, what's your name? Why did you leave in such a rush without finishing what you were saying?"

This might have been the first time Jing Chong had ever taken the initiative to inquire about someone's personal life, especially significant since he hadn't voluntarily spoken to anyone after the death of his parents.

"Oh, got it. My name is Nie Haiyuan, the patrol guard from Blood Razor Keep just up ahead. Normally, people refer to me as Sentinel Nie out of respect. You're welcome to call me that if you'd like!"

The little chubby man perked up when Jing Chong asked for his name. He stood up straight and thumped his chest proudly, though he seemed to have conveniently forgotten his earlier display of cowardice.

Even though Jing Chong knew Nie Haiyuan was shamelessly boasting to elevate his own status, he believed the name was authentic and simply chuckled without giving it much thought.

"Well then, since you're indeed a bandit, that settles it. We'll go our separate ways now. You're free to go."

But as soon as he confirmed the man was a bandit, Jing Chong's opinion soured. The unsolved murders of his parents and grandfather weighed heavily on him, and with bandits known for their ruthless and bloody deeds, he found himself repelled by the very notion of them.

With those final words, Jing Chong reverted to his icy demeanor and turned to continue his journey westward along the mountain path.

"Hey, where are you going? You didn't even tell me your name!" Nie Haiyuan, taken aback by Jing Chong's abrupt departure, stamped his foot in frustration and, with a bit of shamelessness, set off after him.

"What exactly do you want?" Jing Chong, having only taken a few steps, turned back with a piercing coldness in his gaze that seemed to keep others at bay. He uttered the words icily before turning once more to continue on his way.

"Benefactor, please wait, I have something to say!"

The term "benefactor" seemed oddly formal, but hearing that there was more to be said, Jing Chong reluctantly stopped, a frown creasing his brow.

"Please don't be offended, benefactor. You don't strike me as a villain, and judging by your disheveled state, you've clearly been through some misfortune. I, Haiyuan, am known for my warm heart. I always repay kindness and stand ready to defend my friends. Your magnanimous act of releasing me earlier has left me deeply grateful. I just wish to know where you reside, where is your fairyland home? Should you ever need assistance in the future, I would brave any danger to repay this life-changing favor."

Despite Nie Haiyuan's seemingly simple and naive demeanor, his words were well-crafted and sincere, stirring a hint of emotion in Jing Chong.

Moved, Jing Chong's defenses momentarily wavered as he replied, "I have no home; the whole world is my dwelling."

Yet, having recently survived a great ordeal, he maintained a wary distance from strangers. With those brief words, he chose not to engage further and turned back to continue on his path.