Chapter 1601: Chapter 61: Testing the Sword, Examining the Heart

Overturning Sky Bandit Leader Meng Ba, at his peak, commanded thousands of men, leading the Four Evils of Southforest to choke the lifelines of the Southern Boundary’s strategic passes. Unlike common bandits who ruthlessly kill and plunder wealth and women, the Overturning Sky Thieves followed strict rules, with an iron law of seven prohibitions and eight non-seizures upon entry.

The so-called seven prohibitions and eight non-seizures are the rules established by Bandit Leader Meng Ba and are the bottom line of the Overturning Sky Thieves, which importantly distinguishes them from ordinary bandits.

Because they upheld this bottom line, Meng Ba was deeply cherished by the lower class people of the Southern Tianan Continent, boldly carving out a significant reputation for himself as a bandit, his influence rivaling that of distinguished families in the Southern Boundary.

Also, since he shared the surname Meng, when the common folk praised Meng Ba for his benevolence and righteousness, they would often link him with the Ghost Wolf Bandit Leader Meng Tuo.

Over time, the Green Forest Road came to believe that Meng Ba was the younger brother of Meng Tuo, a refuge left by the Ghost Wolf Bandit who switched allegiance to the Dutian Heavenly King.

Meng Ba was quite happy with this misunderstanding, as most of those who eked out a living in the Green Forest were floating weeds without a certain future.

Unless one was willing to be a family’s hound, even having ascended to a bandit leader’s status like the Overturning Sky Thieves, survival beyond a family’s military drill or a collaborative siege by the aristocracy was uncertain.

Therefore, having the identity as the younger brother of the Ghost Wolf Bandit Leader acted as an invisible deterrent in the Southern Boundary, and this fear extended the good days of the Overturning Sky Thieves.

Meng Ba thought that as long as the lie was not uncovered, the Overturning Sky Thieves could continue to flourish, but he did not expect that a battle at Diancang Mountain would inadvertently cause the long-standing Ghost Wolf Bandit Leader to perish.

When the news reached the Southern Boundary, Meng Ba knew his golden days were over.

Not preying on weddings and funerals, not robbing the widowed and lonely did indeed earn the Overturning Sky Thieves a tremendous reputation, but so many strong men of the Green Forest put themselves at risk for the sake of a peaceful life.

As the head of the family, Meng Ba naturally worried about the sustenance for thousands on the mountain.

So plundering unjust rich gentry and kidnapping sons and daughters of large clans had been the Overturning Sky Thieves’ main activities in the Southern Boundary throughout the years.

But Meng Ba handled matters with precision, coupled with a decent relationship with the Wind Media Relay Station, so each raid brought considerable loot, further enhancing the reputation of the Overturning Sky Thieves.

However, those who walk the path of night will eventually encounter ghosts. What place is the Southern Tianan Continent? It’s where fierce tigers and wolves lurk, a land like the Southern Boundary teeming with spirits in a small temple, a shallow pond full of big toads.

Innumerable clans collude in the open and in the shadows, pulling on one hair and moving the whole body.

Previously, with the formidable notoriety and Meng Tuo whitewashed under Dutian Heavenly King’s patronage, the various factions in the Southern Boundary did not dare to act rashly. Now, with the Ghost Wolf Bandit Leader dead, where could the Overturning Sky Thieves find their former glory?

Almost simultaneously as the Wind Media delivered the news, the various factions of the Southern Boundary had formed an alliance, sharpening their weapons and charging towards the base of the Overturning Sky Thieves.

In terms of real combat, Green Forest fighters were no match for the warriors of great families.

Here, they were floating weeds who fluctuated between feasting and famine, the little money they saved either put into women’s bellies or lost at the gambling table.

As for cultivation, it was done intermittently, without consistency. Out of a hundred bandits, if there was one who constantly kept fist to hand and knife to waist, they were already considered as one standing above the rest.

Such a group of people relied on being intimidating due to their numbers to reap significant influence, but when faced with a clear battle formation, how could bandits be their opponents.

Facing the wrathful coalition of nobility storming up the mountain, the Overturning Sky Thieves scattered and were defeated upon contact. In just one day, the famously unassailable base of the Overturning Sky Thieves fell.

Thousands perished, leaving only dozens, one of the Four Evils of Southforest switched sides. Had Meng Ba not always been wary of the four, he might have even lost his life on the mountain.

Considering the possibility of the other three turning against him too, Meng Ba made a decisive choice to lead eighty bodyguards in a desperate break-out, narrowly escaping the encirclement and fleeing to the Southern Seas Shore while concealing their tracks.

Passing through Danmu Mountain, Meng Ba’s bandit nature resurfaced. He discovered that this mountain path was a strategic pass directly leading to Yan Fu City, with a minor dock on the outer path heading inland.

Although not as affluent as the Southern Boundary, it was still a place where one could establish a footing. Moreover, south of Danmu Mountain lay only fishing villages and small towns, devoid of any major cities.

This substantially reduced the likelihood of being besieged – perhaps it was possible to stay here for a while and assess the situation?

As Meng Ba entertained this thought, he saw a passing merchant convoy and immediately felt it was an auspicious sign sent from the heavens.

Then, he let loose his men to plunder the goods. It was laughable that the guards dared to lift a hand against the Overturning Sky Thieves; after severing an arm as a warning, he allowed those left alive to return to town to spread word of their arrival.

The Zhen Clan merchant convoy’s goods were abundant, enough for their group to establish a rudimentary base.

But once they were firmly settled, everything would get better. Meng Ba looked at the already arranged South Mountain Stream and silently mused.

Yet before his rosy future could take complete shape in his mind, sharp sword qi descended like rain.

Countless innate sword qi that could breach the body invisible murdered a dozen of Meng Ba’s bodyguards who fought their way out of the Southern Boundary with him.

Gazing at the bodies of the lively boys now strewn across the ground, Meng Ba’s eyes were filled with rage, and his roiling Spiritual Energy transformed into a ghastly face soaring to the heavens.

“What’s wrong with several times over, come die for your father!”

With bloodshot eyes and boiling killing intent, Meng Ba crushed the huge rock underfoot and dashed out of the cave.

The bodyguards, caught off guard, had already rallied together, completely surrounding two young men.

One of them was the very same ignorant guard swordsman from the merchant convoy a few days ago.