This caravan was traveling through the desert, its turning wheels leaving long trails on the soft sand. On both sides of the caravan rode black-armored soldiers mounted on fierce beasts. The long blades in their hands gleamed sharply, exuding an intimidating aura.
On the caravan were several iron cages, each imprisoning a fierce beast. These once-mighty creatures, now seemingly drained of strength, lay collapsed inside the cages. Yet, their eyes still glimmered with ferocity.
These black-armored soldiers vigilantly scanned their surroundings while riding through the desert. However, when glancing at the captured beasts, they couldn’t help but smile. This was their greatest haul in a month.
“This time, with the young mistress traveling alongside us, we’ve had a bountiful catch. I wonder what a good price they’ll fetch,” said one black-armored guard, cheerfully running his hand over a scratch on his gleaming black armor.
This caravan, traversing the desert, left long tracks in the soft sand with its turning wheels. On both sides of the caravan, a group of black-armored soldiers rode on fierce beasts, their long blades gleaming with a sharp, intimidating light.
The caravan carried several iron cages, each holding a ferocious beast. Though these once mighty creatures now lay listlessly in their confines, their eyes still flickered with a vicious gleam.
The black-armored soldiers moved cautiously through the desert, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings. Yet, when they glanced at the caged beasts, a smile crept onto their faces. These were their greatest catch in the past month.
“With the young lady accompanying us this time, our haul is bountiful. I wonder what price we can fetch for these,” said one of the black-armored guards, touching a scar on his gleaming black armor, his mood light.
Though the journey was fraught with danger, under the young lady’s command, there were no casualties. They had even managed to capture six beasts at the peak of their prime, making this expedition a fruitful one.
A guard rode his beast to the front, approaching a modest, unadorned carriage, and respectfully said, “Young lady, we are approaching Black Gorge. We must be cautious.”
In the Desert of Death, one must not only be wary of the beasts lurking beneath the sands but also the desert bandits.
The Fourteen Bandits of the Desert are even more fearsome than the beasts themselves.
“Understood. Increase vigilance,” came a melodious voice from within the carriage, so enchanting it could captivate anyone.
The black-armored guard looked at the carriage with deep respect, wondering how such a woman could exist in the world.
He pondered who could ever win the young lady’s heart.
In the distance, a cloud of dust rose as a group of shadows rode swiftly across the desert on their beasts.
“Haha, we noticed them a month ago. Who would have thought they’d return with such a bounty, just in time for us,” roared the one-eyed leader of the bandits, his face menacing.
This man was Sha Dulong, the leader of the Fourteen Bandits, a mid-tier cultivator with mastery over eight different techniques, each of profound power, making him a formidable figure in the Desert of Death.
The other thirteen bandits all bore names starting with “Sha.”
Sha Daotian, Sha Miexiong, Sha Wuxing…
The Fourteen Bandits of the Desert were notorious, ruling the desert with an iron fist. Travelers had to be wary not only of the desert beasts but also of these bandits.
The Fourteen Bandits had no subordinates; wherever they went, they moved as one. They were the undisputed rulers of the vast desert. Once, a powerful cultivator attempted to eradicate these scourges, but tragically, he was outmaneuvered and killed in the Desert of Death.
Since then, no one dared to challenge the Fourteen Bandits in the name of justice.
“The six beasts are yours, but the young lady is mine,” Sha Dulong laughed, as if everything was already in his grasp.
“Haha, after you’ve had your fun, boss, you must let us have a turn. We’ve never tasted the flavor of a young lady from the Gong family,” said Sha Miexiong, a short man with a lecherous gleam in his eyes.
“Deal…”
…
The caravan had now reached a narrow pass in the Desert of Death, flanked by cliffs formed of dried sand and stone, not too high but enough to isolate the path, leaving only this one route.
“Young lady, we’ve arrived at Black Gorge,” a black-armored guard signaled the caravan to halt, then cautiously surveyed the surroundings.
At that moment, the small doors of the carriage opened, and a figure emerged.
Clad in a simple white robe, untouched by dust, her hair elegantly coiled, with strands framing her face, accentuating her breathtaking beauty. Her delicate eyebrows, usually soft, now furrowed slightly as she gazed ahead.
“Danger,” Gong Bingye uttered softly after a moment of scrutiny.
The black-armored guard was alarmed and immediately ordered everyone to prepare for battle.
“Haha, as expected of the most astute young lady of the Gong family. You can sense danger at a glance,” came a voice as fourteen figures descended from the cliffs, their mounts snarling and crouching on the edge, glaring menacingly below.
“The Fourteen Bandits,” the guards’ faces changed, clearly familiar with the infamous bandits.
“Honorable sirs, we understand the rules. You can take the money, but may we keep the six beasts?” said the black-armored guard standing beside Gong Bingye.
He knew that once the Fourteen Bandits appeared, there was no chance of fighting their way through.
Sha Dulong chuckled, touching his blind eye, “Leave the money, the beasts, and the young lady. You can go.”
The black-armored guard’s expression shifted, a flash of anger before he calmly said, “This is the young lady of the Gong family…”
Before he could finish, Sha Dulong interrupted, “Hmph, I’m targeting the Gong family’s young lady. This eye of mine was blinded by your family’s patriarch. Unfortunately, the old man died here.”
“With him dead, playing with his daughter will be a delight,” Sha Dulong sneered, the other bandits laughing lewdly.
“Young lady, I will protect you. We are no match for the Fourteen Bandits,” the black-armored guard said.
Gong Bingye looked at the bandits, her eyes filled with hatred.
“Little beauty, don’t look at me like that. It makes me uncomfortable. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you enjoy it, leaving you with unforgettable memories,” Sha Dulong laughed maniacally.
For Sha Dulong, the most infuriating thing was the Gong family patriarch, who had blinded his eye.
Years ago, the Gong family patriarch had led a force into the Desert of Death to eradicate the Fourteen Bandits. In the battle, Sha Dulong was no match for the patriarch, but the patriarch’s arrogance attracted the attention of a powerful beast, leading to his demise. Sha Dulong had barely escaped, losing an eye in the process.
Now, with the Gong family’s young lady before him, Sha Dulong intended to exact his revenge.
At this moment, Gong Bingye’s eyes narrowed, and with a clang, she drew her sword.
Sha Dulong waved his hand, “Kill the men, keep the woman.”
The Fourteen Bandits roared, brandishing their weapons and charging forward.
Suddenly, the beasts on the cliffs let out terrified roars, leaping down and scattering in all directions, as if something terrifying was approaching.
The six beasts in the cages, previously listless, now roared in panic, thrashing against their confines.
Everyone was bewildered.
“What’s happening?”
The Fourteen Bandits, seeing their mounts fleeing, shouted in anger, but the beasts seemed possessed, ignoring commands, some even crashing into the cliffs in desperation.
“Young lady, what’s wrong with these beasts?”
Gong Bingye’s beautiful face showed a rare expression of surprise, her red lips slightly parted as she shook her head.
In that instant, the ground shook violently, the cliffs trembling.
“Whoa, slow down…”
…
The guard, riding a fierce beast, approached the simple yet ancient-looking carriage at the front and respectfully reported, “Miss, ahead lies the Black Canyon Pass. We must be cautious.”
In the Death Desert, one must not only watch out for fierce beasts lurking beneath the sands but also beware of the desert bandits that roam the area.
The Fourteen Desert Bandits were an even more terrifying presence than the fierce beasts in the Death Desert.
“Yes, make sure everyone stays alert,” came a melodious, celestial voice from inside the carriage, so enchanting that it captivated the listener.
The black-armored guard gazed respectfully at the carriage, thinking to himself, how could there be such a woman in this world? Who could possibly capture the young mistress’s heart?
In the distance, dust swirled into the air as a group of dark figures rode fierce beasts, swiftly traversing the desert.
The caravan moved through the desert, its wheels leaving long tracks in the soft sand. On either side of the caravan, a group of black-armored soldiers rode atop ferocious beasts. The long blades in their hands gleamed with a sharp, intimidating light, striking fear into the hearts of onlookers.
Among the caravan were several iron cages, each holding a fierce beast. These once-mighty creatures now lay listlessly within their confines, though their eyes still burned with a savage intensity.
The black-armored soldiers advanced cautiously through the desert, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings. Yet, when their gazes fell upon the caged beasts, a faint smile appeared on their faces. These were the fruits of their labor over the past month, their greatest haul.
“With the young lady accompanying us this time, our harvest has been bountiful. I wonder what price these will fetch,” one of the black-armored guards remarked, running his fingers over a scar on his gleaming black armor, his mood lighthearted.
Though the journey had been fraught with danger, under the young lady’s command, there had been no casualties. Moreover, they had managed to capture six peak-level ferocious beasts alive, making this expedition a resounding success.
The guard, riding his beast, approached a modest, unadorned carriage at the front of the caravan and spoke respectfully, “My lady, we are approaching Black Gorge. We must proceed with caution.”
In the Desert of Death, one had to be wary not only of the beasts lurking beneath the sands but also of the desert bandits who roamed the wasteland.
The Fourteen Desert Bandits were a terror far greater than any beast in the Desert of Death.
“Understood. Have everyone stay alert,” a clear, melodious voice emanated from within the carriage, its tone enchanting and soothing.
The black-armored guard gazed at the carriage with deep respect, his mind wandering. How could such a woman exist in this world? And who, he wondered, could ever win her heart?
In the distance, a cloud of dust rose as a group of shadowy figures rode their beasts swiftly across the desert.
“Haha, we noticed them a month ago. Who would have thought they’d return with such a rich haul? This is our lucky day,” the one-eyed leader of the bandits, Sha Dulong, roared with a vicious grin.
Sha Dulong, the leader of the Fourteen Desert Bandits, was a mid-level divine cultivator who had mastered eight different techniques, each of them a low-tier profound skill. His strength was formidable, making him a dominant figure in the Desert of Death.
The other thirteen bandits all bore names beginning with “Sha” — Sha Daotian, Sha Miexiong, Sha Wuxing, and so on. Together, the Fourteen Desert Bandits ruled the Desert of Death with an iron fist. Travelers passing through the desert had to be wary not only of the beasts but also of these notorious bandits.
The Fourteen Desert Bandits had no subordinates; wherever they went, they traveled as a group. They were the undisputed rulers of the vast desert. Once, a powerful expert had attempted to eliminate these scourges of humanity, but tragically, he had been lured to his death in the Desert of Death by the bandits. Since then, no one dared to challenge the Fourteen Desert Bandits in the name of justice.
“The six beasts are yours. The little lady is mine,” Sha Dulong declared with a hearty laugh, as if everything was already within his grasp.
“Haha, boss, after you’ve had your fun, don’t forget to share her with us. We’ve never tasted the flavor of a noble lady from the Gong family,” Sha Miexiong, a short and lecherous bandit, licked his lips with a perverse grin.
“Deal…”
…
By now, the caravan had reached a narrow pass in the Desert of Death, flanked by cliffs formed of dried sand and stone. Though not particularly high, the cliffs were steep enough to confine the path to a single passage.
“My lady, we’ve arrived at Black Gorge,” a black-armored guard signaled for the caravan to halt, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
At that moment, the small doors of the carriage opened, and a figure emerged.
She was dressed in a pristine white robe, untouched by even a speck of dust. Her hair was elegantly coiled, with delicate strands framing her flawless face. Her slender eyebrows, usually gentle, now furrowed slightly as she gazed ahead.
“Danger,” Gong Bingye uttered softly after a moment of contemplation.
The black-armored guard’s face paled, and he immediately ordered everyone to prepare for battle.
“Haha, as expected of the most intelligent lady of the Gong family. You sensed the danger at a glance,” a voice echoed as fourteen figures descended from the cliffs. Their mounts, ferocious beasts, snarled and bared their teeth, crouching on the cliff edges, their eyes filled with malice as they stared down at the caravan below.
“The Fourteen Desert Bandits,” the guards’ expressions darkened. The infamous reputation of these bandits was well-known to them.
“Honorable sirs, we understand the rules. You may take the money, but could you allow us to keep the six beasts?” the black-armored guard beside Gong Bingye spoke up.
He knew that once the Fourteen Desert Bandits appeared, there was no chance of escaping unscathed.
Sha Dulong chuckled, touching his blind eye. “Leave the money, leave the beasts, and leave the little beauty. You can scram.”
The black-armored guard’s face twisted with anger, but he quickly composed himself. “This is the young lady of the Gong family—”
Before he could finish, Sha Dulong interrupted, “Hmph, it’s precisely the Gong family’s young lady that I’m after. This eye of mine was blinded by your so-called family head. Unfortunately, the old fool died here.”
“With him dead, and his daughter in our hands, we’ll have our fun,” Sha Dulong sneered, and the other bandits joined in with lecherous laughter.
“My lady, I will protect you as we retreat. We are no match for the Fourteen Desert Bandits,” the black-armored guard whispered.
Gong Bingye’s eyes burned with hatred as she stared at the bandits.
“Little beauty, don’t look at me like that. It makes me uncomfortable. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you enjoy yourself soon enough,” Sha Dulong laughed maniacally.
For Sha Dulong, the most infuriating memory was of the Gong family head, who had blinded his eye. Years ago, the Gong family head had led a force into the Desert of Death to eliminate the Fourteen Desert Bandits. In the ensuing battle, Sha Dulong was no match for the family head, but the latter’s arrogance had attracted the attention of a powerful beast, leading to his demise. Sha Dulong had barely escaped with his life, losing an eye in the process.
Now, with the Gong family’s young lady before him, Sha Dulong was determined to exact his revenge.
At that moment, Gong Bingye’s eyes narrowed, and with a sharp clang, she drew her sword.
Sha Dulong waved his hand dismissively. “Kill the men. Keep the woman alive.”
The Fourteen Desert Bandits let out a collective roar, brandishing their weapons as they charged forward.
But just then, the beasts on the cliffs let out terrified roars, leaping down from the heights and scattering in all directions, as if fleeing from some impending horror.
Even the six caged beasts, previously listless, began to thrash about in panic, their weakened bodies slamming against the bars of their cages.
Everyone was bewildered.
“What’s going on?”
The bandits shouted in frustration as their mounts fled in chaos, some even crashing into the cliffs in desperation, killing themselves.
“My lady, what’s happening to these beasts?” the black-armored guard asked, his voice tinged with fear.
Gong Bingye’s beautiful face showed a rare expression of surprise. Her rosy lips parted slightly as she shook her head in confusion.
And then, in an instant, the ground shook violently, and the cliffs began to tremble.
“Whoa, slow down…”
…
He was none other than the head of the Fourteen Desert Bandits, Sha Dulong, at the middle stage of entering the divine realm, possessing eight different techniques.
This caravan, traversing the desert, left long tracks in the soft sand with its turning wheels. On either side of the caravan, a group of black-armored soldiers rode on ferocious beasts, their long blades gleaming with a sharp, intimidating light.
The caravan carried several iron cages, each containing a fierce beast. Though once mighty, these beasts now lay listlessly in their cages, yet their eyes still flickered with a fierce light.
The black-armored soldiers moved cautiously through the desert, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings. However, when they glanced at the caged beasts, a smile crept onto their faces. These were their greatest catch in a month.
“With the young lady accompanying us this time, our haul is bountiful. I wonder what price we can fetch for these,” said one black-armored guard, touching a scar on his shiny black armor, his mood lighthearted.
Despite the numerous dangers they faced, under the young lady’s command, there had been no casualties. They had even managed to capture six peak-level ferocious beasts alive, making this expedition a fruitful one.
The guard, riding his beast, approached a modest, unadorned carriage at the front and respectfully said, “Young lady, we are approaching Black Gorge. We must be cautious.”
In the Desert of Death, one must not only be wary of the beasts lurking beneath the sand but also of the desert bandits, who were even more fearsome than the beasts.
The Fourteen Desert Bandits were a terror in the Desert of Death, more dreaded than any beast.
“Yes, have everyone stay alert,” came a melodious, enchanting voice from within the carriage, captivating all who heard it.
The black-armored guard gazed at the carriage with deep respect, wondering how such a woman could exist in the world.
He couldn’t imagine who could ever win the young lady’s heart.
In the distance, a cloud of dust rose as a group of shadowy figures rode swiftly across the desert on their beasts.
“Haha, we noticed them a month ago. Who would have thought they’d return with such a bountiful haul, just in time for us to take advantage,” roared the one-eyed leader of the bandits, his face fierce and menacing.
This man was Sha Dulong, the leader of the Fourteen Desert Bandits, a mid-level divine practitioner with mastery over eight different techniques, each of them of profound power. He was a formidable figure in the Desert of Death.
The other thirteen bandits all had names beginning with “Sha” — Sha Daotian, Sha Miexiong, Sha Wuxing…
The Fourteen Desert Bandits ruled the Desert of Death with an iron fist. Travelers had to be wary not only of the beasts but also of these bandits.
The bandits had no subordinates; the fourteen of them always traveled together, dominating the vast desert. Once, a powerful expert had attempted to eliminate these scourges of the land, but tragically, he was lured to his death in the Desert of Death by the bandits.
Since then, no one dared to claim they would bring justice by eliminating the Fourteen Desert Bandits.
“The six beasts are yours, but the little lady is mine,” Sha Dulong laughed, as if everything was already under his control.
“Haha, after you’ve had your fun, boss, you must let us have a turn. We’ve never tasted the flavor of a lady from the Gong family,” said Sha Miexiong, his short stature and lecherous gaze adding to his sinister appearance.
“Deal…”
…
By now, the caravan had reached a narrow pass in the Desert of Death, flanked by cliffs formed of dried sand and stone. The cliffs weren’t particularly high, but they were steep enough to confine the path to a single passage.
“Young lady, we’ve reached Black Gorge,” a black-armored guard signaled for the caravan to halt, then cautiously scanned the surroundings.
At that moment, the small doors of the carriage opened, and a figure emerged.
Clad in a pristine white robe, untouched by dust, her hair elegantly coiled and her delicate features framed by fine strands, she exuded an air of unparalleled beauty. Her slender brows, usually gentle, now furrowed slightly as she gazed ahead.
“Danger,” Gong Bingye uttered softly after a moment of contemplation.
The black-armored guard was alarmed and immediately ordered everyone to prepare for battle.
“Haha, as expected of the most intelligent lady of the Gong family. You can sense danger at a glance,” came a voice as fourteen figures descended from the cliffs, their mounts snarling and baring their teeth from the cliff’s edge, glaring menacingly at the caravan below.
“The Fourteen Desert Bandits,” the guards’ faces paled at the sight, clearly familiar with the infamous bandits.
“Honorable sirs, we understand the rules. You can take the money, but could you let us keep the six beasts?” the black-armored guard beside Gong Bingye spoke up.
He knew that once the Fourteen Desert Bandits appeared, there was no chance of fighting their way out.
Sha Dulong chuckled, touching his blind eye, “Leave the money, leave the beasts, and leave the little beauty. You can go.”
The black-armored guard’s expression darkened with anger, but he remained composed, “This is the young lady of the Gong family…”
Before he could finish, Sha Dulong interrupted, “Hmph, it’s precisely the young lady of the Gong family that I’m after. This eye of mine was blinded by your so-called family head. Unfortunately, the old man died here.”
“With him dead, having his daughter at our mercy will be quite satisfying,” Sha Dulong sneered, and the other bandits laughed lewdly.
“Young lady, I’ll protect you. We’re no match for the Fourteen Desert Bandits,” the black-armored guard whispered.
Gong Bingye glared at the bandits, her eyes filled with hatred.
“Little beauty, don’t look at me like that. It makes me very unhappy. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you enjoy yourself soon enough,” Sha Dulong laughed maniacally.
For Sha Dulong, the most infuriating thing was that the old man of the Gong family had caused him to lose an eye.
Years ago, the Gong family head had led a group into the Desert of Death to eliminate the Fourteen Desert Bandits. In the ensuing battle, Sha Dulong was no match for the family head, but the latter’s arrogance attracted the attention of a powerful beast, leading to his demise. Sha Dulong had barely escaped with his life, losing an eye in the process.
Now, with the young lady of the Gong family before him, Sha Dulong intended to exact his revenge by tormenting her.
At that moment, Gong Bingye’s eyes narrowed, and with a sharp clang, she drew her sword.
Sha Dulong waved his hand, “Kill all the men, keep the women.”
The Fourteen Desert Bandits let out a fierce cry, brandishing their weapons and charging forward.
Just then, the beasts on the cliff began to roar in panic, leaping down from the cliff and scattering in all directions, as if something terrifying was about to happen.
The six beasts in the cages, previously listless, now roared in terror, thrashing against their confines with what little strength they had.
Everyone was bewildered.
“What’s going on?”
The bandits shouted at their mounts, but the beasts seemed possessed, ignoring their commands. Some, finding no escape, even charged into the cliffs, killing themselves.
“Young lady, what’s happening with these beasts?”
Gong Bingye’s beautiful face showed a rare expression of surprise, her red lips parting slightly as she shook her head.
In that instant, the ground shook violently, and the cliffs trembled.
“Whoa, slow down…”
…
The other thirteen bandits all bore names beginning with the word “Sha”—Sha Daotian, Sha Miexiong, Sha Wuxing…
The Fourteen Desert Bandits were notorious in the Death Desert. Travelers passing through this deadly expanse had to be wary not only of the fierce beasts beneath the sands but also of these bandits.
The Fourteen Bandits had no underlings; wherever they went, they traveled as a group of fourteen, dominating the vast desert. Once, some powerful experts had attempted to eliminate them and rid the world of this menace. Unfortunately, those experts were lured into the Death Desert by the bandits and met their end there.
Since then, no one dared to speak of eradicating the Fourteen Desert Bandits.
“Six fierce beasts are yours, but that young lady is mine,” laughed Sha Dulong, as if everything were already under his control.
“Haha, after you’re done, boss, don’t forget to let us have some fun too. I’ve never tasted a young lady from the Gong family before,” said Sha Miexiong, a short bandit licking his lips with a lecherous gleam in his eyes.
“Fine…”
…
At this moment, the caravan had reached the Black Canyon, a necessary passage through the Death Desert. On both sides stood cliffs formed by wind-eroded sandstone—not very tall, yet not short either—effectively isolating the path and leaving only this single passage.
“Miss, we’ve arrived at Black Canyon,” reported a black-armored guard, signaling for the caravan to halt while his eyes remained alert to the surroundings.
At that moment, the small doors of the carriage opened, and a figure stepped out.
Dressed in a simple white robe, spotless and pure, her neatly coiled hair and the long strands framing her face accentuated her peerless beauty. Her delicate eyebrows, usually gentle, were now slightly furrowed as she gazed intently ahead.
“There is danger,” Gong Bingye said softly after a moment of observation.
The black-armored guard was startled and immediately ordered everyone to prepare for battle.
“Haha, no wonder you’re the smartest daughter of the Gong family. You can sense danger at a glance,” came a mocking voice from above the cliffs as fourteen figures gracefully descended. Their fierce beast mounts snarled and crouched menacingly on the cliff edges, their eyes glowing with menace.
“The Fourteen Desert Bandits,” the guards exclaimed in alarm upon seeing the figures, clearly recognizing the infamous name.
“Brave sirs, we understand the rules. We can leave our money, but could we at least take the six fierce beasts with us?” said the black-armored guard standing beside Gong Bingye.
He knew that with the appearance of the Fourteen Desert Bandits, there was no way they could fight their way through.
Sha Dulong chuckled, stroking his blind eye. “Leave the money, leave the beasts, and leave the young beauty with us. You can go.”
The guard’s expression darkened with anger before he calmly replied, “This is the daughter of the Gong family…”
Before he could finish, Sha Dulong cut him off. “Hmph, it’s precisely the daughter of the Gong family that I’m after. This eye of mine was blinded by that Gong family patriarch. Unfortunately, that old bastard died here instead.”
“If I kill him now and then have some fun with his daughter, that would be quite satisfying,” Sha Dulong sneered, and the other bandits laughed lewdly.
“Miss, when the time comes, I’ll protect your escape. We are no match for the Fourteen Desert Bandits,” whispered the black-armored guard.
Gong Bingye glared at the bandits, her eyes burning with hatred.
“Little beauty, don’t look at me like that. It really pisses me off. But don’t worry, soon I’ll make you scream in pleasure until you can’t get enough of it,” Sha Dulong laughed maniacally.
For Sha Dulong, the most infuriating memory was of the Gong family patriarch, who had cost him his eye.
Years ago, the Gong family head had come to the Death Desert with a group to eliminate the Fourteen Desert Bandits. In the ensuing battle, Sha Dulong had no chance against the Gong patriarch. However, the Gong patriarch had been too arrogant, drawing the attention of a powerful fierce beast, which ultimately led to his demise. Sha Dulong barely escaped with his life, having lost one eye in the process.
Now, with a Gong family daughter before him, Sha Dulong intended to torment her cruelly to avenge his past humiliation.
The caravan moved through the desert, its wheels leaving long tracks in the soft sand. On either side of the caravan, a group of black-armored soldiers rode atop ferocious beasts, their long blades gleaming with a sharp, intimidating light.
On the caravan were several iron cages, each holding a fierce beast. Though these once-mighty creatures now lay listless within their confines, their eyes still burned with a fierce, untamed light.
The black-armored soldiers advanced cautiously through the desert, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings. Yet, when they glanced at the caged beasts, a smile crept onto their faces. These were the fruits of their labor over the past month, their greatest catch.
“With the young lady accompanying us this time, our haul is substantial. I wonder what price these will fetch,” one of the black-armored guards remarked, running his hand over a scar on his gleaming black armor, his mood light and cheerful.
Though the journey had been fraught with danger, under the young lady’s command, there had been no casualties. They had even managed to capture six peak-level ferocious beasts alive, making this expedition a resounding success.
The guard rode his beast to the front of the caravan, approaching a modest, unadorned carriage. Bowing respectfully, he said, “Young lady, we are approaching Black Gorge. We must proceed with caution.”
In the Desert of Death, one had to be wary not only of the beasts lurking beneath the sand but also of the desert bandits, who were even more fearsome than the creatures themselves.
The Fourteen Bandits of the Desert were a terror far surpassing the beasts of the Desert of Death.
“Understood. Increase vigilance,” a clear, melodious voice rang out from within the carriage, its tone enchanting and soothing.
The black-armored guard gazed at the carriage with deep respect, his mind wandering. How could such a woman exist in this world? And who, he wondered, could ever win her heart?
In the distance, a cloud of dust rose as a group of shadowy figures rode their beasts swiftly across the desert.
“Haha, we noticed them a month ago. Who would have thought they’d return with such a bountiful haul? This is our lucky day,” roared the one-eyed leader of the bandits, his face twisted with malice.
This man was Sha Dulong, the leader of the Fourteen Bandits, a mid-level divine cultivator who had mastered eight different techniques, each of profound and terrifying power. He was a force to be reckoned with in the Desert of Death.
The other thirteen bandits all bore names beginning with “Sha”—Sha Daotian, Sha Miexiong, Sha Wuxing, and so on. Together, they ruled the Desert of Death, a menace to all who dared to traverse its sands. Travelers had to be wary not only of the beasts but also of these fourteen outlaws.
The Fourteen Bandits had no subordinates; wherever they went, they traveled as a group. They were the undisputed rulers of the vast desert. Once, a powerful expert had attempted to rid the world of these scourges, but he had met his end in the Desert of Death, outwitted and outmatched by the bandits. Since then, no one had dared to challenge them.
“The six beasts are yours. The girl is mine,” Sha Dulong declared with a hearty laugh, as if everything was already within his grasp.
“Haha, boss, after you’ve had your fun, don’t forget to share her with us. We’ve never tasted the likes of a young lady from the Gong family,” said Sha Miexiong, a short, lecherous man who licked his lips with a lascivious grin.
“Deal…”
…
By now, the caravan had reached a narrow pass in the Desert of Death, flanked by cliffs formed of dried sand and stone. Though not particularly high, the cliffs were imposing, leaving only a single path through the gorge.
“Young lady, we’ve arrived at Black Gorge,” a black-armored guard announced, signaling for the caravan to halt. He then scanned the surroundings with heightened alertness.
At that moment, the small doors of the carriage opened, and a figure emerged.
She was dressed in a pristine white robe, untouched by the dust of the desert. Her hair was elegantly coiled, with a few strands framing her exquisite face. Her delicate brows, usually soft and gentle, now furrowed slightly as she gazed ahead.
“Danger,” Gong Bingye murmured after a moment of contemplation.
The black-armored guard’s face paled, and he immediately ordered the group to prepare for battle.
“Haha, as expected of the cleverest young lady of the Gong family. You sensed the danger at a glance,” a voice called out as fourteen figures descended from the cliffs above. Their mounts, ferocious beasts, snarled and bared their teeth, crouching on the cliff edges and glaring down at the caravan below.
“The Fourteen Bandits,” the guards muttered, their expressions darkening. The infamous reputation of these outlaws was well-known to them.
“Honorable sirs, we understand the rules. You may take the money, but could you allow us to keep the six beasts?” the black-armored guard beside Gong Bingye pleaded.
He knew that once the Fourteen Bandits appeared, there was no chance of escaping unscathed.
Sha Dulong chuckled, running a hand over his blind eye. “The money stays. The beasts stay. And the girl stays. The rest of you can leave.”
The black-armored guard’s face hardened with anger, but he forced himself to remain calm. “This is the young lady of the Gong family—”
Before he could finish, Sha Dulong cut him off. “Hmph, it’s precisely the Gong family’s young lady I’m after. This eye of mine was taken by your so-called family head. Unfortunately for him, he met his end here in this desert.”
“Now that the old man’s dead, we’ll have our fun with his daughter. That’ll be some sweet revenge,” Sha Dulong sneered, and the other bandits laughed lewdly in agreement.
“Young lady, I’ll protect you as we make our escape. We are no match for the Fourteen Bandits,” the black-armored guard whispered.
Gong Bingye stared at the bandits, her eyes filled with hatred.
“Little beauty, don’t look at me like that. It makes me uncomfortable. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you enjoy yourself soon enough,” Sha Dulong taunted with a cruel laugh.
For Sha Dulong, the most infuriating memory was of the Gong family head, who had blinded him in one eye. Years ago, the Gong family head had led a group into the Desert of Death to eliminate the Fourteen Bandits. In the ensuing battle, Sha Dulong had been no match for the family head, but the latter’s arrogance had attracted the attention of a powerful beast, leading to his demise. Sha Dulong had barely escaped with his life, losing an eye in the process.
Now, with the Gong family’s young lady before him, Sha Dulong was determined to exact his revenge.
At that moment, Gong Bingye’s eyes narrowed, and with a sharp clang, she drew her sword.
Sha Dulong waved his hand dismissively. “Kill the men. Keep the woman.”
The Fourteen Bandits let out a collective roar, brandishing their weapons and charging forward.
But just then, the beasts on the cliffs let out panicked howls, leaping down from the heights and scattering in all directions, as if fleeing from some unseen terror.
Even the six beasts in the cages, previously listless, began to thrash and roar in fear, their weakened bodies slamming against the bars.
Confusion swept through the group.
“What’s going on?” the bandits shouted as their mounts fled in all directions, ignoring their commands. Some of the beasts, finding no escape, even hurled themselves against the cliffs, killing themselves in their desperation.
“Young lady, what’s happening with these beasts?” the black-armored guard asked, his voice tinged with alarm.
Gong Bingye’s beautiful face showed a flicker of surprise, her red lips parting slightly as she shook her head.
And then, in an instant, the ground began to shake violently, the cliffs trembling as if the earth itself was coming apart.
“Whoa, what the hell—slow down!”
…
Sha Dulong waved his hand. “Kill all the men. Keep the woman.”
With a loud cry, the Fourteen Desert Bandits brandished their weapons and charged forward.
Just then, the fierce beasts atop the cliffs suddenly roared in panic, leaping down from the cliffs. Upon landing, they frantically scrambled in all directions, as if some terrible calamity was about to descend.
The six imprisoned beasts, previously weak and powerless, now howled in terror, throwing their weakened bodies against the bars of their cages.
Everyone was bewildered.
“What’s going on?”
Seeing their mounts scattering uncontrollably, the bandits shouted furiously, but the beasts had gone completely wild, ignoring all commands. Some even, finding no escape, charged headfirst into the cliffs, killing themselves.
“Miss, what’s happening to these beasts?”
Even Gong Bingye’s exquisite face showed surprise, her red lips parting slightly as she shook her head in confusion.
In that very instant, the ground trembled violently, and the cliffs shook fiercely.
“Whoa, holy crap, slow down…”
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