"I didn’t realize you held such a deep-seated hatred for evil."
He Qiaosheng didn’t dwell on Lin Yan’s explanation. If Lin Yan were from the main branch of the Lin Family, he wouldn’t have such strong feelings about bandits, because the mountain and Water Bandits of Qing State wouldn’t dare provoke any Lin Clan Members.
"Alright. Take Jian Sheng with you. I’ll stand guard for you two."
After a moment of contemplation, He Qiaosheng made his decision. Jian Sheng had been defeated by Shen Guyun and his Divine Soul was damaged. Perhaps slaughtering Water Bandits could be a form of healing for him.
The Divine Soul was simply too mysterious!
It was impossible to fathom without reaching that kind of Realm.
"Thank you, Senior."
Lin Yan cupped his fist in a salute. ’With Senior He, a True Gang Realm expert, watching over me, my safety is guaranteed. Now all I have to do is kill more Water Bandits and accumulate Martial Arts Fruits.’
A quarter of an hour later!
Two figures departed from the boat, treading across the river’s surface as they headed for the forest on the bank.
An hour later, Jian Sheng was the first to return.
An hour and a half later, Lin Yan finally made it back to the boat.
Both of their faces were bright. Lin Yan was pleased because he had gained more Martial Arts Fruits, while Jian Sheng had found an outlet for the frustrations that had been building up over the past few days.
Lin Yan’s only regret, however, was that it was just a small den of Water Bandits. There were fewer than twenty in total. Jian Sheng had killed eight, while he had killed twelve. Most of their time had been spent just traveling to and from the location.
The next day.
The two continued.
The third day.
The fourth day.
On the fifth day, Jian Sheng didn’t go. He was getting tired.
"Master, Lin Yan goes out every night. Doesn’t he ever get tired?"
Standing on the deck, Jian Sheng looked confused. He had killed over fifty Water Bandits in four consecutive days and was already feeling fatigued—not physically, but mentally.
He felt himself growing numb from killing so many people.
Yet Lin Yan, who had killed far more Water Bandits than him, seemed energized every night.
"Everyone’s experiences are different, and so are their attitudes toward Water Bandits."
He Qiaosheng let out a soft sigh. "Jian Sheng, while it’s true you weren’t born into any great clan, you didn’t suffer much hardship as a child. The worst you had to endure was some... some malicious gossip about your appearance. But Lin Yan... I imagine he must have had friends or family die at the hands of mountain and Water Bandits. That must be why he hates them so vehemently. I’d guess one of his motivations to pursue Cultivation and Martial Arts so diligently is to one day be able to kill those bandits and avenge the people he lost."
"However, one must be wary of extremes. If this obsession of Lin Yan’s runs too deep, it may not be good for his future on the Martial Arts Path. When we return from Tai Mountain, I must mention this to Shouyuan."
"An obsession?"
Jian Sheng scratched his head. ’It doesn’t feel like an obsession, though. Lin Yan isn’t cruel to the Water Bandits. He finishes them all with a single strike, almost like he’s just completing a task.’
’But Master’s analysis can’t be wrong. I never would have guessed Lin Yan had such a tragic, hidden past.’
「Seven days later.」
The cruise boat arrived at Taian Prefecture and docked at the pier.
"Now that we’re in Taian Prefecture, you can’t go after mountain bandits so casually anymore."
Before disembarking, He Qiaosheng made a point of reminding Lin Yan, "The situation in Taian Prefecture is different from the others. Because of Tai Mountain’s presence, the Martial Arts powers here are on par with those of the Daoist Mansion. In fact, out of all the State Mansions, it is the strongest, second only to the Daoist Mansion."
"Don’t worry, Senior. I won’t go looking for trouble with mountain bandits again."
Lin Yan glanced at the Martial Arts Fruits on his Martial Arts Tree. ’Three hundred and sixty-five years’ worth. That should be enough for now.’

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