"Alas!"

A sigh echoed. Though the voice was not loud, it felt like thunder to Yi Xiaochuan.

Daoist Priest has recovered! Great! With Daoist Priest around, these desperate criminals wouldn't be able to show off anymore.

"Step behind me," came the calm voice.

Yi Xiaochuan quickly retreated behind Cao Yi.

"Brothers, rein in your horses!" shouted one of the bandit cavalry, pulling on the reins.

Seeing Cao Yi awake, the other bandit cavalry quickly pulled back their horses.

For a moment, the sound of neighing filled the air.

Cao Yi sat there without any intention of picking up the Three Pure Bells.

The bandit cavalry were uncertain about Cao Yi's intentions, unsure whether to advance or retreat. As time passed, the neighing faded, and an eerie calm settled over the scene.

Cao Yi's gaze met with resentful and suspicious eyes.

"Why isn't he attacking us?"

"Is he trying to toy with us?"

"A thief can be killed but cannot be humiliated..."

Suddenly, the bandit cavalry erupted into chaotic chatter, like a marketplace.

"I understand now, he can't move at all!" exclaimed the bandit who had first called for the halt.

The raucous bandit cavalry fell silent, their expressions mixed with confusion and excitement as they looked at Cao Yi. Suddenly, discussions erupted like thunder.

"Hahaha, turns out it was all just for show!"

"Brothers, advance together and kill him!"

"Dare to toy with us? We'll flay his skin later!"

Suddenly, Cao Yi raised his hand.

The dozens of bandit cavalry fell silent, like ducks caught by the throat, their faces filled with terror. Some even turned their horses around.

Then, the unbelievable happened.

That hand, which could take their lives, went to his ear.

He was actually cleaning his ear!

Shouldn't he be picking up the bell to kill them instead?

"Run!" a voice cried out.

Instantly, over ten bandit cavalry turned their horses around, ready to flee.

"Wait!" the same bandit yelled again.

The others looked at him in confusion.

"Don't be fooled! Think about it—if he really had the ability to kill us, why would he be cleaning his ear?" he shouted.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The other bandits understood and began to curse loudly again.

But no one moved forward. After all, life is precious to everyone.

"Who should we kill first?" Cao Yi finally spoke, his voice dripping with killing intent.

"Kill that one who talks too much!" Yi Xiaochuan's expression lit up.

It was a complete reversal from his previous saintly demeanor.

With a clatter, the iron sword dropped from the trembling hands of the chatty bandit, his face pale and shaking like a little rabbit before a tiger.

The other bandit cavalry inwardly cursed. It turned out that their earlier bravado was just an act.

"Then we'll start with you," Cao Yi said, reaching down to pick up the Three Pure Bells.

The designated bandit cavalry had already turned his horse around, frantically whipping the horse.

Panic spread like a plague, and the other bandit cavalry began to do the same.

The ringing of the bells echoed through the forest, sounding like the harbinger of death.

Dozens of bandit cavalry fled for their lives, quickly vanishing into the depths of the woods.

With a thud, the Three Pure Bells dropped from a limp hand.

"Daoist Priest!" Yi Xiaochuan's face changed.

"Continue to guard," Cao Yi said, his complexion pale as he grasped the jade essence he had just dropped, closing his eyes to regain his energy.

"That was close, we almost lost!" Yi Xiaochuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Hearing Yi Xiaochuan's words, Cao Yi chuckled inwardly. Even if the bandit cavalry charged forward, it wouldn't matter.

He had his trump card, the purple-gold red gourd. All he needed to do was hide inside and wait to recover before coming out to fight again.

"Daoist Priest, you've saved me several times. If they come back, I will protect you with my life!" Yi Xiaochuan vowed, gripping his bronze sword.

Cao Yi ignored him.

Time passed slowly.

The sun dipped in the west.

In the clearing of the forest, on one side lay the scattered corpses, the stench of blood overwhelming.

On the other, Cao Yi, surrounded by a misty white aura.

"Ha!" A pure white vapor over a foot long escaped from Cao Yi's mouth.

"Daoist Priest, you're back to full strength!" Yi Xiaochuan exclaimed joyfully.

"Yes," Cao Yi replied, opening his eyes and standing up.

Footsteps approached.

Cao Yi turned to look.

An old man, supported by two young women in white, walked over.

The old man was none other than Lü Gong, who in history was Han Gaozu Liu Bang's father-in-law.

"If it weren't for you today, my family would not know what fate awaited us," Lü Gong expressed his gratitude, bowing deeply.

"You're too kind, elder," Cao Yi said, stepping forward to support him.

Lü Gong took the opportunity to rise.

"This young lady, Lü Zhi, thanks you for saving us," one of the young women said.

"This young lady, Lü Su, also thanks you for saving us," the other added, bowing gracefully.

"No need for such formalities," Cao Yi said, offering a light gesture.

"And this benefactor here," Lü Zhi turned to Yi Xiaochuan, her eyes sparkling like autumn waters, clearly taken by his looks.

"Sister, why are you thanking him? He just spoke up for those cold-blooded bandits," Lü Su said, her delicate face showing annoyance.

Compared to her sister's ulterior motives, she was straightforward.

"Su Su," Lü Zhi chided her sister, as if to say, silly girl, my sister has feelings for him.

"It's alright, I was wrong earlier," Yi Xiaochuan said with an awkward smile.

He reflected on the deeds he had done over the years, questioning how many were right and how many were merely self-righteous.

"You were indeed wrong," Lü Su, who had fallen for Yi Xiaochuan at first sight in the original plot, was filled with discontent.

Watching this scene, Cao Yi felt it was quite good. At this moment, Yi Xiaochuan remained in a naive phase of flirting while feeling indifferent.

"Please, this way," Lü Gong gestured.

Cao Yi looked in the direction Lü Gong pointed. A short distance away in the woods was a large piece of plain cloth laid out, on which sat a strange-looking wine jug and several cups.

"Please," Lü Gong said again.

Cao Yi nodded and walked over.

After taking a seat and having a cup of wine, Lü Gong cautiously asked, "May I ask where you are headed?"

This indicated he wished to travel together.

"I'm going to Yan, and may stop in Pei County for a few days," Cao Yi deliberately added Pei County.

Lü Gong was overjoyed and quickly said, "My family is also headed to Pei County, perfect for us to travel together."

He added, "I have some reputation in this area, so if you need anything, I can do my best to assist."

Lü Gong's words reminded Cao Yi of something important he almost forgot.

"Have you heard of someone named Gao Yao? He's known for making bizarre dishes and speaking in a muddled way."

"Making bizarre dishes? Gao Yao?" Lü Gong thought for a moment and shook his head.