THE GOD'S OF CHOSEN WARRIOR

Robbery

Meanwhile, outside the inn, more than forty bandits were searching through the villagers' houses one by one, looting any valuables they could find.

Painful screams echoed in the night as the bandits mercilessly swung their weapons. They showed no mercy to anyone who dared to stand in their way.

The terrified cries of women and children added to the horror of what should have been a peaceful night. The once-tranquil village was now filled with fear and chaos.

Several young women sobbed as they were dragged away by the bandits. Their desperate cries for their parents did nothing to move the hearts of their captors. Instead, the bandits laughed heartily, pleased with the wealth and women they had seized.

"Tonight, we shall have a grand feast!" roared a tall, muscular man wielding a large sword. His laughter rang out loudly, matching his terrifying presence.

"That's right, Chief! We never expected such a small village to be this wealthy—and its women so alluring," one of the bandits replied.

"How do you plan to celebrate when your lives will be taken this very night?"

A voice suddenly shattered the bandits' laughter.

The laughter ceased instantly. The bandit leader and his men turned their heads, scanning for the source of the threat.

Their laughter erupted once more—louder than before—when they spotted a young man standing not far from where they had gathered.

"Chief, looks like we have a young fool who’s tired of living, hahaha!" one of the bandits mocked.

The bandit leader narrowed his eyes, studying the young man who was staring at them with a sharp gaze. A wicked grin spread across his face as he took in Li Jie's handsome features. His mind quickly hatched a plan to make extra profit.

"Seize him! But don’t kill him. He’ll fetch a high price if we sell him."

"As expected of our wise leader! Lord Prayogo would surely pay a fortune for someone like him," a bandit chimed in.

"Indeed! Lord Han Zi would certainly enjoy a young man like this. His looks surpass any of the boys we've brought to him before," another added.

"You fools must be dreaming if you think you can capture me alive. If you wish to sell me, then I, too, have a wish—to turn your corpses into a feast for the beasts of the forest!" Li Jie retorted.

His sharp words ignited the bandit leader’s fury. He immediately changed his plan.

"Torture him before you kill him! He doesn’t deserve to live!" he bellowed.

A dozen bandits surrounding the leader rushed forward to attack Li Jie. Their weapons swung wildly, aiming to tear him apart.

Without hesitation, Li Jie drew his sword, skillfully blocking and deflecting every strike. One by one, the bandits’ weapons flew from their hands, sent soaring into the air by his expert counters.

Before the bandits could even register that their weapons were gone, Li Jie swiftly slashed his sword, cutting deep into their bodies. Their agonized screams filled the night.

In no time at all, seven bandits lay lifeless on the ground. The remaining ones stood frozen, unable to believe that their comrades had been slain so effortlessly.

Seeing his men slaughtered so easily, the bandit leader turned to one of his subordinates.

"Call the others!" he barked.

"Chief, that young man… he’s a warrior!" a bandit stammered in fear.

"You think I don’t already know that?!" the leader snapped.

Moments later, the fear among the bandits was replaced with confidence as more than twenty of their comrades arrived.

Without waiting for orders, the reinforcements surrounded Li Jie. Yet, upon seeing the lifeless bodies of their fallen comrades, they hesitated.

"Attack him now and kill that bastard!" the leader roared, furious at their hesitation.

"Come at me if you wish to die!" Li Jie said calmly.

The bandits felt trapped. If they attacked, they might be killed. But if they hesitated, their own leader would not spare them.

They made their choice. As one, they charged at Li Jie, surrounding him from all sides.

A small smile played on Li Jie’s lips before his body suddenly spun, his sword slicing through the air.

"Heavenly Light Demon-Slaying Sword!"

A radiant light burst from Li Jie's blade, streaking toward the dozens of bandits closing in on him.

Agonized screams echoed as bodies were sliced cleanly apart, spilling entrails onto the ground.

With a single attack, seventeen bandits met their end.

The remaining ones instinctively stumbled back, their faces pale with terror.

For the first time in their lives, they had encountered a foe beyond their capabilities. Their only thought was escape.

Without hesitation, the survivors turned and fled.

A smirk formed on Li Jie’s lips as he activated his light-foot technique, instantly catching up to them.

"You think you can escape so easily?"

The fleeing bandits skidded to a halt, their eyes widening in disbelief. Li Jie was already in front of them, blocking their path.

"Even if you surrender, I will still kill you. So there is only one choice—either I die, or you do."

Terror gripped them once more. Whether they ran or fought, death awaited them.