140: The Sand Bandits Attacking the City

In the Grand Hall of Little Thunderclap Temple.

The atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip.

Dozens of eminent monks, clad in golden kasayas and with auras as deep as the sea, sat on either side, their faces ashen.

"Have you found out? What is the origin of those little beasts?"

Seated in the main seat was the current abbot of Little Thunderclap Temple, a peerless expert whose cultivation had reached the Martial Saint realm.

"Reporting to the Abbot." An Elder in charge of intelligence stepped forward. "According to our investigation, Xiao Huohuo and Ling Ke'er are fellow Disciples of Lin Fan and Lu Nuannuan, who caused such a stir in the Southern Region previously."

"Behind them, there is suspected to be a mysterious Revered Master whose cultivation is at least Martial Venerable, and possibly even Martial Saint, supporting them."

Martial Saint?!

At these words, everyone in the hall felt a chill in their hearts.

"Hmph! What if they are a Martial Saint?!"

Just then, an ancient yet supremely authoritative voice slowly drifted from the back of the Grand Hall.

Before the words finished, an old monk, dressed in a worn monastic robe, with a withered face as if he could pass away at any moment, appeared silently before everyone.

But the faint yet terrifying aura emanating from him, as if it could crush all things, made everyone present, including the Abbot, rise and bow in salute.

"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle!"

This was the true pillar of Little Thunderclap Temple, an old monster who had lived for nearly a thousand years and whose cultivation had long reached the Peak of Martial Saint!

"Our Buddhist Family must not be insulted."

The old monk's voice was devoid of emotion.

"Issue the order, and list those five individuals on our Buddhist Family's must-kill list!"

"Furthermore..." He changed the subject, and a barely perceptible cold glint flashed in his cloudy old eyes, "Recently, it seems many newly admitted Disciples in the temple have wavered and want to defect?"

Hearing this, the Abbot's forehead broke out in cold sweat, and he bowed, saying, "Reporting to Junior Martial Uncle, this is indeed true. We had intended to..."

"No need." The old monk waved his hand. "Buddhist teachings are boundless; turning back is the shore."

"Bring back all those who have been swayed by worldly desires."

"Give them a good 'salvation'."

"Our Buddha is merciful."

...

Western Region, Yingzhou City.

Xiao Huohuo, Ling Ke'er, and A'cao had long since changed their appearances.

Xiao Huohuo transformed into an ordinary-looking burly man with a beard, Ling Ke'er wore a veil, and A'cao smeared herself with soot from the bottom of a pot, making her look like a little black charcoal.

As soon as the three entered the city, they were attracted by the reward posters plastered all over the city walls.

Looking at the handsome and dashing image of himself on the poster, and the line next to it stating "rape, plunder, and all manner of evil deeds," Xiao Huohuo's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

"Damn it! These bald donkeys are too good at fabricating things!"

"When did this young Revered Master ever commit rape and plunder?!"

He couldn't help but mutter in a low voice.

Ling Ke'er and A'cao were also both amused and annoyed.

Just then!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"Clang—! Clang—!"

On the city walls, the dull sound of war drums and the urgent ringing of bells suddenly exploded without warning!

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"The Desert Bandits are attacking the city!"

Piercing screams echoed through the sky!

The entire Yingzhou City instantly descended into chaos!

Countless common people screamed, cried, and scattered in all directions!

Xiao Huohuo and the two others were also startled, and subconsciously prepared to activate their spiritual power.

They thought they had been exposed and cornered by people from Little Thunderclap Temple.

But when they saw the dense mass of figures sweeping in from the vast yellow sand, they all looked astonished.

Desert Bandits?

Thousands of Desert Bandits, each riding an unknown desert beast and wielding a scimitar, charged fearlessly towards the city walls of Yingzhou City!

Leading them was a burly middle-aged man with a hideous saber scar on his face, and his eyes burned with raging flames of revenge!

"Brothers! Charge!"

"Kill all these Buddhist Family running dogs! Plunder all their money and grain!"

His voice was hoarse but full of incitement!

Although the defenders of Yingzhou City also numbered several thousand, they had long been corrupted by the tyranny of Little Thunderclap Temple; they were good at oppressing the common people on normal days, but on the battlefield, they were like soft-legged shrimps, without a shred of Battle Intent!

In just half a day.

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, the city gate of Yingzhou City was forcibly smashed open by the fearless Desert Bandits using a huge battering ram!

"Kill!"

The Desert Bandits poured into the city like a tide!

However, they did not harm the unarmed civilians.

Their targets were exceptionally clear!

The City Lord's Mansion! And those big Families who usually acted oppressively and colluded with the Buddhist Family!

In less than an hour.

The entire upper echelon of Yingzhou City was ransacked!

Having done all this, the Desert Bandit leader showed no desire to prolong the fight and directly ordered a retreat!

They came quickly and left quickly!

As if only for venting and plundering!

They knew very well that once the reinforcements from Little Thunderclap Temple arrived, their small force would not even be enough to fill their teeth!

On the city wall, Xiao Huohuo, Ling Ke'er, and A'cao watched the Desert Bandits retreat like a tide, and they all saw a peculiar glint in each other's eyes.

"Interesting."

Xiao Huohuo grinned.

"Let's follow them and see."

Without hesitation, the three figures flickered and silently followed the main force of the Desert Bandits.