CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: BANDIT SUPPRESSION (PART 2)

Are there innocent people in the bandit’s camp?

Of course there are.

The personal soldiers rushed into the camp and discovered a group of pale, trembling women in the backyard.

They had spent many years in the military camp and rarely saw women. Now, suddenly seeing so many women, they couldn’t help but look a few more times.

There were around thirty women, the oldest looking about twenty-eight or nine, the youngest just around eleven or twelve, many with delicate and attractive features.

As a group of soldiers like wolves and tigers rushed in, the women looked utterly hopeless, showing sorrowful expressions. Some were resignedly accepting their fate, some were crying softly, and some had already knelt down to plead for mercy.

Strangely, these soldiers merely glanced at them and did not approach to tease or assault them.

"Tao Da," one of the personal soldiers nudged the tall, blood-covered man with his elbow: "See who’s the prettiest among them?"

Tao Da, not too sharp, didn’t realize he was being teased and started scrutinizing seriously. Then he pointed a finger at the girl in the corner: "She’s pretty."

The girl he pointed at had a slender build, a beautiful face, and moreover, an elegant demeanor. Obviously, she came from a good family. Sadly, she was dragged into the bandit camp, losing her chastity.

The personal soldiers secretly felt pity.

That girl, although pale-faced, was not frightened into a faint by the blood-covered, god-like tall man and even mustered the courage to say, "There’s a dungeon in the camp, and there are still people trapped inside."

Her voice was soft and pleasant to hear.

Her refined and dignified face was also very beautiful.

Tao Da couldn’t take his eyes off, staring directly at the girl: "Lead the way, I’ll go release them."

The girl, disregarding her panic and fear, nodded repeatedly and quickly walked over. Tao Da’s strong smell of blood wafted over, and the girl instinctively held her breath to prevent her legs from trembling.

The personal soldiers left ten behind to guard the group of women, while the others followed the girl to the dungeon.

One of the personal soldiers walked faster and got closer to the girl.

Tao Da didn’t like that soldier, and slapped his fan-like hand over, causing that soldier to almost fall flat on his face.

The personal soldier gritted his teeth from the pain, looked up to see Tao Da glaring with open eyes, and immediately shut up.

In the military camp, strength reigns supreme. Although Tao Da was a fool, he was skilled and immensely strong. The personal soldiers might tease him, but no one dared to really challenge him.

Most of the bandits had escaped through the tunnel; the dungeon was unguarded. With a slash, the iron chains opened.

After the door opened, over a dozen men, hungry and emaciated, came out weakly. Upon seeing the daylight again, each broke into tears.

There was a pair of father and son, both filthy and emitting unpleasant odors. Their seldom-changed clothes were silk, and their appearance was decent and handsome.

The girl’s eyes were filled with tears as she choked out, "Father, brother."

The long-awaited family reunion was not filled with joyful tears as the girl imagined. Her father looked at her with disgust: "You’ve been dragged into the bandit camp for two years, long lost your chastity, how can you still call me father? Go find a white silk, die early and reincarnate."

Her brother was equally cold and disdainful: "Father is right. Our Kong Family is of scholarly lineage, never had a woman lose her chastity. You’ve stayed in the bandit camp for so long, what face do you have to return to the Kong Family? Just end it soon!"

The world’s most hurtful words are not from swords and knives but from the harsh words of family.

The girl’s face turned deathly pale, tears streaming down.

The personal soldiers watched this scene, feeling not quite comfortable.

The personal soldier who had been slapped finally caught his breath and rolled his eyes: "Bah! You father and son don’t know what’s good for you. If it weren’t for this girl leading the way, you’d be starving to death!"

Tao Da was more direct. He stepped up before the two, grabbed them both, and threw them out forcefully.

Bang!

With a muffled sound, the Kong father and son were stunned and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Miss Kong was startled, disregarding her tears, and quickly rushed forward to try to help her father and brother. Unfortunately, they refused to let her touch them, as if she was the filthiest thing in the world.

Miss Kong felt aggrieved, unable to express it, tears falling once again.

Tao Da frowned, said, "I’ll kill them both to vent your anger."

Saying this, he angrily stepped forward again.

The Kong father and son’s faces turned pale, struggling to crawl forward on the ground.

Just as the iron pot-like fist was about to fall, Miss Kong rushed over, protecting her father and brother with her body, tearfully: "Military officer, spare their lives! My father and brother were trapped in the bandit camp for two years, humiliated, and gloomy, they spoke harshly. Actually, they didn’t really want me dead, please spare them!"

Tao Da looked at the pale and panicked Kong father and son: "Is what Miss Kong said true?"

It is wise to know the right moment to adapt, preserving life is crucial.

The Kong father and son nodded hurriedly, changing their tone: "Yes, yes, yes, military officer, you misunderstood us."

"We feel sorry for our sister for enduring so much shame for us. We will treat her well in the future."

Tao Da’s expression softened, withdrawing his fist.

The other personal soldiers watched the lively scene and didn’t idle, organizing the remaining dozen men in one place, directing the women to identify their husbands and family.

...

The personal soldiers guarding near the tunnel exit in the mountain forest also had their harvest.

"There’s movement in the tunnel!"

"Bandits are escaping! Everyone get ready!"

As the bandits escaped the tunnel, they were surrounded and exterminated, each fighting with blood-soaked eyes.

Soon, corpses were scattered on the ground, blood stains turned the forest ground scarlet. Birds and beasts nearby fled in alarm.

Bang!

An arrow shot into the air, exploding into dazzling white light, lasting for about ten breaths before dissipating.

Jiang Shaohua and others in the camp below the mountain were alerted.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes brightened, and her lips curled: "Black Pine Village has been taken down."

Song Yuan’s eyes showed satisfaction: "Qin Zhan is fearless and unparalleled, Liu Hengchang is meticulous and comprehensive. The two together attacked the bandit camp, accomplishing great merit."

As they spoke, two more arrows exploded in the air.

Jiang Shaohua narrowed her eyes and said softly, "This is the signal from the tunnel exit, it seems most of the bandits have escaped the camp. We must seize this opportunity to annihilate them completely, not leaving a single one!"

"Uncle, immediately lead troops into the mountain for support."

Song Yuan frowned in objection: "If I take the troops, who will protect the Commandery Princess?"

Jiang Shaohua replied calmly: "Leave fifty guards; that will be enough. Take the rest. I’ll be in the military camp, waiting for your good news!"

...