Chapter 1198: War Drums Beat

haven't been harmed. You can go in and have a look."Feng Lingxi followed Dugu Cheng into the city. Watching the street vendors calling out their wares, she saw them all kneel and bow as Dugu Cheng ap...The bandits are here.

Feng Ling hurriedly picked up Wan'er, Du Gu Cheng stood in front of them, Ye Xi and Xiao Li stepped forward to protect their master.

"My lord, my lady, be careful."

A group of outlaws in strange attire surrounded them, about thirty or so strong. They brandished large swords, menacing and terrifying.

"The man killed, the woman took away."

Dugu Cheng dragged Feng Ling Xi in front of him. Wan'er wasn't afraid at all, her eyes curiously gazing at them, as if they weren't bandits, but clowns instead.

"Xiao Li and I will protect Wan'er, the rest is up to you."

The villagers were terrified and huddled on the ground, shaking and covering their heads. They didn't look like they were experiencing this for the first time.

It's just that, such a thing, no one told him about it. The robbers got to his doorstep and he didn't even know.

Dugu City looked at the bandits before him and nodded to Ye Xi. As the bandit stepped forward to detain the person, Dugu City and Ye Xi struck simultaneously, instantly killing the two of them.

"Kill them all."

The bandit leader snarled angrily, his large blade already swinging towards Dugu City. Dugu City fought alongside Ye Xi, and perhaps because they were women, these bandits seemed to have no intention of killing them. Feng Lingxi held onto Wan'er, nervously watching them.

Dugu City was more than capable of dealing with these bandits, he didn't need any help at all.

Before the fight was over, dozens of bandits were killed or injured. Seeing the situation was hopeless, the bandit leader tried to escape. Feng Lingxi quickly stepped forward, and with a swoosh, an arrow from her sleeve hit the bandit leader's calf. The bandit leader cried out in pain and fell to his knees, where he was captured by Ye Xi.

"Wan'er, don't be afraid."

Feng Lingxi put down Wan'er, flicking her sleeves to stow the bow and crossbow in her wrist, as if nothing had ever happened.

"Mother, your move just now was amazing, Wan'er wants to learn."

Feng Lingxi replied, "I'll teach you when you grow up, my child."

Wan'er nodded and followed her mother forward. The bandit leader glared hatefully at Feng Lingxi, never expecting to be outmaneuvered by her.

"Who gave you the guts to rob this, do you know who's territory this is"

Ye Xi fiercely rebuked, the bandit leader looked at Feng Lingxi, "Unexpectedly, I was calculated by you woman, I underestimated you."

Feng Lingxi's face was expressionless, "Where are you from Why are you robbing"

The winner is king, the loser is scum. Kill or dismember as you please.

The gang leader, with a resolute heart and no fear of death, swung his sword.

"If they really wanted to kill you, they would have done it already. Come on, why did you rob the place Where are you guys from If you don't talk, your other brothers are going to die with you."

獨孤城 stared at the bandit leader, "You're from the Central Plains. You should know this is my territory."

Wind Lingxi also felt that this person couldn't possibly not know the territory of Dugu City here.

"I don't care who owns this place, we came here to rob it. Who do you think you are"

This gang leader is incredibly arrogant. Even at this point, he still refuses to talk.

"If you don't speak, I will kill them."

Feng Lingxi glanced at the other surviving brothers, “You should know, these people, they are not like you, who face death without fear.”

The gang leader looked at Feng Lingxi's stunning face. He couldn't believe that such a beautiful woman had the guts to kill someone.

"Boss, just spit it out. We've lost so many brothers, this deal isn't worth it."

Another young robber who had been caught spoke, but as soon as his voice fell, a dart shot from the darkness and struck the man in the heart. He died instantly.

"My Lord, I will go chase them right away."

"Stop chasing."

As soon as Dugu City's words fell, the bandit leader suddenly collapsed. Feng Lingxi stepped forward to check, but the man was already dead.

"Bit one's tongue to death."

"Everybody stand up."

Dugu Cheng spoke, “Go back first and don't come out for now. This king will have people check the surroundings later and give you a reply.”

The herders dispersed and returned home one by one.

"Ye Xi, go find someone nearby to take a look. This King and Xi'er will wait here for you. Remember to be careful."

Ye Xi responded and leaped onto her horse, riding away.

Feng Lingxi pulled Wan'er to examine several corpses. They all died by biting their tongues. Even if these bandits failed in their robbery, they didn't need to end their own lives like this. What was the purpose of being sent here to rob

This is just a pastoral area, with only cattle and sheep. There's nothing of value here.

Dugu City looked around, the concealed weapons just now were all shot from their side. It was obvious that the other party only wanted to silence him and didn't intend to fight him. Perhaps someone couldn't hold back any longer.

"Let someone check later, we'll go to the Pastoral District first and wait for Yexi to bring people."

Feng Lingxi looked at the corpses on the ground, "What should we do with these people"

"I'll have Ye Xi handle this later."

Feng Lingxi hugged Wan'er and followed Dugu City to the nearby herder district. The burning houses had been extinguished, with only a few cattle and sheep killed and several herders injured. There were no other casualties.

Feng Lingxi looked at Dugu City's calm expression and felt a little uneasy.

"This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly. We came out today just to see what's going on, and we can encounter such things here This is our territory! Even robbers don't know about it, and looking at the villagers' reactions, this isn't their first time."

Dugu City walked up to the herders, and seeing their timid appearance, his eyes swept over the male head of the household with a fierce glare.

Have these bandits been here before

"There..."

As soon as the woman opened her mouth, she was intimidated by the man's gaze and held her child tightly, unable to utter another word.

“Your Majesty, they have come several times, each time taking away some cattle, sheep, and horses. But they threatened us, forbidding us to tell you, or report them to the authorities. They said if we did, they would kill us. If it weren't for Your Majesty encountering this today, the commoners wouldn't dare speak up.”

Dugu City stared at the man, his reply was fluent, and his eyes didn't show any signs of panic.

"Once something like this happens again, notify me immediately."

"The commoner remembers, thank you, Lord Chen for your concern."

Feng Lingxi looked at this family of shepherds, watching them appear honest and simple. The woman had only one child, and these livestock outside were their livelihood. He hadn't paid much attention before, but now, looking closely here, although the shepherd appeared honest, his hands were long and slender, with several calluses on his palms, indicating he had done a lot of farm work.

However, this shepherd's sleeve treatment was different from the others. While everyone else had their sleeves open, his were bound with straps. Although the way he wore it was proper, Feng Lingxi always felt something was off about it.

Especially that woman, although it was a time of male dominance and female subordination, she was still her own husband's wife. The woman's eyes were filled with fear, and the child even more so.

Feng Lingxi stroked Wan'er's hair and spoke softly, "Wan'er, it's nice that you can play with this young brother. It's rare to have a companion."

Wan'er was looking at the baby in the woman's arms, just about to go over, when the man stepped forward, "Miss Xiaojun's status is noble, this child's status is lowly…" me. If he were truly brought under my command, wouldn't Luo Zhe be beyond our control The Empress allowed him to stay here, supplying him with grain. He could easily join my ranks."Feng Lingxi looke...