52. Bandits – 3/5

In the meantime, Mei Lin seized the opportunity presented by the chaos and swiftly eliminated everyone within the ravaged building. With the situation gradually tipping in favor of the bandits, she began to assess the shifting dynamics. Despite the unfavorable turn, the silver lining remained in the reduced numbers of bandits compared to before.

Near the ruins of the destroyed house, a handful of bandits were issuing orders, coordinating their efforts, while two others lingered near the fireplace. Mei Lin's keen eye caught sight of a tent concealed nearby, cleverly hidden from the view of anyone within the tea-house.

Before sneaking to the tent Mei Lin prepared a few basic traps in the ruins, which she and Li Wei used in the village to catch rabbits, and started to sneak into the tent. Her sneaking abilities were a little bit better and she was not spotted. When she was behind the tent, she felt a sudden smell of highly addictive blood. "Mmmm. Such a sweet scent," said Mei Lin. Mei Lin felt joy and happiness like she found a toy. Unfortunately, this toy was a cultivator, who was probably seriously wounded why the strong scent of the blood emanated from the tent.

Inside the tent, Mei Lin discovered a second-stage BT bandit seated in a lotus position, enveloped in bandages and draped in beast fur. Despite his serious injuries, he appeared serene, deeply engrossed in peaceful cultivation, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil unfolding outside.

Mei Lin skilfully wielded her crystal knife, fashioning a new entrance into the tent. Approaching the bandit from behind, she prepared herself, swiftly plunging the blade into his back. With precision, the knife pierced his heart, ensuring a swift end. Simultaneously, Mei Lin pressed her other hand firmly over his mouth, preventing any outcry that might arise should he rouse from his cultivation state.

After withdrawing the knife, hot blood gushed forth from the wound, pooling on the ground. Mei Lin waved her hand and a pot appeared on the ground. As his blood continued to pour out Mei Lin tried to catch as much as she could. 'With this blood, my cultivation speed will be much smoother,' Mei Lin thought to herself and started collecting bandits' blood. After catching more than two litters someone went inside the tent.

The intruder who barged into the tent was a young boy of around eighteen, sporting short black hair, piercing green eyes, and a slightly delicate visage. Clutching a bow with a few arrows tucked in the quiver, he froze at the sight of Mei Lin, his voice trembling with alarm. "What are you doing to my father!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing with fear and anguish.

In an instant, the boy's latent first-stage BT aura surged forth, unintentionally emanating from his trembling form with lethal intent. Sensing the imminent danger, Mei Lin swiftly stowed the pot inside her storage ring and propelled herself toward him.

With less than a meter and a half between them, the boy attempted to flee the tent, desperate to reach for his bow and arrow to exact revenge on Mei Lin. But before he could make his escape, Mei Lin intercepted him with remarkable agility, positioning herself directly in his path. With a swift motion, she sliced through his neck, silencing his cries and thwarting his vengeful intentions.

Blood spurted from the boy's neck, staining Mei Lin's once snow-white veil and making it deep crimson. Despite his desperate attempt to scream, the knife that sliced his throat stopped any sound from escaping. Mei Lin grimaced as she struggled to withdraw the knife, causing blood to spray across the interior of the tent in a grisly spectacle.

With a swift, determined motion, Mei Lin turned and swiftly fled from the tent, retracing her steps through the same entrance she had used before. However, before she could disappear into the ruins of the destroyed house, an arrow struck her in the back, sending a sharp jolt of pain coursing through her before she vanished from sight.

"Ahh... Fuck!" Mei Lin's sudden exclamation escaped her lips as the arrow struck her back. Hastening into the shelter of the destroyed house, she winced in pain but quickly assessed the situation. With a careful touch, she probed the wound to determine its depth, relieved to find that the arrow had only pierced a few centimeters and had avoided any vital organs or arteries.

The bandits, driven by a desire to kill Mei Lin and eliminate her threat, sprinted after her into the ruins, hoping for a quick and decisive victory. However, upon entering the desolate landscape of destruction, they were met with a chilling sight. Lifeless bodies of their fellow bandits were across the ground, serving as grim reminders of the violence that had unfolded moments before.

In the aftermath of the massacre, Mei Lin spared no one, leaving a trail of death in her wake. The surviving bandits, fueled by vengeance and determination, pursued Mei Lin relentlessly, tracking her exact path through the ruins.

As they raced through the crumbling remnants of the tea-house, one of the bandits suddenly plummeted to the ground, caught off guard by a concealed pitfall that Mei Lin had cunningly prepared. She dug a hole and covered it with thin paper from the doors, creating a deceptively fragile surface that gave way under the weight of the unsuspecting bandit.

As the first bandit fell victim to Mei Lin's trap, a sharp cry of pain echoed through the ruins, alerting his companion to the danger that lurked ahead. With growing horror, the second bandit watched as his comrade writhed in agony, impaled by the deadly spike hidden within the ground. This trap was very well prepared and was very well hidden. Another bandit saw and heard a roar from the bandit as he was impaled by the tip of the spear and stopped running. "What is it?" the second bandit called out, his voice trembling with apprehension.

"Trap! That bitch set traps!" the injured bandit roared, his voice filled with pain and fury as he struggled against the spike embedded in his belly.

"What are you waiting for? Help me!" the injured bandit pleaded, his voice growing weaker with each passing moment. He tried to press the wound which started heavily bleeding but in no way.

The cautious bandit, wary of traps, proceeded carefully around the hole, only to be ambushed by his desperate comrade. With a swift and brutal motion, the traitorous bandit plunged his spear into the unsuspecting one's belly and then swiftly delivered a fatal blow to his head. The dying bandit's gaze bore into his assailant with murderous intent, but his life ebbed away before he could utter another word.