Chapter Eleven: The Black Wind Bandits

"Well, well, Qin Feng, fancy seeing you here! What a coincidence!"

The constables who had just entered immediately spotted Qin Feng by the window and called out to him one after another:

"Look at you, lively as ever. Are you almost recovered from your injuries?"

At their words, Qin Feng's expression shifted slightly. He hurriedly replied, "Not yet. My injuries still haven't healed. I'll probably need some more time to recuperate."

His response instantly drew a round of teasing from the constables.

"Hah, I bet he's just using that as an excuse to slack off!"

"Exactly!"

"Look at the color in his face—he seems nearly healed. If you ask me, we should drag him along right now to help catch that notorious bandit."

As they bantered, the leading female constable gave Qin Feng a long, serious look.

"Report in later," she ordered.

This female constable, Su Yuer, cut a striking figure—her features were refined, her brows arched gracefully, her nose delicate, and her beautiful eyes shimmered like autumn water. Her vigor was palpable.

With Captain Su Yuer herself giving the command, Qin Feng had no choice but to nod in agreement. "Yes," he replied.

He finished his breakfast in haste.

Sighing, Qin Feng followed the constables back to the magistrate’s office.

Once the roll call was over, Captain Su Yuer addressed the group.

"Recently, the Blackwind Bandit has grown increasingly bold. The county magistrate is furious and has ordered us to apprehend him at once."

She swept a glance over the assembled constables before continuing, "It just so happens that two days ago, our informant spotted the Blackwind Bandit. We must capture him alive today!"

Qin Feng was surprised to hear this.

So they've already tracked down the Blackwind Bandit's whereabouts... No wonder they were so eager to call me in—they're planning to hunt him down.

As these thoughts flitted through his mind, Qin Feng joined the others in responding, "Yes! Capture the Blackwind Bandit alive!"

Then, Captain Su Yuer led the group at a swift pace toward a remote part of the county. The townsfolk, seeing them pass, made way without hesitation.

Soon, the constables surrounded a certain house.

"The Blackwind Bandit is inside—move in!"

At Su Yuer's command, more than a dozen constables burst through the doors. In the courtyard, they saw an old man sorting through a pile of precious loot.

The moment the old man saw the constables storm in, his expression turned to utter shock. Without any delay, he moved as nimbly as a swallow and bolted.

"Stop him!" Su Yuer ordered.

Several constables tried to intercept him, but their martial skills were too weak and they were sent flying aside.

The Blackwind Bandit moved as swiftly as the wind.

Su Yuer instantly flashed forward, blocking the old man's escape, and struck with a powerful palm.

With a loud crash, the Blackwind Bandit hastily raised his own palm to defend himself, but was no match for Su Yuer. He was sent flying, crashing through the wall.

He coughed violently, blood splattering from his lips. Pale-faced, he struggled to his feet, but seeing the constables closing in, he forced his battered body to flee once more.

"After him! He's seriously wounded—he can't get far!"

Su Yuer's expression grew steely as she led the pursuit.

One had to admit, the Blackwind Bandit truly had some skill to have eluded capture while amassing such wealth for so long.

For half an hour, he fled, finally escaping the city and running into the wilds, deep into remote hills. Only then did the group manage to catch up to him.

"Run, you damned thief! Why have you stopped?"

The constables surrounded the Blackwind Bandit, jeering.

"You were running so fast a moment ago! Why stop now?"

At these words, the Blackwind Bandit's lips curled into a cruel smile. He sneered, "If I didn’t stop, how would I kill you?"

"Hmph. Surrounded as you are, you still dare to boast?"

One constable snorted and lunged forward, hoping to make the first kill and claim the merit.

But the Blackwind Bandit only smirked. With a single palm strike, he sent the attacking constable flying, inner power shaking the man’s meridians and causing him to spit blood. Like a kite with its string cut, the constable crashed hard against a tree, his fate uncertain.

With just one blow, it was clear the Blackwind Bandit had been feigning injury; in truth, he was unharmed.

The constables were momentarily stunned.

"All together! Take him down!"

At this critical moment, Su Yuer’s face grew grave. She had not expected the Blackwind Bandit’s martial prowess to be so high. After taking her blow, he showed not the slightest sign of true injury.

She gave the order, and immediately launched herself at the Blackwind Bandit, joined by several constables.

Qin Feng mingled in the chaos, careful not to reveal his full strength. Though he was already a first-class martial artist, in the Song Dynasty there were even more formidable martial experts. To reveal himself now would be to announce that he had acquired some rare opportunity—an invitation for trouble.

For several tense moments, they battled. The Blackwind Bandit not only withstood Su Yuer's onslaught but also struck down several constables.

"A second-rate martial artist!" Su Yuer realized, her face darkening.

"Heh, you only just realized? Too late!"

The Blackwind Bandit’s gaze raked over Su Yuer with undisguised lust. "I've been a second-rate martial artist for decades. You're no match for me, little girl. Your talent is promising—if you had more time, perhaps I’d fear you. But you were too hasty, pursuing me into these wilds. Now, you’re at my mercy..."

Su Yuer’s face turned icy. "Retreat!" she ordered without hesitation.

At her command, the constables, terrified beyond measure, fled in all directions.

But as Su Yuer tried to escape, the Blackwind Bandit suddenly blocked her path.

"Why hurry off, Captain Su? If you want to live, you don't need to run. Just come and amuse me for a while, and I'll let you go."

His face filled with lecherous greed as he ogled her shapely figure.

"Despicable wretch!" Su Yuer’s expression grew colder. She drew her sword and faced him.

Yet, she had only just entered the ranks of second-rate martial artists and was no match for the experienced Blackwind Bandit. Soon, she was struck down by a heavy blow and fell to the ground.

As he closed in to seize her, Su Yuer, prepared to take her own life, was suddenly interrupted—a masked figure appeared.

The masked man was, of course, Qin Feng.

Feigning flight, he had shed his upper garment, torn it into strips to conceal his face, and smeared his pants and shoes with the juice of crushed wild grass.

At a glance, he appeared to be nothing more than a wild man, emerging unexpectedly from the wilderness.