The bandit leader took out a black jade pendant and handed it to Wang Xiaoer.
Wang Xiaoer had never seen black jade before and thought it was some kind of treasure. He excitedly asked, "Uncle Bandit, what is this? A jade pendant? Is it very valuable?"
The bandit leader felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head. He said, "This thing was actually passed down to me by my ancestors. I also thought it was a treasure at first, but later I pawned it and found out it was completely worthless. But I wanted to give you something back for the martial arts manuals, and this pendant was the only decent thing I had on me."
Wang Xiaoer examined the jade pendant closely. The texture on it was clear and unique, and it did look exquisite. However, the black color of the jade was strange, so he asked, "This was passed down to you by your ancestors? Do they have jade this color in Dawu Country?"
The bandit leader laughed and said, "Let me tell you the truth, kid. My ancestors were originally from the 'Dong Lin Country' far up north. It was too cold and barren there, so my family moved south to Dawu Country."
Wang Xiaoer nodded and laughed, "But this belonged to your ancestors. To give it to me..."
The bandit leader said, "It's no big deal. Just a worthless trinket. If I didn't have anything else on me, I definitely wouldn't have been able to exchange those martial arts manuals for this crappy pendant. How about this - next time you come by, I'll..."
He trailed off halfway through his sentence.
The other bandits stared blankly at their leader's back, on the verge of tears!
Big Bro!
What are you saying!
You want him to come back?
You might as well let us die!
But Wang Xiaoer was already laughing heartily, "Good! Uncle Bandit, once I've practiced my martial arts, I'll definitely come back to see you guys! Remember to prepare gifts for me!"
With that, he merrily skipped away, leaving behind a promise to return one day.
Inside the stronghold, Bandit A wept bitterly. Bandit B said he missed his mom. Bandit C wondered why life was so difficult. Bandit D wailed that they were even more miserable than Warrior Da Lang.
As for the bandit leader, he was completely devastated.
Clutching the two manuals, he stood motionless in the cold wind... and fainted.
To be precise, he was scared unconscious.
...
...
However, as it turned out, bandits who don't go through hardship can never become good bandits!
It was precisely because Wang Xiaoer left that promise to come back one day, these 20-odd bandits started practicing the Iron Sand Palm day and night from that day forth!
Faced with life or death, how could they not cultivate fiercely? Otherwise, if they were not strong enough when Wang Xiaoer came back, they would definitely be tortured to death!
Together with the exquisite medical techniques from the medical book, they even innovated the Palm techniques of Iron Sand Palm using medical theory!
Ultimately, 20 years later, the Black Wind Stockade replaced the Hundred Kills Hall to become the strongest local gang!
Especially its Chief, Li Dahu, whose upper-tier Earth-grade "Flying Sand Palm" was famous throughout the land. His 20-odd Hall Chiefs who were in charge of the branch strongholds were also all Earth-grade masters.
Moreover, not only were they very mighty in martial arts, the Black Wind Stockade also produced a famous Great Scholar in Dawu Country.
That would be the author of the Warrior Da Lang stories - "Bandit D", whose real surname was Shi.
And so is told the unrestrained story 20 years later of the first band of bandits - the "Black Wind Stockade" - who came to dominate the southern county.
Although in the end...
They were wiped out by the authorities.
But!
That didn't stop Mr. Shi, who had already resigned from the underworld and was considered a Great Scholar of his time, from commemorating his past in the black way, commemorating his sworn brothers like Li Dahu and the others, by writing that masterpiece.
...
...
A wagon slowly made its way on the mountain path.
Zhang San fiddled with a black jade pendant in his hand - that was the reason they were traveling so slowly.
Sitting in the wagon, Wang Xiaoer said to Zhang San, "Master, can you also not tell if this is a treasure or not?"
Zhang San suddenly halted his steps and carefully examined the object. He finally understood why he kept feeling like this jade pendant seemed vaguely familiar.
It felt exactly the same to the touch as one of his small night knives!
And it was also an "heirloom".
"Xiao Er, didn't you say that bandit leader's ancestors were from 'Dong Lin Country' in the far north?" Zhang San couldn't help but ask.
"How could I lie to you, Master?" Wang Xiaoer replied.
Zhang San murmured to himself, "Master said our Sect's origins seemed to also be a small country in the north of Dawu Country..."
North of Dawu Country there were 15 small countries before the polar region. Past the ice fields was an endless mountain range covered in snow that no one had ever crossed, hence it was unknown lands.
An inherited treasure, a jade pendant, a small night knife, the north...
Lost in thought, Zhang San didn't notice Wang Xiaoer ask from behind, "Master? Master!"
Snapping back to reality, Zhang San said, "Oh? It's nothing. You can have that jade pendant."
As he spoke, he casually threw the pendant to Wang Xiaoer and instructed: "From now on, always wear this pendant. I can't explain why, but I feel it should be auspicious."
The wagon stopped short.
Faced with Wang Xiaoer's sudden, unfounded questions, even Zhang San was somewhat at a loss.
What's going on?
They were familiar with each other, but respect between master and disciple was still necessary.
So Zhang San instinctively raised his fist -
"Don't... Master, hear me out first!"
Zhang San let out a cold laugh. "If you can't give me a sensible explanation today for how my thinking is problematic, humph, you know the consequences!"
Wang Xiaoer swallowed and said, "But it really is quite strange. Actually I thought you were going to go on a killing spree this morning, Master. But judging from how you were preparing our luggage, it didn't seem like you had that intention at all. That's why you only gave away those two manuals in the end."
"Huh? Why would I go on a killing spree?"
"Well... I mean, given Master's personality, we already ate and drank our fill at their stronghold, got some rest, so shouldn't you slaughter them all before leaving as a precaution? Then educate me on how assassins need to be prudent and thorough to stay safe?"
Back in Xiaoyun County when he killed the Evil Young Master in broad daylight to avenge his grudge, Zhang San had given Wang Xiaoer similar teachings:
When killing, make sure they're dead.
Weeding out evil must eliminate it by the root.
Don't leave any hidden dangers.
Later, Zhang San even demonstrated it himself. Just because half his face was exposed when he saved that young maiden and old man, he wiped out that entire Wang household.
Having stayed at that mountain stronghold for so long, even though they kept disguises the whole time, they were bound to still leave some traces behind.
Zhang San froze where he stood.
Wang Xiaoer... was completely right.
How did I not think of that?
What's wrong with me?
Zhang San couldn't help but turn to look back in the direction of the barely visible Black Wind Stockade.
Should he go back and butcher all those bandits?
"Master? Master!"
Seeing Zhang San spacing out there, Wang Xiaoer gave him a forceful shove.
Zhang San quickly regained his composure. Glancing at the skies, he said, "Nevermind. Let's not waste more time heading back. Anyway, Black Mountain Tiger still can't catch us through those foolish bandits."