One of the bandits raised his arm. "Boss, who is this Saber King Tiexue?"
"Saber King Tiexue is just like us, a bandit, but significantly stronger. Rumour has it that he wields his saber and kills indiscriminately without a blink. He is one merciless fellow."
Now, the bandits were curious about this saber king from the Chenyang Prefecture.
"How strong is he, compared to you?"
"Way stronger!" Zhen Hao appeared very serious while saying this.
The bandits felt shocked in their hearts. Zhen Hao was very strong. He was the strongest in the surrounding miles, maybe even beyond, because he had never lost to anyone till now.
There were times when outsiders would try to take over, but Zhen Hao always beat them away.
Staring at his brothers, ZhenHao guessed their thoughts. Hence, he sighed.
"You all…This is one of the backward places in whole of Chenyang Prefecture. In reality, those who can contend with me have already gone to a broader place with vast resources. That is the reason we can be a local tyrant here."
Upon hearing this information, the bandits were shocked, as if realizing for the first time how small their own horizons were. Most of them had never set foot outside Qingfeng County. In their eyes, there was a yearning for freedom and the world outside.
Even Li Hao felt a sense of yearning, but the thoughts going through his head were different. His eyes stared at Zhen Hao. 'He is just a step away from the Bone Tempering Realm. Such an individual should be the top figure in Qingfeng County.'
Considering his strength, their Golden Eagle Brotherhood may at any time attempt to expand their activities outside Qingfeng County. Yet, Zhen Hao was against that idea.
'He is a smart man.' This was the evaluation Li Hao came up with and gave to his father in this life.
The bandits were excited and riled up.
"Boss! You have the strength, why don't we loot from other counties nearby Qingfeng?"
Zhen Hao shook his head in denial. "That is not so simple. There are numerous experts in the wild. Think about those fair-skinned people. One of them had strange abilities. If not for Hao's presence of mind at the time to injure that little girl, we both might have perished yesterday."
After thinking about the incident from yesterday, he still felt goosebumps. "Actually, there is another matter to be considered. I believe it would be better if we do not involve ourselves in issues of Saber King Tiexue. We may face revenge from those we looted yesterday. We must hide and lie low for a while."
What?
Some of the bandits, upon hearing Zhen Hao's words, felt indignant but dared not raise any objections because he was right in his assessment. Even they understood the risks associated with the life of robbing and plundering.
"We shall follow your lead!"
One of the stronger among the bandits said resolutely, and the rest remained silent, showing their agreement.
"Father, I have a suggestion!"
At this moment, everyone heard a confident voice emerging from the front. Upon taking a closer look, they realised it was Li Hao who raised his voice.
"What do you think, Hao?"
Zhen Hao looked curious as his eyes fell on Li Hao.
"I believe it will be better if we wait for the emissaries to arrive."
"Oh?"
Zhen Hao raised his eyebrow. "Why do you say so?" The other bandits were curious too. Their attention quickly fell on him, wondering what he had to say.
"We can at least hear them out. What if it involves something significant? There should still be plenty of time for hiding after that."
The immediate priority for Li Hao currently was to collect as much money as possible. The next simulation would consume two hundred taels of silver, and he was only left with twenty-three taels, far from the requirement.
He has already decided to live as a bandit from now on. After all, plundering and robbery were the quickest ways to earn money. After this meeting, he will probably try to go on an expedition.
Zhen Hao pondered. His eyes closed for a few seconds before a smile emerged on his face. He looked encouragingly at Li Hao. "Your suggestion isn't too bad. Maybe, we could wait for those emissaries."
With that, a decision was made. His eyes then met the bandits. "Does any of you have any other suggestions or opinions"?
No response, Zhen Hao took that as tacit agreement.
"Alright! Everyone can disperse now. Hao, you come meet me in my room!"
With that, the important meeting was over. Li Hao soon met up with Zhenhao.
"Father, I have a feeling that I grew stronger."
What?
"You grew stronger? Quick! Let me check!"
After a few minutes…
"Skin Hardening Realm!?"
A thunderous roar echoed throughout the hideout, making everyone wonder what was wrong with their boss.
Inside the room.
"How!?"
Zhen Hao looked incredulously at his son.
Li Hao scratched his head and smiled wryly. "I don't understand. My body seems to grow stronger with the passage of time."
"One night, and you reached the Skin Tempering Realm?"
Zhen Hao was no longer suspicious; instead, greatly horrified. "Maybe, you really do possess a terrifying physique described within those legendary tales!"
Now, he even started suspecting that Li Hao was born with a unique physique, and it may have been activated after the encounter with those fair-skinned individuals.
Following a wave of surprise, he soon became excited. His body trembled with excitement.
"Hao..With such a blessed talent, you will definitely surpass me soon. This tiny Qingfeng County cannot hold you for long. We must expand our influence in the future. Your growth is essential."
It felt too unreal, but with reality before his eyes, even the usually calm and logical man like Zhen Hao lost his composure.
"Hao! How far have you practised the bull strength technique? Are you at the peak of Skin Hardening Realm already?"
Zhen Hao could feel a sense of danger from Li Hao. The degree of danger seemed to threaten his life. Such a threat, Zhen Hao had not felt for a long time. Even against that leading native guard who was protecting the fair-skinned individuals, Zhen Hao was holding back a lot.
Progress in Bull Strength Technique? Umm…
Li Hao scratched his head. "Well, I do have some attainment in it."
That was a lie. He was one hundred percent clueless about it. Before the meeting in the morning, he had tried practicing, but could not understand anything. It felt as if his mind was leaking out all the information that he learned about the bull strength technique.
"It's good that you practised it. Tell me if you need anything. Your practice is now of utmost importance."
Zhen Hao looked at his son with a particular shine in his eyes. It was filled with hope for the future.
Even though he wanted to go out and see the world, his lack of strength and opportunities limited his choices. But now the situation was different.
Li Hao possessed an exceptional physique, making him extremely talented in martial arts. If he grew even more, their Golden Eagle Brotherhood might also become something great.
Father with his own thoughts, the son with his own.
Upon hearing that he can ask for anything, Li Hao's eyes shone.
"Father! I do need money. Can you give me two hundred taels of silver?"
Pff!
"Haha! Are you saving up for something? Tell me what you need. I will personally make a trip to a neighbouring county!"
The ones they had recently looted came from Qingfeng county, hence their people cannot possibly go there for a while. Unless certain that those fair-skinned individuals have left.
It could not be helped; one would never think that a powerful ghostly entity like the mother would roam within a small place like Qingfeng County.
Seeing his encouraging look, Li Hao did not know what to say for a while. "I need money to purchase something. I will do it myself."
"Alright, our stronghold currently has liquid savings of one thousand taels of silver. Taking out two hundred won't be a problem. But your focus must be on martial arts. Worldly possessions like money are nothing but illusion; strength remains supreme."
…
Three days later. Inside Li Hao's room.
A young man was holding a bulging bag in his right hand. Looking at it, his expression reflected a mix of wryness and delight.
"I thought it would take me some time to collect two hundred taels of silver."
He was prepared for an expedition to rob. Even feel a little bit excited.
"Oh well, that can wait for now. Panel? Add all this money, and start the simulation!"
After giving the order, Li Hao calmly stared at his panel interface.
[Name: Li Hao
Age: 17 (Life Span: 131)
Physique: Extraordinary Mortal (Hardened Skin)
Balance: 223 Taels of silver
Life simulation: 1 (Requires 200 taels of silver) [Use? Yes/No]
Points: 10]
[Simulation Starts!]
[Age 17: You suddenly became a Skin Hardening Realm martial artist! Zhenhao and the gang of bandits were shocked yet proud.]
[One week later, three individuals arrived at the hideout, referring to themselves as the emmissaries of the Saber King Tiexue...]