Ye Chen's descent was unexpectedly smooth. The forest path wound gently down the mountain, and even with his modest Qi Refining, he moved faster and lighter than many seasoned disciples. Birds scattered at his approach, and the wind seemed to part around him.
For a moment, he felt utterly free, though he knew this pace wasn't sustainable. With little deliberation, he slowed, letting the scenery soak in as he made his way back to his hometown.
Weeks passed without incident. Then, mid-step, he paused and let out a faint chuckle.
"Huh… so I'm not the story's main character after all."
A sudden idea sparked. Then why not make my own story?
He adjusted the strap of his pack, realising he should change his conspicuous sect robes. With a flick of his storage bag, a new set of plain clothes appeared. Better blend in — but still impressive enough to be noticed.
Dusk painted the sky as Ye Chen reached the nearest village at the foot of the mountain. Narrow, dirty streets twisted between crooked wooden huts, the smell of livestock, smoke, and mud heavy in the air. Sun-browned villagers went about their chores, shouting over the bleating of goats and clucking of chickens.
"Excuse me," he called to a middle aged man carrying a basket of vegetables. "Which way is the closest bandit base?"
The man's eyes flicked nervously at Ye Chen's confident stride. Ye Chen, ever prepared, casually produced a small silver coin, laughably trivial in the Green Wood Sect, but here, it immediately caught the villager's attention.
The man's eyes gleamed like a thief spotting treasure. "Ah… Strong Ox Stronghold," he said, pointing to a jagged ridge in the distance. "Follow the old trail through the eastern woods. Their camp sits on the cliffs near the waterfall. And… good luck, young master, dealing with those rogues."
Ye Chen nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Fortune favours the bold. And the bold must always be seen as powerful.
By nightfall, he reached the eastern foothills. At the base of Strong Ox Stronghold, eight rough-looking men crowded around a traveling merchant. The merchant clutched a small pouch, hands shaking.
"We are only asking for a single piece of silver!" the largest bandit barked.
Ye Chen crouched behind a boulder, observing. The merchant's voice was soft, almost pleading. "Please… my daughter is sick. This is all I can spare… half a silver. That's all."
Ye Chen tilted his head. Interesting… they're completely oblivious.
Despite the merchant's fine garments and well-crafted goods, the bandits accepted the meager sum without negotiation. The leader shrugged. "Fine… half a silver. Take it and get out."
The merchant bowed, relief washing over him, and hurried along. The bandits, satisfied with their tiny haul, began bickering among themselves, completely unaware of their own weaknesses.
Ye Chen's lips curved into a faint, confident smirk. Simple fools… exactly the kind of men I can bend to my will. And make loyal to me.
With a casual step forward, he announced, voice carrying clearly across the clearing, "I'll take care of this little misunderstanding."
Moments later, the fight was over. One sweep of his arm, one precise kick, and the eight men were disarmed, sprawled groaning and bewildered. Not a single serious injury, Ye Chen had no desire to kill them, only to demonstrate his superiority.
He stood tall, chest out, arms crossed, letting the dim moonlight catch his figure. "Consider yourselves lucky," he said, voice calm but commanding. "You've just met someone far stronger, superior and handsomer than you. Remember this feeling."
The bandit leader was just about to argue about his claim of being "handsomer"
when he scrambled upright, eyes wide. "Who… who are you?"
"Call me Ye Chen," he said while envisioning how cool he must look as sweeped a quick glance over all eight hoping to leave them all in awe. "You're not bad fighters… just badly led. And very broke he accidentally blurted But you're about to serve someone who will make you strong and wealthy.
The leader's jaw tightened. "We take only what we need. My master taught me never to harm the poor. That's why we only pass merchants for a fee. Anything else… is theft."
Ye Chen nodded, already deciding what part of his plan of his personal book called 101 things to do to Dominate the mortal world.Manual labourers, loyal men, soldiers… all loyal to me. The first step to a great kingdom he thought.
"I have a proposition," he said without a hint of trickery, stepping closer, letting his presence loom. "Work with me. Train with me. I'll feed you, house you, make you stronger than you've ever imagined. In return, I want loyalty. You'll have purpose, wealth… and a place in something far greater than petty banditry. Follow me, and you'll never be small men again."
The leader glanced at his men, who exchanged wary looks. After a long pause, he nodded slowly. "If your heart is true… we will follow you."
His words, a bit strange for a mountain bandit to say allowed a rare, subtle grin to spread across his face. Eight simple fools, ripe for exploitation... No i mean guidance.
Thus, they gathered their poorly maintained weapons and followed him down the mountain path.