"What are you doing? Let go of me!"
The man, stopped abruptly, was naturally displeased. He swung his hand at Bai Ye's arm, trying to break free.
However, the next moment, the man suddenly froze.
Bai Ye's palm was like a vise; he couldn't break free at all. In fact, as Bai Ye exerted more force, a dull ache began to spread.
Bai Ye spoke again, "Answer my question."
The man swallowed hard. "Don't do anything rash. This is a neutral zone. If you do anything, you'll be hunted by the Great Wall Guard 100%."
"I know!" Bai Ye leaned in and whispered into his ear, "You're not leaving the Great Wall for the rest of your life, are you?"
The man's cheek twitched, and then he gritted his teeth, "What do you want?"
Bai Ye said, "I've made myself clear. I asked if you received a mission. Just answer my question."
The man replied, "No."
Bai Ye asked, "Then why are you rushing towards the city gate?"
The man said urgently, "Bandits are attacking!"
Bai Ye questioned, "Bandits are attacking? But there's no mission?"
The man looked at Bai Ye curiously. "Are you new here?"
Bai Ye nodded. He had only been at the Great Wall for three or four days, so strictly speaking, he was new.
The man explained, "Large-scale attacks are different from the usual hunting missions. For usual hunting missions, you go outside the Great Wall to hunt. There are no restrictions, and you can pick up missions anytime. Large-scale attack missions are different; they have time limits. Also, after completing the mission, the merit points awarded are much higher, and sometimes there are additional rewards. Furthermore, large-scale attack missions have a quota. If you're late, there won't be any left."
Bai Ye asked, "So, you're rushing to the city gate to get a mission?"
"Yes!" The man nodded. "You can get the mission from the quartermaster at the city gate. Depending on the scale of the attack, the mission quota is also variable. If the attack isn't very large, and you're a bit late, it will be taken by others."
Bai Ye nodded, then released him. "Thank you."
The man, suspecting nothing, turned and ran towards the city gate. He assumed Bai Ye was just a newcomer who didn't understand the situation and was using this method to inquire. However...
The man touched his shoulder, where the grip had been. It still ached faintly.
This newcomer is so strong!
Meanwhile, Bai Ye was pondering the situation, stroking his chin.
Based on the information provided by the man, these attacks of a certain scale seemed to be common occurrences, not hidden missions at all. They were just a higher-level version of the usual hunting missions. Considering that everything outside the Great Wall was a dangerous area, it should just be a normal dangerous area mission.
So, what was his situation?
"So..." Bai Ye scratched his head. "The benefits of being picked up by that woman are finally showing up?"
Bai Ye thought for a moment, then looked into the distance.
"Teleportation!"
Bai Ye's figure flickered, and he instantly moved, heading rapidly towards the city gate.
In the blink of an eye, Bai Ye arrived near the city gate. He looked around but didn't see Shou Yue. The quartermaster's office near the city gate was already crowded with many summoned individuals, all aiming to get a mission.
Bai Ye pondered for a moment. He had a hidden mission, and he wasn't sure if regular missions could be accepted repeatedly. Moreover, with so many people, it was unlikely to be his turn.
"Forget it!" Bai Ye murmured. "Then I won't waste any more time."
Bai Ye ran directly out of the city gate and continued forward.
Outside the Great Wall was a desolate land. Where should he look for bandits?
It was simple: follow the ancient road.
The mission was to repel the bandits and reclaim the supplies.
Bandits appeared and disappeared without a trace, potentially appearing anywhere in the wilderness, making them indeed difficult to find. But the issue was reclaiming the supplies.
Chang'an would regularly transport supplies to the Great Wall, and the transport of supplies would definitely follow the ancient road. Therefore, the place where those bandits looted the supplies must be somewhere along the ancient road.
Bai Ye ran quickly. After an unknown amount of time, Bai Ye suddenly stopped and listened intently.
"I hear fighting..." Bai Ye sniffed the air. "And the smell of blood carried by the wind."
Found it!
Bai Ye accelerated again and soon discovered fighting soldiers by the side of the ancient road.
Several supply carts had overturned on the ancient road. The military banner with the two characters "Chang'an" was broken and lay on the ground, covered in footprints.
Further away, soldiers from Chang'an were fighting a large group of bandits, and the situation was not optimistic. The number of bandits was greater than expected, and these bandits were also strong. Among them were quite a few skilled individuals, certainly not ones that ordinary soldiers could handle.
Therefore, the soldiers were constantly being pushed back. Those who were isolated had already been killed. The remaining ones gathered in small groups, huddling together for survival, putting up a final resistance.
Without hesitation, Bai Ye immediately took out the sword case of the Seven-Colored Rainbow and threw it forward.
In mid-air, the sword case opened, and seven-colored sword light appeared, striking forward.
Puff, puff, puff...
The bandits on the outermost perimeter hadn't even realized what was happening before their bodies were pierced by the sudden sword light. Amidst the scattering blood, they fell from their horses.
"Behind you!" someone shouted loudly. "Enemy attack!"
Many bandits reined in their horses and turned towards Bai Ye, charging at him.
"Swords!"
Bai Ye let out a soft cry, and the Crimson Sword and the Violet Sword landed beside Bai Ye, grasped by his hands.
The next instant, two bandits charged at Bai Ye, raising their large sabers and slashing down at him.
Clang, clang!
A crisp clashing sound echoed.
Bai Ye blocked the sabers with his hands, then skillfully twisted his body, darting through the warhorses. Then...
Puff!
The necks of two warhorses erupted with crimson blood, and they fell to the ground, throwing the two bandits on their backs.
Bai Ye turned, tossed his swords into the air, and quickly formed a sword seal!
"Seven-Colored Flowing Light Formation!"
Seven-Colored Flowing Light Formation (surrounds oneself with seven flying swords for defense, lasts for 90 seconds, with a 120-second cooldown between uses).
In the sky, seven flying swords continuously revolved, and seven-colored flowing light spread across the sky. Immediately after, seven-colored sword light descended.
The next instant, seven-colored sword light landed around Bai Ye, spinning rapidly around his body.
This was considered Bai Ye's only defensive move, but its effect was actually quite ordinary. There was no defensive bonus; flying swords were primarily for offense.
However, for dealing with some bandits, it was more than enough!
...