Chapter 118: Slaying Evil

“Can’t you all tell that I’m a woman?”

If Chen Jianchen had been present to hear his student utter such a mischievous yet remarkably cool remark, he would have been utterly astonished, compelled to reassess Joanna’s sharp wit anew.

But then again, isn’t being quirky and spirited the very essence of a fox’s nature?

One must understand, Joanna was no refined, well-mannered girl like Ying Ning. Whenever the chance arose, she delighted in playful mischief, finding joy in such whimsical diversions.

The eighteen bandits of Liuma exchanged bewildered glances, utterly astonished and unable to fathom how this young girl had appeared in such a desolate wilderness.

Even Wang Yun, whose courage was as steadfast as a mountain, was on the verge of blurting out, “A spirit? A demon?”

“Who exactly are you?”

As their leader, Wang Yun knew he must stand firm in critical moments to prevent panic among his men.

Joanna giggled softly. “Guess.”

Those two words nearly made Wang Yun spit blood. Gritting his teeth, he growled, “I don’t care who you are. Since you’ve come to us, you’re not going anywhere. Brothers, flank her!”

This bizarre situation was unlike anything he had ever encountered. Though confident in his blade, he cared little for chivalrous codes or any nonsense about not fighting women. At his command, they surged forward, aiming to overwhelm her with a flurry of blades.

“Charge!”

With a shout, seven or eight men brandished swords and knives, swarming toward Joanna without an ounce of mercy. Their blades gleamed coldly, all directed at her.

From behind, Lu Xiyue’s face paled with worry, and she blurted out, “Watch out!”

But Joanna paid no heed to the flashing blades, her laughter light and carefree. Without employing any fancy footwork, she floated effortlessly into the crowd—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In an instant, three burly men were flung from the fray, tumbling over ten feet away, collapsing on the ground with blood spurting from their throats, clearly mortally wounded.

“So, Joanna knows martial arts… I never would have guessed,” Lu Xiyue exclaimed with a mix of surprise and delight. She finally noticed the slender seven-inch knife in Joanna’s right hand. The blade was as thin as rice paper, shimmering with a faint crimson glow, far from ordinary.

Joanna’s knife danced like a shadow, each swift strike finding a bandit’s throat, felling them instantly. When a band of desperate thieves encounters a fox spirit who has cultivated to the Golden Core stage, the outcome is tragically predictable.

Joanna had over ten methods to dispatch them all, yet she chose the most brutal: fighting force with force. Though demanding, the process radiated a savage thrill.

Sss!

Two more bandits collapsed. Wang Yun suddenly realized only two comrades remained beside him. Chen You was still alive, standing a little behind, both hands ready with flying knives, searching for the perfect moment to strike.

That moment might be their sole chance.

Wang Yun’s eyes burned red as he roared, “Die, damn you!” His blade flashed like snow, unleashing his signature “Chaotic Cloak” sword technique, recklessly sweeping toward Joanna. Another fierce bandit wielded a massive battle axe, closing in from the opposite side.

Hee hee...

But Joanna’s laughter remained clear and enchanting, driving Wang Yun to despair—

“Take this!”

Just as Chen You habitually whispered “Take this,” before raising his hands, a sudden sharp sting pierced his neck, like a hidden needle. Stunned, he turned to see the delicate yet resolute Lu Xiyue standing behind him, swiftly withdrawing a three-inch silver needle from his neck.

“You…”

“Divine Flying Needle,” Chen You managed to utter before his eyes darkened and he collapsed unconscious—this gentle girl was no lamb… Wait, hadn’t her feet been bound? When had she broken free?

Alas, Chen You would never know the truth.

Seeing him collapse, frothing at the mouth, Lu Xiyue felt a wave of nausea and rushed to the edge of the rocks to vomit.

Silver needles can save lives—and take them.

That was the last instruction from the kindly white-bearded grandfather in her mystical dream… but this needle was meant for Xiang’er.

Wang Yun and the other bandit never saw Chen You’s death; Joanna’s blade had silenced them even faster.

The knife remained razor-sharp. A drop of thick blood dripped from its tip onto the ground.

“Sister Lu, all these villains are dead. Shall we go?”

Lu Xiyue’s spirit steadied somewhat as she leaned against the stone wall with determination: “Not yet. There is still one villain left—the ringleader. I swear I will not rest until he’s dead!”

“Oh? Who else?”

Joanna asked with curiosity.

Lu Xiyue then recounted the details of Li Yifeng’s impending arrival.

Upon hearing this, Joanna clapped her hands: “Perfect, Sister Lu. Your revenge is within reach. I’ll help you capture that big official.”

Tears welled in Lu Xiyue’s eyes as she bowed deeply: “Thank you, dear Joanna…”

Joanna grinned cheekily: “No need to thank me—thank the gentleman. He sent me!”

“The master? But how could he know I was captured here?”

Lu Xiyue was filled with surprise.

Joanna imitated Chen Jianchen, folding her hands behind her back and clearing her throat: “The master is very capable. There’s a saying: ‘Planning strategies within the tent, victory achieved a thousand miles away.’”

Lu Xiyue chuckled softly: “It’s ‘Planning strategies within the tent, winning battles a thousand miles away.’”

“Right, that’s the one.”

After this diversion, Lu Xiyue no longer pressed for details. What mattered was the outcome, not the process.

Joanna gathered the bodies to one side with calm efficiency, revealing no trace of panic. Lu Xiyue observed quietly, knowing this girl was anything but ordinary, yet refrained from prying.

Once finished, Joanna asked, “Sister Lu, are you sure that fellow will come up the mountain tonight?”

“Absolutely.”

Joanna tilted her head, curious: “Is this big official a fool? Why insist on such a thing? Isn’t it troublesome?”

Lu Xiyue’s eyes blazed with hatred: “Because he doesn’t just want to wipe out the grass… Men are always greedy, always wanting more.”

Joanna chuckled softly: “I see… But the master is a man too, and he doesn’t seem greedy at all.”

Lu Xiyue’s mind flashed to Chen Jianchen’s handsome face, causing her cheeks to flush: “There are always exceptions.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

At that moment, a beautiful and peculiar bird flew in and perched squarely on Joanna’s shoulder, opening its beak to speak human words: “Nana, may I speak?”

Joanna immediately raised her tiny fist in warning: “First, you’ve already spoken; second, don’t call me ‘Nana’ again.”

Lu Xiyue gaped in astonishment.

Yet the bird chattered on: “Alright, Nana, well, I actually saw someone come up the mountain just now.”

Someone’s coming up the mountain…