Shen Qingwan looked at him, seeing his pathetic state, and lost interest in tormenting them further.

She simply got on her horse and left.

Ancheng wasn’t far from her, and since she would pass by it on her way to Yongzhou, she had originally planned to deal with the bandit den on her way back.

However, just as she arrived in Ancheng, she happened to witness a group of bandits robbing a passing merchant caravan.

Judging by the dozen or so carriages filled to the brim with goods, it was clear they were an attractive target—no wonder they had drawn the attention of these bandits.

Shen Qingwan urged her horse forward.

Since she was going to deal with them anyway, she might as well get started right now.

The merchant caravan had about a dozen guards, who seemed to have some martial skills, but unfortunately, they were too few in number.

The bandits, at a rough estimate, had at least a hundred men, making it impossible for the guards to hold their ground.

Her sudden intervention left both sides momentarily stunned.

When the guards realized she was on their side, they immediately brightened with hope.

Shen Qingwan fought ruthlessly, every strike deadly, cutting down enemies as if she were slicing through melons and vegetables.

She had her previous life to thank for this—after all, after years of killing zombies, she had grown increasingly efficient and brutal in combat.

Her viciousness sent chills down the spines of the bandits, who assumed she must be the caravan’s hidden trump card.

As they saw their numbers dwindling rapidly, the bandit leader started to panic.

“Retreat!”

After a brief hesitation, the bandit leader decisively ordered a retreat, realizing that victory was out of reach.

Inside one of the carriages, Qin Xiuzhu sat and watched Shen Qingwan’s figure, lost in thought.

Who was this woman? And why had she helped them?

“Thank you for your assistance, miss. May I know your name?”

A guard hurriedly stepped forward to express his gratitude when he saw Shen Qingwan about to leave. She waved her hand dismissively.

“No need to thank me. I just helped in passing.”

With that, she turned to leave.

Seeing this, Qin Xiuzhu quickly called out, “Miss, please wait.”

She glanced back and saw a man stepping down from the carriage.

He was dressed in a white and green robe, standing tall with a composed demeanor.

His features were refined and elegant, like a cool breeze and bright moon, as he walked toward her and cupped his hands in greeting.

“I am Qin Xiuzhu. Thank you for your assistance. May I know your name?”

Shen Qingwan lifted her chin slightly and gave him a brief look.

“No need to thank me. It was just on the way. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be going now.”

With that, she mounted her horse and rode away.

Qin Xiuzhu watched the heroic woman in her bright robes atop a spirited steed and couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.

She must be a wandering heroine, aiding them simply because she couldn’t stand by while injustice unfolded.

Unfortunately, he would likely never have the chance to repay this debt.

Shen Qingwan, however, had no time to waste—she had to chase the bandits.

The only reason she had intervened was to drive them back to their lair, making it easier to wipe them all out at once.

Trailing them back saved her the trouble of searching for their hideout.

The bandits fled in disarray, entirely unaware that she was following them. After all, most people would be relieved just to have survived an encounter with bandits—who would be foolish enough to chase after them?

She followed them all the way to a range of rolling mountains. Judging by their movements, this had to be Shangfeng Ridge.

After circling through the mountains twice, she spotted a stockade. The stronghold was surrounded by earthen walls, and the gate was made of large wooden beams, standing two to three meters high.

A ring of sharp stakes encircled the earthen walls. As the bandits returned, the gates slowly opened from within, and once they were all inside, the doors shut tight again.

Shen Qingwan was debating whether to storm in now or wait until nightfall when suddenly, she sensed movement behind her.

Turning, she saw over a dozen men wielding large blades.

“Well, well, little lady, you sure are bold, daring to tail our boss all the way here. Since you’ve come, why not join us for a stay at Black Wind Fortress?”

Black Wind Fortress? That name sounded familiar.

Shen Qingwan didn’t resist, dismounting willingly and letting them lead her inside. Well, that saved her the trouble of deciding—seems like someone had made the choice for her.

“Third Boss!”

As they entered, some of the bandits greeted the man leading her. The so-called Third Boss took her straight to the main hall.

The bandit leader, already in a foul mood after losing more than thirty of his men, looked up and saw Third Boss excitedly pushing Shen Qingwan forward.

“Big Bro, look what I caught! This little wench must have followed you all the way here. I caught her outside the gate!”

Third Boss was eager for praise, but the bandit leader’s expression changed drastically.

“You… y-you… why did you bring her here?”

This harbinger of disaster—they had been trying to avoid her! How could this fool have dragged her straight in?

Shen Qingwan curled her lips into a sinister smile, sending a shiver down the leader’s spine.

“Big Bro? What’s wrong? This girl’s quite the beauty. Why not keep her as your mountain wife?”

Third Boss grinned lewdly.

But the bandit leader was already breaking into a cold sweat.

Mountain wife? More like a death warrant!

“This is all a misunderstanding—just a misunderstanding!” The bandit leader forced a nervous smile and immediately tried to apologize.

Third Boss, seeing his boss cowering, was confused. “Boss, what’s wrong? She’s just a girl. Haha, let me strip her down and send her to your bed—”

Before he could finish, Shen Qingwan’s blade flashed.

With a single strike, Third Boss’s head tumbled from his shoulders, his body collapsing with a thud.

Blood splattered across the bandit leader’s face, and he fell backward in terror.

Even though he was a bandit chief, he was still human!

And he wasn’t even skilled in combat.

Plus, he had never killed anyone in such a brutal manner before—this was too gory, too violent!

“M-Miss… please spare me—”

Before he could finish pleading, the noise had drawn the attention of the bandits outside, who rushed in, raising their weapons as they charged at Shen Qingwan.

The bandit leader didn’t even have time to stop them before he watched, horrified, as Shen Qingwan’s figure flickered—and suddenly, a strange iron object appeared in her hands.

A series of rapid gunshots echoed through the hall.

Moments later, every bandit who had charged in lay lifeless on the ground.

The bandit leader trembled violently, pointing at Shen Qingwan with wide eyes.

“You… y-you’re a d-demon—”

Bang!

Before he could finish, a bullet left a gaping hole in his forehead.

Shen Qingwan scoffed. “You’re the demon, not me.”

She then took a leisurely stroll around the stronghold, slaughtering every last bandit.

After looting the entire stockade, she couldn’t help but sigh—there was nothing more satisfying than robbing robbers. The treasury was packed with gold, silver, and jewels, and the granary was stocked to the brim.

After killing the horses and livestock and storing them away, she set fire to the entire stronghold.

Only then did she mount her horse and ride away.