"No, no, how could we possibly rob you, young hero? We were just... just having a hundred-meter dash, you misunderstood, young hero!"
The treasure bandits felt utterly miserable. Why had they targeted this person? Why? Such a huge sword! If this slash hit them, they probably wouldn't survive even three seconds, right?
Maybe they'd be reduced to dust in one second. It was simply... too terrifying.
"Oh, really? But I remember you all staring at me when I walked over, even lurking suspiciously in the grass. You say you weren't? I find that hard to believe."
Lu Ze rested both hands on the hilt of the Skyfire Greatsword, smiling at the group before him. Why were these treasure bandits so foolish? They looked like they had just entered society, never having been beaten by it.
"We were... were... just looking for something! We absolutely had no intentions towards you, young hero. If even half of what I said is a lie, may I be struck by lightning!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the clear blue sky instantly became clouded, and thunder rumbled, as if it would strike at any second.
"Boss, your words came true..."
"I was just making a casual oath, is there any need to be so surprised?"
"No, boss! Look at the sky, lightning is starting to strike. Could it be because your words came true, boss?"
Came true, my foot! If this really came true, he'd probably die here. He was still young! He didn't want to die like this! He still wanted to find a beautiful wife!
"Scared now? When you made your oath earlier, you didn't hesitate at all. If you break your promise so quickly, it makes it hard for me to save face! Tell me, do you want to be struck by lightning, or cut down by me?"
The first option was more painful, the second was quicker. Just one slash, very fast! And no pain, how good is that.
It's just that no matter which option he chose, he would die.
Hearing this, the treasure bandits trembled uncontrollably, their thighs shaking wildly, fearing they would be gone the next second. He really didn't want to have lived in vain.
"Don't worry, if you sincerely apologize, I won't take your life. But you don't seem to have realized the seriousness of the problem! In that case, there's nothing I can do. You're the one who didn't cherish it. I've asked repeatedly, and I've gotten the same answer every time, so you can't blame me."
Saying this, he raised his hand, about to draw the sword from the ground and slay everyone before him with a single stroke. The treasure bandits were so scared they resigned themselves to death on the spot. But a minute passed.
The sword didn't fall, and they didn't feel any pain. Was this the legendary painless departure? It was truly mysterious!
They opened their eyes. Huh? Shouldn't this be heaven? Why were they still in the same spot? Had they misread something?
Uncertain, they rubbed their eyes again and again, but they were still alive. This wasn't what they expected.
"Do you want to die that badly? If you want to die, I can fulfill your wish!"
Lu Ze had already sheathed the Skyfire Greatsword at some point, standing nonchalantly in the distance. What he said earlier was just a provocation. He wanted to see.
What kind of potential would a person unleash when facing a life-threatening danger to help them overcome the ordeal.
But clearly, there was none. They had chosen to wait for death on the spot. What hidden potential could be unleashed?
"Aren't you going to kill us? Didn't you say you would finish us all with one slash? Why then..."
But the next second, Lu Ze turned with a dark expression, the Skyfire Greatsword reappearing as if he would slash if they uttered another word.
"In short, thank you, brother, for sparing our lives. We'll meet again if fate allows."
After saying this, the leader, called "Boss," ran faster than a rabbit. He could probably participate in a marathon; if he ran fast enough, first place would be no problem.
"Running so fast? In the end, aren't you still afraid of death? If you're afraid of death, don't do this job. Find a different one, brother. If you encountered someone with actual strength, you probably wouldn't be here!"
As expected, perhaps because they ran too fast, that group directly rushed into Liyue. Their treasure bandit attire immediately exposed their profession, and someone came to arrest them.
"Why is my luck so bad today? Alas."
With a pair of silver bracelets on his hands, the man called "Boss" escaped death, but ultimately couldn't escape imprisonment. This is a plea to everyone: don't do foolish things. Even if you do, there's always a chance to start anew.
Having resolved this matter, Lu Ze once again embarked on his journey.
Although Naxida was still worried, she didn't want to dwell on it. The two left their spot and moved forward slowly.
Before long, they saw employees of the Blackcliff Forge. A little further ahead was the Chasm.
"Brother, it's already prohibited to pass here. You should go back."
A burly man kindly warned him, but Lu Ze simply smiled slightly and said:
"Thank you for the reminder, but I have my own way. Thanks."
Seeing that he wasn't very receptive to advice, those people were helpless. After all, some people just liked to try. They couldn't stop him.
Upon reaching the border, two Millelith stood guard, one on the left and one on the right, like sentries.
Seeing the newcomers, they immediately straightened their backs and forcefully stabbed their spears into the ground, saying:
"Halt! The area ahead is dangerous and prohibited. Please turn back!"
But Lu Ze didn't turn back immediately. He silently took out something resembling an envelope and handed it over.
"I wonder if this can allow me to pass."
The soldiers looked at each other. One of them took the letter and quickly opened it. Inside was a certification from Keqing, the Yuheng Star, granting passage through the Chasm.
"I see. So you're someone sent from above. Although I don't know what you're here to do, please don't engage in any dangerous behavior. You may pass."
Under the shocked gazes of everyone, Lu Ze slowly passed through the soldiers' blockade, leading Naxida forward step by step.
"Wow, he wasn't joking? He really has a way to get through? Good heavens, I underestimated him. I was caught off guard, and he managed to pull it off." The corner of the man who had reminded him twitched. What was all this?
Meanwhile, on the other side, Lu Ze and Naxida looked at the magnificent scene before them.
A giant pit, as if it had been smashed open by something, making one marvel. What exactly was this?