"You mean the suffering of the common people is because of us? We've never stolen from the poor."
Cheng Yaoyin was already quite displeased. Su Fan's words greatly diminished his good impression of him.
Su Fan knew that telling the truth would surely draw Cheng Yaoyin's resentment, but he had to say it.
"Just because you don't steal doesn't mean others don't. Not all bandits have a conscience. Also, even if you only steal from rich merchants, wouldn't that still cause suffering to the common people?"
Su Fan explained earnestly to Cheng Yaoyin. Seeing Cheng Yaoyin's confusion, he continued,
"For example, a city is suffering from famine. The news of the famine hasn't reached Tianlong City yet, and no relief grain has arrived. Coincidentally, a merchant sees this business opportunity and procures a large amount of grain from another city, intending to make a huge profit by transporting it to the famine-stricken city. Along the way, the merchant is robbed, the grain doesn't reach the famine city, and many people starve to death. Does this have anything to do with you? In your eyes, it doesn't, because you only stole from unscrupulous rich merchants. But in the end, many people starve to death because of it. This is called a chain reaction, where one action you take affects something you didn't expect."
Su Fan explained to Cheng Yaoyin. His explanation might not be comprehensive, but the principle was sound.
This was the current situation in the Tianlong Dynasty. Bandits ran rampant. If these bandits didn't exist, the common people would live better lives. Not all bandits were as conscientious as Cheng Yaoyin and his men.
Although Cheng Yaoyin couldn't read many characters, he still understood some of Su Fan's meaning.
Were bandits truly the culprits behind the unrest among the common people?
"Think about it carefully. When you've figured it out, come find me at the bandit suppression camp."
Su Fan didn't want to disturb Cheng Yaoyin. An idea that overturned his previous beliefs would surely require time for him to ponder.
Su Fan bid farewell to the people on Longhu Mountain and rode his horse with Xia Yun towards the bandit suppression camp.
By the time they returned to the camp, it was completely dark.
"Sir! You're finally back!"
Li Changmin exclaimed with joy upon seeing Su Fan.
"What? Did something happen?"
Su Fan dismounted, asking Li Changmin with a puzzled expression.
Li Changmin wasn't usually like this. What was going on today?
"It's Long Jianye. He insists on leaving, and the brothers can barely stop him."
Li Changmin said with a wry smile.
Su Fan had said he wanted to keep Long Jianye. If Long Jianye escaped while Su Fan was away, Li Changmin wouldn't know how to explain it to Su Fan.
Therefore, he had been stalling, telling Long Jianye that a decision could only be made after Su Fan returned.
But now, Long Jianye said he couldn't wait any longer and insisted on leaving.
Li Changmin could only resort to force to stop him.
However, Long Jianye's strength was too great; no one in the entire bandit suppression camp was his match.
"Where is he? Take me there!"
Su Fan couldn't let this treasure slip away. He immediately asked Li Changmin to lead the way.
When Su Fan saw Long Jianye, he was being held by a group of people. At least a dozen men were clinging to Long Jianye. Long Jianye violently shook his body, and the dozen men clinging to him were flung away.
But the next moment, soldiers rushed at him again, holding him tightly.
Although no one in the bandit suppression camp could match Long Jianye's strength, they had numbers. Relying on the fact that Long Jianye wouldn't truly harm them, they used a human wave tactic to prevent Long Jianye from leaving.
"Stop blocking me! I really have important matters to attend to and must leave! If you come any closer, I won't be polite!"
Long Jianye said to the surrounding soldiers with a frown.
Su Fan glanced at Li Changmin.
"You're quite resourceful."
Given the situation, Long Jianye wouldn't be able to leave anytime soon.
However, Su Fan couldn't just stand by. If Long Jianye was pushed too far, he might actually attack the soldiers.
"All of you, stand down!"
Su Fan shouted from outside.
Everyone heard the voice and turned around. Upon seeing Su Fan, they consciously parted to make a path.
Long Jianye quieted down when he saw Su Fan return.
"Sir Su, I need to leave the military camp for a while."
Long Jianye immediately said to Su Fan, appearing very anxious.
"What are you going to do?"
Su Fan asked curiously.
Long Jianye fell silent and did not answer Su Fan.
"I have important matters, but I cannot tell you what they are."
Long Jianye said honestly to Su Fan.
"Alright, when will you be back?"
Su Fan nodded and asked Long Jianye.
"At most three days!"
Long Jianye thought for a moment and replied.
"Good, let him go."
Su Fan nodded and agreed.
If Su Fan tried to forcibly keep Long Jianye, not only would he fail, but even if he succeeded, Long Jianye's heart wouldn't be in it, and he would leave eventually. It was better to let him go. If he was a man of his word, he would return.
Long Jianye nodded at Su Fan and then left the bandit suppression camp without looking back.
"Sir, you're just letting him go?"
Li Changmin walked over and asked.
They had gone to such great lengths to keep Long Jianye, and Su Fan had let him go with just a few words upon his return?
"To keep someone, you must keep their heart. If their heart isn't here, they will leave sooner or later."
Su Fan didn't bother to explain to Li Changmin.
"Find a place for her to rest. We'll discuss any matters tomorrow."
Su Fan pointed at Xia Yun and instructed Li Changmin.
Li Changmin had already seen Xia Yun, but since Su Fan brought her, he didn't ask further.
At this moment, he really wanted to say, "Sir, is it appropriate for you to bring a woman into the military camp?"
But he decided against it, lest Su Fan hold it against him later.
Su Fan returned to reality.
This was the first time he had returned to reality in two days.
His body had been lying in bed for a day and two nights. If Su Fan hadn't informed Su Yutong in advance, he might have been sent to the hospital by now.
Su Fan got up, ate something, and returned to his room to cultivate.
...
The Xu family in the capital.
Xu Pengcheng looked at his subordinate below with surprise.
"What did you say!"
"We've found the Long family!"
The Xu family member below repeated.
"Hahahaha!"
Xu Pengcheng burst into manic laughter.
Finding the Long family meant they could connect with them, and their Xu family would rise!
Su Fan! You're as good as dead!
"Quick! Take me to the Long family!"
Xu Pengcheng couldn't wait a moment longer. He wanted to go to the Long family now.
The sooner he received the Long family's help, the sooner he could avenge his son!
"You seek my Long family; for what purpose?"
An old man walked in from the doorway and asked Xu Pengcheng softly.
The old man extended his hand, and a silver needle flew from the neck of the Xu family member reporting to Xu Pengcheng, landing in the old man's hand.
That Xu family member immediately lost his breath.
Xu Pengcheng was stunned.
"May I ask if you are a senior from the Long family?"
Xu Pengcheng showed no emotion at the death of his own kin. Instead, he cautiously asked the old man before him.
"Indeed. I am Long Chuan."