Chapter 4 Bandits

Unknown Cave

"Boss! We found one. We found one." Two midgets in green cloaks were screaming in the forest as they ran quickly to a dark cave. 

"What did you two find?" A deep authoritative voice was heard echoing in the cave.

"A small village holding about a hundred people. The best thing is that there are no cultivators inside it. Meaning it's an easy picking for us." When the two midgets got closer they saw a group of eight loitering around.

"That is good news. We were running out of supplies. After the last time, we tried to raid a village and failed." Said the tallest, sharpening an ax.

"If it wasn't for those soldiers of the Blue Sky Empire hiding and waiting. Our group, the Black Bears of fifty strong men, wouldn't have been reduced to ten." Said a man with a scar on his face while reading a book.

"All average soldiers have the strength of a First stage Fighter and the captain has the strength of a Five stage Fighter. Truly we were unlucky." Said a middle-aged man with red hair.

"At least the boss survived. He is a Fourth stage Fighter. With him around it doesn't matter how many villagers there are as long as they don't have someone at the same stage, we'll never lose." Said grunt bandit number 1

"Don't forget big bro Yong is a Third stage Fighter and Brother Hai is a Second stage Fighter." Said another grunt number 2

"Alright! Pack up, everyone. We're heading out to play." The man with an authoritative voice walked out revealing a grisly cruel bald man with a massive scar on his chest.

"Right!!!" Was said as the rest of the remaining bandits prepared to set out.

Little Village Afternoon

Issei's POV

It's been a long week, but I finally have gotten used to living in this small village. Sure I had a hard time the first three days with the loss of technology and of easy conveniences. Don't get me started on all the hard work I did to stay at the house. Wu Ying, especially, made it difficult after the first time we fought with me trying to look through her clothes. But that wasn't my fault, she should have known better than to wear a simple robe under her. My god, it's been so long since I lost my porn. I truly miss having my own room for privacy. Luckily she didn't tell the other two about what happened or the way they looked at me would be different.

"Hyoudo Issei, are you done with your share of the farm?" A middle-aged man said as he brought my attention back to our work. We were currently farming a few miles east from the village. Luckily the hill or was it a mountain, we lived in and had a soft flat area where farming was possible.

"Sorry, sir. I'll get it done." Speaking of work, the girls said they wanted to finally eat some vegetables so they made me go help out with the rest of the men to plow the fields. Apparently, the guys of this village don't like women handling this type of work. But to eat from their fields people would have to pay for it or get the man of the house to help out. Luckily for the girls they finally found one to put to work. At first, I thought of it as a hassle, but to my surprise, it was surprisingly easy. If there's one thing that made me happy about my situation was my newfound strength. Turns out being a First stage Fighter allows me to go for hours plowing the fields without getting tired, cutting down trees easily with an ax, or just lifting anything heavy. Another reason must be my common family background of farmers because I kind of enjoy farming.

"Big bro are you done?" the familiar voice of the cute loli Wu Xiao was heard, causing me to stop. As I turned to notice the finished work. I found myself satisfied with my work and went towards her.

Wu Xiao's POV

I have been really happy all week and it's all because of the strange person we found asleep in the woods while we were picking herbs. At first, I thought he was just a weirdo. I mean who sleeps in the woods and then he just kept going on and on about someplace called Japan. He was pretty stupid too. Who forgets where they live. My sister Wu Ying always tells me to be alert about strange uncles trying to take us. I wonder if that's why she was so guarded around him. I was going to do the same but when I saw his sad face I just had to cheer him up.

After a while, we decided to bring him home with us. After all, the forest is no place to talk, even I know that. But then we ran into some wolves and that was scary. They almost killed sister Wu Ying. But luckily the strange boy didn't leave us. Instead he saved Wu Ying just as they were about to bite her throat. When I saw him risking his life to protect sis. I just knew I could trust him and started calling him big bro. After all who risks their life for a stranger and he was really brave because while he tried acting tough I still saw him shaking with fear.

From there we finally reached home and Wu Lan started preparing the wolves. Guess we're eating doggy stew, that's what they get for trying to eat us. The meat was chewy and hard but I ignored it because I was really angry at those wolves. While I was waiting for the food to be ready, my sister's were explaining why big bro was as strong as sis Ying and the reason cultivating was important. Dad always said if sis one day reaches a higher realm she could become a self-important person. My sister got really scary about it, but big bro wasn't lying about not knowing anything. After that, it was just talking about living conditions and training with sis.

When I woke up the next day I noticed Wu Ying panting with exhaustion but that wasn't new to me. What surprised me was when I looked towards, big bro, I saw him covered in dirt and bruises. I really thought he would die at any minute. Big Sis and I quickly tried to heal his wounds and interrogate Wu Ying about what happened but she just blushed and turned away probably from embarrassment or anger. Luckily, big bro strangely heals quickly and was up by the afternoon.

Now it's been a week and it's been the best. I finally have fewer chores to do since if I ask, big bro always helps. Another is that whenever I'm bored big bro would play and listen to anything I say. Big bro's pretty naive, always believing anything I say. It reminds me of when dad was still alive. Always being there for me and protecting me. Right now I'm heading to the farm field where all the men work. It's a true hassle since we live far from the village and the farm is farther. It was mostly because dad loved his privacy and my sisters don't really like being close to the guys in this village, something about the guys being forceful in their approach when dad died. Now that I think about it the guys were being very hostile to big bro when he showed up. But they stopped when they saw his strength.

When I finally arrive at the field where all the grown men work. I finally saw him. "Big bro, are you done? Let's go home."

Wu Household, Little village outskirts

Issei's POV

Wu Xiao and I finally arrive at the small house where Wu Ying is seen practicing her punching routine. Truly she needs a hobby other than martial arts but when I see our current situation, I notice there is really nothing more to do around here, makes me miss TV. Luckily Wu Xiao keeps me entertained by her cuteness. The joy of living with a girl about to turn into a bishoujo like her sisters. But even I sometimes try to train when I get really bored and also to make Wu Ying used to my presence. If I'm not doing that, Wu Lan makes me do chores.

"Ah, Issei, can you please get firewood?" Wu Lan comes out with another chore I can't refuse.

"Can I do that later? My arms are killing me." I try to weasel my way out until later.

"Of course, but if I don't have firewood I can't make anything to eat." Wu Lan says with a smile on her face and makes a convincing point.

"Pervert, collect the firewood and fast I'm getting hungry." Wu Ying finally takes her attention away from practice just to threaten me to hurry. Can't she just forgive me already?

"Fine." Depressed, I finally agree to go but not before I grab a rusty bronze ax. The girls say it belonged to their father but because they couldn't maintain it they allowed it to get rusty.

Wu Ying's POV

As I see the pervert with a downcast expression leaving. I couldn't stop the smirk on my face full of satisfaction at the guy being pushed around by me. It's what he gets, that pervert.

"Don't be mean to big bro!" Wu Xiao shouts with a mad twelve-year-old expression. I just scoff at her anger and ignore her. I don't even know why she keeps defending him.

"That is true. Wu Ying, try to be nicer to Hyoudo Issei. He is a guest at our house." Wu Lan scolds me for my rude behavior. Don't know why she's mad I just helped her out. While I can ignore Wu Xiao, I can't ignore Wu Lan. But still, I won't say sorry.

Maybe if I told her what happened the first day he slept over she would support me in being angry at him and not let Wu Xiao get close to him. But I didn't when Wu Lan convinced me on why he should stay.

Flashback The First Night

The two sisters are quietly waiting for Wu Xiao to sleep. The only room got crowded now that they placed sheets of fur to hide a piece of the room.

"Sister, why did you let that guy live with us"

"You know why? He has nowhere to go."

"But how can you trust him?"

"Listen, Wu Ying. Aren't you tired of living with a fear of men? I know the day father died the boys in the village thought we would be helpless without a man to take care of us. It was only because you showed your strength that they didn't mess with us. But in other ways, they made us outcast. This made me realize we need a man to support us in this tiny village or else life would keep being difficult. So I decided that we need Hyoudo Issei in making everyone leave us alone and also to help around the house. That way you can focus on Martial Arts and Wu Xiao can have more time to herself."

"But why him?"

"No reason, I just have a feeling that he's trustworthy and loyal. After all, he didn't abandon us when you were in trouble today. I know that if we help him, he'll help us. So please do get along."

End of flashback

It was only to help sister Wu Lan that I didn't say anything. But if I knew he would just laze around I would kick him out. But he does help around the house. We no longer have to go into the woods to scavenge and hunt for food since he works on the farm. The guys now leave us alone whenever we go down the village. Ever since he does the hard labor I no longer need to bother myself and keep training. Plus having him around helps me practice my martial arts since he is also a First stage Fighter. He never really does anything to us. But stare at my sister and my chest when he thinks we're not looking. It makes me wonder if all the guys do that. So I guess it's not all bad.

______________________________________

It's been a few hours since I've been practicing. Some food would do good right now but he's still not back. But just when I thought of going inside to relax I started to notice a large amount of black smoke coming from the village. While firewood is always being burned to cook or heat up water there's never this much smoke.

"Wu Ying, what's going on?" The voice of sister Wu Lan takes my attention away from the smoke.

"Don't know. Maybe there's a fire." I responded maybe it's nothing to worry about but I just can't help but shiver.

"HELP! Bandits!" A scream was heard as I saw a villager coming closer to our home.

Behind him were two men dressed in green cloaks with daggers chasing him and soon one of the bandits threw a dagger and stabbed him. I was truly shocked at his appearance and the victim's death. There have never been bandits close to us and why would they attack us. We have absolutely nothing in this village. Soon the man spots our home and I panic.

"Wu Lan take Wu Xiao and go into the woods and find Issei."

"What about you? What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to fight and when it's safe I'll find you."

"Come with us."

"Sister if I go that man will follow us or maybe he goes back and brings his group to gang up on us. We don't know how many there are or the weapons they have. It's better to beat them one by one and I can't do that without worrying about the two of you."

"Alright but I'm bringing Issei to help you." Wu Lan says and quickly goes into the house.

"Fine." I have no choice but to agree. I much rather have her in the forest and not anywhere near here. I know Issei would protect them. Soon I charged at the two bandits just as soon as my sister was in the house.

3rd person POV

As soon as the two bandits spotted the two girls their blood started pumping at their beauty. But soon are caught surprised at one girl, the younger of the two charged straight at them. This was new to them since whenever people spotted them, they ran away. While they weren't First stage Fighters, they were still strong men capable of hurting others along with their weapons. To see a young girl without a weapon charge at them with a fierce glare was ridiculous. Unless she was either stupid or a cultivator but what are the chances of that. Shit.

Not wanting to take any chances one quickly threw a dagger but was just as quickly dodged. Before they could think Wu Ying finally reached the two and punched the one who threw the dagger and knocked him to the ground.

Seeing his partner attacked. The bandit that stood standing, quickly backtracks to gain some distance from the girl. But Wu Ying refuses to let him get away and chases. Seeing her coming the man raises his dagger and thrusts it to her chest as she gets closer. To Wu Ying since the man was not a Fighter, the attack was not necessary to dodge. She just grabs his arm and judo flips him to the ground hard.

In pain, the bandit tried to get up but it was too late. All he met was a fist to the face bringing him down harder. Wu Ying looks at the two bandits on the ground trying to figure if there were any tricks. Not really necessary since they appeared unconscious. She tries to decide on her next course. Should she help the villagers or leave with her sisters since it looked like no other bandit followed these two.

"I was wondering what took so long for the midget scouts to come back." A male voice was heard as Wu Ying turned around and saw a taller man with a sword. (I called grunt number 1)

Before he has a chance to say or do anything else. Wu Ying quickly charges and prepares a fist. But the punch was blocked by a punch of her opponent. Finally, another First stage Fighter appeared and unlike Issei, he has experience in battle because as soon as the punches intercepted a slash from his sword came to her.  Luckily she dodges in the nick of time and quickly tries to build distance between each other. This time she was truly in a troubled situation unlike the wolves and any other animal she fought; they had never made her feel this scared, if only she had a weapon. But she soon spots two daggers on the ground. One from the time the green cloaked midget threw at her and the other when they killed the villager, it was still stuck to his body and luckily together. A plan soon came to mind.

"What are you wasting time with this woman?" A red-haired man came from the village. His steps were lazy as if he had better things to do.

"Brother Hai. Sorry, this girl is a First stage Fighter." The swordsman grunt apologizes and tries to explain his reasoning for taking too long.

"Oh really!" Finally, a surprised expression appears on his face. "The boss would be excited to meet her."

"If you think I'll let you take me. Then you'll be sadly mistaken." Wu Ying speaks with defiance in her tone.

"Sorry, I'm not asking." The red-haired man says as he charges with surprising speed that Wu Ying could not surpass and before Wu Ying could do anything a palm strike lands in her stomach bringing her to her knees. This was the difference between a First stage Fighter and a Second stage.

Little Village Center

The villagers are now seen kneeling on their knees with depression or frustration on their faces on not being able to do anything. The kids are crying for being hurt and the women weeping at what they would do to them. Of course, it's not like they didn't fight back as shown when the ten group bandit now became eight when the stubborn men tried to fight back. That resistance was soon squished when the people in the Fighter realm fought back and the village lost twelve men.

Two First stage Fighters are now watching over the remaining villagers with sneers on their faces at watching the pathetic villagers. They soon spot Brother Hai coming towards them with a cute girl over his shoulders and the swordsman carrying the two midgets.

"Call the Boss!" The red-haired man says with command at the two. Of course, they obeyed since he had a higher cultivation than them.

"Hai, what do you want? I was going to have some fun with the village girls." A bald man came with a massive scar in his chest looking annoyed at being interrupted from his fun.

"Scum!" A man said probably a father of one of the girls the bald man was about to rape. But soon his head was sent flying as blood came from his neck. The perpetrator was the bald man with an ax that came out of nowhere with a speed that none of the villagers saw.

"Boss, I brought good news." Said the red-haired man as he laid the girl to the ground.

"While she is a beauty. I much rather you bring her after I had my fun."

"What if I told you she was a First stage Fighter."

"Now that is good news. To think a cultivator would be hiding here in a nowhere place. Do you know anything about her that might bring her to my side?"

"Sorry don't but I'm sure you can ask one of the villagers."

"That's true. Alright, tell me which one of you knows anything about her." He soon turns to the villagers causing fear in their hearts as they still remembered how easily he killed a man. "Not talking. Fine." With no one speaking up he brings his ax to the neck of a man. "Talk or die."

"Her name is Wu Ying. She has two other sisters that live with her and a brown-haired boy. They live on the outskirts of the village up there. They are probably hiding in the woods." The man sang like a canary with his throat touching metal.

"That was easy. You three First stage Fighters go and get the two sisters back and somebody get me, Yong. Tell him to stop lazing around with the village girls. Hai watch over her and watch over the villagers so that they don't do something stupid."

"""Yes boss""" The three First stage Fighters said and quickly went to the direction of the Wu sister's home.

"(Sigh) Alright sounds easy." Said the red-haired man.