The Crossed Swords Bandits were no different from any other bandits. The main activities of most mountain bandits were stealing, killing, looting, and raping; they would commit countless atrocities before retreating back into the safety provided by the mountains. However, the Crossed Swords Bandits were the most vicious and atrocious bandit band among all of the mountain bandits in the Hatar Mountains.

As their base was tucked away in a secluded part of the mountain, most of their members were hardened criminals who had committed at least one or two murders, and some of them had even killed their families because of inheritance disputes.

A large bandit entered a tent made of buffalo leather. “Boss, I bring good news,” he said as he greeted his boss.

The boss of the Crossed Swords Bandits was a bandit called Arkan; he was the largest and most vicious bandit in the Hatar Mountains. Arkan looked at the bandit with a gaze full of interest, setting down the expensive wine he had been about to drink on the table. He asked, “What is it, Akon?”

“Our scouts have spotted two women in the mountains,” Akon reported.

“Women? In these secluded parts of the mountain?” Arkan asked suspiciously.

“Ah, boss… Don’t you remember? They said something about closing the Sinirant Trade Route because of bandits or something, and because of that a few mindless fools have been found trying to cross through the mountains,” Akon said with a grin on his face.

“Where were they spotted?” Arkan asked, tappin...