Chapter 775: This Is an Insult to Us

A hundred li beyond the desolate city lay a barren desert.

This was the territory of the Fourteen Desert Kings.

Back when Sha Dulong chose his stronghold, he had taken a liking to this place at first sight, and so he had stayed here for several years.

During those years, Sha Dulong had carved out a fearsome reputation; the desolate city knew that in the barren desert a hundred li away, there were fourteen bandits.

But for the people of the desolate city, those bandits were not terrifying—they would not rob the poor.

As for merchants, they were initially terrified, but after the first merchant dared to take the risk, the situation began to change.

The Fourteen Desert Bandits suddenly became popular; merchants would deliberately linger there from time to time, hoping to be robbed by them.

From then on, the Fourteen Desert Bandits were called the Fourteen Desert Kings by the merchants.

They were bandits who upheld justice.

In the eyes of these merchants, the Fourteen Desert Kings were bandits with professional ethics.

"Today is another good day for robbing," Sha Dulong said, standing on a sand dune and gazing at the blazing sun with a sigh.

"Boss, you're right. The weather is indeed fine today," the others chimed in.

"We've already glimpsed the path of robbery. What the boss once said wasn't a lie—the way of robbery truly exists." A trace of nostalgia appeared on Sha Dulong's face.

At that moment, everyone fell silent. Over the years, their group had grown, taking in many people. But at times like this, everyone knew the chieftain was thinking of someone again.

They had to stay absolutely quiet now, or the chieftain would lose his temper.

If the chieftain got angry, it would be serious—at the very least, they'd go without food for days.

"Let's go rob," Sha Dulong said, snapping back to reality after who knows how long. He spread his arms wide, speaking of robbery with such grand righteousness that it didn't seem wrong at all.

For the Fourteen Desert Bandits, only when they were robbing did they feel the meaning of their existence.

…

"Why haven't the Fourteen Desert Kings come yet?"

A wagon train was stopped in the desert. The lead wagon flew a flag, bright and conspicuous—any resident of the desolate city would recognize it.

It was the flag of a trading firm in the desolate city.

At that moment, a middle-aged man stepped down from the lead carriage. "Still not here?"

"Not yet," replied a servant who had been watching.

The middle-aged man looked at the barren desert, then glanced into the distance, where several more wagon trains were appearing one after another.

"I didn't expect such bad luck this time—so many caravans," the middle-aged man said with displeasure, as if annoyed that others were competing for the spot to be robbed.

If a passerby unaware of the situation were to see this, they would be utterly astonished.

Now even robbery targets had to queue up—had the world changed?

When those wagon trains arrived, the middle-aged man frowned in annoyance; he saw competitors from the same trade.

Not only did they compete in business, but they also competed in this—truly infuriating.

"Oh, Manager Wang is here too," said a plump middle-aged man from the approaching wagon train, smiling.

"Manager Li, you were robbed last time. Surely you don't intend to compete with me this time?" Manager Wang said, displeased.

"Manager Wang, that's not right. The capable get robbed. Besides, you're not the only one waiting to be robbed, Manager Wang," Manager Li replied.

"Hmph."

They were all merchants from the desolate city. In the past, when their caravans traveled to other cities, they had to cross mountains and rivers, passing many dangerous places.

Although they hired many skilled martial artists, four out of ten trips ended in failure, which was a heavy blow to them.

But now things were different. Any wagon train targeted by the Fourteen Desert Kings had smooth sailing—no disasters or troubles along the way, arriving safely at their destination.

For the merchant caravans in the desolate city, being chosen by the Fourteen Desert Kings was great luck.

Just then, yellow sand filled the sky, and dust flew everywhere.

"They're coming, they're coming…"

At that moment, all the caravans gazed into the distance with eager anticipation.

If they weren't chosen this time, they would have to wait for the next.

Because in their eyes, the Fourteen Desert Kings were a guarantee of trustworthiness.

They had once offered a large sum to hire them as escorts.

But to Sha Dulong and his men, that was an insult to the profession of banditry, so they flatly refused.

…

"Boss, there are so many caravans again. Which one should we rob?" For some of the old-timers in the group, this was a headache.

As for the newcomers, they looked completely bewildered.

They hadn't expected being a bandit to be so easy.

Caravans were lining up to be robbed, afraid they wouldn't be chosen.

Sha Dulong was already used to this. "Follow heaven's will."

In an instant, a long howl rang out. Sha Dulong leaped up, his heroic posture commanding.

"Robbery!"

That shout of robbery was so earth-shattering and soul-stirring that it inspired awe.

"The bandits are coming! The bandits are coming!"

At that moment, countless caravans cried out in panic, a fearful atmosphere enveloping the world.

Some caravans from other cities, having picked up goods in the desolate city and preparing to return, had heard rumors of the Fourteen Desert Bandits and came to try their luck.

But now, seeing so many caravans showing terror, they found it strange.

"Fourteen Desert Kings, please rob me! I am willing to offer a fee!" shouted a newly arrived caravan.

The surrounding caravans, who had been putting on a good show, looked at this caravan as if they were idiots.

"This caravan must be new."

"How dare they say such insulting words."

"Indeed, ignorance is forgivable, but isn't that a blatant insult to the Fourteen Desert Kings?"

…

"Hmph, the Fourteen Desert Kings never rob caravans that aren't afraid of us. Men, drive them away!" Sha Dulong's face darkened with anger upon hearing this. Their fearsome reputation spanned tens of thousands of li, yet here was a caravan that didn't fear them—it was an insult.

"Yes!"

"What's going on?"

The newly arrived caravan was completely baffled, not understanding what was happening.

"Robbery! Men to the left, women to the right, hermaphrodites in the middle! The Fourteen Desert Kings only take money, not lives or virtue. But if you don't cooperate, don't blame our blades for being ruthless!" Sha Dulong bellowed, his powerful aura enveloping everyone.

"Spare us! Spare us!"

"Don't rob me!"

Though these veteran caravans begged for mercy, their movements were swift as they immediately began to line up.

Men left, women right, hermaphrodites in the middle—but so far, they had never actually seen a hermaphrodite.

"Boss, someone is standing in the middle!" a shout rang out.

Sha Dulong's expression changed, and he immediately stepped forward.

Manager Li, though looking terrified, still moved his body forward. "Don't kill me, don't kill me."

"Hmph, rest assured, we Fourteen Desert Kings are professionals. We don't kill, nor do we take goods. Put all your valuables into that little bag," Sha Dulong said sternly.

"Yes, yes…" Manager Li was overjoyed inside. His hands moved quickly as he directed his men to throw all their valuables into the bag.

The surrounding caravans, seeing that the Fourteen Desert Kings had robbed Manager Li, were resigned—they hadn't been chosen again.

Manager Wang was filled with regret. How had things turned out like this? Especially when he saw Manager Li's smug look, his anger flared.

Boom!

At that moment, the very earth seemed to tremble.

In the distance, yellow sand rolled.

"Boss, the army from the desolate city is here!"

"Hmm? The army from the desolate city is here? Prepare to fight!" Sha Dulong roared.

"Yes!"

…