Song Sao's tiger transformation art was extremely ferocious. This combined with her naturally burly physique and combat instincts allowed her to match three Spirit Lords by herself. Even after expending a tremendous amount of spirit energy to save her flying boat, she could still fight one against three.
She could still fight… but that was it. She couldn't escape. She couldn't defeat them. All she could do was barely hold on.
Sword light flashed. Green energy exploded. Silver fists slammed down over and over. Song Sao bore more and more wounds as she stubbornly resisted. If she was in peak condition, she could at least make them pay a little.
"Damn it, a bunch of sissies, fight me fairly!" She roared.
"Haha, is the tiger finally getting tired?" Yu Baosi taunted.
"Eat shit!" She retorted and slashed with her claws.
She attacked Yu Baosi, only to be hit by two silvery punches. She crashed into the ground and quickly dodged to the side, avoiding a flash of strange green energy.
The tiger roared and the battle continued.
It was a sorry sight. Three men bullying a helpless woman.
Chen Wentian coughed, "Not a helpless woman, just a ferocious tiger."
He chuckled and shook his head. Bandits of this continent were so interesting, definitely more interesting than the frosty women of the Virtuous Order or those stuck-up acolytes.
"Sister Song, you can surrender now," Zhang Qing said, "You fought a good fight. But if you keep going like this, you'll die."
Song Sao spat out a mouthful of blood. Her huge body wavered slightly. She was covered in wounds. She was bleeding all over.
"I don't know what your deal is but this tiger mother will never surrender! I will fight you to the death!"
"Tch, this crazy woman," Yu Yanwu muttered.
Their mission was to subdue her and make her join the Million Swords Menace under Lin Huzhong. But it seemed that she would rather die than submit.
"Make her bleed some more, avoid the vitals," He said.
Yu Baosi nodded, "I know."
After a few more heavy clashes, Song Sao once again crashed into the ground, creating another hole. She groaned in pain and glared up at the sky. She gnashed her teeth as blood flowed out of her mouth.
"I won't surrender. You can cut me a hundred more times, hit me a thousand more times. I won't… give in to you bastards!"
"Are you sure?" A new voice joined the fray.
Chen Wentian arrived in a flash over the battle. In his hand was the Purple Jade Sword. Around him were a thousand phantasmal swords of the Thousand Sword Crusade.
Song Sao wiped the blood from her eyes in surprise, "Eh? Who are you?"
"Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong, master of the Million Swords Menace. I want you to join me. Or you will die today."
"Me?"
All of a sudden, the atmosphere changed. Song Sao was no longer shouting and roaring like a crazed tiger. Her eyes were focused on Chen Wentian, entirely ignoring the other three as if they didn't exist.
"Immortal Sword Bandit? Good moniker. Lin Huzhong, good name!" She said.
Yu Baosi glanced at his uncle and whispered, "What is going on?"
Yu Yanwu shook his head, "I don't know. She is acting strange."
Zhang Qing's eyes widened as he suddenly understood something, "I think…"
Song Sao's words interrupted his thoughts, "Lin Huzhong, I have a question. If your answer is satisfactory, I will surrender to you."
Chen Wentian smiled but did not withdraw the sword array, "Sure, please ask."
Her eyes blinked several times and some color appeared on her cheeks, "Do… do you have a wife?"
Yu Yanwu's mouth opened in surprise.
"What…" Yu Baosi muttered.
Zhang Qing tried to not laugh, "So, this ferocious female tiger also has a type."
Chen Wentian felt a headache arrive like thunder, "No, I do not yet have a wife…"
Before he could say more or explain anything, Song Sao's face brightened. Her tiger transformation art receded and she returned to a bloody human form. She stood up and patted her ragged clothes. Her actions belied the fact that she had fought a terrible battle against three Spirit Lords. Instead, it was like she was just about to go on a stroll.
"Alright then, I will join you," She said.
"Huh?" Questions filled his head.
They were supposed to be subduing a tiger. Why did she become so docile all of a sudden?
She stood there, looking up at him with great curiosity. She pulled a lock of hair behind one ear and smiled.
"Oh… well…" Chen Wentian coughed, "Welcome to the Million Swords Menace."
---
Just like that, his bandit organization had another Spirit Lord. Immortal Tiger Mother Song Sao was her name. Her talent was excellent. If she had a Spirit Lord Realm weapon or armor, she could have held her own against the three other bandits. Her beast transformation art was substantially better than the beast transformation arts of the Beast God Sanctum. He made a note to ask her about it in the future.
As a welcome gift, Chen Wentian gave her a superior healing pill for her injuries and a replacement flying array for her flying boat. He had specially purchased the array at great cost for his scheme to subdue this ferocious tiger. It was several grades better than the existing one and could make her flying boat go even faster. He had hoped that it would ease any ill feelings of being forcibly conscripted. Having underlings was good but it was always better if they were more willing than unwilling.
In the end, he wondered if any of that was necessary. It was obvious that Song Sao had a thing for fat men. Chen Wentian's disguise as Lin Huzhong was especially fat and suited her tastes. She was a big woman. It was natural for her to prefer an even bigger man. However, Lin Huzhong wasn't real. He couldn't exactly reveal this fact yet. He felt quite helpless about the situation. He could only ignore her advances and hope for the best.
---
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