Li Daoxuan casually renamed his Douyin account to Daily Life in the Miniature World (Tilt-Shift Photography). With such an obvious explanation placed right in front of everyone, he could now post videos of the miniature world openly and without restraint. After all, he had already declared it to be tilt-shift photography. No reasonable person would seriously believe that he possessed a real miniature world inside his own home.
He studied his collection of video clips carefully, weighing which one would attract the most attention.
The footage of the Daoist temple construction was genuine and visually pleasing, but it lacked excitement. It was beautiful, yes, but beauty alone was not enough. If he wanted to trigger explosive popularity and draw in massive traffic, he needed something far more stimulating.
Something dramatic.
Something intense.
Combat.
With that thought in mind, he quickly located the recording of the Supreme Bright King leading his attack on Gao Family Village. The moment he found it, his eyes lit up with satisfaction. This was perfect. This was exactly the kind of content that could seize people's attention.
He edited the footage with care, trimming unnecessary pauses and enhancing the visuals with subtle filters. Once satisfied, he uploaded the video again.
He added a caption:
"The hardworking villagers of the miniature world were attacked by bandits. Everyone rose to defend their homes."
After typing it out, he stared at the sentence and grimaced.
Damn it.
He really should have paid more attention during his school years. Now that he actually needed writing skills, he found himself struggling to compose even a decent caption. It was fortunate he had never tried to become a writer, because with this level of skill, he would have failed miserably.
Meanwhile, far away from Li Daoxuan, San Shier and his group were hurrying toward the county town.
The road stretched long and empty ahead of them, while dense trees lined both sides of the mountain path. No one spoke. Each person remained tense, listening carefully to every sound, fearing that bandits might suddenly appear.
Unfortunately, fate rarely showed mercy.
Murphy's Law was merciless. The more one feared something, the more likely it was to happen.
When they were about ten li away from their destination, sudden shouting erupted from both sides of the road. Figures burst out from the trees with alarming speed, their numbers approaching nearly a hundred. Their weapons were mismatched and crude, ranging from rusted blades to wooden clubs and hunting spears, yet the killing intent in their eyes was unmistakable.
In an instant, they blocked both the front and rear of the path, trapping San Shier and his group in the middle.
Their gazes immediately fell upon the bundles carried by the villagers.
Mrs. San instinctively tightened her grip on her own bundle. Inside were several jars of divine medicine bestowed by Tianzun. These were priceless treasures that absolutely could not fall into the hands of bandits.
Gao Chuwu and Zheng Daniu reacted first. Both men drew their swords without hesitation.
The younger men followed their lead, gripping their weapons with nervous determination.
Yet in their hearts, they all understood the grim reality.
Their numbers were far too small.
If a fight broke out, their chances of survival would be slim.
San Shier forced himself to remain calm despite the fear clawing at his chest. He stepped forward and raised his voice.
"Open your eyes and look carefully. I am San Shier, strategist to the magistrate. The people behind me are all unofficial aides of the county yamen. If you dare touch us, it will be considered rebellion. Your families will be executed, and your property will be confiscated. None of you will escape punishment."
His voice was loud and firm, but inside, his heart trembled.
This was nothing more than a bluff.
He invoked his former position in the hope that it would intimidate them. He also deliberately labeled Gao Chuwu and the others as unofficial aides, creating the illusion of official backing.
Unfortunately, the bandits were not frightened.
Their leader let out a cold laugh.
"We already killed the magistrate. Why would we fear a mere strategist like you?"
The words struck like thunder.
Everyone froze.
San Shier's pupils shrank, but then his mind raced. A realization dawned upon him almost instantly.
"You… you are followers of Wang Er, Hero Wang of Baishui County?"
The bandit leader grinned.
"That's right. We all follow Big Brother Wang Er. Are you scared now? Everyone knows we killed Magistrate Zhang Yaocai. Yet you still dared to threaten me with your useless title."
His laughter echoed across the mountain path.
Instead of despairing, San Shier felt hope surge within him.
He seized the opportunity immediately.
"If you are brothers of Hero Wang, then this is easily resolved. We are old acquaintances of Hero Wang. We are friends. If you harm us, Hero Wang will certainly be displeased."
The bandit leader frowned, suspicion filling his eyes.
"What nonsense are you talking about? First you claim ties with the magistrate, and now you claim ties with my Big Brother Wang. Do you think I am a fool?"
Sweat trickled down San Shier's back.
This was a matter of life and death.
He had no choice but to press forward.
"We truly know Hero Wang. If you harm us, he will tear your bones apart."
His tone was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.
The bandit leader hesitated.
He did not dare act recklessly.
Behind the bandits, one of the younger men quietly slipped away and hurried up the hillside, clearly intending to inform Wang Er.
The standoff continued.
Neither side dared make the first move.
Tension filled the air like a drawn bowstring.
Then suddenly, a sharp voice rang out from the hillside.
"Lower your weapons. All of you."
Everyone turned.
Wang Er had arrived.
He descended the slope with steady steps, his presence alone commanding authority.
He glanced at San Shier and the others.
"It is indeed the people of Gao Family Village."
Then he turned toward the bandit leader.
"Bai Mao. Withdraw your men."
The bandit leader immediately complied, relief evident on his face. He had nearly made a disastrous mistake.
San Shier's legs weakened with relief, and he collapsed onto the ground.
He had survived.
Wang Er stepped forward and clasped his fists respectfully.
"Strategist San. Brothers of Gao Family Village. Why are you traveling with so many belongings in such dangerous times?"
San Shier hesitated briefly, glancing at his wife.
She had insisted on returning to the county town to help others, and this was also the will of Tianzun. There was no room for complaint.
"We have important matters to attend to in the county town," he replied.
Wang Er nodded thoughtfully.
"In that case, I will escort you there. Once your business is complete, I will escort you back safely. Gao Family Village has shown me great kindness. I will not allow my benefactors to come to harm."
San Shier felt deep respect.
"Hero Wang," he said sincerely, "a man like you should not have been forced into banditry. The world is truly unjust."
Wang Er said nothing.
But his eyes darkened slightly.
The world had never been fair.
And perhaps it never would be.