Chapter 1

  Qingniu Mountain, Hama Ridge, Hama Village, several red-faced and ear-red big men.

  "When the Big Master was around, our Frog Village was so powerful, all the mountain bandits on Qingniu Mountain had to listen to us. But after the Big Master died, the brothers either died or fled, and only a few of us were left."

  "The government troops are about to arrive and surround us, relying on just a few of us is fundamentally impossible to defend, lets disperse and call it quits."

  "Bastard, Da Dangjia is dead and Xiao Zhai Zhu is only 18 years old. You actually want to disband? Whoever wants to leave, hurry up and get out! Ill go first as a show of respect."

  "Roll together, roll together."

  On a Taishi chair sat Cheng Dairen, the young master of Hamao Village. He looked around with a wooden expression, his face full of confusion.

  "Did I just travel through time?"

  Cheng Dairens past life was that of an ordinary university student. While playing a strategy game called "Bandits Heart" in his dormitory, he suddenly fainted and when he woke up, he found himself in this world. A dilapidated mountain stronghold, a large earthen house, and he was the young master of the stronghold.

  Since you have come, make yourself at home.

  Cheng Darui could only comfort himself like this.

  Memories in his mind told Cheng Darui that the country he was in was called Dawu. Dawu had been established for 120 years, with 13 states and 108 cities under its jurisdiction, and it had also dominated the seas and received tribute from all directions. However, that was a long time ago. Nowadays, the imperial power of Dawu has declined, and the local lords have taken up arms to assert their independence, constantly fighting each other.

  Years of war have left the people on the brink of survival. Those who cannot survive can only choose to become bandits, so this is a world where there are bandits and outlaws everywhere.

  The Ha Ma encampment where Cheng Da Lei is located is one of them. In the past, when the old owner was there, the Ha Ma encampment still had some reputation in Qing Niu Mountain, but not long ago, the old owner passed away, and his brothers were killed or escaped. Now, almost the entire mountain stronghold is left with only Cheng Da Lei.

  "Little village chief, little village chief."

  A voice broke into Cheng Dairens thoughts, and he came back to himself to see a middle-aged man with a goatee standing in front of him.

  "Xu Junshi, you actually didnt leave..."

  Cheng Dali was taken aback, feeling a little moved. The memories in his mind told him that the man with the goat-like beard was named Xu Shenji, the military strategist of the mountain stronghold. Although he was a military strategist, his intelligence was laughable, never having had a good idea, but always coming up with bad ones. In the past, Cheng Dali had been extremely disgusted with this person. But unexpectedly, when the mountain stronghold was about to disband, only he remained until the end.

  "Its really the strong wind knows the tough grass, and the adversity shows the heart of man. Cheng Dalai grasped Xu Shenjis hand tightly: Xu Junshi, I will remember this kindness."

  "Hey, hey! Misunderstanding!" Xu Shenji pulled open Cheng Dairens hand: "Young Master, the mountain strongholds family heirlooms have all been taken away by these few people. The last skinny horse was unwanted, can I take it?"

  Cheng Dali was doused with a basin of cold water. He slumped against the back of his chair, waving his hand in despair.

  Xu Shenqis face lit up with joy, and he strode out of the door: "Linger, quickly lead the horse, after we go down the mountain, my daughter and I will still have to rely on it for food."

  Cheng Dalai gazed at the vast and empty mansion, once the proud Frog Village, where hundreds of henchmen had gathered, the grand hall filled with twelve armchairs, eight golden strongmen, left and right military strategists... striking fear into the heart of Qingniu Mountain, roaming unchecked. But now, the grand hall was left with only one chair, and he was the only person remaining.

  Alone and helpless, how can I stand on my own in this strange world?

  Hmph, the triggering condition is met, and the Mountain Bandits Heart is activated.

  "Hmm, Mountain Bandits Heart is opening"

  Dudu, Mountain Bandits Heart has been successfully activated...

  Huh? Cheng Dairens eyes widened as a line of information appeared in his mind.

  Toads Village: A Primary Mountain Stronghold on the Verge of Disbanding

  Owner: Cheng Dali

  Population: 3 (Head of the village 1, Military advisor 1, Groom 1)

  Hmph, a vigorous young man, you will set out from here, build the strongest stronghold, and throw yourself into the turbulent currents of the chaotic world, leaving behind your own legend for the world.

  "This, this... This line is full of chuuni disease and cheap web game flavor, isnt it the strategy game "Bandits Heart" that I played before crossing over?! It seems that not only did I cross over into this world, but I also brought the game system with me."

  Hum, currently there are 3 bandits in the stronghold. When the number of bandits drops to 1, the main quest fails and "Bandits Heart" is closed.

  Hurry, theres a new task. Retain your military advisor and horse keeper, they are about to leave, retain them with the most sincere way.

  Its finally activated system, how can Cheng Dalai let it disappear, he rushed out of the earth house, stretching out his big hand towards Xu Shenji.

  "General, wait."

  Xu Shenji and his daughter Xu Linger were about to leave, when he suddenly felt a pang in his heart and subconsciously blocked the thin horse: "Young Master, arent you regretting it?"

  Cheng Daires line of sight was immediately drawn to Xu Linger, who looked like a 16-year-old girl with a round face, sparkling eyes that shone like dew-kissed Chinese cabbage.

  "Director Xu, this is..."

  When Cheng Darui focused his attention on Xulinger, a piece of information appeared in his mind.

  Name: Xu Linger (an unknown ordinary horseman)

  Age: 16

  Skills: Horse Feeding

  Out of a fathers protective instincts, Xu Shen blocked the way in front of Xu Linger: "This is little girl Xu Linger, she has been feeding horses in the back mountain, the young master hasnt seen her."

  Cheng Dalai didnt expect that Xujinji, such a despicable person, would have such a lovely daughter. Having such a daughter makes even Xujinjis detestable face somewhat lovable.

  "Brother Xu, no, Master Xu, I just thought about it. Youve been leading the mountain stronghold from behind the scenes for so many years. Without you, how could the stronghold be what it is today? I couldnt let you leave alone." Cheng Dalai got excited and almost blurted out his true feelings. However, he didnt lie either. Without Xu Shenjis endless clever ideas, the stronghold wouldnt have declined so quickly.

  "Im also reluctant to leave the mountain stronghold in my heart, but as an old man, I really dont want to be a burden to the young master of the small stronghold and add trouble to it."

  "Useless, Xu Jun is scolding me! If you hadnt said this, I would have let you leave. But since you did, I absolutely wont let you go. As long as I have food to eat, your father and daughter will never starve." Cheng Da Lei was clear in his conscience, knowing that Xu Ling Er needed nutrition at her age. He changed the subject: "Besides, where would Xu Jun go after leaving the mountain? The world below is chaotic, which mountain stronghold would take him in?"

  This remark struck a chord in Xu Shenjis heart. His reputation as the "Dog-headed Military Advisor" had already spread throughout Mount Qingniu, and no mountain stronghold would take him in. If someone wanted him, he would have left long ago and wouldnt have waited until today. The world outside was not peaceful, and it was indeed difficult for a father-daughter pair like them to make a living. If they encountered government soldiers or bandits, they might be killed on the first day of their descent from the mountain.

  "But there are only three of us on this mountain, can we survive afterwards?"

  "Whats there to fear? Rely on the mountain and eat from the mountain, rely on water and drink from the river. Bring me my sword, Ill go down the mountain and rob."

  Xu Linger dragged a large axe with a single-edged blade out of the house, weighing around 50-60 kilograms. Cheng Dairen picked up the axe and felt somewhat speechless in his heart - was this really his former weapon? With his temperament and appearance, shouldnt he be wielding a green jade sword instead?

  Young master in white robe, wielding a sword by the river, met a maiden and said: "Maiden, how old are you? Are you available for marriage?"

  Carrying this axe, I can only meet a big wife, and the opening line is: "Big wife, do you have steamed buns at home?"

  Mission accomplished! As a reward, you have received a Secret Manual: Three-Board Axe.

  Three-Board Axe: an axe technique from Cheng Yaojin, said to be taught by the gods in a dream, consisting of splitting heads, plucking teeth and digging out ears.

  A stream of information merged into Cheng Dairens memory, and these three moves were completely mastered by Cheng Dairen.

  "Little village head, youre going down the mountain alone, its too dangerous."

  "No, its not just me, its you and me together."

  "I..."

  "Whats wrong, have any questions?" Cheng Dairen shouldered the axe, which was really heavy. If it were his body before crossing over, he wouldnt be able to lift it at all.

  Looking at the axe head as big as his own two heads, Xu Shen wisely shut his mouth.

  Cheng Dalai flipped over onto his horse, axe slung over his shoulder: "Lead the horses, lets go."

  Ding! Received mission: Complete the first robbery before sunset, Mission accomplished: Reward 1 lottery draw chance.

  Hoot! A spirited young man, robbery is the beginning of becoming a qualified mountain bandit. Take your first step bravely, there are countless wonders waiting for you ahead!

  Another one of those cheesy lines with a middle schoolers aura.

  ……

  The sun leans westward, an old man, a thin horse, and a young man carrying an axe, the setting sun stretches their shadows far.

  "Little village owner, we..."

  "No." The young man interrupted the old mans words: "Call me the Eldest Young Master."

  Facing the setting sun, the young man suddenly raised his axe and let out a loud roar.

  A lean horse raises its head and responds with a long neigh.