I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The sounds of horses' hooves, shouts of battle, and clashing weapons mingled with screams, echoing along the narrow official road. The air was thick with the stench of blood and dust.

Lu Zhao's heart pounded like a drum, his blood coursing through his limbs, but he forced himself to calm down, his mind more focused than ever before. He activated the [Turtle Breathing Technique] at full power, minimizing his presence, moving like a shadow blending into the wind, rapidly traversing the rocks and bushes on the steep slope.

He didn't choose to attack from the front or from behind the bandits' encirclement, as that would undoubtedly be suicide. His target was extremely clear—the bandit leader on horseback, constantly shouting orders from the outer edge of the battle.

[Bandit Leader, Level: 8]

Health Points: 100%/100%

[Status: Excited, Commanding Operations]

Lu Zhao's gaze was fixed on the only weak point between his opponent's neck and the gap in his helmet. Level 8, his strength attribute was likely far superior to his own, and he was a seasoned veteran with extensive combat experience; a direct confrontation offered no chance of victory. He had to kill him with a single blow, or at least severely injure him!

Like a cheetah before its hunt, he crouched down and stopped behind a thicket of bushes about twenty paces from the leader. This distance was the limit at which he could confidently sprint at full speed. Any closer, and he would be easily spotted.

He slowly drew his woodcutter's knife. The blade was still rusted, but in the sunlight, the dark red bloodstains on the edge, now blackened, exuded a chilling murderous aura. This was a vicious weapon, saturated with human blood and filth.

He silently calculated the distance, angle, wind speed, and the pace of the leader's horsemanship. The other side seemed to think victory was assured, and had relaxed their guard, loudly reprimanding a few slow-moving henchmen, their attention entirely focused on the battle group besieging the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) ahead.

It's now!

Lu Zhao suddenly leaped out from behind the bushes! Without a shout or a moment's hesitation, he concentrated all his strength, speed, and even all the attribute boosts from his recent breakthrough to level 5 into this desperate pounce! The heightened senses granted by the [Refining Spirit Technique] allowed him to accurately predict his opponent's instinctive sidestep. The trajectory of his woodcutter's knife traced a slight arc in the air, aiming straight for his most fatal vital point—his throat!

Swift! Accurate! Ruthless! Like a venomous snake that has been lying in wait for a long time, revealing its deadly fangs!

"Who goes there?!" The bandit leader was a man who had lived on the edge of a knife. The moment Lu Zhao lunged forward, he seemed to catch a glimpse of something unusual from his side and behind. A chill ran from his tailbone to the top of his head! He let out a roar of shock and anger, his body instinctively leaning back as he tried to raise his left arm to block, while his right hand hurriedly slashed with his ghost-head knife!

"Pfft!"

The machete missed his throat, instead striking his raised left arm guard with a resounding clang! A sharp, metallic screech echoed, sparks flying! A deep gash appeared in the arm guard, and blood gushed out!

[A sneak attack has been launched! A fatal attack has been triggered!]

[Dealts significant damage to the bandit leader! Inflicts bleeding effect!]

[Bandit Leader's Health: 100% → 72%! Additional Status: Severely Injured Left Arm!]

The immense impact caused Lu Zhao excruciating pain in his hand, nearly causing him to drop his machete. However, using the momentum of his charge, he kicked the bandit leader hard in the belly! Startled, the skinny horse reared up, throwing the already unbalanced bandit leader off its back!

"Ugh—!" The bandit leader screamed and fell to the ground, blood gushing from his left arm, instantly staining a large patch of dust red. His health bar began to slowly decrease, and the [Bleeding] status was activated.

Having landed a successful blow, Lu Zhao didn't pause for a moment. He knew his only advantage was surprise and speed! Like a leech clinging to a bone, before his opponent could even get up after falling, his woodcutter's axe came crashing down again like a storm! This time, the target was his opponent's unprotected chest and abdomen!

"clang!"

A crisp sound rang out; it wasn't the blade piercing flesh, but rather striking a metal plaque that had suddenly appeared on the opponent's chest. The plaque was made of extraordinary material, actually blocking this powerful blow!

Is it a breast-protecting mirror? No, is it some kind of magical artifact?!

Lu Zhao's heart skipped a beat, but his movements didn't stop. Having missed his first strike, he immediately changed tactics, slashing horizontally at his opponent's lower body with his wood-chopping knife! He knew he couldn't give this level 8 enemy any chance to breathe or retaliate!

"Kill him! Kill him!" The bandit leader was both shocked and furious, rolling and dodging in a disheveled manner while roaring wildly. He, a dignified level 8 leader, had actually been ambushed and seriously injured by a kid who looked like a vagrant—it was an utter disgrace!

Several bandits who had been providing cover on the perimeter reacted at this moment, brandishing their knives and spears, and fiercely pounced on Lu Zhao from both sides!

Lu Zhao was suddenly surrounded! He was in front of a heavily wounded but still capable leader, and several henchmen were flanking him! He was low-level and weak in attributes, and had only gained the upper hand through sneak attacks. Once surrounded, he would surely die!

Just then, the pressure on the caravan that had been in dire straits suddenly eased! They saw the unexpected turn of events behind them, and even more so, they saw the incredibly brave and fearless young man charging headlong at the bandit leader!

"It's reinforcements! Brothers! Fight your way out! Save that young man!" A镖师 (bodyguard leader) (level 12) was greatly encouraged, his broadsword slashing away the bandits in front of him as he shouted.

"kill!!"

Seeing hope in their desperate situation, the morale of the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) soared! Instead of holding their ground, they launched a fierce counter-offensive! In particular, the镖师 leader, with his formidable strength, took the lead and instantly cut down two bandits blocking his path, charging towards the direction where Lu Zhao was surrounded!

The situation reversed in an instant! Lu Zhao's surprise attack, like a stone thrown into a pond, completely disrupted the bandits' formation!