Reasons

As the words left Jian Xuan's mouth, the bandit did not know how to respond.

How could one have not heard the name of the Cold Hill Mountain Bandits!?

While they were recently new, the name of Bandit Chief Ru was well known in Frost Sword City and its surroundings.

Not only because of his strength, but, of the behemoth behind it!

But, it did not matter. The bandit decided not to respond as he saw his chief pushing apart the city guards blocking him with some difficulty while also laughing and speaking.

"Hahaha, you're an interesting child! Say, why are you even defending this old man?"

Walking in front of Jian Xuan, Bandit Chief Ru then slammed his axe on the ground shaking it, causing for Jian Xuan to lose his balance and falling down.

On the ground, Jian Xuan saw no reason to stand back up, so he sat on the ground.

"He looks like he needed help." Jian Xuan answered.

Bandit Chief Ru looked down to the youth below him.

Smiling, he then brought his axe to the air and swung it far, many of the crowd closed their eyes, expecting for a brutal scene.

Still sitting, Jian Xuan heart began to beat quicker and quicker. Had he made a mistake? Was this the end or---

A gust of wind was then heard, it was clear that the axe had missed Jian Xuan and on purpose.

Bandit Chief Ru had a large grin and with a burst of loud laughter, began to examine Jian Xuan, 'What a strange kid...'

Jian Xuan still sitting, smiled. The axe had not hit him and it seemed he could help the old man, who was now getting back up.

"So brat? Why are you actually helping this man!" Bandit Chief Ru roared out while looking at the old man getting back up.

"He looks like he needed help?" Jian Xuan replied, giving the same answer, confused as to why it was asked again.

"Heh. You really are a strange kid... Your thinking will get you killed if you're not careful. But, I'll make you a deal!"

"A deal?"

"Yes... If you really care about helping this man, then I'll forgive him if you kowtow to me."

Some people whispered, would a boy show reverence to a bandit of all people for a stranger?

They would for their families, but, not for a stranger, and to a bandit, never!

Jian Xuan smiled, even more, was it really that easy? Hearing it, he chose not to reply, but, to straight away kowtow, "Thank you, senior!"

There was a look of surprise of Bandit Chief Ru's face. Taking one last look at Jian Xuan still kowtowing, he began to walk away, "Let's go boys! There's no point in staying here any longer!"

As the bandits, all began to walk away, Jian Xuan sat back up, smiling.

...

"Boss, why did you leave? Weren't we told to get the old man's children?" One bandit asked his Chief.

"Hmmph, can't you even recognise the City Lord's son?" Bandit Chief Ru replied.

"The City Lord's son? But, Jian Qing is at the level of Spirit Connection! That's a level above yours, he would---"

"You fool, the City Lord has many children." Bandit Chief Ru berated, before continuing, "That was Jian Xuan, the second son, I've heard that he was a child without shame, but if he was to kowtow for the sake of a stranger, then perhaps he's without something else."

The bandit did not know how to react, and so chose not to ask another question.

...

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" The old man continuously said to Jian Xuan who then began to walk away, seeing no reason to stay after the issue was solved and the crowd dissolved as the city guards moved.

"No problem," Jian Xuan said as he then began to go back home, forgetting all about the food he had previously decided to eat.

"Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

"Is there anywhere one can find Spirit Wood?"

"Spirit Wood? Are you perhaps trying to create a sword, axe, or perhaps even a spear?"

"No, a staff." Jian Xuan noted what the old man said, Spirit Wood was used mainly as to create a sword and second most commonly an axe.

"A staff? Hmmm, I don't know where there is Spirit Wood, but I have this map and key, I have in the past been told that this can lead to the treasure which contains swords, axes, spears, bows, though I am unsure if there is a spear." The old man said, taking out some paper and offering to Jian Xuan.

Jian Xuan received it with both hands and looked, it was more detailed than any map he had ever seen. Not just that, the geography was correct in most cases, but, it seemed wrong, not purposely, but on the fact that years had passed since its creation.

The old man looked as Jian Xuan examined the map, and seeing it as he did, he attempted to verify it, "I can promise on my name, Xiu, that the map is real and is the key!"

Taking a look at the map, he decided to at least give it a try, there was nothing left to lose, and he had lost nothing for helping the old man anyway.

Taking the key as well with both hands, he set off, deciding to go to where the map stated first instead of home, remembering Teacher Li was likely waiting for him...

...

"City Lord, why didn't you intervene!?" Teacher Li asked Jian Dai, having been worried the whole time of what was going to happen to his student.

"You worry too much! That bandit chief recognised Xuan the moment he saw him, and also, I was waiting..." Jian Dai replied while laughing.

"Waiting for what? Your son was almost killed! What if he didn't recognise him?"

"Had he not, then someone would have intervened," Jian Dai said, choosing as to jokingly hide who was going to intervene.

"Someone, would it be you? The markets are only a few hundred meters away, but, I doubt that even you can take out your sword and strike down that bandit in a few seconds!"

"Believe, what you want to!" Jian Dai replied laughing as he decided to slowly follow to see where his son would go to.