Chapter 10: Sudden Upheaval on the Official Road, Bandits Strike

Chapter 10: Sudden Upheaval on the Official Road, Bandits Strike

Lin Shiya gazed at the winding official road ahead, a faint sense of foreboding clouding her heart. The towering trees on either side of the path stretched skyward, their dense canopies casting dappled shadows that seemed to hold countless unknown dangers. She tightened her grip on the scroll in her hand and quickened her pace, hoping to reach the next relay station as swiftly as possible. Yet, just as she feared, peril appeared right on schedule.

“Halt! This mountain is mine, these trees I planted. If you wish to pass, leave your toll!” A coarse bellow shattered the air, startling the birds from the forest. From the trees on both sides of the road, a group of burly men with yellow headscarves and drawn blades leapt out.

At their head stood a giant of a man, over eight feet tall, his face covered in a thick beard and brandishing a wicked, broad-bladed saber—none other than Ma Da, the notorious bandit chief.

Lin Shiya’s heart plummeted, icy fear shooting from her feet to her crown as she took in the bandits’ menacing faces. She knew at once this was ill fortune. A tense, suffocating silence gripped the road; even the air seemed to grow heavy.

“Hmph, a band of country thugs, daring to rob travelers in broad daylight!” Lin Shiya retorted coldly, trying to overawe them with words. Yet, amid the bandits' furious shouts, her voice sounded feeble indeed.

Ma Da sneered, swinging his saber, the blade flashing menacingly in the sunlight. “Well, you seem clever enough. Hand over your valuables and perhaps I’ll let you live. Otherwise—hmph!” His tone dripped with threat.

A flash of determination crossed Lin Shiya’s eyes. She would not yield so easily. Straightening her back, she declared firmly, “I have nothing of value. You’ll gain nothing from me!”

“Refuse a toast, and you’ll drink a forfeit!” Ma Da roared, his face contorting with rage. With a wave of his great hand, his men closed in, their weapons drawn, forming a tense ring around Lin Shiya.

The other examinees traveling with her were terrified, stumbling backward to avoid getting involved. Zhao Er, in particular, hid at the very back, a glint of malicious glee in his eyes, as if relishing the spectacle. Qian San’s expression grew grave as he gripped his long spear, watching events unfold. The rest of the examinees were ashen with fright.

Lin Shiya's heart pounded furiously; she knew she must keep calm. Though surrounded by bandits, her courage only hardened. She tightened her hold on the scroll, her keen gaze sweeping her surroundings.

Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of a banner by the roadside—the character “Escort” emblazoned upon it. Her expression sharpened as an idea sparked in her mind, a subtle smile curling at her lips.

She lifted her head and looked at Ma Da, a glint of cunning in her eyes. In a steady voice, she said, “It seems we’re in for a fine performance today…”

Her gaze locked onto the “Escort” banner not far away—Qian San and his escort agency were accompanying a merchant caravan. With a swift calculation, she called out, “Chief Qian! Help! These bandits not only rob but intend murder!”

Her voice, though quivering with fear, rang clear and reached every ear.

Qian San had not wished to interfere, knowing the bandits were numerous and a direct fight would be costly for both sides. But Lin Shiya’s call—especially her mention of “murder”—stirred his sense of justice. After a brief hesitation, he made his decision.

“Brothers, draw your blades! We cannot stand by and watch these examinees come to harm!” At his command, the escort guards unsheathed their weapons and joined the fray.

The examinees were astonished at Lin Shiya’s resourcefulness in appealing to the escort guards. Where despair had reigned, a glimmer of hope now shone.

Qian San led his men into battle against the bandits. Blades clashed, war cries rang out, and the air was filled with chaos. But the bandits, fierce and numerous, soon began to overpower the guards. Seeing them struggle, Lin Shiya grew anxious.

She glanced around and spotted a fallen branch on the ground. Bending quickly, she snatched it up, slipped behind a bandit, and jabbed the stick hard into his side.

“Ow!” The bandit howled in pain, dropping his knife. The others were startled. Who would have thought this seemingly frail scholar had such nerve?

Attention shifted toward Lin Shiya, and the melee grew even more chaotic. Just then, she felt a hand slip into her bundle from behind…

Zhao Er, lurking behind the crowd, saw the chaos between bandits and escorts—and Lin Shiya’s unguarded bundle—his greed flared. He crept up behind her and, under cover of the uproar, deftly pilfered a few silver pieces, stuffing them into his sleeve. Not content, he rummaged further and pulled out a jade pendant—its gleaming, lustrous surface marking it as highly valuable. His eyes shone with avarice as he pocketed the treasure.

At that moment, Lin Shiya sensed someone behind her and spun around. She caught Zhao Er’s furtive movements and the bulge in his sleeve, immediately grasping what had happened.

She strode over, her gaze piercing and voice cold, “Brother Zhao, something seems to be missing from my bundle. Did you happen to see anything?”

Zhao Er, startled by the sudden question, tried to feign composure. “What are you implying? Why would I touch your things? Don’t falsely accuse me!”

Lin Shiya gave a chilling laugh, pointing at his bulging sleeve. “Is that so? Then perhaps you’d care to show everyone what’s in your sleeve?”

Zhao Er’s face drained of color. He stammered, unable to reply as the other examinees gathered round, suspicion in their eyes. Seeing exposure was inevitable, Zhao Er made a final desperate move, shouting, “It’s her! She’s in league with the bandits! I saw her hand the pendant to their chief!”

The crowd gasped, incredulous. But Lin Shiya remained unruffled. She replied loudly, “Gentlemen, judge for yourselves! I have no ties to these bandits—on the contrary, Zhao here took advantage of the chaos to steal from me and now seeks to frame me! That jade pendant was taken from my bundle just now!”

With that, she seized his sleeve and shook it—silver and the jade pendant tumbled to the ground. The evidence was undeniable. The others now saw the truth and condemned Zhao Er’s conduct.

“You… you slander me!” Zhao Er’s face was ashen, but the angry glares forced him to retreat.

Meanwhile, with Lin Shiya’s help, Qian San and his guards rallied, their spirits renewed. At last, they drove the bandits back. Ma Da, seeing the tide turn, fled with his battered men.

Those who survived the ordeal were filled with relief and admiration for Lin Shiya’s courage and wit.

“Zhao Er, what have you to say for yourself?” Scholar Zheng demanded, indignant.

Zhao Er’s eyes darted, his face gray with shame, still making a last, feeble protest. “I… I was confused for a moment. I didn’t mean to…” But facing irrefutable evidence, his excuses sounded hollow. None believed him.

The examinees scorned him. “To think you call yourself a scholar, yet stoop to theft! You’ve disgraced us all!” “Someone like you has no business sitting the imperial exams!”

Their rebukes fell on Zhao Er like hammer blows. Mortified, he slunk away, unable to meet their eyes.

Lin Shiya retrieved her silver and pendant, dusted them off, and returned them to her bundle. The recovery of her possessions and Zhao Er’s failed plot brought her a sense of satisfaction. She looked around at the admiring faces, accepting their praise with composure, her resolve only strengthened to press on toward her goal.

As evening descended and shadows lengthened, the group resumed their journey, finally reaching an inn as dusk settled. The swinging sign creaked in the night breeze. The innkeeper, Master Sun, greeted them with a broad smile, welcoming them warmly.

“Honored guests, you must be weary from your travels! Hot water and food await you—please, come in!” Master Sun’s voice was hearty and his smile genial, but Lin Shiya noticed a flicker of something inscrutable in his shrewd eyes.

A sense of unease crept into her heart. She unconsciously gripped her bundle tighter, suspecting that in this seemingly peaceful inn, more trouble might be lurking.

The inn’s doors swung slowly open, as if revealing a new, unknown world. Master Sun gestured invitingly. “Please, honored guests, come in!”

Lin Shiya drew a deep breath and stepped inside, unaware that behind her, the innkeeper’s lips curled into a meaningful smile.

“It seems tonight will be anything but peaceful…” he murmured under his breath.