Chapter Forty-Four: Bandits Rule the Road

“You’re quite something—Brother Li Chuang and the others are already exhausted, but you don’t even look flushed or out of breath…” The girl scrutinized Lin Cheng carefully before speaking.

Lin Cheng took the water flask tossed to him by the girl, opened it, took a sip, and smiled, “You flatter me, Miss Anan. I’ve traveled since childhood, so I’ve developed some stamina, that’s all.”

The girl pursed her lips, giving him a look that clearly said she wasn’t fooled.

Lin Cheng touched his nose and shifted the topic, “Miss Anan, after this journey, are you heading back to Dragon City?”

She nodded, “Yes, I’ve visited Autumn Bright City so many times that there’s nothing new. I’ll probably head straight back to Dragon City.”

She glanced at Lin Cheng, “And you? Are you planning to stay in Autumn Bright City for a while?”

“Perhaps,” Lin Cheng replied.

Anan pressed on, “Will you come to Dragon City in the future?”

“Perhaps,” he answered again.

She pouted, “If you do come to Dragon City, remember to look for me. You can find me either at the Righteous Escort Agency or at the An family residence.”

Lin Cheng asked, “Do you want me to?”

The girl was stunned by his words. A blush crept up her cheeks. She glared at Lin Cheng fiercely, then turned and walked away.

Lin Cheng shrugged, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He looked down at the flask in his hand, feeling a gentle warmth spread through his heart.

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After a brief rest, the group set off again.

“Brothers, hurry up… Once we cross this mountain range, we’ll soon reach Autumn Bright City…” Li Chuang rode a chestnut horse, trotting to the rear of the convoy, shouting encouragement as he inspected the group.

From the woods, they emerged to face an endless mountain range, peaks rising and falling with jagged stones scattered about. Only a narrow mountain path, barely wide enough, wound through the range from east to west.

Led by the girl Anan, the convoy slowly reached the middle of the mountains. On either side of the path were small slopes, densely covered with trees and lush foliage, and occasionally dotted with massive stones.

Suddenly, Anan raised her right hand, signaling for everyone to halt.

Li Chuang approached, asking, “What’s wrong, Miss? Is there a problem?”

Anan’s delicate brows furrowed, and she called out loudly, “Come out!”

After a brief silence, there was a sound behind a large stone on the slope.

“Miss An of the An family is truly extraordinary. I admire you…” As he spoke, a man in luxurious robes with a shadowed expression stepped out from behind the stone.

Immediately, flags rose on both slopes. Apricot banners fluttered as shouts echoed through the mountains.

Everyone instantly realized—they were being ambushed by bandits.

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Who were these thieves? Could they not see the grand banner of the Righteous Escort Agency?

Li Chuang strode forward, shouting, “Which bandit dares to rob the Righteous Escort Agency’s convoy?”

The convoy members drew their weapons, eyes blazing, scanning the surroundings—ready for battle.

The shadowed man chuckled softly and leaped, landing steadily before Anan. He looked her over with a hint of insolence.

More men descended the slopes, weapons drawn, surrounding the convoy.

Disgusted by the man’s gaze, Anan said, “You’re a cultivator? Even so, you resort to banditry, ambushing travelers?”

Lin Cheng had sensed something amiss, but only when the shadowed man moved did he realize the man was a fifth-level True Qi cultivator. He was surprised to see that Anan had noticed as well—she must be a cultivator too.

The man laughed lightly, “I wouldn’t stoop so low as to join them. I’m simply helping a friend retrieve something from you…”

“If you hand it over willingly, I’ll leave at once and won’t trouble you further.”

He spoke with quiet confidence, clearly intent on getting what he wanted.

Anan’s eyes narrowed, “So, news has leaked…”

“Do you know that the item was entrusted by the Lord of Autumn Bright City to the An family of Dragon City?”

The man replied, “Of course I know… You’re clever, blending in with a mundane escort convoy to hide your tracks…”

“Unfortunately, your every move is under our control.”

Li Chuang and the others were confused by their conversation, unable to follow.

Damn it!

Unable to bear the man’s sarcastic tone, Li Chuang cursed and decided to strike first.

“Stop…” Anan called, noticing his movement.

But it was too late.

The shadowed man watched as Li Chuang’s fist came at him, eyes full of disdain. He let Li Chuang’s punch land.

With a loud crack, before Li Chuang could celebrate, the man twisted his arm sharply.

A snap echoed—the sound of bone breaking.

Sweat beaded instantly on Li Chuang’s brow. The man kicked him, sending him sprawling.

All this happened in a flash—even Lin Cheng couldn’t intervene in time.

He hurried over to help Li Chuang, checking his injuries. Fortunately, there was no danger to his life. Unseen by the others, Lin Cheng slipped a Yuan Yang Pill into Li Chuang’s mouth.

Lin Cheng stood up, ready to make his move.

Seeing Li Chuang wounded, Anan leapt from her horse. Her slender figure shook as her pink dress billowed in the wind, and a green whip appeared in her hand.

Her cultivation at fifth-level True Qi was unmistakable.

“Prepare to die!”

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With a fierce cry, Anan’s whip lashed toward the shadowed man.

He dodged aside, eyes narrowing. Suddenly, a long bow appeared in his hand, and he drew it in a mock shot at Anan.

A streak of red light shot toward her.

Anan had to pull back her whip, disrupting the attack with a swirl in front of her.

Witnessing this, the convoy members exchanged stunned glances.

They realized they were facing exceptional individuals.

There was no way they could interfere in the duel.

Unable to help Anan, they gripped their weapons tighter, eyes fixed on the bandits around them.

Lin Cheng watched as Anan fought the shadowed man to a standstill and stroked his chin.

He thought, who would’ve guessed this girl could fight so fiercely?

Truly, one should never be deceived by a beautiful face.

The shadowed man, seeing he couldn’t best her quickly, shouted, “If you two don’t join in, I’ll leave right now…”

Hearing this, the Righteous Escort Agency’s members were startled.

There were more assailants?

No sooner had he spoken than two figures shrouded in black robes leapt from the dense branches of a tree on the right slope. Their faces were masked, revealing nothing.

“Brother Gong, why the rush…”

“Don’t worry… Once this is done, you’ll be rewarded handsomely…” said one, his voice hoarse and aged.

After a brief clash, the shadowed man retreated to the side of the two black-robed figures.

“Old man, aren’t you going to act?”

“Do you really think your young lady can take on three at once?” The hoarse voice stepped forward, his robe billowing, revealing a seventh-level True Qi cultivation.

A soft sigh sounded.

At the rear of the convoy, Uncle Fu stepped forward.

When he reached Anan’s side, the aura of an eighth-level True Qi cultivator quietly erupted.

Uncle Fu!

The convoy members stared at him in astonishment.

Who would have thought the seemingly frail Uncle Fu was also an extraordinary cultivator?

No wonder he always accompanied the young lady.

“It seems you came prepared…”

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