Demon Wind Bandits

The storm's lingering might still wailed through the Yellow Sand Ancient Road, but its rampaging force had finally weakened.

The Lin Family convoy set out once more, heavy wheels crushing across the loose sand with dull, stifled creaks.

Every jolt made the carriage cabins sway violently, as though they were traveling atop raging waves.

Lu Changsheng sat on a flatbed cart at the rear of the convoy, one used to carry miscellaneous supplies, his body rising and falling slightly with the bumps.

His eyes were closed in rest, and he appeared calm, yet his divine sense spread like invisible tendrils, quietly covering dozens of yards around him.

Ahead, the scar-faced commander called Wu Yan occasionally cast wary, scrutinizing glances his way, watching Lu Changsheng as an eagle watched its prey.

On the other side, the lean Song Dao sometimes exchanged looks with several trusted guards. Deep within those flickering gazes always lurked a trace of unfathomable calculation.

Only Lin Ningshuang, the white-clad young woman riding a Sand Camel Beast beside the luxurious carriage in the center, would occasionally look back at him, her clear eyes holding kindness and a hint of curiosity.

"Young Master Lu, this ancient road is so bumpy. Are you getting used to it?"

Lin Ningshuang guided her Sand Camel Beast a little closer, her voice remaining clear and pleasant even amid the windblown sand.

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes and nodded slightly.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Lin. It is bearable. It is already much better than trudging through the storm alone."

"That is good."

Lin Ningshuang smiled, like a snow lotus blooming in the desert, dispersing some of the killing chill.

"This Yellow Sand Ancient Road is not only difficult to travel. One must also beware the evil in people's hearts. Young Master Lu, traveling alone with such courage is truly admirable."

"I had no choice."

Lu Changsheng's tone was even as his gaze swept over Wu Yan's taut back ahead of them and Song Dao's sinister profile.

"Miss Lin, escorting such valuable goods through a dangerous place like this is what truly takes extraordinary courage."

"The Lineage's duty rests upon my shoulders, so I have no choice either. I only hope we can arrive safely..."

Lin Ningshuang sighed softly, and a trace of worry colored her brows.

The two chatted idly. Lu Changsheng did not speak much, but the composure and insight in his words and bearing surprised Lin Ningshuang. She faintly sensed that this lost young man was far from as simple as he appeared.

Lu Changsheng likewise discovered that this seemingly pampered daughter of a great house possessed a meticulous mind and substance in her speech. She was not ignorant of the dangers of the ancient road or the ways of the world, and he developed a measure of goodwill toward her.

Before long, the sun sank westward. Crimson evening clouds dyed the boundless sea of sand blood-red, and the convoy found a hollow backed by a massive weathered stone pillar to make camp.

Bonfires were lit, driving away the night's chill and the desert's loneliness. The guards took turns keeping watch, and the atmosphere remained fairly calm.

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble, Lu Changsheng stayed inside the flatbed cart and did not come out. Even his food was personally brought to him by Lin Ningshuang.

He had thought they would be able to leave the Yellow Sand Ancient Road safely like this, but he had not expected such peace to be abruptly shattered in the dead of night!

"Not good! My Cosmic Bag is gone!!"

A terrified shriek tore through the night sky. It came from Zhao Mang, the captain of the guards responsible for watching part of the supplies.

His face had gone deathly pale as he frantically slapped at his waist, where there was now nothing.

"It held the advance payment in Spirit Stones for this escort job, as well as several important bottles of pills! It was there just moments ago!"

The camp exploded into uproar!

All the guards were alarmed and swiftly gathered around, their faces filled with tension and suspicion. Losing such important valuables in a place like the Yellow Sand Ancient Road would have unimaginable consequences!

"What happened?!"

Wu Yan strode over, his face so dark it seemed ready to drip water. His sharp gaze swept over every person present like a blade.

"Who was the last to come into contact with Zhao Mang? Or approach the supply carts?"

Wu Yan asked coldly.

Everyone looked at one another and shook their heads.

"Hmph! Who else could it be?"

A shrill voice suddenly rang out. It was Song Dao. With his arms folded, he wore an undisguised sneer, his eyes like poisoned nails as they shot straight at Lu Changsheng, who sat alone inside the flatbed cart.

"Ever since this fellow of unknown origins joined the convoy, nothing good has happened! The storm had barely stopped before something went missing. How could there be such a coincidence under heaven?"

"Song Dao! What do you mean by that?!"

Lin Ningshuang hurried over at the sound, frost on her pretty face.

"Miss!"

Song Dao put on an expression of exaggerated grief.

"You can know a person's face but not their heart! It was suspicious enough that this brat appeared alone in a cursed place like this! In my view, he is most likely a scout sent by those sand bandits, or simply a thief with sticky fingers! He took advantage of the chaos while we made camp and waited for his chance to strike!"

"Yes! It must have been him!"

"Search him!"

"Capture him and interrogate him!"

Several guards who usually kept close to Song Dao immediately began clamoring, their accusations aimed directly at Lu Changsheng.

Though Wu Yan said nothing, the veins on the hand gripping his sword hilt bulged, and the suspicion in his eyes was too thick to dissolve. Zhao Mang's eyes were bloodshot as he glared fixedly at Lu Changsheng, as though he wanted to devour him alive.

For a moment, the camp was drawn taut like a blade at the throat. Every suspicious, furious, greedy gaze converged upon Lu Changsheng.

The bonfire flickered, casting shifting patches of light and shadow over his calm face.

"You... what evidence do you have?!"

Lin Ningshuang trembled with anger as she stepped in front of Lu Changsheng and berated Song Dao and the others.

"You want to wrong an innocent man based on nothing but guesses? Young Master Lu has been sitting here the entire time and has not left even one step! You are spitting blood from your mouths!"

"Evidence?"

Song Dao gave a derisive laugh and pressed forward step by step.

"Miss, you are too naïve! These petty thieves have clever methods! Perhaps he used some trick to deceive the eye! Search him, or have him hand over his storage artifact for inspection, and would that not make everything clear? If he is innocent, I, Song Dao, will kowtow and apologize to him! But if he does not dare..."

"Then he has a guilty conscience!"

"Insolence!"

At last, Wu Yan spoke, his voice low as thunder.

"Song Dao, mind your status! Miss will make her own judgment!"

He also suspected Lu Changsheng, but Song Dao's relentless aggression, and the faint implication that he was coercing the young lady, instinctively displeased him.

"Commander Wu, this is a serious matter! What was lost was the advance payment! If we cannot recover it, how will we answer to the main house? How will we answer to the cargo owner?"

Song Dao refused to give an inch. He shouted harshly at Lu Changsheng.

"Brat! If you know what is good for you, hand the item over yourself. Otherwise, do not blame us for being impolite!"

At Song Dao's signal, several guards had already vaguely formed an encirclement, their spiritual energy fluctuations quietly locking onto Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng slowly rose to his feet and dusted off his green robe, though no dust existed on it.

His calm gaze swept over Song Dao's face, twisted with agitation; over Wu Yan's deeply furrowed brows; over Zhao Mang's blazing eyes; and finally settled on the slender yet resolute white figure standing before him.

The corner of his mouth seemed to lift in an exceedingly faint curve, carrying a trace of imperceptible mockery, just as he was about to speak.

"Enough!"

Lin Ningshuang suddenly turned around to face the crowd. Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was exceptionally clear and resolute.

"I believe Young Master Lu! There are too many suspicious points in this matter. How can we make such a hasty judgment? Zhao Mang, when was the last time you confirmed that the Cosmic Bag was on you? Did you ever leave your post? Everyone else, immediately search carefully around the camp, including beneath the supply carts, in the sand, and in every corner. Do not overlook anything! Song Dao, keep your men in line! Before this matter is investigated, if anyone dares disrespect Young Master Lu again, do not blame me for showing no regard!"

Her words were like an icy spring, dousing part of the restless flames. Wu Yan gave Lin Ningshuang a complicated look before finally saying in a deep voice.

"Follow Miss's orders. Search!"

Though the guards were unwilling, they could only disperse to search. Song Dao's face turned livid. He shot Lu Changsheng a venomous glare, snorted coldly, and retreated to one side.

A disturbance had temporarily been forcibly suppressed by Lin Ningshuang. The camp fell into oppressive silence, broken only by the crackling bonfire and the distant wailing of wind and sand.

No one slept during the latter half of the night. Naturally, the search found nothing. Though Song Dao and his men no longer dared provoke Lu Changsheng openly, their malicious gazes clung to him like maggots attached to bone.

At daybreak, the convoy set out again beneath a heavy atmosphere. Last night's suspicions hung over the group like invisible dark clouds, and even Lin Ningshuang's brows bore an unshakeable worry.

By noon, the convoy entered a stone forest formed from massive, bizarrely shaped crimson weathered rock pillars. Sunlight was cut into fragments by the twisted pillars, casting eerie patches of light.

The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet. Even the sound of wind and sand seemed to have been swallowed by the stone forest.

An intensely ominous premonition quietly crept into everyone's heart.

"Stay alert!"

Experienced as he was, Wu Yan shouted sharply, his hand already gripping the hilt of his blade!

Yet his warning was still a step too late!

"Woo—woo—woo!"

The piercing, grating sound of bone whistles, like the wails of hellish demons, suddenly rang out without warning from the tops of the towering stone pillars on all sides!

Immediately afterward, countless figures draped in earth-yellow camouflage, as though merged with the rocks themselves, shot out like ghosts from behind the stone pillars, atop sand dunes, and within underground holes!

Swift as the wind, they wielded flashing curved blades and poisoned crossbow bolts that instantly wove into a net of death, descending upon the convoy from above!

"Demon Wind Bandits! They are the Demon Wind Bandits!"

A guard let out a despairing howl!

"Form up! Protect Miss and the cargo!"

Wu Yan's eyes nearly split with rage. His broad-backed saber instantly left its sheath and slashed out a fierce blade aura, sending several poisoned arrows aimed at Lin Ningshuang flying!

But even more poisoned arrows poured down like a torrential rain!

Pfft! Pfft!

"Ah—!"

Screams instantly tore apart the stone forest's dead silence! The poisoned crossbow bolts easily pierced leather armor. The struck guards' faces blackened at once, foam spilled from their mouths, and they collapsed! The stench of blood and death filled the air in an instant!

"Kill all the men! Take the goods and women!"

"Haha! That little girl is tender and juicy. Save her for me!"

Wild cries and savage laughter filled the entire stone forest! Nearly a hundred vicious bandits, like hyenas that had caught the scent of blood, brandished their weapons and charged madly at the chaotic convoy!

Their coordination was seamless, every strike aimed to kill. They were clearly veterans of murder and plunder!

The battle instantly reached a fever pitch. Under Wu Yan's leadership, along with several minor commanders, the guards fought desperately. Blade light and sword shadows flashed, spiritual energy exploded, and blood sprayed through the air!

But the Demon Wind Bandits had superior numbers and the advantage of an ambush. The guards suffered heavy casualties, and their formation was swiftly scattered and divided!

"Miss, be careful!" Loyal Uncle Fu struck a nearby bandit flying with one palm and shielded Lin Ningshuang's carriage.

"Get out of my way!"

A violent roar exploded. An exceptionally massive man wearing a ferocious ghost-face fanged mask crashed through the guards blocking his path like a humanoid beast. The terrifying giant axe in his hand, as large as a door panel, shrieked through the air as it hacked viciously toward Li Qing. This man was the Demon Wind Bandits' chief leader—Ghost Face Butcher!

Uncle Fu's face changed drastically as he threw out a full-powered palm strike!

Bang!

Crack!

A bone-cracking sound that set teeth on edge rang out. Uncle Fu spat blood as he flew backward like a kite with its string cut, smashing heavily into the carriage wall and fainting on the spot!

"Uncle Fu!"

Lin Ningshuang's lovely face drained of color. Watching Ghost Face Butcher approach like a demon god, overwhelming terror seized her heart. Her face turned deathly pale, and her delicate body trembled uncontrollably.

"Hehehe, little beauty, do not be afraid! I will dote on you properly!"

Ghost Face Butcher licked his cracked lips, lustful and cruel light glinting in his eyes. He extended a palm as large as a fan and reached directly for Lin Ningshuang's slender neck!

He casually rested the giant axe on his shoulder, as though snatching away a chick would take no effort at all.

The surrounding guards were either dead or wounded. Wu Yan was tightly entangled by two powerful bandit leaders, roaring again and again but unable to spare himself.

Song Dao... was nowhere to be seen at this moment! Despair, like an icy tide, instantly drowned Lin Ningshuang.