Demon Wind Bandits

The storm's lingering power still whimpered through the Yellow Sand Ancient Road, but its rampaging momentum had finally weakened.

The Lin family's caravan resumed its journey, the heavy wheels grinding over the soft sand, emitting a monotonous and oppressive creak.

Every jolt caused the carriage to sway violently, as if traveling on surging waves.

Lu Changsheng sat on a flatbed cart at the rear of the convoy, transporting miscellaneous items, his body rising and falling with the bumps.

He closed his eyes to rest, appearing calm, but his divine sense, like invisible tendrils, quietly covered a radius of dozens of feet around him.

Ahead, the scarred leader named Wu Yan occasionally cast wary and scrutinizing glances, like a falcon eyeing its prey, at Lu Changsheng.

On the other side, the lean Song Dao occasionally exchanged glances with a few trusted guards, a hint of unfathomable calculation hidden deep within their flickering eyes.

Only by the luxurious carriage in the center, the white-clothed young woman Lin Ningshuang, riding a Sand Camel Beast, would occasionally look back, her clear eyes filled with goodwill and a trace of curiosity.

"Young Master Lu, this ancient road is bumpy, are you still accustomed to it?"

Lin Ningshuang urged her Sand Camel Beast closer, her voice still clear and pleasant amidst the wind and sand.

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes and nodded slightly:

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Lin. I'm fine. Compared to trekking alone in the storm, it's much better."

"That's good."

Lin Ningshuang smiled, like a snow lotus blooming in the desert, dispelling some of the grimness.

"This Yellow Sand Ancient Road is not only difficult to travel, but one must also guard against the wickedness of people's hearts. Young Master Lu's courage in traveling alone is admirable."

"It was out of necessity."

Lu Changsheng's tone was calm, his gaze sweeping over Wu Yan's tense back ahead and Song Dao's sinister profile.

"Rather, Miss Lin, escorting such valuable cargo through this dangerous place is what truly shows remarkable courage."

"I have the heavy responsibility of my family on my shoulders, so I have no choice but to do this. I only hope we can arrive safely..."

Lin Ningshuang sighed softly, a hint of worry coloring her brows.

The two chatted aimlessly. Lu Changsheng spoke little, but his composure and insight, revealed in his words and demeanor, surprised Lin Ningshuang greatly, making her feel that this lost young man was by no means as simple as he appeared.

Lu Changsheng, too, found that this seemingly pampered young lady from a prominent family was thoughtful and articulate, not ignorant of the dangers of the ancient road or the ways of the world, which earned him a bit of favor.

Before long, the sun began to set, and the crimson sunset dyed the boundless sea of sand a bloody hue. The caravan found a hollow nestled against a massive wind-eroded rock pillar to set up camp.

A bonfire was lit, dispelling the night's chill and the desert's loneliness. The guards took turns keeping watch, and the atmosphere was relatively peaceful.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Lu Changsheng remained inside the wooden cart, not coming out. Even his food was personally delivered by Lin Ningshuang.

He had thought they would be able to leave the Yellow Sand Ancient Road safely like this, but he never expected that such peace would be abruptly shattered in the dead of night!

"Not good, my Cosmic Bag is gone!!"

A startled scream pierced the night sky. It was Zhao Mang, the captain of the guards responsible for overseeing some of the supplies.

His face was deathly pale, and he frantically patted his waist, which was empty.

"It contained the deposit spirit stones and several important medicinal pills for this escort! They were just here!"

The camp instantly erupted!

All the guards were alerted and quickly surrounded the area, their faces filled with tension and suspicion. Losing such important property in a place like the Yellow Sand Ancient Road would have dire consequences!

"What's going on?!"

Wu Yan strode over, his face as dark as if it could drip water, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone present like knives.

"Who was the last person to contact Zhao Mang? Or who was near the supply cart?"

Wu Yan asked coldly.

Everyone looked at each other, shaking their heads.

"Hmph! Who else could it be?"

A sharp voice suddenly rang out, it was Song Dao. He stood with his arms crossed, a undisguised sneer on his face, his gaze like poisoned nails, shooting directly at Lu Changsheng, who sat alone in the wooden cart.

"Ever since this fellow of unknown origin joined the caravan, nothing good has happened! The storm just stopped, and now things are lost. Could there be such a coincidence in the world?"

"Song Dao! What do you mean?!"

Lin Ningshuang hurried over upon hearing this, her pretty face frosty.

"Miss!"

Song Dao feigned a look of heartbroken sincerity.

"You know a person's face but not their heart! It's already suspicious that this kid appeared alone in this godforsaken place! I think he's probably a spy sent by those sand bandits, or just a thief with sticky fingers! He took advantage of the chaos during our camp setup to make his move!"

"That's right! It must be him!"

"Search him!"

"Arrest him and interrogate him!"

A few guards who usually kept close to Song Dao immediately started to clamor, pointing their accusations directly at Lu Changsheng.

Although Wu Yan didn't speak, the hand resting on his sword hilt bulged with veins, and the suspicion in his eyes was thick and unyielding. Zhao Mang, with red eyes, glared fiercely at Lu Changsheng, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

For a moment, the camp's atmosphere was tense, with all eyes filled with suspicion, anger, and greed focused on Lu Changsheng.

The bonfire leaped, casting flickering shadows on his calm face.

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

Lin Ningshuang's delicate body trembled with anger as she stood in front of Lu Changsheng, glaring at Song Dao and the others.

"You want to wrongly accuse an innocent person based on mere speculation? Young Master Lu has been sitting here the entire time, not moving an inch! You're slandering him!"

"Proof?"

Song Dao sneered, stepping closer.

"Miss, you are too naive! These scoundrels are highly skilled! Perhaps they used some sort of illusion! Search him, or have him hand over his storage artifact, and it will all be clear. If he is innocent, I, Song Dao, will kowtow and apologize! If he dares not..."

"Then he has something to hide!"

"Presumptuous!"

At this moment, Wu Yan finally spoke, his voice deep as thunder.

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

Although he also suspected Lu Changsheng, Song Dao's aggressive stance, even subtly threatening the young lady, made him instinctively uncomfortable.

"Commander Wu, this matter is of great importance! The deposit has been lost! If we can't recover it, how will we explain ourselves to the main family? How will we explain to the cargo owners?"

Song Dao refused to back down, shouting at Lu Changsheng:

"Kid! Be sensible and hand over the items yourself, or don't blame us for being impolite!"

At Song Dao's signal, several guards subtly formed a surrounding formation, their spiritual energy fluctuations quietly locking onto Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng slowly stood up, dusting off nonexistent dust from his green robe.

His gaze calmly swept over Song Dao's face, contorted with agitation, over Wu Yan's furrowed brow, over Zhao Mang's fiery eyes, and finally landed on the slender yet determined white figure blocking his path.

The corners of his mouth seemed to curve into an extremely faint arc, carrying a hint of imperceptible mockery, as he was about to speak.

"Enough!"

Lin Ningshuang suddenly turned, facing everyone. Though her voice trembled slightly, it was exceptionally clear and firm.

"I believe in Young Master Lu! There are too many doubts in this matter; we cannot be so rash! Zhao Mang, when was the last time you confirmed the Cosmic Bag was on you? Did you leave your post? Everyone else, immediately search the vicinity of the camp thoroughly, including under the supply wagons, in the sand, leave no corner unchecked! Song Dao, control your men! Until this matter is clarified, anyone who dares to disrespect Young Master Lu again will not be shown any leniency!"

Her words were like icy spring water, extinguishing some of the agitated flames. Wu Yan glanced at Lin Ningshuang with a complex expression, then finally said in a deep voice:

"As the young lady commands, search!"

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

A storm was temporarily and forcefully quelled by Lin Ningshuang. The camp fell into a suppressed silence, broken only by the crackling of the bonfire and the distant sigh of the wind and sand.

In the latter half of the night, no one could sleep. The search naturally yielded nothing. Although Song Dao and the others no longer dared to provoke openly, their malicious gazes clung to Lu Changsheng like maggots.

As dawn broke, the caravan set off again under a heavy atmosphere. The suspicions of the previous night hung over the team like an invisible cloud, and even Lin Ningshuang's brow was etched with an unresolvable worry.

At noon, the caravan entered a stone forest composed of huge, strangely shaped, crimson wind-eroded rock pillars. The sunlight was cut into fragmented pieces by the twisted pillars, casting eerie light spots.

The surroundings were terrifyingly silent, as if even the sound of the wind and sand had been swallowed by this stone forest.

A sense of extreme foreboding quietly crept into everyone's hearts.

"Alert!"

Wu Yan, experienced and seasoned, shouted sternly, his hand already gripping the hilt of his saber!

However, his warning was still too late!

"Woooo—woooo—woooo!"

A sharp, piercing bone whistle, like the wail of hellish demons, sounded without warning from the tops of the towering rock pillars all around!

Immediately after, countless figures clad in earth-yellow camouflage, as if blended into the rocks, burst out like ghosts from behind the pillars, from the tops of sand dunes, and from underground holes!

Their movements were swift as the wind. The gleaming curved sabers and poisoned crossbow bolts in their hands instantly wove a net of death, descending upon the caravan!

"Demon Wind Bandits! It's the Demon Wind Bandits!"

Someone in the guard let out a desperate roar!

"Form ranks! Protect the young lady and the goods!"

Wu Yan's eyes were about to split. His heavy saber was instantly unsheathed, unleashing a fierce blade energy that sliced through several poison arrows aimed at Lin Ningshuang!

But more poison arrows poured down like rain!

"Pfft! Pfft!"

"Ah—!"

Screams instantly tore through the deathly silence of the stone forest! The poisoned crossbow bolts easily pierced the leather armor, and the hit guards instantly turned black in the face, spewing white foam as they fell to the ground! The smell of blood and the aura of death instantly permeated the air!

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

"Haha! That little lass looks tender, save one for me!"

Strange cries and sinister laughter filled the entire stone forest! Nearly a hundred ferocious bandits, like hyenas smelling blood, brandished their weapons and madly lunged at the chaotic caravan!

Their coordination was seamless, each blow deadly. They were clearly seasoned veterans of robbery and murder!

The battle instantly escalated into a frenzy. Led by Wu Yan and a few minor captains, the guards fought desperately. Sword light flashed, spiritual energy erupted, and blood splattered!

However, the Demon Wind Bandits had superior numbers and the advantage of a surprise attack. The guards suffered heavy casualties, their formation quickly broken and cut apart!

"Miss, be careful!" The loyal Uncle Fu, swatting away an approaching bandit with a palm strike, shielded Lin Ningshuang's carriage.

"Get lost!"

A brutal roar exploded. A massive giant, abnormally burly and wearing a ferocious mask with fangs, like a monstrous beast in human form, smashed through the guards blocking his path. The terrifying great axe, the size of a door panel, whistled as it tore through the air, cleaving viciously towards Li Qing. This man was none other than the Demon Wind Bandits' leader—the Ghost Face Butcher!

Uncle Fu's face contorted in alarm as he unleashed a full-power palm strike!

Bang!

Crack!

A sickening bone-cracking sound echoed. Uncle Fu, like a kite with a broken string, vomited blood and flew backward, crashing heavily against the carriage wall and falling unconscious!

"Uncle Fu!"

Lin Ningshuang's face drained of color. Watching the Ghost Face Butcher approach like a demon god, immense fear seized her heart. Her pretty face turned deathly pale, and her delicate body trembled.

"Hehehe, little beauty, don't be scared! Old man will take good care of you!"

The Ghost Face Butcher licked his dry lips, his eyes gleaming with lewd and cruel light. He extended his palm, as large as a fan, and reached directly for Lin Ningshuang's slender neck!

He casually slung the great axe over his shoulder, as if plucking a small chick was effortless.

The surrounding guards were either dead or wounded. Wu Yan was locked in a fierce struggle with two powerful bandit captains, roaring in frustration but unable to break free.

Song Dao... had vanished without a trace! Despair, like a cold tide, instantly engulfed Lin Ningshuang.