Talkative Old Wang

As Bai Ze and Old Wang chatted, they gradually grew familiar with each other, though the credit went to the other man's silver tongue.

With a smile, he said, "Not every caravan is like this, but they're all more or less the same."

"After all, those bandits in the mountain strongholds aren't fools, and our guards aren't here just to collect paychecks!"

"If we run into the kind who refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, then we'll settle victory and defeat with strength."

"When traveling with a caravan, how could you possibly avoid danger?"

"Indeed."

Bai Ze nodded at those words. In truth, that was indeed the case.

After all, in this world, strength reigned supreme in the end.

Without absolute strength, why would others charge you a little toll instead of simply robbing you outright?

Old Wang then began boasting about his years of traveling north and south, about how many crises he had overcome with his own strength.

He even claimed that if he had not turned the tide that one time, that caravan would probably have been wiped out to the last man.

Bai Ze merely smiled at this, occasionally humoring him with a few responses.

Perhaps Old Wang had become addicted to boasting. He said proudly, "Don't you dare disbelieve me. I experienced all of this firsthand."

"After that incident, the Eldest Young Lady of the Li Family Caravan admired me greatly."

"And she was so beautiful that fish would sink and geese would fall, the moon would hide and flowers would blush!"

"Haha, then why didn't you agree?"

Bai Ze replied with a laugh, but Old Wang said regretfully, "The problem was that she wanted me to marry into her family. How could I agree to that?"

"Back then, I was handsome and dashing, even a few points more handsome than you are now. On top of that, I had lofty dreams, so I missed that fated marriage."

"Looking back, there's nothing to regret. With lofty mountains and flowing waters, I roam the world. My world is mine to command, isn't it?"

"True enough."

Bai Ze smiled and nodded, showing that he understood.

If not for the fact that the man was only a Viscera Refining Realm martial artist now, and looked so shabby and unkempt, Bai Ze might actually have believed him.

Still, chatting with Old Wang while traveling did add a bit more amusement to the journey.

Of course, Bai Ze also learned much about Pingfeng City, including the circumstances of several forces within it.

There were countless forces, large and small, but the strongest were the Four Great Families: the Li Family, Wang Family, Liu Family, and Chang Family. Every one of them had Innate Realm martial artists.

The caravan they were traveling with this time was one branch of the Li Family Caravan.

After traveling for an entire day,

the caravan stopped and found a suitable place to set up camp.

Bai Ze took out the dry rations he had prepared and sat beside the campfire, eating casually.

Dozens of guards patrolled the perimeter of the caravan in shifts, ensuring its safety through the night.

At the very center of the caravan stood a carriage, yet no one had been seen getting out of it from beginning to end.

Even at mealtime, food was delivered inside by others. It was exceedingly mysterious.

However, Bai Ze only glanced at it a few times and paid it no mind.

Just then, Old Wang swayed over from not far away, a wine flask in his hand.

When he reached Bai Ze's side, he said with a smile, "Little White, have a drink to warm yourself up."

"No need. I don't drink."

"Ah, what a pity. You don't have the good fortune for it!"

"Heh."

Bai Ze chuckled softly but said nothing. Old Wang simply drank by himself.

After having some wine, the man seemed to grow even more talkative, as if his mouth could never stop.

After chatting with him a little longer, Bai Ze found an excuse to move aside and rest.

He held his longsword against his chest, gripped the hilt tightly with his right hand, and leaned half against the goods as he slowly closed his eyes.

Even so, he remained aware of every movement around him at all times, guarding against a sneak attack.

No one knew how much time had passed.

The entire caravan gradually fell quiet, with only a handful of guards still patrolling nearby.

Then, rustling sounds suddenly arose. A great many torches lit up around the caravan.

The instant Bai Ze noticed this, he opened his eyes and darted behind the goods like a gecko. A warning cry sounded beside him.

"Not good! Everyone, get up! Enemy attack!"

"What's going on?"

"Damn it, we're surrounded!"

"Don't panic! Stay calm and gather together!"

The guards formed a protective ring around the caravan and confronted the unexpected visitors outside.

Seeing this from the rear, Bai Ze did not act rashly.

Old Wang beside him instantly sobered up as well. He gripped his broadsword and stared outside with a grave expression.

He said, "Kid Bai, it looks like we're in trouble this time. They definitely came prepared."

"Now we'll see whether the Li Family can suppress them. Otherwise, a great battle will be unavoidable."

"If fighting breaks out later, remember to stay behind me. I can look after you a little."

"Alright."

Bai Ze did not immediately answer. He looked at the man, then nodded.

No matter how much Old Wang had prattled on along the way, or whether he could truly be of any help later,

the fact that he could say such words at a time like this meant that, at the very least, he was a decent man.

But it was likely impossible for the Li Family to suppress this suddenly appeared group. Otherwise, they would not have shown up here.

Just then, a middle-aged man suddenly walked out from within the caravan.

The Bai Ze at the rear recognized him at a glance as the person in charge of this caravan. Everyone called him Uncle Li.

He stared gravely at the people ahead and said in a deep voice, "Great Leaders, it seems we have never offended you. We have paid our respects at every mountain stronghold according to the rules. What is the meaning of this?"

"This is a Li Family Caravan. Aren't you afraid of our retaliation?"

"Hahahaha!"

The Great Leaders before him burst into laughter, looking at him mockingly.

These men were the largest bandit chiefs within a hundred li. This time, the Blood Wolf Gang had joined forces with Wolong Valley, Changsha Stockade, and several other strongholds to come here.

Their purpose was already obvious. If they feared the Li Family, they would never have come.

The scar-faced man at the front said coldly, "Afraid? Of course we're afraid. But your Li Family is probably too busy saving its own skin now, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you hear? Not long ago, your Second Master of the Li Family was beaten so badly that he was gravely injured and on the verge of death."

"How is that possible?"

Uncle Li's pupils contracted slightly at those words, and his expression grew even graver, though he still found it hard to believe.

Yet seeing how utterly unrestrained they were, the truth was likely exactly as they said.