Chatty Old Wang

As Bai Ze and Old Wang chatted, they gradually grew more familiar, though this was largely thanks to the other man's gift of gab.

He smiled and said, "Not every caravan is like this, but most are pretty close."

"After all, those mountain bandits aren't stupid, and our escort isn't just sitting around eating dry rations!"

"If we really run into someone who doesn't know their place, then it's settled by strength."

"When you're out on the road with a caravan, how could you never run into danger?"

"True."

Hearing this, Bai Ze nodded. And in fact, that was exactly how it was.

In this world, strength reigned supreme in the end.

If you didn't have absolute power, why would they bother taking a toll fee instead of just robbing you outright?

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

He even claimed that once, if he hadn't turned the tide, the entire caravan would have been wiped out.

Bai Ze just smiled at this, chiming in with a few words now and then.

By now, Old Wang was clearly on a roll. He puffed up his chest and said, "Don't you believe me? I lived through all of it."

"After that incident, the Eldest Young Lady of the Li Family Caravan was practically smitten with me."

"And she was a real beauty—the kind that could make fish sink and geese fall, the moon hide and flowers blush!"

"Haha, then why didn't you go for it?"

Bai Ze laughed and replied. Old Wang shook his head regretfully. "The problem was, she wanted me to marry into her family. How could I agree to that?"

"Back then, I was handsome and dashing—even better looking than you are now. And I had big dreams. So I let that romance slip away."

"Looking back, I don't regret it. The mountains and rivers call, and I make my own way in the world, right?"

"Not bad."

Bai Ze nodded with a smile, showing he understood.

If he hadn't seen that Old Wang was only a Viscera Refining Realm martial artist, looking as scruffy as he did, he might actually have believed him.

Still, traveling and chatting with Old Wang added a bit of fun to the journey.

Of course, Bai Ze also picked up a lot of information about Pingfeng City, including the situation of the forces there.

There were countless large and small factions, but the most powerful were the Four Great Families: the Li Family, the Wang Family, the Liu Family, and the Chang Family. Each of them had an Innate Realm martial artist.

The caravan they were with now was one of the Li Family's branches.

After a day of travel, the caravan stopped and picked a suitable spot to set up camp.

Bai Ze took out his own dried rations and sat by the campfire, eating casually.

He could see dozens of guards patrolling in shifts around the caravan, ensuring safety through the night.

At the very center of the camp was a carriage. No one had ever come down from it.

Even at mealtime, someone else brought food in. It was very mysterious.

But to Bai Ze, it was just a glance or two. He didn't pay it much mind.

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

He walked up to Bai Ze and said with a smile, "Little Bai, have a drink to warm yourself up."

"No thanks, I don't drink."

"Ah, what a shame. You're missing out!"

"Heh."

Bai Ze chuckled lightly at that and said nothing. The other man started drinking on his own.

After a few sips, Old Wang's words flowed even more freely, as if he could talk forever.

Bai Ze chatted with him a little longer, then made an excuse and moved off to the side to keep watch.

He held his longsword in his arms, his right hand gripping the hilt, and half-leaned against the cargo as he slowly closed his eyes.

But even so, he remained alert to every movement around him, guarding against any ambush.

After who knows how long, the entire caravan gradually fell quiet. Only a few guards could be heard patrolling the perimeter.

Then, suddenly, a rustling sound came. Torches flared up all around the caravan.

Sensing this, Bai Ze's eyes snapped open. He moved like a gecko, slipping behind the cargo. A warning shout rang out from nearby.

"Not good! Everyone up! We're under attack!"

"What's going on?"

"Damn it, we're surrounded!"

"Don't panic, stay calm, gather together quickly."

At this moment, the escort team had the merchant caravan protected inside, facing off against the sudden arrivals outside.

Bai Ze, watching from behind, did not make any rash moves.

Old Wang beside him snapped fully awake, gripping his broadsword, his gaze heavy as he looked outward.

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

"Now we'll see if the Li Family can hold them off, or else a big fight is unavoidable."

"If a fight breaks out, remember to stay behind me—I can still look out for you a bit."

"Alright."

Hearing this, Bai Ze didn't reply, only glanced at him before nodding.

No matter how much Old Wang had rambled along the way, or whether he could actually help when the time came, just by saying something like this at a moment like this, at least he was a decent person.

But as for whether the Li Family could intimidate this suddenly appearing group—probably not. Otherwise, they wouldn't have shown up here.

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

Bai Ze recognized him at a glance as the person in charge of this caravan, whom everyone called Uncle Li.

His gaze was stern as he looked at the few men ahead, and he spoke in a deep voice: "Several Great Leaders, it seems we haven't offended you, have we? We've followed all the rules and paid respects at your strongholds. What is the meaning of this?"

"Don't forget, this is the Li Family's caravan. Aren't you afraid of retaliation?"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The Great Leaders before him burst into loud laughter, their eyes mocking as they looked at him.

These men were the biggest bandit chiefs within a hundred li, this time united by the Blood Wolf Gang, along with Wolong Valley, Changsha Stockade, and several other strongholds.

Their purpose was already obvious—if they feared the Li Family, they wouldn't have come.

The man standing at the front, with a scar across his face, spoke coldly: "Afraid? Of course we're afraid. But your Li Family probably can't even take care of yourselves right now!"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you know? Not long ago, the Second Master of the Li Family was beaten to a pulp and is about to breathe his last?"

"How is that possible?"

Hearing this, Uncle Li's eyes narrowed, growing even more somber, though he still found it hard to believe.

But looking at the other party's brazen demeanor, it was likely the truth.