Jiang Hao studied the map. Fushui Town lay between Lanxi and Jinhua Prefecture, and he had planned to rest there for the night before continuing on, reaching Jinhua easily in two days. Who would have thought he would be delayed on the road? Before he even reached Fushui Town, the sky was already nearing dusk.
"Clip-clop, clip-clop~~!"
A burst of hurried hoofbeats came from behind. Jiang Hao turned and saw seven or eight men in fitted martial attire galloping toward him. They did not slow as they passed the carriage, leaving a trail of dust behind them. Jiang Hao noticed that each of them carried a weapon on his back—sabers, swords, long and short alike.
The leader was around forty, with a full beard. As he passed Jiang Hao, he gave him a cold glance. Seeing that he was merely a scholar, he immediately looked away and urged his horse onward.
Jiang Hao guessed that they were martial wanderers.
The riders sped past Jiang Hao and galloped for more than ten li. Suddenly, they found themselves charging into a patch of Black Fog. The bearded man at the front was startled and immediately shouted, "Something's wrong with this Black Fog. Everyone, be careful!"
They drew their sabers and swords one after another, reining in their horses as they warily watched their surroundings. The horses circled restlessly under the reins. After waiting for a few breaths, the leader felt his heart pound with unease and ordered, "This Black Fog is strange. Let's retreat."
They immediately turned their horses and rode back, only to discover that although they had entered the Black Fog by only a few dozen meters, they had been riding for quite some time and were still trapped within it.
"Something's wrong! Watch your surroundings!" the man shouted.
At