There were twelve professional guards aboard the riverboat, whose sole duty was to ensure the safety of the passengers throughout the journey.
Whether it was the safety of their money or their personal safety, both fell within the scope of their responsibilities.
But at this moment, the merchants and travelers aboard the boat all declared that they did not feel safe in the slightest.
Not only had their money been stolen clean away, but now their lives were about to be taken by those bandits as well—surely they ought to leave them something, right?
Everyone gathered on the deck and stared at the three massive ram ships blocking the river, each flying a different kind of flag. Looking at their bloodstained canvas hulls, they broke into a chorus of wails and screams.
"What do we do? What do we do? Are we going to die?"
"Those bandits... they probably won't kill people, right?"
"How could bandits not kill people? I heard they even eat people—"
--
"That damn thief." Zhang Linpu's eyes were red as he cursed furiously.
"Brother Linpu, bandits are right in front of us. How can you still be worrying about those worldly possessions?" his friend beside him asked. "Staying alive is what matters."
"Brother Pingzhi, how can you still not understand? What do bandits like best? Money. All our Gold Coins have been stolen without a trace. When the bandits break onto the ship and demand money from us, and we tell them that our Gold Coins were already stolen last night—will they believe us? If they can't get money, they'll take our lives instead."
"..." Niu Pingzhi grew frightened and worried as well.
Li Mu Yang looked at Zhang Linpu in a new light. He thought that there was indeed something extraordinary about a fellow