"Caw, caw!"
Several crows flew past and landed on a tall gallows beside the road. Several dried corpses swung from it, all of them heretics who had been hanged, though bandits were rarely among them.
Bandits were caught and killed on the spot. They had no right to hang from a gallows like this. Only heretics who made every kingdom and major faction wary—heretics universally despised and hunted down—were granted such a "privilege."
There were many gallows like this along both sides of the kingdom's main road. Every few hundred meters, one or even dozens could be seen. Some were obviously temporary, while others had been built with care, bearing more corpses—and fresher ones.
Every now and then, they could even see a stake for burning, used to burn the more evil witches and Serpent Cultists to death.
Zhang Yang led his mercenary group, escorting a wagon at a leisurely pace. Although this road was the most famous economic lifeline in the Salion Kingdom, that did not mean it was easy to travel.
Chaotic weeds, drifting dust, and a road surface that was forever jolting and uneven—it was simply an ordeal.
By the time half a day had passed, everyone, including Zhang Yang, had become gray with dust. And this torment would continue for an entire day.
"Captain, there's a caravan ahead."
With the clatter of hooves, Anderson rode back from the front on a hunting horse.
Although he had yet to advance into a Ranger, he possessed level 2 Horsemanship. Thus, from the moment they had set out, Zhang Yang had sent Kalli and Anderson ahead by turns to scout. The chances of encountering bandits on such an important trade route were small, but not nonexistent.
"Move aside and leave half the road open. Everyone, stay alert!"
Zhang Yang