Knock, knock, knock.
With a creak, the door swung open.
"Senior Sister Fang Rou?"
Su Chen froze, looking at Fang Rou standing in the doorway. Today, she wore a pale yellow dress and stood tall and graceful.
A gentle breeze brushed her cheeks and tousled her hair. Fang Rou raised a slender, delicate hand and smoothed it back.
Seeing Su Chen, she gave a soft laugh. "Junior Brother Su Chen, I came to see you today because there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Su Chen opened the door and was about to invite Fang Rou inside, but she waved him off. "No need. It'll only take a few words."
"Please, Senior Sister."
"Well, Junior Brother, my family's caravan ran into some trouble recently..."
Fang Rou soon explained the whole story to Su Chen.
It was nothing complicated.
When the Fang Family's caravan passed through Lianyun Mountain, a band of bandits robbed it of all its cargo and even took the Fang Family guards captive.
They sent word to the Fang Family, demanding five hundred taels in ransom for the goods and hostages.
Otherwise, they would kill the guards.
In the end, the Fang Family chose to give in and planned to bring five hundred taels to ransom the goods and the men.
But worried the bandits might not keep their word, they decided to find some martial artists to accompany them.
That was why Fang Rou had come to see Su Chen.
At first, she hadn't planned to ask Su Chen. Given his strength, he might not be able to help.
But yesterday, she had happened to hear from Qin Hao that Su Chen had made a breakthrough, and that was when she'd gotten the idea.
Besides, Fang Rou's father had later said that the more people went this time, the better.
Even those without much strength could bolster their numbers and make the bandits wary.
That was why she had come to see Su Chen so early that morning.
Of course, he wouldn't be going for free. Fang Rou said she would pay Su Chen five taels of silver.
After she finished, Fang Rou looked at Su Chen. When she saw him fall silent, a faint disappointment stirred in her heart.
It seemed Su Chen was going to refuse.
But just as the thought crossed her mind, Su Chen said, "No problem. When do we leave?"
"Ah, we set out tomorrow at noon!"
Fang Rou smiled and told him the time and place.
"But, Junior Brother, it's more than fifty li from here to Lianyun Mountain. We'll stop at an inn along the way and spend the night there, so make sure you're prepared."
Su Chen nodded. Fang Rou then filled him in on a few more details before turning to leave.
Watching Fang Rou go, Su Chen closed the door. He had planned to go out today, but it seemed that would have to wait.
"Five taels isn't much, but given what I've shown I'm worth so far, it's probably about right. There's no need to dwell on it."
After all, Fang Rou had previously offered him fifteen taels. Now that something had happened to the Fang Family's caravan, he ought to do his part.
As for the money, the Fang Family was probably offering that much because they were worried something might go wrong.
Otherwise, they wouldn't need so many people just to pay the ransom and rescue the captives, much less hand out extra silver.
The day passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon the next day.
With some time to spare that morning, Su Chen used up his last packet of Qi Blood Powder, packed a few changes of clothes, shut the door, and left.
He had considered bringing his Steel Saber, but it would be hard to conceal, so he gave up on the idea.
However, he did pack his overcoat. If something went wrong, it would come in handy.
When Su Chen arrived at the Fang Family residence, he realized just how wealthy his senior sister was. Her home was even more luxurious than the government offices.
"Junior Brother Su!"
Dozens of people were already gathered at the Fang Family's gate. Fang Rou stood among them. When she spotted Su Chen, she called out and beckoned him over.
Su Chen walked over, and his gaze soon settled on a middle-aged man with a saber at his waist. A sharp, chilling aura emanated from him.
"Senior Sister Fang Rou!" Su Chen greeted her.
Fang Rou nodded. "Junior Brother, just stick with me when we get there."
"You're going too, Senior Sister?" Su Chen asked, taken aback.
"Of course. I'm just going along for the excitement. What, Junior Brother, do you think I can't go?" Fang Rou said coolly, giving a little snort.
Su Chen wisely kept quiet.
Fang Rou didn't take offense. After chatting with him for a few words, she turned and got busy.
About a quarter of an hour later, the group was ready to set out.
While they waited, Su Chen looked around, taking in the people gathered there.
He soon realized the group was divided into two broad categories: the Fang Family guards and martial artists like himself.
Most of the Fang Family guards were ordinary people. As Fang Rou had said, they were probably there to bolster the group's numbers.
Su Chen didn't recognize any of the other martial artists. After a quick look around, he paid them no further attention.
Besides, if he wasn't mistaken, the saber-wielding man was leading the group.
Fang Rou's father was a slightly plump man with a genial appearance.
After exchanging a few words with the saber-wielding man, he clasped his hands toward the others. "I'll be counting on all of you this time!"
The martial artists returned his salute one by one.
The saber-wielding man nodded to Fang Rou's father, then turned to the people behind him. "Move out!"
The group set off in a great, bustling throng.
After they left the city, Su Chen suddenly caught a fragrant scent. He turned his head and saw Fang Rou walking beside him.
Fang Rou was probably traveling far from home for the first time, and after walking for a while, the excitement she'd shown at the start had faded.
When she noticed Su Chen looking at her, she gave him a small smile.
Once they were out of the city, the road grew rough. Fortunately, everyone was traveling light, so they made good progress.
Since Lianyun Mountain was more than fifty li away and they had set out at noon, they planned to spend the night in a small town near the mountain and rest up.
At first, the group was rather quiet.
But as they covered more ground and got to know one another, conversation gradually filled the ranks.
Su Chen didn't say much, but he listened the whole time. From the others, he learned who the saber-wielding man was.
His name was Yan Que, and he belonged to the Broken Saber Sect.
The Broken Saber Sect was a force in White Stone City no weaker than the Hong Family Martial Hall.
It had two martial artists at Practice Strength Perfection, so its overall standing and strength surpassed those of the Hong Family Martial Hall.
Yan Que was the sect leader's younger brother, and his strength was likely no less than Hong Ming's.
He had come to lead the group because his wife was Fang Rou's aunt. The two families were in-laws.
It was also thanks to this connection with the Broken Saber Sect that the Fang Family's business had continued to grow in White Stone City, even expanding into the provincial city.
Yan Que's presence had clearly bolstered the group's confidence.
The awe that kept flickering across people's faces said it all.
After a while, Fang Rou seemed to get bored and went over to chat with Su Chen.
But Su Chen's half-hearted replies soon brought the conversation to an end.
The group traveled until dusk, when they finally reached the small town at the foot of Lianyun Mountain.
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