LaiFu Inn.
Fang Rou's other role in the group came into play: paying for their rooms.
After all, this operation had been organized by the Fang Family, so they were responsible for meals and lodging.
Before long, the rooms were ready. Two warriors shared a room, while four Fang Family guards shared one.
Yan Que and Fang Rou each had a room to themselves, bringing the total to twelve rooms.
After paying, the group settled in.
Since they hadn't eaten dinner yet, they left their luggage in their rooms and gathered on the first floor for a meal.
Su Chen made a point of checking the kitchen. Only after confirming that the other side hadn't poisoned the food did he relax.
The dishes were simple home cooking, and they tasted fairly good. Once everyone had eaten their fill, they returned to their rooms.
Su Chen shared a room with a quiet, taciturn man. Neither of them was much for talking, so after washing up, they went to bed.
At dawn the next day, everyone ate breakfast and set out.
Today was the day they were to trade with the bandits, and a trace of tension crept onto everyone's faces.
At the foot of Lianyun Mountain, in the middle of a narrow, muddy road.
A group stood ready, gazing into the distance with strained eyes, as though waiting impatiently for someone to arrive.
They were all dressed in coarse cloth and short jackets. Their expressions were stern, and their calm eyes held a vicious glint. They were clearly not to be trifled with.
Most carried weapons such as wooden clubs, while the man at their head held a long saber.
His fierce gaze alone could leave a vast shadow in anyone's eyes.
"Third Head, it's already this late. Could the Fang Family's people be staying away?"
One of the men beside the burly man glanced at the sky and asked uncertainly.
The Third Head was wiping down the long saber in his hands. Without even looking up, he replied, "If they don't come, we'll kill every last one of them!"
"They're here!"
Before he had finished speaking, they saw one of their comrades running over from the distance.
He stopped in front of the Third Head and said with barely restrained excitement, "Third Head, they're here."
With a metallic ring, the Third Head's saber trembled slightly in his hand at the news.
A smile appeared on his face. "Good! They came!"
"But..."
"But what?"
"But I saw them bringing a lot of people!"
At those words, the faces of the men behind the Third Head changed slightly.
The Third Head snorted. "What are you all fussing about? Get ready and wait for my order!"
Everyone quickly fell silent.
"They've appeared!"
A moment later, the Third Head's gaze sharpened as he spotted the approaching group.
At the same time, Yan Que and the others, who were on their way, also saw the bandits.
Before long, the two groups came face to face.
"I am Yan Que of the Broken Saber Sect. I've come to pay the ransom and reclaim the Fang Family's people."
Yan Que looked at the Third Head. Their gazes met, and then he cupped his hands and spoke.
"The Broken Saber Sect?"
Hearing Yan Que introduce himself, the Third Head narrowed his eyes. "Did you bring enough money?"
Yan Que nodded. "We've prepared five hundred taels. Where are the people and the goods?"
"The people and goods are both here. As soon as you hand over the money, they'll appear," the Third Head said with a smile.
But Yan Que showed him no courtesy at all. "The money and goods change hands at the same time."
The smile on the Third Head's face stiffened. He looked Yan Que up and down.
The atmosphere grew tense in an instant.
Su Chen frowned as he watched the other side. From the look of things, they didn't intend to take the money and release the captives.
The Third Head's smile vanished. "Show me the money, and I'll bring the people over."
Yan Que hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "All right."
He looked to Fang Rou, who took five banknotes from her clothes and displayed them.
Seeing that Yan Que's group really had brought enough money, the Third Head suddenly burst into laughter.
At the sound of his laughter, his men fanned out behind him, surrounding Yan Que and the others.
Fang Rou and the rest immediately grew flustered. Seeing this, Yan Que's expression darkened. "What do you mean by this?"
"Hahaha! What do I mean? It's obvious."
The Third Head laughed as he enunciated every word. "I want the money, but I don't want to hand over your goods or your people. And I'm going to take all of you prisoner, too!"
"That's a serious breach of trust," Yan Que said in a low voice.
"Are you out of your mind? You expect a bandit to keep his word?" the Third Head sneered.
Yan Que's face instantly turned livid. He called to the others behind him, "Everyone, be careful!"
"Attack!"
At the Third Head's command, the bandits rushed in, and battle broke out between them and Su Chen's group.
Yan Que and the Third Head faced each other from a distance. They both knew the outcome of this battle would ultimately depend on them.
"We're both saber wielders. Let's see whose saber is stronger!"
The Third Head gave a cold snort, sprang forward, and charged at Yan Que with his long saber.
Yan Que drew his saber and, with a few long strides, reached the Third Head and brought it down in a swift slash.
Clang!
The clash of metal rang out. The force of the impact sent them both staggering back several steps.
After only one exchange, they both realized how formidable the other was.
"Again!"
The Third Head roared and lunged forward once more, trading blows with Yan Que in a flash.
On the other side, the two groups clashed fiercely as well.
Since Su Chen's side had come well prepared, the bandits had no real advantage. Instead, Su Chen's group had them on the back foot.
What surprised Su Chen was that Fang Rou, who looked as frail as a willow, actually knew martial arts.
But judging by how awkward her moves were, she clearly hadn't learned very well.
Su Chen was easily the most relaxed person on the field. From time to time, he glanced over at Yan Que and the Third Head as they fought.
"Ah!"
A sudden scream rang out. Su Chen turned to look and saw Fang Rou cornered by two bandits. He rushed over and saved her.
Fang Rou's face was pale, and she was still shaken. Once she had calmed down, she thanked Su Chen. "Thank you, junior brother."
Su Chen shook his head and said nothing more.
After what had just happened, Fang Rou clearly knew her own limits.
So she obediently stayed in the middle of the group, only occasionally stepping in to help the others.
Still, her gaze drifted toward Su Chen from time to time. Seeing how easily he handled himself, she was a little surprised.
"Hm?"
Su Chen, who had been watching Yan Que and the Third Head fight, suddenly changed expression. Yan Que was injured!
In the distance, the two men's sabers met as they tested their strength, neither gaining the upper hand.
Suddenly, the Third Head pulled back one hand and struck Yan Que in the chest with his palm.
The blow made Yan Que spit blood and fly backward. He crashed heavily to the ground with a dull thud.
The sight made everyone's breathing falter. A flicker of shock rose from the depths of their eyes.
"Uncle, are you all right?"
Seeing this, Fang Rou hurried over to Yan Que and asked with concern.
Blood seeped from Yan Que's mouth. He stared at the Third Head in utter shock and managed to force out a few broken words: "A Practice Force Warrior!"
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