Instructor Yang felt a wave of relief the moment he saw the tribute accepted.
If they accepted the tribute, that meant there was room for negotiation. As long as they could negotiate, everything would be fine.
"However!"
With a sudden turn in tone, the elder of the Scarred Twin Heroes glanced at the five carriages behind Instructor Yang, a trace of greed flashing through his eyes.
"This tribute is a little too meager."
Instructor Yang's heart sank at his words, and he began thinking of a countermeasure,
but he did not show it. He merely smiled at the two men and said:
"May I ask how much tribute the two heroes require?"
The Scarred Twin Heroes exchanged a glance and spoke at the same time:
"Leave two carriages and everything in them, and you may pass through."
"This..."
Instructor Yang's face revealed his difficulty, while his mind frantically searched for a countermeasure.
It seemed the Scarred Twin Heroes had indeed received word and wanted to seize all the wealth they were transporting!
Without even thinking, Instructor Yang knew the Scarred Twin Heroes would choose the carriages filled with gold and silver treasures!
Perhaps I can ask that expert surnamed Su for help!
As long as I hold one of them back, once he kills one of the Scarred Twin Heroes, we can escape danger!
Instructor Yang thought of Su Xian,
and estimated that this expert surnamed Su was at least in the late Tendon Refining Realm, and might even have reached perfection!
He simply did not know whether Su Xian would be willing to deal with one of the Scarred Twin Heroes!
With that thought, Instructor Yang looked at the Scarred Twin Heroes and forced a smile.
"It's not impossible. Please allow us to discuss it."
"Fine!"
The Scarred Twin Heroes exchanged smiles, as if they had them exactly where they wanted them, then waved their hands with complete indifference!
"Be careful. Remember to keep your distance later!"
With his Bone Tempering Realm cultivation, Su Xian heard every word exchanged between the Scarred Twin Heroes and Instructor Yang!
He also understood that this was merely Instructor Yang's delaying tactic.
There would probably be a battle afterward!
Su Xian climbed down from the rearmost carriage and told Deng Lin to watch his surroundings and remember to run far away once the fighting began.
"Big Brother Su, be careful!"
Deng Lin could only nod worriedly. He knew that he had no way to interfere in Su Xian's battle.
He might even be injured by the shock waves of the fight.
Su Xian walked over to Instructor Yang, who was currently telling the merchant beside him about his conversation with the Scarred Twin Heroes.
The merchant's expression changed at once.
At least half of his wealth was in this carriage. If it were robbed just like that, he would have worked for nothing for half his life.
But in terms of strength, they truly were no match for the Scarred Twin Heroes.
Instructor Yang looked at Su Xian and asked in a low voice:
"Brother, I'll hold one of the Scarred Twin Heroes back. Once you kill the other, come support me!"
"As long as you can deal with these two, I can promise you five thousand taels of silver!"
The merchant also looked at Su Xian and nodded forcefully.
Five thousand taels of silver was nothing to him.
But if these several carriages of property were truly stolen, that would be what caused him unbearable anguish.
Su Xian shook his head slightly.
Seeing him shake his head, disappointment appeared on Instructor Yang's face, but he did not say anything more.
After all, Su Xian was only being paid six hundred taels for this trip,
while the Scarred Twin Heroes were two late Tendon Refining Realm martial artists. Working together, they could even escape from a Bone Tempering Realm martial artist.
There was no need to fight them to the death for five thousand taels of silver.
If Su Xian abandoned them, he would almost certainly be able to escape.
Seeing Su Xian shake his head, the merchant grew anxious as well, his face full of reluctance. It seemed they could only hand the two carriages over to the Scarred Twin Heroes.
Although they contained half his life's savings,
the merchant also understood the principle that as long as the green hills remained, there would be no shortage of firewood.
He had only lost his savings. He could earn them again!
If he lost his life, then everything would truly be over!
At that moment, Su Xian spoke.
"I'll deal with the two of them alone. Instructor Yang, you deal with their underlings."
"If I do all that, can you increase the payment?" Su Xian asked calmly.
Instructor Yang was stunned. He carefully sized Su Xian up,
wanting to know exactly what cultivation he possessed,
and where he got the nerve to say he could deal with both members of the Scarred Twin Heroes alone!
The merchant beside them, however, looked delighted. Then, after gritting his teeth, he said quietly:
"If things truly happen as the expert says, and you deal with the Scarred Twin Heroes..."
"Not only will I pay the full five thousand taels, I can also have you copy a secret fourth-grade Martial Skill passed down in my family!"
Su Xian's eyes lit up. He glanced over the merchant, never expecting that the man's family would possess a fourth-grade Martial Skill.
"Deal."
Su Xian nodded, then drew his saber and walked toward the Scarred Twin Heroes in the distance.
Instructor Yang hurried after him, preparing to deal with the underlings behind the Scarred Twin Heroes as promised.
"What? You want to fight? Who's this kid?"
The Scarred Twin Heroes looked at Su Xian, who was leading the way, and sneered contemptuously.
The Scarred Twin Heroes had made a name for themselves across several counties. Unless a Bone Tempering Realm expert took action, they feared no one!
Not to mention, they had already gathered information beforehand.
Instructor Yang was only at the early Tendon Refining Realm. Dealing with him would take no more than two strikes.
Even if they had hired escorts for this journey,
at most, they would have hired a Tendon Refining Realm martial artist. It was hardly a major matter.
Instructor Yang gave an ingratiating smile at their words,
while casting a worried glance at Su Xian.
"Of course not! We've already made our decision! Please choose any two carriages and their cargo!"
Instructor Yang hurriedly lowered his head and spoke with a smile.
"Hahaha! At least you know what's good for you!" The Scarred Twin Heroes burst into laughter.
Suddenly!
The elder of the Scarred Twin Heroes swung his saber at Su Xian, a vicious grin spreading across his face.
"Kid, consider your luck bad! I'm in a terrible mood right now!"
"Be careful!"
Instructor Yang's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly shouted!
In the distance, Deng Lin also grew worried for Su Xian when he saw this scene!
A crimson saber light flashed!
The Flowing Fire Burning Wind Seven Slashes Technique struck!
The fiery saber light made Instructor Yang shut his eyes involuntarily.
Then Instructor Yang felt a wave of scorching heat rush toward his face,
followed by the smell of flesh being roasted.
When he opened his eyes again, the elder of the Scarred Twin Heroes stood with his saber broken, his head flying through the air,
while red flames seared the cut at his neck, filling the air with waves of charred stench.
"Big Brother!"
The younger brother of the Scarred Twin Heroes let out a pained cry, then instantly turned and ran.
He understood perfectly well that someone capable of killing his elder brother in an instant could naturally kill him too!
Though the Scarred Twin Heroes were biological brothers, surely his elder brother would not blame him for fleeing!
"Get him!"
As he turned and ran, he shouted as well, hoping his underlings behind him would hold Su Xian back and let him escape!
Unfortunately, his underlings had long since been scared witless and stood frozen in place.
Besides, even if they attacked, there was no way they could stop Su Xian!
Su Xian remained calm as the fourth-grade Martial Skill, the Nine Revolutions Illusory Cloud Steps, began to circulate!
With one step, he appeared behind the younger brother of the Scarred Twin Heroes!
With one slash, he killed the remaining member of the Scarred Twin Heroes!
Everything happened in the blink of an eye. In less than five seconds, Su Xian had ended the Scarred Twin Heroes' reputation.
Su Xian gripped the saber hilt and circulated his qi and blood. Flames ignited along the blade, burning away the blood staining it.
Then he returned the treasured saber to its sheath and looked calmly at Instructor Yang.
"It's your turn to act."
Only then did Instructor Yang recover from his shock. He hurriedly raised his weapon and charged at the bandit underlings behind them!
Before you continue