The sky was clear, and the sunlight gentle.
Two hundred kilometers east of Henei Commandery's Prefecture City, on the official road leading to Shanshui Prefecture, more than four hundred carriages loaded with all kinds of goods and resources proceeded steadily onward.
Hundreds of elite Murong Family guards protected them, while three Innate elders escorted the convoy. The merchant caravan was enormous, drawing no shortage of attention from passersby along the way. Yet as they continued onward, the number of travelers on the road steadily dwindled.
As they prepared to pass through a dense forest, not a single person could be seen anywhere within sight.
Even the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects had vanished.
Clearly, something was wrong here.
Riding a Fire-maned Horse at the very front of the caravan, Murong Yunhai, the Murong Family's First Elder, remained calm and composed. After sweeping the forest with his spiritual power, he raised his right hand to signal the convoy to halt, then slowly spoke:
"Qin the Madman, you have been waiting for a long time, haven't you? Come out. Hiding your head and showing your tail is not your style."
"Hahaha, Brother Yunhai, you are quite confident. This day next year will be your death anniversary!"
Amid bursts of hearty laughter, five figures shot out from the forest. Leading them was a bearded old man with sharp eyes and an intimidating aura radiating from his entire body.
Behind them came several hundred martial artists wielding all manner of weapons, even Runes. Every one of them carried a fierce and savage air.
At that moment, before Murong Yunhai could speak again, a figure charged out from the caravan at astonishing speed, rapidly closing in on the Qin Family members.
It was Chen Mo, who had been hiding within the convoy.