The Journey

Just outside the city gate.

On the official road, you could still occasionally see other escort agency carriages, some carrying goods, some carrying people.

But after walking for a while.

There were no more passersby.

On both sides were only lush trees, with the occasional chirping of insects and birds.

Pingcheng's geographical location was special.

Although a large river flowed through Pingcheng from west to east, the terrain was actually surrounded by mountains on all four sides.

Easy to defend and difficult to attack.

This also meant it was suitable for bandits.

Or for those who wanted to be kings of the mountain.

So there were many mountain bandits in this area.

The imperial court could never completely eradicate them.

Perhaps a group would be wiped out today, and tomorrow another bunch would sprout like wild grass.

The escort carriages moved forward slowly, the escort guards cooperating with each other.

While chatting.

They also carefully observed their surroundings.

The Bone Forging Martial Artist from the Cheng Family was taciturn, quietly riding his horse behind the escort cart.

The entire team had two Bone Forging Martial Artists, one at the front and one at the back.

The escort guards couldn't help but relax a little.

Chen Feng rode his horse, one position behind Zhang Biao Tou, and occasionally asked some questions.

"...Zhang Biao Tou, have you encountered many robbers when escorting goods in the past?"

"Not many. Our Changwei Escort Agency has some reputation. Ordinary mountain bandits won't approach when they see our escort banner."

"There are also some bandit camps that believe in long-term gain. As long as you pay some toll, they won't make things too difficult for you."

"However, occasionally there will be some reckless bandits who come to rob us. We just kill them. If we encounter registered bandits with the government, we can even claim some bounty."

Zhang Biao Tou patiently explained.

"For our escort agency, you only need to pay special attention to certain areas with many fierce beasts and guard against some major mountain bandits."

Chen Feng showed a thoughtful expression and asked a question he had been concerned about for a long time:

"Are there any demons on the road?"

Zhang Biao Tou showed a reminiscent expression.

"Yes."

Chen Feng immediately tensed.

Zhang Biao Tou slowly said:

"Demonic Entities are actually very rare. The demons and monsters people talk about on ordinary days are mostly exotic beasts with peculiar appearances."

"It's nothing more than beasts and birds in the mountains eating some treasure, accidentally achieving cultivation. At most, they can be considered sprites."

"True demons can speak human language and are very insidious and cunning!"

Another escort guard heard their conversation and came over, asking:

"Like in the storybooks?"

Zhang Biao Tou nodded, then shook his head.

Finally, he uttered two words:

"More than that."

"Rumor has it that speaking human language and changing form are just minor spells. Some Great Demons can swallow mountains!"

These words caused a stir of exclamations.

Chen Feng finely caught a certain word.

"Rumor?"

Zhang Biao Tou smiled and explained:

"How could I have seen real Great Demons? I've only heard others talk about them. There's no need to worry too much about such things. There are no such Great Demons within Daliang."

"As for outside... there are people above who are holding the line for us."

"Outside of Daliang..."

Chen Feng showed a thoughtful expression. At this moment, in his mind, the original owner's memories were like a book, being flipped through page by page.

He was surprised to find.

There was no news from outside Daliang at all.

He only knew that Daliang was at war everywhere, but as for who they were fighting...

He didn't know.

"As for Lesser Demons, I've had the fortune to see them a few times nearby. I guess they drifted over from overseas."

An Escort Guard suddenly interjected:

"Boss, have you ever seen a Fox Spirit?"

"Hahaha!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

The serious atmosphere immediately dissipated a lot.

Seeing more and more Escort Guards gathering around him, Zhang Biao Tou immediately put on a stern face and said seriously:

"Everyone go back and pay attention to your Mission! Why are you all gathering around me! Don't let any problems arise."

After being reprimanded.

The Escort Guards returned to their posts.

They dared not talk loudly anymore.

Seeing this, Chen Feng didn't ask further questions. He silently rode his horse, preparing to find an opportunity to continue the conversation when they stopped to rest.

The Escort Team crossed several Mountaintops.

The scenery remained the same.

The earthy yellow Official Road, the lush green forests, the wildly growing weeds...

Beyond the mountains, there were still mountains.

The only change was the position of the sun in the sky.

It was now noon.

As the Escort Team traveled, they occasionally passed some villages.

Chen Feng noticed.

Some were dilapidated and lifeless, appearing abandoned for many years. Others still had inhabitants, but the villagers all had numb expressions.

Much like the Slums in the city.

They were not far from Pingcheng.

Chen Feng knew these villagers either belonged to the "masters" within the city.

Or belonged to some great Mountain Bandit.

They belonged to no one but themselves.

The group spurred their horses on, arriving at a slightly larger village near dusk.

It was called Zhang Village.

Unlike the villages they had seen along the way, the people here looked healthier.

Instead of being gaunt and sallow.

Here, they provided food and lodging for the Escort Team, so Chen Feng and his companions rested here, replenishing supplies.

Escorting cargo, it was taboo to travel at night.

They would rather spend more time than risk traveling in the dark over mountains and through ravines.

Zhang Biao Tou seemed quite familiar with the villagers here, greeting many of them.

After spending some silver.

The group rested here for the night.

The first day passed peacefully.

The next day, at Early Morning, everyone got out of bed as soon as it was light, tidied up, and set off promptly.

Continuing their journey.

Zhang Biao Tou had traveled the route from Pingcheng to Nanxun Town many times and was very familiar with it.

If they didn't encounter bad weather.

They could reach it in about four days.

But if it rained, there was no telling how long it would take.

From then on, they simply traveled, reached a village, resupplied and rested, repeating the cycle.

Three consecutive days.

No bandits, no fierce beasts.

Without any waves, everything was calm and peaceful.

Even the experience points gained from escorting the dāo had become scarce, very few.

As they were about to reach their destination, the tension in everyone's hearts gradually eased.

Chen Feng also became familiar with everyone through the nightly chats and the coordinated communication during the journey.

The last day.

Although they were not far from Nanxun Town.

The sun was already setting, but Zhang Biao Tou still decided to stop the convoy and rest.

He was adamant about not traveling at night.

This was also the only night they would be staying in the wilderness during these four days.

They found a clearing, everyone lit a bonfire, tied up the horses, and casually used some fodder as mattresses.

The cold wind whistled.

The diurnal temperature difference in the mountains was quite significant.

The heat provided by the bonfire was limited.

But fortunately, everyone was a martial artist with abundant qi blood, so even if they were further from the bonfire, they wouldn't feel cold.

Everyone gathered around the bonfire, and a few outgoing escort guards were bragging to each other.

While the more reserved ones, like Chen Feng.

Listened to them speak with a smile.

Occasionally poking the branches and dry grass in the bonfire to ensure sufficient oxygen.

Chen Feng's eyes occasionally glanced towards the back of the escort cart not far away.

There sat a silent figure, hidden alone in the shadows.

Seemingly out of place with the rest of the group.

It was the bone forging realm martial artist from the Cheng Family.

These past few days, Chen Feng had seen him as taciturn.

He occasionally exchanged a few words with Zhang Biao Tou, but fell silent whenever anyone approached.

It was very strange.

Truly suspicious.

Night deepened.

Zhang Biao Tou gradually felt drowsy.

He vaguely sensed something was amiss, but then he thought.

Perhaps it was because his nerves had been on edge for the past few days, fearing an accident, which led to his mental fatigue.

So he prepared to get enough rest to avoid being listless tomorrow and making a mistake at the last moment.

Zhang Biao Tou assigned two Blood Refining Realm Escort Guards, who were stronger, to take turns on Night Watch.

Although Chen Feng was strong enough, he was not considered by Zhang Biao Tou due to being a Newcomer.

After giving instructions, he hurried to sleep.

Everyone else also felt a bit tired.

They tidied their Grass Mats and lay down one after another.

Only the Bonfire remained, flickering in the night, occasionally crackling.

After an unknown amount of time.

While everyone was asleep.

A figure tiptoed, making very little noise, using the faint light of the flames.

They moved towards Chen Feng's location.