Su Derong sighed and tossed a dry branch into the fire. It quickly burned to ash.
"Jianghe, you may not know this, but when the Su Family Escort Agency was at its height, we had three main routes and five secondary ones. Our business stretched north and south, reaching several nearby counties. Now... only two main routes and three secondary ones are still open. The rest have become impassable, either overrun with bandits or carved up by rival gangs."
He raised his head and looked at Chen Jianghe, the flickering fire reflected in his eyes. "This route may be an old road we've traveled for years, but I... can't say I'm completely confident. I have a feeling something's going to happen this time."
Chen Jianghe said nothing.
Su Derong picked up a stick and poked at the fire. "This route is the oldest one the Su Family has operated. But because it's an old road, plenty of people know about it, and plenty of people... have their eyes on it."
Chen Jianghe fell silent for a moment, then asked, "If you're worried, Senior Brother, why take this route?"
"Because we have no choice." Su Derong tossed the stick into the fire, sending up a spray of sparks. "The other routes either take too long or are even more dangerous. The medicinal herbs in this shipment are urgently needed down south. We can't afford to delay."
He gave a bitter smile. "I've only traveled this route a few times with the elders. Back then, Grandfather was still alive, and the agency had four Dark Strength escort guards holding the line. We were a formidable sight. The bandits would see our banner from afar and give us a wide berth. But now..."
He trailed off, but Chen Jianghe understood.
The Su Family had fallen on hard times. It was no longer what it once was.
"I shouldn't have dragged you into this mess." Su Derong suddenly turned to Chen Jianghe, his gaze complicated. "You have talent and a steady temperament. If you keep training diligently at the martial arts school, it's only a matter of time before you break through to Dark Strength. This line of work means living by the sword. One day, you might just..."
"Senior Brother." Chen Jianghe cut him off, his voice calm. "I signed the contract, so I'm part of the escort agency. I know this work is dangerous. But the meat and medicinal powders from the martial arts school, and all the care you've shown me—those aren't favors I can accept without giving anything in return."
Su Derong stared for a moment, then smiled. There was helplessness in his smile, but also a measure of comfort.
He leaned back against the cargo crate and gazed up at the rock wall. "Sometimes, I really envy you. You have a simple goal: train, grow stronger, and protect your mother. What about me? The title of Young Gang Leader of the Su Family sounds impressive, but it comes with a heavy burden. The Su Family is weak now, and every step is like walking on thin ice. If this shipment gets through, we'll regain some face with the other families in the city, and business will be easier afterward. If it doesn't..."
He left the rest unsaid, but Chen Jianghe understood.
In these chaotic times, an escort agency that lost its reputation was not far from shutting down.
"But speaking of which..." Su Derong suddenly sat up straight, a teasing smile returning to his face. "I feel a lot more at ease with you on this escort run. You don't say much, but when you strike, you're both steady and ruthless."
Chen Jianghe said nothing.
The campfire crackled.
"Oh, right." Su Derong suddenly remembered something. "You've reached Bright Strength, and you've begun learning the Five Elements Fist. Your next step should be building up your qi and blood to break through to Dark Strength. If we get back safely, I'll find a way to get you a few batches of Bone Tempering Soup ingredients."
Chen Jianghe cupped his hands. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Don't thank me yet." Su Derong waved a hand, a sly smile on his face. "There are strings attached. You'll have to earn some merit first before I can put in a word for you."
He paused, his expression turning serious. "Still, I hope... you don't earn any merit."
Su Derong yawned and patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder. "I'm turning in. The wind's strong tonight. Remember, keep your ears open while you're on watch, but don't jump at every shadow. There are plenty of wild animals in these hills. Nine times out of ten, a noise is just a muntjac or a hare. If you really need to sound the alarm, make sure you've seen what it is first."
"I understand."
Su Derong then walked over to one of the escort carts, sat with his back against a wheel, and closed his eyes to rest. His breathing soon evened out.
Chen Jianghe sat alone by the campfire.
The mountain wind grew stronger, making the flames sway unsteadily. Somewhere in the distance, an unknown beast howled, its long, mournful cry echoing through the valley without fading.
Chen Jianghe slowly regulated his breathing. His mind and body grew still, and his senses sharpened.
The hour of the Boar was approaching. It was almost time for Zhou Yong to take over the watch.
Chen Jianghe was about to get up when his ear twitched.
A strange sound mingled with the wind.
It wasn't an animal snapping a dry branch, nor a night bird beating its wings.
It was the rustle of clothing brushing through bushes—soft, swift, and... coming from more than one place.
He whipped around, eyes fixed on the darkest patch of shadow to the left of the camp.
At almost the same moment—
"Whoosh!"
A sharp whistle split the night!
A black-feathered arrow shot out of the woods, aimed straight at Zhou Yong, who was about to rise beside the campfire!
"Enemy attack!" Chen Jianghe roared. He sprang forward like a leopard, his right hand shooting out to catch the arrow by its shaft at the very last instant!
The arrowhead stopped just three inches from Zhou Yong's throat.
Zhou Yong broke into a cold sweat, but reacted without a moment's delay. He rolled aside and drew the short blade at his waist. "Grab your weapons!"
The entire camp erupted into chaos.
"Enemy attack!" Zhao Tieshan's roar rang out like a thunderclap.
Almost as soon as Chen Jianghe caught the first arrow, two short whistles rang out from the woods—
"Chirp! Chirp!"
A night owl called. The enemy had struck!
More than a dozen dark figures surged out of the surrounding shadows!
All wore black clothes and masks, and all wielded blades. Their movements were swift and ruthless—they were clearly seasoned fighters.
The two men at the front were especially fast. With just a few bounds, they covered more than thirty paces and rushed straight toward Su Derong!
"Dark Strength..." Chen Jianghe's pupils tightened.
As the two ran, their shoulders barely moved, and their waists stayed steady. Their power remained hidden, yet with every step, dust on the ground rippled outward. It was a telltale sign of Dark Strength experts circulating their qi and blood, force coursing through their bodies.
"Stop them!"
Zhao Tieshan bellowed hoarsely and swung his saber at the three black-clad men charging from the left.
Zhou Yong and Wang Gui each led two porters, guarding the left and right flanks. Blades flashed and staffs swung as they clashed with the attackers.
The sounds of weapons meeting, roars, and screams erupted all at once.
Chen Jianghe didn't charge recklessly.
He crouched low, drew the Butchery Blade from behind his waist with his right hand, and quickly slipped Brass Knuckles onto his left.
—Clear the perimeter first.
His gaze locked onto three black-clad men in the front-right, trying to circle around the carts and rush the horses at the rear.
Their martial skills were clearly inferior to those of the two at the front, but they worked well together. One attacked fiercely with a saber while the other two circled the flanks with short blades. Their moves were vicious, every strike meant to kill.
Chen Jianghe moved.
No shout. No warning.
He soundlessly slipped out from the shadow behind a cart, a gray blur skimming along the ground. In an instant, he had closed in on the three from the side.
The saber-wielder reacted quickly. Hearing him, he spun around and swept his blade across!
Chen Jianghe neither blocked nor parried. He abruptly twisted at the waist and hips, slipping past the blade like a fish. His left palm struck the man's wrist. The blow looked light, but it carried the intent of the Crushing Fist—Bright Strength pierced straight to the bone!
"Crack!"
The crisp snap of a broken wrist was swallowed by the shouts of battle.
The man let out a pained groan, and his saber fell from his hand.
Chen Jianghe's right fist shot out like a striking snake. The Brass Knuckles landed precisely three inches below the man's Adam's apple, where the windpipe and nerves intersected at a vulnerable point.
"Ugh..." The black-clad man's eyes bulged as he clutched his throat and collapsed.
A short blade stabbed toward Chen Jianghe's back from the left!
Reading its path by the sound of the wind, Chen Jianghe pivoted on the ball of his foot and twisted aside, letting the blade pass. His Butchery Blade swept upward in a reverse slash, cutting across the attacker's elbow.
He felt the blade slice through the tendons.
The man's arm went limp, and his short blade clattered to the ground. Chen Jianghe's left fist followed at once, his Cannon Fist smashing into the man's chest!
"Thump!"
His breastbone caved in, and his body flew backward.
The third man saw that things had gone wrong and turned to flee.
Chen Jianghe flicked his right hand, sending a pouch of lime powder flying. It struck the man on the back of the head with a smack.
The pouch burst, scattering white dust.
The man instinctively looked back. His eyes were blinded in an instant, and he screamed, clutching his face.
Chen Jianghe had already rushed up. His blade flashed and sank into the side of the man's neck.
In three breaths, all three men were dead.