Ambush

Su Derong sighed, tossed a withered branch into the campfire, and watched it quickly burn to ash.

"Jianghe, you may not know this, but when the Su Escort Agency was at its peak, we had three main routes and five branch lines. We traveled north and south, with business spanning several nearby counties. Now... only two main routes and three branch lines remain. The other paths are either too infested with bandits or carved up by gangs; they are no longer passable."

He looked up at Chen Jianghe, the flickering firelight reflected in his eyes. "Although this is an old road we've traveled for years, I... don't have full confidence. I have a feeling something will happen this time."

Chen Jianghe: "..."

Su Derong grabbed a piece of firewood and poked at the fire. "This route is the oldest one the Su family has operated. But precisely because it is an old road, many people know it, and many... have designs on it."

Chen Jianghe was silent for a moment before asking, "If Senior Brother is worried, why take this route?"

"Because there is no choice." Su Derong threw the branch into the fire, sending up a spray of sparks. "The other routes are either too long and time-consuming or even less peaceful. The medicinal herbs in this shipment are for emergency use in the south; we cannot afford any delays."

He smiled bitterly. "I have only traveled this route a few times, back when my elders were still with us. My grandfather was still alive then, and the agency had four Escort Guards with Dark Strength to hold the line. The momentum was so great that mountain bandits would avoid us the moment they saw our flag from afar. Now..."

He didn't continue, but Chen Jianghe understood.

The Su family's influence had waned; it was no longer what it once was.

"I shouldn't have dragged you into this muddy water." Su Derong suddenly looked at Chen Jianghe, his expression complex. "You have talent and a steady temperament. If you just keep practicing hard at the martial arts hall, it's only a matter of time before you break through to the Dark Strength realm. This escort business is a life of licking blood from a blade; who knows when..."

"Senior Brother." Chen Jianghe interrupted him, his voice calm. "Since I signed the contract, I am a member of the escort agency. I know the dangers of the road. But the meat, the medicinal powders, and your care at the martial arts hall—these favors were not received for nothing."

Su Derong was stunned, then smiled—a smile filled with both helplessness and relief.

He leaned back against the cargo crate and looked up at the rock wall. "Sometimes I really envy you. Your mind is pure; you just practice martial arts, get stronger, and protect your mother. And me? The title of Young Master of the Su family sounds glorious, but the burden is heavy. My family is weak now, and every step is like walking on thin ice. If this shipment succeeds, I can regain some face before the other families in the city, and business will be easier to conduct later. If it fails..."

He didn't finish the second half of the sentence, but Chen Jianghe understood.

In these chaotic times, an escort agency that has lost its prestige is not far from closing its doors.

"But then again," Su Derong suddenly sat up straight, that slightly teasing smile returning to his face, "I actually feel more at ease having you on this trip. You kid, you look quiet, but when you strike, you are both steady and ruthless."

Chen Jianghe: "..."

The campfire crackled.

"Right," Su Derong suddenly remembered something. "You have achieved Bright Strength and have mastered the Five Elements Fist. The next step is to accumulate blood and energy to break through the Dark Strength barrier. If we can return safely from this trip, I will find a way to get you some ingredients for 'Bone Tempering Soup'."

Chen Jianghe cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Senior Brother."

"Don't thank me yet." Su Derong waved his hand, his smile somewhat cunning. "There are conditions for these, you know. You'll have to perform a meritorious deed for me to justify it."

He paused and added seriously, "Though I still hope... it would be better if you didn't have to."

Su Derong yawned and patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder. "Go on, the wind is strong tonight. Remember, when keeping watch, listen to everything, but don't be paranoid. There are many wild beasts in these ridges; nine out of ten noises are just muntjacs or rabbits. If you really need to sound the alarm, make sure you see clearly before signaling."

"I understand."

Su Derong then walked over to an escort wagon, leaned against the wheel, and closed his eyes to rest; his breathing quickly became steady.

Chen Jianghe sat alone by the campfire.

The mountain wind grew fiercer, causing the flames to sway unsteadily. From the distance came the howl of an unknown beast, long and shrill, echoing through the valley and lingering for a long time.

Chen Jianghe slowly adjusted his breathing, calming both body and mind, which in turn made his senses even sharper.

The Hour of the Boar was approaching; it was time for Zhou Yong to take the watch.

Just as Chen Jianghe was about to stand up, his ears twitched slightly.

Mixed into the sound of the wind was a trace of an unusual noise.

It wasn't a beast stepping on dry branches, nor was it a night bird flapping its wings.

It was the rustling of clothing brushing against bushes—light, swift, and... coming from more than one place.

He whipped his head around, his eyes fixed on the deepest shadow to the left of the camp.

Almost simultaneously—

"Whoosh—!"

A sharp, piercing sound tore through the night sky!

A black-feathered arrow shot out from the woods, aimed directly at Zhou Yong, who was just about to stand up by the fire!

"Enemy attack—!" Chen Jianghe roared, his body lunging out like a leopard. He reached out his right hand and, at the very last split second, managed to catch the tail end of the arrow shaft!

The arrowhead was less than three inches from Zhou Yong's throat.

Zhou Yong broke out in a cold sweat, but his reaction was not slow; he rolled on the ground and drew the short blade at his waist. "Grab your weapons!"

The entire camp instantly erupted.

"Enemy attack—!" Zhao Tieshan's roar sounded like a thunderclap.

Almost the moment Chen Jianghe caught the first arrow, two short, sharp whistles sounded from the woods—

"Chirp! Chirp!"

The night owl cried, and the enemy arrived!

More than a dozen dark figures surged out from the darkness on all sides!

Every one of them was dressed in black and masked, wielding swords and blades. Their movements were swift and ruthless; they were clearly veterans.

The two leaders were particularly fast, covering over thirty paces in a few leaps, charging straight toward the direction of Su Derong!

"Dark Strength..." Chen Jianghe's pupils constricted.

When those two ran, their shoulders didn't sway and their waists didn't wobble; their power was contained rather than revealed. Yet, with every step they took, the dust on the ground rippled away—a sure sign of Dark Strength experts whose blood and qi were circulating, force permeating their entire bodies.

"Stop them!"

Zhao Tieshan roared hoarsely, brandishing his blade to meet the three men in black lunging from the left.

Zhou Yong and Wang Gui each led two Pathfinders, guarding the left and right flanks, as the flashes of blades and shadows of staves instantly tangled with the enemy.

The sounds of clashing steel, furious roars, and agonizing screams erupted all at once.

Chen Jianghe did not rush out recklessly.

He lowered his body, drawing his Butchery knife from his lower back with his right hand while quickly slipping on his Brass Knuckles with his left.

Clear the perimeter first.

His gaze locked onto three men in black to his front right who were attempting to bypass the wagon formation to strike directly at the horses in the rear.

Those three were clearly not as skilled as the leader, but they were well-coordinated: one wielded a blade for a frontal assault, while the other two flanked with short blades. Their moves were vicious, all of them desperate, life-or-death techniques.

Chen Jianghe moved.

No shouting, no warning.

He slid silently from the shadows behind the wagon like a gray blur skimming the ground, cutting into the trio's flank in an instant.

The blade-wielder reacted with lightning speed, turning at the sound of the wind, his blade sweeping horizontally!

Chen Jianghe neither blocked nor parried; he twisted his waist and hips abruptly, his body sliding past the blade like a swimming fish. His left palm slapped the side of the opponent's wrist in the process. The strike looked light, but it contained the intent of the Crushing Fist, the Bright Strength piercing through the bone!

"Snap!"

The crisp sound of a shattering wrist bone was drowned out by the sounds of battle.

The man groaned, his saber slipping from his hand.

Chen Jianghe's right hand shot out like a viper striking, the fist encased in Brass Knuckles slamming precisely three inches below the man's Adam's apple—the vulnerable point where the trachea and tendons intersected.

"Urgh..." The man in black's eyes bulged as he clutched his throat and collapsed.

A short blade from the left stabbed toward his back!

Chen Jianghe identified the position by the sound of the wind. With a tap of his toes, he spun sideways, dodging the tip of the blade. His right hand followed through with an upward slash of the Butchery knife, the blade cutting from bottom to top across the man's arm.

The sensation of the blade severing tendons was transmitted clearly.

The man's arm went limp, and the short blade fell to the ground. Chen Jianghe's left fist followed immediately, a Cannon Fist slamming into his chest!

"Bang!"

The sternum collapsed, and the figure flew backward.

The third man saw the situation was dire and turned to flee.

Chen Jianghe flicked his right hand, and a pouch of lime powder flew out, "smacking" against the back of the man's head.

The pouch burst, white dust filling the air.

The man instinctively turned his head, his eyes blinded instantly, and he clutched his face, screaming.

Chen Jianghe caught up in a flash, a flash of steel sinking into the side of his neck.

Three breaths, three lives taken.