At a shouted command, the convoy swiftly came to a halt.
Several soldiers rode closer, and Geng Dabiao cupped his fists and asked:
"My lord, has something happened?"
"Has the scout we sent out returned yet?" Jiang Che's wary gaze swept across the Withered Wood Mountain Forest Path ahead.
The man leading the group counted everyone around him. His expression changed, and he hurriedly replied:
"Reporting to you, my lord, he has not returned, and he is already overdue."
Jiang Che nodded, silently thinking that it was just as he had expected.
Ever since entering this area, he had sensed something unusual. Not even the cries of birds and beasts or the chirping of insects could be heard. It was far too quiet; there was a ninety percent chance that someone was lying in ambush here.
Coupled with the scout's failure to return on time, their situation was already obvious.
"Pass down the order. The convoy will slowly withdraw. Stay alert. All blades out of their sheaths, everyone mount up, arrows nocked." Jiang Che gave the command in a grave voice.
"Yes."
"Yes!"
"Commander Jiang, Madam sent me to ask whether something has happened." The old steward of Zhu Manor also stepped forward and cupped his fists.
"Please tell Madam that there may be an ambush here. We will withdraw for now and continue after the scouts have clarified the situation." Jiang Che replied, his right hand already gripping the hilt of the saber on his saddle.
"What?!"
The old steward's pupils contracted, his face filled with shock. He had no time to say anything more to Jiang Che and hurried off at a trot to report the matter.
But just as Jiang Che finished speaking—
Whoosh!
In broad daylight, a firework shot up from the withered forest ahead and exploded in the sky.
"Not good! Everyone, use the convoy as our foundation and form up against the enemy!"
Jiang Che's eyes narrowed as he immediately shouted.
The twenty battle-hardened, well-trained veteran soldiers were the first to react, gathering around the front of the convoy and standing ready for battle.
Rumble, rumble!
A burst of hoofbeats rapidly reached their ears. Turning around, they saw several dozen riders charging in from behind, cutting off the convoy's retreat. At the same time, several dozen figures emerged from the Withered Wood Mountain forest ahead and gradually closed in on the convoy.
There really was an ambush.
"Dabiao, be careful."
Jiang Che narrowed his eyes and drew his saber.
"Brother Che, later I'll carve out a path. You take them and leave first. If you survive, remember this favor and help me wipe out the Geng family." Geng Dabiao gripped a Nine-Ring Heavy Saber with both hands, his expression solemn.
"Take revenge for yourself. Watch my signal later. If things become impossible, you and I will carve a path out from the side." Jiang Che flicked a finger against the snowy-white blade, making it hum.
Geng Dabiao froze. "But... if we leave the Zhu family here, and Captain Zhu blames us..."
Jiang Che grinned.
"If they die, do you think he'll be overwhelmed with gratitude? Remember, staying alive is what matters most."
That was Jiang Che's attitude.
He had only just escaped military service with great difficulty. How could he truly risk his life guarding someone else's family?
He was not that foolish.
"I understand."
Geng Dabiao nodded, understanding Jiang Che's meaning.
"Mother, wh-what do we do?"
Inside the carriage, Zhu Qingqing lifted the curtain and watched the situation around them change. Her face had gone pale, and she was badly frightened, her body trembling slightly. She could be arrogant and overbearing when facing tenant farmers and servants at the estate.
But before desperate outlaws like these, she did not have the courage.
Madam Zhu was somewhat calmer than Zhu Qingqing. She grasped her daughter's hand.
"Don't panic, don't panic. Your father is a captain of Wind Camp. He has a bit of a reputation around these parts. Perhaps they will not dare to make a move. If... if it truly comes to a dangerous moment...
"Stay close to Jiang Che. Survive first, then worry about the rest."
"Th-then what about you?"
"Leave it to fate."
Madam Zhu suppressed the fear in her heart and spoke softly.
Nearly a hundred people in total had surrounded the entire convoy, but they did not rush to attack. The cavalry circled around them, while those ahead gradually drew closer.
"May I ask which mountain stronghold you brothers belong to? Could you perhaps give your name?"
While everyone else was at their wits' end, Jiang Che became their pillar. Sitting atop his horse, he stared at the group ahead and called out.
"Crouching Tiger Mountain. Song Ji."
After a brief commotion among the opposing side, a man wearing Tiger Skin Cotton Armor slowly stepped forward. His appearance was ordinary, but his body was exceptionally brawny, not much smaller than the six-foot-three Geng Dabiao.
Barehanded, his eyes looked as though they could devour people.
"Does Chief Song know whose convoy this is?"
Jiang Che cupped his fists.
"Even if the Heavenly King himself passed through here today, he would still have to leave something behind."
Song Ji gave no face at all. Even seeing Jiang Che's cloth armor and recognizing at a glance that he came from the military made no difference.
"My name is Jiang Che. By the order of Captain Zhu Sheng of Wind Camp in Tai'an Prefecture, I am escorting some goods to Yanggu County. Could Chief Song give Captain Zhu some small measure of face?"
In truth, after being attacked from both front and rear, Jiang Che had already guessed that they were the target. The reason he was negotiating with them now was, first, to stall for time, and second, to observe the surroundings and find the direction best suited for a strategic solo retreat.
"I already said it: not even the Heavenly King himself gets an exception. But Crouching Tiger Mountain has always valued the code of the martial world. As long as you hand over one-third of the convoy's goods, we can spare your lives."
Song Ji shouted loudly.
On the other side, Zhu Qingqing had already changed into a set of men's clothes and quietly edged closer to Jiang Che. In a low voice, she said:
"B-Brother Jiang, my mother said we can give them the goods, as long as we are safe."
"What do you know? The moment we abandon our defenses and lose the convoy as our support, everyone will die." Jiang Che rebuked her without sparing her any face.
He was already preparing to flee. Even though Zhu Qingqing was Zhu Sheng's daughter, he no longer cared.
"I'll... I'll listen to you. If there's danger later, can you take me with you when you break out?" Zhu Qingqing lowered her head, her face flushing crimson with embarrassment.
Before, she had called him Deputy Commander Jiang at every turn. Now that danger had come, he had become Brother Jiang. It was difficult for her to accept as well.
"Of course, Miss Zhu."
Jiang Che gave a smile that did not reach his eyes.
He had been worrying about where to find a human shield to block arrows. He had not expected one to deliver herself right to his door.
And she would even have to thank him for it.
"Thank you."
Sure enough, Zhu Qingqing immediately thanked him with great excitement.
After that, she said nothing more and obediently stood beside the horse.
"Chief Song truly will not give Captain Zhu this courtesy?"
"Enough nonsense. Hand over the goods and get lost." Song Ji barked impatiently, though his vicious eyes remained fixed on Jiang Che, ready to give the command to attack at any moment.
Jiang Che had guessed correctly. With the group relying on the convoy and the twenty soldiers formed up like a hedgehog covered in spines, Song Ji found it difficult to strike. To reduce casualties, he had demanded that they break formation and surrender the convoy.
"Handing over the convoy is absolutely impossible. If Chief Song wants the goods, come and take them. Jiang fears no one!"
At Jiang Che's command, the twenty soldiers, already on guard, all assumed stances ready to unleash their strength.
"Courting death!"