Bandits Run Rampant

The convoy immediately halted at a shouted command.

Several soldiers rode closer, and Geng Dabiao cupped his fists, asking, "Sir, has something happened?"

"Has the person we sent to scout returned yet?" Jiang Che scanned the Withered Wood Mountain Forest Path ahead with alert eyes.

The leader of the group counted heads and his gaze narrowed. He quickly replied, "Reporting, sir, they have not yet returned, and they are already overdue."

Jiang Che nodded, thinking, As expected.

Ever since they entered this area, he had felt something was off. Not even a bird or insect could be heard; it was too quiet. Nine times out of ten, there was an ambush here.

Coupled with the scout's failure to return on time, the situation was quite clear.

"Pass down the order: the convoy will slowly retreat. Maintain vigilance. Everyone, draw your swords, mount your horses, and string your arrows," Jiang Che commanded in a deep voice.

"Yes."

"Yes!"

"Commander Jiang, Madam sent me to ask if something has happened?" The old steward of Zhu Manor also stepped forward, cupping his hands and asking.

"Reporting to Madam, there might be an ambush here. We will retreat for now and resume our journey after the scout has clarified the situation," Jiang Che replied, his right hand already gripping the hilt of his saber.

"What!"

The old steward's pupils contracted, his face filled with shock. Without any time to say more to Jiang Che, he hurried off to report the matter.

But just as Jiang Che finished his report...

"Whoosh!"

Under the clear daylight, a single firework shot up from the withered woods ahead and exploded in the air.

"Not good! Everyone, use the convoy as a base and form a defensive formation!"

Jiang Che's gaze sharpened, and he immediately shouted.

The twenty well-trained veteran soldiers were the first to react, forming a defensive line in front of the convoy, ready to face the enemy.

Rumble rumble

The sound of horses' hooves quickly reached their ears. Turning to look, they saw dozens of riders charging from behind, cutting off the convoy's retreat. At the same time, dozens of figures appeared in the withered woods ahead, gradually closing in on the convoy.

There really is an ambush.

"Dabiao, proceed with caution."

Jiang Che narrowed his eyes and drew his long saber.

"Brother Che'er, I'll carve a path later. You take them and go first. If you survive, remember this favor and help me destroy the Geng Family," Geng Dabiao said, gripping a Nine-Ring Heavy Saber with both hands, his expression solemn.

"You can get your revenge yourself. Watch my signal later. If things go south, you and I will break out from the flank," Jiang Che flicked his finger, and the snow-white saber hummed.

Geng Dabiao was stunned. "But this... If we leave the Zhu family behind, Captain Zhu will blame us..."

Jiang Che grinned.

"They're dead. Do you think he'll be grateful then? Remember, survival is the most important thing."

This was Jiang Che's attitude.

He had barely managed to escape military service. How could he possibly risk his life to protect someone else's family?

He wasn't that foolish.

"I understand."

Geng Dabiao nodded, understanding Jiang Che's meaning.

"Mom, what... what do we do?"

On the carriage, Zhu Qingqing, who had lifted the curtain and was looking at the changing surroundings, had a pale face. She was terrified, her body trembling slightly. Her arrogance and high-handedness were directed at the tenant farmers and servants on the estate.

But in front of these desperadoes, she had no courage.

Madam Zhu was a little calmer than Zhu Qingqing. She held her hand and said, "Don't panic, don't panic. Your father is a Captain in the Wind Camp. He has some reputation in the area, perhaps they won't dare to act. If... if it really gets dangerous, stick close to Jiang Che and try to survive first."

"Then... what about you?"

"We'll have to leave it to fate."

Madam Zhu suppressed the fear in her heart and whispered.

Nearly a hundred people in total surrounded the entire convoy, but the attackers didn't rush to act. The cavalry circled around, while the figures in front gradually approached.

"May I ask which mountain you brothers are from? Can you report your names?"

When everyone was at a loss, Jiang Che was their backbone. He sat on his horse, staring intently at the group ahead, and shouted.

"Crouching Tiger Mountain, Song Ji."

After a commotion on the opposite side, a man clad in tiger skin cotton armor slowly walked forward. He looked ordinary, but his physique was incredibly robust, matching Geng Dabiao's nearly 1.9-meter height.

He was unarmed, his eyes seeming capable of devouring people.

"Does Boss Song know whose caravan this is?" Jiang Che asked, cupping his fists.

"Even if the King of Hell himself passed through here today, he'd have to leave something behind," Song Ji replied dismissively, showing no deference even to Jiang Che, who, clad in cloth armor, was clearly from the military.

"I am Jiang Che, acting under the orders of Captain Zhu Sheng of the Tai'an Prefecture Army's Wind Camp. I am escorting some items to Yanggu County. Could Boss Song give Captain Zhu some face?"

In truth, Jiang Che had already guessed that the enemy was targeting them, having been ambushed from both sides. He was engaging them here to stall for time and to scout the surroundings, looking for the easiest direction for a strategic solo retreat.

"As I said before, even the King of Hell cannot pass. However, my Crouching Tiger Mountain has always upheld martial ethics. If you are willing to hand over one-third of the caravan's goods, we can spare your lives." Song Ji shouted loudly.

Meanwhile, Zhu Qingqing had changed into men's clothing and quietly approached Jiang Che, whispering, "Brother Jiang, my mother says we can give them the goods, as long as we're safe."

"What do you know? If we lower our defenses and lose the caravan as our support, everyone will die," Jiang Che rebuked her without any gentleness. He was already preparing to flee and no longer cared that Zhu Qingqing was Zhu Sheng's daughter.

"I'll listen to you. If there's danger later, can you help me break out with you?" Zhu Qingqing lowered her head, her face flushing red. It was difficult for her to accept that she had called him "Deputy Commander Jiang" just moments ago, but now, facing danger, she was calling him "Brother Jiang."

"Of course, Miss Zhu," Jiang Che replied with a fake smile, a grin spreading across his lips. He was just looking for a human shield and hadn't expected one to be delivered right to him. And what's more, she would thank him for it.

"Thank you." As expected, Zhu Qingqing immediately thanked him with great excitement. Then, she stood silently by the horses, obediently.

"Does Boss Song truly not give Captain Zhu any face?"

"So much nonsense. Hand over the goods and get lost," Song Ji snapped impatiently, his fierce gaze fixed on Jiang Che, ready to give the order to attack at any moment.

Jiang Che's guess was correct. The group, relying on the caravan and with twenty soldiers forming a hedgehog-like formation, made it difficult for Song Ji to attack. To minimize casualties, he had previously told them to abandon their formation and surrender the caravan.

"Surrendering the caravan is absolutely impossible. If Boss Song wants the goods, he can come and take them. I, Jiang, am not afraid!" With Jiang Che's order, the already vigilant twenty soldiers assumed a ready stance.

"You're seeking death!"