Road Toll

Gu Sheng looked up.

At the head of the convoy was a middle-aged man dressed like an old farmer. Though the autumn wind carried a chill, he wore a brown short-sleeved outfit.

He smiled at Gu Sheng and the others, carrying an inexplicable air of friendliness that left Gu Erniu and the rest flattered. They hurriedly cupped their hands in greeting.

Beside him stood a youth in blue. The youth was finely dressed, with sharp features and a somewhat proud air. Looking closely, one could faintly see similarities between their eyes, noses, and mouths.

The youth wore no expression, merely speaking quietly with the middle-aged man.

Gu Sheng understood.

These were Gu Dajiang, one of Gu Family Village's three great experts, and his son, Gu Xiaojiang.

Neither of them spoke. They swung onto their horses and rode at the very front.

Next came a middle-aged steward in a green robe—Gu Renxu, the steward in charge of procurement. Gu Renxu smiled at Gu Sheng, and Gu Sheng returned it. They had met once some days ago through Gu He's introduction.

As Gu Renxu passed Gu Sheng, he said quietly:

"You can find a donkey cart to ride in later. It's dozens of li away—a long trip."

Gu Sheng quickly thanked him gratefully.

Ordinary people did not receive such treatment.

The convoy slowly set off, and the villagers joining them into the city immediately followed. Several sturdy, imposing young and middle-aged men guarded the convoy as well.

"This is my first time seeing so many martial artists..."

Gu Sheng's eyes flickered. Martial artists clearly carried a different aura from ordinary people—far more fierce and hardened.

He observed carefully and saw calluses around their knuckles. They likely specialized in fist techniques, and the exposed skin on their bodies seemed subtly different from that of ordinary people.

By now,

Gu Sheng was no longer completely ignorant of martial cultivation.

Skin Refining stage martial artists were divided into three stages.

Stone Skin, Iron Skin, and Jade Skin.

Gu Sheng did not yet know the exact distinctions, but he knew that once a Skin Refining stage martial artist entered the Stone Skin stage, their skin would become as tough as stone. Fists and kicks could scarcely injure them, and they could even withstand a blade or sword to some extent.

With so many martial artists accompanying them, the Gu Family Village villagers looked relaxed. Those who knew one another chatted softly, discussing what they would do once they reached the city.

Seeing Gu Sheng watching the martial artists, Gu Erniu smiled and patted his shoulder.

"When spring comes next year, A-Sheng, you can begin learning martial arts. Work hard, and strive to become a martial artist someday too!"

Gu Sheng smiled and nodded.

However, his attention was not entirely on the conversation. He studied the forests and mountains along the road, silently memorizing the features of every place. Perhaps he would need to enter the city alone in the future, so he naturally had to be more attentive now.

Although following the village procurement convoy into the city was safer, Gu Sheng did not particularly like the feeling of depending on others. He preferred to keep matters under his own control.

The convoy traveled farther and farther. Though they were taking the official road, they sometimes still had to pass through forests and cross mountains.

They traveled and stopped.

The official road had clearly gone without repairs for a long time and was difficult to traverse. At times, they even had to make detours. The martial artists had ample stamina, but the others still needed rest.

Suddenly,

The entire convoy stirred. Gu Sheng instinctively tensed, his sharp gaze turning ahead.

Then Gu Dajiang's hearty laughter rang out.

"I wonder which heroes lie ahead. We are a convoy from Gu Family Village. I am Gu Dajiang. Perhaps I have even shared drinks with your chief before."

The villagers' hearts tightened, and panic appeared on their faces. They had encountered bandits.

Even with martial artists accompanying them, they could not help feeling uneasy.

Gu Sheng fixed his gaze ahead and saw that the martial artists remained calm. Gu Renxu also seemed accustomed to this.

Sure enough,

As soon as Gu Dajiang finished speaking,

A commotion instead arose from the opposing forest. Clearly, Gu Dajiang's reputation was no small thing. A Blood Refining Realm expert was no common sight, and he was well known throughout this region.

"So it is Eastward River himself. Forgive our disrespect, forgive our disrespect. Yellow Mountain Stronghold will give you this courtesy. You may pass."

A voice came from the forest opposite them, followed by the rustling sounds of retreat.

Gu Dajiang laughed loudly.

"Many thanks to the heroes of Yellow Mountain Stronghold. When the opportunity arises, I shall treat you all to drinks!"

"Easy enough, easy enough."

The crisis was resolved, and the Gu Family Village villagers immediately looked invigorated, all filled with admiration for Gu Dajiang.

Gu Xiaojiang especially so.

Gu Sheng let out a breath of relief.

Gu Erniu's eyes were full of yearning. He nudged Gu Sheng with his elbow and whispered:

"See that? How impressive. He did not even need to make a move to scare the enemy off. That's what a real man is!"

Gu Sheng smiled, and he too felt a measure of longing.

Gu Dajiang's reputation and prestige had clearly not come from empty words. He had earned them through his own strength.

Power truly was intoxicating.

At that moment,

Gu Renxu had somehow come to Gu Sheng's side and said with a smile:

"Don't be nervous. Every time we enter the city to purchase supplies, we run into a few groups of outlaws like this. But ordinary forces generally won't provoke Gu Family Village. Even if we encounter a tough group, we can just pay some toll money. It is rare for things to end in a fight to the death."

"Besides, with Lord Gu Dajiang accompanying us, there won't be any problems."

He had made a round through the villagers and happened to reach Gu Sheng, so he could not help offering reassurance.

Gu He had praised Gu Sheng many times. Coupled with the fact that Gu Sheng's formidable archery had gradually become known throughout the village, Gu Renxu thought more highly of him as well.

Gu Sheng hurriedly nodded.

That made sense.

Outlaws were not fools. They became bandits to live carefree lives, not to throw their lives away. If they could make money without fighting, no one would want to risk life and death.

"Thank you for the reminder, Steward. Still, it's better to be cautious."

A slightly arrogant voice cut in.

"It's only an ordinary trip into the city. With my father accompanying us, nothing unexpected will happen, so just relax. Do you think the name Eastward River came from nowhere? I heard your archery is exceptional. Why are you so timid?"

Gu Sheng turned toward the voice.

He saw the blue-clad youth, about his own age, riding over on horseback and looking down on him with faint disdain.

Gu Xiaojiang said no more after that, instead turning to Gu Renxu.

"Uncle Renxu, my father asks you to go over."

With that, he turned his horse around and left.

Gu Renxu glanced at Gu Sheng. Seeing that his expression remained calm and unruffled, he inwardly praised him. An ordinary youth, if looked down upon like that, would surely argue until his face turned red, but Gu Sheng had lived two lives and naturally would not take it to heart.

"Just follow the convoy. If they hand out rations later, I'll bring two pieces over for you."

Ordinary people could only bring their own provisions, but Gu Renxu gave Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu extra consideration.

After Gu Renxu's adjustments, the convoy continued onward.

After that,

They encountered bandits blocking the road twice more. But just like before, once Gu Dajiang announced his identity, they wisely withdrew.

For ordinary bandit groups, having a few martial artists among them was already quite good.

Before a Blood Refining Realm martial artist, they could only admit defeat.

Very soon,

They had covered nearly half the journey.

The road had been peaceful all the way, making the villagers admire Gu Dajiang even more. In these chaotic times, he was like a guardian deity.

After traveling a little farther,

A hill shaped like a crouching wild bull appeared before them, rising slightly from the ground.

Gu Erniu whispered to Gu Sheng:

"Once we pass Mangniu Mountain ahead, there basically won't be any more bandit trouble."

Gu Sheng nodded.

However,

Just as Gu Erniu finished speaking, the distant forest suddenly shook. Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes and faintly sensed a bow aimed in their direction.

"Leave your money, or leave your lives!"

A rough voice sounded from the forest. A burly man carrying a spiked club on his shoulder strode out, followed by dozens of figures moving in his wake. They gave off an oddly disciplined, orderly feeling.

The other villagers showed no sign of nervousness.

But Gu Dajiang's expression changed. His heart turned wary as he cupped his hands and smiled.

"This hero is unfamiliar to me. I am Gu Dajiang of Gu Family Village. Could you give us some face and let us pass? Another day, I'll treat all you heroes to drinks."

Before he had finished speaking, bursts of mocking laughter came from the other side.

"What Gu Family Village? Who cares whether you're Gu Dajiang or Gu Xiaojiang? Never heard of either!"

"I'll say it one more time—leave the toll money!"

The burly man's eyes suddenly widened, and a bloodthirsty, baleful aura seemed to surge toward them.

These men had come with ill intent!