Toll Money

Gu Sheng looked up.

Leading the convoy was a middle-aged man dressed as an old farmer. Despite the cool autumn breeze, he wore a brown, short-sleeved tunic.

He smiled at Gu Sheng and the others, exuding an inexplicable warmth that made Gu Erniu and the rest feel honored, and they repeatedly bowed.

Beside him was a young man in blue. The youth was dressed exceptionally well, with sharp features and a hint of arrogance. A slight resemblance could be discerned between their mouths and noses.

The young man remained expressionless, speaking quietly to the middle-aged man.

Gu Sheng knew.

This was Gu Dajiang, one of the three top experts of Gu Family Village, and his son, Gu Xiaojiang.

Neither of them spoke. They mounted their horses and rode at the front.

Following them was a middle-aged steward in a blue tunic, Gu Renxu, who was in charge of procurement. Gu Renxu smiled at Gu Sheng, and Gu Sheng returned the smile. They had met a few days prior through Gu He's introduction.

As Gu Renxu passed Gu Sheng, he said in a low voice:

"You can find a donkey cart to ride later. It's dozens of miles, quite far."

Gu Sheng quickly expressed his gratitude.

Not everyone received such treatment.

The convoy slowly moved forward. The villagers who were to accompany them into the city immediately fell in line. Several strong, imposing young men also escorted the convoy.

"This is the first time I've seen so many martial artists..."

Gu Sheng's eyes gleamed. The martial artists' demeanor was clearly different from ordinary people; they were much more rugged.

He observed carefully and noticed calluses on the knuckles of these individuals, suggesting they were skilled in fist techniques. Their exposed skin subtly differed from that of ordinary people.

As of now.

Gu Sheng was no longer ignorant of the Martial Way.

The Skin Refining stage martial artists were divided into three phases:

Stone Skin, Iron Skin, and Jade Skin.

Gu Sheng didn't yet know the specific criteria for these divisions, but he knew that even reaching the introductory Stone Skin stage of Skin Refining made one's skin and membranes as tough as stone, making them resistant to punches and kicks. They could even withstand the impact of swords and blades to some extent.

With so many martial artists accompanying them, the villagers of Gu Family Village appeared relaxed. Those who knew each other chatted quietly, discussing what they would do once they reached the city.

Gu Erniu saw Gu Sheng watching the martial artists and couldn't help but smile as he patted Gu Sheng's shoulder.

"When spring comes next year, Ah Sheng, you can start practicing martial arts. Work hard, and strive to become a martial artist yourself one day!"

Gu Sheng smiled and nodded.

However, his mind wasn't entirely on their conversation. He was observing the surrounding mountains and forests, silently memorizing landmarks. He might need to travel to the city alone in the future, so he had to pay attention now.

Although traveling with the village's procurement team was safer, Gu Sheng disliked the feeling of depending on others. He preferred to have things under his own control.

The convoy moved further and further away. Although they were on the official road, they sometimes had to cut through forests and mountains.

They moved intermittently.

The official road clearly hadn't been maintained for a long time and was difficult to travel. Sometimes they even had to detour. The martial artists had abundant stamina, but the others needed to rest.

Suddenly.

The entire convoy became agitated. Gu Sheng's senses instinctively tensed, and his eyes sharply focused ahead.

Then, Gu Dajiang's hearty laughter rang out.

"I wonder which heroes are ahead. We are the convoy from Gu Family Village. I am Gu Dajiang. Perhaps I've even shared a drink with your leader."

The villagers' hearts tightened, and their expressions showed a hint of panic. They had encountered bandits.

Even with martial artists escorting them, they couldn't help but feel flustered.

Gu Sheng looked intently and saw that the martial artists were all composed. Gu Renxu's expression seemed accustomed to such situations.

Indeed.

As Gu Dajiang finished speaking.

A commotion came from the other side, clearly indicating that Gu Dajiang's reputation was significant. A Blood Refining Realm expert was not a common sight; he was well-known in the area.

"So it's 'Eastward River' himself. We show you respect. We from Yellow Mountain Stronghold will give you face. You may pass."

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

Gu Dajiang laughed heartily.

"Thank you, good sirs of Yellow Mountain Stronghold! If there's an opportunity, I'll invite you for drinks!"

"You're welcome."

As the crisis was averted, the villagers of Gu Family Village were immediately invigorated, filled with admiration for Gu Dajiang.

Gu Xiaojiang, in particular, felt this way.

Gu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Erniu's eyes were full of longing. He nudged Gu Sheng with his elbow and whispered, "See how impressive he is? He doesn't even need to lift a finger to scare off enemies. That's a real man!"

Gu Sheng chuckled, a hint of admiration in his heart.

Gu Dajiang's reputation and prestige clearly weren't just talk; they were earned through his own strength.

Strength was indeed captivating.

At this moment.

Gu Renxu walked up to Gu Sheng, seemingly out of nowhere, and said with a smile:

"No need to be nervous. Every time we go into the city for supplies, we run into a few of these mountain bandits. But generally, no faction dares to mess with Gu Family Village. Even if we encounter a tough one, we just pay a toll. It rarely escalates to a fight to the death."

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

He surveyed the villagers and happened to stop by Gu Sheng, offering words of comfort.

Gu He had always spoken highly of Gu Sheng, and with Gu Sheng's growing reputation for archery within the village, Gu Renxu also held him in higher regard.

Gu Sheng nodded quickly.

That made sense.

The bandits weren't fools. They turned to banditry to live a carefree life, not to die. If they could make money without fighting, who would want to risk their lives?

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

A slightly arrogant voice interjected:

"It's just a normal trip to the city. With my father accompanying us, there won't be any accidents. You can rest assured. Do you think the title 'Eastward River' came from nowhere? I heard your archery is excellent, why are you so timid?"

Gu Sheng followed the voice and saw a blue-clothed youth, about his age, riding towards him. The youth looked at him with a hint of disdain.

Gu Xiaojiang said his piece and then turned to Gu Renxu:

"Uncle Renxu, my father wants to see you."

With that, he turned his horse and left.

Gu Renxu glanced at Gu Sheng, seeing his calm and unruffled expression, and couldn't help but praise him internally. Any ordinary youth would have argued back heatedly when looked down upon, but Gu Sheng, having lived two lives, naturally didn't take it to heart.

"You two follow the caravan. If rations are distributed later, I'll bring you an extra portion."

Normally, people had to prepare their own food, but Gu Renxu made an exception for Gu Sheng and the other person.

With Gu Renxu's arrangements, the caravan continued its journey.

Next.

They encountered two more groups of bandits blocking the road. However, just like the first encounter, they retreated obediently after Gu Dajiang announced his name.

Most bandit groups were lucky to have a few martial artists.

In front of a Blood Refining Realm martial artist, they had no choice but to yield.

Soon.

They had covered nearly half the journey.

The trip had been uneventful, further increasing the villagers' reverence for Gu Dajiang. In these chaotic times, he was like a guardian angel.

After traveling a bit further.

A hill resembling a coiled wild ox appeared before them, slightly elevated.

Gu Erniu whispered to Gu Sheng:

"Once we pass this Mangniu Mountain, there won't be many more bandit troubles."

Gu Sheng nodded.

However.

As soon as Gu Erniu finished speaking, the distant mountain forest began to shake. Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes, faintly sensing bows aimed in their direction.

"Leave your money, or leave your lives!"

A rough voice echoed from the forest. A burly man, carrying a wolf-tooth club on his shoulder, strode out. Behind him, dozens of figures followed closely, exhibiting a sense of disciplined order that was almost unnerving.

The other villagers remained unfazed.

But Gu Dajiang's expression changed, and he felt a slight chill. He cupped his hands and said with a smile:

"I don't seem to recognize this hero. I am Gu Dajiang from Gu Family Village. Could you do us a favor and let us pass? I'll treat you all to drinks another day."

Before he could finish, laughter erupted from the other side.

"What the hell is Gu Family Village? I don't care if you're Gu Dajiang or Gu Xiaojiang, never heard of you!"

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

The burly man's eyes widened, and a palpable aura of bloody menace surged forth.

These guys meant business!