Hearing the absurdly comical cries for mercy from the bandits, Zhang Xiaohua broke out in a cold sweat. He unconsciously stroked his chin and laughed. "Gentlemen, if you're going to beg for mercy, at least make up a reason with a little sincerity. A four-year-old mother and a seventy-two-year-old child—I've truly never heard that one before!"
Everyone suddenly understood. Wearing strange expressions, they dropped to their knees and stole glances at Zhang Xiaohua, trying to read his mood.
Chief Escort Yuan dismounted, strode quickly to Zhang Xiaohua, and cupped his hands. "This hero... thank you for your help!"
"Hm, Chief Escort Yuan. Hehe, after not seeing you for several years, you've actually become a Chief Escort?" Chief Escort Yuan froze. Looking up, he cried out in surprise, "Zhang..."
But he immediately shook his head and said sincerely, "Although this hero looks remarkably like an old acquaintance of mine, I... still don't dare acknowledge you."
Zhang Xiaohua waved a hand. "Let's not discuss that yet. Yuan Changqing, deal with these highwaymen first. I know the rules of your escort agency and have no intention of breaking them, but since he already boasted so grandly, let them suffer a setback."
"Ah? You... really are..." Yuan Changqing stared in shock, about to call out his name.
Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly waved again. Taking care of a few mountain bandits only because he had heard them say that Zhang Xiaohu's Misty Sect was inferior to the Righteous Path Alliance was already beneath the dignity of an Immortal Path Qi Practitioner. If word got out, it would draw ridicule for no reason at all. There was truly nothing to be proud of.
"Oh, right. More than ten li behind us, there are three more carriages. Send someone to bring them over."
"Yes, I'll dispatch men at