"Simply put, a black flag meant be alert, keep quiet, and halt the carts. A white flag meant we could proceed, but still relax only slightly."
Zhang Xiaohua nodded. "Mm, I understand. It seemed much like escorting shipments through the martial world, right? By the way, were there Outer Gate disciples scouting the path ahead as well?"
Lu Chaoxian smiled. "Exactly. Otherwise, how would the senior brother leading our Pill-Refining Hall know what dangers lay ahead?"
As they spoke, Lu Lihong, who was riding ahead of them, seemed to hear their conversation. He slowed his horse slightly and, once Zhang Xiaohua drew near, said in a low voice, "Junior Brother Ren, do not speak. This is the territory of a herd of Jiang Zhu. If we alarm them, it will be quite troublesome."
"Jiang Zhu?" Zhang Xiaohua was greatly surprised. He asked softly, "What kind of beast is that? Why have I never heard of it?"
Lu Lihong frowned faintly. "Junior Brother Ren, curb your curiosity for now. Once we have gone farther from them, I will answer you."
After saying that, he vigilantly scanned the surroundings before continuing onward.
Since Lu Lihong had come over to warn him, Zhang Xiaohua did not ask any more questions. He drew back into the cart and was about to resume his cultivation when the leading flag ahead rose again and waved three times as before. The convoy halted. After a moment, the black flag began waving rapidly once more. The Outer Gate disciples guarding the convoy all leaped from their horses, used their lightness skills to move some thirty feet outward, raised their swords before them, and watched the surroundings with tense expressions.
Seeing Lu Chaoxian's face turn somewhat pale, Zhang Xiaohua could no longer sit still in the cart. He slowly