The sun stood high overhead, and the noon heat scorched the south of Great Jin.
The outskirts of the Taihua Sect's territory were sparsely traveled to begin with. Once the convoy entered the mountain road, they scarcely encountered another soul.
The prisoners were chained together in groups of ten. Those with some Martial Warrior cultivation also had to wear leg irons.
A convoy guard from the Vigorous Martial Gate hauled a filthy, scrawny man upright. "Get up! Keep moving! Stop dragging your feet!"
A tall man beside him rammed his shoulder into the guard, sending him stumbling. "Lackey! What are you strutting around for? Can't you see this man's soles are worn bloody? We're going to our deaths, not into a bridal chamber! You're still young-commit fewer sins, or beware of retribution in this very life!"
The guard flushed and raised the scabbard in his hand...
"Stop! Brother... let me take a look. Don't hit him!"
The guard turned to see Lü Bufan striding over with the heavy sword on his back...
"Young Attendant Lü! These fellows keep dragging their feet and refusing to walk..."
Lü Bufan patted the guard's arm. "It's all right. Unchain him and let me take a look... go on ahead with the convoy! There's no harm in letting him rest. Attendant Liu and I will watch them from the rear."
"Yes! Young Attendant Lü, please be careful... these fellows are full of resentment..."
"It's fine, it's fine..."
Lü Bufan examined the listless man on the ground. Both his soles were bloody, and he was drenched in sweat, panting heavily, his face waxen yellow.
"How are you feeling? Can you still walk?"
"Piss off... kill me!"
Lü Bufan fell silent for a moment. "You know, we're only earning money to stay alive too. Surviving these troubled