Chapter Forty: Ambushed

On the western side of the small forest, a winding path was nearing its end.

Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop...

A gnu-drawn carriage and several horses moved slowly along—this was precisely Lu Han and his companions.

For over half a month, their journey had been relatively peaceful. They had encountered a few reckless bandits and fought several battles, and gradually, the others began to look at Lu Han with newfound respect. Previously, they had thought that although Lu Han was highly gifted, his youth left him inexperienced. Yet when Lu Han took action, he showed no mercy; Chen Jun had praised him non-stop throughout the journey.

Even the usually reserved Steward Wei stroked his beard and nodded in approval.

“Brother Lu Han, you must have reached the Eighth Layer of Acquired Strength already, right? Your talent is probably even better than Cao Dong’s,” said Niu Gao, patting Lu Han on the shoulder.

Niu Gao was a straightforward man who spoke his mind. Normally, Cao Dong was quite arrogant and often gave Niu Gao a hard time.

Half a year earlier, Cao Dong had been pursued by enemies. They had saved him, and for reasons unknown, Cao Dong had since joined their small team.

“Heh, if Brother Chen hadn’t stopped me, I’d have challenged you to a sparring match by now,” Niu Gao said, rubbing his hands together. Yet, glancing at Chen Jun, he instinctively shrank back.

Niu Gao feared nothing and no one—except for Chen Jun.

Cao Dong rode behind, watching their conversation with clenched fists. Indeed, Lu Han’s strength was beginning to pressure even him.

“Up ahead is Wind Sound Valley. Once we cross it, we’ll soon reach Tianlan City,” announced Steward Wei, consulting a map.

Everyone’s spirits lifted. For more than half a month they had hurried along, surviving on dry rations, but finally, the end was in sight.

“Damn, when we get there, I’ll drink ten catties of wine in one go. I’ve been holding back for days,” Niu Gao exclaimed with excitement.

According to Chen Jun, Niu Gao had few hobbies besides drinking. However, his bad temper and penchant for brawling often got him into trouble. Fortunately, Chen Jun was a righteous man and well-liked, so he still enjoyed some respect in Half-Moon City.

“Niu Gao, don’t overdo it in Tianlan City. This isn’t Half-Moon City—I won’t be able to help you if you get into trouble,” Chen Jun said, rubbing his forehead. Niu Gao truly was a handful.

As they spoke, they began to enter Wind Sound Valley.

Whooo—

Wind Sound Valley was perpetually battered by strong winds, leaving it barren of vegetation and flanked by sheer rock walls.

The wind swept yellow sand everywhere.

At that moment, within the azure ring, Old Man Ling sat cross-legged, holding a new scroll. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

Recently, Old Man Ling had been studying the scroll Lu Han had given him, which contained Lu Han’s insights into the Tenfold Nether Crow Finger, along with the visions he’d experienced at the Half-Moon Inn. Old Man Ling felt that he had benefited greatly. Whether it was his imagination or not, he sensed that his soul power had grown much stronger.

“Kid Han, it seems trouble is coming,” Old Man Ling was about to warn him.

“I can’t protect this boy forever. A fledgling eagle must one day face the sky alone to fly higher and further,” Old Man Ling muttered.

Each time Lu Han faced danger, Old Man Ling had intervened. But if this continued, it would only harm Lu Han in the long run.

“Unless it’s a mortal crisis or an overwhelming disparity in power, I should let him handle things himself. Only this way can he grow faster. Who knows how much longer I can maintain my current state?” Old Man Ling spread his hands helplessly.

Lu Han, for reasons he couldn’t explain, sensed they were being followed, but every time he looked back, he saw nothing.

Since cultivating the Tenfold Nether Crow Finger, Lu Han felt his perception had sharpened considerably.

“Brother Chen, if someone’s lying in ambush here, wouldn’t we have no way to retreat?” Lu Han asked Chen Jun beside him.

With sheer cliffs on both sides, if enemies attacked from front and rear, there would be nowhere to run.

“That’s unlikely, don’t you think? If the City Lord’s Mansion in Half-Moon City wanted to make a move, they would have done so long ago, not waited until now,” Chen Jun replied, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

“I hope it’s just my imagination,” Lu Han said, somewhat uneasy.

Just then, ten figures appeared ahead in the road.

All ten wore black cloaks, gripping long sabers, their faces expressionless.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Another ten men appeared behind them. Lu Han managed a wry smile—what one fears most often comes.

Steward Wei’s brow furrowed. He stepped down from the carriage and approached the ten men, cupping his fists. “I know it’s not easy making a living out here, brothers. Here are five thousand gold coins—take them and have some tea.”

He produced a pouch.

“Old man, are you heading to the Meng family?” the leader asked coldly.

Steward Wei’s expression changed. This wasn’t a simple robbery.

His small gesture had not escaped the man’s notice.

“Don’t be afraid—we mean no harm. We simply wish to invite the young lady in your carriage to stay at the City Lord’s Mansion in Tianlan City for a few days,” the man said, forcing a smile that, perhaps from disuse, looked stiff and unnatural.

“My young lady has no ties with your City Lord’s Mansion, as far as I know,” Steward Wei replied, eyes narrowed.

These men were clearly not to be bribed so easily.

“So, you’re not willing to cooperate?” the leader’s expression turned grim.

“Judging by your attire, you’re probably mercenaries. We are men of the Tianlan City Lord’s Mansion. Be sensible and leave at once.”

Clang!

The leader unsheathed his saber and pointed it at Chen Jun, Lu Han, and their three companions.

Chen Jun glanced around. These were all elite fighters—each at the Eighth Layer of Acquired Strength, while the leader had reached the Ninth Layer. They had no chance of victory.

He turned to Lu Han and the others.

“You four go on ahead. I’ll stay here. I, Chen Jun, have lived an upright life. Since I accepted this commission, I will not turn tail and run at the first sign of trouble. I have always lived with a clear conscience!” he declared.

“Brother Chen, I can’t count how many times you’ve saved me before. Usually, I do as you say—but today, if you ask me to flee, I simply can’t. At worst, we die together!” Niu Gao’s booming voice rang out.

Hong Banmei simply looked at Chen Jun, saying nothing—her meaning was clear enough.

“Brother Lu Han, you should go. You’re still young—I don’t want to drag you down!” Chen Jun said with a bitter smile.

Lu Han was about to speak when—

“If you want to die, don’t drag me with you! Twenty men at the Eighth Layer—this is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!” Cao Dong shouted, cutting Lu Han off.

“Hong, come with me.” With that, Cao Dong reached for Hong Banmei.

She sidestepped him coldly. “Cao Dong, go if you want. Wherever Brother Jun goes, I go.”

Her gentle gaze rested on Chen Jun.

All the while, the leader’s gaze remained fixed on Lu Han’s group.

“Idiots! I want you to turn on each other and split up. If you all stick together, especially with a Ninth Layer among you, my men will be wounded if you fight desperately. Do you think I’ll let you go warn others? Once you’re divided, I’ll pick you off one by one.”

“I may not be a hero, but I have my own principles. Since I’ve accepted payment, I’m not about to run like some people,” Lu Han said calmly.

In truth, there was another reason—he’d just overheard mention of the Meng family. There was only one Meng family in Tianlan City, so he could not walk away.

Steward Wei watched the exchange, sweating with fear.

If the group really split, he and Qi Lingxuan would be left to die.

Just then, Qi Lingxuan stepped down from the carriage.

“What grudge do you have with the Meng family?” she asked. Qi Lingxuan was a clever woman, and from what she’d observed, it was clear that her journey to the Meng family was the reason they wanted to “invite” her to the City Lord’s Mansion.