CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: DEPARTURE (PART 2)

In the mountain, beyond the dense vegetation, enemies loomed, many holding long bows, sending a chill to the heart.

Numerous guards jumped off the carriage, picked up long sticks, and quickly attached spearheads, ready to fight at any moment.

"We are from Xinxiang, and have an agreement with your boss in the Green Mountain!" Cui Yuan shouted loudly.

"From Xinxiang? People from Jia Family Manor?" An ugly man, his face full of scars, came down from the mountain, warily saying, "Do you have a token?"

"Yes!" Cui Yuan nodded repeatedly, throwing up a small cloth bundle, its contents unknown.

The bandit checked it and threw it back.

"The usual rule, understood?"

"Understood, understood!"

Cui Yuan had someone bring out a heavy cloth bag from a cart, handing it over to the bandit.

"It’s a bit light, huh."

Upon hearing this, Cui Yuan’s expression turned slightly displeased, "Gentleman, we’ve always discussed this amount."

"Well, let me tell you, times are tough, prices have gone up!" The scarred man glared fiercely as if they might start a fight at any moment.

"Fine, give me a moment."

Cui Yuan suppressed his anger and had someone pass over another slightly smaller bag, only then did the bandits let them through.

After that, they didn’t encounter any more bandits, but the group proceeded cautiously, winding through a tortuous path.

"You can’t go through this wasteland; there are many five-step snakes underground. If bitten, you can only wait for death!"

"Though this river looks shallow, you also have to go around. Rumor has it there were water monkeys that pulled an entire convoy into the water, disappearing!"

"Look, the grass has turned red, there might be a swarm of killer butterflies, quickly go around!"

Cui Yuan, mounted on a horse, continually took out a yellow booklet to look at, guiding everyone on the path.

’A map, such a good thing.’ Lou Yi looked at that little book, his eyes burning.

Never mind how easily the convoy traveled, this route surely cost many lives to discover.

This world doesn’t have GPS, all mature routes must be explored at the cost of lives.

In places where people gather, like the towns, various dangers have already been cleared out, and those unsolvable are backed by the main city.

Outside these gathering places, all sorts of peculiar dangers exist; maps are the most important resource and must be updated from time to time.

Relying on experience and maps, the convoy arrived in Dafeng Town in the second night’s journey, safely delivering the goods to the contact.

Lou Yi originally thought they would encounter troubles, but none occurred.

On the way there, the atmosphere was solemn due to the goods.

On the way back, the pace was much faster, and everyone relaxed, chatting freely.

Some talked about the beautiful women in Xinxiang’s brothels, others about ghosts appearing somewhere, speaking convincingly.

Others discussed the power structure in Tai City, such as the official City Lord’s Mansion, the leading Xu Family, the honorable Su Family, the Fulin Escort Agency, the Heavy Sword Sect, and the exclusive mystical Inner Cultivation Techniques for martial artists.

"Martial artists can surpass ordinary people with force; it’s rumored they practice something called the Inner Cultivation Technique, unlike us amateurs!" said one of the guards mysteriously.

"What do you know! Inner Cultivation Technique, that’s called Breathing Technique!" the Tiger-Striped Man, Shi Zhan, rebutted disdainfully.

"It’s the same thing, just different names!" The earlier person flushed, defending himself.

"Then tell me, where’s the checkpoint that Breaking Through Martial Artists break through?" Shi Zhan pressed on relentlessly.

"Uh..." The person was immediately embarrassed.

Everyone saw this and laughed.

’If there’s a chance, I must go to the Tai City Main City to see the so-called Inner Cultivation Techniques, Breathing Techniques.’ Lou Yi resolved silently.

His life limit was too low, becoming a martial artist might break that constraint.

Just learning maneuvers clearly wouldn’t achieve his goal. Otherwise, with his proficient Axe Skill, he should have long increased his longevity.

Upon returning to the Jia Family Manor, the manor held a victory feast for the travelers, with good wine and meat served, allowing Lou Yi to enjoy the best meal since arriving in this world.

...

Tai City, Main City.

Qi Hu of the Qi Family, his face was mad, his fair skin flushed red, grabbing the clothes of the person in front of him, even lifting them up.

"What did you say, dare spread rumors again!"

His eyes were bloodshot, burning with rage, his whole face nearly distorted.

"Hu, Brother Hu... what I’m saying is true." The messenger was grief-stricken, "That big tiger, no one expected it would suddenly charge into your respected father’s home..."

"Ah!!!"

Qi Hu tossed the messenger to the ground, taking out the rough knife at his waist, hacking furiously at the nearby tree in a fit.

"Brother Qi, accept my condolences." An adjacent consoling voice made Qi Hu’s gaze calm considerably.

He turned to bow, "I implore Brother Qin to act, to avenge my father, for the people of Xinxiang!"

"Ah, not to mention it’s our duty as martial artists to eradicate spirits. Just for the friendship with your brother, I must make this trip." This person said.

"Brother Qin is near Breaking Through, with you taking action, that big tiger is doomed to die!" Qi Hu’s words, filled with hatred, carried a hint of joy.

...

Wangjiang County, Tai City, Xinxiang, Erhe Village.

The once prestigious, three-aligned Qi Family residence, its gates left open carelessly, in the courtyard a few randomly raised grave mounds, two or three crows perched atop them.

’Da da da!’

The sound of disorderly, urgent footsteps arrived, breaking the silence of the Qi Family, startling the birds away.

A tall and handsome man, wearing a black headscarf, a gray archer uniform, and a blade at his waist, was now looking grimly at everything before him, his eyes almost spitting fire.

It was Qi Hu, working at the Xinxiang Inspection Bureau.

Behind him stood many people, with varied expressions, all very quiet, not daring to disturb him.

"Dig it up for me!"

Qi Hu forced these words between his teeth.

"Do we really have to dig?" An elderly village head, Mr. Gao, stepped out from the crowd, looking distressed, persuading, "To do so would greatly disrespect the dead."

Ignoring Mr. Gao’s rambling, Qi Hu insisted on digging.

The laborers called over, each took a shovel, began to dig the graves.

Since the graves were hastily set, they weren’t deep.

Before long, a blood-stained straw mat appeared, along with the overwhelming stench.

"Sigh..." Mr. Gao couldn’t help but sigh.

Unexpectedly, Qi Hu turned sharply, glaring at him.

’Slap!’

The slap echoed, stunning everyone.

Mr. Gao incredulously covered his right cheek, "You, you hit me?"

"Old dog, haven’t my family given you enough benefits usually?" Qi Hu’s eyes were bloodshot, "You buried my father and them at home, but couldn’t even spare them a coffin!"

’A coffin costs several pieces of silver.’

Mr. Gao felt wronged and angry, but looking at Qi Hu’s menacing gaze, he didn’t dare to retort, just stood silently simmering.

Some Erhe Village villagers watching from outside exchanged glances, seeing the amusement in each other’s eyes.

...