In his breakneck gallop, Liu Tang’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

Not far ahead, a figure leaped from the dense forest.

His long saber trembled, but upon recognizing the figure, his heart eased, a trace of warmth flickering in his eyes.

Xiangzi, looking weary, flashed a warm smile at the slowing Liu Tang.

The commotion at the barricade had reached Xiangzi’s ears.

He’d seen Liu Tang charge in, and that single slash shattering the horned barricade dispelled the last of Xiangzi’s doubts, prompting him to reveal himself.

It wasn’t that he distrusted Liu Tang.

But in this death trap, aside from Uncle Jie, Xiangzi trusted no one.

Liu Tang’s relief at seeing Xiangzi vanished when he saw his blood-soaked state, his heart sinking again.

With a press on the saddle, Liu Tang dismounted.

The big black horse staggered, foaming at the mouth, collapsing lifelessly.

Liu Tang crouched, soothing his companion of years, a towering rage rising within.

“Xiangzi, your condition?”

“I’m fine. Just killed a ninth-grade martial artist.”

A ninth-grade martial artist?

Liu Tang froze, eyeing the blood-drenched Xiangzi, patting his shoulder. “Alive’s what matters. Uncle Jie and the others?”

Xiangzi’s face was pale as paper, shaking his head. “Don’t know. Was heading to find them when I saw you coming, Master Tang.”

Liu Tang nodded gravely, his saber quivering as he studied Xiangzi’s bloodied face. “How’s that wound?”

Xiangzi grinned. “No issue. Got enough in me to kill a few more.”

Sensing Xiangzi’s calm resolve, Liu Tang’s heart steadied.

Their figures vanished into the forest once more.

Outside the Li Family mining camp, a silk-robed fat man trembled with rage.

Li Gui was furious—beyond furious.

Such a meticulous plan, ruined!

A guard had just reported—Harmony Rickshaw Yard’s big guy escaped!

Useless, all of them useless!

Liang Hua was the worst!

Li Gui’s fat face flushed purple. He vividly recalled Liang Hua boasting days ago, claiming he could handle that big fool with one hand!

Li Gui, uneasy, had told him to bring extra guards.

Yet a ninth-grade martial artist fell to that fool’s trick?

One hand?

That useless Liang Hua!

And Ma Liu’s crew—useless too!

A coordinated ambush with yard guards, and they let a puller slip away?

Did that kid grow three heads and six arms?

Li Gui glanced at the tightly shut camp gate, recalling last night’s talk with a certain noble, a shiver running through him—

If this failed, his life was done!

Gritting his teeth, Li Gui waved a fat hand. “Move! To the valley—no mistakes!”

His guards scrambled to follow.

In a valley near the Li Family mines, arrows littered the ground, severed limbs scattered everywhere.

Occasional wails were silenced by a swift, lethal shot.

Dozens of Li Family guards, qi-and-blood awakened, ambushing barely awakened pullers—it was child’s play.

Li Gui’s venomous cunning had led Harmony’s pullers into a dead-end valley.

Block the only exit, rain arrows from above, and few would survive.

Even Uncle Jie, prepared and wielding his spear fiercely, was shot into a pincushion.

Only Wen San’s quick thinking—grabbing a large wooden board—saved the few remaining pullers.

Wen San, self-styled “Master Wen,” was in a panic.

Blood pooled beneath his feet, the thud-thud

of arrows hitting his board deafening.

The board was a pincushion itself.

Wen San, teary-eyed, dragged the arrow-riddled, unconscious Uncle Jie, holding the board, crying and cursing. “Damn Li Family, damn Li Gui—shoot your Master Wen if you dare!”

The trembling pullers clung to the board. “Master Wen… what do we do? Why’s the Li Family after us?”

Using the near-shattered board as cover, they huddled behind a boulder, barely shielding their backs.

Wen San carefully pulled Uncle Jie to the rock, wiping tears. “How should I know why these bastards turned on us?”

“With Xiangzi and Master Tang gone, and Uncle Jie out, it’s just me, Master Wen—what do we do?”

Wen San slumped, sobbing.

Suddenly, the arrows stopped.

His heart lurched. After a long pause, he dared peek out.

On the slope above, a potbellied man in silk appeared.

“Want to live?” he called.

Wen San froze, disbelief on his face, scrambling out.

Raising his hands, he shouted, “Live… I want to live! Master Gui, spare me, and I’ll serve you like an ox!”

Bowing low, his face split into a bright grin.

Li Gui sneered from the slope—just some filthy pullers, so easily fooled.

But he didn’t plan to kill them—not yet.

Their lives were cheap, disposable anytime, but useful now.

Especially since Liu Tang had stormed the mines.

A ninth-grade adept—hard to counter on short notice.

The higher-ups demanded secrecy, and using these men already irked them.

Asking for more help against Liu Tang? They’d never agree.

So, these pullers were valuable.

Li Gui’s fat jowls quivered, his smile warm. “Help me with one thing, and I’ll make you Li Family guards!”

An irresistible offer.

At the valley’s bottom, Wen San nodded eagerly. “Master Gui, name it! I’ll climb mountains or brave fire—Wen San’s life is yours!”

Li Gui’s smile widened, satisfied.

Xiangzi and Liu Tang crept toward the deepening cries and shouts.

The sounds grew faint, their hearts sinking.

Through the forest, they reached a clear stream.

At its end lay the valley—the source of the noise.

They exchanged a glance, resolve flashing in their eyes.

Liu Tang’s saber shook as he strode forward.

Xiangzi grabbed his sleeve, pointing to the slope’s top.

The valley floor was littered with arrows like wild grass—the attackers were on the ridge.

“Xiangzi, what’s the plan?” Liu Tang asked, taking a deep breath.

Xiangzi scanned the area, spotting several abandoned rickshaws from their yard, weathered and discarded long ago.

He tested one; despite damaged wheels, it was usable.

Adjusting the wheels and gripping the handles, a familiar, grounding sensation enveloped him.

In his mind, the interface appeared.

[Profession: Rickshaw Puller (Mastery Achieved)]

[Progress: 376/3000]

[Skill: Chase Mountains, Hunt Moon]

[With this skill, you excel at running, unaffected by terrain, with greatly enhanced lower body strength.]

[Note: With a vehicle, you are nearly unstoppable!]

Months of mining runs without slacking had brought his rickshaw puller profession to mastery.

This Chase Mountains, Hunt Moon skill had let him shatter Liang Hua’s ankle with ease.

Now, his focus was on the skill’s note: you excel at running, unaffected by terrain.

His gaze settled on the rugged slope.

Any terrain?

Unsure but cornered, Xiangzi had no choice.

Those who save themselves are saved by heaven.

In this desperate moment, he had to act.