Near the Li Family mines, dense trees surrounded the valley, but those nearby had been cleared.

This allowed Wen San to grab a large wooden board to block the deadly arrows.

The midday sun blazed, scorching the earth.

Sweat rolled down Wen San’s forehead, his heart pounding.

He was lazy, sure, but not stupid—he didn’t trust Li Gui.

With such a massive scheme, could they really survive?

But as long as they lived… there was hope.

What if there was a chance?

Glancing at Uncle Jie, barely breathing, Wen San’s face twisted, untying a leather water pouch from his waist.

The pouch was pierced by an arrow, but a little water remained.

He tilted it carefully, letting the murky liquid drip into Uncle Jie’s cracked lips.

Gritting his teeth, Wen San snapped the arrows in Uncle Jie’s body, avoiding pulling them out—their barbed tips would tear him apart.

Damn Li Family, vicious bastards!

Wen San cursed inwardly, then paused, a spark of joy in his eyes—

The water had worked; Uncle Jie’s eyes fluttered open.

A weak hand gripped Wen San’s arm as Uncle Jie sat up, his voice like a broken bellows. “How many are left? What’s the situation?”

“Uncle Jie…” Wen San’s face crumpled, pointing to the few beside him, voice trembling. “So many brothers… only we’re left!”

“They… they were all shot dead!”

Uncle Jie’s heart felt hammered, his mind reeling.

After a long moment, he rasped, “Xiangzi?”

“Don’t know,” Wen San forced a smile. “He got separated. That kid’s sharp—probably didn’t fall for this. Maybe he’s escaped.”

Uncle Jie’s eyes flickered, muttering, “Escaped… good, good. Xiangzi’s cleverer than us. He’s escaped.”

The words were both self-comfort and prayer.

Suddenly, he looked to the slope, heart sinking. “Why haven’t the Li Family finished us off?”

Wen San faltered, chuckling awkwardly, repeating Li Gui’s offer.

“Li Gui said… if we lure the others here, he’ll spare us!”

A strange light gleamed in Wen San’s eyes.

A sharp slap landed on his face.

Wen San clutched his swollen cheek, aggrieved. “Uncle Jie… we just want to live!”

“Live?” Uncle Jie propped himself against the rock, gasping like a broken bellows, his bloodshot eyes feral. “Li Gui, a mere overseer, dares this? Someone big’s behind him.”

“With the Li Family pulling this, we’ve got no way out!”

Wen San’s face went blank, mumbling, “No way out? There’s gotta be a way…”

Uncle Jie ignored him, tearing his shirt to wrap his chest wound.

He tried swinging his spear, but his arms failed him.

With no choice, he snapped it into two short spears, gripping them tightly, staring at the valley’s sole entrance.

Soon, dust rose there.

A familiar tall figure pushed a rickshaw, charging with unstoppable ferocity.

From afar, Uncle Jie could almost see the sweat on his brow.

His expression faltered—the last person he wanted to see had come.

Suddenly, Uncle Jie smiled, radiant.

But Wen San’s jaw dropped, shock written across his face.

Why’s he here?

Didn’t he escape?

He shouldn’t have come!

Was he back to save his Third Brother?

Damn Li Gui—his target was Xiangzi!

The valley’s terrain resembled a tadpole.

Its tail was a hundred-step dirt path.

Its body was the valley floor.

Its head was the slope’s crest.

The Li Family guards, cautious, split into two groups, occupying both high ridges.

Xiangzi’s eyes narrowed, ore dust churning in his chest, yet his speed was uncanny.

Before him was a crudely modified rickshaw, layered with rusty iron plates shielding most of his body.

Sweat dripped from his brow, the wind tugging his hair, his dantian’s qi and blood pushed to the limit.

Ambush ahead, pursuers behind.

He needed to be faster—faster—to draw their attention, giving Liu Tang a chance.

His rickshaw puller mastery, once dismissed as useless, was now his lifeline.

With Chase Mountains, Hunt Moon, his steps were unshakably steady, the rickshaw surging with terrifying momentum.

He steadied his breath, awaiting the expected storm.

If he was right, crossing this pass would trigger a reckless ambush—

Exactly what he needed.

But his eyes shrank—far off, a scrawny figure stumbled out.

Wen San… he’s alive?

Against the wind, Xiangzi couldn’t hear Wen San’s shouts.

Only faintly catching, “Run”?

“Xiangzi… run!”

“Run… ambush!”

With a surge of strength, Wen San bolted from behind the rock at the sight of Xiangzi, shouting hoarsely.

He held a comically small wooden stump, barely covering his head, as if it could stop the deadly arrows.

His first steps were panicked, stumbling.

Then they grew fierce, resolute.

Maybe the barrage had dazed him, his head buzzing, but he recalled that half-bowl of braised pork Xiangzi gave him at East Tower’s gate.

So fragrant!

And the spiced beef Xiangzi brought days ago.

Over three pounds, he hadn’t finished it, storing the rest in the well.

Even running, Wen San smacked his lips.

Damn Li Gui—if not for him, Master Wen would be lounging on the bunk, eating beef!

No more of Xiangzi’s filial beef…

Wen San grinned proudly—

Hey, Third Brother said it.

Even if it costs my life, I’ll keep Xiangzi safe!

Watch, you big fool—your Third Brother, Master Wen, ain’t no coward!

At this life-or-death moment, Third Brother’s here to save you!

Wen San ran gleefully, grinning, shouting, “Run, Xiangzi!”

Suddenly, countless figures appeared on the slope.

Arrows rained down.