"San, stop crying! What the hell happened? Spit it out!" the hot-tempered bald man shouted.
"Second Brother, this is what happened... At first, everything was going according to plan. Our group was hidden at the ambush point, and we successfully cornered that Miss Zhu of the Zhu Family and her entourage on the road.
We were just about to capture her, but who would’ve thought... SOB SOB... so ddling bastard showed up... He was incredibly strong, and he..."
The bandit San recounted the events in detail to his companions, all while weeping. However, he conveniently omitted the part where he sold out his comrades to ensure his own escape.
...
After hearing San’s story, the group of bandits, who had just been excitedly thinking about money and won, now all had ice-cold expressions, their faces as stiff and lifeless as a pool of stagnant water.
WHOOSH...
RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE...
A sudden gust of wind swept across the creek bank, causing the trees on both sides to rustle loudly.
"Bastard... To dare ruin our plans! I’ll find that detestable bastard and give him death by a thousand cuts."
The scar-faced man, who had been silent for a long ti, suddenly let out a furious roar. The sound of his rage was so loud it drowned out the rustling of the wind-blown trees on both banks.
"Big Brother, are we going to Dongwu City next to find the brat who ruined our plans?" one of the underlings asked.
After venting his anger, the scar-faced man took a few deep breaths. Once he had cald down, he spoke to the bandits present.
"You’ve all worked hard today. We’ll return to the mountain stronghold to rest for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll go into Dongwu City and find that brat who ruined our plans."
Having had their prize snatched right from their grasp, the bandits suppressed their anger after hearing the scar-faced man’s words and nodded one by one.
Then, the group of bandits left the creekside and headed toward the stronghold they had built in the desolate mountains.
...
「Dongwu City lay just ahead.」
On a vast plain, a shimring river flowed across the landscape.
A massive, square city was situated beside the river. It was constructed from cyan-colored bricks and stone. Its cyan walls soared dozens of ters high, projecting an aura of imposing grandeur.
Along the top of the walls, at regular intervals, stood burly Guards clad in armor and holding long spears, standing watch.
In key positions, massive crossbows were mounted. It was said that these were giant Spiritual Crossbows, crafted by highly skilled Artifact Forgers.
Moreover, the power of these giant Spiritual Crossbows was astonishing. A single specialized bolt fired from one could instantly kill even a Tier Two Peak Mutant Beast if it hit its mark.
Half of the sun had already sunk below the horizon, and the setting sun dyed the azure sky a brilliant red.
The red clouds were reflected on the river that flowed past Dongwu City, turning the entire surface of the water red. It was as if a great fire was burning on the horizon.
At the West City Gate of Dongwu City, a group of people on horseback gazed into the distance.
The leader was a handso, slender man dressed in magnificent brocade robes.
He frowned, peering into the distance. Then, he turned to the person beside him and asked, "Xiaoliu, are you sure you got the right information?"
"Young Master, today is indeed the day Miss Zhu’s party is scheduled to return to Dongwu City. I’ve confird this information many tis," the servant called Xiaoliu replied respectfully.
Hearing his servant’s reply, Zhou Tianci continued to wait patiently.
A mont later, a caravan appeared in the distance, slowly making its way toward the West City Gate of Dongwu City.
"Young Master, they’re here! I recognize that carriage—it’s Miss Zhu and her party! Let’s go forward and greet them!" the servant Xiaoliu said excitedly to Zhou Tianci beside him, upon seeing the distant carriage.
’Honestly, you’re more anxious about this than I am! This is precisely the ti to be calm. I absolutely cannot appear too eager...’
The instant he saw the carriage appear, Zhou Tianci subconsciously wanted to spur his horse forward to et it.
However, he quickly cald himself down, because a good friend had once taught him that when pursuing a girl, one must never appear overly eager.
"Yes, yes, Young Master is right to scold ..." the servant Xiaoliu hurriedly nodded, admitting his mistake.
...
When Zhu Xinru’s party’s caravan ca to a stop before the massive gates of Dongwu City, Zhou Tianci imdiately led his servants toward Guard Captain Liu Jie. He looked at the bloodstained guards in shock. "Guard Liu, you all are...?"
"Hello, Young Master Zhou... We ran into a group of bandits on the way back," Guard Captain Liu Jie, who recognized Zhou Tianci, explained.
"What?!!! You ran into bandits...? Is Miss Zhu alright?" Zhou Tianci asked, looking anxiously toward the carriage.
"The young lady is unhard. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Zhou," said Guard Captain Liu Jie.
Hearing Liu Jie say that Zhu Xinru was fine, Zhou Tianci let out a sigh of relief.
Just as he was about to ride his horse over to the carriage to greet Zhu Xinru inside, he saw the carriage curtain being lifted. Then, a strange man with refined features stepped out.
Having hitched a ride, Lin Li saw that they had arrived at their destination, so he exited the carriage and jumped down.
"Everyone, I’ll take my leave here. We’ll et again if fate allows," Lin Li said with a smile to the mbers of the Zhu Family.
"Mr. Lin, if you ever need help from our Zhu Family in the future, you can co find at the Zhu Residence anyti."
The beautiful and charming Zhu Xinru reached out, parting the window curtain to speak to the departing Lin Li.
"Alright," Lin Li nodded to Zhu Xinru, then walked toward the massive arched city gate ahead.
’Who... Who is this person? Why did he co out of Miss Zhu’s carriage?’
Zhou Tianci had never even shared a carriage with Zhu Xinru. Now, seeing a strange man beat him to it, sharing the confined space of a carriage with the woman he adored, a fire of rage instantly ignited in his heart.
Guard Captain Liu Jie was just about to explain, but at that mont, he heard Zhu Xinru say, "Guard Liu, let’s hurry ho! I’m a little tired."
"Yes, Miss." Guard Captain Liu Jie imdiately called to his companions, and they quickly escorted the carriage into the city, heading toward the Zhu Residence.
"Young Master, why didn’t you go up and greet Miss Zhu?" the servant Xiaoliu asked quietly, looking at Zhou Tianci, whose expression had turned rather ugly, as the Zhu Family’s caravan departed.
"Damn it! I’m in no mood to greet Miss Zhu right now... Everyone, with ! We’re going after that strange man who just ca out of the carriage."
...
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