Chapter 31: Lianyun Stronghold, Broken Blade Sect’s Yan Que

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Lianyun Stronghold, Broken Blade Sect’s Yan Que

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

With a CREAK, the main door opened.

"Senior Sister Fang Rou?"

Su Chen paused, looking at Fang Rou standing in the doorway. She wore a pale yellow dress today, looking remarkably graceful and elegant.

A gentle breeze brushed past her cheeks, messing up her hair. Fang Rou reached up with her slender, long fingers to tuck the loose strands behind her ear.

Seeing Su Chen, she chuckled lightly. "Junior Brother Su, I came to see you today because I have something to discuss with you."

Su Chen opened the door wider, intending to invite her inside, but she waved her hand. "There’s no need. It’ll only take a few words."

"Please speak, Senior Sister."

"It’s like this, Junior Brother. My family’s merchant caravan recently ran into a bit of trouble..."

Fang Rou quickly explained the entire situation to Su Chen. It wasn’t complicated.

When the Fang family’s caravan was passing through Lianyun Mountain, they were ambushed by a group of bandits who robbed all their goods and detained the Fang family Guards in the process. The bandits sent someone to notify the Fang family, demanding they bring 500 taels of silver in ransom to buy back the goods and hostages, otherwise, they would kill the Guards.

The Fang family ultimately chose to compromise. They planned to take the 500 taels to redeem their people and cargo. However, worried that the bandits wouldn’t keep their word, they decided to hire Martial Artists to accompany them. This was the exact reason Fang Rou had sought out Su Chen.

Originally, she hadn’t planned to ask him for help. After all, with Su Chen’s previous level of strength, he might not have been of much use. But yesterday, she inadvertently learned from Qin Hao that Su Chen had actually broken through, which sparked the idea.

Furthermore, her father had later stated that the more people they brought on this trip, the better. Even if they lacked true strength, sheer numbers would bolster their presence and intimidate the bandits. Thus, she came to find Su Chen first thing in the morning.

Of course, this wouldn’t be an unpaid favor. Fang Rou promised to pay Su Chen five taels of silver.

After finishing her explanation, she looked at Su Chen. Seeing his silence, she felt a slight pang of disappointment. It seemed he was going to refuse.

However, just as this thought crossed her mind, Su Chen spoke up. "No problem. When?"

"Ah, we depart tomorrow at noon!" Fang Rou smiled radiantly, providing the specific time and gathering place. "However, Junior Brother, it’s over fifty miles from here to Lianyun Mountain. We’ll be staying at an inn halfway there for the night, so you should pack accordingly."

Su Chen nodded. Fang Rou then relayed a few more details before turning to leave.

Watching her figure recede into the distance, Su Chen closed the door. He had originally planned to go out today, but it seemed that was no longer an option.

He thought, "Five taels isn’t much, but considering the worth I’ve currently shown, it’s about right. There’s no need to agonize over it."

After all, Fang Rou had previously offered him fifteen taels. Now that the Fang family’s caravan was in trouble, he should do his part. As for the pay, it was likely the Fang family offered this amount because they feared things might go awry. Otherwise, if it were simply a matter of paying the ransom to save the hostages, they wouldn’t need this many people, nor would they need to spend extra silver.

The day passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was noon the next day.

Taking advantage of the remaining time in the morning, Su Chen consumed his last packet of Qi and Blood Powder. He then packed a few articles of clothing, locked his door, and left.

Initially, he considered bringing his steel saber along, but a saber was difficult to conceal, so he dropped the idea. However, he did stuff his heavy overcoat into his bundle, making it easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Upon arriving at the Fang family’s estate, Su Chen realized just how wealthy his Senior Sister was. Her residence was even more luxurious than the Government Office.

"Junior Brother Su!"

Dozens of people were already gathered outside the Fang family’s gates, with Fang Rou standing conspicuously among them. Spotting Su Chen, she called out and waved him over.

Su Chen walked toward her, but his gaze was quickly drawn to a middle-aged man. The man had a saber sheathed at his waist and exuded a chilling, formidable aura.

"Senior Sister Fang Rou!" Su Chen greeted her.

Fang Rou nodded and said, "Junior Brother, just stick close to me when the time comes."

"You’re planning to go too, Senior Sister?" Su Chen asked, taken aback.

"Of course. I’m just tagging along for the excitement, though. What’s wrong, Junior Brother? Am I not allowed to go?" Fang Rou replied nonchalantly, giving a soft hmph.

Su Chen tactfully kept his mouth shut.

Fang Rou didn’t mind. After exchanging a few more words with him, she turned back to busy herself with the preparations.

About fifteen minutes later, the caravan was ready to set off.

Taking advantage of the brief lull, Su Chen glanced around, sizing up the group. He quickly noticed that the team was roughly divided into two factions: the Fang family Guards, and Martial Artists like himself.

The vast majority of the Fang family Guards were ordinary people. Just as Fang Rou had mentioned, they were likely brought along purely to inflate their numbers and look intimidating. As for the other Martial Artists, Su Chen didn’t recognize a single one of them. After a cursory sweep, he paid them no further mind.

Furthermore, if he wasn’t mistaken, the leader of this expedition was the very man armed with the saber.

Fang Rou’s father was a slightly plump man with an amiable face. After exchanging a few words with the saber-wielding man, he cupped his hands toward the crowd. "I leave this matter in your capable hands!"

The Martial Artists cupped their fists in response one by one.

The saber-wielding man gave Fang Rou’s father a nod, then turned to the crowd behind him and commanded, "Move out!"

The large group marched out in a mighty procession.

After leaving the city, Su Chen suddenly caught a whiff of a sweet fragrance. He turned his head and saw that Fang Rou had come to walk beside him. This was likely Fang Rou’s first time traveling so far from home. After walking for a while, the initial excitement faded from her face.

Seeing Su Chen looking at her, she offered a faint smile.

The roads became uneven outside the city gates, but fortunately, everyone was traveling light, so they made good time. Since Lianyun Mountain was over fifty miles away and they had departed at noon, they planned to spend the night at a small town near the mountain to rest and recharge.

At first, the caravan was rather quiet. However, as the journey dragged on and the group became more familiar with one another, the idle chatter gradually grew louder.

Although Su Chen didn’t speak, he kept his ears open. Through their conversations, he managed to discern the identity of the saber-wielding man.

His name was Yan Que, a member of the Broken Blade Sect.

The Broken Blade Sect was a faction in White Stone City that was no weaker than the Hong Family Martial Arts Hall. In fact, because their ranks included two Perfect Power Cultivation Martial Artists, their overall status and strength eclipsed that of the Hong Family Martial Arts Hall.

Yan Que was the younger brother of the Broken Blade Sect Leader. His personal strength was likely no less than that of Hong Ming. The reason he had come to lead the team this time was because his wife was Fang Rou’s aunt; the two families were relatives by marriage. It was precisely because of this connection with the Broken Blade Sect that the Fang family’s business in White Stone City continued to expand, even reaching as far as the State City.

Yan Que’s presence was clearly a shot in the arm for the entire group. This much was evident from the looks of awe and reverence that occasionally flashed across their faces.

During the trek, Fang Rou presumably grew bored and approached Su Chen for some small talk. However, the conversation quickly died out, smothered by Su Chen’s half-hearted, noncommittal responses.

Just like that, the group marched straight through the afternoon until dusk fell, finally arriving at the small town nestled at the foot of Lianyun Mountain.