Chapter 32: I Want the Money, But I Don’t Want to Hand Over the Goods

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: I Want the Money, But I Don’t Want to Hand Over the Goods

At Lucky Inn.

Fang Rou’s second purpose for joining the group became apparent: paying for their lodging. After all, since the Fang family organized this operation, they were responsible for food and accommodation.

Rooms were quickly arranged. The Martial Artists were paired up, two to a room, while the Fang family Guards stayed four to a room. Yan Que and Fang Rou each had their own private rooms, bringing the total to twelve. After paying, the group settled in.

Since they hadn’t eaten dinner yet, everyone dropped their luggage in their rooms and gathered on the first floor to eat. Su Chen deliberately took a peek at the kitchen; only after ensuring the food wasn’t poisoned did he feel at ease.

The meal consisted of ordinary home-cooked dishes, but the taste was decent. Once full, they returned to their respective rooms. Su Chen’s roommate was the silent type. Since neither of them was much of a talker, they simply washed up and went to sleep.

At dawn the next day, the group ate breakfast and set out. Today was the day they were to make the trade with the bandits, and a heavy look of solemnity inevitably weighed on everyone’s faces.

At the foot of Lianyun Mountain, in the middle of a narrow, muddy road.

A group of men stood in tight formation, straining their eyes and gazing into the distance as if eagerly waiting for something. They were all dressed in rough cloth shirts, their faces grim and their calm eyes flashing with a fierce glint that screamed they were not to be trifled with. They wielded weapons like wooden clubs, while their leader held a long blade. Just meeting his vicious gaze was enough to cast a deep shadow over anyone’s heart.

"Third Boss, it’s already this late. Do you think the Fang family isn’t coming?" a subordinate standing next to the burly man asked uncertainly, glancing at the sky.

The Third Boss was wiping down his long blade. Hearing this, he didn’t even look up as he replied, "If they don’t come, we’ll just kill all the hostages!"

"They’re here!"

Before the Third Boss could finish speaking, the men spotted a companion running toward them from a short distance away. The scout stopped in front of the Third Boss and reported with a hint of excitement, "Third Boss, that group is here."

SHING. Upon hearing this, the Third Boss’s blade trembled slightly, letting out a crisp ring. A smile broke across his face. "Good!

"But..."

"But what?"

"But it looks like they brought a lot of people!"

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the men behind the Third Boss shifted slightly.

The Third Boss scoffed coldly. "What are you getting worked up for? Get ready and wait for my orders!"

The crowd quickly quieted down.

"There they are!"

A moment later, the Third Boss’s gaze narrowed as he spotted the approaching group. At the same time, Yan Que and the others, who were rushing along the road, also caught sight of the bandits. It wasn’t long before the two sides came face-to-face.

"I am Yan Que of the Broken Blade Sect. I have come to deliver the ransom and retrieve the people of the Fang family." Yan Que looked at the Third Boss. Their eyes met in the air before Yan Que cupped his fists and spoke.

"Broken Blade Sect?" The Third Boss’s eyes narrowed when he heard Yan Que state his affiliation. "Did you bring enough money?"

Yan Que nodded. "The 500 taels are ready. Where are the people and the goods?"

"Both the people and the goods are here. As soon as you hand over the money, they will appear immediately," the Third Boss said with a smile.

However, Yan Que gave him no face at all. "Money in one hand, goods in the other."

The smile on the Third Boss’s face froze slightly at those words, and he gave Yan Que a long, deep look. In that instant, the atmosphere abruptly grew tense.

Standing amidst the group, Su Chen frowned as he looked at the opposition. From the looks of it, they didn’t seem to have any intention of taking the money and letting the hostages go.

At this moment, the Third Boss dropped his smile. "Show me the money first, and I will bring the people out."

Hearing this, Yan Que hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Fine."

He then looked at Fang Rou. She pulled five silver notes from her clothes and displayed them. Seeing that Yan Que’s group had genuinely brought enough money, the Third Boss suddenly burst into loud laughter. At the sound of his laugh, the subordinates behind him immediately fanned out, surrounding Yan Que and the rest.

Fang Rou and the others instantly fell into a panic. Seeing this, Yan Que’s gaze darkened. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

"Hahaha, what is the meaning? The meaning is obvious." The Third Boss guffawed, enunciating every word clearly. "I want the money, but I don’t want to give you the goods and the people. On top of that, I’m going to capture all of you as well!"

"Your actions are far too treacherous!" Yan Que said in a deep voice.

"Is there something wrong with your head? You’re expecting honor from a bandit!" the Third Boss mocked.

Yan Que’s face turned livid. "Everyone, be careful!" he warned the people behind him.

"Attack!"

With the Third Boss’s command, the bandits struck, clashing with Su Chen and the others. Yan Que and the Third Boss locked eyes across the distance. Both men knew that the final outcome of this battle rested on their shoulders.

"Since we are both Swordmen, let’s see whose blade is superior!" the Third Boss scoffed. His figure blurred as he took a massive step forward, wielding his long blade to strike at Yan Que.

Yan Que drew his blade and closed the distance with a few wide strides. He brought his weapon down in a swift, fierce chop.

CLANG.

The sound of clashing metal rang out, the recoil forcing both men several steps back. Just from this single exchange, they realized how formidable the other was.

"Again!" the Third Boss roared. His figure darted out once more, and he engaged Yan Que at lightning speed.

On the other side, the two groups had also plunged into fierce combat. Because Yan Que’s group was well-prepared this time, the bandits didn’t hold much of an advantage. In fact, they found themselves suppressed by Su Chen’s side.

To Su Chen’s surprise, Fang Rou, who looked incredibly delicate, actually knew martial arts. However, judging by her rusty forms, she clearly hadn’t mastered them. Out of everyone present, Su Chen had the easiest time. He even occasionally spared a glance toward the intense duel between Yan Que and the Third Boss.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, a sharp scream rang out. Su Chen glanced over and saw Fang Rou cornered by two bandits. He stepped in and saved her.

Fang Rou’s face was pale, visibly shaken. Once she managed to calm down, she thanked him. "Thank you, Su Chen."

Su Chen shook his head, saying nothing more.

After that incident, Fang Rou was well aware of her own limits. She obediently stayed in the middle of the formation, only occasionally striking out to assist the others. However, her eyes would dart toward Su Chen from time to time. Seeing how relaxed he looked, she felt a trace of shock in her heart.

"Hm?"

Su Chen, who had been keeping an eye on the battle between Yan Que and the Third Boss, suddenly had a change in expression. Yan Que was injured!

In the distance, the two men had locked blades in a test of strength, seemingly evenly matched. Suddenly, the Third Boss freed one hand and struck Yan Que with his palm. The blow forced Yan Que to spit blood as he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground with a muffled thud.

Seeing this, everyone’s breath hitched, a wave of profound shock surging from the depths of their eyes.

"Uncle, are you alright?" Fang Rou cried. Seeing him fall, she hurriedly ran to his side and asked with deep concern.

Blood spilled from Yan Que’s mouth. His eyes were fixed on the Third Boss in absolute horror as he choked out a few words: "Power Training Martial Artist!"