On the carriage, Mei Yingxue, like a curious child, chatted aimlessly with Chen Tang.

Mei Yingxue said, "I noticed earlier how you broke those people's wrists with some force. I estimate you could pull at least a two-stone bow. When we go to participate in the rank test, you should give it a try and see how strong a bow you can pull."

Earlier, Chen Tang intimidated the crowd, but in fact, he didn't reveal any real techniques.

In the eyes of others, Chen Tang was nothing more than a reckless brute who suddenly decided to act viciously, wielding a knife in hand, making it unnecessary to clash with him.

"We'll see when the time comes."

Chen Tang replied vaguely.

"By the way, have you heard about the recruitment drive in Pingzhou?"

"Hmm."

"I heard that this recruitment, besides suppressing bandits and guarding the frontiers, also offers a chance to become part of the Capital Imperial Guard and protect the Capital City. Originally, many families were reluctant to have their children conscripted, but this time many families in Changze County hope to send their children to enlist, hoping to achieve wealth and honor."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang frowned.

He always felt something strange about this, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

Suddenly, Chen Tang recalled something and asked, "Are there any rumors of mountain bandits or thieves around here lately?"

"There have always been rumors of bandits. Especially over two months ago, when the Emperor of Daqian just passed away, causing unrest everywhere, chaos erupted, and many rumors spread. Some bandits indeed emerged. In our Changze County, weren't there some murder cases earlier, probably the work of these bandits."

Mei Yingxue chuckled upon hearing this, saying, "But you need not worry, these bandits are just some refugees, they can't become a real threat. Seeing the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall banner, they would surely avoid us from afar."

Chen Tang nodded.

If it's just some refugees gathering, they're mostly ordinary people struggling to survive, with limited combat ability, unlikely to provoke a large convoy like Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall easily.

"There are people lying in ambush on both sides of the official road ahead."

At this moment, the plump old man's voice suddenly sounded in Chen Tang's ear.

Yet, Mei Yingxue showed no reaction, as if she hadn't heard anything at all.

Secret transmission!

He had read about this mystical skill in books before, and today he finally witnessed it.

With this thought passing, Chen Tang focused his attention on both sides of the official road ahead, without detecting any suspicious signs.

But he trusted the judgment of the plump old man.

Moreover, earlier in the woods, he indeed saw many remnants of campfires.

Whizz!

A sharp, piercing sound suddenly rang out mid-air!

Alarm arrow!

Mei Nianzhi's face changed color upon hearing this, urgently pulling back the reins and shouted, "Everyone be careful, there are bandits!"

The convoy of over twenty carriages lined up in a long column on the official road, with Mei Nianzhi and his group in the lead, already within the ambush range.

Just as his words fell, figures burst forth from the snowy grounds on both sides of the official road, tall in stature, brandishing long knives.

This group wore white fur hats and clothes, their entire beings camouflaged in the snow, showing no flaws.

Mei Nianzhi swept his gaze over them and was secretly alarmed.

This group numbered around a hundred, ferocious-looking, tall and brawny, clearly not some impoverished refugees.

Judging by their appearance, they were more akin to the Black Water Gang, obviously ill-intentioned!

The Black Water Gang people all hail from the Extreme North Cold Domain.

"Are you friends from the Cold Domain?"

Mei Nianzhi rode his horse, composed but worried inside, cupping his fists and raising his voice, "I am Mei Nianzhi of Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall, passing through here en route to Wu'an County. I hope you can show some courtesy, rewards await..."

Before Mei Nianzhi could finish speaking, the band of robbers, with a shout, charged at the convoy in a collective assault!

Mei Nianzhi's heart sank.

Normally, bandits blocking a path aim to 'raid goods', grabbing some money without resorting to killing.

Especially for a convoy like Mei Nianzhi's, clearly escorted by a group of guards.

If a conflict arose, and they fought, these bandits would also suffer casualties, reaping no benefits.

Mei Nianzhi announced his name and showed weakness upfront, willing to offer some silver taels to secure peace.

Who knew, these bandits said nothing and started attacking!

These people were after not just goods but lives as well!

"Brothers, don't lose your formation, protect the convoy!"

Seeing this, Mei Nianzhi knew there was no retreat, and he urgently shouted, commanding the guards of the martial arts hall to brace for the enemy.

Having roamed Jianghu before, he had encountered similar situations, still quite composed.

The leader of the robbers, with seven or eight others, rushed towards and besieged Mei Nianzhi.

Mei Nianzhi drew the long sword from his waist, leaping to meet the enemy. They had just exchanged blows when he stabbed a robber in the shoulder.

Before he could deliver a second strike, the remaining robbers swarmed him, five or six long knives clashing simultaneously.

Mei Nianzhi had to momentarily avoid the sharp edge.

The good news was, this gang of bandits seemed to lack any Entry Level martial artists.

But the bad news was that the overall combat strength of these bandits exceeded that of Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall by a significant margin.

Moreover, each was ferociously ruthless—the guards of the martial arts hall couldn't withstand the initial clash.

Even though Mei Nianzhi was of the Ninth Grade, facing the siege of seven or eight bandits, he struggled to hold his ground, finding himself in a tight spot.

Entry Level martial artists, in single combat, far surpass ordinary individuals.

But even the best can't handle a siege.

On the last carriage, Mei Yingxue had been casually talking with Chen Tang. Witnessing this scene, she was utterly terrified.

She's never seen such a battle!

A great chaotic melee of over a hundred people, flashing knives and swords, with flesh and blood flying, and in a blink, someone had been brutally killed by chaotic slashing!

Usually, in martial arts hall training, even when sparring with fellow disciples, it was a slow back-and-forth of exchanging moves.

Now, it was blood with every swing, life or death on the line, one misstep and blood would splatter on the spot!

Mei Yingxue had already drawn her long sword, though her arm trembled slightly, showing the fear in her heart.

Yet seeing her father being besieged by robbers, seemingly unable to hold them off, she immediately cast aside her danger and fear, took a deep breath, grabbed her sword, and leaped off the carriage to assist.

After just a few steps, Mei Yingxue seemed to think of something, turning back to Chen Tang, she said, "You drive away quickly, turn around and run back!"

Saying this, Mei Yingxue then charged sword in hand into the crowd.

Chen Tang glanced at the chaotic fight ahead, slightly furrowing his brows.

The front was extremely lively, but actually, no bandits had yet approached the back half of the convoy.

He had a feeling as if this group's primary target wasn't really the convoy, but the people of Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall.

The wealthy magnates and landlords in the convoy, encountering this situation, were already pale with fright.

Seeing the many bandits entangled in conflict with Mei Nianzhi and the martial arts hall's guards, these wealthy and noble tried to escape amidst the chaos, abandoning their carriages, even disregarding their wives, only having time to grab their children and flee towards the back of the convoy.

Gou Dai, escorted by several Evil Wolf Gang guards, panic-stricken, ran towards Chen Tang's direction.

Seeing Gou Dai getting closer, Chen Tang smiled slightly, turned around, and retrieved his bow and arrow from the carriage.

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