"Your origins are unclear, please leave. Otherwise, don't blame my blade for being merciless," the guard said bluntly.

"I just want to ask, in which direction did the band of thieves escape? I mean no harm," Lin Zheyu said.

"The thieves fled in that direction."

"However, this group of thieves is pretty strong. About a dozen of them died, and there are still over sixty of them left. I advise you not to overestimate your abilities, lest you lose your life."

The guard pointed in the direction of the forest as he spoke.

"Thank you."

Lin Zheyu cupped his hands towards the guard and Zhao Bin, who was watching from afar, then turned and chased in the direction the guard had indicated.

"He's really chasing after them, truly overestimating himself."

Beside Zhao Bin, a man in his thirties curled his lips and said with a smile.

He had seen plenty like Lin Zheyu, who chased after thieves, yelling and fighting.

Some aimed for the wealth in the thieves' possession, even as the thieves considered others their prey, they became prey in others' eyes.

Some held grudges against the thieves, attacking them purely for satisfaction.

People pursued various purposes, but encountering someone so young like this was a first for him.

"His lightweight skill is pretty good," Zhao Bin commented.

"Brother, can you discern that person's strength?" the man asked.

"Not sure, I cannot sense the fluctuation of Qi Blood in him. Judging by his young appearance, his speed reaches the level of the Refining the Organs Realm, his overall strength might be slightly weaker, around the Bone Forging Realm," Zhao Bin replied.

"Zhao Qiang, don't underestimate people; strength isn't everything. Since he dares to pursue them, he must have his own resources," Zhao Bin said, not overly concerned.

For him, the most important thing was the safety of this shipment, which was quite valuable.

"Hmm."

Zhao Qiang nodded, not overly concerned either.

Lin Zheyu's appearance was only an interesting interlude during his cargo transport journey.

...

Lin Zheyu advanced at full speed in the direction the guard had pointed, discovering many traces along the way, clearly showing the guard had not deceived him.

"Right up ahead."

Lin Zheyu followed the traces left in the forest, pursuing rapidly.

In the forest, more than sixty burly men were rapidly running, wielding cold weapons and cautiously guarding their surroundings.

Not only do ordinary people have to be cautious of thieves, but thieves also have to be cautious of other thieves.

Black on black violence was quite common in this chaotic, lawless forest, where the brutal and bloody law of the jungle was upheld.

"Damn, another Qi Blood Realm strongman, is the Qi Blood Realm so worthless now?" one robust man cursed.

"Nothing we can do; those merchant groups aren't foolish. Any group daring to come here now is well equipped."

"With prices rising, the money from a single shipment is enough to hire several Qi Blood Realm experts," the leading man said.

Not only were ordinary people struggling; the thieves were struggling too.

Though thieves sounded feared and ferocious, their lives weren't any more comfortable than ordinary people.

If they could live well, who would want to become a bandit, living with their head at risk daily?

"We've lost several more brothers, and the stolen cargo isn't even enough for us to split."

"Brother, why not agree to that guy's terms? Joining the city guard means our brothers can at least have enough to eat," the man said.

"Don't speak such nonsense."

"The Xing Family is very treacherous. Joining the city guard means swearing loyalty to Great Wei; betrayal after swearing means death."

"When the rebellious army attacks, newcomers like us will be the first cannon fodder."

"If you don't want to die, stay away from the Xing Family. Cooperation is fine, but never entertain thoughts of joining," the leading man instructed.

"But if this continues, we might not live to see the day the rebel army attacks," the man countered.

The man fell silent, uncertainty also filling his heart.

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