C11 Despicable

Lee Fei blended into the crowd and left the city, following the caravan eastward along the main road. After fifteen minutes, with the city walls out of sight, he planned to slip away unnoticed. It was dark, and the group had yet to realize a stranger was among them, but he knew it was only a matter of time before he'd be discovered.

As they continued, a square-faced guard noticed the slow pace of the crowd and shouted, "What's this sluggishness? Haven't you eaten? Pick up the pace!" Yet, the caravan members ignored him, treating his words as if they were merely a breeze, and maintained their unhurried stride.

Frustrated, the burly guard berated them, "You fools! Don't you realize bandits roam these parts? We travel by night to avoid them. If they were to attack, you'd all be doomed."

A man with a sharp face and simian features in the caravan laughed off the warning, "Emberhollow's reputation in Qingzhou is unassailable. Who would dare target us? At this rate, we'll surely reach Liuding County by dawn."

Enraged, the guard, Jiang Kun, charged at the man, grabbed his clothes, and hoisted him up, bellowing, "Xu San, are you asking for trouble? Want to test your mettle?"

A bystander intervened, "Jiang Kun, what's the point of this? We're all brothers here; there's no need for hostility."

Another chimed in, "Xu San's right. Emberhollow fears no one. Petty thieves are hardly a concern."

Shrugging off Jiang Kun's grip, Xu San sneered, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Jiang. Just because Mr. Lee favors you doesn't mean you can lord over us. The young miss is in the carriage. If she commands us to quicken our pace, then we will obey."

Hearing this, Jiang Kun sighed. It was the Eldest Miss's first time managing business affairs, and her pride, coupled with her mastery of the Suzerain's martial arts, made her dismissive of any threats from bandits.

Realizing that speaking was futile, he simply closed his mouth and remained silent.

Jiang Kun then advanced to the lead of the group, pondering to himself that should danger arise, he was determined to ensure the young miss's safety.

Xu San, witnessing Jiang Kun's embarrassment, couldn't help but smirk with satisfaction, thinking scornfully, "What a joke, opposing everyone like that. You're in for it now."

Lee Fei shook his head at the sight, reflecting on the old adage that honest advice is often unpleasant to hear. Jiang Kun was indeed a man of insight, yet he found himself in the company of fools.

It was a true pity for him.

At the city gate, Lee Fei overheard the caravan leader, Lee Furong, claim to be from Li Province, with a father named Lee Ying.

If his memory served him right, Lee Ying was the eleventh-ranked hero among the one hundred and eight of the Water Margin, a steward of wealth and provisions, and notably, one of the few Liangshan heroes to meet a peaceful end.

Yet, the book offered scant details about his family, making no mention of a daughter named Lee Furong.

Dwelling on it was pointless. Lee Fei noticed a fork in the road ahead and deliberately slowed down, intending to slip away unnoticed once the others had passed.

Just then, an elder turned back and called out to Lee Fei, "Hurry up, or you'll get left behind."

"I've got to take a leak," Lee Fei responded in a subdued tone. "I'll be quick and catch up in no time."

The elder, puzzled by the unfamiliar voice, was about to investigate further when he saw Lee Fei bowing his head to undo his belt. He muttered under his breath and continued on.

With a sly smile, Lee Fei relaxed his hands, preparing to head in the opposite direction, when a sudden scream up ahead halted him. He swiftly turned and followed the commotion, concealing himself behind a mound without showing himself.

From around the bend, a band of fifty to sixty emerged from the woods, their torches piercing the darkness. They quickly encircled the caravan, revealing themselves as bandits drawn by the scent of potential loot.

A lone rider halted his horse behind a group of bandits, a crossbow in hand and a knife strapped to his waist. Though not particularly tall, his physique was impressively muscular.

Clearing his throat, he boomed, "I am Heilong, and I detest killing above all else. Hear me well—if you wish to save your skins, drop your weapons, and I shall spare you. Defy me, and you shall all perish this day."

The idea was ludicrous. Disarmed, one would be at the mercy of others.

Furthermore, the body that lay on the road had been felled by his bolt—a testament to his ruthless nature.

Jiang Kun stepped forward first, brandishing his blade and bellowing, "Don't listen to him! These bandits have no honor!"

With a "whoosh," Heilong's crossbow released a bolt that struck Jiang Kun's right arm. A stifled grunt escaped him, but he remained defiant, switching the knife to his left hand and charging at the bandits ahead.

"Fight! It's our only chance for survival. No more hesitation!"

Jiang Kun proved his mettle, his left hand wielding the long knife with such agility that his opponents fell before him one after another.

Inspired, the others took up arms and surged into battle against the bandits, the clash erupting into chaos.

Heilong, with a calculating gaze, tracked Jiang Kun, methodically loading another bolt into his crossbow.

"Got you."

He was about to release the bolt when a fierce cry caught his attention. Turning, he saw a striking woman leap from a carriage, her face veiled and a steel spear in her grasp, joining the fray alongside her companions.

Lee Furong stood poised, channeling her strength into her arms. The spear traced a stunning arc through the air, aiming straight for an adversary's head.

Captivated by her prowess, Heilong stowed his crossbow and applauded. "Such exquisite spear work, such grace! Only a woman of her caliber is fit for me, Heilong."

With that thought, he called out, "Brothers, take heed! Capture that enchanting lady, and I shall reward you with five taels of gold."

Upon hearing the command, the bandits surged toward Lee Furong with frenzied energy, each one eager to capture her and claim the hefty reward from their leader.

Lee Furong found herself under immense pressure, but since the bandits were intent on taking her alive, they refrained from inflicting any lethal harm. Of the caravan's original twenty or so members, fewer than eight remained standing.

Jiang Kun, caught amidst the throng of bandits, was unable to come to Lee Furong's aid. He bellowed, "Protect the young lady!"

At that moment, Xu San was the closest to Lee Furong. The rest were too preoccupied with their own survival. As Xu San ran toward her, he called out, "Young lady, I'm coming to assist you!"

Just as Xu San reached her, Lee Furong was about to breathe a sigh of relief when she suddenly felt a tight grip around her waist.

She had let her guard down around Xu San, not anticipating his betrayal. In an instant, he had seized her with one hand, pressing a dagger against her throat.

Xu San scanned the chaotic scene and barked viciously, "Everyone, hold your fire! Make one more move, and I swear I'll kill her."

His threat fell on deaf ears. Xu San, a man of ruthless resolve, pressed the dagger slightly against Lee Furong's neck and yelled, "Don't push me!"

"Everyone, cease!" Heilong, seeing the damsel in distress, quickly gestured for the bandits to halt.

Jiang Kun spun around, witnessing Xu San's treachery, his rage boiling over. He spat out furiously, "Xu San, have you lost your mind?"

"I'm not insane," Xu San retorted. "I'm simply fighting for my life."

Lee Furong, seething with anger, lashed out, "You lowly, contemptible scoundrel, just kill me!"

Xu San ignored her, his gaze locked on Heilong.

Heilong smirked and called out, "Well put. Hand over your young lady to me, and I'll grant you safe passage."

Xu San shook his head, defiantly shouting back, "I don't trust you. You must ensure my safety before I'll consider releasing her. Otherwise, we have nothing to discuss."

He was well aware that Heilong's interest lay solely in the young lady, and without a guarantee of his own safety, handing her over would spell certain death for him.