Chapter 132: Chemen Mountain (3)

The trade route leading toward Suiyang skirted the base of Chemen Mountain. However, since the outbreak of war, and with the arrival of a band of outlaws on the mountain, the flow of caravans had gradually ceased. Although the Chemen stronghold flew the banner of "acting on behalf of heaven" and held a reputation for robbing the rich to help the poor while sparing legitimate merchants, travelers were wary.

In these times, neither officials nor bandits could be trusted. Prudent merchants, finding it difficult enough to conduct business in a chaotic world, naturally exercised extreme caution and sought other ways around the mountain.

The red sun hung high. A few vultures soared across the azure sky, emitting desolate cries.

Mu Changfeng rode forward, his expression wary as he reined in his horse while gazing at the gentle slopes beneath Chemen Mountain. At that moment, in the dense woods on the side of the slope, a flock of nameless gray birds burst into the air from the treetops, their chaotic cries filling the ears.

Kong Sheng also pulled on his reins and asked softly, "Brother Mu, is something wrong?"

Mu Changfeng, his striking white robes fluttering in the bitter cold wind, pointed his whip toward the slope and lowered his voice. "Young Master, the birds were startled, which suggests there may be an ambush in the woods. This is the lair of the Chemen bandits; we must be careful."

With his extensive experience in the martial world, Mu Changfeng sensed that something was amiss. Linking this intuition to the fact that they were in the heart of bandit territory, he grew even more suspicious. Yet, having come this far, turning back was not an option.

Mu Changfeng waved his hand and whispered, "Wu Xian, you go first! Remember, no matter what you see, do not look back. Ride through at full speed; do not stop."

Wu Xian nodded. Taking a deep breath and steeling his nerves, he spurred his mount. The black horse bolted forward. Just as he was about to clear the slope and bypass the woods, Wu Jie chuckled, "Young Master, Brother Mu, it was just a false alarm. Let’s keep moving; time is of the essence!"

Before Wu Jie could finish, Kong Sheng’s expression shifted abruptly. He watched in horror as a massive net descended from the sky, ensnaring Wu Xian and his horse. Immediately, dozens of shouting bandits in black rushed from the woods, dragged Wu Xian from his horse, and bound him.

Wu Xian struggled violently, shouting insults—partly out of instinct, and partly to warn the three men behind.

Indeed, there was an ambush, and the number of bandits was significant!

Mu Changfeng gasped. It was exactly what he had feared. It wasn’t that he was afraid, but he dreaded the inevitable complications. Since ancient times, officials and bandits were irreconcilable. If the outlaws learned that Kong Sheng was an imperial official appointed by the Emperor, they would certainly not let them go easily.

"Retreat, quickly!" Mu Changfeng hissed, ready to protect Kong Sheng as they turned their horses around. Wu Jie, looking at his captured brother, was anxious and distraught, but he gritted his teeth and turned his horse to cover Kong Sheng’s withdrawal. In this moment, the brothers had put aside their past and were truly united with Kong Sheng.

Kong Sheng sighed softly. "Brother Mu, it is too late. Look!"

A thunderous sound of hooves rose from behind. Amidst rolling dust, dozens of bandits brandishing steel blades appeared, surrounding the three of them.

Mu Changfeng’s brow furrowed as he drew his sword, sitting tall on his horse, prepared for a life-or-death struggle. Wu Jie, realizing there was no escaping a bloody battle, drew his scimitar, his expression grim as he held it across his chest.

*Clatter, clatter, clatter!*

Another wave of hoofbeats echoed as a powerful black horse galloped down from the slope. Mounted on it was a stunning woman in red, wearing light breastplate armor and holding a longbow. She looked like a rolling flame, her demeanor heroic and sharp.

As the woman in red descended, the surrounding bandits cheered deafeningly, stomping their feet and raising their weapons, filling the air with dust.

The woman reined in her horse just ten yards before them. She sized up Kong Sheng for a moment and then shouted, "You lot look shifty-eyed and suspicious! Speak your names and your business, or prepare to be executed!"

Kong Sheng frowned internally. None of the four of them looked "shifty-eyed," and the female bandit’s opening line was quite unconventional.

Mu Changfeng stared at her, surprised. He had not expected the Chemen bandits to be led by a young woman. She possessed a strong aura of the martial world, yet he could not recall any such figure in the underworld.

Wu Jie rode forward, cupped his hands, and said loudly, "We are merchants from Jiangnan heading to Suiyang. We have no grievances with the heroes of Chemen Mountain. We ask that you grant us safe passage; we would be most grateful."

Wu Jie knew these were merely empty words. He realized this band of outlaws had a clear objective, or they would not have set an ambush. He cursed his luck, hoping that as a group of four with little to their names, they wouldn't attract attention. Yet, here they were, facing a crisis from which escaping unscathed would be difficult.

He estimated there were twenty or thirty men from the woods and dozens more behind them. With weapons and bows, the odds of fighting their way out were slim.

Kong Sheng and Mu Changfeng exchanged a glance and remained silent. If Wu Jie could bribe them or talk his way out, it would be for the best; Kong Sheng was willing to part with the hundred or so strings of cash he carried to avoid trouble.

The woman in red glanced at Wu Jie with contempt and pointed her longbow at him. "Bah! A pack of lies! If you are merchants, where is your cargo? Besides, Suiyang is currently engulfed in war; the trade routes are severed! Where are you going to trade? You are clearly spies conspiring with the enemy! Men, seize them!"

Hearing a bandit leader speak of "conspiring with the enemy" with such righteous indignation felt absurd to Kong Sheng. As bandits from all sides closed in with malicious grins and raised blades, Mu Changfeng let out a sharp cry and raised his sword to strike the leader. Suddenly, a whistling sound pierced the air. An arrow flew like a meteor, striking his blade with such force that it knocked his sword aside, causing him to strike empty air.