123: Chapter 123 Reactions from All Parties

After entering Black Wind Gorge, the remaining four teams of the Liu Family were also successively ambushed by the Black Tiger Gang.

However, just as Li Tianxiong had deployed, the forces targeting these four routes were only small groups of elites, with the sole purpose of containment and harassment.

Each team usually faced twenty or thirty fierce bandits led by a single Fourth-Rank Warrior bandit leader; although their offensive was fierce, they did not go all out.

The first team was garrisoned by Young Master Zhao Qingyun and another Fourth-Rank Elder of the Liu Family. Although that Fourth-Rank Elder's strength was slightly inferior to Young Master Zhao Qingyun's, the two of them working together were able to steadily block the fierce attacks of the Black Tiger Gang's Fourth-Rank Middle Stage bandit leader.

After half an hour of intense fighting, the Black Tiger Gang bandits saw that it was difficult to win quickly, and hearing faint sounds of violent fighting and screams from deep within the gorge, they seemed to receive some kind of signal. With a whistle, they left behind a few corpses and quickly retreated into the mountain forest, disappearing from sight.

"Hmph, a rabble!" Young Master Zhao Qingyun sheathed his sword and stood still. Watching the retreating bandits, he gave a contemptuous cold snort and brushed off non-existent dust from his lapels.

He felt that he had contributed the most in this battle, his sword techniques were sharp, and he had forced back the opponent's main attack, leaving him feeling quite pleased with himself.

The Elder of the Liu Family beside him also breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly exclaimed, "Young Master Zhao is heroic!"

The situations for the second, fourth, and fifth teams were much the same, each encountering a Fourth-Rank bandit leader leading a harassment party.

These teams themselves had one or two Fourth-Rank Warriors, and with their superior number of guards, although they experienced a bitter battle and suffered some losses, they ultimately repelled the incoming enemies.

When the Black Tiger Gang's troops receded like a tide, each team counted their losses and bandaged their wounded, all silently feeling lucky.

It seemed the Black Tiger Gang hadn't targeted them with full force this time, just a routine "pillaging," and once repelled, they didn't continue to pester them.

"It seems our luck is good this time; the Black Tiger Gang doesn't seem to have used their full strength."

"Indeed. I heard that in previous years passing through Black Wind Gorge, one would at least lose a layer of skin."

"Let's hurry, lest they return."

The teams dared not linger. After a brief rest, they quickened their pace and hurried toward Yunzhou City.

There were no further complications along the way, and finally, within the agreed time limit, they arrived safely one after another at the Liu Family's rendezvous point outside the south gate of Yunzhou City.

After handing over the goods and verifying them without error, the Liu Family steward in charge of receiving them encouraged everyone and distributed a portion of the payment. The hearts that had been hanging in suspense finally settled, and relieved smiles appeared on their faces.

"Finally finished. Although this trip was dangerous, the reward is generous, so it was worth it!"

"It's all thanks to the Fourth-Rank Senior garrisoning our team."

"I wonder how the other teams are doing..."

Just as everyone was congratulating each other and discussing, someone suddenly noticed: "Eh? Where is the third team? Why haven't they arrived yet?"

"That's right, Elder Han's team, and that young Genius Lin Tian from the Qixia Sect, which route did they take?"

"Could it be... that they encountered trouble?"

They waited for a while, but there was still no sign of the third team. On the open ground in front of the rendezvous point, the atmosphere gradually became somewhat subtle.

Many people began whispering to each other, speculating about the whereabouts of the third team.

Young Master Zhao Qingyun stood with his arms crossed, leaning against a large tree. Upon hearing this, a smirk of undisguised mockery curled at the corner of his mouth. His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for those around him to hear clearly: "The third team? Aside from old man Elder Han, isn't it led by that Qixia Sect 'Genius' Lin Tian who has been blown up to the heavens?"

"Young people, lacking experience, are unreliable. Leading the team, I'm afraid they took the wrong path, or... encountered a tough opponent and perished inside, right?"

His words carried obvious schadenfreude. Ever since he learned of Lin Tian's identity as a Disciple of the Qixia Sect, and saw how Liu Yiyi favored him, jealousy had been brewing in Young Master Zhao Qingyun's heart.

At this moment, seeing that the third team had not returned, he was naturally happy to kick them while they were down.

"What Young Master Zhao says... might not be impossible," someone echoed. "Although Young Master Lin comes from a prestigious sect, he is, after all, too young, and I fear his experience is insufficient."

"The terrain of Black Wind Gorge is complex, and the bandits are dangerous. If he makes a misjudgment..."

"Sigh, it's a pity, so young and already..."

"That is why, when escorting goods, having talent and cultivation alone is not enough; experience and steadiness are more important."

The crowd discussed it at length, most expressing pessimism about the third team's situation, and the looks they directed at the Liu Family steward also carried some sympathy and doubt.

The Liu Family steward responsible for the handover already had an extremely ugly expression. He frequently looked toward the direction leading to Black Wind Gorge, sweat faintly appearing on his forehead.

Others might not know, but he had vaguely learned from the higher-ups of the Family that the most critical "qingluo fruit" for this escort was among the cargo of the third team!

If something really happened to the third team, the loss would be huge! Moreover, the intensity of the Black Tiger Gang's harassment this time was clearly unusual. Could it be...

Just at this moment, a trusted guard of the Liu Family hurried over from the direction of the city and whispered a few urgent words into the steward's ear.

After hearing this, the steward's body swayed violently, his face turned paper-white in a flash, and he exclaimed involuntarily: "What?! The third team was besieged by at least five Fourth-Rank Warriors near 'Wolf Howl Ravine'?! Is the news certain?!"

"Five Fourth-Rank Warriors?!"

"My God! How is this possible?!"

"Each of our teams only encountered one at most!"

"Where did the Black Tiger Gang get so many Fourth-Rank experts? And they all went to besiege the third team?!"

The steward's exclamation was like a thunderclap, instantly causing a huge commotion among the crowd!

Everyone was stunned, looking at the steward in disbelief. Five Fourth-Rank Warriors besieging them?

This was no longer a simple robbery; it was clearly a death trap! The third team only had Elder Han and Lin Tian, two Fourth-Rank Warriors; how could they possibly block it?!

"It's over... it's all over..." the Liu Family steward muttered to himself, his face ashen, his legs weak, almost unable to stand.

The qingluo fruit... the hope for the Family's rise... and that Genius Disciple from the Qixia Sect... could they all be...?

Young Master Zhao Qingyun was stunned for a moment, then a flash of uncontrollable wild joy crossed his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, turning it into a face of "grief" and "regret."

He shook his head and sighed: "Five Fourth-Rank Warriors... Sigh, Brother Lin... even if he were a heaven-gifted Genius, I fear that two fists are no match for four hands, let alone ten... It is a pity, truly lamentable!"

Yet in his heart, he sneered repeatedly: A Qixia Sect Genius? A dead Genius is nothing! Liu Yiyi, oh Liu Yiyi, let's see how much longer you can pine for a dead man.

The surrounding crowd also sighed repeatedly, their gazes toward the direction of Black Wind Gorge filled with pity.

No one believed that in the face of being besieged by five opponents of the same rank, there could still be a possibility of survival.

Total annihilation was almost the only outcome.

"No! I must see the people alive, or see their corpses!" The Liu Family steward forced himself to calm down, suddenly raising his head to cup his hands toward the Martial Artists present who had not yet dispersed and had mostly received their payment. His voice was hoarse but carried determination:

"Everyone! The situation of the third team is unknown, and it looks ominous, but no matter what, my Liu Family must go and investigate!"

"Elder Han and Young Master Lin are honored guests of our Liu Family, and they carry important items!"

"I implore you warriors, for the sake of our camaraderie, to help my Liu Family one more time and go to Black Wind Gorge to search! No matter the outcome, the Liu Family will surely reward you heavily!"

These Martial Artists had just experienced a battle and were already exhausted, but seeing the Liu Family steward so sincere, the reward would surely not be low. Furthermore, they were curious about the bizarre incident of "five Fourth-Rank Warriors besieging them," so after a moment of hesitation, most nodded in agreement.

Young Master Zhao Qingyun also stated with "righteous indignation": "The Liu Family's business is my business! Although Brother Lin and I have only met once, how can I sit idly by while such a talented person falls? I, Zhao, am willing to go!"

In his heart, however, he was thinking of going to see the miserable state of Lin Tian, perhaps picking up some benefits. More importantly, he wanted to show off his "righteousness" and "deep affection" in front of the Liu Family, especially in front of Liu Yiyi, who might arrive.

Immediately, the Liu Family steward left a few people behind to wait and notify the Family, while he himself, along with dozens of Martial Artists and Young Master Zhao Qingyun, rushed out of the south gate again, anxious as a fire, and sprinted toward Black Wind Gorge.

Liu Family ancestral residence, inner hall.

"Bang!" A fine celadon teacup was smashed fiercely onto the ground, its fragments scattering everywhere.

The head of the Liu Family, a middle-aged man with a refined face, but whose hair and beard were now standing on end, was furious. He roared at the trembling stewards and Elders below: "Trash! A bunch of trash! How could such important information be leaked?!"

"How could the Black Tiger Gang precisely know which team had the qingluo fruit?! And they even mobilized five Fourth-Rank Warriors to besiege them?! Speak! Is there a traitor in our Liu Family?!"

The people below were silent as cicadas in winter, cold sweat streaming down. The matter of the qingluo fruit was known only to a few core members of the Liu Family, and the transport route and team allocation were top secret.

Now that such a slip-up had occurred, the possibility of a traitor was indeed the greatest.

"Investigate! Investigate this thoroughly for me! Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, find out the traitor who is biting the hand that feeds them!" The Liu Family head was furious.

The qingluo fruit concerned the hope for whether the Family could advance further in the next few years. Now that it was about to be ruined, how could he not be angry?

Just then, the side door of the inner hall was pushed open violently, and a goose-yellow figure stumbled in. It was Liu Yiyi.

Her originally bright and pretty face was now as pale as paper, her eyes red, obviously having just cried, and her hair was a bit disheveled.

She rushed to the Liu Family head, her voice trembling with a crying tone: "Father! Father! Outside... there are rumors outside that the third team was besieged by five Fourth-Rank Warriors at Wolf Howl Ravine. Is it true?!"

"Lin... Young Master Lin is in the third team! Will he... will he..."

Before she could finish, tears rolled down like pearls off a broken string. When she heard the news, she felt the world spinning, as if the whole world had lost its color.

That young figure who descended like a Heavenly God in the Taixuan Mountain Range to save her from the wolf's mouth, that young figure who stood quietly holding a sword in the side hall of the Liu Family, standing out from the crowd, could he have fallen just like that?

She dared not think, and was unwilling to believe it.

Looking at her daughter, pear blossoms bathed in rain, devastated, the Liu Family head felt a pain in his heart, his anger mixed with annoyance and helplessness.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to soften his tone: "Yiyi, the news... is indeed true."

"The third team was attacked, and the situation... is not optimistic. Steward Li has already taken people to search. You... don't be too sad, perhaps... there is still a turning point."

Even he had no confidence when saying this.

"A turning point? Five Fourth-Rank Warriors besieging... what turning point could there be..." Liu Yiyi muttered in a daze, her delicate body swaying, almost unable to stand, and was quickly supported by the maid beside her.

Her heart was filled with remorse. If it weren't for her inviting Lin Tian to take the mission, how would Lin Tian have been drawn into this death trap?

If it weren't for the Liu Family hiding the matter of the qingluo fruit, how would Lin Tian have been in such a desperate situation?

"Young Master Lin... it was I who harmed you... it was I who harmed you..." She sobbed softly, her heart twisted like a knife.

Black Wind Gorge, near Wolf Howl Ravine.

The Liu Family steward led Young Master Zhao Qingyun and dozens of Martial Artists, carefully searching along the predetermined route of the third team.

The air was filled with a faint, lingering scent of blood. Along the way, traces of intense fighting could be seen—broken weapons, overturned gravel, and dark red blood splattered on the bushes, all of which indicated that a fierce battle had taken place here.

Everyone's hearts sank continuously. The further they went, the more obvious the traces became, and they even began to see sporadic corpses of Black Tiger Gang bandits.

"Looking at this, the battle was extremely tragic..."

"The third team... I'm afraid they are truly doomed."

Young Master Zhao Qingyun walked at the front of the team, his gaze sweeping over the corpses of the bandits, a hint of hard-to-detect triumph flashing in his eyes. It's good they are dead, dead clean!

He could almost imagine how heartbroken Liu Yiyi would be when finding the tattered corpse of that kid Lin Tian, and he, in turn, would become the best candidate to comfort her and protect the Liu Family.

After traveling a bit further, ahead was a relatively open gravel beach. Suddenly, the scout walking in front gave a surprised exclamation.

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they quickened their pace.

Seeing at the edge of the gravel beach, two familiar mule carts with the Liu Family mark were parked there. Beside the carts sat or stood more than ten people; although most were injured, their clothes stained with blood, and their expressions weary, they were indeed the living guards of the third team!

Elder Han was leaning on that giant blade, directing two people to pack up the scattered goods.

"Elder Han?! Is it you?! You are still alive?!" The Liu Family steward was both shocked and delighted, simply unable to believe his eyes, and ran over with his people.

The smile on Young Master Zhao Qingyun's face froze instantly, his pupils shrank, and his heart felt as if it had been hit hard by a heavy hammer! How is it possible?! How could they still be alive?!

Under the siege of five Fourth-Rank Warriors, not only were the people alive, but even the carts and most of the goods were still there?! This... this is unreasonable!

The other Martial Artists were also dumbfounded, looking at each other as if they had seen a ghost.

The scene of total annihilation and corpses strewn across the field that they had expected did not appear; instead, it was such a scene, although disheveled, still full of life?

"Steward Li? Why are you here?" When Elder Han saw the newcomers, he was also stunned for a moment, then showed an expression of relief, "You came just in time, help quickly! A few brothers are seriously injured and need to be sent back to the city for treatment as soon as possible!"

"Elder Han, this... what exactly is going on?" Steward Li rushed to the front, eagerly grabbed Elder Han's arm, looked him up and down, and then looked at the surrounding guards who, although injured, were clearly numerous. He spoke incoherently, "We... we received news that you were besieged here by five Fourth-Rank Warriors leading the team... we thought..."

"The news is correct." Elder Han interrupted him, his face sinking, a trace of lingering fear and trepidation flashing in his eyes, "We were indeed here, surrounded by five Fourth-Rank scumbags from the Black Tiger Gang leading their men, and we almost really ended up here."

"What? You really encountered them? Then how are you..." Steward Li and everyone around were even more shocked. Since they encountered them, how could they still...

Elder Han's gaze swept over the crowd gathering around, paused slightly on the face of Young Master Zhao Qingyun, whose face was livid and eyes flickering, and then raised his voice, firm and decisive, with incomparable relief and reverence, he said:

"We are able to stand here alive and keep most of the goods, all thanks to Young Master Lin! It was Young Master Lin, with his own strength, who successively killed three of the opponent's Fourth-Rank leaders, severely injured one, and killed until the Black Tiger Gang was terrified and fled! If it weren't for Young Master Lin's heroic invincibility and turning the tide, we would have long been withered bones in the gorge; how would we have the life to meet you all?!"

"What?!"

"Young Master Lin? Killed three Fourth-Rank Warriors in succession?!"

"One against five... and killed three?!"

"This... how is this possible?!"