Chapter Thirty-Three: The Caravan

After a day’s journey across the wasteland, Li Ju had witnessed firsthand the chaos that old Li the carpenter had described—how truly disordered the great wilderness was. In just a single day, more than ten bands of mounted bandits, ranging from a few to a dozen men, had tried to rob the three of them. There was even a mid-sized gang of over fifty riders that launched an attack.

Fortunately, though these bandits were numerous, few possessed real strength. There weren’t many seasoned fighters among them, let alone any true martial masters. As a result, Li Ju dispatched them all with ease, leaving them as ghosts beneath his blade.

During this time, Li Ju happened upon a small merchant caravan beset by bandits and, by chance, managed to rescue them.

“Brother Li, this is sheep’s milk cream, purchased from those dark-bearded men beyond the northern border. Its flavor is exquisite.”

A middle-aged man with a weathered face pressed a wooden box into Li Ju’s hands.

“Brother Luo, you’re too generous.”

Li Ju demurred briefly, then politely accepted the gift.

The man’s name was Luo Hao, leader of the caravan that traveled between the dark-bearded tribes beyond the northern frontier and the city of Shimen County. After Li Ju had saved his caravan from the bandits, Luo Hao invited him to join their ranks and, along the way, often brought various goods for Li Ju and his companions.

Li Ju gladly accepted these gifts, feeling they were his rightful due for rescuing the caravan.

“Brother Li, do you have any plans once you reach Shimen County?”

This time, after Li Ju accepted the gift, Luo Hao did not take his leave as he usually did, but instead broached the question.

“We are newcomers to Shimen County and unfamiliar with the area. For now, we’ll observe the situation in the city before making any decisions.”

Li Ju, suspecting Luo Hao’s intentions, chose not to expose them outright.

“If you have nowhere to go for the time being, would you allow me the honor of hiring you as captain of my caravan’s guards? I am prepared to offer you a monthly wage of one hundred taels of silver.”

As expected, Luo Hao spoke after a deep breath.

“I must decline. I am by nature a man who prefers a peaceful life and have no wish to spend my days roaming with a caravan for a living.”

Li Ju shook his head, turning down the offer.

Of course, his talk of a peaceful temperament was merely an excuse. The real reason was that Luo Hao’s offer could not tempt him. One hundred taels of silver a month sounded substantial, but with Li Ju’s skills, a casual sweep through any bandit stronghold in the wilderness could net him several thousand taels. Luo Hao’s hundred taels wouldn’t even fill the gap between his teeth.

“My caravan’s doors will always be open to you, Brother Li.”

Luo Hao, looking regretful, bid Li Ju farewell and departed.

“Brother, what did President Luo bring this time?”

From the carriage beside Li Ju, Li Yan suddenly lifted the curtain and called out.

After Li Ju temporarily joined the caravan, Luo Hao made a carriage available exclusively for Li Ju and his companions.

“Right, Brother Li, what did my father send over?”

Another small head squeezed out next to Li Yan’s. This was Luo Hao’s daughter, Luo Yun, close in age to Li Yan and cheerful in disposition. She often came over to play with Li Yan and soon became fast friends with her, especially since Li Yan had always kept mostly to herself at home and rarely interacted with peers.

“A sheep’s milk cream from the dark-bearded people,” Li Ju weighed the wooden box in his hand, then tossed it into the carriage. “It’s for you to enjoy.”

Joyful voices erupted from within the carriage.

“These two children…” Li Ju laughed and shook his head.

“But there’s something off about Luo Hao’s aura…” Li Ju narrowed his eyes as he looked at the small caravan, comprised of only a few carriages.

“Am I just overthinking it…”

Luo Hao, having taken leave of Li Ju, returned to his carriage at the front of the caravan. No sooner had he boarded than a voice sounded.

“Did he agree?”

“No.” Luo Hao sat in the center of the carriage and shook his head.

Though he seemed to be speaking to someone, there was only his own figure inside the carriage—no one else.

“But it was hardly unexpected. Judging from his skill in dealing with the bandits, he’s an external martial master. One hundred taels of silver a month carries no sincerity—nothing that would entice him.”

Luo Hao seemed to be muttering to himself.

“But one hundred taels is the highest price your caravan can offer, isn’t it?”

The voice drifted into the carriage from nowhere.

“This time, you took advantage of the chaos in the Snow Court of the dark-bearded tribes to steal the sacred relic of the Leopard Clan. This has enraged the entire clan. At this very moment, they’ve already sent people across the northern border into Caiszhou to hunt you down.”

“What’s there to fear? The upheaval in the Snow Court is far from over, and the Leopard Clan’s main forces are tied up there. Coupled with the patrols of the Black Armor Army guarding the border, how many warriors can the Leopard Clan send into Caiszhou?”

Luo Hao’s voice was icy, a stark contrast to the fawning manner he had shown Li Ju earlier, as if he were an entirely different person.

“At present, we know that a Leopard Clan warrior named Man Kesu has already entered Caiszhou with several elite fighters.”

The voice spoke quietly.

“Man Kesu?! What is the Black Armor Army doing, allowing a dark-bearded Man Kesu to cross into Caiszhou?” Luo Hao’s composure shattered at these words, his disbelief plain.

“Regardless of what the Black Armor Army is doing, it’s confirmed: a Man Kesu has entered Caiszhou, and his target is the sacred relic in your possession.”

“This item is ultimately meant to fall into your hands. You must protect my safety.”

Luo Hao closed his eyes, reopened them, and steadied himself before speaking.

“It’s difficult. Recently, we’ve become entangled with the Northern Bureau of Dayong. Under such circumstances, we can’t spare enough strength to protect you from a Man Kesu.”

The voice was utterly devoid of emotion.

“Don’t you want the item I hold? If worst comes to worst, I’ll simply toss it away and rid myself of Man Kesu’s pursuit. You, however, will gain nothing.”

Luo Hao spoke coldly.

“In that case, you needn’t remain alive in this world.”

“If Man Kesu catches up to me, I’m dead anyway. Death either way—what do I have to fear!”

The voice was silent for a long while before speaking again.

“As long as you can make it out of Caiszhou alive, and stay clear of the Black Armor Army’s watch, we can guarantee your safety.”

“You may use that external martial master in your caravan to fend off attacks for a while.”

“Hmph, an external martial master is but a grain of sand before Man Kesu.”

Luo Hao scoffed.

“But at the very least, he can buy you some time, can’t he?”

The voice remained emotionless.