The blinding flames illuminated the vicinity like daylight.
Immediately after, a group of fierce-looking individuals emerged from both sides of the mountain path.
"Yaaah—
This mountain is mine to open, this tree is mine to plant. If you wish to pass, leave your toll!
Those ahead, be sensible and hand over all your valuables quickly!"
Upon hearing the all-too-familiar opening lines, Lin Qingge, instantly energized, was about to leave the carriage when Leng Ningyue gently pushed him back.
"Let's observe the situation first."
"Oh."
Lin Qingge responded, and he and Lin Zimo, with their two heads – one large and one small – peered out the carriage window.
On the other side, Yan Tinghao had already spoken gruffly:
"Who are you people, daring to block my… my eldest brother's carriage!
You're practically digging your own graves, are you tired of living?"
Fortunately, Yan Tinghao remembered his lord's instructions before leaving, and coupled with the training during his time at Wolong Villa, he managed not to blurt out anything too foolish.
"Eldest brother?
What kind of crowd does your eldest brother run with?"
Yan Tinghao opened his mouth, but for a long time, no words came out.
At this moment, Lu Mingxuan walked over and cupped his fists:
"My good sirs, my lord is sworn brothers with Lu Sanniang of Qingcai Port. Might I ask if you would allow us to pass out of respect for Lu Sanniang?"
"Lu Sanniang?"
Upon hearing these three words, the expressions of the group changed.
The man standing in the center, the leader, whispered a few words to those beside him, then frowned and let out a cold snort:
"Tch, you smooth-talking brat, claiming your lord is sworn brothers with Lu Sanniang just by opening your mouth?
Then I'm also Lu Sanniang's…
Never mind, if that crazy woman really heard about it, I'd be in deep trouble!"
"Esteemed sirs, I have a token from Qingcai Port as proof!"
Lu Mingxuan said, taking out a red silk embroidered with three plum blossoms from his sleeve. "If you don't believe me, send someone with this token to Qingcai Port to verify.
But if Lu Sanniang finds out you've robbed her sworn brother..."
Lu Mingxuan didn't finish his sentence, but the threat was very clear.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Lin Qingge was leisurely enjoying the moment of the usually timid Lu Mingxuan, while also greeting the carriage not far away:
"Brother Hua, why are there bandits in this area?"
"Brother Lin, this place is at the junction of Fengtian Prefecture and Ying Tian Prefecture. Because the jurisdiction is ambiguous, it has become a neglected grey area.
At the same time, it is the only official road to the capital, so bandits often appear here~"
"So that's how it is."
Fengtian Prefecture and Shuntian Prefecture are not adjacent, with Ying Tian Prefecture in between.
Although it wasn't crossing the entirety of Ying Tian Prefecture, it still required traversing a considerable distance.
Thus, this place was a necessary route to Shuntian Prefecture.
"Brother Hua, are there many bandits around here?"
"There should be quite a few. However, the bandits here are quite principled. I've heard they have a rule of 'Four Prohibitions.'
That is: they do not rob the old, weak, women, and children; they do not rob ordinary citizens; they do not rob frail scholars; and they do not rob urgent dispatches or relief funds."
"That sounds quite righteous. However, a bandit is still a bandit.
Since I have encountered them, I will naturally have to deal with them."
Lin Zimo poked his little head out and chimed in, smacking his lips:
"In Mo'er's opinion, they clearly dared to rob Father, so Father is just angry out of embarrassment!"
Lin Qingge flicked the little child's head with his hand. "Why are you everywhere!
And, am I the kind of petty person you think I am?"
"Father, how can you be petty? You're clearly calculating every little detail!
Master Murong, do you think Mo'er's idiom usage is correct?"
From another carriage, Murong Bai responded with a languid two words:
"Passable."
...
Lin Qingge, his true nature exposed by his bothersome nephew, rolled his eyes to the heavens and shouted forward:
"Lin has always heard that bandits are rampant at the border of Fengtian Prefecture and Ying Tian Prefecture. As a chivalrous individual who detests evil, I shall act on behalf of heaven today to eliminate the wicked and bring peace to the good!"
Lu Mingxuan, who had just been speaking in vain: ...
But in the next instant, understanding his lord's intention, he immediately turned back and ran, fearing he would be caught in the crossfire if he was a second late.
As expected.
Immediately after, his lord's impatient urging was heard:
"Second brother, third brother, fourth brother, why are you all standing there? Quickly capture these bandits!"
"Yes!"
The first to respond was Yan Tinghao, whose intelligence had suddenly come online, while Ling Han was the first to act.
Seeing him flash past and bring down so many, Lin Qingge hurriedly instructed:
"Be careful not to kill anyone!
Especially third brother, absolutely do not use lethal force!
And fourth brother, stop just eating and not working. When it's your turn to shine, you don't step up. Be careful your other arm doesn't get broken too!"
...
Lian Chengyi, relegated to the role of the fourth brother, twitched his mouth fiercely. However, whether it was the written agreement or his throbbing arm, it all reminded him of his subservient position.
Reluctantly, he had to spur his horse forward.
The bandits, who had already begun to consider retreating, were caught completely off guard. They desperately resisted, only to find that although the opposing group was small in number, their martial arts skills far surpassed their own.
With no other choice, the leader of the bandits put his thumb and index finger to his lips and blew a whistle.
The next moment, the sound of rolling boulders echoed from above.
"Quick, all carriages charge towards the bandits!"
With Lin Qingge's shout, Er Niu and An Yi, among others, whipped their horses and drove the carriages forward with all their might.
Simultaneously, Yan Tinghao and the other two cleared the path for them as much as possible.
Soon, boulders began to tumble down the mountain one after another.
However, because they were man-controlled, no boulders fell in the area where the bandits were positioned. This was precisely why Lin Qingge had instructed everyone to drive their carriages to this location.
"Ye Shenxiao, you are quick on your feet. Go and check the surroundings for any other ambushes."
"Got it, young master will be back soon!"
Hearing the summons, Ye Shenxiao flashed out of the carriage and merged into the night.
"Miss Yongning, Miss Xu, Xiao Cao, are you three alright?"
"Young Master Lin, we are perfectly fine!"
Hearing Yongning's somewhat inexplicably excited voice, Lin Qingge, who felt the little girl was probably enjoying the spectacle, called out to the back:
"Zhou Zeli, Lu Mingxuan, Qin Han, the three of you go down and tie them up. If there aren't enough ropes, just use their belts."
"Yes!"
With unified responses, Zhou Zeli and the others emerged from the carriage.
Lin Qingge subconsciously glanced and was stunned:
Strange.
She had clearly called for three people, so why did four people and a dog emerge?