Chapter 155: Chapter 115: Knowing the Mountain Is Full of Tigers, Yet Heading for It

"We’ve passed Ghost Cry Forest, and the Youx Mountain Moon Sect didn’t take any action. From here on, it’s smooth sailing, and we’ll soon reach Xingqing Prefecture City, where it’ll be safe."

An experienced Jianghu person shouted loudly from the side.

For a moment, all the Jianghu people within the caravan began to whisper amongst themselves...

It was generally about how fortunate it was that this journey hadn’t encountered any major mishaps, nor any danger.

This time, the silver was indeed easy to earn.

Chen Ping noticed that the households once tightly guarding the master’s vehicles were now collectively letting out a sigh of relief.

He felt a bit curious inside.

The last time, when he and Hua Lian’er escaped into Youx Mountain, he hadn’t seen anyone from this "Moon Sect." Hua Lian’er hadn’t mentioned it either, perhaps she knew but chose not to say, not wanting to burden him.

Seeing the doubt in Chen Ping’s eyes, Xiongba chuckled from the side, "Brother Chen, it’s not surprising you haven’t heard of the Youx Mountain Moon Sect. Among the Seven Demonic Sects, the Youx Mountain Moon Sect has the fewest members, and few have seen them in action.

However, when the Moon Sect disciples do take action, it creates a huge event... Their methods of controlling spirits and ghosts are truly indescribable. It’s best to avoid provoking them if you can."

"The Seven Demonic Sects? I’ve only heard of the Blood Shadow Sect, Thousand Bone Forest, and Extreme Yin Sect. Is this Youx Mountain Moon Sect also among them? What are the other three sects?"

Chen Ping didn’t mind revealing his lack of knowledge and asked directly when he didn’t understand.

Xiongba didn’t mind either and casually replied, "The four demonic paths Brother Chen has heard of are indeed ruthless and unrestrained in their actions, but they are somewhat disciplined. In comparison, the other three sects are completely unscrupulous."

He shook his head, a hint of disgust in his eyes, and continued, "The Corpse King Sect digs up graves everywhere, desecrates corpses, and has no limits to their actions.

Everyone shouts for the destruction of this demonic path, yet they are very powerful. If you encounter them in the future, it’s best not to associate with them at all, or you’ll have no peace.

As for the Joyful Union Sect, their name alone suggests the kind of deeds they engage in. Their moral corruption justifies their acts under the pretext of ’unleashing the heart and nearing the heavenly path,’ best not to mention further.

The last is the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. They not only let beasts eat people but take pride in their beasts, not considering themselves human...

If you encounter their disciples, treat them as monsters to be slain, as they won’t reason with you."

"Thank you, Brother Xiong, for enlightening me." Chen Ping sincerely cupped his hands.

Typically, encounters in the Jianghu wouldn’t involve someone generously sharing these secrets with you.

Even if they did, it would be half-truths and veiled words.

For someone like Xiongba to openly critique the sects of the world without restraint in calling out their evils cannot simply be explained by being broad-minded.

It only means that this person’s inner and outer selves align, adhering to a friendship philosophy where ’nothing is unspeakable.’

"Hmm..."

While speaking, the two simultaneously reined in their horses, stopping their advance.

Chen Ping looked over and saw Xiongba also turning to look at him.

Xiongba chuckled, "Brother Chen, your senses are sharp. Did you notice something amiss?"

Chen Ping nodded, "I grew up in the mountains among wild beasts and birds, so I have some insight into the strange Qi Mechanisms in the wilderness."

He said this quite smoothly.

In reality, the Little Cyan Bird on his shoulder was comfortably dozing against his neck...

No point in hiding it; having such a cute bird made it plausible that he grew up in the mountains.

"But Brother Xiong, your sense of the Qi Mechanism is truly strong. To sense hostility from so far away—your cultivation is beyond my reach."

"Haha, you’re too kind. I just have this small skill; not worthy of being called deep cultivation."

Xiongba laughed heartily, reaching out to stop Du Jingyun, who was about to advance on horseback... but before he could shout a warning, a rumble of large stones had already begun rolling down the hillside.

Besides rockfall, there came a dense wave of arrows, whistling sharply, sweeping over the convoy.

That wasn’t all; at the end of the mountain path ahead, with the sound of a gong, dozens of horsemen led a group of mountain bandits charging forward.

These people were wailing with excitement and bloodlust in their eyes.

They even flew a banner, embroidered with a golden bird-like creature.

"It’s Golden Chicken Ridge..."

"Would Golden Chicken Ridge bandits dare attack the Cui Family convoy?"

"Hold your ground, hold your ground, don’t scatter!"

All around was chaos, with screams and angry shouts blending into each other.

Aside from the Cui Family convoy, which managed to maintain composure, the independent merchants who had been following behind now wore pained expressions, with some even wailing loudly.

Their reason for following the Cui Family convoy was the reputation it carried, capable of deterring petty criminals.

However, not only did it fail to scare off the bandits, but it also attracted a large group of robbers.

The enemy had clearly been planning this for some time, launching a sudden attack that, even if repelled, would result in significant losses.

If handled poorly, not only would goods be lost, but lives could be too.

"The big boss of Golden Chicken Ridge, Qin Duyan, has pretty impressive cultivation and is quite a character. But to think he’d dare target the Cui Family... he’s been overestimated. Brother Chen, do you notice anything off?"

Xiongba, casually maneuvering his horse to dodge stones and arrows, turned to ask.

Chen Ping was unsure why this grandly named giant had taken a liking to him from the start, treating him with sincerity, and thus felt little need to hide his feelings at the moment.

Chen Ping was no Tian Qi.