The several hundred members of the grain transport team, although not clad in iron armor, were all wearing leather armor, and within their ranks, there was no shortage of those who had ignited their Qi Blood.

A Martial Dao expert who has ignited their Qi Blood is enough to intimidate a cultivator in the Yin Spirit Realm. Once a martial artist awakens their Martial Dao Qi Blood, it is a complete transformation, and their physical body quickly undergoes extreme metamorphosis. Whether in strength or reaction speed, all will greatly improve.

The Martial Dao Qi Blood Realm encompasses two extremes; the strong can battle with Bloodline Practitioners, while the weak can only bully those weaker.

In Zhang Chen’s perception, this group of people had at least ten Martial Dao experts who had ignited their Qi Blood, an undeniably impressive formation. As for Divine Soul Dao cultivators, there were none present. Divine Soul Dao cultivators are a rare commodity; not only are Divine Soul Secret Techniques difficult to find, but they are also hard to cultivate, and even if practiced, they are not easy to master.

Upon further inspection of the flags within the team, a thoughtful look appeared in Zhang Chen’s eyes: "So, it’s a team from an escort agency."

The banner was inscribed with: Dragon Tiger Escort Agency.

Furthermore, Zhang Chen could see that all the porters were equipped with crossbow arrows, each appearing energetic and robust, walking, sitting, and lying with disciplined strictness, clearly not easy to provoke.

"This Dragon Tiger Escort Agency is not simple. Whether in terms of armor or crossbows, all are forbidden items, yet the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency equips them so openly, indicating that they have significant backing," Zhang Chen muttered to himself.

Following behind the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency were thousands of refugees, silently walking behind the agency, creating an oppressive atmosphere in the team.

"The Dragon Tiger Escort Agency is one of the top ten escort agencies in Jiangnan Dao, wielding influence across the north and south, operating among the major vassal states. It is said that behind the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency lies the holy land of the Daoist Sect, Dragon Tiger Mountain, its influence radiating throughout Jiangnan. The ancestor of their sect is often invited to Kyoto to practice alchemy for the Great Victory Royal Family; considering their background, a mere crossbow is hardly surprising," Xiaodouding said with a smile.

"Do you know the origins of the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency?" Zhang Chen looked at Chengyu with surprise.

"I’ve heard from the senior brothers down the mountain. It is said that after the Great Virtuous Master achieved enlightenment, the first place he visited was Dragon Tiger Mountain. The Zhang Family of Dragon Tiger Mountain possesses a unique Bloodline Sealing Technique that can take the attributes of all things in the world and integrate them into their bloodline. They are a major force of the Jiang Dao Sect. However, the relationship between the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency and Dragon Tiger Mountain is not simply one of subordination. Many escort agencies bear the name of Dragon Tiger Mountain, making substantial payments to Dragon Tiger Mountain each year to acquire certain privileges, such as armor and crossbows, in a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship," Chengyu explained.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen pondered, isn’t this just like brand and franchise operations in later generations?

Each local escort agency is a franchisee, obtaining armour, crossbows, and other privileges through the name of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and then paying an annual franchise fee to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

"So that’s how it is." At this moment, Zhang Chen suddenly realized.

Then Zhang Chen and his group followed behind the large team. At this moment, some noticed Zhang Chen’s group, an orphan and a widow, their gazes falling on the large and small packages Zhang Chen was carrying, each eye showing a gleam of greed.

How could such blatant malicious intent escape Zhang Chen’s notice? He turned his gaze towards the source of the malice and saw a man dressed somewhat neatly, wielding a long knife. Next to him were eight young men, their clothing similarly relatively tidy, all staring intently at him.

"Looking for death, that’s all," Zhang Chen silently scoffed to himself.

He could sense that those individuals had some knowledge of Martial Dao, but their skill was merely rudimentary — not even comparable to an ant. If they did not provoke him, it would be fine, but should they dare to do so, he could crush them with one hand.

The man met Zhang Chen’s gaze. Although Zhang Chen appeared dirty, his eyes were exceptionally bright, showing no hint of fear or avoidance when locking eyes with the man.

Seeing Zhang Chen fearlessly staring back, as if provoked, the man’s eyes flashed with a cold light, and he turned his head silently to speak with his eight brothers.

At this moment, someone nearby began to speak, drawing Zhang Chen’s attention: "Have you heard? After the Demon Race entered the pass, the noble families all defected to the Demon Race, becoming their minions. They’ve formed large armies to block off every route, sealing the Northern Land’s checkpoints watertight, intending to pen up all of the Northern Land’s citizens."

"These are simply beasts! We are of the same race, yet these noble families, instead of fighting the Demon Race, actually help them enclose us as livestock — truly deserving of divine retribution," someone else cursed angrily.

Zhang Chen was shocked, eyes showing a glint of shock: "The noble families actually surrendered to the Demon Race? Most critically, the Demon Race accepted the surrender of each noble family amongst the Human Race?"

Zhang Chen could hardly believe it, puzzled as to why the Demon Race would accept the surrender of the noble families of the Human Race.

He couldn’t figure it out!

Zhang Chen glanced sideways. The speaker was a man with a dusty face but a somewhat refined manner of speaking. He was probably in his forties and was speaking with a few others about the Northern Land’s situation. Since Zhang Chen couldn’t figure it out, he directly asked, "Uncle, surely you’ve misheard. The Demon Race views us humans as food. How could they possibly accept the surrender of the great families?"

The man turned to look at Zhang Chen, his eyes lingering on Mrs. Zhang with an eager glint: "Greetings, young brother. My name is Wang Yan, a storyteller from Goulan County. Though young, you don’t understand the wickedness in people’s hearts. Although the Demon Race army advances southward, the Great Demons truly possessing the Divine Techniques number only a few hundred, and Demon Beasts with human-like intelligence are fewer than two thousand. Once these beasts break out of the Demon Beasts’ restraint, they scatter and become unruly. Therefore, the Demon Beasts must manage the large beast army carefully and cannot move recklessly. The Great Demons dare not act lightly, and the intelligence of ordinary spirit monsters is too low. Thus, the Demon Race must rely on the Human Race in the Northern Land for assistance, accepting the allegiance of the great families there. These families organize armies, block major exits, and, by supplying the Demon Race army with blood food on schedule, they continue to exploit and oppress the common people. The fall of the Northern Land doesn’t concern them. Some families even offer their children for marriage with the Demon Race or directly join them, becoming part of them."

"I heard that in Prince Pingbian’s territory in the Northern Land, all major checkpoints leading to the outside have been sealed by the great families, and all refugees are forbidden from moving south," Wang Yan said.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen recalled the "Second Devils" of a previous era. When the Island Country invaded the Divine Land then, didn’t they rely on the "Second Devils" to rule the land? The vastness of the Divine Land compared to the small population of the Island Country showed their reliance on the "Second Devils" for control.

"For noble families, possessing Bloodline Power, it doesn’t matter whether they align with the Demon Race or the Human Race; the treatment is never poor," Wang Yan said with a smile. "Where are you planning to go, young brother?"

"I’m heading south to escape," Zhang Chen replied.

Wang Yan’s gaze swept over Zhang Chen’s small group, noting it consisted of a widow and her children. He cautiously inquired, "Why do I only see your mother and siblings? Where is your father?"

Zhang Chen sighed deeply at the words: "My unfortunate father was taken by a beast on the road, leaving us as a lonely widow and orphans..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan’s eyes lit up: "Young brother, the road ahead is fraught with danger. How will you and your widowed mother safely head south? Without a man for support, you could attract wrongdoers at any moment. Why not travel together with us for safety?"

Wang Yan wiped the dust off his face, formally bowing to Zhang Chen’s group: "Though I’m merely a storyteller, I can still provide for a family. I can become your stepfather, a pillar of support. With me escorting you, I guarantee you widowed mother and orphans will safely reach Jiangnan."

Zhang Chen’s face turned dark: "I think I could be your father. Why don’t you kneel and call me Dad, and I’ll be your old man?"

Zhang Chen was at a loss for words. This fellow was truly a seasoned wanderer in the Martial World, with a thick skin typical of storytellers mingling among various circles.

But these times were indeed this straightforward. Like chaotic times in the past, where a bowl of rice could win you someone’s favor, or a bowl of porridge could have one sell themselves to another.

"You kid, I’m just trying to help seeing you’re a widow and orphans, afraid you’d be bullied. If you don’t appreciate it, never mind. We can start as brothers and take time to acclimate," Wang Yan said without any embarrassment, sidestepping Zhang Chen and, with a smile, greeted Mrs. Zhang: "Wang Yan greets you, madam."

Mrs. Zhang had consumed the True Dragon’s vital organs, transforming herself. Her refined aura and youthful skin were now like that of an eighteen-year-old girl, despite the dust covering her, not diminishing her essence.

Upon hearing Wang Yan’s words, Mrs. Zhang scolded, "You rascal, look in a mirror. What makes you think you could covet me? You truly don’t know your place..."

Was Mrs. Zhang someone easy to provoke?

She reared Zhang Chen and his siblings alone. If she were soft, they would have been devoured to the bone.

Covered in Mrs. Zhang’s spittle, Wang Yan slunk back into the crowd. Others around shifted their gazes, curious about the commotion, then returned to the previous silence, resuming their hushed discussions as they walked, weighed down with worry.

The convoy moved quickly, and everyone followed closely. There was no time to waste energy talking.

By evening, a whip cracked, signaling the escort agency’s convoy to stop and set up camp, preparing meals.

Ordinary folks following the convoy began to look for places to prepare their dinners.

"Attention everyone, no fires are allowed. Anyone who dares light a fire will face severe consequences." An escort master rode through, sternly reprimanding the refugees.