Martial Arts Escort System: I Got A Maxed Level Divine Technique From The Beginning-Chapter 392 - 198: Follow Me Into Battle_3

"But after all, there are some differences."

"Manager Zhan, the middle-aged scholar, the Black Clothed Man, and Li Zhongcheng.

"A total of four people, guessing back and forth but none seem to fit; could it be that the expert has been hidden on the ship all along and never showed up?"

Wei Ziyi’s eyebrows rose slightly.

"That’s what I think too."

But unexpectedly, Su Mo actually nodded in agreement.

"..."

"Another hidden expert aboard?"

Wei Ziyi’s eyebrows furrowed slightly: "Can you be certain?"

"Isn’t this all just speculation?"

"Speculation must be based on something, right?"

"You know, coming from the South Sea, they must have encountered myriad hardships. This group, if relying solely on that Black Clothed Man, I fear they wouldn’t have been able to enter Donghuang without dying on the South Sea first.

"The seas are rough, and the methods employed even more cruel. Their ability to sail all this way surely means they are accompanied by a master.

"And furthermore... Thousand-mile Sight, which you said is a forbidden item at sea. Ordinary people can’t get their hands on it...

"Although Manager Zhan spoke vaguely and didn’t reveal the origin of the item, it’s conceivable that he must have an extraordinary identity; otherwise, how would he dare use the Thousand-mile Sight as a knocking brick?

"The talks of small trading and being a businessman are fine to fool others, but if you really think about it, it’s implausible."

"...Indeed, it makes sense."

Wei Ziyi’s eyebrows clenched tightly: "But if your speculation comes true, what could be the objective of a South Sea expert secretly infiltrating Donghuang?

"I will report this matter back to the sect; it’s better to keep a closer watch on this."

Su Mo glanced at Wei Ziyi and nodded lightly: "Alright."

The idle talk ended there, and they continued forward.

Only now, the troubles on the road had multiplied.

There would occasionally be robbers blocking the way, and occasionally high-skilled individuals peering at them as they passed by.

At night, they would often miss their Sutou.

It wasn’t that there was a problem with the itinerary that Su Mo had previously arranged with Yang Xiaoyun, but these places themselves were problematic.

Some had inexplicably changed Dong families.

Some were simply gone, leaving only ruins.

In the end, they could only camp on the spot and cook their meals.

The escorts had their own set of rules, one of which was to cook and prepare meals, which was quite common.

Unexpectedly, Captain Li was skilled at cooking.

When cooking, his expression was serious, even more solemn than when he usually sparred with others.

Although the conditions while traveling outdoors were limited, Captain Li’s culinary skills made Su Mo feel that the food was perhaps even better than at home?

...

...

At high noon.

Halfway up Tuniu Mountain, a group of mountain bandits were sitting by a large rock, sighing and moaning.

"Master, our journey to this point has been riddled with constant turmoil.

"Now, we have no more than sixty or seventy people all told.

"And that includes our families. If we exclude the families, we only have twenty or thirty men...

"Although Tuniu Mountain provides us with a stronghold that others have abandoned, this cannot continue to be our solution."

A raggedly dressed, dispirited man spoke as he shook his head:

"And moreover, Master, I have to advise you—we’re bandits.

"What is a bandit?

"It is said that we drink from big bowls, eat large chunks of meat, and share out gold – we do a business with no capital.

"That’s what being a bandit is!

"Our stronghold isn’t a charitable hall, so why the hell are you saving people?

"Now look, the little bit of white flour that we stole from the mountain base a few days ago has all been turned into a paste to feed a good-for-nothing."

"Shut up."

Master huffed: "How can you call yourself educated and not understand that there are principles even in robbery?"

"...Those were your teachings to me."

"Have you learned them? I learned them; did you?"

Master glared at him, still daring to talk back.

The others immediately shrank their necks, not daring to speak.

Seeing his own authoritative effect still worked, Master nodded:

"We’ve come to Dongcheng to make a comeback.

"The Southwest is full of dangers, and one carelessness can provoke unknown characters...

"This time I was quick to see it, otherwise, all of your heads would have been on the ground!"

The people exchanged glances and laughed sheepishly:

"What Master says is extremely correct... But compared to the Southwest, what’s the advantage of being in Dongcheng?"

"What’s the advantage there?"

Master huffed, grabbing his Golden Silk Ring Blade:

"The Dongcheng Sects are numerous, and many areas are beyond their reach. This is a great opportunity for us to make our mark!

"Here we rest and recuperate, robbing merchant travelers along the way, expanding our forces, and strengthening our stronghold.

"In time, we will dominate a mountain and become numerous and powerful.

"Even the disciples of great Sects will have to fear us and come to curry favor with us.

"At that point, we bandits will truly never have to worry about eating and drinking again."

As he spoke passionately, his stomach inappropriately grumbled, making rattling noises that were quite unpersuasive.

And he couldn’t help but think of the paste he had fed that wastrel this morning, feeling somewhat regretful.

It’s true that robbery has its principles... but surely that doesn’t mean sacrificing oneself for others, right?

As these thoughts occupied his mind, hurried footsteps approached.

"Master, Master!"

A disheveled little bandit burst out of the bushes, exclaiming:

"A trade is coming!"

"What?"

Hearing this, Master was overjoyed: "Did you see clearly who it is?"

"I did."

That little bandit repeatedly nodded: "There’s a flag on the carriage, flapping in the wind, looking quite majestic, but I can’t read."

"...How many are there?"

"Not many, just two carriages. The items on the carriages were sealed, looking quite valuable."

"Good!"

Master laughed heartily: "After waiting for several days, a fat sheep finally comes to the door. Men, bring my blade!"

The people looked at him, dumbfounded with the Golden Silk Ring Blade already in Master’s hand, wondering whether they should snatch it from him to bring it forward.

Master, upon noticing his own oversight, thought this was why he was the Master after all.

With such a huge blunder, he was nonchalant and waved his blade:

"My men, follow me into battle!!!"