"Young Escort Master Jax, a pleasure to meet you." A middle-aged man dressed like a scholar cupped his hands toward Jax.
Jax returned the gesture and said, "I don't deserve such courtesy. For the third chief to greet me personally, I really feel guilty." Before coming up the mountain, Jax had already sent word to Phoenix Mountain, so they naturally knew his name.
The third chief of Phoenix Mountain, Rhett, smiled and said, "Young Escort Master Jax, you're a talented youth and the disciple of Leader Xiao. Our chief originally wanted to greet you himself, but he had matters he couldn't leave. Our second sister is pregnant and not convenient to move, so the task fell to me."
His gaze shifted to Minnie. "May I ask, this young lady is...?"
"A friend." Jax replied briefly.
Rhett smiled meaningfully. "Young Escort Master Jax has great character and excellent martial skills. No wonder such a good friend would be willing to come with you to Phoenix Mountain."
Jax smiled lightly. He knew Rhett had misunderstood but didn't explain.
Rhett pulled out a folding fan from somewhere and fanned himself, smiling at Minnie. "Greetings, miss. I am Rhett. May I know your name?"
Minnie was startled. Why would a bandit ask for her name? Did he want to kidnap her too? She looked toward Jax, who gave her a nod. Gathering her courage, she answered, "My name is Minnie."
"A lovely name, truly lovely!" Rhett praised at once.
Minnie looked at him in confusion. Was her name really that good? She had never thought so. Her parents only said it sounded pleasant. Her classmates used to laugh at it, saying it sounded like a sheep's bleat.
But after knowing her for a while, people started saying her name suited her because of her soft and gentle personality. Because of this, she had become a unique presence in the obstetrics department, known for her unusually good temper among a group of fierce women.
Rhett continued, "Miss Minnie's presence is a great honor to Phoenix Mountain. I've lived here for a long time and know the scenery well. Would you allow me to show you around?"
Minnie looked at Jax in confusion. This bandit didn't seem to mean any harm, but he was being way too enthusiastic. Did he really want to be her tour guide?
Jax held back a laugh. "Sorry to trouble you, Third Chief."
Rhett immediately took the lead. Along the way, he talked nonstop. He could tell a story about a stone or a tragic legend about a blade of grass.
Minnie felt he had the talent to be a tour guide. Her nervousness faded gradually as Rhett spoke. What she didn't know was that he was doing everything he could to impress her.
In this world, women were far fewer than men, and they were the ones who could bear children. So in terms of relationships or marriage, women had the upper hand.
A woman could marry several husbands. Those husbands tried everything to win favor, hoping their wife would bear them a child. On Phoenix Mountain, this issue was even more pressing.
There were few women here, and those who stayed were either tough like the second chief or had no choice. Rhett, who saw himself as a scholar, looked down on rough or lawbreaking women.
It was too hard to find a woman he liked here. So when he saw Minnie, he was amazed. Though her clothing was strange, her fair skin and gentle looks suggested a good background. He wouldn't let this chance slip away.
After walking a bit more, Rhett stopped and said apologetically to Minnie, "Miss Minnie, the road ahead is hard to walk. Let us assist you."
Minnie blinked and looked instinctively at Jax. He smiled gently and said, "We're about to enter the stronghold. Outsiders can't see the way in. They'll blindfold us and lead us the rest of the way."
Only then did Minnie understand. But hearing she'd be blindfolded made her uneasy. She wasn't confident she could walk steadily like that in the mountains.
Jax understood and said, "Don't worry. Just follow behind me." After a pause, he added, "Or you can hold onto my clothes?"
The safest way would be for her to hold his hand. If she suggested it, he wouldn't refuse. But for him to suggest it himself felt improper.
After all, they had just met. Even though he lived in the martial world and didn't mind too much about the rules between men and women, it still wasn't right for a man to suggest physical contact. His future wife valued etiquette.
Rhett chimed in, "If Miss Minnie doesn't feel safe, I can support you. Or even carry you."
Minnie saw the overly bright look in Rhett's eyes and instinctively shook her head. Then she reached out and grabbed the corner of Jax's robe.
Rhett was disappointed. So Miss Minnie was a reserved type, unlike the wild girls on the mountain. He was even more determined now to win her over and regretted being too forward earlier.
If he had just suggested holding the robe, she might be holding onto him now instead.
Minnie was never good at sports. Her balance wasn't great either. Now that her eyes were covered, she felt nervous. She walked carefully, paying attention to Rhett's reminders.
Even though she was cautious, her body wobbled and she nearly fell. She let out a small cry, and before she could finish, she had fallen into someone's arms.
Her eyes were covered, so her other senses grew sharper. She smelled a fresh, sunny scent on the person. She felt firm, strong muscles on their chest and arms.
Their long hair even brushed against her cheek. Minnie had never been this close to a man before. Her heart started pounding fast.
Jax helped her stand straight and asked with concern, "Did you hurt yourself?"
"It's fine, it's fine." Minnie's face felt hot, and she knew she must be blushing. She was secretly glad Jax had his eyes covered and couldn't see how flustered she looked.
Jax thought for a moment, held Minnie's hand, and said, "I'll guide you. Walk slowly."
Minnie's face grew even hotter as she walked along in a daze. Jax was trained in martial arts and could tell directions by sound. Whenever Minnie's steps became unsteady, Jax would quickly reach out to steady her, and she didn't trip again.
Rhett watched from the side and cursed himself for not being fast enough. He had missed such a golden opportunity.
He stuck close to Minnie along the way. Each time she stumbled, he tried to go forward, but Jax always beat him to it.
That made Rhett angry.
His eyes landed on a small stone on the ground. He kicked it toward Jax's calf.
There was a clear "ding" as the stone flew off to the side.
Jax had hit it mid-air with an iron lotus seed.
Rhett saw it clearly and was shocked.
Even blindfolded, Jax could use hidden weapons with such precision. That kind of skill couldn't be underestimated.
He thought about the powerful people backing Jax, like Master Xiao, and didn't dare make any more sneaky moves.
So he obediently led them up the mountain.
Minnie looked around in confusion.
The place was a group of buildings built into the mountain.
She saw a plaque hanging above one of the buildings with the words "Assembly Hall" on it.
Jax took a bundle and his sword off the horse, then slipped a silver ingot into the hand of the man who came to take the reins.
He smiled and said, "Brother, please take good care of my horse."
It was as if he had arrived at an inn instead of a bandit den.
"Please, both of you." Rhett gestured with his hand.
Minnie followed Jax into the main hall.
In the center was a high-backed chair, with four smaller chairs on each side.
Rhett ordered someone to bring out the boss.
Then he invited the two of them to sit.
Jax took the first chair on the right.
Minnie sat beside him.
She felt it was safest to stay close to him.
Rhett took the second chair on the left, facing Minnie.
He stared straight at her, and even Minnie, slow as she was, felt uneasy under his gaze.
Thankfully, footsteps soon approached, and everyone turned to look.
Minnie finally let out a breath of relief.
But the moment she saw who came out, she inhaled sharply.
The man looked exactly like the kind of villain she had imagined.
Then she heard Rhett call out "Big Brother," and she realized this was the Bandit Leader Hayes that Jax had mentioned.
Her heart sank.
Bandit Leader Hayes was of average height, dressed in short clothes.
His loose collar exposed a muscular chest, and his face was covered in a thick beard.
It nearly swallowed all his facial features.
Only his eyes were visible, and they looked vicious.
He sat carelessly in the central chair and lazily looked around.
When his eyes landed on Minnie, she couldn't help but shiver.
She grew more and more anxious inside.
"Big Brother, this is Jax, young head of the Braveheart Escort Agency," Rhett introduced.
Jax stood up and cupped his fists. "Bandit Leader Hayes, I've heard much about you."
Bandit Leader Hayes let out a cold snort. "I'm just a mountain bandit. What's there to admire?"
That phrase "heard much about you" was just a polite greeting, like asking a neighbor if they'd eaten.
Hayes was an old hand in the underworld and understood that well.
But now he was using it to cause trouble.
Jax was caught off guard by the reaction.
"Boss," Rhett said nervously.
The boss seemed to have woken up in a bad mood today.
Could it be something to do with the lady of the house?
While Rhett was struggling, Jax calmly asked, "Is Bandit Leader Hayes in a bad mood today?"
Hayes rolled his eyes. "I'm no scholar. Don't act smart in front of me."
Jax paused and then asked, "There's a rumor going around that you're seeking medical help for your wife. Is that true?"
The moment he said that, Bandit Leader Hayes clenched his fists.
His eyes grew sharp.
He shouted, "So what if it is? So what if it isn't?"
Minnie shivered again.
She wished she could shrink into nothing and disappear.
This man was definitely in the criminal world.
Definitely.
Jax remained calm.
"I have a friend who's studied medicine since childhood. He might be able to help."
Bandit Leader Hayes stared at him for a long time before finally asking, "Who's your friend? How skilled is he?"
Jax gave a small smile. "Have you heard of the elder known as Ghosthand?"
Hayes sneered. "Who hasn't heard of him?"
"But I didn't know you had ties with someone so famous for over thirty years. Are you saying you can get him to come here?"
Ghosthand was notorious in the martial world for his bad temper.
His skills were high, but he rarely agreed to help.
His nickname meant two things: one, his temper was worse than a ghost's, and two, if he did help, not even death could take that person.
After his wife fell ill, Hayes had tried to find him.
But Ghosthand always vanished without a trace, and no one knew where to begin.
Now Jax brought up his name, and Hayes didn't believe it could be just a coincidence.
Jax kept smiling. "I don't know Ghosthand personally. I know his disciple."
"What's the condition?" Hayes asked in a low voice.
"Kai is my future brother-in-law. Please let him go."
"Kai? That brat from Longwind Escort?"
Hayes scoffed. "He's got no skills but a big mouth. And your sister wants to marry him? She should find someone else."
Jax gave a bitter smile. "Can you let him go?"
"If you really can bring Ghosthand's disciple here, I'll let him go. No problem."
"But," Hayes added coldly, "I've already invited every famous doctor within a hundred miles of Phoenix Mountain. None of them could help. Can you guarantee your friend can cure my wife?"
"He learned directly from Ghosthand," Jax said.
He hesitated a bit, then continued, "You might've heard of his title too. He's known as the 'Three-No Doctor.'"
"Three-No Doctor?" Hayes's eyes almost burst into flames.
He laughed coldly. "Jax, you sure are something. You really take me for a fool."