After speaking, without waiting for Lu Ye to refuse, Jiang Lingyue leaned her head on Lu Ye's shoulder and closed her eyes.
Perhaps it was the exhaustion from traveling these past days, or for some other reason, Jiang Lingyue fell asleep shortly thereafter.
Lu Ye turned to glance, shaking his head.
Not far away, the convoy had already begun setting up stoves, preparing to make a fire and cook.
Soon, waves of fragrant aromas wafted out.
"Don't sleep, you're drooling." Lu Ye reached out and patted Jiang Lingyue's face.
Waking up in a daze and hearing the word 'drool,' Jiang Lingyue blushed and quickly reached out to feel her face...
"Brother-in-law, you're so bad, you scared me. I thought it was real."
Lu Ye stood up calmly, "Let's go, time to eat."
Jiang Lingyue immediately got up and followed behind Lu Ye.
Though it was a big pot meal during travel, the cook's skills were decent.
Everyone in the convoy was satisfied, sitting down to rest.
Liu Zhen was currently organizing the night patrol.
After a day of travel, everyone in the convoy was utterly exhausted.
But Liu Zhen, as the Old Leader of the Escort, knew well that underestimating the situation was not an option.
Many ambush incidents occurred in the late night when vigilance was at its lowest.
Lu Ye was resting against a carriage.
But the next moment, a faint sense of danger came, making his hair stand on end!
"Whoosh!"
An arrow silently shot from a dense forest in the distance, directly killing an unsuspecting Condensing Origin Realm escort.
"Be careful, we are under attack!"
Liu Zhen, his pupils contracting with alarm, infused his voice with inner qi, instantly waking everyone up.
By the carriage, Jiang Lingyue suddenly startled, promptly drawing her Cyan Moon Sword, the blade glimmering in the moonlit night.
"Brother-in-law, be careful! Enemies are coming!"
The next moment, numerous shadows darted from the forest, all wearing a red armband, led by a sinister-looking man.
"Liu Zhen, don't resist needlessly. You can't protect this convoy! Hand over the items, and I can spare your life."
Under the moonlight, discernibly recognizing the leader, Liu Zhen's expression slightly changed.
"The Patriarch of Chaotic Wind Mountain? Zhang Hu, so it's you!"
Chaotic Wind Mountain Bandits!
This is a bandit force roaming over thousands of miles, frequently committing crimes.
The leading patriarch is Zhang Hu in front, also of the Postnatal Seventh Layer.
The most formidable bandit stronghold within a thousand miles.
However, Chaotic Wind Mountain Bandits used to act with restraint.
They never robbed goods from the two major cities or four Innate Clans.
Moreover, rumors say there's an Innate Power supporting them secretly.
Thus, this bandit force has persisted till now.
But tonight, surprisingly, they chose to target the Jiang Family Escort Agency.
Liu Zhen's face turned cold, saying sternly, "Zhang Hu, this is the Jiang Family's convoy! Don't dig your own grave! Withdraw immediately, and I can overlook this incident."
"Jiang Family?" Zhang Hu sneered disdainfully.
Upon seeing Zhang Hu's actions, though unclear of his confidence,
Liu Zhen understood that an unavoidable fierce battle awaited tonight.
Liu Zhen swiftly signaled everyone to prepare, ready to confront the battle.
"Very well, let me see how much you've improved recently, daring to set your sights on the Worldwide Escort Agency!"
As his words fell, Liu Zhen brandished his long saber, his Postnatal Seventh Layer aura fully unleashed, directly confronting Zhang Hu.
The bandits with red armbands charged at the escort members like wolves and tigers.
Jiang Lingyue faced a charging Condensing Origin Sixth Layer bandit; her Fine Rain Sword Technique enveloped him swiftly.
Meanwhile, Lu Ye still showed a Condensing Origin Third Layer state.
A Condensing Origin Fourth Layer bandit, wielding a long sword, charged towards Lu Ye with a cruel grin.
"Brat, taste Grandpa's sword!"
Jiang Lingyue stole a glance, her heart suddenly tightened.
But quickly remembered that Lu Ye was rumored to be Condensing Origin Seventh Layer now, with Inner Qi Protection.
A mere Condensing Origin Fourth Layer bandit would be a walkover.
Jiang Lingyue calmed herself, focusing on the enemy before her.
Lu Ye, while fighting, gradually moved to the battlefield's edge.
The Condensing Origin Fourth Layer bandit fought with increasing courage, watching as his handsome opponent retreated step by step, boosting his morale.
"Humph! Trying to flee!"
Seeing Lu Ye trying to escape into the forest, the Condensing Origin Fourth Layer bandit swiftly pursued!
Pfttz!
The next moment, from the forest, a faint sound of a head bursting reached them.
Moments later, a black-clad figure, holding the long sword, quietly emerged from the forest.
Along the way, no bandit could withstand even a round against him.
Wherever the sword light reached, it carved a path through.
Seeing a masked black-clad stranger carving through his subordinates like slicing vegetables,
Zhang Hu snorted coldly, no longer holding back!
"You've advanced to the Postnatal Eighth Layer?!"
Instantly, Liu Zhen exclaimed, his face filled with shock.
"Originally, I wanted to toy with you a bit, but now... you will die for me!"
Zhang Hu gave a sinister grin, slashing with the Three-Ring Saber!
Clang!
Liu Zhen also raised his saber in response, but Zhang Hu's full power was much mightier in inner qi.
With one strike, Liu Zhen's palm split apart, blood splattering!
Zhang Hu seized the chance, his left hand forming a fist, inner qi surging, and punched the unguarded Liu Zhen.
"Pfft!"
With a mouthful of fresh blood spurting, Liu Zhen was injured, retreating hastily, his aura fading.
The black-clad figure fought to Jiang Lingyue's side, effortlessly striking down the Condensing Origin Sixth Layer bandit with whom Jiang Lingyue was evenly matched.
"Hiding your face! I'll see who you really are!"
At this moment, Zhang Hu, having severely injured Liu Zhen, wielded the Three-Ring Saber, striding forward to swing two consecutive slashes at the masked figure.
Jiang Lingyue was taken aback, watching the figure engage the Chaotic Wind Mountain Patriarch, feeling an inexplicable familiarity.
The next moment, recalling Lu Ye, she quickly turned to look back...
Suddenly, a pale shade appeared on Jiang Lingyue's cheek.
Lu Ye... was gone!
The battlefield was chaotic, with fights everywhere, Jiang Lingyue had no idea when Lu Ye disappeared.
Moments later, another Condensing Origin Seventh Layer bandit finished off the escort and advanced on Jiang Lingyue, swinging a sword at her!
Distraught, and already outmatched, Jiang Lingyue was soon overpowered within a few moves, barely managing to hold her ground.
On the other side, Zhang Hu's powerful double slashes were easily blocked.
With a fierce glint in his eyes, Zhang Hu felt a growing sense of unease.
The opponent was extremely formidable, undoubtedly surpassing Worldwide Escort Agency Leader Liu Zhen!
At this moment, Jiang Lingyue's Cyan Moon Sword was knocked away by a Condensing Origin Seventh Layer bandit, putting her in a dangerous predicament.
The black-clad figure's eyes focused, and he suddenly hurled his long sword!
The sword transformed into a continuous rain-like flight.
Instantly, it pierced a grinning bandit from Chaotic Wind Mountain!
"Fine Rain Sword Technique?!" Zhang Hu, his eyes ferocious, instantly recognized the masked figure's move.
In that moment, the somewhat exhausted Jiang Lingyue, face pale, glanced over in surprise.