Chapter 11

"Old Liu, stop the carriage beside that brown rock," Wang Ju whispered to the driver.

The driver was puzzled but, as the guest requested, he complied. He tightened the reins, gave a light command, and slowly drove the carriage toward the brown rock.

"Big Ox..."

"Zhao Niangzi, look at the tattoos on their foreheads."

"Black Bee Bandits?"

"Not necessarily. There are several camps of Zhenwu soldiers in the Fuyan Road. But to release Zhenwu soldiers for inspection at this time, isn't that suspicious? Better to be cautious."

However, he began to breathe heavily. There were seven large men, still wearing armor and holding official weapons.

Old Liu stopped the carriage.

Several soldiers approached: "Please get out of the carriage."

Wang Ju did not get out but secretly picked up his bow and arrow.

"Everyone, please get out."

"Niángzi, let's get out," Wang Ju said. But he nodded toward the west side. They were getting out, but from the other side of the carriage. He did not put down his bow and arrow, just kept it close to the carriage so the seven soldiers couldn't see it.

The concubine also gripped her small sword tightly.

"That's them," one soldier shouted, but unlike the others who were in armor, this one was in civilian clothes.

"So familiar..." Wang Ju frowned, suddenly remembering he had seen this person twice on the way, riding a donkey and trailing behind them. However, they had traveled south, choosing the main roads and starting at times when there were many people, which had its advantages and disadvantages. With so many people around, Wang Ju had not paid much attention.

"Niángzi, Yun Niangzi, use the stones to keep them from getting close. They are the Black Bee Bandits," Wang Ju shouted.

The stopping place was cleverly chosen. Behind was a rock wall, and in front was the carriage, forming a natural defense. There were also many broken mountain rocks on the ground.

But Yun'er's face turned pale.

Seven soldiers—how could they not be afraid?

Wang Ju continued, "They only have one breath, and they can't stand the light. Hold them off, and when that breath is gone, they will flee in disgrace."

"Don't be nervous, persistence is victory."

The seven men had already rushed over from both sides.

They had traveled south, and the driver, Old Liu, had not heard the story of the Black Ao Ridge battle, but he had heard of the Black Bee Bandits. He did not know why the Black Bee Bandits were Zhenwu soldiers, but he knew their infamous name. Seeing the seven men rush over from both sides, he was so frightened that he fell to his knees.

"Use the stones."

Wang Ju raised his bow and shot an arrow.

Clearly, this man was not as skilled as the Meng Doutu on the mountain path. The arrow flew out and hit his chest, causing him to scream and fall down.

Wang Ju drew another arrow.

But the danger had not disappeared. As he drew the bow again, he turned his head to look at the other side, almost in shock.

The concubine drew her small sword and charged out, engaging three of the men on the other side.

What was going on?

He suddenly remembered some conversations on the carriage between the three of them, mentioning that Zhao Niannu's husband was very bad, hypocritical, and vain. Moreover, this marriage was laughable, and Zhao Niannu's mother-in-law was extremely cruel.

There were also some vague conversations, suggesting that Zhao Niannu's family was very powerful, with a huge disparity in status compared to her husband's family. This was what made the two maidservants angry. Even if they didn't mention the status of her family, they should at least show some respect.

It seemed this was indeed the case.

What did maidservants do? They served, but how many maidservants practiced martial arts? And how many families used martial maidservants to protect their masters?

No wonder they said they could solve their own troubles.

While thinking, he shot the second arrow.

However, the enemy was already close. This time, the bow was not fully drawn, and the arrow hit the man's chest but did not penetrate the armor.

But Yun'er lifted a large stone and smashed it into the man's face, causing him to bleed profusely.

"Looking for death," another man shouted. As he spoke, he raised his saber and swung it at Wang Ju's arm.

They still wanted to take them alive for questioning.

Seeing the saber about to fall, Wang Ju slid to the ground, rolled a few times, and pulled an arrow from his quiver, thrusting it into the man's foot. The man clutched his foot and screamed loudly.

Another man rushed toward Zhao Niannu.

Wang Ju had to roll again. Seeing Wang Ju with an arrow in his hand, the man stabbed viciously with his saber.

Zhao Niannu mustered her courage, picked up a stone, and threw it at his face. The man had to dodge, and Wang Ju took the opportunity to roll to the side, thrusting another arrow into the leg of the bleeding man.

A young boy and three weak women were actually holding their own against seven large men, killing one and injuring three.

Lu Shijiang said with a grim face, "Withdraw."

These people seemed weak, but they were too difficult to deal with. The main goal was to interrogate them and find out the truth of that day, otherwise, they would not be so passive.

They were bandaging their wounds and discussing in low voices behind the carriage.

On the carriage side, the four were breathing heavily. Wang Ju looked at the concubine in surprise.

"Big Ox, what should we do?" Yun'er asked.

"Everyone, they are the Black Bee Bandits," Wang Ju shouted loudly.

Fuxian County was located at the southernmost part of Fuzhou. Some people did not know about the Black Bee Bandits, but others did. Hearing Wang Ju's shout, the people on both sides began to whisper. However, no one came to help, and Wang Ju did not expect them to.

Some people were afraid, others were angry. They had only caused trouble at the border, why were they causing trouble in Fuxian County? These bandits were too bold, and they were even pretending to be soldiers. A few people felt something was wrong. Why were these Black Bee Bandits targeting these four people, or rather, three women and a child? But that child and that maidservant were quite formidable.

They chattered among themselves.

This was the effect Wang Ju wanted. Everyone would see the truth. But he believed the authorities had already been alerted. In court, he could deny everything, but could these people deny it? And they were only about twenty miles from Fuxian County.

In battle, one must strike while the iron is hot. In life, when faced with difficulties, one must also strike while the iron is hot. But once that momentum is lost, one will fall into despair.

Once this mentality sets in, these people would have to flee.

Lu Shijiang clearly knew that a stalemate was not good. He shouted, "Old man, take your carriage away."

The carriage was in the way.

Wang Ju turned his bow and said, "Old Liu, leave, it's not your business. When this is over, the lady will give you five guan."

Old Liu got up and fled.

Shui Laoer, enraged by the concubine's sword, saw Old Liu trying to escape. He raised his saber and chopped off Old Liu's head. The head rolled far, and blood spurted, causing screams to echo through the mountain path.

"This is the moment," Wang Ju thought. At this moment, he almost forgot the entire world. The mountain wind and the screams gradually faded away. His eyes were fixed on Shui Laoer, who turned his head, revealing a fierce face. This was a common tactic of the Black Bee Bandits, using brutal killings to establish their authority. A mad dog might be beaten by the people, but a mad tiger would require the authorities to deal with it. But Wang Ju's mind was almost empty, the bow fully drawn, and he quickly released the string, sending the arrow flying.

"Shui Laoer, be careful."

Before Lu Shijiang could finish his sentence, the arrow hit Shui Laoer's back. He was the only one of the Black Bee Bandits not wearing armor, and the arrow pierced through. Shui Laoer screamed and fell to the ground.

Two people were dead.

"Such a formidable child," a villager on the mountain path praised. The concubine was even more formidable, but she had not killed any of the bandits, only Wang Ju had killed two. Of course, the concubine's contribution was greater; if she hadn't held off three bandits, they might all have been captured.

Wang Ju, ignoring the praise, drew another arrow and placed it on the bow.

"Kill them, no survivors," Lu Shijiang said angrily.

The four were now in real danger. The problem was that after the previous fight, Wang Ju's strength was waning, and even drawing the bow made his arms ache.

The wind blew through the trees on the mountain, rustling. It was late summer, and the mountains were lush and green, the bamboo and trees dripping with emerald. It was a time of the most beautiful scenery, but Wang Ju was facing the greatest crisis of his life, even greater than the crisis at Black Ao Ridge.

PS: This is the fourth update. There will be another update tonight. Thanks to Tianxia Zongheng for the 666 coin tip.

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