Chapter 52

In the wilderness, by the campfire, under the moonlight, a group of people were gathered around a large table, eating and drinking. The table was laden with delicious dishes and fine wine. This scene, which would be quite normal in a different setting, seemed very strange and eerie in the wilderness.

Old Luo was pulled to the table by Lin Wen, still in shock. Lin Qin was smiling and eating the hot dishes, each dish heated by a firestone placed underneath. Old Luo finally understood that this group was not just on a simple journey. However, with his rich life experience, he was confident in his ability to read people. He did not doubt the group and enjoyed the unprecedented luxurious dinner with ease.

Looking at the smug expression on Rogue Wolf's face, Lin Zheng suddenly remembered a piece of news he and Old Luo had heard when buying local specialties during the day, as well as Rogue Wolf's alcohol smell from the night before. Lin Zheng instantly figured something out and looked at Rogue Wolf with a teasing smile, saying, "I say, wasn't it you who stole from the Taiyue Winehouse yesterday?"

"Hey? How did you know that, kid?" Rogue Wolf asked.

"Forget it, you emptied their wine cellar. They say even the dishes prepared for the guests disappeared. Besides, you came back last night reeking of alcohol. Isn't that obvious enough?"

"Hehe, I just took a little, a little!" Rogue Wolf said with a smug laugh, using his large hands to indicate a small distance.

Everyone burst into laughter, even Old Luo, whose wrinkles relaxed a bit.

"Senior Wolf, if it's convenient in the future, leave some money for others, after all, the Taiyue Winehouse has many branches on the continent!" Li Ruoshui was the only one in the group who could address Rogue Wolf like this, and she then handed him a medium-sized bag.

Although Rogue Wolf was very unorthodox, he restrained himself in front of Li Ruoshui, a pure-hearted woman. He did not argue, as Li Ruoshui's words were flawless. She subtly implied that this time it was not convenient, and that there would be compensation in the future, and that they were not eating the food for free.

Rogue Wolf's eyes were unusually serious for a moment. He smiled and took the bag, giving Li Ruoshui a deep look before continuing to eat voraciously.

That night, the group set up a tent around the carriage. Li Ruoshui and Lin Qin slept inside the carriage, which, though not large, was enough for two people. Old Luo put on an extra cotton shirt and handed two blankets to Li Ruoshui and Lin Qin, insisting that girls were delicate and could easily catch a cold. In reality, with their cultivation, they were far from worrying about such trivial matters as catching a cold.

The group exchanged warm smiles, feeling a sense of warmth. Although Old Luo was an ordinary person, he was a kind and loving old man. That night, Lin Zheng secretly set up a small formation outside Old Luo's tent and quietly lit a piece of ten-thousand-year-old incense inside. This piece of incense alone would ensure a peaceful night's sleep and even improve some minor health issues. This was a good deed, and at least Lin Zheng and the others were not ungrateful.

The next morning, Old Luo woke up feeling refreshed. His joints, which had been aching from years of travel, no longer hurt, and his body felt much better. However, he did not think much of it, assuming he had just had a good night's rest. After breakfast, he hurriedly set off with the group.

They passed through several cities, resting for a night and then continuing their journey. Rogue Wolf often did not return at night, and the next day he would be drunk and sleeping on the roof of the carriage. Whenever they camped in the wilderness, everyone would instinctively look at Rogue Wolf, and even Old Luo developed this habit over a few days.

Of course, Rogue Wolf did not disappoint, always preparing a full table of dishes, though no one asked about the origin of these dishes.

One day, the group left a small city and headed for the next one. According to Old Luo's estimate, they would arrive by afternoon, and they could explore the area before dark.

"Hey, how many more days until we reach Wushuang City?" Lin Qin began to complain.

"Almost there, if nothing goes wrong, we should arrive the day after tomorrow," Lin Wen said with a smile.

Just as he finished speaking, Lin Qian poked his head in from outside and said, "Looks like something went wrong!"

Lin Qian asked Old Luo to stop the carriage, and a few people got out of the vehicle. In the distance, there was a canyon. The road was not narrow, but the surroundings were too quiet.

Old Luo seemed to be confused and asked, "Why did everyone get out? Are you tired of sitting? Let's rest a bit."

"Old Luo, I don't think it's that simple. Look how quiet it is, not even a bird or animal sound," Lin Wen explained patiently.

"Hey? You're right. Usually, there are birds singing and insects chirping, and you can see small animals moving around," Old Luo said after thinking for a moment.

Suddenly, a few people's brows furrowed, but Old Luo remained oblivious, still considering the difference from the usual. Rogue Wolf, lying on the roof of the carriage, did not move, as he was sleeping soundly.

A wave of killing intent came from not far away, and the sound of hooves approached. Old Luo's face changed instantly, and he stepped in front of the group, saying, "They are bandits or robbers. You all run, I'll lead them away with the goods!"

As he said this, Old Luo was about to drive the carriage to the side. Lin Wen laughed and stopped him, saying, "Don't worry, these brothers are all skilled. Old Luo, you can relax."

Old Luo looked at the group, thought for a moment, and then calmed down. The sound of hooves grew closer, and dozens of horses emerged from the canyon. The riders, armed with various weapons, galloped towards them. The leader was riding a Fire Beast, a third-grade wild beast, which was like a horse but faster, stronger, and more aggressive. If an ordinary person were trampled by this Fire Beast, their bones would likely shatter.

The bandits quickly surrounded the group, and several archers drew their arrows, aiming at them.

"Leave half the goods, leave the women, and the rest of you scram!" a bandit leader shouted from his horse.

"Great lords, this is a small business. Leaving half the goods would ruin my family's livelihood. I beg you to show mercy!" Old Luo stepped forward, offering a bag of crystals.

"Hey, we have two prime catches this time, brothers, let's silence them!" The leader saw Li Ruoshui and Lin Qin, his face twisted with lust, and gave the order without hesitation.

Old Luo's face turned ashen. He looked back at the group's calm expressions and felt a glimmer of hope. Lin Wen pulled Old Luo back into the carriage, telling him not to come out.

The next moment, dozens of arrows shot towards the group, but they avoided Lin Qin and Li Ruoshui.

The group in the center showed no panic. Suddenly, Lin Dao drew his long sword, and a flash of light cut through the air, splitting the incoming arrows in half with smooth, clean cuts. On the other side, Lin Qian laughed and moved, and in mid-air, hands appeared out of nowhere, grabbing the arrows. He returned to his original position, holding a dozen arrows in his hand.

The bandit leader's eyes narrowed, but when he saw Lin Qin and Li Ruoshui, a hint of madness appeared in his eyes.

The bandits seemed shocked by this scene, and only the leader's loud command brought them back to their senses. Relying on their numbers, they shouted and charged forward, weapons gleaming and horses neighing.

Lin Zheng, Lin Dao, and Lin Qian each charged in a different direction, while Lin Qin and Li Ruoshui quietly returned to the carriage. Rogue Wolf on the roof continued to sleep soundly.

The sound of weapons clashing and bodies falling echoed, and the bandits' cries of pain filled the air.

After a few rounds, most of the bandits were dead or injured, leaving only a few minor leaders on horseback.

The silence was terrifying. Lin Zheng stood calmly, not even glancing at the remaining few, and returned to the carriage. Lin Qian laughed mockingly at the bandits on the ground, while Lin Dao quietly wiped the blood from his sword, having killed all the bandits he faced.

The few surviving minor leaders were frozen in fear, their throats dry, as if any movement would result in their death.

The leader, feeling a chill, turned to flee on his Fire Beast, but the Fire Beast, as if receiving an order, remained motionless, bowing its head. Rogue Wolf on the roof turned over and continued to sleep.

The leader, his hair standing on end, jumped off the Fire Beast and ran away.

Suddenly, a cold flash of light like lightning cut through the air. The leader, running away, slowly stopped, the blade too fast and too fierce. His body split like a sack of rags, and his organs spilled onto the ground. The remaining bandits, still alive, held their breath, their bodies trembling like sieves, and the cries of the injured on the ground instantly stopped.

Lin Qian and Lin Zheng, far away, laughed helplessly. They were glad they had made Li Ruoshui and the others return to the carriage, or they might not have been able to handle the sight.

"You, leave all your valuables and round up the horses. If I find a single copper coin on you, my brother's methods are... well, you know," Lin Qian said with a smile.

The bandits, chilled to the bone, quickly gathered all their valuables and rounded up the horses that could still be ridden, then squatted to the side, hoping for mercy.

"Alright, you can go," Lin Qian said with a smile.

The bandits, hearing this, ran as if they had heard the sweetest music. Just as they turned to leave, they heard a voice behind them.

"Wait."

Thud, their hearts sank to the bottom, and they trembled as they turned around. Lin Zheng walked up to them, threw a small leather bag, and said, "This money is for you. Live well in the future, and bury these people properly."

With that, Lin Zheng picked up the valuables and put them in his ring, then returned to the carriage and left. This time, the small caravan was followed by dozens of horses, making it much longer.

When the carriage was far away, the surviving bandits opened the small leather bag. Inside was a bright red crystal core, a fifth-grade Fierce Lion's core. This single core was enough to ensure a wealthy life for the rest of their days. The bandits, watching the caravan disappear, felt a mix of emotions.

They were ruthless, yet they left a substantial amount of money for the survivors. What kind of people were they?

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