"Yes." Deng Baichuan replied in a low voice.
"Although this lesson is severe, it may not be a bad thing for Fu'er. Too much smooth sailing is not a blessing. When he returns, he must understand the lesson and reflect on it." Murong Bo said sternly.
"Yes, I understand. This time, it was also my fault for not seeing that Li Daoqiang had been setting traps for the young master all along." Deng Baichuan said guiltily.
"You can't be blamed either. Your choice wasn't wrong. But who could have known that Li Daoqiang, at such a young age, already possesses this level of strength?" Murong Bo's tone carried a hint of regret, as if both amazed and helpless.
Deng Baichuan didn't know what to say.
Indeed, who could have known that Li Daoqiang was this strong? At such a young age, he ranked among the top-tier experts, defying all reason. Even the old master Murong Bo couldn't do anything to him. In the vast Song Kingdom, no one known could match him. Across the entire world, perhaps only the new leader of the Ming Cult could compare.
"Alright, prepare for the transport. Resolve this as quickly as possible." Murong Bo ordered.
"Yes." Deng Baichuan replied solemnly.
With Murong Bo around, he naturally had no worries about the silver going missing. Of course, Murong Bo couldn't be exposed, so all necessary preparations had to be made. Murong Bo could only intimidate and protect from the shadows.
...
The Murong family's fundraising efforts naturally stirred up a great commotion. Many were watching for the spectacle, and quite a few had their own ideas, both openly and in secret. Those with such ideas were naturally formidable.
While many eyes were still fixed on the Murong family's fundraising and preparations began, a convoy had already set off.
A day later.
On the road to the Black Dragon Stronghold in Jingzhou, the convoy was modest—just over a hundred people and a dozen carriages. They moved quickly, as if pressed for time.
Suddenly, a dozen people appeared ahead of the convoy. The leader had a pale, handsome face and carried twin rings, exuding a sinister aura. His face lit up with joy as he looked at the convoy.
"Haha, what a wealthy Murong family! Everyone thought you were still raising funds, staring at Yanzi Wu. But you had enough silver stashed outside all along. If we hadn't been thorough and kept an eye out, you might have slipped away."
At the front of the convoy, the disguised Deng Baichuan narrowed his eyes and raised his hand to signal the convoy to prepare for battle. Stepping forward, he shouted coldly, "People of the Demon Sect?"
"Sharp." The leader showed no intention of hiding, smiling confidently.
Deng Baichuan understood that the man intended to wipe them all out here. Though wary, he wasn't afraid. Glancing at the twin rings, he guessed, "Are you Bian Bufu of the Yin Gui Sect?"
"Not bad, good eyes. The Murong family truly has insight." The man laughed heartily, seemingly in no hurry to attack, like a cat toying with a mouse.
"Do you truly intend to make an enemy of the Murong family?" Deng Baichuan said coldly.
"So what if I do? Even if Murong Fu were here, what could he do?" Bian Bufu sneered disdainfully.
Deng Baichuan and the others looked grim.
Just then, another dozen people rushed over from a distance. Deng Baichuan immediately realized they were nearby members of the Yin Gui Sect. Bian Bufu was waiting for them to arrive before wiping out the convoy.
Sure enough, seeing the figures approaching, Bian Bufu wasted no more time. With an arrogant laugh, he struck first: "Kill them all, leave no one alive."
...
Soon after, Bian Bufu spat blood, flew backward, and retreated in terror. Without a moment's hesitation, he fled frantically into the distance.
Murong Bo's figure faded back into the shadows. He coldly watched Bian Bufu's retreating form, snorted, and suppressed his killing intent. The Demon Sect's power was vast, and it wasn't wise to offend them too deeply. They might even become allies in the future.
Soon, everyone who had come with Bian Bufu was killed, not a single one left.
After the slaughter, Deng Baichuan ordered the convoy to continue.
Over a hundred miles away, Bian Bufu, enduring his injuries, ran nonstop for over a hundred miles. His terror had yet to subside. Seeing that no one was pursuing him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, though he was still shaken.
That man was far too strong. In his eyes, he was almost on par with his senior sister, the Yin Gui Sect leader Zhu Yuyan. Caught off guard, he was severely injured. Escaping was pure luck, likely because the other party had deliberately spared him.
Panting heavily, he felt a surge of anger. Where had the Murong family found such a powerful expert? Damn it.
Gritting his teeth, he briefly tended to his wounds and found a place to send a message to the sect. His mission had failed, and he had discovered that the Murong family had gained a top-tier expert. This had to be reported immediately.
...
Under Deng Baichuan's leadership, the convoy maintained its fastest pace. Fortunately, though many were eyeing the silver, most were either still fixated on Yanzi Wu or hadn't had time to react. After all, few were as powerful and reckless as the Yin Gui Sect, which could send multiple grandmasters to intercept without concern for appearances.
Thus, after five days of relentless travel, they finally reached Jingzhou territory.
Arriving here, Deng Baichuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Strictly speaking, this was the Black Dragon Stronghold's domain. Though the stronghold had risen quickly, with its strength, few would dare to rob this silver in Jingzhou and get away with it. He didn't think anyone would be foolish enough to offend both Li Daoqiang and the Murong family at once.
So, things could ease up a bit.
As expected, as soon as the convoy entered Jingzhou, Li Daoqiang received the news immediately. Overjoyed but not showing it too much, he simply had people keep a close watch. He didn't think the silver could vanish now that it was in Jingzhou. Even if Murong Bo changed his mind, this silver was his for the taking, and no one could stop him. So, he could afford to wait a little longer.
Meanwhile, Deng Baichuan ordered the convoy to slow down and deliberately spread news of their arrival. This immediately drew attention from all sides in Jingzhou.
Of course, this attention was born of normal curiosity and spectacle, not greed. Mainly, no one dared to be greedy. In Jingzhou, coveting Li Daoqiang's money was asking for death.
At the Black Dragon Stronghold, learning that Deng Baichuan had slowed down and made their arrival public, Li Daoqiang thought for a moment and then smiled. They were worried he might back out, so they wanted everyone to know. After all, though he was a bandit, he always claimed to keep his word. Deng Baichuan was just taking extra precautions.
He didn't mind. As long as they paid up, it was fine. One day, his reputation for keeping his word would be trusted by all.
Two more days passed.
The convoy arrived outside the Black Dragon Stronghold. Li Daoqiang led Murong Fu out of the stronghold's gates.
"Brother Deng, you've arrived."
Li Daoqiang strode forward, laughing heartily.
Deng Baichuan, no longer in disguise, smiled and first bowed to Murong Fu before speaking seriously to Li Daoqiang: "Fifteen million, eight hundred and thirty thousand taels of silver, not a single coin missing."
"Good, the journey has been hard." Li Daoqiang said with satisfaction, his eyes briefly glancing in a certain direction.
Then, with a look, the Black Dragon Stronghold's men began receiving the silver.
No one spoke as they waited for the results.
After a while, Li Si approached respectfully and said, "Chief, five million, eight hundred thousand taels in silver notes, plus five hundred thousand taels in gold and thirty thousand taels in silver. Not a single coin missing."
Li Daoqiang subtly glanced at the Great Bandit System, his smile growing warmer and more genuine.
"Excellent! Brother Murong, Brother Deng, today we must drink heartily." Li Daoqiang laughed.
Murong Fu, still nursing his pain, had no interest in drinking and was about to decline. But Deng Baichuan immediately accepted: "Thank you for your hospitality, Chief."
Murong Fu frowned but said nothing more, nodding in agreement.
Li Daoqiang laughed again, then suddenly reached out and tapped Murong Fu a few times, releasing his sealed acupoints and meridians.
Murong Fu and Deng Baichuan were both relieved. This act showed that Li Daoqiang truly intended to let them go.
"Brother Murong, you and Brother Deng rest for a while. Tonight, we'll drink to our hearts' content." Li Daoqiang said cheerfully.
"Mm." Murong Fu replied.
Li Daoqiang began making arrangements—storing the silver and hosting Deng Baichuan and the others for rest. After giving a few more orders, he slipped away to a secret chamber.
Looking at the nearly twenty-four million bandit points on the Great Bandit System, his joy was hard to hide.
The tenth level of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art could finally be mastered.
(Thank you for your support.)
...