Chapter 279: Bandits

Chapter 279: Bandits

When Xin You spoke, the middle-aged man was momentarily taken aback.

He had noticed that the young man was one of the leaders of the group, but usually, the ones in charge were the older ones. Had he misjudged?

The middle-aged man couldn't help but look at He Qingxiao.

This young man was exceptionally handsome with a striking presence. He didn't seem like someone who would be at others' beck and call.

Upon hearing Xin You, He Qingxiao nodded slightly to the middle-aged man and said, "My apologies."

The middle-aged man, reluctant to give up, said, "Young man—"

"Dad, forget it, let's just go," the young man said, tugging at his father's arm.

The middle-aged man wanted to say more, but seeing his son's tense expression, he clasped his hands towards He Qingxiao and said, "Young man, sorry to bother you."

The father and son returned to their caravan, and the young man muttered in dissatisfaction, "They clearly don't want us around. Why did you insist on approaching them?"

This was the young man's first time traveling with a merchant convoy. Looking at his inexperienced son, the middle-aged man patiently explained, "The men they brought are all tall and strong, with sharp eyes—clearly skilled. Traveling together would be safer."

"We have guards too, and we outnumber them," the young man shot back.

Of course, he knew more people meant more safety, but forcing themselves on strangers was embarrassing.

The middle-aged man didn't say more to his son, his gaze following the group as they swiftly mounted their horses and galloped away in an instant.

"Let's go too."

At the middle-aged man's order, the caravan packed up and set off.

Xin You's group, on horseback, was much faster than the caravan. After a while of fast travel, they reached a fork in the road.

Since the Jinlin Guard had scouted ahead, the group took the right path without hesitation. After the horses had galloped for a while, Xin You stared intently ahead, her expression serious.

On both sides were mountain walls, with dense vegetation ideal for hiding. The scenery matched what she had envisioned.

She glanced at He Qingxiao and the others again. Though the lack of bloody scenes suggested their group could pass safely, given the life-and-death stakes, she decided to warn He Qingxiao.

But He Qingxiao spoke first: "The road ahead is clear. Everyone, stay alert."

The terrain was perfect for an ambush.

With He Qingxiao's warning, Xin You remained silent.

Though their group was small, each member was highly skilled. With caution, they could avoid falling rocks from above.

At that moment, hidden in the vegetation on one side of the mountain, someone asked the leader, "Sixth Boss, should we strike?"

"Move your ass! Those people are on horses and fast. Letting even one escape would be trouble. Even if we could catch them all, is it worth it just for some horse meat?"

The questioner was scolded and fell silent.

"Giddy up!" More than ten riders galloped past swiftly.

"Lord He, there are people hiding on both sides of the mountain. I caught a glimpse just now," Xin You slowed down after they had run a distance. "The bloodshed for the caravan must be there."

He Qingxiao pulled on the reins, and the people behind also stopped.

"What's wrong, Eldest Young Master?" Huang Cheng asked.

"Leave two here to guard the horses; the rest follow me back," He Qingxiao instructed.

The caravan, laden with goods, moved slowly. As the wilderness on both sides of the road turned into cliffs, the middle-aged man felt unsettled.

"Everyone, stay sharp."

The young man thought his father was being overly nervous: "Those guys came through here before, we'll be fine."

In the grass on the mountain, a bandit patted a large stone beside him, watching the approaching caravan with a wicked grin: "Brothers, get ready, the big catch is coming!"

The caravan was getting closer. From above, the deep wheel tracks were clearly visible. This undoubtedly reminded the bandits that this was a lucrative target.

As the caravan entered this stretch of road, a bandit made a bird call.

This was the signal to attack.

In the wilderness, amidst the calls of birds and monkeys, the sound went unnoticed by the caravan.

A bandit, eyes gleaming with excitement, went to push the large stone.

The moment his hand touched the stone, his body froze, and he let out a scream.

The caravan below immediately broke into chaos.

"What's going on?"

"Ambush!"

"Fall back, now!"

With a thud, a body fell onto the mountain path.

The middle-aged man, disregarding the goods, grabbed his son and bolted.

After running a distance, the keen-eyed young man pointed: "Dad, look, there are people up there!"

By this time, the caravan had huddled around the man, leaving only the carts and horses on that stretch of road. Obscured by the grass, it was hard to see clearly, but then two or three more fell, one landing lifeless on the cart roof, clearly dead before falling.

"Dad, it's all quiet now." The young man, who had been a bit stubborn earlier, tightly gripped his father's arm, about to cry.

The middle-aged man was soaked in sweat, his face as white as a sheet.

They had really encountered bandits!

He had felt uneasy after the detour, and seeing this terrain with no way forward or back made his heart race. His premonition had been right!

"Dad, are they bandits? Did they have a falling out?"

"It's not a falling out—" The middle-aged man suddenly thought of something and quickly walked forward a few steps.

"Dad, what are you doing?" The young man hurriedly grabbed his father.

The middle-aged man looked up and shouted: "Is it the man who rested under the tree earlier?"

The young man's grip on his father's hand loosened, his face a mask of shock.

The mountain wilderness was silent, the startled birds flying away into the sky.

Xin You and the others used the vegetation for support to descend the slope.

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up.

It really is them!

He quickly walked over and bowed deeply to He Qingxiao: "Thank you, sir, for saving our lives."

Although their caravan had twenty to thirty people, once ambushed in such a place, there would be nowhere to hide, and the casualties would surely be heavy.

The young boy, though spirited, also grasped the seriousness of the situation and joined his father in sincerely thanking them.

"It was my younger brother who discovered the bandits lying in ambush high above, guessed they were planning to attack the caravan, and suggested we return to help."

Xin You gave a barely noticeable shake of her head.

She saved them out of sheer compassion, and she had not thought of seeking any reward. There was no need to explain so much to strangers.

He Qingxiao also shook his head slightly.

Just because others saw him as the most reasonable "savior," he shouldn't claim credit for her deeds. Even if they would never meet again, they should know who the real savior was.

At He Qingxiao's words, the middle-aged man was taken aback and repeatedly bowed to Xin You.

The boy, blushing, also thanked her.

After this exchange, the middle-aged man, suppressing his fear, looked at the two captured bandits.

One of the bandits, completely oblivious to his captivity, cursed: "You'd better let us go now, or when our boss hears about this, you're all dead!"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man's legs went weak.

There's still a bandit hideout!