97: Chapter 97 The Bai Family Arrives

Just as Pei Qingyun felt somewhat disappointed by this, undercurrents were surging within Jinhe County.

Spies from many factions had already rushed toward the location of the Pei family's grain transport team.

Those factions prepared for looting had already begun mobilizing their forces.

Perhaps their strength was inferior to the three major families of Jinhe County.

But if they could take down the Pei family first, they might be able to cart away this batch of grain.

Driven by profit, their desires were magnified several times over.

Fifteen minutes later.

The Pei family team encountered the first group of looters.

"Neigh..."

Accompanied by a series of urgent horse neighs, the Pei family scout at the very front turned back.

"There's a situation ahead, suspected ambush," the scout panted.

Inside the carriage, Pei Qingyun's spirits soared upon hearing there was an ambush.

"Finally, it's time to open a mystery box." Pei Qingyun poked his head out of the carriage, his gaze locking onto the path directly ahead.

With Pei Qingyun's eyesight, any rustle in the grass within a few hundred meters could not escape his notice.

As his vision shifted upward, he locked onto a hilltop not far away.

At this moment, Pei Tianlin also led a small squad and set off toward the hilltop.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh..."

Just as Pei Tianlin and his squad were less than thirty zhang from the hilltop, rows of sharp arrows shot toward them like raindrops.

"Someone's firing arrows! Everyone, find cover!"

With a loud shout from Pei Tianlin, the Pei family squad members each ran toward the nearest large tree or boulder.

Pei Tianlin was no exception.

Although he was a Five-Viscera Martial Artist and could withstand sharp arrows by coating his body with Yang Force, choosing to tank such a dense rain of arrows would be a massive drain on his internal Yang Force and blood qi.

Having only just entered the Five Viscera Realm, his Yang Force was not deep enough, so he naturally wouldn't act recklessly.

After ten consecutive volleys, the archery from behind the hilltop ceased. However, the Pei squad did not immediately counterattack; instead, they observed their surroundings to see if they could flank the enemy.

After all, no one knew if this was an enemy trap.

However.

The next second, the enemies behind the hilltop charged straight out.

Before them were over a hundred people who looked like a group of mountain bandits. The leaders were on warhorses, while the rest were on foot.

In terms of numbers, these hundred-plus people were not few, several times more than the squad led by Pei Tianlin.

But once the two sides clashed, it was a one-sided slaughter. Every single person in the Pei family squad could fight against many.

Not to mention Pei Tianlin, a Five-Viscera Martial Artist.

Several mounted core members charged directly at Pei Tianlin. The leader had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a scar across his face, looking incredibly terrifying.

To catch the bandits, one must first catch their leader; Pei Tianlin was clearly the head of this squad.

As long as Pei Tianlin died, the battle would be over. Unfortunately, the scarred man had chosen the wrong target.

As he drew closer to Pei Tianlin, a cold light flashed, and everyone felt their vision blur.

The next instant, a large head fell from the horse, blood splashing several feet high. The warhorse beneath him let out a wail before crashing to the ground, skidding a long distance and leaving a deep furrow.

"Boss!" The people behind him cried out in shock upon seeing the scarred man's death.

Others might not have known the scarred man's strength, but as leaders themselves, they knew it very well.

He was a Late-Stage Divine Strength Martial Artist, yet his head was severed in a single strike.

Even if it was partly due to the scarred man's negligence, the enemy's strength was at least at Divine Power Perfection.

At this thought, the leaders lost their Battle Intent.

But how could Pei Tianlin let these mountain bandits go? He took a step, his blood qi erupting as he lunged forward like an arrow from a bow, approaching them at a speed no slower than a warhorse.

Chih!

Another blade fell, and another leader's head was separated from his body.

From the carriage, Pei Qingyun watched this scene and returned to the cabin in disappointment.

He thought some big shot had arrived, but it turned out to be not even an appetizer.

Before long, the Pei family squad had slain dozens of people.

Except for a few captives, the rest scattered and fled.

The guards didn't look kindly on the captives, coldly questioning, "Who are you? Why did you attack our Pei family caravan?"

"This small one was also forced by the bandits on the mountain. I've never harmed anyone. I hope my lord will spare my life," the captive kowtowed, acting pitiful.

"The Elder told you to speak, not to talk nonsense. If you don't want to talk, I can send you on your way early," a Pei family guard nearby lifted his large blade and questioned coldly.

"I'll talk... I'll talk. This small one is from Chuyun Stronghold. Attacking the caravan was the stockade leader's spur-of-the-moment idea."

"Chuyun Stronghold? Never heard of it. You're not making this up, are you? Who is your stockade leader?" the guard interrogated.

"Our stockade leader just died. That head belongs to our leader," the captive trembled, pointing at the scarred head severed by Pei Tianlin, fearing for his life.

Seeing that the other party didn't seem to be lying, the guard informed Pei Tianlin of the interrogation results.

"Chuyun Stronghold..."

Pei Tianlin responded but didn't show much of a reaction.

This was all within his expectations; how significant could a group of bandits without even a Five-Viscera Martial Artist be?

"Forget it, kill them all. Keeping them is useless." After saying this, Pei Tianlin returned to the main group.

"My lord, I've confessed everything, please spare—"

"My lord, mercy—"

Before the captives could finish, the guards executed Pei Tianlin's order.

Shua, shua, shua!

A few more heads rolled.

However, the Pei family guards did not dispose of the bodies.

What did the corpse mutations in Jinhe County have to do with the Pei family?

Shortly after the Pei family caravan left, the Bai family group arrived at the scene.

"Reporting to Clan Head, a battle occurred here just now. Based on the timing, it shouldn't have been more than fifteen minutes ago," a Bai family scout said to Clan Head Bai Qihua after dismounting to investigate.

"It seems the Pei family team hasn't gone far. Follow me and catch up."

Soon, the Bai family members saw the carriages covered with black cloth.

"There are many carriages ahead; it's the Pei family grain transport caravan."

Bai Qicheng shouted loudly.

Clan Head Bai Qihua immediately halted the team, saying, "Everyone, stop advancing. Maintain our current distance from the Pei family caravan. Don't let them think our Bai family has hostile intentions."

Having said that, Clan Head Bai Qihua looked at Bai Qicheng and said, "Elder Qicheng, come with me to negotiate with the Pei family."

...

It was also at this time that Pei Tianlin heard the sound of galloping hooves from behind.

As an Elder of the Pei family who had campaigned abroad for years, he was all too familiar with the sound of hooves.

"There are hoofbeats behind us; the number should be no more than fifty. No, the sound has changed; only two horses are catching up."

Pei Tianlin looked back and saw two men on warhorses rapidly approaching the Pei family caravan.

This left Pei Tianlin puzzled.

Based on the number of horses, there were definitely more than two people behind them.

What exactly was the intention of these two approaching the Pei family caravan on horseback?

Could it be to gather intelligence or scout the situation of the Pei family caravan?

Regardless, Pei Tianlin would not allow the two to get close to the Pei family caravan.

Pei Tianlin said to the nearby Guard Captain, "Go to the back and warn them not to approach our Pei family caravan."

"Understood." The Guard Captain nodded, turned his horse around, and galloped toward the rear of the team.

"Who goes there? Please stop. The Pei family caravan is ahead; no one is allowed to approach."

The Guard Captain blocked the two from the Bai family, his expression full of wariness.

Clan Head Bai Qihua looked natural, showing as much goodwill as possible. "I am the Clan Head of the Jinhe County Bai family, Bai Qihua. This is our Bai family Elder, Bai Qicheng. I have urgent business and wish to see your Pei family Ancestor of the Pei family, Pei Qingyun. This matter concerns the safety of your Pei family caravan. Please pass word."

Hearing this, the wariness in the Guard Captain's eyes deepened.

Two people suddenly show up and claim the caravan is unsafe.

If the two hadn't shown no hostility, the Guard Captain would have seriously doubted their identities.

Anticipating that his arrival was abrupt and the other party clearly disbelieved him, Clan Head Bai Qihua continued to explain, "Our Bai family has no ill intent and is certainly not here to scout your Pei family caravan. I can wait here until you return with an answer. But you must bring a message to your Ancestor of the Pei family. Once he hears it, he will definitely see me."

The Guard Captain asked dubiously, "What is it?"

Clan Head Bai Qihua said slowly, "The matter of your Pei family transporting grain is already known to everyone in Jinhe County."

Although the Guard Captain didn't know the full value of this grain, he understood the risk of exposure.

He said in shock, "What! How could the news of the Pei family transporting grain have spread to Jinhe County? This is bad; I must inform the Old Ancestor immediately."

Amidst his shock, the Guard Captain told the two, "Wait here for me. Regardless of whether the Old Ancestor wishes to see you, I will return to let you know."

In the entire Pei family caravan, except for Pei Tianlin, who knew the news of the grain transport was intentionally leaked, no one else was aware of the reason.

Before long, the Guard Captain returned to the caravan.

Seeing him back, Pei Tianlin asked, "What's the situation with those two? Why are they following our Pei family caravan?"

"Both are from the Jinhe County Bai family. One is Clan Head Bai Qihua, and the other is Bai Qicheng. They told me something very important concerning the caravan's safety. They also said they wish to see the Old Ancestor," the Guard Captain explained hurriedly.

Pei Tianlin said with a solemn expression, "What exactly is it that requires disturbing the Old Ancestor and concerns the safety of the caravan?"

The Guard Captain glanced around before whispering, "They said the news of our Pei family transporting grain is already known to everyone in Jinhe County."

Pei Tianlin grunted in response, his tone somewhat flat. "Is that so? Then continue following the team for now. I will report this to the Old Ancestor. If he is willing to see them, I will come and notify you."

Pei Tianlin already knew the reason, so he didn't bother to fake it. In any case, it was already a foregone conclusion.

Even if they knew the Pei family did it on purpose, it was too late to stop the news from spreading. Of course, he saw no need to explain the reason.