Main Text Volume 3, Chapter 109: The Negotiation Fails

The middle-aged man led Yu Mu back to the caravan.

Ahead of the caravan, a dozen or so guides walked at the front of the group. Upon seeing the middle-aged man return alone with a stranger, they immediately approached.

“Qiao Xuan, why have you come back? And who is this young man?” the stout man at the head asked.

The middle-aged man bowed and replied, “Reporting to the Captain, this is a man in distress with urgent information to convey.”

Then he turned to Yu Mu and said, “Tell them everything you’ve experienced once more.”

“Understood.” Yu Mu repeated the account he had just given.

Upon hearing this, the captain’s expression changed drastically. He immediately ordered the caravan to halt. “Jiu Di, arrange for the caravan to rest here. Have the men remain on high alert. Once we gather more information, we will decide our next move.”

“Understood.” A burly man beside the captain took the order and left.

The captain dismounted and questioned Yu Mu further. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, the two men sent to scout had returned.

“Report, Captain. There are indeed bandits blocking the gorge ahead. Passage is impossible.”

The captain’s face darkened. He waved his hand and said, “Enough, I understand. Continue monitoring them.”

“Yes, sir.”

After dismissing the two, one man said, “This faction we can still handle, even the Magu Ridge doesn’t scare us, but now with three factions allied, it’s truly troublesome. Brother, what do we do?”

“The situation is unclear. First, send someone to make contact and see what they want. Until then, no rash moves. The alliance of three factions surely signals something big. Wu Di, you and Lao Jiu take the caravan and camp in the roadside forest. All brothers on duty, stay vigilant.”

“Understood, Brother.”

“Er Di, Qi Di, you two are steady and cautious. I’m sending you to negotiate with them. Find out why they’ve blocked the road. Remember, don’t act unless absolutely necessary. If things go wrong, retreat immediately. Lao Si and Lao Liu will follow behind to support you.”

“Yes, Brother!”

The captain then told the remaining two, “San Di, Shi Di, together with Lao Wu and Lao Jiu, spread out to key positions. Lead the brothers to strengthen defenses. No slacking off.”

“Understood, Brother.”

“Si Di, Liu Di, take several strong brothers and trail Er Di and Qi Di, ready to provide backup at any moment.”

“Got it!”

The group dispersed, leaving only Qiao Xuan and the other three. The captain then asked Yu Mu, “What are your plans for the future?”

Hearing this, Yu Mu’s voice was heavy with grief. “All my brothers are dead; I should not have survived alone. But their families are in Huyu City, waiting for their return. Though I lack the power to avenge them, I must at least deliver the news. I ask you, sir, to take me in and bring me through the checkpoint. I will repay you even if it costs me my life.”

The captain was deeply moved. “Very well—true loyalty! You may stay. I will see to it that you pass through.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Yu Mu bowed deeply.

Among mercenaries, loyalty and righteousness are held above all else—their very life. Having traveled together for several days, Yu Mu naturally understood their code, which is why his wish was granted.

“Brother Zhang Feng, no need for thanks,” the captain waved his hand, then turned to Qiao Xuan. “Take him and help with the arrangements.”

“Understood.” Qiao Xuan was about to leave when the captain stopped him.

“Wait.”

“Yes, Captain?”

“He’s already met those bandits, and his leg is injured. Don’t let him be the face of the caravan. Let him masquerade as a merchant and give him a separate place to stay.”

“Yes, sir.”

The captain then advised Yu Mu, “To be safe, disguise yourself well and avoid showing your face openly. This will help you recover.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Yu Mu replied gratefully. The captain’s words aligned perfectly with his own thoughts.

“All right, you may go now.”

“Yes.”

The two men left, while the captain muttered to himself, “What could be so serious that three bands of bandits have joined forces?”

Yu Mu, the cause of this trouble, feigned ignorance.

Qiao Xuan led Yu Mu into the camp, where thin smoke curled from cooking fires. This mercenary band was clearly well-trained, having quickly set up orderly tents and arranged guards.

Yu Mu briefly surveyed the camp layout.

Merchants were gathered in the center, surrounded by a ring of servants’ quarters, with mercenaries stationed on the outermost layer.

A typical arrangement, nothing unusual.

Yu Mu was assigned a modest spot on the edge of the merchant area, near the servants’ quarters.

Having traveled together for some time, an inconspicuous position would avoid suspicion.

Once settled, Yu Mu immediately released a shadow spirit to scout the surroundings. Though these spectral forms lacked combat power, they were ideal for gathering intelligence.

Even a late-stage Golden Core cultivator like Lu Zihao couldn’t detect the spirit. As long as it avoided the captain, Er Di, and Lao Si—three Nascent Soul-level experts—there was no concern.

The spirit silently drifted from the tent, quickly mapping the entire camp.

The caravan was small; after all, Linhe Town was just a minor dock with limited traffic.

The caravan had gathered seven or eight merchant parties, and including shopkeepers, assistants, and servants, totaled just over a hundred people. Yet the so-called Righteous Mercenary Corps boasted over two hundred brothers and ten leaders.

Besides the captain, Er Di, and Lao Si—all Nascent Souls—the rest were Golden Core cultivators, at least mid-stage.

Such a mercenary force was disproportionate to the caravan’s size.

But Yu Mu had already learned this was not due to precious cargo. This escort was merely a sideline business on their return trip. Their main mission had been accepted upon leaving Huyu City.

Shortly after lunch, the delegation sent to negotiate and the backup team returned together.

The captain and his brothers came out to greet them. Seeing their expressions, his heart sank.

Er Di, looking furious, said, “Brother, those bastards went too far. Whenever we pass by, we always show respect. But this time, they showed no mercy—it’s outrageous.”

Seeing Er Di so enraged—he was normally calm—the captain knew immediately what kind of treatment they had endured.

He patted Er Di’s shoulder. “Calm down. Tell me exactly what happened.”

“Hmph! We tried reasoning with them, but their only response was: ‘Give up resistance and submit to inspection, or you won’t pass.’ Brother, isn’t that just bullying?”

“Oh?” The captain nodded. “Which leader did you meet?”

“The deputy leaders of all three gangs were present, but not a single chief showed up.”

The captain lowered his head, contemplating, then asked, “Did you find out why?”

“We asked, but they said nothing—just that no one would pass without inspection.”

Yu Mu had anticipated this. As bandits, if news of their robbery spread, their operations would be over.

Eighth Brother interjected, “So are we supposed to turn back to Linhe Town?”

Er Di shook his head, “The Magu Ridge side is blocked too. We have no retreat.”

Hearing this, Eighth Brother’s eyes lit up. “They split their forces? Maybe that’s an opportunity.”

Seventh Brother shook his head. “From what they said, it’s not just three gangs—several other strongholds sent reinforcements. No telling who messed up and caused this uproar, but now we’re stuck with the fallout.”

“Ah!?” Eighth Brother exclaimed, “If they’re divided, we could break through. But with reinforcements, it’s a different story. Are we really going to let them inspect us?”

Third Brother, hot-tempered, glared fiercely. “Hmph! Our mercenary band values reputation and honor. If we don’t resist and let the merchants be inspected, we’ll never work in this circle again.”

The captain nodded. “Exactly. We cannot let the merchants be wronged. Besides, allowing these bandits to search freely risks damage or loss of goods. For the honor of the mercenary corps, that must never happen.”