Not long after Yun Yuan and his group had left, Zhao Ya and his companions also set off on their journey.
Two caravans, one following the other, traveled in the same direction.
Since the speed of the caravans was roughly the same, the distance between them was only about three to five miles.
Initially, for the first two days, Yun Yuan was a bit nervous, thinking that Zhao Ya and his group were deliberately following them. It wasn’t until later, when he saw Zhao Ya doing nothing out of the ordinary and quietly making their way, that he finally relaxed.
In this way, after four days, they left Phoenix Tail County and entered the jurisdiction of Yingtai County.
According to legend, in ancient times, the Human Emperor built the Ying Platform here to welcome Immortals descending from the heavens.
Although the legend is no longer verifiable, this place name has been passed down and preserved to this day.
During the prosperous times of the Great Yan, the royal family would send designated individuals annually to the site of Ying Platform for worship.
But as the imperial power fell, and the situation in the world gradually deteriorated, such ceremonies naturally ceased long ago.
The once bustling Ying Platform site became desolate and was eventually covered by wild grass.
So when Zhao Ya and his companions came to this world-renowned site, Zui’Er, who had always longed to see it, couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
"What? Didn’t they say that the Ying Platform reaches up to the heavens? Turns out it’s just a big mound?" Zui’Er muttered.
Shang Luoluo chuckled at this, "Who told you that the Ying Platform reaches up to the heavens? Actually, according to ancient records, even at its highest point, the Ying Platform was only about a hundred zhang tall."
"Huh? That’s so short! Then how would it welcome the legendary Immortals?" Zui’Er said with a face full of disappointment.
"Think about it, if they are Immortals, they can definitely fly. In that case, does it matter if the Ying Platform is high or low?" Shang Luoluo explained with a laugh.
Zui’Er tilted her head, thoughtfully considered it for a moment, and then said with a look of sudden realization, "Makes sense!"
Then she looked at Zhao Ya beside her, "Ya, do you think that’s right?"
Zhao Ya looked helpless.
This silly girl, sometimes she can be really naive.
The key point was that Shang Luoluo particularly enjoyed teasing her, often saying some ambiguous things to fool her, and Zui’Er just fell for it every time.
"I don’t think this is necessarily an altar for welcoming Immortals, but rather a trap," Zhao Ya stated bluntly.
"A trap?" Zui’Er became even more confused.
Shang Luoluo was also somewhat surprised, "Why do you say that?"
"Think about it, who were the figures of the ancient Human Emperors? If we follow the records of legend, the strongest could block the heavens and earth, how could such a figure build an altar to appease Immortals?"
"So I believe, instead of being an altar, it might as well be a beast trap. If there were to be any Immortal daring enough to descend here, they’d be greeted not with incense and offerings and people’s reverent bows, but with blades, sharp swords, and bloody slaughter."
Zhao Ya wasn’t just spouting nonsense, because there are indeed legends in this world about the last ancient Human Emperor who could block the heavens and earth.
So in Zhao Ya’s opinion, how could an existence capable of such feats build an altar to appease Immortals?
After listening to Zhao Ya’s words, Zui’Er was still fine, also because there were parts she didn’t quite understand.
However, Shang Luoluo’s expression changed, then she lowered her head in introspection, clearly touched by Zhao Ya’s words.
Moments later, she looked up, full of admiration at Zhao Ya.
"Your idea is indeed novel, sounding somewhat absurd at first, but on closer thought, it holds some logic. I’m enlightened, Luoluo said sincerely.
Shang Luoluo expressed her gratitude to Zhao Ya with great solemnity.
Zhao Ya smiled, "I was just speaking off the cuff, and it’s all based on ancient legends, not to be taken seriously."
"Even so, it’s quite a unique perspective. It’s a shame the world is in chaos now. If it were during peaceful times, just by proposing this idea, you could make a name for yourself in the Exegesis Realm."
"Let’s forget about it. I don’t want to be an old man delving into piles of ancient scrolls all day."
"Then what if I enjoy studying ancient texts, huh? A granny?" Shang Luoluo laughed.
As she said this, she regretted it a bit.
Because it was too blunt.
Zhao Ya had just called himself an old man, and she immediately called herself a granny.
Wasn’t this clearly hinting at being a couple?
Just as Shang Luoluo’s cheeks flushed, Zhao Ya didn’t notice at all.
His expression suddenly became serious, and then he leaped onto a large tree beside the road, looking into the distance.
His sudden action startled everyone.
"What’s going on?"
"What happened?"
As people were in bewilderment, a sharp-eyed guard noticed something unusual and exclaimed.
"It’s the caravan ahead!"
"There are bandits raiding the caravan ahead!"
Indeed.
When everyone squinted into the distance, they saw that three to four miles ahead, the lead caravan was surrounded by a group of robbers wearing green, and the fight had already begun.
This caused the guards to turn pale, and many of their hands began to tremble slightly.
Many of them had never encountered such a scene, and naturally, fear set into their hearts.
Fortunately, their Commander was experienced and worldly and quickly calmed down, first sternly restraining his subordinates to prevent disorder in their ranks, before asking Zhao Ya, who had returned to the ground.
"Master Zhao, what should we do now?"
"Form a defensive formation for self-protection!" Zhao Ya replied without hesitation.
The Commander was taken aback.
He had assumed that upon witnessing this scene, Zhao Ya would undoubtedly lead everyone to charge forward and assist the caravan.
This is actually a form of self-preservation.
If we wait until this group of green-clad bandits, who appeared from nowhere, destroys the caravan’s guards and then turns on us, we would be at a severe disadvantage.
Zhao Ya noticed his doubts but did not explain; instead, he immediately ordered the guards to encircle the wagons in a circle.
These wagons had been modified, with a layer of iron cladding that could withstand arrow attacks, making them the best cover in critical moments.
Shang Luoluo, Zui’Er, Shang Jingchuan, and others were protected at the core of the circle of wagons.
The guards stood watch on the perimeter.
Once everything was done, Zhao Ya explained to the commander of the guards and the rest of the guards.
"These bandits are not ordinary thieves; from my observations, they seem to be targeting that caravan directly."
Zhao Ya’s deduction was not without basis.
As the first to notice the anomaly, he immediately observed the peculiarities of these green-clad bandits.
Firstly, the clothes they wore were too new and too uniform.
This alone indicated they were not ordinary bandits.
Even powerful groups like Cyan Bamboo Ridge couldn’t afford uniforms for all their lackeys.
Only important people had such privileges.
Secondly, the group had formidable strength; even from a brief glance, Zhao Ya noticed several Fourth Realm Martial Artists among them, and the rest were largely Third Realm strength.
If any bandit group had this kind of strength, they could easily seize a city, if not change ruling dynasties.
Thus, Zhao Ya immediately realized that these people were targeting the caravan, or even that particular man specifically.
Zhao Ya certainly did not want to get involved in such a situation.
After hearing Zhao Ya’s analysis, the guards, including the commander, all seemed to have a sudden realization.
The commander raised his thumbs and said, "Master Zhao, you’re truly impressive. You saw so much from just a few glances. If we’d rushed in recklessly before, wouldn’t we have become the fools?"
Zhao Ya remained silent, focusing intently on observing the situation ahead.
If there was another caravan being attacked by bandits, Zhao Ya would have intervened without hesitation.
But not in this case. Acting recklessly without understanding the details would truly make one the fool the commander mentioned.
While Zhao Ya was holding back and observing changes, Yun Yuan had been pushed to the brink.
Especially when he saw the Fourth Realm Martial Artists gifted by his grandfather being surrounded and killed, his emotional defenses completely collapsed.
"Yun Hao, I’m still your brother, and yet you dared to do this to me?" Yun Yuan cursed loudly.
Sadly, no one responded.
Yun Yuan knew that his half-brother definitely wouldn’t show himself.
After all, while such things could be done secretly, openly doing so would lead Elder Yun himself to take his life.
Nevertheless, Yun Yuan’s heart sank further.
Seeing them actually killing his guards, Yun Yuan realized he wouldn’t likely escape today.
His brother Yun Hao obviously intended to kill him to silence him.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t deploy so many martial experts.
"Young Master, run!"
Old Ding, who seemed unassuming, was actually a Fourth Realm Martial Artist. In his desperate fight, he cut a bloody path and dragged Yun Yuan with him.
Due to his reckless fighting style, the bandits were momentarily intimidated and dared not approach him.
Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Old Ding dragged Yun Yuan, staggering, to escape.
Just as they were about to break through the encirclement, a figure suddenly lunged diagonally from the side, striking toward Old Ding with a palm.
Though covered in wounds, Old Ding fiercely roared, meeting the attack head-on.
Boom!
The clash of fist and palm stirred up a massive sound wave.
Old Ding was blasted away without a chance to groan, landing on the ground with unknown life or death.
Then, a person gracefully landed in front of Yun Yuan.
This person was tall, as strong as an ox, and even in the cold early spring, he was shirtless, revealing bulging muscles and tendons.
Not only that, his body was covered in tattoos of infernal demons, extending to his neck and face, making him intimidating.
Seeing the stunned Yun Yuan, the tattooed strongman laughed sinisterly.
"Eldest Young Master Yun, why so eager to leave?"
Looking at the strongman, Yun Yuan inhaled sharply, feeling his scalp tingling.
He recognized this strongman.
The strongman was the Deputy Gang Leader of the Four Seas Gang in the Capital City, named He Town, a genuine half-step Fifth Realm expert.
Moreover, the Four Seas Gang wielded great power in the Capital City, rumored to have ties with the Profound Sun Sect, one of the Three Sects, deeply rooted.
As the Deputy Gang Leader of the Four Seas Gang, possessing half-step Fifth Realm strength, He Town was a prominent figure in the underground Jianghu of the Capital City.
Unexpectedly, Yun Hao spared no expense to bring out this powerful figure.
Yun Yuan’s heart instantly chilled halfway, but he still forced himself to stay composed.
"Gang Leader He, no matter what conditions Yun Hao promised you, I’m willing to offer double. What do you think?"