He Town let out a cold laugh, as if he had anticipated Yun Yuan’s words long ago.
"Forget it, I still prefer immediate benefits. I can’t stand it when people promise something far in the future."
With that, he reached out and effortlessly pinned the struggling Yun Yuan to the ground, then ordered, "Tie him up, but don’t harm his life just yet."
Some subordinates stepped forward and deftly tied Yun Yuan up with ropes.
Yun Yuan looked dejected, filled with regret in his heart.
When he was leaving, his grandfather had tried to persuade him to stay, but he refused.
Looking back now, he realized he shouldn’t have left Linhai County.
If he had stayed there, with the help of his grandfather’s family, he could have gradually laid plans. If he had returned to the Capital City fully prepared, he might still have had a chance to turn things around.
But now it’s too late to say anything. He is already a prisoner, with his life in constant danger.
So he could only resign himself to fate.
Just then, some subordinates reported to He Town.
"Gang Leader, there’s another convoy not far behind. What do you want to do with them?"
He Town had noticed Zhao Ya and his group long before, but had been busy dealing with Yun Yuan and his subordinates, so he hadn’t paid them any mind.
Now that Yun Yuan’s subordinates were completely defeated, and even Yun Eldest Young Master had been captured by him, He Town naturally took an interest.
"What cargo is this convoy carrying?" He Town asked.
He had originally built his path by robbing and looting.
Although he was now the Vice Gang Leader of the Four Seas Gang, since he was out, making some profit on the way wouldn’t hurt.
"It’s not clear what goods are being carried, but according to the scouts, there seem to be women among them."
Upon hearing this, He Town’s eyes lit up, "Women?"
"Yes!"
"Heh heh, I’ve been ambushing in this godforsaken place for the past few days, and it’s been maddeningly dull. Having a few women to relieve some frustration would be good."
He Town was extremely lecherous, unable to do without women every day. He was notoriously known as a lecherous ghost in the Capital City.
So hearing there were women, he couldn’t help but drool.
But out of caution, he still impatiently asked, "What is the guard strength of this caravan?"
"The guards’ strength can only be described as average. According to the scouts, the highest among them is just at the Third Realm, none reaching the Fourth Realm," the subordinate reported.
Yun Yuan, lying on the ground, listened intently. Originally hopeless, a glimmer of hope suddenly ignited in his heart.
Because he knew very well that the convoy behind was not as simple as it seemed. At least to his knowledge, there was a Fifth Realm expert hidden within.
If He Town dared to cause trouble, he might still have a chance to survive.
Of course, he wouldn’t say these thoughts out loud, nor did he dare to show any abnormality, only listening intently.
Sure enough.
He Town burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"A guard team of Third Realm Martial Artists? What are we waiting for? Let’s get over there quickly. I’m getting impatient already."
In He Town’s view, Martial Artists below the Fourth Realm didn’t even deserve a glance from him.
Only after one reached the Fourth Realm could they earn the right to be acknowledged by him, but just barely.
If he really took action, even Fourth Realm Martial Artists would be as vulnerable as clay chickens and pottery dogs.
"The spoils will be yours, and the women I’ll enjoy first. I’ll reward you with them after I’ve had my fun," He Town said carelessly.
His subordinates naturally roared their agreement, and then they moved in a grand manner toward Zhao Ya’s group.
He Town followed leisurely behind, not thinking it was a big deal at all.
Meanwhile.
Observing from a high vantage point, Zhao Ya immediately noticed something was off.
Because after defeating Yun Yuan’s subordinates and capturing him, instead of leaving immediately, these people remained and started gesturing and discussing.
This already gave Zhao Ya a bad feeling, so when these green-clad bandits swarmed towards them, he was the first to respond.
"Prepare to defend against the enemy! These bandits are charging at us!" Zhao Ya shouted loudly.
The guards were taken aback by the words.
They had assumed, according to Zhao Ya’s judgment, that these people would leave after robbing the convoy ahead. Why did they turn and rush towards them?
But the battle waits for no one, and they immediately prepared themselves.
The few archers present raised their bows and aimed at the forthcoming attackers.
He Town’s subordinates moved swiftly, covering the distance of three or four miles in the blink of an eye.
So they quickly appeared in everyone’s line of sight.
When they realized that most of these attackers were Third Realm Martial Artists, and the leaders were all Fourth Realm Martial Artists, the guards couldn’t help but stir slightly, with many showing expressions of fear and despair.
There was a reason for this.
The gap in strength was simply too immense.
A single Fourth Realm Martial Artist could easily handle four or five Third Realm opponents simultaneously. How could they win this fight?
But just then, Zhao Ya commanded in a deep voice, "Release the arrows!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
With the sound of breaking through the air, the arrows flew straight at the Martial Artists at the forefront.
However, these Martial Artists were very experienced in battle. Facing the oncoming arrows, they remained unfazed, easily dodging the attacks and quickly closing the distance with the convoy.
Many of the guards were ashen-faced.
But just then, Zhao Ya said in a deep voice, "Stay where you are, don’t go anywhere. Use the carriages as cover to prevent any intruders."
At the same time, Zhao Ya had already drawn his Meteorite Iron Saber and, with a leap, flew over everyone’s heads.
"Master Zhao!"
The guards exclaimed in surprise.
Because it was clear that Zhao Ya intended to confront these bandits all by himself.
Although everyone knew that Zhao Ya was immensely powerful, two fists couldn’t fight four hands. With so many against him, could Zhao Ya manage it alone?
This question weighed like a huge stone on everyone’s chest, making them unable to breathe.
Even Shang Jingchuan’s face changed slightly.
He wasn’t afraid of death; he was afraid that Luoluo would fall into the hands of bandits again.
That would be a fate worse than death.
If anyone remained calm among them, it would have to be Shang Luoluo and Zui’Er.
Zui’Er’s trust in Zhao Ya was nearly blind.
In her view, as long as Ya made a move, there was nothing that couldn’t be resolved.
Shang Luoluo, on the other hand, based her understanding on Zhao Ya.
She knew well Zhao Ya’s innate caution; if he wasn’t confident, he would never take action and would instead lead them away first.
And as long as he took action, it meant he had a plan.
So she watched with interest, wanting to see how Zhao Ya would deal with this group of bandits.
Zhao Ya’s body technique was incredibly fast, and with a single leap, he was already in front of these people.
Leading the charge was a bald man, muscular and clearly skilled in horizontal refining.
When he saw a "pretty boy" recklessly rushing toward him, a ferocious grin naturally appeared on his face.
"Die for me!"
With that, he swung his large hammer straight at Zhao Ya’s head.
This strike carried a force of a thousand pounds, with impressive power.
But Zhao Ya didn’t even dodge; he merely swung the Meteorite Iron Saber in his hand.
With a splat!
The bald man didn’t even have time to react before his arm was severed at the elbow, sending the hammer flying into the sky.
It wasn’t until the blood gushed out that he felt the pain.
But this only ignited his ferocity, and he roared in pain, swinging a fist toward Zhao Ya’s chest.
Zhao Ya kicked out.
Bang.
A loud explosion sounded.
The kick landed squarely on the bald man’s stomach, instantly breaking his horizontal refining and causing his belly to burst open.
Blood mixed with pieces of organ shot out from his back, staining those behind him red.
Before these people could react, Zhao Ya’s saber relieved them of their worries, sending them directly to the Western Paradise.
With merely one encounter, at least four or five bandits had died at Zhao Ya’s hands.
The explosion of the bald strongman, especially, shocked many people.
Those who were originally arrogant and overbearing were momentarily stunned.
Zhao Ya was not courteous.
His principle was that if people don’t offend him, he won’t offend them.
Originally, he didn’t want to get involved in this mess, but since this group believed they were weak and easy to bully, Zhao Ya didn’t mind teaching them a lesson.
Except they’ll have to wait until their next life to understand Zhao Ya’s well-intended lesson.
The blade’s light swept like a storm, ruthlessly reaping their lives.
Often with just a light touch, their heads would fall like fully ripened stalks of rice.
Just as Zhao Ya was killing with great satisfaction, he suddenly sensed a trace of murderous intent.
Although faint, his heart sounded an alarm.
Thus, in the nick of time, Zhao Ya sidestepped, and a dusky palm silently struck where Zhao Ya had just stood.
Then there was a soft "huh," as if surprised that Zhao Ya could dodge that strike.
But Zhao Ya only sneered, as the Meteorite Iron Saber pursued the owner of the arm.
Clang.
With a crisp sound, the battle between the two was on the verge of breaking out.
He Town then looked at Zhao Ya from a distance with a grim face, his eyes flickering, saying in a deep voice, "Such a young half-step Fifth Realm, quite rare indeed!"
Zhao Ya remained indifferent, the saber tip tilted toward the ground, allowing the blood droplets to slowly slide off before speaking.
"Hiding in the dark and observing for so long before daring to make a move, you truly don’t regard your subordinates as anything."
But He Town was unmoved, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"I think there must be some misunderstanding between us. We were merely passing through, so why did you have to attack us?"
Zhao Ya laughed.
He knew He Town was deliberately feigning weakness to lower his guard.
Further considering that he was willing to see his men killed while waiting for an opportunity to ambush in the dark.
It was evident that this tattooed strongman had a cunning and vicious mind.
"Your words do make some sense, but I was also planning to pass through, and your men blocked my way and attacked me. Why was that?" Zhao Ya said flatly.
He Town was momentarily speechless, a trace of killing intent flashing in his eyes.
He was just trying to probe this young man’s background, but judging by his manner and moves, he likely had no relation to any major sects in the Capital City.
This reassured He Town.
Since a grudge had formed, the current task was to eradicate it completely.
Otherwise, having such a young half-step Fifth Realm as an enemy would make it hard for him to sleep peacefully in the future.
He signaled his men with a glance.
Immediately, a group rushed toward the convoy, while another group circled Zhao Ya from a distance, eyeing him fiercely.
"Heh heh, since you’re so arrogant, young lad, let your Sir He teach you how to behave!"
He Town snarled, pouncing toward Zhao Ya.
In mid-air, the wind from his palm arrived first.
The stench of the palm wind carried a sense of ominousness.
But Zhao Ya was calm and fearless.
This battle needed to be swift.
Otherwise, the guards wouldn’t hold out for long.
So facing the incoming palm, Zhao Ya abandoned all fanciness, clenched his fist, and unleashed a Vajra Demon Suppression, blasting straight forward.
Seeing Zhao Ya neither dodge nor evade, but rather raise his fist to meet him, a hint of joy appeared in He Town’s eyes.
What he practiced was the Hundred Poison Palm. During training, the palms were continuously infused with various deadly poisons, and now it was a Great Success, extremely toxic.
It was thanks to this palm technique that he could become the Vice Gang Leader of the Four Seas Gang and make a notable name in the Capital City’s underground Jianghu.
Now this young man recklessly used his fist to block, basically courting death.