Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey!

Chapter 1541: Chapter 352: How Could He Be This Strong

Iron Neck Mountain?

Looking at the jagged rocks and dense forest of the towering mountain ahead, everyone had a sinking feeling. As seasoned travelers of the Jianghu, they knew that there were bound to be brigands atop this high mountain.

A place where dragons coil and tigers crouch, a land where bandits roam freely.

For this group of people to pass, they feared that some trouble was inevitable.

Xu Caijin called the steward and said, ”Go find Master Li.”

Upon hearing this, the steward immediately went to find Master Li, and soon Master Li was brought over.

”Third Young Lady.”

Master Li was a lean martial artist, quite skilled, at the level of the Wolf Smoke Realm, which was already considered formidable among the common folk. In the former Mianshui County, he was several times more powerful than Nan Batian. Nan Batian wouldn’t even be fit to hold his shoes.

Xu Caijin saluted Master Li and said, ”Master Li, we’re approaching Iron Neck Mountain. Are there any brigands on this mountain?”

Hearing this, Master Li replied, ”Indeed, Iron Neck Mountain has a gang of brigands, led by a man named Mountain Climbing Vine. He’s a master of the Rainbow Realm. For us to pass through this mountain, we’ll likely have to pay some gold and silver.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Caijin asked, ”Master Li, how much do you think is needed?”

Master Li thought for a moment and said, ”I have met Mountain Climbing Vine once before; let’s start with 300 taels.”

Xu Caijin nodded lightly.

Meanwhile, at the stronghold on Iron Neck Mountain, a burly man was diligently pouring wine for two men dressed in white, who carried swords and had arrogant expressions.

Their white robes bore the words ”Kunlun” embroidered on the right chest.

Indeed, these two men were disciples of the Kunlun Sect, and wearing white robes signified their high status, belonging to the elder level.

At this moment, the two men looked at Mountain Climbing Vine and said, ”When you see the ugly girl with sores on her face from the portrait we gave you, report to us immediately. She is someone the Kunlun Sect requires.”

Upon hearing this, Mountain Climbing Vine respectfully replied, ”Rest assured, heroes. As long as I see this ugly girl, I will certainly inform you. Please enjoy your tea.”

Seeing Mountain Climbing Vine’s cooperative attitude, the two men were satisfied. In the territories of Shanxi and Shaanxi, besides King Qi Residence, who would dare not show respect to the Kunlun Sect?

While Mountain Climbing Vine was cautiously tending to his guests, footsteps could be heard outside, as a group of lackey soldiers ran in and announced to Mountain Climbing Vine, ”Boss, they’re here, they’re here, the fat sheep are here!”

Mountain Climbing Vine frowned and said, ”What do you mean, fat sheep? Let the Third Master check first. Can’t you see I have important guests here?”

”Ah, yes, yes...”

The lackey soldiers promptly complied and ran out.

Mountain Climbing Vine then cheerfully looked at the two Kunlun guests before him. The two men glanced at Mountain Climbing Vine and said, ”Boss has business; you can attend to your business first.”

Mountain Climbing Vine chuckled and said, ”What business? There’s no business more important than hosting you two guests, haha...”

...

”Miss.”

The convoy slowly advanced and indeed arrived at the foot of Iron Neck Mountain, where a pit was dug right in the middle of the road, and a small sapling was planted in it.

Directly blocking everyone’s path.

These experienced escorts were not fools; they immediately recognized it as a roadblock, a clear act of robbery.

Their expressions turned sour. This was when Master Li sought out Vice Leader Ma and Leader Sun Cong. Master Li asked, ”Gentlemen, what should we do?”

Hearing this, before Sun Cong could speak, Vice Leader Ma said, ”It seems they’re asking for a toll.”

”Planting a tree to block the road is bandit lingo: This mountain was opened by me, and this tree was planted by me.”

Upon hearing this, Master Li said, ”Hmm, I understand the rules. The boss is willing to pay 300 taels of silver to buy our passage this time; who will negotiate for us?”

Upon hearing this, Vice Leader Ma said, ”Naturally, it’s up to Leader Sun.”

Following these words, Sun Cong glanced at him, and Master Li looked at Sun Cong, saying, ”How about I ask Leader Sun to make the effort?”

Sun Cong replied, ”Alright.”

He was the leader, and it was his job to pave the way when encountering mountains. He took the silver from Master Li and slowly approached the small sapling, looking around.

Placing the silver in the pit around the sapling, he clasped his hands and addressed the surrounding forest, ”Greetings, to the three elders and four youngsters. I am Sun Cong, Leader of Zhen Nan Escort Agency of Huangzhou Prefecture. Passing through your esteemed land today, I find the mountain clear, the water clean, and the resources abundant. I’ve left 300 taels of silver to make friends with the heroes of the mountain, hoping in future travels we can look out for each other in the Jianghu.”

”I hope the three elders and four youngsters of the mountain can raise their heads, and we can become friends.”

Having said this, Sun Cong bent down to pull up the sapling, as it is customary in the escort business that once you’ve paid the toll, you can uproot the tree. Then, once you pass, the bandits can retrieve the silver and return to the mountain.

But today was different; as Sun Cong bent down, an arrow swiftly shot into the pit at the sapling, startling Sun Cong, making him quickly pull his hand back.

Then a whistle rang out.

In the next moment, a swarm of bandits emerged, densely covering the forest. Soon after, a man mounted on a tall horse, carrying a huge Wolf Fang Club, approached.

Sun Cong stepped back and inquired with clasped hands, ”May I ask if you are the boss?”

The man on the tall horse glanced at Sun Cong and said, ”Not the boss. I’m surnamed Kong, the Third Master of the stronghold.”

Sun Cong clasped his hands once more in greeting, ”Greetings to the Third Master.”

Kong Third Master glanced at Sun Cong and said, ”You know the rules well enough. Leave the goods and wagon; you can scram.”

Hmm!

Hearing this, everyone was taken aback. They knew bandits usually don’t go too far. Generally, when encountering escort agencies like this, they would just collect some toll as a token gesture since dealings with merchants are frequent. If they robbed every merchant caravan they encountered, who would dare do business? Without merchants, who would they prey upon?