Chapter Thirty: The Ambush

The official road leading to the Eight Directions Path wound through the forest like a giant serpent, dividing the woods into two halves. A finely crafted carriage traveled along the gravel-strewn road, trailed by five cargo wagons, each flanked by four guards on either side.

As they neared the entrance to the Eight Directions Path, the coachman, Old He, abruptly tugged the reins several times. The galloping horses immediately slowed. "Master Diao, the Eight Directions Path is just ahead!"

"Very well! Pass the order—make haste to Eight Directions Town!" came a deep voice from inside the carriage.

"Understood!" Old He replied respectfully. Turning to the guards behind, he called out, "Brothers, the Eight Directions Path is ahead! Master Diao commands: full speed through the pass, to Eight Directions Town!" With that, Old He flicked the reins and shouted, "Hyah!" The carriage surged forward, charging toward the path.

"Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!" The wagons and their guards accelerated in unison.

"Gan Luo, don’t be so nervous. The Eight Directions Path isn’t as terrifying as you imagine," one guard said, grinning at a fellow guard who was anxiously scanning the surroundings. Clearly, this man had passed this way before and rather enjoyed reassuring newcomers.

"Tch!" the guard called Gan Luo scoffed, pressing his heels into his horse’s flank. The horse, stung by the sudden pressure, broke into a faster gallop. "I agreed with Fatty to make our move at the edge of the path—why hasn’t he shown up yet?"

"Boom! Crash!"

Just as Gan Luo was muttering to himself, a large tree suddenly toppled across their path, blocking the way. A thunderous shout followed, "Halt!" From behind the tree leapt Lu Kai, as massive as a small hill.

"At last, they've appeared!" Gan Luo rejoiced inwardly, though he kept his face masked in surprise.

"Whoa—"

Old He’s brow furrowed. He yanked hard on the reins, bringing the carriage to a full stop amidst the horses’ whinnies. The guards and wagons behind halted as well.

"Old man, if you know what’s good for you, pay the toll!" Lu Kai waved his enormous axe with a sly grin.

"Old He, what’s going on?" The deep voice sounded from within the carriage once more.

"Master Diao, it seems we’re being waylaid," Old He replied, frowning.

"Deal with them at once!" The tone inside the carriage grew impatient.

"Yes, sir!" Old He responded. Turning to Lu Kai, he said, "Brother, here’s some silver—buy yourself a drink, and kindly let us pass." He pulled a pouch of silver from his breast and tossed it over.

Lu Kai eyed the small pouch with a frown. Judging by its size, it held no more than a few dozen taels. He barked angrily, "Are you treating me like a beggar? My terms are simple: leave behind two wagons, and you may go. Otherwise, none of you will leave here alive!"

"Alone, and you dare be so brazen? Even if you’re a martial artist at the peak of Innate, this is too much!" A surge of anger flashed in Old He’s eyes as he pressed his feet to the horse. In a lightning motion, he drew his tobacco pipe from his belt and thrust it at Lu Kai’s throat like a spear.

"Godfather, can Lu Kai handle this alone?" Lei Yan watched Old He’s attack with concern.

"Lu Kai is used to this sort of thing. If you help, he’ll only be displeased," Cui Ba replied fondly, ruffling Lei Yan’s hair with a smile.

"Oh," Lei Yan nodded, turning his gaze toward Lu Kai.

"Old man, so you won’t cooperate!" Lu Kai’s words didn’t slow his actions. His hand, broad as a fan, intercepted the bronze pipe. With a twist of his thick fingers, the pipe Old He had wielded all his life was bent into useless scrap, then driven straight through Old He’s raised left leg.

Old He could hardly believe the seemingly simple-minded Lu Kai could be so ruthless. "Innate martial—" His terrified exclamation was cut short as Lu Kai’s axe split him in two, blood and brain matter soaking the ground.

"A martial artist at the Innate level, I see," a woman’s voice issued from the carriage—it was now clear there was more than one person inside.

"Ah!" As her voice faded, a shriek rose from behind the carriage. Gan Luo’s blade flashed across the throat of a fellow guard, whose eyes widened in disbelief as he realized he was being slain by one of his own.

"Gan Luo, have you lost your mind?" another guard shouted, sword in hand.

"Slash!"

With a swift motion, Gan Luo’s blade gleamed coldly as it swept across another guard’s throat. Blood spurted like a geyser. Clutching his neck, the dying man could only gurgle before tumbling from his horse.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

A dozen guards drew their swords and charged at Gan Luo. The deaths of their comrades made it clear: Gan Luo was either a traitor or in league with the bandits.

"So there’s an inside man—no wonder they’re so bold!" The woman’s voice sounded again from the carriage, her tone unruffled by danger.

"Boom!"

As she finished, the carriage’s roof and walls exploded outward under the force of internal energy. A crimson shadow flashed past Gan Luo and back to the carriage, coming to rest beside a man dressed in white.

"Impossible…" Gan Luo’s hand flew to his neck, blood streaming between his fingers as he toppled from his horse, eyes full of disbelief.

"An expert!" Lei Yan thought, startled. Such ghostly speed surpassed even that of Cold Second. The man in white beside her was surely not to be underestimated either. Scanning the pair with his abilities, Lei Yan sensed both were at the peak of Innate martial prowess. "Godfather, those two on the carriage—"

"Indeed, they’re formidable. Lu Kai may not be enough alone. Lei’er, go aid him," Cui Ba cut him off.

"Yes!" Lei Yan sprang forward, leaping toward Lu Kai.

"Cold Second, take your men and finish off those guards!" Cui Ba commanded icily.

"At once!" Cold Second replied with deference, rallying a group of bandits to charge into the fray.

"Hmm?" The man on the carriage frowned as he noticed the sudden increase in enemy numbers. "Li, leave none alive!"

"As you command, my lord!" As the woman answered, her form blurred, leaving warped afterimages that streaked toward Lu Kai.

"What’s happening? Why are they fighting among themselves?" Lu Kai was still puzzling over the infighting when the woman called Li darted toward him.

"Careful!" Lei Yan called as he landed beside Lu Kai, swinging a fist at the crimson blur. The woman’s speed was astonishing, but Lei Yan’s supernatural senses made her movements seem slow. Streams of light, fluid as water, coiled around his fist.

"Bang!"

The two figures sprang apart. Lei Yan was inwardly shocked; not only was she fast, but her attacks came with razor-sharp claws. He’d barely managed to defend himself, unable to channel his internal energy in time.

"Oh?" In midair, the woman paused, surprised he had parried her strike.

"Young master, are you alright?" Lu Kai hurried to his side in concern.

"I’m fine. Go help Cold Second. Leave this woman to me," Lei Yan said as he landed, noticing Cold Second struggling against the man in white.

"Understood!" Lu Kai obeyed, running to assist Cold Second.

"Die, boy!" The woman in midair seemed eager to end the fight quickly, her speed surging as she lunged for Lei Yan.

(P.S.: Today is Christmas. Merry Christmas to all! I plan to relax a bit tonight, so please forgive me—just one chapter today!)