Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Ambush
As soon as Zhang Lie entered the Xiaochuan Territory, he sensed many auras probing him; soon, as he turned onto the side path, people began joining in one after another—all were Ma San’s men.
All of them were cultivators, some with cultivation at the Qi Refining Fourth or Fifth Layers, others at the First or Second Layers of the Gathering Spirit Realm, and even one whom Zhang Lie couldn’t gauge at all, but who gave him a palpable sense of danger.
"Don’t be nervous, Younger Brother Zhang. They’re all here to escort the goods. Every previous transaction, our people have done the same. The horse bandits in this territory are no joke, but with these guards, nothing will go wrong."
Zhang Lie kept silent as usual in response to Ma San’s explanation, saying nothing; he merely thought to himself: The aura on all these people is just like Ma San’s—cold and sinister. Could they all come from the same background? Or share the same legacy?
Meanwhile, Zhang Lie worried about the Black Banner Battalion’s arrangements; he didn’t know how they’d pinpointed the trading spot or whether enough had come to take down this unexpected batch of cultivators.
But at this point, he had no choice but to press forward, steeling himself. He only worried that if the three thousand General Spirit Stones in his hand disappeared like meat buns to a dog, he’d be in real trouble.
Maybe... when the time comes, make a break for it? Zhang Lie glanced at Ma San and his men, all encircling him, hesitated again. With his abilities, escaping in such circumstances seemed almost impossible, and he wasn’t sure whether running would mess up Shen Hao’s plan.
As Zhang Lie left the path and went deeper into the woods, suddenly a wild goose shot up from the treetops. His heart stirred, but soon regained calm.
After half an hour weaving through the forest, they finally entered a clearing, then wound through several hollows; up ahead, a dense patch of bamboo awaited.
This was the spot—a strangely prominent bamboo thicket wedged between mountains, easily overlooked and a defensive blind spot. Naturally, Ma San’s side had chosen it as the lone safe trading location.
"Younger Brother Zhang, it’s just ahead."
"Oh."
A bit farther on, Ma San and his men stopped, fanned out, swept a half-mile circle, then, after confirming all was clear, signaled for one man to take out a weirdly shaped flute and sound it.
"Boss Ma, you came prepared and seem quite familiar with all this. Why bother making us do the transport?" Zhang Lie appeared annoyed; obviously Ma San had mapped out the journey, yet forced Zhang Lie to tag along—his irritation felt reasonable. Plus, Ma San’s show of strength and hiding the ultimate trade location was clearly a sign he didn’t trust Zhang Lie, or perhaps the Flying Dragon’s people.
"Heh, why say that, Younger Brother Zhang? You folks are the experts at transporting goods—if we carried them, we’re unfamiliar with the routes, might get intercepted the moment we leave the teleportation array. Don’t rush, don’t fret; the exchange will be over soon."
Transporting himself? Ma San sneered inwardly. Too risky; much better to have someone else do it. But the bandits here in Xiaochuan were truly vicious, and the buyers were the Barbarian Race—otherwise, he’d never arrange an escort.
"Swish swish..."
Just as they finished speaking, footsteps echoed from the bamboo woods ahead, and three figures darted out swiftly.
Zhang Lie stepped back two paces, aura surging—ready for battle.
"Hahaha, don’t be nervous, Younger Brother Zhang, they’re here to receive the goods."
"Hm?"
The confusion on Zhang Lie’s face was genuine, for he saw the three newcomers bore almost no Barbarian Race traits, looking nearly identical to the Human Race.
"That’s right—just hand the goods to them and consider your task done," Ma San said with certainty.
Only then did Zhang Lie retract his aura and walk slowly towards them.
Drawing close, Zhang Lie finally realized that, though these three looked nearly human, they weren’t—these creatures were Barbarian Race.
Examining them, he noticed their eyes formed downward-pointing triangles, with the corners trailing down to the cheeks where faint gray scales appeared, darkening toward the neck.
Snake Race! Another species that, according to miscellaneous tales from the Jingjiu Dynasty, ought to have been exterminated!
Zhang Lie’s heart skipped a beat; he forced himself to calm and quickened pace, closing the distance.
"Where are the goods?"
Both parties stopped a yard apart. One of the three Snake People spoke, accent precise but with a grating voice.
Zhang Lie waved his hand, took out three large chests from his storage bag, setting them at his feet. He opened the lids—inside, layer upon layer of General Spirit Stones, their energy rippling, unmistakably genuine.
The three Snake People were satisfied, nodded at Ma San, then moved to take the chests—when a sudden upheaval struck.
Black lights erupted from all directions, with no warning and no sound of air breaking, yet lethal intent crackled like sudden thunder, making everyone’s skin crawl.
"Not good!"
"Look out!"
Ma San and the man with an unfathomable air—whom Zhang Lie had felt was dangerous—reacted quickest, pulling out similarly styled round shield magical artifacts from their storage bags, raising them while shouting warnings.
The three Snake People still wanted to snatch the General Spirit Stones, but the black beams from all sides were too swift—before they could touch the chests, arrows were already streaking overhead.
It was a rain of black arrows!
Breaking Arrow Rain!
Only when death was imminent did the arrows’ whooshing sounds finally reach them! Heads ducked down, no way to dodge—only to withstand.
Zhang Lie also unleashed his trump card, both hands blazing red, flying furiously, the clang of colliding metal ringing nonstop. Yet in the end, it was mere flesh; faced with Breaking Arrows, he couldn’t hold out long, and within three breaths, was struck by three arrows.
Run!
Zhang Lie didn’t stop moving; scooping up a large stone from the ground to shield his head, he launched his body technique and raced madly into the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea. He knew this was the Xuanqing Guard’s arrow rain, but they wouldn’t spare him just because he was a secret agent—the show had to be real; if he couldn’t outrun it, death would be no different. His only hope was in the bamboo forest; if he reached it, he’d have a chance, otherwise he’d probably be worn down and killed outside. Even if captured alive, his mission would fail.
Oddly, after Zhang Lie sprinted, luck seemed suddenly on his side—many arrows brushed past him, or lodged in the stone he carried. Two breaths later, he vanished into the bamboo, unseen.
Many had the same idea as Zhang Lie, yet he ran fastest. The three Snake People closest were still stubbornly trying for the three chests of General Spirit Stones, wasting a few breaths—when they tried to run after, it was too late.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Shouts of battle erupted; soldiers surged from all sides. The Xuanqing Guard’s Black Banner Battalion in black brocade robes led the way, a thousand Vanguard Battalion border army behind, forming an encirclement.
Illusion Skills, Qi Concealing Talismans, all discarded at this moment. Everyone inside only now realized they’d fallen into an ambush.
The Xuanqing Guard never bothered with any "battlefield chit-chat" or shouting "drop your weapons." The only thing they did was strike first—and if you didn’t die, then maybe they’d talk.
So...
"Thunder Charm—release!"
"Second round of Breaking Arrows, prepare!"
