Chapter 7, Ambush
Upon witnessing this situation, Gongsun Yan secretly questioned her decision to assist the Xiongwei Escort Agency, marking the first time she doubted her judgment. Could such a lifeless and unenergetic team withstand the fierce bandits?
Without even seeing the face of the opponent, Ding Rushan was already injured and had no choice but to retreat swiftly back to his formation. He shouted, "Which young brat is it, attacking from the shadows? If you have the guts, come out and fight me to the death." Yet, no one responded.
Unfortunately, what goes in quickly also comes out quickly
Gong Sun Yan and Ouyang Tian both nodded in approval, clearly agreeing with Fang Tian's analysis. Seeing the endorsement from these two wise and intelligent individuals, Fang Tian felt reassured and continued: "At present, we can only move forward, not backward! Do not be deceived by the large number of people in front of us; I believe there are not many skilled fighters among them. The other side clearly intends to intimidate us with their numbers, but we shall do the opposite and press on, breaking through their encirclement and carving out a path for ourselves!"
A volley of sharp arrows appeared without warning in front of the demoralized bodyguards and porters, followed by a chorus of screams as the formation of the front line fell into chaos. Before the panicked individuals could react, another batch of sharp arrows mercilessly pierced the flesh of those attempting to evade.
Thunder Tiger glanced at Fang Tian and the others, saying: "On behalf of the Xiongwei Escort Agency, I express my gratitude for your noble intentions! However, this matter does not concern you; you should leave this place of turmoil as soon as possible. If, after the incident, you could inform our agency about the difficulties we encountered, I would be immensely grateful!"
In this confrontation, Fang Tian also felt his vitality fluctuating, his strength somewhat depleted. Upon seeing the man in black voluntarily retreat, he found himself unable to pursue. When the other party spoke, he replied: "I am Fang Tian. Those in the martial world handle their own affairs; what need is there to meddle in others' business? I would advise you, esteemed sir, with your formidable skills, why resort to the ways of bandits and invite disaster with violence?"
Ouyang Tian over there is also in danger
A sharp ray of light shot towards Ding Rushan's chest with lethal intent. At that moment, Ding Rushan had just touched the ground with his feet, precisely at the time when his old strength had been exhausted and new strength had yet to arise. Remaining calm in the face of danger, Ding Rushan took a deep breath, brought his palms together, and executed the ultimate move "Heavenly Net" from the Vajra Subduing Demon Fist technique, layering his energy in front of his chest to slow the momentum of the incoming ray. As his palms came together, they perfectly clamped down on the ray, which turned out to be a steel long arrow. Ding Rushan felt a surge of heat in his palm as a tremendous force transmitted through, causing him to be pushed back a step, his palm already bleeding from the barbed tip of the arrow. The force of his grip was so immense that the arrow advanced an inch, piercing through Ding Rushan's palm. The archer was indeed a master of extraordinary skill!
Fang Tian resolutely turned around, looked at everyone, and said: "Esteemed seniors, let us all work together, sharing life and death! Brother Gongsun, let us go!"
Gongsun Yan and Fang Tian exchanged glances and softly said: "https://www.hetushu.com Senior Lei, do not worry. We have already decided to stay and fight alongside you. Shall we discuss our countermeasures?"
At that moment, Ouyang Tian felt a tremor beneath his feet, as a pair of hands suddenly emerged from the ground, reaching for his feet; there were indeed ambushers hidden underground! Ouyang Tian remained calm under pressure, kicking his feet to evade the underground assailants and leaping backward. Just then, an unexpected change occurred. Ouyang Tian was retreating towards a withered tree when, unexpectedly, the tree suddenly exploded. Amidst the flying splinters, a figure struck towards Ouyang Tian's back with a palm. There was also an ambusher hidden within that withered tree!
Meanwhile, a fierce battle broke out within the convoy. Just as Ouyang Tian and Ding Rushan were attacking the archers, a figure leaped onto the second escort vehicle, where the injured deputy chief escort Lei Hu and the mysterious figure in green were seated.
Fang Tian and the man in black fought fiercely, with their swords flashing and sword energy surging, leaving the onlookers dazzled. Gongsun Wei, witnessing this scene, realized that Fang Tian's martial arts were not inferior to his own. It occurred to him that in this vast world, there are always greater heights and more capable individuals. From that moment on, he set aside his arrogance and pride, deliberately sought to befriend Fang Tian, and thus they became friends. With this support, the Gongsun family was able to stand firm amidst the chaos of the times. Of course, this is a later story and shall not be elaborated on here.
Lu Ping urged, "Deputy Chief Bodyguard, you retreat with everyone else. I will stay behind to hold off the pursuers. Xiao Zhang, Old Li, you two protect the Deputy Chief Bodyguard and Mr. Mo, and follow Hero Fang and the others to break through."
Everyone expressed their approval and agreed to Fang Tian's arrangement. However, Hai Mingyue said, "As long as Sister Yan is guarding in the middle, I want to lead the way with you, Big Brother."
This escort mission is truly peculiar, Lei Hu thought to himself, unable to resist glancing at the person in green beside him, the owner of this escort. What a strange individual, and indeed a strange escort.
On the second day, the grand banner of the Xiongwei Escort Agency led the way, followed by Fang Tian, Gongsun Yan, and others, as a vast and mixed security team set out on their journey
Meanwhile, Gongsun Wei and Hai Mingyue lunged forward from the left and right, respectively. The people on the opposite side also sprang into action, and the two sides immediately engaged in battle.
Fang Tian inadvertently revealed his leadership abilities, and everything was organized in an orderly manner. One could see the beautiful eyes of Hai Mingyue sparkling, clearly enchanted by such a gentleman. Gongsun Yan also had a different glimmer in her eyes; Fang Tian's status in her heart had significantly increased, making it even harder for her to control her feelings. A thread of affection was firmly tied to Fang Tian.
Upon witnessing the imposing presence of the opponent, Lei Hu realized that the situation was beyond redemption. In a weak voice, he said, "The goods entrusted to the Xiongwei Escort Agency are as solid as iron! Unless every one of us in the agency is killed, as long as there is even one person left in the Xiongwei Escort Agency, these goods cannot be surrendered!" Although Lei Hu was already injured and his voice was faint, as he spoke these words, a surge of boldness arose within him, and in his gaze, there was an air of disdain for the world. The people around him felt a deep respect in their hearts; the several escort masters and porters also straightened their chests, their faces filled with determination, embodying a spirit of facing death without fear.
Ouyang Tian, with his exceptional skills in hidden weapons, broke through the barrage of arrows from his opponent. With another wave of his hand, several cold stars shot out, followed by a few cries of agony, causing the arrows from the opposite side to suddenly dwindle. At this moment, Ouyang Tian had already entered the sparse forest when a figure rose and launched a palm strike towards him. Ouyang Tian shouted loudly, raising his right palm to meet the attack head-on. With a loud "bang," Ouyang Tian's figure swayed slightly, while the other person staggered back several steps, clearly taken aback by the strength of Ouyang Tian's internal energy, suffering a significant loss.
Fang Tian encountered a formidable opponent and did not dare to relax. He focused entirely on wielding his sword, countering each move of the black-clad figure. The opponent's exquisite techniques emerged one after another, truly opening Fang Tian's eyes. Through this battle, Fang Tian gained a deeper understanding of the swordsmanship, and he comprehended the subtle intricacies of his own sword techniques, laying a solid foundation for the creation of his own sword moves in the future
After the man in black retreated, he immediately stepped forward, exclaiming, "Good skill!" The sword technique unfolded as he engaged in combat with Fang Tian.
In the blink of an eye, Ouyang Tian and Ding Rushan leaped out, only to be injured and forced to retreat. The black-clad assailants surged into the center, but were repelled by Fang Tian, resulting in a standoff between the two sides. Fortunately, the barrage of arrows from the enemy had ceased, preventing further casualties among them. However, the scene was one of devastation; the personnel of the escort agency lay scattered and wounded, with Ouyang Tian and Ding Rushan, the two masters, already suffering internal injuries. Meanwhile, the enemy's experts remained hidden in the shadows, and it was unclear how many more had yet to reveal themselves, indicating that the situation was extremely unfavorable for the Xiongwei Escort Agency.
Recalling the terror, bloodshed, and misery of that night, Lei Hu felt a deep pain in his heart. "Chief Escort, perhaps you really should not have taken this escort mission," he silently blamed his old friend. Although this mission brought the escort agency an income of 100,000 taels of silver, alas! There is no free lunch in this world; the more one gains, the more one must pay. Lei Hu finally understood this simple truth, but at this point, the arrow is on the string and must be released. At this moment, blaming the Chief Escort for his mistakes is already futile.
The figure in black murmured the name "Fang Tian," a name he had never heard before. He said, "Your martial arts are truly impressive, but I am determined to obtain the item that Mo Da possesses. If you can persuade Mo Da to hand over that item, I will immediately withdraw my troops. Otherwise, hum..." As he spoke, the figure in black waved his hand, and dozens of people silently emerged behind him, all dressed in black clothing and masked with black cloth. Shadows also flickered among the sparse trees on both sides.
Gongsun Yan observed Fang Tian and Hai Mingyue silently facing each other, their feelings at odds—illustrated by the words of the book, which speak for themselves—unable to help but feel a deep sense of loss.
Haiming Yue interjected, "Old man, don't say any more. We will fight them! I don't believe we can't defeat them!"
The deputy chief of the Xiongwei Escort Agency, "Five Tiger Blade" Lei Hu, lay on the escort cart nursing his injuries, feeling quite miserable.
When the incident occurred, Ouyang Tian was caught off guard. He could only concentrate all his energy on his back and withstand a palm strike from his opponent, using the momentum to leap away and dissipate the incoming force. Nevertheless, the opponent's strength was surprisingly formidable. Although Ouyang Tian managed to neutralize sixty percent of the palm's power, he still bled from the corner of his mouth and had already sustained internal injuries
In his youth, he wielded the "Five Tigers Breaking the Door Blade," commanding great respect in the martial arts world. He was recognized by Lin Mingxiong, the head of the Xiongwei Escort Agency, and together they founded the agency. Over the decades, the agency expanded significantly, with branches established nationwide, consistently ranking among the top three in the national escort industry. Throughout these years, the escort teams he oversaw had never encountered any mishaps. However, just the day before yesterday, he suffered an unprecedented setback. Throughout these years, the escort teams he oversaw had never encountered any mishaps. However, just the day before yesterday, he suffered an unprecedented setback.
Fang Tianyi firmly grasped Lu Ping and said, "Master Lu, do not be anxious; let us deliberate carefully once more"
Originally, Lei Hu did not intend to take on this escort mission, as he had not been on such a journey for ten years. He had planned to retire and live a peaceful and quiet life, no longer engaging in a life fraught with danger. However, after repeated pleas from the chief escort Lin Mingxiong, he finally decided to return to the profession. Yet, a single night raid, or perhaps merely a probing night raid, resulted in heavy casualties, and he himself sustained serious injuries. To this day, he feels increasingly uneasy about the future of this escort mission.
Gongsun Wei, seeing that the newcomer possessed formidable skills, did not dare to be negligent. He thrust his long sword forward, channeling all his internal energy into the blade, producing a "sizzling" sound as it sliced through the air, meeting the long sword of the man in black. The man in black immediately sensed the power of Gongsun Wei's strike. In an impossible manner, he shifted his body, using a gentle force to deflect Gongsun Wei's sword, employing a technique that allowed him to redirect Gongsun Wei's strength, causing him to tumble sideways.
Thunder Tiger and others greatly admire Fang Tian; firstly, they admire Fang Tian's wisdom, and secondly, they also admire Fang Tian's courage. Generally, even if an ordinary person has seen through the opponent's scheme, they would not dare to take the initiative to strike at the opponent's strongest point easily.
Fang Tian and Gongsun Yan exchanged a glance and said in a firm voice: "Given the current situation, we can no longer retreat." After observing the calm demeanor of the man in black across from them, they continued: "Seeing how the other party appears so confident, it is likely that they have set up an ambush behind us. If we rashly retreat, we may very well fall into their trap!"
What you fear will come to pass
Ouyang Tian, who was originally mature and composed, found himself accompanying the young lady and the young master on this trip. He bore a heavy responsibility and did not wish to act impulsively. However, upon witnessing Lei Hu and Hao Qi, as well as hearing Hai Mingyue's remarks, he decided to hold back and observe the situation. In fact, given the current circumstances, if the Gongsun family were to retreat without a fight, their reputation would be utterly tarnished, a result that Ouyang Tian was even less willing to see.
Fang Tian and the others quickly urged their horses forward, wielding their swords to block the arrows flying from all directions. Ouyang Tian and Ding Rushan leaped into the air, heading straight for the sparse forest by the roadside. Ding Rushan unleashed his powerful fist, and the force radiated outward, causing the surrounding arrows to suddenly halt and then fall to the ground, no longer posing any threat. Ouyang Tian's method was even more extraordinary; without any visible movement, countless shadows emerged around him, each one targeting the arrows aimed at him, causing them to plummet as if by an unparalleled skill in hidden weapons. In an instant, the two had plunged into the sparse forest.
Fang Tian saw that the opponent had swiftly defeated two of his top experts in an instant, and he did not dare to underestimate him. With a flick of his long sword, the sword's blossoms trembled, leaving the man in black unable to discern where Fang Tian's sword was aimed at him. At this moment, the man in black, having already dealt with two formidable experts, was at the end of his strength and was unexpectedly forced back by Fang Tian's single strike.
The two bodyguards nodded in response, and Lu Ping picked up a steel knife and walked forward
Am I really getting old? Lei Hu sighed inwardly, realizing that resisting aging was no longer feasible. Ten years ago, he was a force to be reckoned with, yet now, after returning to the fray a decade later, he lost his first battle in a bewildering manner. Had it not been for the sudden withdrawal of the opponent, he would have truly faced a complete defeat.
Tears streamed down Thunder Tiger's face as he reached out to wipe them away, resolutely stating: "Alright! Good friends! If we can escape this calamity, in the future, should there be a need for our Xiongwei Escort Agency, we will certainly not hesitate to give our lives!"
Fang Tian and Gongsun Yan were deeply moved and admired Lei Hu's boldness, fostering a sense of solidarity in life and death. Hai Mingyue was even more excited, saying: "What are you talking about, old man? We will never abandon you and seek survival on our own!"
The bodyguard Lu Ping stood near the escort cart for protection. Upon seeing the enemy approach, he brandished his steel knife and moved forward. The assailant, dressed entirely in black, with a black cloth covering his face, wielded a gleaming long sword. In the face of Lu Ping's steel knife, the black-clad man sneered disdainfully and struck with his sword. Lu Ping let out a cry of agony as his internal organs were jolted, his complexion turned pale, and he staggered backward, his steel knife already severed by the opponent's blow.
Everyone tidied up, completely contrasting the previous lifeless scene, exuding a strong atmosphere reminiscent of the chilling winds at the Yi River.
The other bodyguards and porters of the escort agency have yet to recover from the tragic events of the day before yesterday, appearing listless and surrounded by a pervasive atmosphere of despair. For over a decade, the Xiongwei Escort Agency has navigated the rivers and lakes with ease, never having faced such a severe setback. Many are momentarily unable to comprehend this situation and are reluctant to accept this harsh reality
Fang Tian was also taken aback by the imposing presence of the other party. The few bodyguards and porters who had survived the ordeal trembled uncontrollably, unable to contain themselves
Fang Tian turned around and walked to the front with Gongsun Wei and Hai Mingyue, addressing the man in black: "Since you cannot let go, we shall compete to the end." Without waiting for a response, he swung his sword and lunged at the opponent.
Since the setback at the inn, he had sent a message to the headquarters via carrier pigeon, requesting additional personnel for support, but distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. Fortunately, he encountered members of the Gongsun family at Wanhe Library. They agreed to accompany him, which provided him with some reassurance. Although he still worried about the uncertain future, he felt a bit more grounded. After all, the "Moyun Divine Hand" and the "Iron Abacus" were not names without merit. Ding Rushan, the Moyun Divine Hand, had once crossed swords with him; although there was no clear victor at that time, he was well aware that he was no match for Ding Rushan. Moreover, according to Lu Ping's introduction, the young men accompanying him were also formidable. At this difficult moment, having such strong allies brought him considerable peace of mind.
He turned his head to look at the mysterious figure, Mo Da, and then glanced at the subordinates surrounding him, saying: "Brothers, please protect the armored vehicle and Mr. Mo, and retreat behind the heroes. Remember, as long as there is breath, the cargo must be safeguarded! I will hold off the pursuers here! Once we have escaped this perilous situation, Lu Ping, you can then devise a better plan."
The man in black, seeing that Fang Tian was so formidable and that there were several other experts nearby watching intently, immediately felt the urge to retreat. He feigned a move and swiftly withdrew, saying: "Who are you, and why are you meddling in my affairs here?"
The man in black remained impassive, merely observing the conversation between the others. His expression showed no change regarding Fang Tian and the others' decision to escort the goods with the Xiongwei Escort Agency, suggesting that he had anticipated such an outcome long ago
As Ding Rushan's divine fist struck in rapid succession, knocking down several withered trees, the archers hidden behind them screamed in terror and retreated, leaping into the sparse forest. Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred
Fang Tian spoke eloquently, saying: "Let us all gather together. I will lead the way with Brother Gongsun in front, while Uncle Ouyang and Uncle Ding will cover the rear. The three young ladies and the others will protect Elder Lei, Mr. Mo, and the escort vehicle in the middle. Together, we will break through the encirclement!"
Fang Tiangang wanted to dissuade her, but he saw that Hai Mingyue's expression was resolute, her eyes revealing deep concern. A pang of sorrow struck his heart, realizing that she was worried about his safety. Was he not also concerned for her safety? Given the current perilous situation, Fang Tian understood very clearly that there was no safe place anywhere. Rather than being apart and worrying about each other, it was better to be together; to live together, to die together! Fang Tian made up his mind, grasped Hai Mingyue's hand, and said: "Alright, we will be together!" Rather than being apart and worrying about each other, it was better to be together; to live together, to die together! Fang Tian made up his mind, grasped Hai Mingyue's hand, and said: "Alright, we will be together!"
Once this escort mission is completed, it will be time for me to wash my hands of this life. Lei Hu silently made up his mind. He resolved to no longer wander the martial world and to pursue the peaceful life he longed for, far removed from the violence.
The Thunder Tiger was moved to tears, saying: "Thank you all for your noble intentions, but..."
At this moment, the convoy was advancing through the wilderness, with sparse woods lining the roadside. The terrifying attack came without warning, catching Gongsun Yan and the others completely off guard. Although they were aware that this journey would not be peaceful, the fact that they had just left the bustling small town not far behind, combined with the desolate landscape stretching out before them, led to a sense of psychological relaxation. They did not expect the assault to come so swiftly, so suddenly, and with such brutality, bloodshed, and mercilessness. Although they were aware that this journey would not be peaceful, the fact that they had just left the bustling small town not far behind, combined with the desolate landscape stretching out before them, led to a sense of psychological relaxation. They did not expect the assault to come so swiftly, so suddenly, and with such brutality, bloodshed, and mercilessness.