“Everyone, stop! Inspection!”
Inspection?
Jiang Ke’er and the other Ta Ming Sect cultivators all froze.
This place was still within the Ta Ming Sect’s territory, under their jurisdiction. Even if there was an inspection, outsiders from the Zhi Xue Sect had no right to conduct it here!
This was already an outrage—like shitting on the head of the Ta Ming Sect itself!
Moreover, this narrow path led straight to Ta Ming Sect.
Almost everyone who walked this road was either a traveling merchant or a cultivator coming and going from Ta Ming Sect… The Zhi Xue Sect’s behavior was clearly targeting Ta Ming Sect!
To avoid making matters worse, everyone decided to endure the provocation for now.
Xiao Ming stepped forward, his tone filled with flattery, “Everyone, we are just regular merchants. This trip to Ta Ming Sect is only to purchase some common medicinal herbs…”
“Enough nonsense! Open the boxes!”
The Zhi Xue Sect cultivator’s attitude was harsh as he suddenly pressed the blade of his great sword against Xiao Ming’s neck.
Xiao Ming was helpless. He had been instructed not to reveal his identity before leaving, so he couldn’t fight back and had no choice but to obediently unlock the box.
The Zhi Xue Sect cultivator casually glanced inside, but then his expression changed abruptly. He exploded with rage, shouting, “How dare you smuggle materials for the Wound-Stopping Pill! Brothers, move out! Capture all these filthy merchants!”
What? They were going to attack just like that?
The materials for the Wound-Stopping Pill were just common herbs used in many other pills. Their excuse for causing trouble was ridiculously flimsy… And there was no rule saying only the Zhi Xue Sect could use these herbs.
They really weren’t taking the Ta Ming Sect, their host, seriously at all! How could anyone suddenly dare trample over such a large sect like this?
Jiang Ke’er could no longer hold back and spoke up, “Wait! This is Ta Ming Sect’s territory. Who gave you the right to carry out extrajudicial punishment here?”
The Zhi Xue Sect cultivators laughed loudly, drawing their weapons with fierce looks, “Not for long! Blame the Ta Ming Sect for being ungrateful! Attack!”
Ungrateful?
The faces of the Ta Ming Sect cultivators darkened. Since the enemy was pressing so hard, there was no way to hide their true identities anymore.
They hadn’t expected to encounter this right after coming down the mountain.
“Sigh,” Xiao Ming sighed. “I originally didn’t want to fight, but since you’re pushing us step by step, there’s no other choice… Time to reveal our cards!”
“Killing all of you… is the only way not to expose ourselves,” Xiao Ri added.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Jiang Ke’er stepped forward, shielding Qian Yue behind her, straightening her back, “Senior Sister Qian Yue, you’re injured. Try not to fight. I’ll protect you.”
Qian Yue paused for a moment, covering her mouth with a gentle smile, “Alright.”
Although the surrounding Zhi Xue Sect cultivators were arrogant, their strength only hovered around the Sixiang Realm and Three Talents Stage, probably because they assumed their opponents were mere merchants and thus hadn’t brought stronger fighters.
But Xiao Ming, Xiao Ri, and Xuanyang were all elite Five Elements Realm disciples of Ta Ming Sect. Dealing with a few roadblock pests was no problem at all, and Jiang Ke’er didn’t need to reveal her power.
“Finish this quickly,” Xuanyang said, his figure instantly turning into a golden shadow as fierce energy surged around him.
His punch landed, and one Zhi Xue Sect disciple’s head exploded. Jiang Ke’er was a little stunned.
This seemingly cold and elegant senior brother was extremely brutal in combat, smashing heads with his fists… It made Jiang Ke’er’s fists itch with envy.
The feeling of a fist strike was amazing. Maybe she should try it sometime? For easy targets?
Watching the fight, Jiang Ke’er felt somewhat relieved.
The three senior brothers were powerful enough to handle most situations, so she could comfortably hang back.
The Zhi Xue Sect cultivators, not expecting their opponents to be so strong, realized they had stepped on a deadly trap and quickly begged for mercy.
“Sirs! I admit my mistake! Ah—”
But before he could finish, his head exploded.
Xuanyang showed no mercy, coldly saying, “Attacking merchants and Ta Ming Sect disciples within Ta Ming Sect’s territory is unforgivable! Die!”
“Yes! Die!” Xiao Ming and Xiao Ri echoed righteously. The two even put on flashy moves, sneaking glances at Jiang Ke’er as if performing just for her.
“Little junior sister, don’t worry. With us here, no one can harm you!” Xiao Ri shouted loudly.
“That’s really great,” Jiang Ke’er smiled but said nothing more.
They quickly dealt with the Zhi Xue Sect cultivators before them, sparing a few alive for interrogation.
But the prisoners knew nothing, only repeating that they were following orders to capture merchants traveling to and from Ta Ming Sect.
After questioning a bit more without useful answers, they executed them all.
Xiao Ming and Xiao Ri then skillfully began rifling through the bodies.
Soon, they groaned, “This is too poor! It doesn’t make sense! Weren’t the Zhi Xue Sect disciples all nouveau riche, filthy rich? Why are their Qiankun Bags empty?”
Jiang Ke’er glanced at her own inventory and the slight increase in her Stealing Technique proficiency, smiling silently.
“Such a disappointment!”
With heavy hearts, they piled the Zhi Xue Sect bodies together and burned them to ashes.
After destroying the evidence, they hesitated, unsure whether to continue forward.
“I already reported this to the Sect Leader,” Xuanyang said. “He told us to decide for ourselves… The road ahead might be very dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” Jiang Ke’er pondered, realizing the situation was indeed tricky.
Ta Ming Sect was clearly being targeted. Their enemies were not just the Mad Dragon Hall, but also the massive Zhi Xue Sect, and possibly others.
Although Jing City was not far—the town Jiang Ke’er and the others intended to reach—it was crowded with cultivators and not under Ta Ming Sect’s control, making it even more dangerous.
If their identities as Ta Ming Sect cultivators were accidentally revealed, they might be ambushed by lurking enemies.
“I think we should continue to Jing City and investigate why these people are causing trouble,” Xuanyang continued. “As long as we act carefully and keep a low profile, we shouldn’t run into danger.”
“Agreed,” Jiang Ke’er nodded.
“I’m fine with anything,” Qian Yue said softly with a smile. “I just want to find an inn first to recuperate my injuries.”
“That’s true. You don’t look well. I’ll help you comb your hair later,” Jiang Ke’er said.
“Great, that’ll be hard work for you, Qingyi Miss,” Qian Yue seemed genuinely pleased.
Jiang Ke’er was happy too.
Qian Yue was one of the rare big sisters she really liked. If she could use the chance to treat her injuries to chat and become friends, she would be satisfied.
Yes, friends were enough—just a simple and pure friendship. Jiang Ke’er didn’t think too much about it.
Xiao Ming and Xiao Ri had no objections either, so the group continued toward Jing City.
Jing City was one of the Great Sima Nation’s important strongholds, located at the central junction of the four major sects: Ta Ming Sect, Mad Dragon Hall, Zhi Xue Sect, and Duan Kong Sword Sect. Many smaller sects surrounded it, and it sat at a vital north-south transportation pass… All these geographical advantages made Jing City prosperous.
Jing City housed one of the three major auction centers established by the Jiu Zhou Merchant Guild—the Jing City Auction House.
Most important treasure auctions in the northern part of the Great Sima Nation took place there, including rare pills.
That was the destination of Jiang Ke’er’s journey.
But they would have to wait until tomorrow to visit.
Night had fallen, and although the auction house operated around the clock, tonight they needed to help Senior Sister Qian Yue recover from her injuries.