Morning.

Jiang Chi opened his eyes.

Su Qianxue was lying on his chest, still asleep.

Last night... she was on top.

She must be exhausted.

Jiang Chi glanced at the ceiling.

What happened to "taking it easy"?

Forget it.

[Ding! Sleep cultivation complete.]

[Progress of "Five-Animal Transformation Art": 78%.]

[Deer Form: Great Perfection, Tiger Form: Great Perfection, Bear Form: (70%), Crane Form: (60%), Ape Form: 30%.]

[Progress of "Demon-Subduing Pure Yang Saber Art": 0%.]

[Current Realm: Martial Apprentice Realm 4th Layer.]

It increased again.

Seeing "Demon-Subduing Pure Yang Saber Art," Jiang Chi felt a surge of joy.

He hadn't expected that just by watching and remembering once, he could replicate it into the system.

It's a pity that "Five-Animal Transformation Art" hasn't reached Great Perfection yet.

It seems that only when it reaches Great Perfection can he officially practice it.

But there's no rush.

After enduring for over ten years, he can wait a few more days.

At the same time.

Jiang Family.

Jiang Wanling sat in the main hall, his face dark.

"Qian Gui is dead, Wang Si is missing. These consecutive incidents are certainly not ordinary."

Jiang Fei stood below, not daring to lift his head.

"What did the City Lord's Manor say?"

"The City Lord's Manor told us to investigate ourselves, not to make a big fuss."

Jiang Wanling sneered.

"Investigate ourselves? Fine."

He stood up, pacing with his hands behind his back.

"Who have we had conflicts with recently?"

Jiang Fei thought for a moment.

"The Wang Family in the west of the city competed with us for a piece of land last month.

"The Su Family in the south of the city—Su Qianxue's family—has always been at odds with us. And..."

"And the Flying Cloud Stronghold outside the city..."

Jiang Wanling frowned slightly upon hearing about the Flying Cloud Stronghold.

"I heard the Flying Cloud Stronghold has been very active lately, making frequent moves. It's not impossible for them to cause trouble in the city."

"Flying Cloud Stronghold?!!!"

......

Escort Agency.

Zhao Tieshan gathered the escort guards together.

"We've received a job to escort a shipment to Maple Leaf Town, a three-day round trip. Who's going?"

Old Sun raised his hand.

"I'll go."

Little He also raised his hand.

"I'll go too."

Chen Qingyi didn't speak but stepped forward.

Zhao Tieshan glanced at Jiang Chi.

"You go too, help watch the carts, do some chores."

Jiang Chi was taken aback.

"Uncle Zhao, I..."

"I'll pay you. One silver coin a day."

Jiang Chi swallowed his words.

One silver coin, three days is three coins. Enough to buy several pounds of meat.

And with the trip to Maple Leaf Town, a three-day round trip, with Old Sun, the experienced escort leader, and Chen Qingyi, a Martial Artist Realm expert, it was clear Uncle Zhao was looking out for him, letting him earn some extra money.

Since he was given the opportunity, he couldn't let it slip.

"Alright."

Jiang Chi answered decisively.

Evening.

Returning home.

Jiang Chi told Su Qianxue about the trip to Maple Leaf Town.

Su Qianxue was a bit worried after hearing it.

Jiang Chi reassured her, saying it was only three days and all the escorts were experienced.

But tonight, they needed to rest early, no more exertion.

Su Qianxue blushed and nodded. In truth, for her, she was the one who persisted every day, not wanting to disappoint her husband.

They say there's no such thing as overworked land, but she had never seen such a diligent old ox.

The next morning.

After resting a few more hours.

Jiang Chi found he had reached the Martial Apprentice Realm 6th Layer.

Indeed, sometimes a little more rest is beneficial.

Arriving at the escort agency.

The escort team set off.

Three escort carts,

Six escort guards, plus Jiang Chi.

Old Sun rode ahead, grumbling.

"Why bring a useless person out, just gets in the way."

Little He was chewing on a grass stalk, looking around, and whispered to Jiang Chi after hearing Old Sun's grumbling.

"Ignore him."

Jiang Chi said nothing. This kind of sarcasm and insult, he had heard countless times in the Jiang Family over the years.

He didn't ride a horse but sat on the escort cart, watching the forests on either side of the road.

Maple Leaf Town was north of Qingyang City, requiring passage through a mountain road.

The road grew narrower, flanked by dense forests, even the birds stopped chirping.

Too quiet.

Something felt off.

The "Five-Animal Transformation Art" Deer Form was not just about agility, it was also an instinct.

Having practiced the Deer Form for so long, his body had developed a natural sensitivity to danger, like a deer in the mountains, ears perking up before the wind even blew.

The forest was too quiet.

Unnaturally quiet.

No bird calls, no insect sounds.

A signal of danger.

Jiang Chi frowned slightly, lowering his voice so only those near the cart could hear.

"Could there be danger? I heard there are always bandits around here."

Old Sun turned his head, giving him a cold look.

"A useless person, I knew bringing you out would be trouble, don't know what the escort leader was thinking."

Jiang Chi: "......"

"I wor..."

"Shut up!"

Old Sun waved impatiently.

"Keep yapping, and I'll feed you to the wolves!"

Jiang Chi was speechless, suppressing the urge to punch him.

At this moment, Little He leaned over and whispered.

"Brother Chi, don't worry, I've traveled this road a dozen times, never had any trouble, this escort is safe."

Jiang Chi glanced at him, pursing his lips.

Even though Little He said so, he still trusted his instincts.

The other escorts laughed.

"This kid is really timid."

"Hahaha, maybe he didn't sleep well last night, had a nightmare?"

"Coward, might as well go home and sleep with your wife! What are you doing escorting?"

Find the original at " pa𝑤read.com ".

Laughter echoed along the mountain road.

Chen Qingyi walked at the back, hearing all this, she didn't laugh, but also thought Jiang Chi, as a man, was a bit too timid.

If someone were to rob the escort, she was confident she'd be the first to notice.

The escort team continued forward.

After about thirty meters.

Chen Qingyi suddenly reined in her horse.

Her expression changed.

She felt it.

Not heard, but felt it, the same feeling Jiang Chi mentioned.

"Stop."

She said softly.

Old Sun turned back: "What now?"

Chen Qingyi didn't answer, her hand on her sword hilt, eyes scanning the surrounding forest.

Old Sun pursed his lips.

"What's wrong with you all? I've traveled this road for twenty years..."

"Whoosh—"

An arrow shot out from the forest, embedding itself in the escort cart's wooden board, the arrow tail vibrating.

Old Sun's words halted abruptly.

"Ambush!"

The next moment, dozens of people rushed out from the forest, armed with swords and spears, surrounding the escort team.

Leading them was a one-eyed man on horseback, wielding a large broadsword.

"Flying Cloud Stronghold is borrowing the road, leave the goods, and scram."

Old Sun's face turned dark.

"We're from Iron Mountain Escort Agency, brothers from Flying Cloud Stronghold, please..."

"Cut the crap, even if the king himself came today, this escort stays."

With that, the one-eyed man waved his hand, and the bandits charged.

In an instant, several escort guards were entangled in battle with the bandits from Flying Cloud Stronghold.

At this moment, Jiang Chi glanced around.

There were about 24 bandits, and they had 6 escort guards.

Including himself, 7 people, but he didn't want to act openly.

If he exposed himself, it would surely bring unnecessary trouble.

Jiang Chi's eyes darted, thinking quickly.

Jiang Chi shouted "Mama!" and rolled to the front of the cart, kicking the horse's rump.

The chestnut horse bolted, knocking aside two bandits, galloping down the mountain road.

Old Sun was furious.

"Damn it! That useless guy! He ran away!"