Chapter Twenty-Seven: Escort

Wang Jin was still humming a tune as he rode the autumn wind, soaring beyond the Red Pine Mountain. His mind was busy scheming how to spend the wealth he had amassed over the years, dreaming of a carefree life outside these hills.

But suddenly, the wind changed, subtle yet decisive! The mountain gusts, which had been steady, abruptly reversed direction, carrying him the opposite way. The moment Wang Jin realized this, terror gripped him. It was common knowledge that mountain winds were fickle, but never had they shifted so swiftly. He tried desperately to regain control, but bound tightly to his kite, he could only muster slight, futile wobbles—he was powerless to steer his course!

He could only follow the wind, barely managing to circle in the air. The autumn gale whistled fiercely, rattling the falling leaves in the forest below, and chilled Wang Jin to his very core. Exposed and helpless, he watched in horror as he drifted closer and closer to a sheer cliff.

Clenching his teeth, Wang Jin shouted at the top of his lungs to vent his panic and fear. Then he squeezed his eyes shut, channeling his vital energy to protect his critical points, surrendering himself to the mountain wind as it hurled him toward the precipice.

With a thunderous crash and the sound of splintering branches echoing in his ears, he plunged headfirst into the crown of an ancient pine, snapping several thick limbs. The kite behind him shattered under the force of impact.

“Ugh—!”

Wang Jin coughed up a mouthful of blood. He felt as though his organs had shifted, his mind reeling, his bones aching as if they might break—so much pain that he nearly lost consciousness.

“Cough… Am I… still alive?” Wang Jin muttered to himself. That fall nearly knocked his soul out of his body.

“Congratulations, Commander Wang! Surviving such a disaster surely means you’re destined for future blessings!”

A few cold chuckles rang out, tinged with hatred.

Wang Jin was startled, struggling to turn his head. Behind him, dozens of river bandits had gathered, all staring at him with icy smiles.

“Bro—brothers!” Wang Jin swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wanted to explain, but his mind was blank from the crash; he had no idea what to say.

Just as he tried to gather his words, a wiry fellow pushed through the crowd and spat at him.

He snarled, “Bah! You bastard! You dare call us brothers now? Weren’t you arrogant when you flew off? Didn’t you tell us to wait here and die? Let’s see which of us dies first today!”

With that, he raised his steel blade and aimed it at Wang Jin’s head.

The other men, having heard what just happened, watched coldly, arms crossed, unmoved.

As the blade, gleaming coldly, swung down, Wang Jin could smell the lingering scent of blood—a stench from countless merchant ships they had plundered.

Just as Wang Jin braced for death, a metallic clang rang out. The blade veered off course, biting into his shoulder instead.

“Ah—!”

Wang Jin screamed, clutching his shoulder as he tumbled aside, colliding with a young boy.

The boy, with rosy lips and white teeth, dressed as a scholar’s attendant, stood nearby, holding a long sword and smiling serenely. It was he who had intervened, saving Wang Jin’s life.

The bandits were stunned; the boy looked barely twelve, yet he had blocked a blow from a fifth-rank expert?

The wiry man gritted his teeth, ready for another strike.

But a cold snort sounded from the treetop: “Hmph! I don’t care if you kill each other, but don’t defile this sacred land!”

At her voice, the bandits fell silent, lowering their flags and stepping aside.

Bai Yi leapt lightly from the tree, her tail flicking as she surveyed the group.

Wherever her gaze fell, the bandits bowed their heads, not daring to meet her eyes. Over the past three days, they had suffered at the hands of this white fox for speaking ill of Lin You; now, they were thoroughly cowed.

Bai Yi snorted softly. Following the immortal’s instructions, she had gathered the scattered river bandits here at the cliff. At first, she didn’t understand the reason, and when she saw Wang Jin trying to escape, she was tempted to intervene. Yet, trusting the immortal, she obeyed and focused on gathering the bandits.

Now, seeing Wang Jin crash-land here, she was utterly awestruck. What did it mean to foresee destiny? This was true foresight!

She now regarded Lin You as a deity—if Lin You claimed leaping from the cliff led to immortality, Bai Yi would believe without hesitation.

Yet one thing puzzled her: wasn’t the immortal planning to keep these men to plant trees? Why change her mind and send them to the city for trial?

As she pondered, Jiang Liunian, clad in white and exuding a free-spirited air, approached, flanked by two attendants.

He smiled and said, “Miss Bai, Friend Yu Chen truly has divine foresight! I am impressed. And this bandit leader is quite the character—he tried such a bold escape!”

Jiang Liunian was genuinely amazed. The cliff was hundreds of feet high, yet Wang Jin had attempted to fly out on a giant kite. Not even a martial grandmaster would dare such a feat. The idea was wild, almost fantastical.

Bai Yi beamed at Jiang Liunian’s praise of her immortal, her fox tail swaying with delight.

She replied, “The immortal’s wisdom is beyond the comprehension of these river bandits. Unless he gives his blessing, they will never escape Red Pine Mountain.”

Jiang Liunian laughed heartily. “Well said! Miss Bai, you may report back to Friend Yu Chen. Leave the rest to me—I’ll escort them to the city for trial.”

He glanced at Wang Jin, noting that despite his severe injuries, he would survive for now. Relieved, he felt determined to do this task well—it was the first request from Friend Yu Chen, and he must ensure it was handled flawlessly, worthy of his reputation as a wandering scholar of Suiyang.

Bai Yi hesitated. “But the immortal meant for Elder Yu De to accompany you, for mutual support.”

Jiang Liunian laughed breezily. “No need! These are mere bandits—why trouble a master to escort them? I can handle it alone.”

Seeing Bai Yi’s reluctance, he quickly ordered his attendants to tie up the bandits and arrange them in a long column.

He said, “Don’t worry, Miss Bai! If you must, go ask Friend Yu Chen for instructions. I’ll wait with these men at the foot of the mountain for your word.”

“Very well,” Bai Yi replied, no longer protesting. Turning into a streak of white, she hurried to find Lin You.

Jiang Liunian breathed a sigh of relief. His original plan was to visit the city lord’s manor after completing this task. With Elder Yu De tagging along, he’d be restricted. So he had found a convenient excuse to send Bai Yi away.

Watching her depart, Jiang Liunian turned to Wang Jin. “If you’re not dead, get up! You and your men have committed countless crimes in the city—now it’s time to settle the score!”