The Fierce Tiger Gang had dispatched a large force this time, including several hundred of their elite masters, three Hall Masters, and various other experts.

On their way there, they had moved with utmost stealth and caution.

Their departure, however, was far more brazen.

A great, imposing procession.

But just as they were about to reach Wangbei Pass, an unwelcome guest appeared on the road.

The figure was clad in a black robe and hood, their sleeves embroidered with a fiery cloud pattern. Their face was obscured. They stood silently in the middle of the road like a boulder blocking the path.

"Who dares block the path of the Fierce Tiger Gang?"

An enraged roar erupted from the ranks of the Fierce Tiger Gang.

The figure spoke coolly:

"A pack of sick kittens dares to call itself the Fierce Tiger Gang?"

"How dare you!!"

"Insolent!"

The two Hall Masters from before—one old, one young—exchanged a glance and leaped into the air.

Blocking their path was one thing, but to mock and ridicule them so brazenly to their faces? They could not let it stand.

The pair moved with lightning speed, reaching the black-robed figure in the blink of an eye.

Although they had been soundly defeated by Fang Shuwen, sent flying more than twenty feet by a single palm strike—and would have been killed outright if he hadn’t held back.

But they were, after all, Hall Masters of the Fierce Tiger Gang.

Their Martial Arts were certainly not just for show.

But to their shock, the black-robed figure simply raised two palms, instantly shattering their attacks and striking each of them on the chest.

The two men shuddered and were sent flying backward.

After they landed, wisps of green smoke began to rise from their seven facial orifices. A smell of burnt flesh emanated from the spots on their chests where the palms had landed. Their clothes were torn, revealing a distinct palm print surrounded by scorched fabric. The sight was horrifying to all who witnessed it.

Just then, the black-robed figure suddenly looked up. With a shift in his stance, the faint sound of a dragon’s roar echoed as he leaped, soaring over the crowd of Fierce Tiger Gang members and charging directly at Qin Hu.

Qin Hu’s pupils contracted sharply. Seated in his palanquin, he flexed his shoulders, and his upper garments instantly shredded with a RIIIP.

A tiger’s roar instantly thundered through the forest. Powerful True Qi coiled around his body. Behind him, the hazy phantom of a fierce tiger with upturned eyes materialized, then instantly merged with his form as he lunged at the black-robed figure.

The two collided with a deafening BOOM that echoed in all directions.

The violent shockwave scattered, sending the surrounding Fierce Tiger Gang members flying.

Even more terrifying, mixed within the clashing Inner Strength was a True Qi like Pure Yang Fierce Fire. It seared their meridians, inflicting a pain so excruciating they wished for death.

As they crashed to the ground and looked up, they saw Qin Hu... the renowned Master Qin Si, being held by the neck and lifted into the air.

The black-robed figure stood with both feet planted on the now-grounded palanquin.

Blood trickled from the corner of Qin Hu’s mouth. His eyes were bloodshot, and green smoke was also rising from his seven facial orifices.

He managed to speak:

"You... you’re... not... dead... I’m sure I... didn’t..."

"You talk too much."

The black-robed figure spoke coolly. The next moment, Qin Hu let out a bloodcurdling scream as tongues of fire erupted from his seven orifices.

With a flick of his wrist, the black-robed figure tossed Qin Hu away.

In mid-air, however, his body suddenly exploded. Streaks of fire shot out in all directions, and any Fierce Tiger Gang disciples struck by them cried out in agony.

Amid the roaring flames, a savage smile touched the lips of the black-robed figure as he plunged into the crowd and began a slaughter!

...

...

Fang Shuwen and the others were completely unaware of the Fierce Tiger Gang’s fate.

They were busy dividing the money.

They hadn’t been able to count it carefully in front of Qin Hu, but a proper count now revealed a total of three thousand five hundred taels of Gold.

This was no small sum.

For a mere three thousand taels of silver, Sun Qian had been willing to risk everything and betray the Lu’an Escort Agency.

This sum of three thousand five hundred taels of Gold was more than enough to make anyone green with envy.

After a few rounds of polite refusal, they agreed on a split: Fang Shuwen, Lu Guiyan, and Mo Beidou would each take one thousand taels.

The remaining five hundred would be divided among the other men of the Escort Agency.

Fang Shuwen hadn’t wanted to take the money, but both Lu Guiyan and Mo Beidou insisted that without him, they never would have obtained it in the first place.

After several failed attempts to refuse, he reluctantly accepted.

Distributing the five hundred taels of Gold to the Darts Leaders and Porters of the Lu’an Escort Agency was also the proper thing to do.

Since the leaders had taken the lion’s share, they couldn’t be too stingy with the men who had followed them, braving the wind and sleeping under the stars.

If they couldn’t eat the meat, they deserved at least a few sips of the broth.

After all, this job had been exceedingly dangerous. They had all put their lives on the line, traveling in constant fear to get this far. It was only right to give them their due reward.

Lu Guiyan would also set aside a portion of her one thousand taels for the families of the men who had died.

Once the money was divided, Lu Guiyan stole a glance at Chen Qi, who was trailing them.

Her expression was hesitant. After a long moment, she finally said to Fang Shuwen:

"What should we do about him? He keeps following us... I have a bad feeling about it."

Fang Shuwen glanced at Chen Qi as well and chuckled.

"Qin Hu probably sent him to ’help’... His identity is exposed now, so he’s no longer a threat. However, if the Young Chief of the Escort is worried, shall I go and kill him for you?"

"...Never mind."

Lu Guiyan shook her head.

"Brother Fang is right. With his level of Martial Arts, I doubt he could cause any trouble for you."

"The one who truly worries me is Qin Hu... I can’t bring myself to fully trust his words."

"...Gang members are all black-hearted. You’re right not to trust them completely."

Fang Shuwen smiled.

"But more importantly, has the Young Chief of the Escort considered what to do once we reach Flying Snow City?"

"?"

Lu Guiyan was taken aback at first, but then understanding dawned on her.

The ones who wanted the two people dead were from Flying Snow City. According to the agreement between Wang Shouyan and the Lu’an Escort Agency, their responsibility ended once they delivered their wards to the city. What happened after that was none of their concern.

But if so, wouldn’t their two charges be in mortal danger once again?

After a moment of internal conflict, she said frankly:

"We are only responsible for our own duties. Once we deliver them to Flying Snow City, everything else is none of our business."

She paused, then added with a wry smile:

"Brother Fang, don’t think me cruel. I’m just... frightened."

"This journey has been fraught with danger. If not for you, Brother Fang... never mind me, I fear even if my father, the Chief of the Escort, had led this mission himself, we wouldn’t have made it this far."

"The Young Chief of the Escort has always been level-headed. It’s admirable."

Fang Shuwen nodded.

"I think the same as the Young Chief of the Escort. Since these people were requested by Wu Lingxiao, and Jinghua Pavilion is using us to transport them, I’m sure both sides have their own plans in place."

"If the person in Flying Snow City who wants them dead could have killed them within the city walls, they wouldn’t have needed to go through the trouble of hiring the Fierce Tiger Gang."

"These matters are not for us to worry about."

Lu Guiyan nodded slightly.

"We still have more than half a month of travel ahead. Who knows what other dangers we might face..."

"I, on the other hand, believe the rest of the journey will be smooth sailing. Perfectly calm, in fact."

Lu Guiyan was taken aback, wondering why Fang Shuwen would say that.

Yet, things turned out exactly as Fang Shuwen had predicted.

The rest of the way, they encountered no danger at all. And so, after more than half a month of travel, they arrived... at Flying Snow City.