Chapter 1 Adult, Based on Our Investigation

"Sir, based on our investigation and the information gleaned by Jie Siyi of the Beiyi Merchant Guild, Qiang Wang's recent arrogance is indeed based on something. About a month ago, a caravan from Yanan contacted Qiang Wang. Afterwards, Qiang Wang met with the chiefs of several nearby villages. About twenty days ago, they began collecting goods as road tolls to raise military supplies. At first, they only took a certain percentage of what they found useful, but in the last few days, they've started taking everything they want and exempting the rest from tolls. It seems like they're in a hurry. Something may be about to happen."

"According to reports from our scouts, Senjin Village, which is some distance from Zongwang Village, should theoretically be the second strongest tribe in the Yinan area, but their displayed military strength doesn't match this reputation. We suspect that their main force has moved elsewhere. We can't completely track them in the jungle, but news of this situation came before we confirmed anything at Zongwang Village. It doesn't seem like they're trying to lure us in. I've sent scouts to guard in that direction, but at most, they'll only buy us half an hour to an hour of warning."

"Sir, I suggest that no matter what the scouts discover, we should prepare ourselves. If we're attacked, I suggest we launch a preemptive strike, retreat quickly, and avoid getting entangled with the people of Zongwang Village and Senjin Village." Jin Ze narrated the reported situation and then offered his opinion.

Ye Tao thought it over and said, "Isn't Senjin Village on our route to Yanan? If Senjin Village really attacks Zongwang Village, should we bypass the attacking forces? Or what?"

Liu Yong said calmly, "It shouldn't be a problem to bypass them. But it will be more difficult."

This statement about it being "more difficult" immediately reminded Jin Ze that they weren't just marching leisurely; they also had to consider the safety of Dao Weixin and other non-combatants. Although Ye Tao could definitely keep up with their high-intensity march, there was no need for him to do so.

Jin Ze thought for a moment and said, "Then I suggest we assist Senjin Village in defending. From what we know, the battles between tribes here are usually very intense but very short. They rarely carry large amounts of supplies for a protracted war. Even attacks and sieges rarely last more than three days. Most of the time, they withdraw if they don't achieve their goal. And battles rarely occur between two non-adjacent tribes."

"Who exactly persuaded Zongwang Village? If we can find that out, it will be meaningful in determining which side we should help temporarily, and it won't solely depend on what is convenient for us. If we end up helping the enemy, how would you have the face to tell anyone about it?" Ye Tao asked again.

Ye Tao's question hit the nail on the head again. Jin Ze shrugged and said, "We're still investigating. Many of the merchants who come and go here have complicated backgrounds, so we may not be able to get any results anytime soon. After all, in Yinan, we're not familiar with the geography, and we don't understand the language very well. It's really difficult to find out a lot of things."

Ye Tao didn't mean to blame Jin Ze. He smiled and said, "Let's prepare for both possibilities as we have before. After all, the current situation is just that the scouts discovered that Senjin Village is empty and the whereabouts of some of its forces are unknown. We can't be sure that they're heading here. Even if they are, an hour to an hour and a half of warning time should be enough, right? Don't let the brothers take risks. If we can't figure out the situation on both sides, I'd rather break through and retreat a little further before the fighting starts and then find another route."

Liu Yong thought for a moment, then looked at Jin Ze, and Jin Ze nodded. Jin Ze said, "Then, Sir, I'll go arrange it. In any case, I'll have the brothers ready for battle at any time."

But after all, they were a merchant caravan. When they began to make various preparations, Qiang Wang, who had been tolerating their arrogance and daring not to speak out, finally couldn't bear it anymore. He had his son lead two thousand soldiers to pounce on them fiercely. Faced with this pressure, the Special Operations Company sent out twenty men, drawing their cavalry swords that gleamed with a cold light, forming a loose line between the earth soldiers in the village and their camp.

Damascus steel… everyone had Damascus steel… Under the crimson sunset light, when the soldiers in the village saw the weapons in the hands of the Special Operations Company warriors and the guards, they couldn't help but gasp. Originally, these guys hadn't exposed these things; they had only shown some ordinary swords and weapons. Yinan wasn't very far from the Middle East, so they naturally knew something about Damascus steel, a killing weapon that combined rigidity and flexibility. Many chieftains and important generals under the chieftains had always taken pride in being able to collect some exquisite Damascus knives, but no one had ever been wealthy enough to actually arm an entire army with these things that many people regarded as luxury goods and decorations. These things could certainly arouse greed, but in the current situation, facing such a group of soldiers, it was easier to feel fear.

A cough that reminded everyone of his existence rang out. It was rare that in such a gathering of grown men, someone could deliver a cough so vividly. From behind Xi Yu, Qiang Wang's son, who had led the troops menacingly, emerged a scholar in a blue robe. Xi Yu obviously respected this scholar very much, slightly stepping aside and standing to the side of the scholar, falling behind by one step. It seemed that he was letting the scholar speak for him.

"We were all getting along so well; how did things become so tense?" the scholar in blue said with a faint smile. "To have so many elite guards, their origins must be significant. At least have some manners. Everything can be discussed properly."

No one paid him any attention. The scholar in blue waved his hand, telling the soldiers in the village who had drawn their weapons and were ready to pounce to step back. Xi Yu and the scholar in blue muttered a few words to each other, and they actually led the soldiers back a distance. Although they were still tense and facing each other from afar, at least on the surface, it didn't look like the situation would erupt at any moment.

The scholar in blue walked up to Jin Ze, who was leisurely waiting, with a smile and bowed slightly, asking, "Are you Mr. Jin? I am Wei Li'an. I'd like to meet your master. I wonder…"

Jin Ze raised his eyebrows and said, "What are you doing? If you want to fight, then fight. It's not like we're afraid of anyone. What's with this act?"

Jin Ze's tone was very disdainful, consistent with his usual tough attitude, which wasn't surprising. But the scholar in blue just smiled humbly and said, "It's our side that's in the wrong. I just arrived at the village, and Lord Qiang just told us about your matter. You see, everyone is following Lord Qiang's wishes, handing over the goods and leaving. There's no trouble. Now that you want to be different, even if Lord Qiang doesn't say anything and is willing to make an exception, you still have to give face to those who have handed over their goods, right? Everyone, we need to be considerate of each other."

The scholar in blue instantly attributed the tense atmosphere between the two sides to aspects unrelated to either side. This was a sufficient pretext for both sides. Jin Ze curled his lips and didn't have any strong reaction. He understood that this person might not be here to smooth things over, but might just be here to deliver an ultimatum. But facing such a cordial attitude, if he was still so stiff, it would definitely be his side that was in the wrong. Jin Ze at least understood this point. He curled his lips and said indifferently, "Want to meet our master? Tell me what it's about first."

The scholar in blue smiled and said, "Your master is also someone with status and position. You can tell from your guards. Each of them is incredibly skilled. I really don't know what kind of family can afford such guards. I'm not a merchant, nor am I from this village. I'm just entrusted to chat with your master, hoping that we can discuss some things and make a fortune together. If you, Mr. Jin, can make the decision, that would naturally be no problem, but these issues involve too many people and things, and it would take some effort to explain. My body can't withstand standing for so long. Please, Mr. Jin, can you first take me inside, offer me a seat, and then we can talk slowly?"

Jin Ze and the guards beside him all rolled their eyes in unison. This guy's way of speaking was really hard to refuse. Although from the moment he appeared, the situation had been shifting in the direction that the scholar in blue wanted, everyone had also slightly lowered their guard besides secretly being vigilant. The blue-robed man's words and actions did indeed make people feel strangely amiable, but if the blue-robed man thought that this would make everyone relax, this man named Wei Li'an was mistaken. Losing control secretly was not the kind of mistake that people like Jin Ze and Liu Yong would make.

Jin Ze led Wei Li'an into the small building, again below Ye Tao and Dao Weixin's floor. In this way, Ye Tao and Dao Weixin could learn about the situation at any time. What they didn't expect was that as soon as Wei Li'an entered the hall, he said with a smile, "Oh dear, we don't even recognize our own family anymore."

Jin Ze was stunned. He had no idea what this person's background was. He glanced at Wei Li'an and said indifferently, "What are you talking about? Who's family with you?"

Wei Li'an smiled and said, "Chief Guard Jin, I'm from the former Southern Third Division of the Internal Affairs Guard. I've seen you in the royal palace before. Originally, when I saw you coming in from Xiling in such a grand manner, I thought you were some Xiling nobleman. I didn't expect to see you. That's why the original arrangements had to be withdrawn quickly so that others wouldn't see through it. Chief Guard Jin, please be considerate. This job is not easy."

Jin Ze rolled his eyes: "If you recognize me, why are you talking to me in such a disgusting tone?"