Chapter 387: Zhao Family of Gu Yuan
Seeing the big chicken leg Zhang Yuan handed over, the little girl couldn’t help but swallow.
But she didn’t eagerly reach out to take it; instead, she shyly hid in her mother’s arms nearby.
She peeked secretly at Zhang Yuan.
The beautiful young woman gently smiled, brushing her daughter’s hair, and turned to look at her husband sitting next to her.
Her husband, with a handsome face and gentle demeanor, smiled calmly and said, "Thank you, sir."
He clasped his fists and bowed to Zhang Yuan.
"Thank you."
The young woman softly thanked, cautiously taking the fragrant chicken leg.
She blew on the hot steam and then fed it to the little girl.
The middle-aged man eyed the chicken leg eagerly and shamelessly said to Zhang Yuan, "Young brother, could you spare half a chicken for me? I can pay silver for it."
"No sale."
Zhang Yuan resolutely refused and continued to indulge himself.
He shared a chicken leg with the little girl simply because he found this family of three the most pleasing.
Once again faced with coldness, the middle-aged man could hardly keep up his false smile, casting a venomous glance at Zhang Yuan.
At this moment, a rapid sound of horse hooves approached from a distance.
The trade team’s guards and darts masters stood up, drew their weapons vigilantly, and shouted to form a battle array.
Upon nightfall, in these remote mountains, the sudden appearance of a mysterious group of riders clearly spelled trouble.
Everyone exchanged glances, beginning to feel anxious.
This group of riders came from the rear of the trade team, each robust knight holding a torch, their fierce aura sweeping in.
Next moment, a deep shout reached everyone’s ears.
"Gu Yuan Zhao Family is chasing a traitor. Non-involved parties, do not cause trouble, or bear the consequences!"
His voice was like thunder, sweeping through the mountain path, spreading in all directions.
Startling countless birds in the nearby mountains.
Tier Five.
The newcomer made an imposing statement, revealing formidable cultivation and spreading a deterrent pressure.
"Dad, mom, I’m scared."
The little girl opposite Zhang Yuan showed fear and shrank into the young woman’s arms.
The woman quickly comforted softly, "Don’t be afraid, dear. Daddy and mommy will protect you."
The handsome man beside her held his wife’s slender hand, his expression becoming solemn.
At this time, Zhang Yuan noticed that the expression of the white-haired old man sitting on the other side was quite unusual.
The old man, with a kind face, looked like a very amiable elder.
He had with him a grandson who looked only seven or eight years old.
Sickly all the way, relying entirely on the elder’s care.
From the start, Zhang Yuan knew this white-haired elder had the highest cultivation among the companions.
Reached the peak of Tier Four!
This understated Tier Four expert seemed to suspect Zhang Yuan earlier, having tested him a few times.
Now it appeared this grandfather and grandson indeed hid secrets.
Likely greatly related to the just-appeared Gu Yuan Zhao Family group!
Zhang Yuan watched coldly, deciding not to meddle.
At this point, the trade team leader came to negotiate briefly with the Zhao Family riders, then sent guards to warn the travelers: "Everyone stay put, don’t run around. They’ll leave once they finish searching, no problem."
As the saying goes, arms can’t fight with thighs; the Gu Yuan Zhao Family’s side was fierce, with a Tier Five expert present. Despite the trade team having numerical superiority, they dared not conflict with them.
After all, running trade and traveling the martial world can’t rely solely on fights and kills.
When necessary, one must yield, and compromise instead of challenging strong opponents, lest courting needless trouble.
Subsequently, the Zhao Family knights dismounted one after another.
They held knives and swords in one hand, torches in the other, starting their search from the rear of the trade team to the front.
These knights searched thoroughly, sparing no carriage.
Including freight cars.
As for travelers resting by the roadside, they were even the focus of their questioning.
The Zhao Family knights were not benevolent, acting brutally and rudely; sensing any anomaly, they instantly turned into beasts.
A traveler, dissatisfied with them searching his luggage, barely voiced a word before being fiercely knocked to the ground.
If not for the trade team leader swiftly intervening, nodding, bowing, smiling, and saying good words, the result might be much worse than a mere head injury.
The Zhao Family knights kept advancing, drawing closer to where Zhang Yuan and others stayed.
At this moment, the white-haired old man couldn’t hold back anymore, abruptly hugging his grandson and leaping away toward the nearby mountains.
Disappearing in a flash!
"Bold move!"
The Gu Yuan Zhao Family’s Tier Five expert reacted swiftly, uttering an angry shout and pursuing with body technique.
Leaving only lingering echoes.
Next moment, over a dozen fierce Zhao Family knights rushed over.
They gripped their weapons, scanning Zhang Yuan and others with vicious eyes, seemingly convinced all present were accomplices.
The tension reached its peak.
The middle-aged man instantly turned pale with fright, trembling and stammered: "Sirs, this has, has nothing to do with us, at all!"
A burly, scar-faced knight sneered, "Then who does it concern?"
"Him!"
The middle-aged man, without hesitation, pointed at Zhang Yuan and said, "I saw him talk a lot with that grandfather and grandson!"
The young couple nearby was taken aback.
This was outright lying!
Throughout the journey, Zhang Yuan remained silent in the carriage and barely exchanged words with the just runaway white-haired old man.
The middle-aged man actually framed Zhang Yuan, with extreme malice!
The handsome man furrowed his brows, ready to speak and defend Zhang Yuan, but the scar-faced knight pointed his long blade at Zhang Yuan, harshly demanding: "Speak! What’s your relationship with our Zhao Family’s traitor?"
In fact, this knight likely understood the truth.
But would rather not miss out on punishing the wrong person; unfortunately, Zhang Yuan fell victim to this misfortune!
Facing the gleaming blade, Zhang Yuan calmly stood up, taking out a dark golden dragon pattern token from his clothes, and said deeply: "I am Zhang Yuan, a Dharma Guardian Divine General of the Xia Ruins Celestial King Hall, unrelated to the traitor you mentioned."
He had no intention of clashing with them, thus revealed his identity.
"Upper Scenic Reception Order!"
Seeing the token in Zhang Yuan’s hand, the scar-faced knight’s gaze froze, showing a hint of fear in his eyes.
While a masked woman at the side simultaneously shone with intrigue!
"Whether so is not up to you."
The scar-faced knight’s expression shifted for a moment, slowly reaching out his hand toward Zhang Yuan: "I find this token questionable; let me examine it closely!"
Yet how could Zhang Yuan hand over this entry certificate for Upper Scenic Celestial cultivation to someone else?
Moreover, he had already noticed greed in the other’s eyes!
Before the scar-faced knight’s fingers touched the token, Zhang Yuan immediately withdrew it.
