Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

On the main road, a long Escort Team pressed forward, their carts and horses in neat formation, kicking up clouds of dust.

Xie Yuan rode at the very front, his posture relaxed, but his eyes constantly scanned the surroundings.

This stretch of road passed through open country, flanked by forests and thickets.

It was early spring. Green shoots were sprouting, the woods were filled with the chirping of insects and birds, and life was teeming everywhere. It was a picture of peace and tranquility.

For an Escort Team, however, such beautiful scenery was less desirable than the bare branches of deep winter, which left no place for an ambush to hide.

Xie Yuan remained vigilant. He was the only one in the Escort Team who knew the true nature of this mission.

Four Escort Teams had left the city one after another, and his appeared to be the weakest. Coupled with his personal grudge against the Vajra Sect, if they were to make a move, it was a sure thing who they would target.

A confrontation was highly likely, but the enemy was hidden while he was exposed, so he had to be on full alert. Even though Xie Yuan was quite confident in his current strength, a battle could turn in an instant. He would not let his guard down or underestimate his foe.

What’s more, some twenty colleagues were following behind him. Many of them might not fully accept him, but since Xie Yuan was leading them, he was responsible for their safety.

After spending some time with Zhao Xingyang, Xie Yuan had been influenced to some degree. It was only natural that the one in charge should bear the greatest responsibility.

’Even if these brothers of mine are a bit rebellious, that’s a family matter to be settled behind closed doors. I’d never let an outsider harm them.’

The convoy continued on. A burly, bearded man inspected the front and rear of the column before spurring his horse to ride up beside Xie Yuan, eyeing him askance.

"Master Xie, you said we’d likely be attacked and that we should be on high alert. We’re a big group, and we’ve been traveling for two days without seeing so much as a rabbit. Where’s this attack?"

Xie Yuan glanced at him.

"So, Darts Master Niu, are you suggesting everyone should relax? Eat and drink as we please, treat this mission like an outing? Is that it?"

The Darts Master, whose surname was Niu, was taken aback. He mumbled sullenly,

"Of course not."

Xie Yuan smiled faintly.

"There you have it. It seems Darts Master Niu is quite the professional after all."

Niu Dachun snorted.

"Of course I am. I came along because I was afraid you’d ruin this Escort Team."

"Oh, so you weren’t after the extra merit points after all."

Niu Dachun’s face flushed with anger.

"Why would I care about that paltry sum? This Escort Team is Xu the Head of the Escort’s life’s work, and I won’t let anyone mess it up! I’m telling you right now, I won’t take a single coin of the reward for this mission!"

Xie Yuan chuckled.

"It was just a joke, Darts Master Niu. Don’t get so worked up."

Niu Dachun was the most senior member of this Escort Team and Xu Mo’s right-hand man. However, Shen Longteng had already verified that there was nothing wrong with Niu Dachun; he was simply deeply loyal to Xu Mo and the Escort Agency.

He was exceptionally strong, nearing the Third Training realm, and commanded considerable respect. Right now, his word carried more weight within the team than even Xie Yuan’s.

’To truly take command of this Escort Team, Niu Dachun is the key.’

Niu Dachun’s expression was grim. After a long moment, he spoke again.

"I just want to confirm. What’s the basis for you saying we might be attacked?"

"So you do know how to have a civil conversation."

Xie Yuan chuckled. Seeing Niu Dachun’s face darken, he stopped teasing and said seriously,

"You’re aware of the recent situation. And from what we’ve seen, the Vajra Sect seems to have ties to the criminal underworld. With the Escort Agency sending out four major teams right now, which one do you think is most likely to be attacked?"

Niu Dachun snorted softly.

"Ours, naturally. Though the reason has something to do with our new Master, doesn’t it?"

Xie Yuan laughed, unbothered.

"That’s right. They always go for the softest target. That’s why I’m telling you all to stay sharp and not let your guard down."

As for the other reason—his personal history with the Vajra Sect—there was no need to elaborate. In any case, if the Vajra Sect decided to strike, there was a ninety-nine percent chance it would be against them.

Seeing that Xie Yuan was broad-minded in his words and actions, and methodical in his work, Niu Dachun’s expression softened slightly, and he gave a small nod.

He then added a reminder,

"In that case, why not send scouts ahead to probe?"

Xie Yuan’s smile faded as he recalled something from before. He shook his head.

"This isn’t an ordinary mission. If someone is coming for us, there will definitely be a Third Training expert in ambush. Sending scouts ahead would be like sending lambs to the slaughter, using our brothers’ lives as a warning. Let’s just keep everyone within sight."

When Niu Dachun heard this, he realized it made sense and couldn’t help but give Xie Yuan another look.

’He’s actually quite thoughtful and values our brothers’ lives.’

He fell silent for a moment, then rode back to inspect the front and rear of the Escort Team again.

The members of the Escort Team were quieter than usual, all silently watching Xie Yuan up ahead. Seeing that their new, young master’s arrangements and orders were logical and well-founded, not reckless, they chose to follow them for the time being.

It was impossible for a team that had undergone a major change to immediately and wholeheartedly trust a new leader. But as long as his actions were convincing, a gradual, subtle shift would occur over time.

Xie Yuan continued to lead the team forward, gradually entering a hilly region.

This mission required them to travel northwest from Yunzhao. Another hundred li deeper and they would reach the edge of the Beixuan Mountain Range.

Yunzhao County was in the northern part of Yunzhou. The western and northern borders of Yunzhou were mountainous, unlike the vast, fertile plains around Yunzhou Prefecture in the center. Conditions here were harsh and much poorer. With the overlapping mountain forests, it was never a very stable region, even in times of peace.

Xie Yuan raised his alertness another notch. Just as they crossed a hill and were moving through a low-lying area, he raised his hand, halting the Escort Team.

He glanced into the woods and called out,

"Come on out. No need to hide and skulk."

The woods were silent for a moment, then large men suddenly poured out from three directions. A rough count put their number at forty or fifty.

With a hillside behind the Escort Team, the group of twenty was completely surrounded.

The leader, a man wearing a tiger-skin vest with bare arms, strode to the front and laughed heartily.

"Sharp eyes you’ve got. Since you’re so perceptive, just surrender. We won’t kill anyone who lays down their arms! Otherwise, none of you are leaving here today!"

When Niu Dachun saw the enemy leader’s arrogant and aggressive demeanor, openly displaying the power of a Third Training expert, his face changed.

Seeing that the enemy outnumbered them more than two to one and completely disregarded the banner of the Longteng Escort Agency, he didn’t wait for Xie Yuan’s command and shouted,

"Topple the carts and form a defensive circle! Get ready to fight these sons of bitches to the death!"

Seeing such powerful bandits, the escorts grew tense and quickly followed Niu Dachun’s orders.

’Damn it, a powerful enemy really has come...’

After giving the command, Niu Dachun rushed back to Xie Yuan’s side and said quickly in a low voice,

"Can the two of us team up to hold off their leader?"

He knew Xie Yuan had killed a Third Training expert before, but that battle had been so brutal that no one wanted to talk about it after filing their reports. Consequently, outsiders assumed it was Zhao Xingyang who, having broken through mid-battle, had unleashed his might, while Xie Yuan had merely finished the job. What was the alternative? A Second Training killing a Third Training in a head-on fight? No one would believe that.

Even the people from the Vajra Sect didn’t know the details, especially since Boss Song was also dead. They just assumed Zhao Xingyang had fought like a Celestial God incarnate and Xie Yuan had been lucky to escape.

Xie Yuan paid no attention to Niu Dachun’s arrangements. His eyes swept back and forth across the crowd of bandits as he took stock of the situation.

He smiled faintly and said,

"Why go to all that trouble? Just hold your formation here and don’t move. I’ll be right back."

With that, Xie Yuan squeezed his legs against his horse’s flanks and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, charged straight ahead.