Lin Hua glared fiercely at Chen Dafu, then led the people to join the battle.

The carriage, which had originally been well-protected, was suddenly exposed, forcing those who had intended to approach to quickly make a decision and change direction.

Gritting his teeth, Chen Dafu eventually led his family to hide beside the ox cart.

Gu Kaiyuan initially thought of pulling the cart a bit further away, but seeing the strong men of the Chen Family able to fend off the bandits with sticks, he decided not to move.

With them by the carriage, at least they wouldn’t be besieged from all sides.

Bai Suihe secretly lifted the curtain several times to view the situation outside. The number of these bandits was quite large, but with two escort agencies on this side, plus the escorts, although their numbers were slightly fewer, they didn’t fall behind.

"We’re not even in Lingnan yet, and it’s already this chaotic," Yun Ni began to understand why Gu Kaiyuan had asked them for help.

"It’s going to be a tough journey for everyone," Gu Kaiyuan said as he leaped over to cut down someone approaching the ox cart, then returned, leaving Yun Ni astonished.

"With such skills, Brother Gu is still asking for our help?"

Gu Kaiyuan smiled wryly, "No matter how skilled, two fists can’t fend off four hands, let alone a hundred people like this.

I know this trip is hard on everyone, rest assured, you won’t be shortchanged."

Yun Ni said, "That’s all negotiable."

Even if they didn’t trust Gu Kaiyuan, they could trust the Bai Family behind him.

As merchants, they didn’t like to make enemies with people from the Jianghu; it wasn’t good for them.

While dealing with the occasional blind fool who strayed over, the two continued their small talk on the side.

But the Chen Family members leaning against the cart weren’t so lucky. There were just too many of them, making them an easy target for provocation from one bandit after another.

Their sticks could at most inflict pain, which only made the opponents more rampant, as they’d retaliate after losing.

Eldest Chen was almost exasperated, wondering what kind of fortune spot his father had found; the troubles seemed endless, treating them as easy targets.

Chen Dafu felt heartache seeing his youngest son’s arm cut again, knowing it would cost silver for medicine; it was too careless.

"Master, this isn’t a solution. Why don’t you ask for help over there?" Mrs. Chen, concerned about her sons and grandsons, pointed to Gu Kaiyuan, noticing how the two were handling the bandits with ease and even exchanging banter.

But Chen Dafu wouldn’t bring more embarrassment upon himself, "The injured step back, the sons behind step forward."

After all, his sons stood before his grandsons, and finally the womenfolk; he didn’t believe they couldn’t hold out without relying on Gu Kaiyuan and his party.

Scarface hadn’t anticipated that the exile party they encountered would be such a tough nut to crack; he couldn’t understand why they mingled with escort agencies when simply escorting prisoners would suffice.

Had he known escort agency members were hidden among them, he wouldn’t have been so audacious.

At worst, he’d have settled for a head tax as Old Yang had before.

Watching his brothers fall one by one, Scarface grew increasingly frustrated, ultimately forced to whistle for a retreat.

But both sides had gone berserk, and only a scant few retreated at the sound to regroup beside him.

"Everyone, stop, stop!" Scarface realized he might seem cowardly, but he had no choice now.

Much effort had gone into assembling such a force, intended for a big score, yet they clashed with hard bones right away.

Without reaping any benefits, they might even incur losses upon returning.

Especially if the families of those injured or killed came knocking, as their leader, he wouldn’t be able to escape liability.

However, even after calling out, the opposition paid him no heed, wielding their blades fiercely.

Left without options, he approached Liu Pingkang, "Sir, please have everyone cease fighting. We’re just villagers from around here, driven to this out of hardship.

We apologize for our earlier actions. Please, sir, let us go as insignificant beings."

"Weren’t you earlier boasting about making a fortune? Wanting to flee before hitting the jackpot?" Now holding the upper hand, Liu Pingkang wasn’t about to show leniency.

"It was our mistake, blindly climbing the heights, asking you all to be magnanimous," Scarface stooped low, repeatedly bowing. It was apparent these people wished to continue along this path, thus not resorting to lethal force, sparing who knows how many lives.

Understanding when enough is enough, Liu Pingkang knew they’d frequently travel this route in the future, "But how can I trust that letting you go today won’t result in trouble later."

"..."

"What about us having a proper fight again?" Liu Pingkang suggested seeing no reply from the other side.

"We can’t, absolutely not," Scarface quickly waved off, appreciating the situation’s gravity, "from now on, whenever you pass through, we won’t make things difficult."

He especially eyed the flags of the Eternal Escort Agency and the Lichang Escort Agency, imprinting them firmly in his mind, to avoid crossing paths in the future.

Those two agencies were particularly brutal and formidable.

"Thank you then," Liu Pingkang nodded, considering the matter concluded, although he wasn’t the sole stakeholder, "and these two leaders..."

"Likewise, no trouble," Scarface quickly agreed, "I’ll warmly entertain whenever you return."

The heads of the escort agencies, hearing this, didn’t take it seriously, skeptical of ever sitting at Scarface’s table, knowing they’d need to be quite courageous.

Dismissing the matter casually, they began preparing to depart.

Scarface swiftly ordered his men to carry the wounded and quickly retreated into the woods.

The mess left behind, accompanied by wailing, made Liu Pingkang furrow his brows, "Quit whining and pack up. Let’s leave before discussing further."

"Sir, there’s been a death..."

"Sir, please save my child..."

"Sir, why did you let the culprits go?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"You’re all in cahoots, may you all never die well..."

"..."

Those whose families were injured or lost were especially agitated, disregarding Liu Pingkang’s orders, continuing their curses...

Liu Pingkang wouldn’t indulge them, "If you’re so unwilling, stay here. I can register you as deceased, but you’ll lose any status and a place to stay, think it over."

As expected, faced with such a threat, the cursing quickly subsided.

Kidding themselves, they’d rather face exile in Lingnan, where they’d at least have a life.

Seeing them hastily gather belongings and load the injured and deceased onto carts, Liu Pingkang chuckled derisively, "Spineless indeed..."