Chapter Thirty-Five: I Am Destined for Great Use

The fleeing bandits numbered more than a hundred at a glance. Had it been an ordinary merchant caravan or escort agency, they would likely have met their doom. But circumstances had changed—now they were transporting goods for the imperial court, and each escort was a local expert of considerable skill. In both quality and quantity, they far surpassed the bandits. Yet the audacity to provoke them with such sudden arrows?

Ji Yun held back the eager Ji Wu. “Be wary, there may be an ambush,” he cautioned. It wasn’t that he didn’t wish to warn the entire group; the command did not rest in his hands. Moreover, the Ji Family Escort Agency held little sway and had become a thorn in the side of certain others. If his judgment proved correct, all would be well, but a misstep would invite endless criticism. Thus, it was wiser to observe quietly and see how the situation unfolded.

At that moment, leading the charge was Li Gan, chief escort of the Li Family Agency—a man of remarkable prowess and courage. Having been thwarted several times by Ji Yun during the journey, his mood was already sour. The sudden attack by the bandits’ arrows had cost the Li Family Agency several trusted men, stoking his fury to a boiling point. As the bandits fled, Li Gan raced ahead, his broadsword swinging wide. Blood spattered in every direction, and in mere moments, two bandits fell lifeless beneath his blade.

Seeing his ferocity, the others surged forward as if infused with fresh vigor, eager to claim their share of glory. After all, serving the imperial court meant rewards would follow—but only if deeds were done. When the goods arrived safely, distinctions would be made based on merit. What better way to prove their worth than by vanquishing these ragtag bandits, who, after their initial volley of arrows, collapsed almost instantly? With such easy victories, how else could they expect to demand rewards from the court?

Under this wolfish pursuit, the tougher bandits dropped one after another, scarcely putting up any resistance, leaving Ji Yun puzzled. Could it be he was simply too cautious? Perhaps these bandits were not scheming, but merely foolish—unable to recognize the strength of the escort team and foolishly testing their luck. A single misstep, and they met their end.

By the time the pursued bandits had nearly vanished from sight, dozens lay dead. If this was a feigned defeat, the cost seemed far too steep for them to bear—it made little sense.

“Father, we missed our chance for credit!” Ji Yun lamented, seeing the bandits disappear into the forest.

“Out in the world, caution is paramount. What merit is worth more than your own life? You’re simply too impatient… Watch out!” His words were interrupted by the sudden hiss of arrows, far sharper than before.

Without hesitation, Ji Yun yanked Ji Wu from his horse, and together they rolled several times upon the ground. Looking back, they saw several arrows, their feathers trembling, embedded close by.

“There’s another ambush!” Ji Yun exclaimed.

Dozens in the group had not yet moved, still guarding the cargo. An angry shout rang out—it was Guo Hongming. Blood stained his shoulder, though he had managed to dodge, losing only a patch of flesh. Yet this volley had felled nearly ten more.

“Hide behind the cargo!” Guo Hongming shouted again. Despite his age, he moved with remarkable agility, taking cover without hesitation. These goods were meant as auspicious gifts for the emperor, but if they all died, not a single item would reach the throne.

The urgent priority was to delay—wait for those skilled escorts who had chased the bandits to return, and only then strike back together. The capable men reacted swiftly; only fools would stand exposed as targets, and in the blink of an eye, all hid behind the cargo, seemingly ready to surrender it.

But even if they offered it up, someone had to dare retrieve it. If the enemy approached, the archers would be forced to hold their fire, and then a real battle would begin, with both sides on equal footing.

“Excellent reaction,” someone observed.

Sure enough, as the group appeared to retreat, the hidden foes emerged—over a hundred strong. At their head stood a man who looked like a gentle scholar, refined and courteous.

“The Infamous Scholar?” Ji Yun’s expression changed upon recognizing him.

“Father, is he well-known?” Ji Wu dared to peek after narrowly escaping the arrows.

“He was once a top scholar, but after murdering a high-ranking official, he fled in disgrace and turned to banditry. The court has hunted him for years but never caught him—he’s been roaming everywhere. Is that not formidable?” Ji Yun’s brows knitted. To encounter someone with deep hatred for the court and both courage and cunning—truly unlucky.

Upon reflection, anyone bold enough to rob goods destined for the emperor was unlikely to be a pushover.

“I bear no grudge against you all. Shall we negotiate? If you leave peacefully, I’ll gladly accept these goods, and we can avoid bloodshed—no need to spoil relations, don’t you think?” The Infamous Scholar spoke in a cultured tone, even taking time for casual conversation.

“Spare us your nonsense! My brothers were killed by your arrows—who cares about spoiling relations? If you dare, come here and I’ll cut you down!” came a curse from behind the cargo.

The Infamous Scholar chuckled, “Each serves their master. You work for the court, so friction is inevitable. If you retreat now, all the better; otherwise, death will be the only outcome. The emperor’s fortune is spent, the court is corrupt, taxes are raised everywhere, squeezing the people dry—all for these so-called auspicious gifts. Is such a court worth dying for?”

“Easy for you to say, but aren’t you here to rob as well?” Ji Wu retorted.

“Haha, well said, young man. Giving these things to the emperor adds little to his hoard, but for me, they’re of great use. The same cannot be said for both sides. The evil of men knows no bounds—satisfy one desire today, ten more arise tomorrow. Don’t become accomplices to the tyranny; better to see things clearly now,” the Scholar replied, unhurried and poised, as if holding a philosophical debate right there.

Who could say what the others thought, but his purpose of delaying was clear. While he spoke, the hundred skilled escorts who had chased the bandits were slowly returning.

Wait… slowly?

Ji Wu’s eyes widened; he wasn’t mistaken. Each man retreated cautiously, eyes fixed ahead, until they stopped altogether.

Behind them, the Infamous Scholar’s men barred the way.

Ahead, several hundred mountain bandits, weapons gleaming like spears, advanced in formation.

No wonder the Infamous Scholar spoke so boldly, unconcerned by the passage of time—he was confident, and with good reason!