Chapter 14: That Title Alone Shows He

In the forest, a gust of wild wind swept through, yet no footprints were left, only the trembling grass wind ceased.

"I really don't know what the Grand Boss is thinking; the Wu Family's caravan is almost here, yet he still sends me to investigate," the Third Boss moved at extreme speed, his steps swift and light, as if a single stride over the grass covered three steps, like an unending wind, his light skill impressive.

Though he voiced some discontent, he truly dared not defy Yan Buji's will.

Since the day Yan Buji captured him with a single move, the Third Boss finally realized that the gap in realms was truly as vast as heaven and earth, impossible to bridge.

He had once been a notorious flower thief on the jianghu, spending his days lingering in the fragrant chambers of courtesans. Whether due to bad luck or not, after arriving at Lin Shan Cheng before seeking his beloved sister, he was seized by the Grand Boss, the leader of the Three Mountains Bandits, known as the "Outer Demon".

He still recalls that his once‑proud speed and concealed weapons seemed to him like a child playing with a slingshot; it was one thing to be unable to outrun them, but the crucial point was that his cross‑trained body, even if forged with refined steel blades, could not pierce them at all, and his exclusive hidden weapons were not designed to break such external techniques—so he was subdued with a single move.

Don't be fooled by the Third Boss's fierce and ominous appearance; he moves with subtle cunning and is not adept at direct confrontation.

Of course, upon reaching the Half-step Master realm, one more step leads to a new world. Having witnessed the Grand Boss's prowess, the Third Boss's heart burned with zeal; back then Yan Buji promised him that within twenty years he would break through to Master, which is why he stayed among the Three Mountains.

But ten years have passed without any confirmation, inevitably causing some anxiety.

For the Grand Boss's mission, the Third Boss ran through the night, dared not rest during the day, and only took a brief pause in the afternoon before resuming his march.

At dawn the next day, the Third Boss finally, based on the Fifth Boss's information, spotted the location of the Wu Family caravan.

They had just woken up, packing their camp tents.

The Third Boss glanced and saw the convoy had a sizable number, at least fifty people.

Moreover, they included several formidable practitioners; the middle‑aged man at the head, his temples completely white, was especially striking, clad in a dark wind robe, wearing a bamboo hat, a saber at his waist, while the few around him dressed similarly but seemed inferior.

"It's him, the one who previously injured the Second Boss's Shui Tian Escort Agency Escort Head, Lin Qun!"

Lin Qun was no simple figure; although the Third Boss had never dealt with the Shui Tian Escort Agency, that time he saw the Second Boss severely wounded, and a direct duel would likely have been beyond his ability.

The Second Boss's strength was undoubtedly the highest among the four bosses, second only to the Grand Boss. Moreover, his martial arts were all refined Buddhist techniques, and his mighty Vajra palms could split a massive stone!

With such power, to be nearly killed by Lin Qun shows that his opponent must already be at the Master realm.

"First observe, then decide; with so many of them they can't match my foot speed. I estimate it will take at least another day to reach Lin Shan Cheng. We'll wait for nightfall again to sneak over and scout."

The Third Boss thought it over and dared not act rashly.

At that moment.

Among the Wu Family caravan, the leading Wu family member sat in the carriage, looked at the nearby Lin Qun, and said with a smile:

"Escort Head Lin, with you guarding us, this journey has been much less troublesome; we are very grateful. We're about to reach Lin Shan Cheng; when we arrive, please have the members of the Shui Tian Escort Agency hold off for a moment, and we will host a banquet to thank you all for your great assistance."

"Mr. Wu Zhao, you are too kind; we are simply doing business for money, no need for such. Moreover, we have another assignment; once we reach Lin Shan Cheng, we won't linger," Lin Qun said with a smile.

"Oh? That's a pity; when the Escort Head returns, I will visit personally and ask you not to dislike me," Wu Zhao laughed.

"Hahaha, of course we are most welcome," Lin Qun chuckled.

Lin Qun didn't know what the Wu Family was sending, but both the operators of the escort agency and the escorts understand not to inquire about the clients' matters.

Thus, for the sake of reputation and credibility, and also to earn a stable income.

Considering Lin Qun's years of traveling north and south, he hasn't never encountered ambushes by ruthless mountain bandits; each time was a near‑death ordeal, which is how he has come this far.

Earning this money does involve life danger, but most of the time the money‑seeking bandits are manageable; as long as they want money, not lives, the journey remains peaceful and the earnings are relatively easy.

But when encountering those ruthless ones who demand both money and lives, a fierce clash is inevitable.

However, since Lin Qun chose this life, he is not afraid.

Everything must be handled with utmost caution.

When the caravan reached noon, the Wu Family stopped to feed the horses grass and water, and to set up a pot for cooking, which required about an hour.

Taking advantage of this time, Lin Qun led a few members of the escort agency to patrol nearby, to guard against any bandits secretly watching them.

"Escort Head Lin, we're almost at Lin Shan Cheng; where could any bandits be?" a young escort asked, puzzled.

Lin Qun laughed, "Kid, escort work is like this: if nothing goes wrong it's fine, but trouble always strikes near the destination. You're still young; a few more trips and you'll understand."

"Is that so? Then I'm truly taught, thank you, Escort Head."

"Moreover, there are no bandits near Lin Shan Cheng because all of them have been defeated by a group, leaving only them." Lin Qun frowned, looking around as he spoke.

"Ah? Which group?"

Lin Qun said seriously, "That group has no fixed banner, often operates in the mountains near Lin Shan Cheng, so we call them the 'Three Mountains Bandits'. In fact, everything within a hundred‑mile radius is treated as their territory; any force passing through must fight. The Lin Shan Cheng authorities have sent troops many times, but they've been evaded; they're exceptionally cunning."

"If they evade the authorities, what makes them formidable?"

The young man, misunderstanding, thought that only those who could trade blows with the authorities were true outlaw heroes.

Lin Qun shook his head, "You don't get it. Though the Three Mountains Bandits number only a hundred or so, each one is a ferocious rogue, each responsible for at least a dozen deaths. And among the five bosses, four are half‑step masters!"

"Half-step Master?!"

"Wow, how could such powerful people turn to banditry? Which sect can't host them properly?!" the youths exclaimed in shock.

"Exactly because of that, the Three Mountains Bandits appear few in number, but their combat power is far from trivial. Last time I escorted a caravan, I met their Second Boss, who turned out to be a Buddhist disciple, yet his demeanor was indistinguishable from a demonic rogue. I luckily won a half‑move against him, but had the other bosses appeared, I wouldn't be standing here safely now," Lin Qun said modestly.

"So it's that dangerous? No wonder Escort Head Lin is extra cautious near Lin Shan Cheng, it's because of this Three Mountains Bandits group!"

"Who is the Grand Boss of these Three Mountains Bandits? With four half‑step masters among the bosses, could the Grand Boss also be a Master‑level expert?!"

Lin Qun paused, then nodded, "There's little news on the Grand Boss of the Three Mountains Bandits; he appears and disappears like a spirit. The people of Lin Shan Cheng call him 'Outer Demon', surely he's no ordinary figure."

Outer Demon?!

That title alone shows he's no good.