Ultimate True Lord

Jiang Ming was shocked. He never expected that the helper Wen Jin had invited would be Master Liu, Liu Longquan!

"Heh, what? Can't I come?"

When Liu Longquan smiled, the fat folds on his face wrinkled up, squeezing his eyes out, making him look completely harmless.

However, the next second, his voice turned cold and filled with murderous intent.

"Guang Sheng Pharmacy and Black Stone Village, you dare to harm my disciples? You're courting death!"

A startling aura surged within Liu Longquan, vanishing in a flash. He was extremely protective of his own. If it were just some minor squabbles or playful fighting between ordinary juniors, he wouldn't bother getting involved.

However, Guang Sheng Pharmacy actually colluded with Black Stone Village to ambush and kill the herb-gathering team on their way into the mountains, which was simply courting death.

The Hongsha Martial Arts School had recently lost a highly talented disciple under mysterious circumstances, and Liu Longquan had been harboring a grudge ever since.

Jiang Ming is the person he currently favors the most; he's the most promising talent in the entire martial arts school to break through the Entangling Force barrier and become the school's future pillar. If something happens to Jiang Ming again, then he'll truly have no hope left.

Therefore, as soon as Liu Longquan heard the news, he immediately rushed over. He planned to go into the mountains with Jiang Ming to check out the trap.

Liu Longquan wanted to see who was so blind as to provoke him!

He wanted to make an example of someone, to let those with ulterior motives know where the red lines are—what they should and shouldn't do!

Liu Longquan looked at Jiang Ming, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"You little rascal, you're like a silent gourd, you never say a word."

"If you encounter something like this again, come to me immediately and tell me, and I will help you sort it out."

"Although I'm old, my skills are still sharp. A formal disciple of my Red Sand Martial Arts School isn't someone anyone can just mess with!"

Jiang Ming could hear the old man's deep concern in Liu Longquan's reproachful tone. A warmth touched his heart.

Teacher Liu has always been exceptional in his treatment of his own people.

Moreover, Liu Longquan was indeed his biggest backer in the entire Wangyue City. Previously, Jiang Ming had killed the third leader of Black Stone Stronghold, ruining Guang Sheng Pharmacy's plans, and he had originally intended to retaliate against him.

However, the thought that Jiang Ming was backed by Liu Longquan made Zhang Chengye a little wary. In the end, he only encouraged Black Stone Village to make a move outside the city, which led to the matter dragging on until now. This was what he overheard.

A person's name, a tree's shadow.

As long as he remains Liu Longquan's disciple, anyone who wants to harm him will have to think twice about the consequences.

In the empty courtyard, Liu Longquan said a few more words to Jiang Ming, then took out two exquisitely shaped red pastries from a gap in the oil paper in his chest pocket and stuffed them into Jiang Ming's hand.

"My disciple, do not be afraid."

"Wait a moment, your teacher will take you to practice with them properly."

"You and I, master and disciple, shall have a good talk with these blind fools."

Jiang Ming looked at Liu Longquan's aged face, then glanced at the pastry that Master Liu liked the most in his hand, speechless yet touched.

The scene was just like a rural child being frightened and crying loudly, while the elderly in the family took out candy and snacks to comfort the child.

The emotions are simple, but quite sincere.

……

……

After eating two sweet pastries.

The entire herb-gathering team set off immediately. However, Liu Longquan was not among them; the faces were the same as before.

This is to prevent Guang Sheng Pharmacy from discovering something is wrong in advance.

The herb-gathering team continued their routine up the mountain, operating according to the established schedule. Liu Longquan would only appear in special circumstances.

Three hours later.

In the Yancang Mountains, on a small path leading up the mountain.

A group of about a dozen people headed upwards towards the originally planned Misty Forest. At the head of the group, Jiang Ming, dressed in black, led the way. In the middle of the group were seven or eight herb gatherers, with guards on the left, right, and rear.

"Jiangtou, this trip into the mountains will definitely be fruitful again. I guarantee we'll return with a full load."

A guard on the left, seeing that the road ahead was wide open and the atmosphere was relaxed, leaned over to offer a compliment.

"Yes, whenever Jiang Tou leads a team up the mountain, they always manage to harvest precious red herbs. After coming down the mountain, everyone receives a reward from Young Master Wen. Now, who in the team doesn't want to follow Jiang Tou up the mountain?"

Another guard spoke up, his words sincere and joyful.

Jiang Ming has led his team into the mountains several times, and each time they have achieved something. The entire team has long since completely come to trust him.

Jiang Ming listened to everyone's words and shook his head.

Red peony is a rather precious herb, and although it has inexplicably increased in number in the Yancang Mountains recently, it is not found everywhere. No one can guarantee a successful trek into the mountains.

He glanced at the line and spoke.

"Hopefully, we can successfully collect the red herb this time too."

Just then.

A cold, piercing sound suddenly came from the bushes on both sides of the mountain forest, revealing an undisguised malice.

"I doubt you'll gain anything from this trip!"

"What's the point of talking about gains when the person is dead?!"

Before he could finish speaking...

"Swish, swish, swish..."

A series of dark figures suddenly darted out from the dense forest on both sides of the road, blocking the path of the herb-gathering team and trapping the entire group in the middle of the mountain path.

These bandits blocking the road were all fierce-looking, some carrying short sticks, others with short knives at their waists. Their exposed, strong arms were covered in scars, clearly the work of ruthless characters who had spent years licking blood from the edge of a knife.

Ahead of the bandits, two leaders with an aura far surpassing that of the others strode forward; they were none other than the chief and second-in-command of Black Stone Village.

The second-in-command on the left was lean and tall, with a sallow complexion and high cheekbones, which made his triangular eyes appear even narrower and more sinister.

The leader on the right was the complete opposite. He was broad-shouldered and burly, towering over an average man by more than a head. His dark face was marred by a menacing scar across his brow bone, giving him a fierce and menacing appearance.

The second-in-command stared intently at Jiang Ming at the front of the crowd, his pupils flashing with cold light, his tone icy.

"So it was you who killed Ren Lie?"

"You've really got some nerve, daring to mess with the people of Black Stone Village in the Yancang Mountains! You're asking for trouble!"

Beside him, the burly, bear-like leader suddenly took a step forward. His heavy footsteps thudded the ground, and an intense killing intent emanated from him, his deep voice carrying a hint of anger.

"Ren Lie is my sworn brother!"

"You killed him, nothing more to say. Today I'll use your head as a sacrifice to pay for Ren Lie's debt!"

In front.

Jiang Ming's face was filled with horror, his pupils constricted, and he looked utterly panicked. It was as if he had never expected that such a large number of bandits would be lying in ambush during his trip into the mountains. For a moment, he seemed somewhat at a loss.

Jiang Ming's appearance caught the eyes of the two leaders, who immediately sneered, their faces full of contempt and disdain.

"Hmph, I thought he was some kind of ruthless and capable character."

"Turns out he's a coward. He's probably scared the crap out of him!"

Without hesitation, the two charged out, one on the left and one on the right, towards the dazed Jiang Ming.

"Whoosh!"

The second-in-command quickened his pace, and with a single leap, he was about to close in on Jiang Ming.

Jiang Ming reacted instinctively, his movements becoming somewhat distorted. He hastily unleashed a move in an awkward posture, letting out a shout.

"A tiger pushes the mountain!"

"Bang bang bang bang bang bang!"

In an instant, more than a dozen bags of lime powder exploded in mid-air, like bursts of fireworks, engulfing the two bandit leaders.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Amidst a sky filled with lime powder and mist.

Three or four gleaming, sharp, triangular darts shot out, tracing an extremely dangerous arc.

"Hold!"

"Be careful!"

The two leaders, with their extensive combat experience, quickly turned their heads to avoid the cloud of lime powder. However, because they had to keep their faces and eyes away from the powder, they were nearly hit directly by the bone-piercing darts that followed.

The second-in-command even had a bloody scratch on his cheek.

The two men emerged from the lime powder, their faces grim. They now understood why Jiang Ming's movements had been so awkward just now. It wasn't because of a hasty response, but rather a preparatory action to throw out the lime powder and hidden weapons.

"Tap! Tap!"

The two leaders stopped in their tracks, their eyes fixed on the tall figure ahead.

Jiang Ming stood there quietly, his face showing no trace of the shock he had just displayed; instead, he had a calm and expressionless demeanor.

Their dark pupils, like deep pools, reflected the figures of the two men, and the corners of their mouths curved upwards, as if mocking the intelligence of the first and second leaders.