Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

"Jiangnan Escort Agency, Chief Escort Zhao?"

Lu Feng stroked his chin, his face thoughtful.

Although he was not familiar with the background of the person Kong Yi mentioned, he had heard of the Jiangnan Escort Agency.

The reason is simple: the Jiangnan Escort Agency has a very wide business scope, covering almost the entire Dongyun Kingdom. Its reputation and influence are no less than those of the former world's leading merchant groups.

"It seems that your attack on Qingtian Village this time was not simply bad luck, but a premeditated robbery."

Composing himself, Lu Feng deduced, "Otherwise, if it were just escorting a batch of ordinary goods, there would be no need for Fang Baizhou, the third chieftain, to personally take action. This move would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

"Brother Lu is absolutely right."

Faced with Lu Feng's analysis, Kong Yi also agreed wholeheartedly. He then said solemnly, "When I left the family this time, my father also repeatedly told me that this batch of goods being transported to the Jiangnan Escort Agency in the capital is very important. We must not only be vigilant and on guard throughout the journey, but also carefully consider the escort route. We must avoid taking remote paths and instead choose the official roads."

"It's just a pity..."

With another heavy sigh, Kong Yi turned to look at the corpse of a Kong family guard beside him, a look of disappointment on his face. "Alas! It's all my fault for not thinking things through. Not only did I and Yanzi end up in danger, but I also caused Lao Liu and the others to lose their lives in vain...!"

"I...I am utterly unworthy to be the young master of the Kong family...!"

At this point, Kong Yi clenched his fists, seemingly lost in deep self-reproach.

After all, the Yellow Wind Desert spans over a thousand miles, and is not only teeming with monsters, but also home to a large number of venomous golden scorpions and deadly sand snakes. Furthermore, it is plagued by bandits such as Qingtian Village, which wreak havoc. Even martial artists at the Opening Meridian Realm dare not travel alone, making it a place fraught with danger.

Even a martial artist like Kong Yi, who is at the first level of the Qi Opening Realm, can only barely protect himself. As for escorting such a large number of valuable goods safely across the Yellow Wind Desert, it is still quite difficult, like snatching chestnuts from a fire.

"Brother Kong, please accept my condolences."

Seeing this, Lu Feng didn't say anything more, he just nodded.

"Brother, please don't be like this, it's all my fault...!"

Seeing Kong Yi sigh with self-reproach, Kong Yan, standing to the side, felt a pang of pity. She immediately stepped forward and took his arm, her eyes red-rimmed, saying, "If I hadn't taken it upon myself to let you take the shortcut through the Yellow Wind Desert, perhaps we wouldn't have been ambushed by the Qingtianzhai bandits, and Brother Liu and the others wouldn't have died... Waaah!"

Kong Yan lowered her head sadly, sobbing and wiping away her tears, clearly feeling very down.

After all, although the escort operation saved the goods, the Kong family suffered heavy losses. Not only were all their guards killed, leaving only the brother and sister, but they also offended the powerful enemy, Qingtian Village.

Although Fang Baizhou, the third leader of the stronghold, was not killed by the brother and sister but by Lu Feng, given the Qingtian Stronghold bandits' rule of seeking revenge, the Kong family would definitely face a lot of trouble in the future.

"Yanzi, why are you saying such things again...!"

"I've told you so many times, even though you insisted on coming along, I made a promise to Father that no matter how dangerous this escort mission is, I will protect your safety...!"

Gently wiping away the tears from Kong Yan's eyes, Kong Yi said with a touch of heartache, "Yanzi, it's all over now, don't cry..."

"As for Lao Liu and the others, their sacrifice was not in vain. Just now, when you were in danger, even without my orders as the young master, they still rushed to protect you without hesitation. They must have been prepared to die..."

"Once I return to Zhiyang City after this trip, I will report to my father and make proper arrangements for the widows and families of Lao Liu and the others..."

"Waaaaah..."

Hearing this, Kong Yan slowly raised her head, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes. "Brother, but I still feel so bad...!"

"This escort mission was clearly a family secret. Apart from Father and you, almost no one else knew about it. Moreover, we were not only extremely cautious along the way, but we even changed our escort route several times. How did these bandits find out our route..."

"Perhaps word has leaked out somewhere. After all, the Yellow Wind Desert is the stronghold of the Qingtianzhai bandits. If we're not careful, we could indeed expose our presence..."

Faced with Kong Yan's tearful complaint, Kong Yi frowned slightly and sighed.

"Leaked information? I don't think it's that simple..."

Lu Feng, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up.

"this...!"

Kong Yi was also taken aback for a moment.

"Although the bandits of Qingtian Village have been entrenched in the Yellow Wind Desert for many years and are very familiar with the terrain, the Yellow Wind Desert is simply too vast..."

Lu Feng continued slowly and deliberately, "Brother Kong, with your small caravan of less than ten people, if you deliberately conceal your tracks the entire way, unless you have intelligence support, setting up an ambush in this vast desert is as difficult as panning for gold in the sand..."

"Brother Lu, could it be that you mean...?"

"Brother, could there be a traitor within our family?!"

Upon hearing this, not only did Kong Yi frown, but even Kong Yan, who was standing next to him, had a slight change in her pretty face, and a solemn expression appeared.

As Lu Feng described, the brother and sister had been extremely careful during the escort mission, but they still encountered an ambush from Qingtian Village. Moreover, it seemed that the other side had planned it in advance, and the leader was Fang Baizhou, the third leader of Qingtian Village, which was undoubtedly suspicious.

Faced with the Kong siblings' persistent questioning, Lu Feng simply smiled and remained silent, seemingly unwilling to say more.

After all, these were just his personal speculations, and he didn't know much about the internal situation of the Kong family. He only pointed out the possibility that there was a traitor who informed on them.

As for Lu Feng's current plan, it is quite simple: to get to Dongyun Capital as soon as possible and then go to the Alchemist Guild to collect his share of the reward.

"Yanzi, after you return to the family, do not spread the word about this attack. Let my father and I handle it..."

Seeing that Lu Feng was unwilling to say more, Kong Yi did not press further. He simply instructed Kong Yan, who was standing to the side, in a deep voice. The latter knew the situation was serious and immediately nodded obediently.

...

Yellow winds sweep across the desert, where carriages and horses hurry by.

"Brother Lu, is this your first time in the capital?"

Perhaps to break the silence, Kong Yi spoke first, while turning his head to look at Lu Feng, who was leaning against the back of the truck.

Although the two siblings and the other party were strangers who met by chance, they were destined to meet now, and since Lu Feng's destination was also Dongyun Capital, the three of them decided to travel together.

"almost."

Lu Feng nodded.

"Since Brother Lu is new to the capital, he must be unfamiliar with the situation here. I happen to have been to the capital a few times, perhaps I can act as your guide..."

Seeing that Lu Feng didn't mind, Kong Yi grinned and then slowly introduced, "Dongyun Capital City is under the Emperor's jurisdiction, covering a vast area, almost equivalent to half the size of a prefecture. The forces within it are also a mixed bag, numerous and complex..."

"However, among these numerous forces, the strongest in terms of foundation and influence are none other than the Three Sects and One Saint, and these forces have practically dominated the entire capital's political landscape!"