Chapter Twenty: Awaiting the Ambush

As soon as he entered, he saw Yun Yufeng sitting upright on a cloud bed. His heart skipped a beat, fearing something had happened to Yun Yufeng. But when he came closer, he found Yun Yufeng's internal breath was steady; he simply hadn't awakened for some unknown reason.

Ji Nanshan closed the door, pulled over a stool, and sat right in front of Yun Yufeng, staring at him as if appraising a work of art. Suddenly, Yun Yufeng’s eyelids fluttered, and he opened his eyes—only to be startled by a magnified face in front of him. He nearly slapped out instinctively.

“Brother Ji, what are you doing? Do you know you could have scared me to death?”

“Oh, so you know it’s scary? You just frightened the life out of me! You sat there like a living corpse, upright in bed—looked just like a stiff.”

Yun Yufeng blinked. “Um, Brother Ji, what time is it now?”

“Not late, not late—just when the sun’s starting to warm your backside.” Ji Nanshan replied with relish, relishing the chance to tease Yun Yufeng in return.

“What? This is bad—Uncle’s still waiting for me at the city gate. I need to go now, there’s a whole group waiting. I’ll be mobbed if I’m late!”

“Er, um… Brother Yun, why are you in such a hurry? I still have something to tell you.”

“Let’s talk on the way, I really don’t have time. I don’t want to be someone who breaks his word.”

“All right, then. We’ll talk as we go.”

Like a gust of wind, the two swept out of the inn; Yun Yufeng didn’t even ask for his change, simply waved a generous hand and strode away.

“Brother Yun, my master is deeply grateful to you. The demon beast blood was a bit scant, but it greatly eased my master's injury—he's shown slight improvement and at least no longer needs to guard against sudden relapses. So, this is a gift from my master in thanks. You must accept it.” As he finished, Ji Nanshan handed Yun Yufeng a bundle.

Yun Yufeng took it without even looking, stowing it directly in his spatial pouch. Ji Nanshan was left speechless: Wasn’t he supposed to act surprised and delighted? Instead, he just stuffed it away without a glance—what a waste of my feelings, Ji Nanshan thought, pursing his lips.

“Brother Yun, do you really think they’ll still be waiting at the gate for you? It’s already late morning. If it were me, I would’ve left.”

Yun Yufeng was silent for a moment. “Let’s just see when we get there. If they’ve gone, so be it. By the way, you said your master’s injury hasn’t healed—was there not enough blood?”

“Just a bit short. Master figures he’ll need about three times as much to fully heal. What a pity—it’s so hard to find. Ah… Brother Yun, what’s this?” Ji Nanshan was hugging a jade bottle as large as a wine jar.

“Same as last time—take it. I’m leaving Muzha Camp and who knows when we’ll meet again. Here, a little parting gift.”

“Brother Yun, I really can’t accept such a precious gift so casually.” Ji Nanshan tried to hand the jade bottle back.

“Keep it. If you refuse again, don’t say you know me next time we meet. Don’t be so wishy-washy—it’s not becoming of a man.”

Ji Nanshan’s face flushed with emotion. He was truly moved by Yun Yufeng’s generosity—not just for helping heal his master’s old wound, but for the rare friendship it symbolized. He had nothing to offer in return, and that only made the gesture more meaningful.

“Brother Yun, I won’t say more. But if you ever need anything, I’ll go through fire and water for you without hesitation. Thank you for your generosity today; I will repay you tenfold in the future.”

Yun Yufeng chuckled. “No need for such words. When traveling, everyone encounters difficulties. No one goes through life without needing a hand now and then. Helping others is also giving oneself an opportunity.”

“Brother Yun, look—there’s a crowd at the city gate. Are they all waiting for you? You must have quite the reputation.”

Yun Yufeng looked embarrassed. “Well, this is really an accident. I feel bad for keeping everyone waiting.”

“Show-off,” Ji Nanshan snorted.

At the city gate, Die Shang, anxiously waiting, spotted two figures sprinting over and leapt up, shouting, “Look, isn’t that Young Master? They’re here!”

The bearded man let out a breath. Making everyone wait like this, even if no one complained, the collective stares were uncomfortable—especially as the one they awaited was just a youth.

Yun Yufeng hurried over and apologized, “Uncle, I’m truly sorry. I had a little mishap during cultivation last night and overslept.”

Cultivation? Overslept? The group was a bit bemused—it sounded like a made-up excuse, but they all knew Yun Yufeng wouldn’t fabricate something so poor, nor was there any need.

The bearded man was surprised and quickly asked, “Are you all right, young man?”

Yun Yufeng smiled, “I’m fine—just a bit weary.”

“That’s good. Young folks can handle it.” The bearded man laughed heartily.

Yun Yufeng clasped his fists to the group: “Sorry for keeping you all waiting. Drinks are on me on the road.”

The bearded man’s subordinates were well-disciplined; none made a fuss. They simply nodded in greeting. Ji Nanshan also bid farewell to Yun Yufeng, his mind wholly occupied with concern for his master’s wound.

“Young Master, you’re leaving and I have nothing to give you. This pouch I finished last night—it’s a bit rough, but it’s the only thing I can offer. Will you accept it?” Die Shang’s eyes were red as she forced a smile.

Yun Yufeng patted her head. “Silly girl, I accept. We’ll meet again—Muzha Camp is a good place.”

With a grand sweep of his arm, the bearded man shouted, “Hyah!” The heavy carriage rumbled forward, axles grinding with a piercing sound.

“Young Master, can I know your name? I want to remember you!” Die Shang called out, tears streaming from her eyes. It had only been a few days, but they were the happiest of her life.

“Yun Yufeng.” He turned, flashed a radiant smile, waved, and strode away. Far in the distance, Die Shang watched, eyes brimming with tears.

The group moved on into the morning light, growing smaller and smaller until they vanished from sight. The city gate grew livelier with people coming and going.

Die Shang still stood there, gazing east toward the rising sun, squinting in the dazzling light. The little girl had left her heart with the boy who was now just a memory.

The journey was peaceful, two days slipping by swiftly. Lady Luck must have favored them—not a single bandit or robber appeared. The mercenaries were visibly relaxed.

Yun Yufeng chatted idly with the bearded man and gradually learned the makeup of his group. The bearded man had once belonged to a family, but disaster struck, leaving only him and his three- or four-year-old child. He struggled on alone, eventually founding a mercenary company named Sky Mist, leading it with his only daughter, Xi Muyan, and making a living at Muzha Camp.

“Uncle, did you ever avenge your family?” Yun Yufeng asked curiously. The bearded man was so hearty and open, it was hard to imagine he bore any deep grudge.

“Vengeance? Ha, it was my family’s own fault. Besides, the other side is a behemoth—unless you can utterly overwhelm them, it’s pointless to sacrifice innocent lives. With my talent, I’ll never reach that level, so I’ve let it go. Raising my daughter well—that’s my only wish now. I’m ashamed I couldn’t give her a warm home from the start.”

“Ha, fathers are great—especially you, Uncle. Your love knows no bounds.” Yun Yufeng winked. The bearded man seemed to have no secrets, even about such things.

“Father, you’re always teaching me this and that, but when it comes to yourself, you break all the rules. This brat isn’t even one of us, yet you tell him everything. What if he sells you out, huh? And you—what are you looking at? I’m talking to you!” Xi Muyan glared at Yun Yufeng, cheeks puffed, eyes almost sparking.

All along the way, Xi Muyan seemed to have it in for Yun Yufeng. No matter the topic, she would cut in as if he owed her a great debt.

Yun Yufeng was unbothered, but met her barbs with firm replies. “Uncle sees I’m clever, reliable, and honest, so he treats me like family. Is that so wrong?”

“You—” Xi Muyan’s brows shot up. “You just want to say I’m rude and unreasonable, don’t you? Go on, say it! I’m not scared of you. Stop beating around the bush—what kind of man are you?”

“Sorry, Miss Xi. I’m only fourteen, and anyway, I don’t need to prove myself to you, do I? What’s so special about you? Besides, a true man doesn’t argue with women. You’re better off saving your breath—you won’t outtalk me anyway.”

Xi Muyan’s face turned crimson in anger, her body trembling as she jabbed a finger at him. “You… you…” was all she could manage.

The bearded man watched the exchange with great interest and didn’t intervene, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. It was nice to see someone who could put his unruly daughter in her place; the mercenaries rarely dared provoke this little tigress and treated her like a princess.

That night, the caravan camped by a lake. On the open shore, bonfires crackled as mercenaries gathered in groups, chatting merrily.

Yun Yufeng, the bearded man, and Xi Muyan sat around a fire, conversing quietly. Xi Muyan, for once, refrained from bickering.

Yun Yufeng gazed into the darkness, eyes bright, lost in thought.

After a while, he spoke first. “Tonight may not be peaceful.”

“You seem very confident. Aren’t you worried we might throw you out as bait?” the bearded man joked, eyes glinting mischievously.

Yun Yufeng smiled. “Uncle, I have faith in you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed to travel with you.”

“You’re confident in me, but I wonder where you get such confidence,” the bearded man teased.

“If I weren’t, you wouldn’t have brought me along. You’re responsible for your team, and with a beautiful daughter to protect, you can’t afford recklessness.”

“You can see through me?” the bearded man suddenly asked. Yun Yufeng had joined them without hesitation—he must have confidence in his strength.

“I can see a bit. No one escapes my eye, at least not so far. It’s a little blurry, but it doesn’t hinder my judgment.”

“If only Muyan were as shrewd as you—my life would be so much easier!” The bearded man glanced at his daughter.

At that, Xi Muyan listened in confusion, unable to grasp the crux of the conversation, only sensing that the two males were trading compliments—and it irked her. When her father mentioned her, she bristled, ready to explode.

“Muyan, just listen for now. We’ll talk later,” the bearded man said, squeezing her hand.

She pouted, turned away, and stared into the darkness.

And so, the night deepened, the bonfires flickered, and the story continued to unfold along the tranquil lakeshore.