And expensive he looked. Zhao Gun's robes shimmered with intricate embroidered spirit threads, radiating a sense of luxury. An elegant jade hairpin secured his impeccably arranged hair, and his expression showed disdain, as though he had just caught a whiff of something unpleasant.
The hairs on the back of his neck raised, and he immediately looked at Long Huang for it.
Zhao Gun's eye twitched in irritation.
"You dare....."
"I do."
Long Huang interrupted cheerfully.
"In fact, I double dare to"
"Heck, I triple dare to, even. What can you do? But hey, since you're so concerned about my mission, why not join me?"
"Well, that is, unless, of course, you're scared of a few bandits? Is the great Young Master of the Zhao Clan scared of mere bandits?" said Long Huang in a playful, mocking tone, giving Zhao Gun no chance to retort.
An eerie silence fell over the mission hall, and a nearby disciple almost choked on his tea in disbelief. No one openly provoked Young Master Zhao Gun like this.
Zhao Gun's face darkened, his posture stiffening with anger.
"You insect! You think just because you've crawled to the Meridian Tempering Realm..." he began talking down Long Huang, but fell silent as he suddenly sensed Long Huang's killing intent aimed squarely at him.
Zhao Gun glared, his expression now icy.
"You… very well. I'll join you. When you inevitably fail, I'll be there to relish your humiliation."
Long Huang's eyes sparkled with mischief as he clasped his hands together, beaming with enthusiasm.
"Wonderful! It's always nice to have a cheerleader along for the ride!"
As Zhao Gun looked like he was about to explode with rage, the tension in the air crackled, setting the stage for an adventure that was sure to be anything but ordinary. Long Huang then wrote a note and gave it to a disciple to deliver it to the Fifth Elder's Manor before he left as not to repeat last time's event.
So, he and Zhao Gun set out to the escort merchant agency to get more details on the bandits.
As they strolled through the vibrant streets of Blossom City, whispers followed them like shadows, and curious gazes trailed their every move.
The sun gleamed off the cobblestones, creating a stark contrast to the luxurious agency. They finally approached an elegant building that served as the escort merchant agency.
Inside, it was a hive of activity, alive with the raucous voices of grizzled mercenaries exchanging war stories, nervous traders haggling over prices, and the occasional cultivator seeking opportunities for quick coin.
Long Huang walked in exuding his characteristic lazy confidence, his posture relaxed yet purposeful, as if he belonged to the very fabric of the agency. In stark contrast, Zhao Gun followed closely behind, his demeanor dark and brooding, like a storm cloud casting a shadow over the room.
Suddenly, a guard stepped forward, arms crossed over his chest.
"Name and affiliation, and the reason for being here," he prompted, his voice firm but professional.
"Long Huang and Zhao Gun, from the Azure Lotus Sect," the duo replied in unison.
"We're here for the escort mission," Long Huang added, a casual smile on his face.
"Very well, you may enter," the guard said, trying to maintain his impassive facade. However, inwardly, he was astonished; he recognized both of their names, particularly Long Huang, whose transformation made him curious.
As they entered the bustling interior, the lively chatter abruptly ceased, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.
Eyes darted toward them, some filled with curiosity, others with skepticism. Groups of disciples from the prestigious Xin, Zhao, and Cheng families exchanged whispers behind their hands, their glances directed at Long Huang, mixing disbelief with a hint of amusement.
"Him? He took the bandit mission?" one whispered incredulously.
"That's the guy who awakened an ordinary-grade bloodline a few months ago, right?"
"What's he even thinking?" another chimed in.
"Yeah, and why is young master Zhao with him?" a third added, disbelief tinged with judgment.
Zhao Gun's jaw tightened at their remarks, fully aware that this reaction was inevitable. The mission clerk, a wiry man with ink-stained fingers and a look of perpetual concentration, squinted at the slip Long Huang handed him. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"You're the one who accepted the Black Raven Pass job?" he asked incredulously.
Long Huang grinned wider. "Yep. Got a problem with that?"
The clerk hesitated but then shrugged, a flicker of cynicism in his eyes. "It's no skin off my back if you get yourself killed." He slid a map across the counter, the parchment worn and creased.
"Just so you know, bandits have been hitting caravans hard lately. Rumor has it their leader is a real monster—cruel, cunning, and ruthless."
A few nearby mercenaries snorted, eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"Kids, you sure you're up for this?" one of them called out; he was a scarred veteran with a hardened face and a missing ear, a testament to his brutal past.
"Even a seasoned team would think twice about this."
"And young master Zhao, don't you think your reputation is going to take a hit if you're seen traipsing around with this pretty boy while failing a mission?" the man laughed, a mocking glint in his eye.
Zhao Gun crossed his arms, irritation etching lines of frustration across his face.
"This is ridiculous. You expect me to stake my reputation on—"
Long Huang cut him off with a dismissive wave, plucking the map from the counter with a casual flick.
"Relax, Zhao Gun. I didn't drag you here kicking and screaming. You tagged along because you couldn't bear the thought of me getting all the glory."
Zhao Gun's eye twitched in irritation, but he held his tongue. Sensing the rising tension in the air, the clerk cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the situation.
"Look, if you're serious about this, the caravan leaves at dawn. But fair warning, the last group that attempted this mission returned… let's just say they were missing limbs."
Long Huang casually pocketed the map, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Sounds fun," he replied, his voice light, yet a gleam of determination shone through. The stakes were high, but for him, the thrill of the challenge was worth it.
As they stepped back outside, Zhao Gun grabbed Long Huang's arm.
"Are you trying to get us killed?" he hissed.
"You heard them. That mission is suicide for someone at your level."
Long Huang tilted his head. "Oh? And what level is that?"
Zhao Gun's lip curled. "You've barely entered the Meridian Tempering Realm, and your bloodline i....." He stopped abruptly, but the implication lingered in the air.
Ordinary. Worthless in the eyes of most cultivators. Long Huang's smile didn't waver as he spoke.
"Funny. I seem to remember you volunteering to come along."
He then leaned in, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper.
"Unless."
"The great Young Master Zhao is scared?"
Zhao Gun recoiled as if he'd been burned. "I am not scared!"
"Prove it."
For a long moment, they stood there, the tension between them sharp enough to cut. Finally, Zhao Gun scoffed and turned away.
"Fine. But when this goes wrong, don't expect me to save you."
Long Huang chuckled, watching him storm off. 'Oh, you have no idea what's coming,' he thought.
The two and the caravan crew then spent the night at a nearby inn. The morning sun cast long shadows as Long Huang and Zhao Gun stood at the edge of Black Raven Pass, the bandit-infested canyon looming before them like the maw of some great beast.
Behind them, the merchant caravan huddled together, their nervous whispers carried away by the wind.
"Do you think the young masters of the Azure Lotus Sect can protect us?" someone in the caravan group asked.
"Yes, young Master Zhao is here too," said one of them as they followed behind Long Huang and Zhao Gun. After a while, they arrived at the bandit-infested section of the valley. Everyone's senses were on high alert. Suddenly, they heard loud footsteps approaching, and a group of bandits appeared.
"Follow us if you don't want to die," said a bandit.
The caravan leader came up to the duo and asked,
"What should we do, young heroes?"
"Just follow them for now, I have a plan," said Long Huang with a smile.
The caravan leader, although doubtful, followed Long Huang's words. Zhao Gun's lip curled as he surveyed the narrow path ahead.
"Well?" he sneered, fingers drumming against the hilt of his ornate sword.
"What's your grand strategy, oh mighty Grass Snake? Or did you drag me here just to watch you trip over your robes?"
Long Huang scratched his chin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Hmm. I was thinking… how about I beat you up and then walk in and beat them up?"
Zhao Gun's eye twitched. "That's not a strategy! That's—"
But Long Huang was already strolling forward, whistling a jaunty tune as they neared the bandits' stronghold.
"Hey, fellas!" Long Huang waved.
"You know, life's short. Have you considered… not being bandits?"
The bandit blinked in disbelief as this random disciple waltzed into their camp as if he owned the place. The largest of them, a brute with an axe the size of a door, stepped forward and cracked his knuckles.
"Kid," he growled,
"You got a death wish?"
Long Huang sighed. "See, this is why I hate small talk."
Then he moved. No grand martial art, just rare battle instinct and experience. Long Huang's fist connected to the large bandit's nose, causing him to drop to the ground.
Thud!!!---
Long Huang looked to the rest of the bandits, his emerald eyes glazing with battle intent, and said,
"So who's next?"