"…"
Upon hearing these words, Li Ping'an felt a chill run down his spine, and couldn't help but swallow nervously. He now fully understood Zixia's attitude towards the bandits.
In such an awkward situation, all he could do was pray incessantly that he merely resembled Supreme Treasure, the Head Chief of Wuxing Mountain, in appearance.
If they were indeed the same person, then he would have to cross swords with the righteous and proud Zixia.
"Continue on our way, for today your master does wish to meet the legendary Dusk Warrior, Supreme Treasure, the Head Chief of Wuxing Mountain! If he lets us pass, I shall spare him. Should he persist in his folly and seek death, then it's an opportunity for your master to rid the people of a menace!"
After Zixia finished speaking, she turned and walked forward. Li Ping'an hurriedly looked up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and prayed to the heavens:
"Amitabha, may Buddha Ancestor bless us, it would be best not to encounter the bandits of Wuxing Mountain today, else I will be in an impossible situation!"
The two entered Five Fingers Mountain Pass and started to ascend the mountain. Before them lay a dense and sinister forest, layers of trees thickly set, the woods growing deeper, with eerie clouds of mist swirling around, hiding who knows what demons and ghosts.
Just as they were about to move forward, a group of travelers arrived from the right side of the entrance. The leader, dressed as a Protector, had an iron staff in hand and led the way much like Li Ping'an.
Behind him were two horse-drawn carriages, with four servants following on each side. Judging by the appearance of this group, they seemed like passing merchants, though each had a worried expression, especially cautious as they approached Wuxing Mountain.
Upon seeing Li Ping'an and Zixia, the group halted. The Protector sized them up warily, but noting they were a young couple, likely just travelers, he continued on his way.
Zixia pulled Li Ping'an aside to make way for them. The Protector rode past, guarding the first carriage. As the second carriage neared them, suddenly the curtain was raised.
"Protector Wang, why did we stop just now?"
A face of an elderly man peeked out from the carriage window. He wore a head cloth, a traditional round-collar robe, around fifty to sixty years old with a goatee, and his face bore the look of wealth and nobility.
He looked like a wealthy scholar and, judging by his attire, a Merchant Official. The Merchant Official, upon addressing Protector Wang, noticed Li Ping'an and Zixia standing by the roadside.
"Two young friends, could it be that you're also crossing Wuxing Mountain?"
Zixia tilted her head and didn't answer. Li Ping'an, seeing the Merchant Official had a kind and friendly face like a person who was easy to talk to, replied with a clasped-hand salute:
"This esteemed sir has discerning eyes. We are indeed heading across Wuxing Mountain."
"And after Wuxing Mountain?"
"To the Capital City of Chang'an."
"Servants, halt the carriage!"
The Merchant Official ordered a stop, and the second carriage came to a halt right in front of Li Ping'an and Zixia, surprised:
"You're heading to Chang'an, but this is the only road over Wuxing Mountain. However, the mountain is no ordinary place. Are you two children really planning to stroll through so casually?"
"What does the esteemed sir mean?"
Li Ping'an asked.
"Young man, see the Steward leading the way for our household?"
The Merchant Official pointed towards the cautious Steward ahead and explained:
"This Wuxing Mountain is home to a band of strongmen who make a living by ambushing travelers. They are all dangerous killers, Demon Lords not to be trifled with. Why did you not bring an expert to escort you?"
"We are just…"
Li Ping'an was about to explain when Zixia, clearly irritated, nudged him with her elbow to signal him to stop talking.
"I see that both of you young friends are still young and new to these parts, unaware of the dangers around here. Though you have weapons at your sides, those bandits are a numerous and influential group, ready to kill and start fires without provocation. How about we share the carriage and look after each other on the road?"
"Hehe."
Zixia heard this and simply tilted her head to look away, signaling the talkative Merchant Official to move along.
Li Ping'an naturally noticed Zixia's attitude, but his delicate constitution had never endured such hardship. He had already been traveling on mountain roads for two consecutive days, traversing steep terrain and crossing waters without rest, nearly rubbing blisters on his feet.
Now with the opportunity to sit in a carriage for free, how could he, afflicted by his laziness, miss this chance?
"Both of us can sit in your carriage? You won't charge us, right?"
Li Ping'an asked tentatively, ignoring the warning look from Zixia.
"Haha! What are you saying, my young friend? It's just a carriage ride, nothing of value."
The Merchant Official waved his hand, signaling Li Ping'an and Zixia to hurry up and get on the carriage:
"It's now the Wu Hour, the sun is most venomous, hanging in the sky like a fiery basin. If we move quickly and have good luck, we might get off Wuxing Mountain before nightfall!"
"Then thank you very much, old sir!"
Li Ping'an quickly expressed his thanks and scurried toward the carriage, but Zixia behind him seemed unmoved.
"Li Ping'an, you've got some nerve to defy your master. See if I won't have you sit in that carriage!"
"See if I won't!"
Li Ping'an ignored Zixia's warning and turned back, running up to his expressionless master Zixia and making a face at her.
Just as Zixia was about to scold her disciple, who lacked both respect and sense, Li Ping'an swiftly bent down and, to her surprise, scooped up his master Zixia, tightly hugging her slim, white legs to take advantage, and wriggled into the carriage.
"Li Ping'an! You unfilial disciple!"
Zixia had not expected Li Ping'an to be so bold, but the next moment, when she saw his swollen ankles and nearly worn-out soles, she felt a pang of compassion.
Honestly, she too was exhausted from the continuous travel these past days, and the injuries from fighting the Human-Headed Dog Demon had not yet healed. Anyway, things had come to this, and with the weather being fiercely hot, she simply scolded the shameless Li Ping'an briefly and then turned to look out the window without saying a word.
"I, Li Ping'an, thank you once again, old sir!"
Li Ping'an politely bowed again, treating the carriage as if it were his own, and called out to the outside:
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Pick up the pace! Want to sleep in Wuxing Mountain tonight?"
"Protector Wang, don't you hurry up? Are we waiting for something?"
The Old Master didn't take offense and issued a command from inside, and they resumed their journey.
The three of them sat quietly in the carriage; Li Ping'an's body was at rest, but his mouth wasn't, chatting away with the friendly Old Master.
He then learned that the Merchant Official's name was Cen Zhen and Cen Changqing, a Merchant Official from Wuxing Mountain County who was wealthy, dressed in gold, and wore silver, now taking his family to Chang'an to visit relatives.
After traveling eastward for nearly one and a half shichen (roughly three hours), Protector Wang shouted from outside the carriage:
"Master, Madam, Miss, we've now entered the territory of those bandits!"
On hearing this, Cen Zhen and Cen Changqing instantly became tense, looking at Li Ping'an and Zixia with concern:
"Young friends, I only hope we don't run into those bandits from Wuxing Mountain today. If we do, my protector will talk to them, and I'm willing to spend money to buy our way out. If they ask who you two are, just say you're my nephew and niece, that's all."