At 16, Li Wei was no longer just a boy in his family—he was an adult, and with that came new responsibilities. The Li and Zhao families had long controlled trade between Longjiang and the nearby city of Guanshan, transporting valuable goods such as mountain salt, herbs, and oil. Recently, bandits had begun targeting these merchant caravans, and it was clear that protection was needed. The elders decided it was time for Li Wei and Zhao Jun, the mayor's son, to step up and take on the burden.
Li Wei had been training for this. He had reached the peak of 3rd-rate martial artist and had grown stronger over the past year, but training in the yard was one thing—protecting a caravan against bandits was another.
The escort was organized with a large group of guards and merchants, among them Li Wei's smallest uncle, Li Bao, a laid-back but experienced warrior. Though Li Wei had little interaction with him over the years, he knew his uncle was a seasoned fighter. Alongside them was the Zhao family's most trusted guard, a serious and stoic man who had fought with Li Wei during the tiger hunt. He was protective of Zhao Jun and always kept a watchful eye on the surroundings.
As they set out on the journey to Guanshan, Li Wei kept to himself, his mind focused on what lay ahead. This would be their fifth trip, and though the first four had been uneventful, the merchants had grown nervous. Bandit attacks had become more frequent, and it was only a matter of time before trouble found them.
Zhao Jun, walking beside him, tried to lighten the mood. "Relax, Li Wei. We've done this before. It'll be just like the other trips—easy money."
But Li Wei wasn't so sure. Something about this trip felt different. The air was too quiet, and the road too empty. His instincts told him to be on guard.
The first sign of trouble came as the group reached a narrow pass between two hills. Li Wei's eyes caught movement in the treeline above, but before he could shout a warning, arrows rained down from above. The merchants cried out, scrambling for cover as the bandits descended on them.
Li Wei's heart raced. He had trained for this moment, but nothing could have prepared him for the chaos of battle. Bandits appeared from the shadows, brandishing swords and clubs, their faces twisted in savage grins.
In the distance, he saw four figures standing apart from the rest—third-rate warriors, just like him. One of them, a burly man with a scar running down his face, locked eyes with Li Wei and charged forward.
Li Wei's muscles tensed, and he shifted into a defensive stance, ready to meet the attack. But the bandit was fast—faster than Li Wei expected. The man's fists came crashing down like hammers, forcing Li Wei to block with everything he had.
The impact jarred his bones, sending a shock of pain up his arms. Li Wei gritted his teeth, countering with a punch of his own, but the bandit sidestepped easily, grinning as he came in for another attack.
This wasn't like sparring in the yard. The bandit wasn't following any form—he was fighting with brute strength and wild aggression, and Li Wei was struggling to keep up.
Li Wei's opponent was relentless, throwing punch after punch, each one heavier than the last. Li Wei dodged and blocked as best he could, but the bandit's strikes were fast, brutal, and unrelenting. Every blow felt like it could break bones.
The two traded punches, each trying to gain the upper hand, but the longer the fight dragged on, the more Li Wei realized something: he was tiring, and his opponent wasn't.
The bandit's fists were like iron, crashing into Li Wei's arms and ribs with increasing force. His breath came in ragged gasps, his muscles aching from the strain of blocking the relentless barrage. Sweat dripped down his face, stinging his eyes as he tried to stay focused.
The bandit seemed to sense his fatigue and pressed the attack even harder. He swung a heavy fist at Li Wei's head, and though Li Wei managed to duck in time, the bandit followed up with a quick jab to the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
Li Wei staggered back, clutching his side, his vision blurring. He had never faced an opponent like this before—someone who fought with pure violence and experience. His training hadn't prepared him for the sheer brutality of a real fight.
He tried to gather his strength, but the bandit wasn't giving him any time to recover. With a roar, the man lunged forward again, this time swinging a fist aimed directly at Li Wei's face.
Li Wei barely managed to raise his arms in time, the force of the blow sending him stumbling back. His legs wobbled beneath him, and for the first time, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Could he win this?