Bandits of Jibuk Mountain
After about five days of travel, we arrived at the entrance to Mt. Jibuk, on the border between Hubei and Henan.
A ton of other ronin like us had gathered here, all heading to Henan. Mt. Jibuk's bandit gang was infamous around these parts. That's why the ronin banded together in groups to cross it.
"Young master, are you sure it's okay for us to go like this on our own?"
The coachman asked me with a worried look. Even those with big carriages were moving in groups of at least three or four.
"Of course. Hurry up. Time's wasting."
"B-but the chief of Hogyun Channel is the most dangerous guy around here."
"Quit talking back and get moving."
"Y-yes, sir..."
The coachman bowed his head low and whipped the horses into motion.
Our carriage stood out like a sore thumb among the rest. Riding something like this was basically screaming for bandits to come rob us.
The path through Mt. Jibuk was surprisingly well-maintained. For the record, the bandits managed it themselves—to collect tolls, they kept the road in good shape.
Banditry was a business to them, so basic road upkeep was a no-brainer.
Of course, that didn't make them model public servants or anything. Only big merchant caravans or escort agencies with connections could haggle with them.
If regular travelers like us stepped up offering tolls, they'd just laugh and serve us our heads on a platter. That's the kind of scum bandits were.
No wonder the imperial court ran periodic extermination campaigns. Not that it did much good—these vermin multiplied like cancer cells anyway.
As the carriage rattled along, I let the motion rock me while I fucked. Before I knew it, the sun was setting. The coachman pulled the horses to a stop.
"We should camp here."
"Do it."
The coachman set up camp with practiced ease. True to Wisa Hu's boasting, the guy had real skills. In under five minutes, he'd cleared a fire pit, lit a blaze, and pitched a small tent beside it.
That was for him to sleep in. We could crash inside the carriage.
"Ughhh~ I wanna take a bath so bad~!"
Danyuha stretched out her weary body and whined.
"I'll heat some water."
He pulled a massive drum barrel from behind the carriage. It was something I'd brought from the Soul Community world for hot baths while camping. He set it over the fire and filled it to the brim using Water Control.
"Ooh~ This is the life~♬"
Danyuha stripped naked and hopped in. Her relaxed expression said she was loving the warm water.
The coachman slipped into his tent without peeking. He knew full well that stealing a glance at her bare body would cost him his head. Smart guys like him made life easy.
Starting with Danyuha, the women took turns with the hot showers. I pulled out some dungeon rations and prepped dinner.
"Mmm~ This seasoned chicken stuff is sooo good~! I could eat it every day."
"Haha, then I'll make sure you do."
Cheonhwa was crazy about modern food.
"Young master Jong, try this. Ahhhn~"
"Ahhhn~"
Jin Samwol stuck to my side, playing the loving couple game. Danyuha was the only one eating with any grace. That's how we had our dinner.
"Riding in such a flashy carriage, it's no surprise if the bandits hit us tonight."
Danyuha said, gazing at the crackling campfire.
She was right. With Hogyun Channel's intel, they already knew we'd entered the mountain. An attack tonight or tomorrow was a sure bet. They wouldn't pass up easy prey like this.
"The sooner, the better."
We climbed back into the carriage. With a master like Cheonhwa around, no need for a night watch.
I hit the bed without a care. Jin Samwol wormed into my arms, cutely nudging Danyuha aside with her ass. Danyuha smacked that ass in retaliation.
"Eek~! Sis Danyuha~!"
"Samwol, you can't tease your big sis like that~"
Danyuha smiled softly as her hand stroked my cock. Looked like tonight was gonna be a long one.
Not many people knew this, but banditry was a seasonal gig, like fishing. You had to stock up during the good hauls to survive the lean times. That's why Ban Se-gun, chief of Hogyun Channel, was pushing his men hard.
Thanks to the Dragon-Tiger Contest, way more people were crossing Mt. Jibuk than usual. It was a once-in-a-decade bonanza.
When it got confirmed the contest was in Henan, Ban Se-gun was so thrilled he split one of his underlings' heads with an axe, tears streaming down his face.
"Puhahaha! Look at all these idiots climbing the mountain without proper gear! We've already made a month's haul in one day. Do good deeds, get good rewards!"
His men broke out in cold sweats at his booming laugh.
Unlike your average villain, you had to watch out around Ban Se-gun when he was happy. Normal folks lose it when angry—this guy lost it when thrilled. Plenty of his buddies had cracked skulls on his birthday.
"Chief! Ding Er target's stopped near Cloud Pass!"
"Oh ho! Ding Er—the one with that fancy-ass carriage, right!? Heh heh heh! Gotta be some spoiled rich kid. Head there now."
"Yes, sir!"
Ban Se-gun led his crew with swift precision.
To him, Mt. Jibuk was his front yard. He took animal trails this way and that, reaching Cloud Pass in no time.
The smoke rising lazily into the sky pinpointed the target's camp instantly.
"Wait here. I'll scout first."
Scouting the mark was bandit rule number one. Plenty of fools had lost their heads tangling with hidden masters. Search the jianghu, and you'd find 'em like grains of sand on a beach. That was how most bandits ended.
The central plains were vast, masters plentiful. With so many martial artists toying with bandit scum for sport, the chief's job was picking out the real threats. His skill at it determined the gang's lifespan.
Ban Se-gun crept toward Jongchil's camp. Only the crackle of the campfire broke the silence—no sentries in sight. Night watch was camping 101. These amateurs didn't even know the basics.
No wonder. Spoiled young master's out here with a gaudy carriage. Jackpot tonight.
If every day was like this... Ban Se-gun thought as he returned to his men.
"They're begging us to take their money. Passing up prey like that shames us as bandits. Let's go!"
"Yes, sir!"
His men grabbed their gleaming blades and followed.
Ban Se-gun was a prickly bastard, but no one questioned his bandit prowess. They encircled the camp.
"Wake up! We got VIP guests!"
Ban Se-gun bellowed at the top of his lungs. The carriage door creaked open. A man in a blue martial robe stepped out casually.
He glanced up, scanning the encircling bandits without a hint of panic. It threw Ban Se-gun off more than a little.
What the hell? That composure ain't normal. Or is he just clueless?
Either way, duty called. Ban Se-gun roared like the mountain itself was crumbling.
"Trespassing in these mountains under Big Brother Bandit's watch! You think you can use our shiny toll road for free!? You little shits! I'd snap your necks right here, but out of my Mount Tai-sized mercy, I'll let it slide once. Pay up the toll instead."
The young man dug in his ear, looking annoyed.
"Fuck. Why's the intro so damn long? Bandits hire for speeches or what?"
"Y-you insolent cur! Don't you know who I am!?"
"I do. Hogyun Channel's chief, Ban Se-gun, right?"
"Heh heh heh! That's me—Ban Se-gun, who shuts up even three-year-olds' cries!"
He thumped his chest proudly. But something felt off. The guy knew him. So why the chill attitude?
Shit... did I pick the wrong mark?
The man's aura was weird—hard to gauge if he was a master or not. Ban Se-gun wondered if he'd poked a hornet's nest instead of a honey pot.
Water's spilled. No backing out now!
Steeling himself, he glared and barked.
"You know my rep? Bow and pay the toll! It's everything in that carriage."
"Nah, that's not—"
"Enough!"
A booming woman's voice echoed from behind Ban Se-gun.