Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 1542 - 352: How Could He Be So Strong (Part 2)

Hence, such blatant seizure of merchandise goes against the established customs.

At that moment, Sun Cong turned to Third Master and remarked: "Third Master, your actions seem a tad unjust, in the Jianghu, avoid going too extreme, or we might face awkward encounters later on."

Upon hearing this, Third Master let out a cold snort and replied: "Hah, lecturing me on rules? My word is law here, so today, you can either abandon all the cargo, or hand over both the people and the goods—pick your poison."

These words made the expressions of everyone in the caravan shift dramatically, their faces turning terribly somber.

And right then, the band of outlaws surged down from the hillside trail, with Third Master gripping his Wolf Fang Club as he advanced steadily.

Master Li eyed the nearing Third Master and stated: "Iron Neck Mountain’s Third Master, the notorious Roadblock Ghost Kong San, a Holding Core Realm powerhouse versed in the Demon Suppression Stick Technique, utterly ruthless—I fear Leader Sun won’t stand a chance against him."

With that, Master Li glanced at Ma Fude, the Vice Leader Ma beside him, and added: "We must resolve this swiftly; while their chief, the Mountain Climbing Vine, is absent, let’s push through without delay."

Ma Fude responded to this with: "Understood, Master Li, rest easy—as soon as the clash begins, I’ll rush to aid Leader Sun."

Master Li’s mind eased somewhat at these words; the situation wasn’t dire yet, since they boasted two Wolf Smoke warriors and a Qi Blood Holding Core specialist, while the foes had just one Qi Blood Holding Core, the Roadblock Ghost Kong San—they held the upper hand!

With these thoughts, Master Li grew more confident; luck favored them today, for Iron Neck Mountain’s head, the Mountain Climbing Vine, was nowhere in sight, so a quick escape could see them slip away undetected.

As this crossed their minds, Roadblock Ghost Kong San rode up to Sun Cong on horseback and declared: "I’m offering you one shot—decide now!"

Sun Cong faced the menacing Kong San without a hint of fear. He was aware that among today’s caravan was Grandpa Chen, a true grandmaster. How bold of a petty outfit like Iron Neck Mountain to provoke their Grandpa Chen?

Not even you, a trifling Roadblock Ghost Kong San, nor your band’s leader, the Mountain Climbing Vine, amount to anything.

Regardless of a Rainbow Realm expert’s might, they’re mere lackeys before Grandpa Chen. It’s only that Grandpa Chen prefers to stay humble and avoid needless strife with the likes of you.

Buoyed by these considerations, Sun Cong stared at Kong San assuredly and warned: "Kong San, know your limits—today, I’m showing respect to your Iron Neck Mountain, so don’t mistake kindness for weakness."

"And if I do mistake it?"

"Sun Cong, you’re nothing but a pathetic escort head; sparing you to return intact is already a favor—dare speak another word against me, and I’ll teach you the true terror of Iron Neck Mountain."

Kong San’s rage boiled over at that instant.

Sun Cong bellowed in response: "Hoist the escort banner!"

In an instant, a member of the group unfurled the Zhen Nan Escort Agency’s banner, which billowed fiercely in the breeze.

In the Jianghu, displaying the escort flag typically signals readiness for battle and a show of authority.

During routine escorts, particularly near major bandit strongholds, the flag gets stowed away—this is known as keeping a low profile—followed by negotiations with the stronghold’s chief, some toll payment, and continuation onward.

Only if the bandits refuse to yield to words does one resort to forcing passage, thus raising the escort flag.

The bold unfurling of the grand banner marks the onset of hostilities.

Spotting Sun Cong’s audacity in raising the flag, Kong San flew into a fury, yelling gutturally: "You little punk, craving a brawl? Brothers, charge!"

After his shout, Kong San whipped his mount forward, leaping into the air, then in a flash swung his Wolf Smoke Stick high, slamming it ferociously toward Sun Cong.

The strike packed devastating force, hurtling down upon Sun Cong with brutal intent.

It was the Mighty Mountain-Cleaving strike, descending with fearsome momentum.

Sun Cong swiftly unsheathed his blade, using the sheath to parry the Wolf Fang Club’s impact with a resounding clang, yet the force shoved him back two paces.

In that single exchange, the gap in prowess shone clear—Sun Cong clearly couldn’t rival Kong San.

Tata tata...

Sun Cong regained his footing, only to hear Kong San’s thunderous growl next, followed by the outlaws loosing a volley of arrows at the caravan, inflicting losses in the first barrage.

Then, the bandits pressed their assault.

Sun Cong let out a furious cry, and the agency’s guards braced for the fray.

He clashed anew with Kong San, who, seeing this mere escort chief refuse to yield and fight back, unleashed his savage fury, wildly flailing the Wolf Fang Club at Sun Cong.

Sun Cong found himself forced back step by step.

Though both Sun Cong and Kong San possessed Holding Core Realm cultivation, Kong San, a hardened bandit from the wilds with constant battles under his belt, outmatched Sun Cong, who seldom saw real combat—escorts often resolved with subtle toll talks to pass peacefully.

It boiled down to matters of reputation.

Hence, in combat, Sun Cong paled against Kong San.

This round, he retreated nonstop.

In a truly pitiful plight.

Witnessing Sun Cong’s peril, Master Li’s brow furrowed as he urged: "Vice Leader Ma, step in now—Leader Sun can’t last much longer."

"Fine, very well."

Ma Fude flashed a smirk at the prompt, then abruptly plunged a dagger into Master Li’s lower back.

"Ah~"

Master Li, taken aback by the sudden betrayal, stared in shock at Ma Fude, before countering with a Drilling Sand Palm strike.

Ma Fude nimbly evaded, twisting the blade in Master Li’s side to draw a agonized yell.

"Ah..."

Ma Fude yanked out the knife, pressing the attack with a flurry of blows, culminating in a downward cleave.