Over a decade ago, when that colossal fire engulfed the imperial city, the Great Shun Dynasty crumbled entirely.

One moment, the governors and garrison commanders clad in black-green official robes transformed into “revolutionary heroes” the next.

With the emperor gone, no one knew what to do. At first, they spoke of a parliament, then a president—

but all the wrangling only led to chaos.

Thus, warlords rose.

The warlords scrambled for territory and the five-colored ore, currying favor with the noble families in the embassy district, leaving fields strewn with corpses and skies darkened.

As time passed, the world lost its order.

And so, horse bandits flourished.

Outside Forty-Nine City, three major bandit gangs roamed. The largest called themselves “King Chuang,” commanding thousands of men and tens of thousands of sturdy horses. They swept through the northern lands like the wind, unrivaled across three strongholds and nine territories. Even Marshal Zhang in Forty-Nine City had suffered losses at their hands.

As for the smaller bands of three or five, they were as numerous as grains of sand.

The cavalry before them, deliberately hiding their banner, wasn’t large but moved with disciplined precision—a clear sign of an elite force. Yet, who were they?

Ma Liu Rickshaw Yard has some reach to hook up with such a crew!

Hooves thundered, shaking the earth.

A hundred or so riders charged like a sharp arrow piercing the swirling yellow dust.

At the deafening sound, many pullers’ faces paled, their eyes darting to Xiangzi atop the slope.

Xiangzi’s gaze narrowed, watching the thin line of riders grow into a forest of fluttering banners.

The convoy was fortunate to have this small slope for cover—just block the two paths, front and back.

If they’d been caught in open terrain, no one would’ve escaped these bandits.

All the flatbed carts were gathered, stacked tightly at both ends of the slope. The pullers, led by the East Tower guards, split into two groups.

The specially modified carts, with their handles pressed down, interlocked to form a solid barrier.

Behind the sturdy iron plates, the pullers only needed to thrust long weapons through the gaps. Years ago, Master Liu had repelled countless bandits with this tactic in his youth.

Seeing the tight defense, the bandits didn’t rush to attack. Instead, they circled arrogantly, their hundred-plus horses forming a ring, galloping head-to-tail without pause.

Rolling dust and war cries conjured the momentum of an army of thousands.

Though the yard had drilled for this, facing such a spectacle, the pullers’ legs still trembled.

“Don’t panic!” Xiangzi gripped his short spear and shouted, “If these bandits were truly capable of charging up, would they bother with these theatrics?”

“They’re just a hundred men—how can they break through so easily?”

“We didn’t fear a tiger demon—will we fear these bandits?”

The pullers froze, then nodded—Xiangzi’s right. Could these bandits be tougher than that tiger demon?

On closer look, the thunderous display seemed less daunting.

Seeing their resolve, Xiangzi roared, “If we protect this ore and return to Forty-Nine City, will Master Liu skimp on the reward?”

“As for those thinking of surrendering, forget it.”

“These bandits live with their heads on the line. Even if we surrender, will they let us live?”

The words snuffed out any fleeting thoughts of surrender among the pullers.

He’s right. Bandits risk their lives for this ore. Why would they spare us?

Better stick with Xiangzi and maybe earn a big reward!

Pointing to the fading golden fireworks still lingering in the sky, Xiangzi said gravely, “One hour. Hold this slope for one hour, and our reinforcements will arrive!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Even the East Tower guards perked up at Xiangzi’s words!

Uncle Jie, gripping his long spear beside Xiangzi, felt a surge of pride—

In just a few months, this big oaf has become a true leader.

A few words had rallied their spirits, dangled the promise of reward, and, most crucially, used the ore’s importance to quash any thoughts of surrender.

Morale was solid!

Uncle Jie mused that even he couldn’t have handled it as deftly as Xiangzi.

Truth be told, when the bandits appeared, even a seasoned man like Uncle Jie felt despair.

Without the slope’s advantage, he’d have grabbed Xiangzi and fled.

He couldn’t help but marvel at Xiangzi’s decisive leap earlier—if those refugees had reached the slope, none of them would’ve survived.

Now, the only worry was the convoy itself.

Uncle Jie’s gaze turned icy, landing on Jin Fugui.

Jin Fugui clutched his long blade, his face calm,

but inside, a storm raged—

That idiot Skinny Monkey hooked up with horse bandits?

His original plan was to use the refugees to stall the convoy, letting Ma Liu’s men deal with Xiangzi in the chaos.

He hadn’t expected Fat Fan, that cunning snake, to play a masterstroke—secretly allying with bandits.

And Skinny Monkey, the fool, fell for it.

“Brother Jin, don’t worry, it’s all set. These bandits won’t touch us!” Skinny Monkey glanced around, lowering his voice, holding up two fingers. “Fat Fan said if this goes through, we’ll get two carts of ore!”

His eyes burned with greed.

“Idiot…” Jin Fugui’s eyes blazed with rage.

If not for their sworn brotherhood, he’d have cleaved Skinny Monkey in half. “This is huge. If it succeeds, Fat Fan will sell us out first!”

“No way!” Skinny Monkey blinked, stunned. “Fat Fan swore to the heavens!”

Seeing Skinny Monkey’s clear, foolish eyes, Jin Fugui was speechless, gripping his blade and standing abruptly.

“Brother Jin, where you going?”

“Fool, grab your blade and get behind the barricade. If those bandits charge, none of us will survive.”

“Today, you’ve doomed us, Skinny Monkey!”

Skinny Monkey stood dumbfounded, muttering, “No way… a blood oath to the heavens—who’d dare break it and risk divine wrath?”

“But… Brother Jin, how could I harm you? We’re sworn brothers!” Before he finished, Jin Fugui strode to the front.

Skinny Monkey stared at the bandits’ grand display below, feeling wronged: Fat Fan didn’t lie—the bandits showed up on time!

How am I harming Brother Jin?

That’s two whole carts of five-colored ore!

Even a lifetime on the ore route wouldn’t earn that much!

I’m just a lowlife—why not take the gamble?