57. Ambush
Chapter 57: Ambush
As dusk approached, Li Hao and his companions rode along the official road, occasionally passing by tea stalls and small vendors set up by the roadside, providing weary travelers a place to rest.
They encountered a few escort agency teams transporting goods, spirited martial artists setting out to slay demons, and diligent farmers tending their fields or small village settlements along the way.
The road was lined with tall, straight cypress trees, leading straight to the blue sky and white clouds.
Arriving at a tea stall, the aroma of steaming soup dumplings caused the group to rein in their horses.
"Shall we take a break?" Yu Wei asked considerately.
Hearing Li Yuanzhao's stomach growl, Li Hao laughed and said, "Let's get something to eat."
"It's getting dark. Will it be safe out here?" Du Qiuyue asked, somewhat worried.
The tea stall owner, having sharp ears, heard the girl's concern and laughed, "Young heroes, don't worry. With the four Divine General's Mansions guarding the borders, there's no place for demons in the Great Yu Dynasty. If an old man like me isn't afraid, why should you be?"
The group looked at Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao. Li Hao smiled and asked, "Boss, there are actually five Divine General's Mansions. Why do you only mention four?"
"Well, I heard that one doesn't guard the borders. It's probably protecting the royal city," the tea stall owner laughed.
Du Qiuyue whispered, "Good thing Wang Han isn't here with us. He'd be furious hearing that."
Yu Wei nodded, "The Tianzhao Divine General's Mansion guards the Mie Rivers, sacrificing countless lives, yet people don't know about it. Just like many aren't aware of your Li family guarding the borders against demons. They know about the Divine General's Mansions but don't bother distinguishing which one."
He sighed, seemingly feeling sympathy for the Li family, and his words contained a hint of flattery.
Li Hao, however, wasn't angry. He nodded and said:
"The common people's lives are hard enough. Counting their small savings every day, they don't have the energy to look up. Not knowing is normal. Even if they knew, it wouldn't change their lives much. And we guard the borders not for their praise or gratitude, but because the borders need us, the people need us."
His words stunned Yu Wei, who had intended to flatter him, and Du Qiuyue looked at Li Hao with surprise and newfound respect.
They had initially thought Li Hao was just a playboy, but his words shattered that impression, deepening their respect for the Divine General's Mansions from within.
Beside them, Ren Qianqian, who held her sword, looked up at Li Hao. Her gaze lingered on his handsome, fair face for a moment, her eyes softening.
"Hao-ge is right," Li Yuanzhao, who had been slightly discontent, now felt invigorated by Li Hao's words.
Li Hao laughed, patting Yuanzhao's shoulder, "Come on, let's go have some tea. My treat."
"No, let me. We're going to Qizhou to help my hometown. I should be thanking you all. I'll cover the expenses on the way!" Yu Wei seized the opportunity, immediately heading into the tea stall and calling for tea and snacks.
"Boss, it's getting dark. Aren't you afraid of demons?" Du Qiuyue poured herself a cup of tea but didn't drink it immediately. Instead, she took out a silver needle to test it, acting quite experienced. Only after confirming it was safe did she pour tea for the others.
"In some places, maybe. But this road is very safe. I've been setting up my stall here for decades and never encountered a demon," the tea stall owner laughed.
"You're really lucky," Li Hao remarked.
Demon attacks were rare in the Great Yu Dynasty, but they did happen every year. Those dealing with demons heard such news frequently. However, common folk were often unaware due to their isolation and the slow spread of information. Unless it was a major event, small-scale demon attacks went unnoticed.
Moreover, the local demon suppression offices often deliberately withheld information to prevent panic.
After all, a peaceful and prosperous populace ensured a thriving dynasty. If demon news spread widely, people would be too scared to go out for business, escort goods, or even farm efficiently.
Soon, the food and drink arrived. The soup dumplings were excellent, and Li Hao ate two steamers, praising them and discussing the recipe with the owner, much to the surprise of the others.
Li Yuanzhao, accustomed to Li Hao's unusual behavior, was more curious about Ren Qianqian and asked, "Why do you always carry your sword? Doesn't it get in the way when you eat?"
Du Qiuyue and Yu Wei also looked at the girl, who was holding her sword in one hand and eating with the other.
Ren Qianqian frowned, glanced at Li Yuanzhao, seemed to think for a moment, and then answered, "The sword is part of my body. I don't feel its presence."
Du Qiuyue said enviously, "I heard that to understand the Sword Heart, you need to be with your weapon all the time. I tried it before but couldn't manage."
"You have to truly love it," Ren Qianqian said seriously.
Du Qiuyue smiled wryly, "I do love it."
Ren Qianqian glanced at her and said no more.
Whether the love was genuine, the mind might not know, but the heart surely did.
That's why it was called "heartfelt."
Soon, after eating and drinking, Li Hao was deeply engaged in conversation with the tea stall owner, who seemed a bit dazed.
This young hero spoke knowledgeably about kneading dough with warm water, fermentation, and seasoning the meat filling. If it weren't for his attire, the owner would have thought he was a chef.
An experienced chef at that.
"Young hero, you must be full by now..." the tea stall owner forced a smile, unwilling to reveal more, fearing Li Hao might steal his secret recipe.
Noticing the owner's reluctance, Li Hao smiled and was about to bid farewell when his eyes narrowed.
He raised his hand and caught a streak of black light.
The impact of the black light caused the ground beneath his feet to sink several inches.
Opening his hand, he found a triangular black scale.
His spirit immediately left his body, a golden light only visible to those in the Spirit Wanderer Realm, shooting out from his head and patrolling the sky.
Soon, Li Hao spotted a seductive woman with scales on her cheeks standing on a treetop fifteen miles away, looking this way in shock.
The black light matched the scales on her cheeks.
Li Hao's eyes grew cold. A demon? The demon woman on the treetop was stunned, her eyes wide.
Her attack, meant to kill that human boy, had been effortlessly caught?
"Something came up. I'll be back shortly. Wait for me here."
In the tea stall, Li Hao, holding the scale, walked out and told the four at the table before disappearing in a flash.
Yu Wei, in the middle of rinsing his mouth with tea, spat it out in shock.