Chapter 44: Walking With The Caravan

After reuniting with his parents in Luoyue Town, Li Taixing found himself filled with mixed emotions. However, he couldn't afford to dwell on them for long; his mission was far from over. Seeking directions to the Forest of Beasts, he learned that a caravan was preparing to pass by the forest's edge. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to reach his destination while also ensuring the safety of the caravan.

Disguised as an elderly immortal, Li Taixing approached the caravan and applied to join as a bodyguard. The caravan's owner, Zhao, was more than happy to have him on board. A powerful cultivator as their protector was a rare stroke of luck, and Zhao wasn't about to question his good fortune.

When Boss Zhao first saw Li Taixing, his eyes widened with a mix of surprise and reverence. He had expected a regular martial artist or perhaps a rogue cultivator, but the presence of an "Old Immortal" was beyond anything he had imagined. Immediately, Zhao arranged for the most luxurious carriage in the caravan, usually reserved for noble patrons, to be prepared for Li Taixing.

"Old Immortal, why are you going to the Forest of Beasts?" Zhao asked, his tone filled with both curiosity and respect.

Li Taixing responded with a single word, "Business," his voice flat and uninterested.

Zhao nodded, not daring to probe further. Li Taixing's indifferent attitude didn't offend him. On the contrary, Zhao was relieved; a distant and stoic protector was preferable to one who might meddle in his affairs.

Though Boss Zhao attempted to engage Li Taixing in conversation several times during the journey, his efforts were met with cold silence. Li Taixing, absorbed in his own thoughts, rarely acknowledged Zhao's presence. The only reason he was with the caravan at all was because he was unfamiliar with the region. While teleportation could get him to familiar places, the Forest of Beasts was not one of them. Thus, he had to rely on the caravan's route to guide him.

As they traveled, Zhao became increasingly deferential, often offering Li Taixing food or drinks, which were always politely declined. "Old Immortal, we'll be setting up camp soon. Would you like anything prepared for you?" Zhao asked one evening, his voice tinged with a bit of hope that perhaps this time, Li Taixing might accept his offer.

"No need," Li Taixing replied curtly, closing his eyes once more, signaling the end of the conversation.

Zhao wisely took the hint and withdrew. Despite the Old Immortal's aloofness, Zhao found his mood inexplicably improved. The presence of such a powerful figure brought a sense of security, and he couldn't help but feel that this trip would be one of the safest he had ever undertaken. Li Taixing's earlier display of power—when he effortlessly summoned the guards' swords to his side and walked through the air without the aid of a weapon—had left an indelible impression on both Zhao and his men. They were in awe, fully convinced of his abilities and unwilling to challenge him in any way.

As the day turned to night, the caravan came to a stop, and preparations for the evening camp began. "Everyone, make sure to check the goods thoroughly. We must remain vigilant tonight," Zhao instructed his men, his voice carrying an unusual seriousness. "Even with the Old Immortal here, don't forget your responsibilities."

Zhao's concerns were rooted in the high-value goods he was transporting. With Li Taixing's presence, he had taken the risk of loading the caravan with more expensive merchandise, hoping for a substantial profit. However, his guards didn't share his caution. The presence of Li Taixing had made them complacent, and they took Zhao's words lightly.

"With the Old Immortal watching over us, what could possibly go wrong?" one of the guards muttered, earning nods of agreement from the others.

Zhao noticed their lax attitude but chose not to press them. He couldn't deny the relief that Li Taixing's presence brought, even if it meant his guards were growing careless.

Unbeknownst to them, a group of robbers lurked in the nearby forest, their eyes fixed on the caravan. They had been tracking it for hours, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Did you see the size of that caravan? There's bound to be a fortune in there," whispered the leader of the robbers, a lean man with a weathered face.

"Yeah, but don't you think it's strange? A caravan that big, with so few guards? It feels like a trap," another bandit replied, his voice laced with unease.

The leader scoffed. "Trap or not, we've got our own expert this time. I've hired a mercenary from the northern sects. He's promised to handle anyone who stands in our way."

The other bandits exchanged glances, still uncertain but unwilling to argue. "Fine, we'll attack at midnight. Be ready."

As the robbers retreated into the shadows, Li Taixing's eyes opened, his expression unchanged, yet his awareness fully attuned to the impending danger. He sensed their presence long before they had even considered making a move.

"Fetch Boss Zhao," Li Taixing ordered, his voice calm but authoritative.

The groom stationed outside his carriage rushed to comply, and soon Zhao appeared, slightly out of breath from hurrying over. "Old Immortal, you called for me?" Zhao asked, a hint of anxiety in his voice.

"Bandits will attack at midnight," Li Taixing stated flatly.

Zhao's face turned pale. The news struck him like a blow, and he realized just how close they were to disaster. "What should we do, Old Immortal?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Prepare your men. Ensure the goods are secured. Leave the rest to me," Li Taixing instructed.

Zhao nodded fervently and rushed to gather his guards. He found them lounging around the campfire, their weapons carelessly strewn about. Anger flared in him as he barked orders, "You fools! Get up and prepare! We're under threat!"

The guards, confused by Zhao's sudden outburst, quickly gathered around him. The captain of the guards, sensing the gravity of the situation, led them to a secluded spot where Zhao relayed Li Taixing's warning.

"Robbers? At midnight?" one of the guards echoed, his bravado slipping away. "But with the Old Immortal here, won't we be fine?"

Zhao's patience snapped. "Do you think the Old Immortal is here to wipe your noses? He's warned us of the danger, and now it's our job to protect the goods and ourselves. You're not to engage unless absolutely necessary."

The guards, now realizing the seriousness of the situation, quickly sobered up. They had grown too reliant on the idea of an immortal protector, forgetting their own responsibilities. The captain of the guards nodded resolutely, "Understood, Boss. We'll be ready."

As Zhao walked away, he couldn't shake his frustration with his men. 'These guards are useless. I'll need to hire real experts in the future, people who don't rely on others to do their jobs,' he thought bitterly. The contrast between Li Taixing's calm, collected demeanor and the guards' incompetence only made Zhao more determined to seek out better protection in the future.

Night fell, and the camp grew quiet. The guards, now fully alert, took their positions around the perimeter, their senses heightened by the knowledge of the impending attack.

At the stroke of midnight, the robbers made their move. Emerging from the shadows, they approached the camp with practiced stealth, their weapons drawn. But as they prepared to launch their assault, they found themselves suddenly immobilized. A powerful force had seized control of their limbs, rendering them helpless.

Panic spread among the robbers as they realized they were up against something—or someone—they couldn't comprehend. The leader of the robbers struggled in vain, his confidence shattered. "What... what's happening?" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

From the darkness, Li Taixing appeared, his presence commanding and terrifying. With a simple wave of his hand, he neutralized the robbers' resistance, their weapons clattering uselessly to the ground. The mercenary, the robbers' supposed ace in the hole, attempted to flee, but Li Taixing stopped him with a mere flick of his wrist, sending him crumpling to the ground.

Boss Zhao, who had been watching from a distance, was stunned. He had expected a fight, perhaps even a few casualties, but what he witnessed was something beyond his wildest expectations. The robbers were defeated without a single blow exchanged.

"Old Immortal, you have saved us all," Zhao said, approaching Li Taixing with a deep bow. His voice was filled with gratitude and awe.

Li Taixing simply nodded. "See to it that the goods are secured. The road ahead is still dangerous."

Zhao quickly instructed his men to tie up the robbers and secure the camp. The guards, now fully aware of their narrow escape, worked with renewed diligence. The captured robbers, once so full of bravado, now sat in a huddled, defeated group, their leader among them, silent and humbled.

As the night wore on, the camp slowly returned to a semblance of normalcy. The guards remained vigilant, their earlier complacency replaced by a newfound respect for the dangers of the road and the power of the immortal who traveled with them.

Li Taixing, having fulfilled his duty, retreated to his carriage. His thoughts were already turning to the challenges that awaited him in the Forest of Beasts. The encounter with the rob