Going to Death

"We'll soon reach the borders of Xiluo Kingdom, but..."

"I know."

Chen Muling sat in the carriage, gazing into the distance. Ahead lay a stretch of canyon road—the most treacherous section where ambushes were common. Yet, she had no choice but to pass through.

Taking a detour would cost an extra week, and the goods wouldn't reach Xiluo Kingdom on time.

"For the reputation of our Chen Merchant Guild, this path must be taken. There's no other way." Chen Muling shook the bell on her carriage and stepped firmly onto the wooden plank, raising her voice.

"Stay sharp! Be ready for battle at any moment!"

"Yes!"

But Chen Muling wasn't unprepared. She placed her fingers to her lips and blew a sharp, clear whistle.

"Screech—"

As the mountain wind swept past, a piercing cry tore through the sky—the call of an eagle.

At first, it was like the unsheathing of a blade, cold and metallic, its long note slicing through the clouds and echoing through the valley as if trying to rend the heavens apart.

A massive, two-meter-tall eagle-like magical beast descended, landing atop the carriage's canopy. It lowered its head, allowing Chen Muling to stroke its neck.

"Little Wind, I'm counting on you to scout ahead." Chen Muling pulled a strip of dried meat from the pouch at her waist and fed it to the beast before giving it an affectionate pat. With a powerful flap of its wings, the eagle took flight again.

Little Wind was a magical beast Chen Muling had rescued as a child. Raised by her, it had grown exceptionally loyal. Since she began her merchant travels, the eagle had become her indispensable partner, responsible for reconnaissance.

But just as Little Wind soared higher, a bolt of lightning shot down from the cliffs above!

"Screech—!" The eagle let out a startled cry as the lightning struck its body, sending the massive creature plummeting to the ground.

"Little Wind?!" Chen Muling gasped, leaping from the carriage just as a thunderous rumble erupted from the canyon—followed by a hail of arrows!

"Ambush!"

Her shout cut through the caravan like a blade, shattering the calm of their journey.

With a light step, she vaulted from the carriage roof and barked, "Shields! Form up!"

Before her words fully faded, the guards had already reacted, pulling thick wooden shields from hidden compartments in the carriages.

"Thud! Thud! Thud—!" The arrows rained down like a storm, embedding themselves into the shields with dull thunks. Some, propelled by immense force, pierced halfway through the wood, their sharp tips protruding—but the hastily formed shield wall held.

Once the volley ended, Chen Muling quickly scanned the group. Though the guards were disheveled, none were injured. She exhaled slightly in relief.

But when she turned to her side, her heart sank—Little Wind lay curled at her feet, its once-glossy feathers now charred and blackened. Several tail feathers were singed and curled, the wounds still smoldering with traces of scorching spiritual energy. A spell had struck it.

"Little Wind!" She dropped to her knees, summoning gentle spiritual energy to her fingertips as she reached for the injury. The eagle flinched in pain, letting out a weak whimper.

"Young Mistress! Are you unharmed?" The guard captain rushed forward, his face a mix of shock and fury.

"I'm fine," Chen Muling replied tersely, her gaze sharp as a blade as she fixed it on the direction the arrows had come from.

"But we're in serious trouble."

From behind the distant dunes, dozens of figures emerged, their gray robes flapping in the wind. Their steps were measured, exuding an oppressive aura. The leaders, in particular, radiated restrained spiritual energy—like tigers lying in wait—making Chen Muling's back break out in cold sweat.

That was the presence of cultivators who had reached the Qi Refinement realm!

And not just one!

"Cultivators?" a guard muttered in disbelief, his grip on his weapon trembling. The caravan guards were mostly martial artists—how could they stand against cultivators?

Even if Chen Muling was in the Qi Refinement realm, she was alone!

Chen Muling's eyes locked onto the faces of the leaders, her pupils contracting in recognition. The familiar features, the distinctive black robes of the family’s honored attendants, the jade pendants at their waists—custom-made for the caravan… Impossible!

"You… you are…" Her voice shook, her mind refusing to believe what she saw—until she clearly made out the faces of the two at the front.

"Gongfeng?!"

"Gongfeng?"

The word exploded through the caravan like thunder. The guards looked up, and when they recognized the ambushers, their breaths hitched—weren’t those Li Gongfeng and An Gongfeng, the chief protectors of the caravan, who had always been treated generously by the family? And behind them, others who had been hired at great expense!

"Li Gongfeng! An Gongfeng!" Chen Muling straightened, her chest heaving with fury, her voice trembling with disbelief.

"You’ve eaten the Chen family’s bread, enjoyed our generosity—why would you lay an ambush here?!"

The wind carried her accusation across the wilderness, but Li Gongfeng only smirked, his usual deference replaced by icy indifference.

"Young Mistress, if we’re here, you should understand why."

His words dragged out the truth Chen Muling had been unwilling to face. Her chest tightened.

"Uncle?"

The two Gongfeng smiled without answering—but their silence was confirmation enough.

"I never thought you’d dare do something like this. To think my own kin would stoop so low." Chen Muling clenched her fists, biting her lip. "You beasts!"

"Young Mistress, we’re both in the Qi Refinement realm, but I’ve reached the late stage—while you’re still in the early stage," Li Gongfeng said calmly.

"And with An Gongfeng also at the late stage..."

"Please, die."

"Young Mistress, run! We’ll buy you time!" The guards shielded her, while the coachmen hastily unhitched the horses, preparing an escape route.

"Useless. We’re surrounded." Chen Muling had already noticed figures blocking the other end of the canyon.

A chill settled in her heart.

She had assumed it was just bandits—something their caravan could handle easily. Never had she imagined betrayal from within.

"Fire Art." An Gongfeng observed the guards protecting Chen Muling, then flicked a talisman toward them.

"Boom!" The moment it landed, the talisman exploded, hurling the guards aside.

Martial artists stood no chance against cultivators!

But just as An Gongfeng prepared to throw a second talisman, his body froze unnaturally—as if seized by an unseen force.

"What?!"