Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 417 - 415: Black-faced Wolf Xu Tai!

Chapter 417: Chapter 415: Black-faced Wolf Xu Tai!
"Miss, we’re approaching Yixian Cliff. Once we cross this, the rest of the road should be safe."
At the rear of the caravan, Captain Fang observed the dangerous cliff ahead and spoke to Yao Qing, who was riding beside him.
Yao Qing showed no sign of excitement. Glancing at the treacherous cliffs surrounding them, she furrowed her brow slightly and said, "Uncle Fang, I want to stay in the area for a day after we pass through Yixian Cliff."
Captain Fang frowned slightly. Looking at Yao Qing, he asked, "Are you still worried about the Chief Escort?"
Yao Qing nodded, bit her red lip with her pearly white teeth, and tightened her grip on the reins. "Father... he must still be alive..."
Looking at Yao Qing,
Captain Fang sighed inwardly.
Yao Qing’s father had been missing in Black Wind Ridge for over a month, and the entire caravan had heard no news. It was highly likely he had met with a mishap.
As they rode in silence, a sudden chaotic noise erupted from up ahead.
"It sounds like there’s a disturbance with the lead team."
Yao Qing’s brow furrowed slightly at the commotion.
"We may have run into another Demon Beast. But with Feng Luo around, there’s nothing to worry about," Captain Fang said with a smile.
Hearing that name, Yao Qing recalled the incident at the hot springs. She pouted her red lips and said with discontent, "Uncle Fang, you trust Feng Luo too much."
Captain Fang gave Yao Qing a meaningful look and chuckled. "Miss, why do you hold such a prejudice against Feng Luo?"
"Of course!"
Yao Qing blushed and muttered to herself,
He’s a pervert!
then looked ahead with furrowed brows. "Hmm... the disturbance seems to be getting worse. I hope nothing’s wrong."
Captain Fang also sensed that something was amiss. "Let’s have the caravan stop first. I’ll go ahead and see what’s happening."
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. A Martial Artist from the lead team came running.
"Li Guang, what happened up ahead?" Captain Fang asked, a bad feeling rising in him as he saw the man’s panic-stricken face.
"Captain Fang! Miss! Bad news! The Black Wind Camp bandits are here to rob the convoy!" the man shouted.
Yao Qing’s face paled; she was clearly shocked by the news of Black Wind Camp’s appearance.
Captain Fang took a deep breath to compose himself, then turned and ordered, "Leave ten men to guard the convoy. The rest of you, follow me!"
With that, he tugged the reins, urging his horse to gallop forward.
"Uncle Fang, wait for me!" Yao Qing called out, quickly following behind Captain Fang.
「...」
While Luo Feng and Yu Kui were talking, the men from Black Wind Camp halted thirty paces away.
BOOM!
Xu Tai leaped down from his horse, his feet thudding onto the ground. The entire cliff seemed to tremble violently, and the earth beneath cracked.
"Hahahaha... You must be from the Shangfeng Escort Agency, right? We’ve been waiting here for you for a long time!" Xu Tai slammed the giant hammer from his shoulder onto the ground beside him, his tiger-like eyes scanning Luo Feng and the others.
Luo Feng furrowed his brows. From the man’s words, it seemed they already knew they would be here.
Hearing Xu Tai, Yu Kui stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "I am Yu Kui of the Shangfeng Escort Agency. How did you know we would be here today?"
Xu Tai licked his lips, glanced disdainfully at Yu Kui, and sneered, "A mere seventh-level Essence Storage Realm Martial Artist isn’t worthy of speaking to me."
Yu Kui’s expression darkened. Luo Feng stood quietly to the side, saying nothing.
We’re not far from Green Wood Peak, he thought. Starting a fight here would likely expose our identities. I should observe the situation first.
"He may not be worthy, but what about me?"
A resonant voice carried from a distance. Before the words faded, a figure shot forward, landing in front of Yu Kui. His sharp gaze fixed on Xu Tai. It was Captain Fang.
"Captain Fang!"
"Miss!"
"Captain Fang and Miss Yao are here!"
The members of the lead team all cried out. Seeing Captain Fang and Yao Qing arrive, they were almost moved to tears of relief.
Yao Qing walked to Captain Fang’s side. Her beautiful eyes sized up Xu Tai as she asked coldly, "How did you know we would be here today?"
"Hehe, not only did I know you’d show up today, but I also know you’re escorting goods to the Lin Family in Green Wood City," Xu Tai said, licking his lips as he eyed Yao Qing.
Captain Fang frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected them to even know who had hired them. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that.
"What are you planning to do?" Captain Fang asked Xu Tai directly.
Xu Tai patted the giant hammer in his hand and grinned. "Our leader plans to present this batch of goods as a gift for the Duanmu Family Head’s fortieth birthday. So, I’m taking these goods."
Duanmu Family... Luo Feng’s eyes flickered slightly. Does Black Wind Camp have some connection with the Duanmu Family?
A Martial Artist standing nearby seemed to notice Luo Feng’s contemplation and said, "It’s said that Black Wind Camp and the Duanmu Family have intricate ties. The Duanmu Family often uses Black Wind Camp to strike at other rival factions. The Chen Family of Green Wood City is one such rival."
"Hmph! One of the six great families of the Flowing Cloud Region, actually colluding with bandits! The Duanmu Family is truly despicable!" a young Martial Artist nearby spat, clenching his teeth.
Yu Kui’s expression grew grim as he looked at the men from Black Wind Camp. "These people knew we were escorting goods to the Lin Family in Green Wood City. I’m afraid today’s situation will be difficult to resolve peacefully. There will likely be a fight soon, so everyone be careful."
Luo Feng nodded slightly, his eyes flickering as he pondered.
Before Captain Fang could speak, Yao Qing stepped forward and declared coldly, "As escorts, our duty is to protect the goods. How could we possibly hand them over? You’d best retreat quickly, or you will bear the consequences!"
"Hahahaha..."
The moment Yao Qing finished speaking, a burst of hearty laughter erupted. The Black Wind Camp members stared at Yao Qing, laughing uncontrollably, their faces full of ridicule.
A young bandit rode forward, eyeing Yao Qing with a mocking smile. "Such bold words, and in front of our Third Boss! Our Third Boss wants your goods; that’s him showing you favor. Do you think you’re even capable of stopping us?"
"Third Boss, since they don’t appreciate your kindness, let’s just kill them all and save ourselves the trouble."
"Exactly. But this fiery little miss is an escort leader. Playing with her would be fun. Killing her would be such a waste."
"Then let’s capture her, take her back to the camp, and slowly discipline her. We’ll see how long she can keep that sharp tongue."
The men of Black Wind Camp were brimming with arrogance, their words dripping with contempt and chilling killing intent.
WHOOSH!
A sharp sound cut through the air! A chilling presence descended upon the cliffs. Before anyone could react, a brilliant sword light flashed and vanished.
SPURT! SPURT!
The two bandits who had just insulted Yao Qing froze. They reached for their necks, their hands coming away covered in fresh blood. Then, their heads lolled to the side, and they collapsed.
Even at the moment of death, they had no idea what had just happened.
"Dare to disrespect our Miss? You die!" Captain Fang declared, standing with his longsword drawn. A powerful aura emanated from him, and his slightly clouded eyes now glinted with deadly sharpness.
Luo Feng watched Captain Fang, momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected the captain to act so decisively, striking without hesitation.
"You dare kill my men?" A vein throbbed on Xu Tai’s forehead. His eyes fixed on Captain Fang as a similarly powerful aura erupted from him. His face flushed red; he was clearly enraged to the extreme.
Captain Fang looked at Xu Tai and stated coldly, "Your Black Wind Camp never leaves survivors. Even if we handed over the goods, we certainly wouldn’t escape with our lives. So why bother with the pretense?"
Hearing this, Xu Tai’s facial muscles twitched.
Captain Fang was right. Xu Tai’s original plan had been to slaughter them after they handed over the goods. He hadn’t expected them to see through his intentions.
"In that case, there’s nothing more to say. I’ll send you on your way first!" Murderous intent flashed in Xu Tai’s eyes. He roared, his overwhelming aura surging skyward as he attacked with his hammer.
WHOOSH!
Despite Xu Tai’s burly figure, his speed was unbelievably fast. In the blink of an eye, he crossed thirty paces. The massive hammer in his hand exuded a terrifying pressure, making everyone’s blood run cold.
"Captain Fang, we’ll help you!" Several escorts, seeing Xu Tai charge murderously towards them, immediately stepped forward, preparing to join forces and resist.
"All of you, get back!" Captain Fang’s expression changed drastically, but it was too late.
"You think you can stop me? Die!" Xu Tai laughed boisterously and swung his giant hammer horizontally. A terrifying force instantly erupted, creating a violent vortex of air around him that transformed into a raging cyclone several meters wide, blasting outwards.
BOOM!
With a deafening roar, three escorts at the Eighth Stage of the Hell Realm had no power to resist the cyclone. Amidst CRACKLING sounds, their Protective Gang Energy and armor shattered instantly. They spat blood and were sent flying, while the cyclone tore a large pit, several meters in diameter, into the ground.
"Rabble!" Xu Tai spat, an arrogant and untamed look on his face.
He certainly has some strength, Luo Feng thought, nodding slightly as he observed Xu Tai.
Although this man is only at the mid-stage of the Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm, his attacks are incredibly powerful due to his Innate Divine Strength.
The nearby escorts all looked grim. This Xu Tai was terrifyingly strong. Even three Eighth Stage Hell Realm masters joining forces were no match for a single blow from him. When he swung that giant hammer, it felt like an unstoppable mountain bearing down on them.
Everyone wondered who could possibly stop this man.
Luo Feng hesitated, wondering if he should intervene.
Just then, Captain Fang stepped forward.
"You’ve gone too far! Let me deal with you!" Captain Fang shouted coldly, taking a step forward. The longsword in his hand hummed, his body radiating a sharp aura that seemed to shred the air around him. His eyes locked onto Xu Tai as he thrust his sword forward.
SWISH!
The sword condensed a cyan Sword Gang, several meters long. With indomitable momentum, it slashed forward as if to cleave heaven and earth.
Xu Tai’s expression turned grave. He hadn’t felt it clearly before, but now, locked by the sword’s momentum, he realized the terrifying nature of this sword light. Before the Sword Gang even reached him, the chilling pressure made every pore on his body stand on end.
What superb Swordsmanship, Luo Feng thought, his eyes showing a hint of surprise as he watched Captain Fang’s move.
Although his Swordsmanship didn’t incorporate Sword Intent, it felt incomparably sharp. His mastery of the Sword Dao was clearly profound.
"Reverse Mountain Kill!" Facing the whistling cyan Sword Gang, Xu Tai’s aura intensified, and he let out a deafening roar.
The roar was like thunder, shaking the air like ripples on water. Xu Tai’s giant hammer conjured the phantom image of a mountain, which pressed down fiercely towards the cyan Sword Gang, as if to crush everything in its path.