At the same time, Qin Shaoping deliberately got up earlier than usual and hurriedly made his way to the training grounds.
Over the past few days, he had developed a certain camaraderie with Bai Ziyue. Yesterday, he heard some news about Bai Ziyue from his mentor, which he couldn't wait to share.
"No wonder the five supervisors didn't recruit any disciples; someone more important had taken notice of him.
But thinking about it, given his talent, it would be abnormal if he weren't valued.
With 'him' involved, the five supervisors naturally had to give up."
Qin Shaoping walked around the training grounds, feeling happy for Bai Ziyue.
"Why is he so late today? He usually arrives quite early."
Glancing at the sky, Qin Shaoping felt puzzled.
Over the past few days, even if he got up early, Bai Ziyue would already be standing at the training grounds, beginning his practice.
But today, clearly past the usual training time, Bai Ziyue was still not there.
...
Leaving the Sunburst Gang Branch, Bai Ziyue subtly surveyed his surroundings.
He remained vigilant against the Ghost-Nurturing Evil Cultivator, ready to withdraw and abandon his plan at the first sign of trouble.
Fortunately, there was no one around, especially no ghost souls lurking, so Bai Ziyue quickly departed.
"From Qinghe Town to Wujiang County, the fastest route is naturally by water, which usually takes half a day.
But Liu the Sixth had already offended the water bandit leader, Water Immortal. Taking the water route would be walking into a trap.
Therefore, he will definitely travel by land."
Bai Ziyue analyzed in his mind, his steps unwavering.
During his two months at Ming Pearl Restaurant, he had gotten used to heading to the slaughterhouse at the break of dawn, so he quickly walked through North Street and gradually reached West Street.
From afar, the gate of Qinghe Town came into view.
He certainly wouldn't wait at the entrance of Wuwei Escort Agency, which would be easily noticed and unnecessary.
So, he chose to wait on the path they had to take.
"From Qinghe Town to Wujiang County, there are three land routes.
One is the main road, another is a side road, and the last is a mountain path.
Among these, the main road has a section occupied by Ghost Head Stronghold, which should not be their first choice."
Ghost Head Stronghold had an intimidating presence in Qinghe Town, enough to stop children from crying.
This time, Liu the Sixth would undoubtedly flee Qinghe Town with all his belongings. Taking the main road and encountering people from Ghost Head Stronghold would be disastrous.
Thus, Bai Ziyue judged that they would likely take one of the other two routes.
And whether it was the side road or the mountain path, they would pass through a certain place.
"Bullhead Mountain!"
Bai Ziyue had thoroughly investigated before deciding to take action.
The side road and mountain path both fork at Bullhead Mountain.
"Therefore, if the water bandit leader Water Immortal plans to ambush Liu the Sixth, he will surely set up the ambush around Bullhead Mountain.
And I must find a hiding place nearby."
Bai Ziyue thought quietly to himself.
He had never intended to personally confront and kill Liu the Sixth.
Not to mention the opponent's abilities.
Having the confidence to take this escort mission, Wuwei Escort Agency would surely send skilled and capable personnel to ensure it goes smoothly.
Despite his confidence, Bai Ziyue dared not face the escort agency directly.
External Forging has three stages: External Forged Skin, External Forged Flesh, and External Forging of Tendons and Bones.
Bai Ziyue estimated that, though he hadn't started External Forging yet, he had mastered the One-character Punch to Great Success and Eighteen Linked Blades to Small Success, making him capable of confronting Martial Artists of External Forged Skin level.
Against those at the External Forged Flesh or even External Forging of Tendons and Bones stage, he would struggle.
Boom!
As Bai Ziyue approached the town gate, it happened to open.
Outside Qinghe Town, some villagers already lined up with their homegrown fruits and vegetables, paying the entry fee before being allowed inside.
Leaving Qinghe Town was free, and there were others like Bai Ziyue also heading out.
Merging with the crowd, he inconspicuously exited through the town gate.
From Qinghe Town to Bullhead Mountain, there was a stretch of seven or eight miles of the main road, about a yard wide, allowing the swift passage of a carriage.
Perhaps due to the recent rain, some sections held water, but in the winter cold, it had frozen into ice, crunching underfoot.
Bai Ziyue moved quickly, traversing the seven or eight miles of the main road swiftly, then veering onto a side path.
After some thought, he decided not to delve deeper into the side path, instead climbing a small hill beside it and hiding among dense bushes.
From there, he could oversee the travelers on both the main road and the side path.
Even though he judged that Wuwei Escort Agency would likely escort Liu the Sixth by one of the two routes to Wujiang County.
Still, better safe than sorry.
Given that he could deduce Wuwei Escort Agency's route past Bullhead Mountain, they surely had prepared defenses as well.
Moreover, if the water bandit Water Immortal also set an ambush near Bullhead Mountain, he would be walking into danger.
Life is irreplaceable. To snatch prey from a tiger's mouth, he needed utmost caution and preparation for all possible scenarios.
Thus, he decided to wait on the paths leading to Bullhead Mountain.
At most, he would follow them for a while afterward.
"Next is to wait. Hope my judgment is correct."
Bai Ziyue crouched in the bushes, feeling the cold as dew dropped on him, but he ignored it.
Fortunately, it was too cold for snakes or insects. He stayed safely among the bushes.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes…
Bai Ziyue remained vigilant, constantly monitoring his surroundings.
Occasionally, people passed along the main road.
Each time, Bai Ziyue scrutinized them until he confirmed they were not from the escort agency before relaxing.
Finally, half an hour later, Bai Ziyue's spirits lifted.
As daylight broke, he saw a group of individuals approaching from afar.
There were five people in total, four of them robust, braving the winter cold with rolled-up sleeves and thin clothing, clearly skilled martial artists.
Each carried weapons, and Bai Ziyue glimpsed a 'Wu' character on their sleeve.
He quickly determined they were the Wuwei Escort Agency's guards.
Among them, Bai Ziyue noticed a thirty-something, short and thin man with a backpack, walking steadily.
If Bai Ziyue was correct, this man should be Liu the Sixth.