After having their tickets clipped, Qiang Zi, carrying Su Qing, followed Yu Dao Hen onto the train.
Yu Dao Hen had purchased compartment tickets and led Qiang Zi and Su Qing to a compartment.
Qiang Zi placed Su Qing on the bed and asked Yu Dao Hen, who was beside him, "Master Yu, what do we do now?"
Just as Yu Dao Hen was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed. "It's too late."
With that, he opened the door and walked out. Qiang Zi, with a grim expression, followed Yu Dao Hen out.
Stepping out of the compartment, they found the corridor on both sides surrounded by Guo Cun Hai and his men.
Guo Cun Hai's face broke into a smile. "Young Master Yu, fancy meeting you here."
Yu Dao Hen subtly signaled to Qiang Zi beside him, indicating that he and the two men behind him should deal with Guo Cun Hai and his three companions.
Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi simultaneously gripped the Kang Long Jian and Copper Coin Sword hidden at their waists, while Guo Cun Hai and his men had already grasped their crescent moon sabers.
Just as both sides were at a tense standoff, a voice called out from the front, "Everyone, please hold your hands."
Yu Dao Hen and Guo Cun Hai, along with their men, turned to look in the direction of the voice.
A man around forty years old, wearing a black suit, with a beer belly and a receding hairline, walked towards them.
The man bypassed Guo Cun Hai and stood between the two groups, cupping his hands. "I am Song Yi, the head of the Yunnan Provincial Supernatural Affairs Bureau."
Guo Cun Hai frowned. The involvement of the Supernatural Affairs Bureau made things complicated, especially with Song Yi present.
"Guo Cun Hai of Zhen Bao Men," Guo Cun Hai said, raising his hand in a fist.
Yu Dao Hen breathed a sigh of relief. With the Supernatural Affairs Bureau involved, Guo Cun Hai would likely not dare to make a move on the train, especially with Song Yi here.
Yu Dao Hen also raised his hand in a fist. "Yu Dao Hen of Midnight Spirit Shop."
"Master Guo and Young Master Yu, you are both prominent figures in the martial world. I don't interfere elsewhere, but here on this train, I ask you to grant me some face," Song Yi said, a smile on his face.
Guo Cun Hai and his men's expressions darkened. Although Song Yi spoke amiably and with a smile, there was an underlying sense of danger.
Guo Cun Hai remained silent. Song Yi was known in the martial world for his fearlessness, ranked eleventh on the Heaven Ranking. Despite his current smile, he could draw his sword and strike at your head the next moment; he was known as the Smiling Tiger.
There were even rumors that Song Yi could hold his own against experts on the Black Ranking.
Song Yi's amiable smile remained on his face.
Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi, hearing Song Yi's attempt at mediation, felt their tension ease. If he was the one intervening, then things were stable.
Guo Cun Hai pondered for a moment. This was the best opportunity to reclaim the soul-protecting bronze artifact, but it had to be Song Yi who showed up.
Guo Cun Hai cupped his hands. "Since Director Song has said so, I will grant you this favor."
Song Yi nodded, his amiable smile still on his face.
Guo Cun Hai led his four men away. Yu Dao Hen cupped his hands. "Thank you, Director Song, for your assistance."
Song Yi waved his hand. "I am merely concerned for the safety of the ordinary passengers on the train. I have long heard tales of Young Master Yu in the martial world, and meeting you today, I see you are indeed a man of great character."
Yu Dao Hen shook his head. "Director Song is too kind."
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while longer, and then Song Yi, stating he had other matters to attend to, took his leave.
Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi returned to the compartment. Qiang Zi let out a long sigh of relief. "Fortunately, it was the Smiling Tiger Song Yi who showed up. Otherwise, we would have been in trouble today."
Yu Dao Hen nodded. If Song Yi hadn't arrived in time, they might indeed have been in trouble. But he wondered why Song Yi would help them out of the blue.
"Guo Cun Hai wouldn't dare to act on the train, but it will be different once we get off," Yu Dao Hen reminded him.
Qiang Zi nodded. The current problem was what to do after they disembarked.
Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi were certain that as soon as they stepped off the train, Guo Cun Hai would lead his men to seize the soul-protecting bronze artifact.
Time passed quickly. As night fell, Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi took turns keeping watch. Although Song Yi had intervened, Guo Cun Hai might still renege on his word.
For three days, Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi essentially remained in the compartment, taking turns to use the restroom and eat.
This continued until the afternoon of the third day.
"Attention passengers, we have arrived at Yang Zhou City. Please ensure you have all your belongings."
Hearing the announcement, Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi exchanged glances and nodded. Qiang Zi, controlling Su Qing, followed Yu Dao Hen out of the compartment.
As they exited the compartment, they saw Guo Cun Hai approaching them with four other men.
The train was crowded. Yu Dao Hen led Qiang Zi into the throng of people, while Guo Cun Hai and his men pursued them. Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi exited the train with the crowd.
Upon leaving the train station, Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi approached a taxi. Yu Dao Hen said, "To Jiang Du!"
The taxi driver sized up Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi. "Two hundred yuan."
Yu Dao Hen frowned. It usually cost only a hundred yuan. They really thought he didn't know how far Jiang Du was.
Yu Dao Hen took two hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to the taxi driver. "Go."
This was not the time to haggle. Under normal circumstances, he would never agree to such a losing deal.
Just as Qiang Zi opened the car door, a hand landed on his shoulder. Qiang Zi's expression changed. Seeing this, Yu Dao Hen reached for the Kang Long Jian at his waist.
"Young Master Yu, you'll have to come with us."
Yu Dao Hen turned and saw that the speaker was Guo Cun Hai.
The four men surrounded Qiang Zi and Su Qing. The taxi driver, sensing trouble, was about to drive away when Yu Dao Hen suddenly called out, "Give me my money back!"
The taxi driver quickly returned the money to Yu Dao Hen and then drove off.
Yu Dao Hen and Qiang Zi followed Guo Cun Hai towards a secluded area.
Yu Dao Hen exchanged a look with Qiang Zi, who was surrounded in the middle.
Qiang Zi nodded slightly. He suddenly drew the Copper Coin Sword from his waist and swung it horizontally at the four men. They all dodged, and Yu Dao Hen, right behind them, drew the Kang Long Jian from his waist and struck at Guo Cun Hai.
Guo Cun Hai drew his crescent moon saber and blocked Yu Dao Hen's strike. Qiang Zi grabbed Su Qing's hand and ran towards Yu Dao Hen.
As the four men were about to pursue Qiang Zi, Yu Dao Hen, seeing this, retreated with a push of his foot. He formed a hand seal and inhaled sharply, spitting flames from his mouth.
Guo Cun Hai took out his demon-repelling umbrella and opened it, blocking all the flames.
Yu Dao Hen's brow furrowed. This demon-repelling umbrella was truly troublesome to deal with.
Guo Cun Hai gripped his crescent moon saber and slashed at Yu Dao Hen, who could only grip his Kang Long Jian to block Guo Cun Hai's attack.
The other four men, gripping their crescent moon sabers, pursued Qiang Zi. Yu Dao Hen's expression changed. Given Qiang Zi's current condition, he could only fend off one person.
Thank you to [Er Gou Zi], [User 69014327], [Mi Shi], [Ning Meng Shui], [Jue Wu Zhi Di Ji Shi Yong Heng], [Zhi Xia], [Liang Ke Ke], [Mie A], [Wu Xin], [Ai Chi Su Chao Yang Cong De Gu Lin Na], [Wu Duan Shang Xiong Xie], [Yi Quan Xiao Zhang], [Fen Yue Ling Zhu], [Fen Yue Ling Zhu], [Bei Wei Hou Xuan], [User 58282513], [Zang Xin], [User 14157644], [Ai Chi Zi Zuo Dan Ta De Cai Yi Cong], [Jin Chuan Chu Ye], [Ai Chi Nai Lao Tu Si Cui De Han Yuan], [Ai Chi Shuo Suan Xiang Wan Dou De Zhang Hui Yun], and [Jiu Jiao Wo Ba Ba] for your gifts. Thank you for your support.
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Author's Notes: