On this perilous mountain road, Jiang Yan and Su Jinli knew they had to remain calm and find a way to cope. Jiang Yan frowned slightly, peering through the cracks in the car window as he carefully observed the bandit leader and his men, quickly calculating the relative strength of both sides. He knew these bandits might appear fierce, but if they could find a weakness, they had a fighting chance. Su Jinli, on the other hand, clutched the oil-paper bag at her waist tightly, silently praying that the chili powder would prove effective at the crucial moment.
Though a little nervous, Young Marquis Su remained firmly clasped, his toy sword firmly in hand as he stood before the carriage, fearlessly confronting the bandits. His eyes shone with stubborn determination, as if to tell them they would not yield easily. Meanwhile, in the next carriage, Su Qingyao, after a brief moment of panic, gradually calmed down. Knowing panic was futile, she carefully put away her dressing case and grasped a pair of scissors at her side, ready to confront the bandits if necessary.
At this moment, the mountain wind grew increasingly fierce, rustling everyone's clothes. Seeing that Jiang Yan and the others didn't respond immediately, the bandit leader assumed they were frightened and laughed triumphantly. "What? Scared? If you know what's good for you, hand over your property quickly, or else, don't blame me for being rude!" He brandished his ghost-head knife, the cold light reflected from the blade flickering in the twilight, as if threatening everyone's life.
Jiang Yan took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Who are you? Why are you pretending to be bandits and robbing people?" His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the silent forest, as if carrying an invisible deterrent. The bandit leader was stunned. He didn't expect Jiang Yan to be so calm and see through their disguise. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his fierce look. "Hmph! Stop talking nonsense! I am a bandit, and today you can't escape!" He roared, holding the ghost-head knife high in his hand, as if ready to chop down.
Su Jinli watched the bandit leader's actions and knew in her heart that she could no longer sit and wait for death. She quietly opened the oil paper bag and held the chili powder in her hand, ready to surprise the bandits at the right time. Jiang Yan noticed her movements and nodded slightly. He knew that he had to seize the opportunity at this moment to subdue these bandits in one fell swoop. Just as the bandit leader was about to rush over, Jiang Yan suddenly pushed open the car door and flew out. The Qingfeng sword in his hand was instantly unsheathed, and with a flash of cold light, he stabbed at the bandit leader like a lightning bolt. The bandit leader did not expect Jiang Yan to suddenly attack, and hastily raised his knife to block. The swords collided, making a crisp sound and sparks flying.
Seeing this, the other bandits shouted and rushed over. Young Marquis Su also joined the fray, brandishing his toy sword. Although his weapon was only a toy, his courage remained undimmed. He nimbly moved among the bandits, seeking opportunities to attack their weaknesses. Su Qingyao also rushed out of the carriage. While the scissors in her hands were not a powerful weapon, they could still serve as a deterrent in this tense battle.
Suddenly, shouts and cries of killing echoed across the mountain road. Jiang Yan's swordsmanship was fierce, each strike aimed squarely at the bandit leader. Though the bandit leader fought back vigorously, his strength gradually wore thin. Seizing the opportunity, Su Jinli slipped behind the bandits while their attention was focused on the battle. She suddenly threw the chili powder at the bandits, and a pungent smell filled the air. The bandits covered their eyes and coughed, their fighting power instantly dwindling.
Jiang Yan and Young Marquis Su seized the opportunity to launch an attack, quickly subduing the bandits. Seeing the situation was dire, the bandit leader attempted to flee, but Jiang Yan stabbed him in the shoulder with a sword, sending him crashing to the ground. Jiang Yan stepped forward, stomped on the bandit leader, and coldly demanded, "Tell me! Who are you? Why are you pretending to be bandits and wearing the insignia of the Jiangnan Booksellers' Alliance?" The bandit leader, helpless, revealed the truth. It turned out they were hired by the Jiangnan Booksellers' Alliance to steal Jiang Yan and Su Jinli's belongings and to intimidate them, in retaliation for the previous attack on them by Jinyun Bookstore during a disaster relief operation.
Jiang Yan and Su Jinli were furious upon hearing this. They hadn't expected the Jiangnan Booksellers Alliance to resort to such ruthless tactics. Jiang Yan looked at the bandit leader lying on the ground and said coldly, "Your actions have violated the laws of Dajing. I will hand you over to the authorities and see to it that you receive the punishment you deserve!" He then ordered his men to tie up the bandits and escort them to the nearby government office.
After this thrilling encounter, Jiang Yan, Su Jinli, and the others became even more vigilant. They knew the road ahead might be fraught with danger, but they believed that as long as they worked together, nothing could stop them. They continued their journey through the vast Taihang Mountains, and this terrifying experience on the mountain road would become an unforgettable memory in their lives, inspiring them to bravely face the challenges ahead.
As their carriage drifted further away, the twilight of the Taihang Mountains faded, and night slowly fell. Yet, this thrilling story on the mountain road, like a stone dropped into a tranquil lake, stirred ripples in everyone's hearts that would linger for a long time. Jiang Yan and Su Jinli knew that their lives might never be peaceful again, but they stood by each other, walking hand in hand. No matter what difficulties they encountered, they would face them together and write their own brilliant chapter.
After this, they proceeded with even greater caution. At each post station, Jiang Yan would carefully inquire about the local security situation, while Su Jinli would keep an eye on the people and events around them, alert for any further conspiracies from the Jiangnan Booksellers Alliance. Young Marquis Su and Su Qingyao also put aside their usual playfulness and capriciousness, remaining vigilant and cooperating closely with Jiang Yan and Su Jinli.
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