Unrestricted Dao Lord

The sky was just beginning to lighten when Zhang Su opened his eyes.

He had been in meditation for the entire night.

He had spent the whole night circulating his Qi Blood and refining Blood Replenishing Pills.

Although Qi Blood Realm Martial Artists were still mortal, if one trained their Martial Arts to a high enough Realm, they could substitute sleep with Meditation.

For instance, Zhang Su used Meditation with the Heaven-Swallowing Blood Nourishing Technique to replace his nightly sleep.

In fact, the effect was even better than sleeping.

After a night of Meditation, he had completely recovered his energy and was brimming with vigor.

Moreover, when he circulated his Qi Blood slightly, a faint smile appeared on his face.

’One hundred sixty wisps of Qi Blood.’

An increase of eight wisps from his previous one hundred fifty-two.

This was the result of a single night’s Cultivation of the Heaven-Swallowing Blood Nourishing Technique.

’The Heaven-Swallowing Blood Nourishing Technique at the Perfection Realm is terrifyingly efficient, just as I expected.’

Of course, the consumption of Blood Replenishing Pills was also high—a full four of them.

Still, he had finally returned to his previously "familiar" pace.

His Cultivation speed without Qi and Blood Pills had been far too slow.

So slow that Zhang Su found it unbearable.

Now that this familiar feeling was back, he felt an immense sense of peace and relief.

"Senior Brother, you’re awake. Here is your hot water and breakfast."

Zhao Feng respectfully brought over the hot water and breakfast.

The three of them handled all of Zhang Su’s daily chores very well.

Zhang Su didn’t have to do anything but focus on his Cultivation.

After eating breakfast and washing up, Zhang Su felt refreshed and invigorated.

He delayed no further, immediately getting up and walking out of the courtyard.

"I’m heading down the mountain."

"We’ll see you off, Senior Brother!"

Watching Zhang Su’s gradually receding figure, a touch of melancholy appeared on all three of their faces.

"Senior Brother has left the mountain. He’ll only be gone for a few days. We must properly complete the tasks he assigned us!"

Chu Dachuan said.

"Right. Let’s split up. Of the Ten Great Outer Disciples, we’ll each watch three..."

Chu Dachuan and the other two quickly divided up their tasks.

They were now full of motivation.

They were just waiting for Zhang Su to return and challenge the Ten Great Outer Disciples.

When that moment truly came, they would share in the glory!

...

"Giddy-up."

On the wide official road, a little red horse galloped away.

Zhang Su was currently riding the Little Red Horse.

It was a horse he had rented from the Sect.

Despite its seemingly small frame, it was a genuine thousand-li steed.

Zhang Su had also changed his attire.

In the Sect, he wore the uniform of an Outer Disciple.

But down the mountain, this uniform was too conspicuous.

Within the Sect, an Outer Disciple was practically nothing, considered expendable at best.

But down the mountain, even an Outer Disciple of the Guiyuan Sect was still a famous Major Sect Disciple.

No one would dare to disregard a Major Sect Disciple.

Therefore, to avoid trouble, Zhang Su had changed into plain clothes.

Zhang Su rode the Little Red Horse, galloping for the entire morning.

By noon, he had reached a small town.

He planned to stop and rest his feet.

The town was not prosperous, and its population was rather sparse.

Zhang Su arrived at an inn.

It was the only large inn in town.

"Sir, will you be stopping for a meal or staying the night?"

"Just a meal."

Zhang Su casually pointed to the Little Red Horse.

"Take good care of my horse."

"Right away, sir."

Then, the attendant shouted into the inn, "One for a meal!"

Zhang Su noticed many carriages in the open space outside the inn.

There were also Escorts standing guard around the carriages.

Clearly, this was an Escort Agency on a job, most likely also stopping at the inn to rest.

This was a common sight.

These were turbulent times.

The roads were filled with bandits.

Some valuable goods required an Escort Agency to ensure they reached their destination safely.

This was also the first time Zhang Su had seen an Escort Agency on a mission.

So, he took a few extra glances.

But those few extra glances put some of the Escorts on alert.

These Escorts were old hands in the Jianghu.

They had sharp, discerning eyes.

Although Zhang Su was in plain clothes, the unmistakable air of a "Martial Artist" couldn’t be concealed.

As Zhang Su walked into the inn, one of the Escorts immediately hurried inside after him and reported to a Leader of the Escort in a corner.

"Chief of the Escort, keep an eye on that man..."

After hearing the report, the Chief of the Escort narrowed his eyes, carefully sizing up Zhang Su.

He paid particular attention to the sword in Zhang Su’s hand.

"He doesn’t have the air of a bandit. His temperament is quite mild. He doesn’t look like someone from the Jianghu; more like a young master out for a stroll. Perhaps he’s just curious. No need to be so tense."

The Chief of the Escort, Li He, said.

Li He was the Chief of the Escort of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency. In the Jianghu, he was known as "Ghost Head Saber." His Saber Technique was both sharp and unorthodox, making him an extremely difficult opponent.

In his youth, Li He had roamed the Jianghu and made a name for himself.

After growing older, he founded the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

Thanks to the reputation he had built in the Jianghu, the Zhenyuan Escort Agency’s business was flourishing.

However, as Li He grew older, he gradually handed the business over to his son.

This time, because the goods were extremely valuable, he was personally overseeing the mission.

"Father, that man looks so delicate and fair-skinned, not like someone who knows Martial Arts. But that sword of his is quite nice. What a waste..."

A woman disguised as a man next to Li He spoke in a low voice.

This was Li He’s daughter, Li Xiaoman.

She had pestered Li He into letting her join this escort mission to see the world.

Li He’s expression turned stern. He tapped his daughter’s hand with his chopsticks and said in a low voice, "Don’t gossip about people behind their backs. That’s a rule of the Jianghu! Some masters have incredibly sharp senses. Even from a great distance, they can hear things ordinary people cannot."

"Besides, you’re mistaken this time. That young master is likely from a prestigious family, perhaps even a Major Sect Disciple. He probably cultivates superior Martial Arts. Why would he be like us Jianghu Martial Artists, needing to temper his strength day after day and ending up covered in injuries?"

After speaking, Li He immediately raised his wine cup, bowed in Zhang Su’s direction, and said loudly, "Honored sir, please forgive me. My daughter was rude. If she has offended you, this old man apologizes!"

With that, he immediately tilted his head back and drank the cup in one go.

The others were still confused.

Why was the Chief of the Escort apologizing to that young master-like man?

The next moment, Zhang Su lifted his head and glanced at Li Xiaoman and Li He with a half-smile.

"Chief of the Escort, you are too kind. It’s a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

After speaking, Zhang Su also drank a cup.

Hearing this, the others were startled into realization.

So that young master was truly a "master"!

He could hear their conversation from so far away.

At once, everyone’s admiration for the Chief of the Escort grew even stronger.

’He truly is an old hand in the Jianghu. His judgment is so sharp.’

"Father, did I cause trouble...?"

Li Xiaoman tugged on Li He’s sleeve.

Her face was bright red.

"Now you’re scared? The Jianghu is full of capable people. In the future, you can’t go around gossiping behind people’s backs."

Li He lectured.

"Yes, Father."

Li Xiaoman lowered her head, not daring to speak carelessly again.

"Little Sister, you came out this time to gain experience. Don’t worry about it."

Just then, Li Xiaoman’s older brother, Li Wushi, walked over and patted his sister’s head reassuringly.

"Father, stop scaring Little Sister."

Li Wushi said with a smile.

"You all have spoiled her to this point. She doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth..."

After a pause, Li He’s expression grew grim, and he asked in a low voice, "How is it? Is everything clear in the vicinity?"

Li Wushi had gone out to scout the area.

This escort mission was no small matter. Li He was cautious with every step, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

"Father, we’ve been to this town many times. There’s nothing wrong. I also asked around; there haven’t been any outsiders in town recently."

"Good. This trip is too important. Perhaps I’m just being paranoid..."

Li He breathed a small sigh of relief.

CLOP CLOP CLOP.

Suddenly, a thunderous sound of horse hooves erupted from outside.

Li He and Li Wushi shot to their feet.

"It’s a group of riders, and at least thirty of them!"

Li He’s expression changed.

Instantly, the Escorts from the Zhenyuan Escort Agency grew tense.

Soon, a group of people on horseback arrived outside the inn.

Their attire was varied.

But they all held weapons in their hands, and their faces wore unruly and defiant expressions.

They even exuded a thick, murderous aura.

Li He was an old hand in the Jianghu.

He recognized the identity of this group at a single glance.

"Is that Mr. He of Feitian Ridge?"

Li He shouted loudly.

At this, a burly, heavily bearded man from the crowd sneered, "That’s right, it’s me. Chief Li, I’ve heard of your great reputation. Therefore, today I’ve come only to rob your cargo, not to kill!"

"I hope Chief Li will make things easy and not bring trouble upon himself!"

Li He’s heart sank.

He naturally knew of He Xiongfei of Feitian Ridge.

He was a notoriously fierce bandit.

However, He Xiongfei usually stayed on Feitian Ridge and rarely came down the mountain.

Moreover, although He Xiongfei was a fierce bandit, Li He had almost never heard of him robbing an escort agency.

Why mobilize such a large force this time, personally leading dozens of riders down the mountain, just to rob an escort?

But at this point, the reason why He Xiongfei had mobilized his forces to rob them was no longer important.

What was important was that Li He had to protect this shipment.

This shipment was too valuable.

If he couldn’t protect it, the Zhenyuan Escort Agency would be finished.

But the opposing party had dozens of riders, each one a ruthless bandit who would kill without blinking an eye.

If they were to charge in recklessly, everyone from the Zhenyuan Escort Agency would likely die.

After weighing his options for a moment, Li He took a deep breath and shouted, "Mr. He, I am the Chief of the Escort for the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, and I cannot afford to lose this shipment. But since you have come all this way, you can’t leave empty-handed either."

"How about this? I will personally experience your skills, Mr. He. If you lose, please take your men and leave. If I lose, I will concede the shipment."

"What do you think, Mr. He?"

For a moment, everyone’s gaze turned to He Xiongfei.