Chapter 25: The Unpredictability of Meetings and Partings

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Night, pitch-black.

Within Golden Sands Valley, the mining guard camp was ablaze with light. All the members of the mining guard had gathered, feasting and drinking with abandon, tearing into chunks of meat and downing cup after cup of wine.

Since Jiang Chen had taken up residence in Golden Sands Valley, the mining guard’s most important task, besides their daily patrols and defense, was hunting. Life had been hard, so none of them were willing to let this opportunity for indulgence slip by.

At the head of the hall, Bear Li drank deeply, taking in the revelry before him with satisfaction.

“Qian Wen may be soft-boned, but he certainly knows how to handle things,” he thought, a sense of pride welling up inside. Life had indeed been tough since he’d followed Jiang Chen to Golden Sands Valley, but fortunately, Qian Wen was sensible and often arranged for him to have some meat and wine. Tonight’s banquet was Qian Wen’s special arrangement to thank the mining guard for their efforts in keeping the valley safe.

Just as Bear Li was enjoying his self-satisfaction, something stirred in his arms, making him start with a jolt.

“Master, let’s go rest. I want to…” a sweet, seductive voice whispered by his ear. Looking down into the beautiful woman’s eyes, brimming with desire, Bear Li felt a sudden rush of heat. His temper was already running high tonight.

“Haha! Since you wish it, how could I refuse…” He laughed heartily, tossed aside his wine cup, and scooped the beauty into his arms, striding toward the rear courtyard.

This woman had originally been Qian Wen’s concubine. He’d first set eyes on her during a banquet and been immediately smitten, though he’d restrained himself, knowing Qian Wen’s position. But after another gathering, when he’d drunk too much, he had lost control.

He thought Qian Wen would seize the opportunity to complain to Jiang Chen and was wracked with regret, blaming the wine. Yet, to his surprise, after a moment’s silence, Qian Wen not only handed the concubine over to him but even provided a dowry.

From then on, their relationship changed. Though Bear Li still looked down on Qian Wen somewhat, he had to admit that the man was worth befriending.

Seeing their leader so uninhibited, the mining guard members threw caution to the wind and grew ever more unruly.

Seated among the crowd, drinking and watching the scene unfold, Vice Captain Hu Yong’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“Bear Li, enjoy your final pleasure while you can.”

Lowering his gaze, Hu Yong drained his cup in one go.

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At the same time, in his own courtyard, Qian Wen waited anxiously until a subordinate arrived with a report, at which point his expression finally changed.

“Beauty and wealth—nothing unsettles a man more. Bear Li may be strong, but he’s only a big lout who’s never seen the world.”

Knowing Bear Li had taken the bait, Qian Wen’s heart was finally at ease.

“Bear Li, go on your way. Next time, remember: other men’s women are not so easily bedded.”

Casting a glance toward the mining guard’s direction, Qian Wen let out a cold laugh.

In truth, his original intention in befriending Bear Li was to extract more information about Jiang Chen, since Bear Li and Skinny Monkey were Jiang Chen’s trusted men. He hadn’t planned to kill Bear Li so soon. But the third boss had made his decision, and Qian Wen could only obey.

Given the circumstances, Bear Li and the mining guard had become a major obstacle—one that had to be removed.

“The mining guard is the strongest armed force in Golden Sands Valley. Without them, Jiang Chen alone could never defend the valley. He’s not even a second-rank warrior, and even if he were first-rank, it wouldn’t matter. The weakest regular member of the Quicksand Bandits is second rank.”

Looking toward the southern slope and seeing it as calm as ever, Qian Wen began his final preparations, burning all the account books. After tonight, every trace would be wiped away.

Not long after, five small boats slipped close to the valley under cover of darkness. With the twang of arrows, the guards on the wooden towers fell dead, and dozens of bandits set foot on Golden Sands Valley’s land with ease.

As for the mining guard, responsible for the valley’s defense, they were too drunk to react at all.

Before long, shouts, screams, and the sound of slaughter shattered the night’s silence, followed by flames spreading like they would burn a hole through the darkness.

On the southern slope, before a courtyard, Jiang Chen stood in silence, watching the scene unfold, with Mouse Tianjiao crouched at his side and Stone and Wang Yuan standing behind him.

The third boss’s decision to strike at the valley had been made on a whim, leaving Qian Wen with little time to cover his tracks. Some unusual behavior had caught Wang Yuan’s attention, and with Mouse Tianjiao’s help, they’d uncovered a few clues.

Just then, a figure scrambled up the slope—moving with the agility of a monkey.

“Chief, it’s confirmed—they’re Quicksand Bandits.”

Skinny Monkey reported his findings to Jiang Chen.

At this news, Stone and Wang Yuan’s faces changed slightly. The Quicksand Bandits’ reputation was infamous. If the River Bandits were local warlords, the Quicksand Bandits were a scourge of the entire Southern Jing Kingdom. The tales of Gathering and Scattering Quicksand were household legends. Rumor held that they counted not only first-rate fighters among their number, but even martial arts grandmasters.

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“The third boss is actually colluding with the Quicksand Bandits…” Wang Yuan was filled with shock and disbelief, instinctively wanting to say more.

But when he saw Jiang Chen, solid and unmoving like a pine tree, he fell silent.

“Gathering and scattering, ever-changing—that’s Quicksand. What an intriguing organization.”

Reflected in Jiang Chen’s dark pupils was the glow of fire. The appearance of the Quicksand Bandits did not shake his composure; if anything, it piqued his interest.

In order to understand his surroundings, Jiang Chen had spent these days gathering information through various channels, some of which pertained to the Quicksand Bandits. In Southern Jing, they were infamous, blamed for every evil deed under the sun. Yet few knew their true origins: Quicksand had begun as a society for seeking immortality, founded by a group of martial grandmasters in pursuit of the immortal path. They welcomed all fighters, regardless of background, in hopes that together they could reach transcendence. Over time, however, the organization changed, gaining the reputation of banditry.

“Chief, about Bear Li…” Skinny Monkey hesitated, seeing Jiang Chen deep in thought.

At that, Jiang Chen’s gaze flickered.

“He had his chance. He failed to seize it. Everyone must answer for their own choices.”

His tone was flat, but his meaning clear.

Skinny Monkey could only bow his head in silent assent. His relationship with Bear Li was never particularly close, but it was cordial enough. He had tried, both openly and discreetly, to warn Bear Li not to get too involved with Qian Wen, but whether Bear Li failed to understand or simply chose to ignore the warning, it had made no difference.

“Desire is a blade hanging overhead,” Skinny Monkey sighed to himself, lowering his eyes. Qian Wen, after all, had tried to approach him as well, but had always been rebuffed.