After hearing Qin Xu's explanation, Qin Wei couldn't help but glance at Qin Yi.
Qin Yi should be the strongest Wu Tu, right?
Noticing the look, Qin Yi immediately shot back a glare, then faced Qin Xu: "Master, after Dragon Martial Way comes the Jun Martial Way, right? Can you tell us about it?"
Qin Xu smiled faintly, glancing out the window: "That will have to wait until after you deal with the upcoming crisis."
"Crisis?" Qin Yi asked, puzzled. Then he noticed Qin Wei's body suddenly tense, ears twitching, eyes alert, scanning the direction of the window where their master sat.
Qin Yi froze for a moment, then reacted instinctively, placing both hands on the bronze sword at his waist, his expression equally alert, watching outside.
"Awwooo…" A howl, wolf-like but distinctly human, echoed from the dense forest on the mountainside.
The carriage came to a stop.
Qin Wei frowned: "This isn't a wolf howl—it's human… About ten people, by the sound of it."
Qin Yi nodded seriously, agreeing, then said: "They're shouting to intimidate us, just like predators do when hunting."
Qin Xu watched Qin Wei and Qin Yi, standing as if facing death, and smiled: "Good, Qin Yi, Qin Wei, then this crisis is for you to handle. I have only two requirements: do not unsheath your swords, and do not kill anyone. Go."
Qin Yi was first stunned. Even in a crisis, Qin Xu seemed completely unhurried.
Then he realized: this world is not like his previous life—it has extraordinary powers. Numbers alone do not guarantee advantage.
So, actually, they weren't in real danger?
Perhaps this was a test Qin Xu had set for them.
Although they hadn't met yet… Qin Yi felt a twinge of sympathy for the bandits coming to intercept them.
Qin Wei nodded decisively and jumped down from the carriage.
Qin Yi quickly bowed to Qin Xu, lifted the curtain, greeted Huang Lao, and followed, leaping down as well.
Once Qin Wei was on the ground, he fixed his gaze toward the forest and strode in that direction.
Qin Yi hurried after him, scanning the trees, whispering: "Should we lure them out and strike?"
Qin Wei gave him a disdainful look, shaking his head: "A group of Jianghu ruffians, even if more than ten, are just a mob. Nothing to fear."
This is a trial; if it's a trial, it's within their abilities. What's to fear?
Besides, if real danger arises, there's Uncle and Huang Lao.
Qin Yi thought for a moment, then shook his head, following Qin Wei into the forest, still lecturing: "Master, The Art of War says: 'One who does not prepare but suffers defeat, the enemy defeats himself.' Also: 'Do not advance into the enemy's formation.' And it also says…"
Qin Wei's temple veins throbbed in irritation. Finally, he shouted: "Stop! I've read The Art of War! I know the principles, but reality is reality, you need to adapt. If you're afraid, leave. Don't interfere with my fight!"
"Ridiculous! Afraid? Me?" Qin Yi puffed out his chest: "I'm just being cautious!"
Qin Wei shook his head and went ahead.
Qin Yi sighed. Even if they lured the enemies out, seeing their fearless posture, the bandits might not come. They could have used strategy, but…
He glanced at Qin Wei. Unspoken: What a pig teammate.
Qin Wei's temple throbbed again. Who's really the pig teammate?
Now is the pre-battle phase. Shouldn't all attention be on the enemy? Why is he chatting and quoting classics? Isn't he afraid of disturbing the battle focus?
"Shut up! Focus on the enemy!" Qin Wei growled.
Qin Yi immediately fell silent. First encounter with unknown enemies—it was natural to feel nervous and try to ease it by talking.
Suddenly, Qin Yi exclaimed: "Unsheath your sword! Master said, 'do not unsheath,' but if we wait until combat, it'll be too late!"
Qin Wei froze. Right—he had forgotten their uncle's instruction. After over a year of training, how could he make such a basic mistake?
He quickly went to unsheath the bronze sword. But just as he was about to, something unexpected happened…
Meanwhile, back at Hǔtóu Mountain with the bandits:
They hurried down the mountain, reaching the front of the carriage just before it left their territory.
As usual, they spread out, standing on the mountainside overlooking the carriage, letting out excited shouts.
Normally, such shouts would cause the carriage to stop, and the people inside would come down to negotiate, leaving ransom or valuables, and depart.
"Boss, the carriage stopped!"
The leader's lips curved into a smile. Very smooth so far! Negotiations would follow.
But when two children stepped out, everyone froze.
"Boss… why are they two little kids?"
Even the leader was puzzled. Usually, the negotiators were middle-aged or elderly, or at least adults. Never children.
As the leader pondered, the two youths walked straight toward him.
Before he could react, someone sneered: "What else? They look down on us! Boss, we've been too lenient lately; those we robbed aren't afraid of us anymore."
Monkey hesitated, whispering: "Could it be… they are what Master called 'hidden dragons and crouching tigers,' and that's why they aren't afraid and came to us?"
The leader hesitated, then commanded loudly: "No matter, tie them up!"