We bear people have power

For people in the Tang Dynasty, a road paved with cement was something they could neither understand nor accept. They would only think it was a miracle, or a divine intervention.

As Third Master walked along, he stomped his feet on the ground in disbelief, finding that every inch of it was so solid. He even drew his small dagger from his waist and stabbed it a few times, but the blade was bent and only a scratch was left on the ground.

"This road... is fantastic!" Third Master exclaimed.

A road entirely paved with stone—I had always thought such a sight could only be found in a large city like Chang'an. But this road before me was far superior to the Zhuque Avenue in Chang'an, which was paved with stone slabs. This road was a single, continuous slab, without the uneven, bumpy ride typical of stone slab roads.

Third Master impatiently urged the caravan behind to catch up. The carriages traveled on the cement road, and the unprecedentedly smooth experience amazed them. If the entire journey were on such wide, smooth roads, the caravan's speed would increase by at least two or three times, and even when transporting valuable porcelain and jade, the damage along the way would be minimized.

As he walked, he was filled with amazement. Third Master was completely captivated by the cement road before him. As a shrewd businessman, he could easily see the road's special nature. Not to mention its great use as a trade route, it would be quite useful even within the city.

Just imagine if the city had roads like this, there would be no more muddy roads on rainy days, and no more puddles deep enough to trap half a car wheel. How many times cleaner would such a city be?

His thoughts drifted, and Third Master's entire attention was focused on this magical road, leaving everything else behind.

They thought they would save a lot of effort along the way, but the convoy encountered trouble after traveling half a mile on the cement road.

"Third Master, there are people blocking the road ahead, saying they want to collect a toll," the caravan's scout reported, turning around.

"Toll fees? How many people?" Third Master asked, puzzled.

"Not many, only about ten. They blocked the road, saying they built it and wanted to collect a toll."

"Hey, these days, even ten people dare to rob someone on the road, they're incredibly audacious. Take thirty men and take care of them. Remember, try to avoid killing anyone," Third Master ordered.

My good mood, which was initially brought about by the paved road, was almost entirely ruined by these guys who were robbing me. It's really frustrating.

"This road is mine, this tree is mine; if you want to pass, leave your toll." Third Master had heard this kind of dialogue before, and he had even said it himself. If the other side had a large number of people, he would give them some money to ensure their safety. But with only ten people, he would show his strength to prevent any Tom, Dick, or Harry from taking advantage of him.

Third Master was confident that he could handle the situation well.

The caravan spun out thirty or forty men, who charged forward with long wooden clubs. These weapons were all the more powerful the longer they were; three to five men could use them as spears, which was enough to deal with ordinary bandits.

They thought they had it in the bag, but before long, the scout came running back with a bruised and swollen face, saying, "Third Master, those who blocked our way were too strong, we couldn't beat them."

Upon hearing this, Third Master was so angry that he jumped three feet high.

"Useless! All of you are useless! Thirty or forty men, and you can't even beat ten of them. Did you grow up eating shit?!" Third Master cursed viciously, whipping the man repeatedly.

The scout was whipped so badly he cried out in pain, but he still managed to explain, "Third Master, it's not that I didn't try, but there's a master on the other side! All thirty-seven of us went together, but he beat us all back by one person!"

These words nearly scared the Third Master half to death. One man against dozens, and these were the caravan's most skilled fighters, adept at combined attacks. These men were known for their grueling training and high stamina; they could hold their own against armies from small countries for several rounds.

I never expected these bandits blocking the road to be so skilled. A master like that could easily become a general in any small country, so why would he choose to be a bandit?

He couldn't understand it, but the caravan couldn't turn back. Third Master looked at the three thousand prisoners being escorted, gritted his teeth, and urged his horse forward, wanting to personally confront these formidable "bandits."

The clatter of hooves on the cement road was pleasant to hear; such a road was indeed soothing. But when Third Master reached the person blocking his way, his face instantly drained of color.

Because he saw a red flag fluttering in the wind, with a hammer and sickle emblem printed in the center, carrying a sense of weight and sharpness that made him dare not look directly at it.

He practically tumbled off his horse and rushed to the ten men blocking his way, kowtowing and saying, "I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. Please forgive me for offending the heroes of Sickle Hammer City."

Good heavens, Third Master now has an urge to tear that scout to pieces. Is that guy blind? Can't he see such an obvious hammer and sickle emblem?

Back when the fire worms ravaged the land, thousands were slaughtered like pigs and dogs. Then, Zhang Yuanshan single-handedly stopped the worms with his sword, a display of divine power that left a deep impression on Third Master.

The people in Sicklehammer City are all masters, masters, masters of masters. That was Third Master's first impression of Sicklehammer City. Don't be fooled by the fact that his caravan, including prisoners, numbers nearly four thousand. If these ten people in front of him were to actually fight, even twice as many wouldn't be enough to kill them.

He glanced furtively at the men he had sent out; they were all lying on the ground, bruised and battered. The only saving grace was that, apparently, no one had died.

Judging from this scene, these people from Sicklehammer City seem to be quite easy to talk to, not the type to kill someone at the slightest disagreement.

Although he didn't know why the people of Sicklehammer City had turned into highway robbers, he had to please these old men no matter what the reason, or he would definitely lose his life here.

"Which caravan are you from? You've got some nerve, daring to fight with the people of Sicklehammer City?" The one who spoke was a boy who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old. He was the one who had just beaten up these thirty-seven people with his bare hands.

If it weren't for the need to send one back to report, none of them would have escaped.

"No, no, I was blind to your greatness. I don't know how this young hero addresses Steward Zhang Yuanshan. I've met him once before," Third Master said, trying to establish a connection.

"Come on, you say we only met once? Last time, it was you who teamed up with others to ambush our caravan. I was even kidnapped by two experts you sent. This is truly a case of old grudges and new ones!" the young man said through gritted teeth.

This was Zuo Lingfeng, who had been ambushed by the Black Wind Duo and suffered a great loss of face in the caravan. However, the Black Wind Duo were considered his elders, and now that they had joined Sickle Hammer City, he couldn't vent his anger on them. Now that the Chechi Kingdom caravan had made the first move, it was a good opportunity for him to settle old scores.

Cold sweat dripped down Third Master's forehead. The situation was too chaotic at the time, and he really didn't remember all the people from Sickle Hammer City.

"I deserve to die! I really didn't mean to offend you. We thought we had encountered bandits robbing us on the road. We had no idea you were from Sickle Hammer City!" Third Master tried his best to explain.

"What highway robbery? We call this collecting tolls. Do you think this heavenly road came about? It was created by our city lord using his great magic. You mortals take such a good road, and you dare to complain about the tolls we collect?" Zuo Lingfeng cursed.

"This...this road was built by Sicklehammer City?"

Although he knew the road didn't appear out of thin air, Third Master never expected that it was actually built by Sickle Hammer City.