Stone Mountain Town, Southern Border Of The Gracious Sword Mountains.
This was one of the four outskirt towns and the closest town to get to the Gracious Sword Sect.
Due to the less distance, it was also the most bustling town in its vicinity, and disciples usually took this route when getting to the Gracious Sword Sect.
This also gave a big boon to its economy, and it became one of the hotspots for caravans to rest and trade.
Like every other day, traders with their caravans were either here to business or refilling their supplies.
Among these caravans was a certain group, with only three people at the helm, a huge contrast to the others around them who had about forty to fifty in their entourage.
Even though this caravan attracted the eyes of many, the three were not much bothered about this.
They didn't need to care about getting attacked or losing their lives because their 'guards' would soon arrive here.
"Where are they?" One of the three men stood up from his place and asked.
They had been waiting since sunrise and were now feeling a bit impatient.
"They will arrive soon." Another man replied. And from his tone, it was pretty clear he was the leader among the three.
"Soon? Didn't you tell me this exact thing a few hours ago? We have been here since dawn, and it will be dusk in a few hours. What kind of guards have you hired this time?" The standing man replied with irritation.
"I told you already. They are from the sect. And they are doing important work. So don't talk bad about them; in fact, if you want to keep your life, it's better if you don't even talk to those disciples."
The man felt quite annoyed by this reprimand. It was them who made us wait, not us.
"Are they Inner Court Disciples?" He asked.
Only Inner Court disciples could make him have his guard up. He didn't care about the Outer Court disciples. As for the Core Disciples? Such high-ranking disciples wouldn't even step in this town, let alone agree to become guards.
In response, the man who was sitting just shook his head, "Don't get yourself killed."
"So they are just Outer Court disciples?" The standing man replied, and he turned towards the third man who hadn't spoken a word and said, "Pan De, how about we have some fun with those outer court disciples? They are too arrogant to make us wait, hmph!"
Pan De pursed his lips and shook his head, "Don't be an idiot. Use that little brain you have."
"What do you mean?" The man came close to Pan De. His eyebrows locked in a frown as he stood towering over Pan De.
Pan De raised his head and rolled back his eyes at him, "I don't care what you do, just don't drag me into this."
The man smirked, "You're a coward."
Pan De shrugged, "So be it. But I am using my brain."
"Brain? You're just afraid that-!"
"We're here."
Just as the man was about to finish his words, he suddenly heard a female voice from behind.
Turning his head, he was surprised to find nine teenagers in guard uniform, led by a female guard.
"Are you the ones sent by the sect?" The man who was sitting in the middle stood up.
The female disciple nodded her head, "Yes. You can call me Yuan Suchun."
The man cupped his fist, "My humble self is Qi Shen."
"And I am Fu Kai." The man who had been standing before interjected.
Noticing the attention, Fu Kai smirked and said, "Do you guys know how late you are?"
Yuan Suchun replied, "Well, the Sect didn't inform us about the time. And as soon as we got out of the sect, we hurried here."
"Oh? Reall? Do you think anyone will beli-!"
"Shut up, Fu Kai." Qi Shen pulled him back, and then turning his head towards the disciples, he replied with a wry smile, "Don't mind my friend, he's from a family who loves to court death."
"Hmph!" Fu Kai was disgruntled but didn't say anything else.
Yuan Suchun let out a small smile and said, "It's alright. Let's get to work - so, when will this caravan head out?"
Qin Shen smiled, "We're ready to go. It's just… I am not sure if we should start right now or wait till tomorrow dawn."
Yuan Shuchun, "Why wait? If everything is ready, let's move on. The journey is long, and we need to get to the destination in five days."
Qin Shen nodded, "Alright then, we will start right now. I hope we don't have to worry about the bandits along the way."
"Ah, is it the bandits that make you hesitant? Don't worry; we will handle them. You just need to take us to the destination as soon as possible."
After a moment of silence, Yuan Suchun gave a small smile and replied, "If you take a before the time is over, I might even give you something very special."
Qin Shen gulped and nodded his head.
Seeing his expression, most of the disciples couldn't help but have their lips curved up, 'Let's see if he still has this expression when he knows what this 'very special gift' is.'
Qin Shen, unaware of these thoughts, had already turned around and was tightening the lease on the Ferghana horses.
Yuan Shuchun turned towards the disciples and gestured towards Jun Xie.
Jun Xie frowned but stepped closer.
Yuan Shuchun pursed her lips and whispered, just loud enough for the disciples to hear, "I couldn't talk to you in the sect, but I think this is a good chance."
"For this mission - let's put our differences aside. You should have seen the peculiarity in the members selected and a few other hints that are pointing towards how there's a high chance we will face few ups and downs in this mission."
"What are you trying to say?" Jun Xie frowned.
"I want us to put our differences aside and work together. There's no need to act like bitter enemies. We both understand what it would mean if we returned to the sect after completing the mission."
"So, don't mess it up for any of us. Also, keep your illusions away from me.. Or I will forget this truce."