Liu Pingkang, "What you’re saying sounds easy, but do you know they are court convicts? Taking them away is no different from taking our lives. Today, either leave them behind or leave your lives."

If this family were unfortunate and died on the way to exile, it wouldn’t be their responsibility. But if they were captured by these people and the court pursued it, they might be charged as accomplices. They all knew the gravity of the situation.

So they all drew their swords, surrounding the people in the middle.

The families originally gathered here had also taken the opportunity to quickly retreat.

Gu Kaiyuan had also heard the commotion earlier and had Zhuang Datou protect Bai Suihe before hurrying over to the escorts.

Seeing the disheveled family in the center, Gu Kaiyuan lamented his past life efforts for a thankless cause.

In his past life, with the Bai Family’s ten thousand silver notes as a foundation, they had purchased many supplies.

Fearing that someone might have evil intentions, Gu Kaiyuan took the first night watch. As soon as these people arrived, he noticed it.

In a rush, he woke his family and shielded the Gu Family, preventing them from falling into the hands of the black-clad attackers.

With the help of the escorts, the group of black-clad attackers was quickly driven away.

However, he was injured, slashed in the back and arm, and because he didn’t apply medicine in time, the wounds festered.

Recalling those dark days, Gu Kaiyuan reassured himself that his choice was right.

"Brothers, capture them for me." Liu Pingkang didn’t have time to haggle with them and gave the order directly.

If they didn’t act, and the people were lost, they would face even worse consequences when reported back.

Both sides began to fight. Gu Kaiyuan tried several times to break through, but was always pushed to the periphery.

Chen Dafu had his two sons hold him, "Gu Family’s third nephew, are you trying to get yourself killed? Why are you rushing in when they’re fighting?"

"But my parents are still in there," Gu Kaiyuan said anxiously.

"Everyone knows your parents are in there, but do you plan to fight them barehanded?" Chen Dafu said sternly, rummaging behind him before handing him a big stick.

Unwillingly, he handed it over, "I use this for walking, don’t break it."

Gu Kaiyuan, "..."

"Is the child scared senseless?" Mrs. Chen, who had been watching the fight, saw Gu Kaiyuan quiet down and asked curiously, "Didn’t my husband give you a weapon? Go on!"

"Oh," Gu Kaiyuan took the stick. In his past life, Chen Dafu’s family had stayed far away, yet here they were watching the show.

Holding the stick, Gu Kaiyuan charged back in, swinging wildly, but each hit landed on the black-clad attackers.

Not knowing who slashed him in his past life, he considered this as repayment with interest.

The escorts already outnumbered them, and with Gu Kaiyuan causing chaos, the black-clad attackers became overwhelmed.

The attackers who had been clutching the Gu Family released them, "Retreat!"

Gu Baijiang was pushed to the ground, landing on the nearly extinguished fire pit.

With a wail, Gu Baijiang clutched his head, rolling on the ground.

Gu Kaiyuan coldly watched it all. In his past life, his father, whom he protected desperately, showed him no kindness afterward.

Back then, traveling with festering wounds, he was often spurned for the stench and driven away by Gu Baijiang.

These attackers wouldn’t take his life, so some physical suffering was bearable.

The black-clad attackers fled, but the escorts were still furious.

Liu Pingkang looked at the Gu Family with cold eyes, "Tell me, what’s going on here?

We are escorting convicts, not acting as guards for the Gu Family.

This matter will be reported; if someone’s after your lives again, fend for yourselves."

"We have no idea what’s happening; we don’t know these people and have no enemies." Gu Baijiang endured the pain on his face, gritting his teeth, "I cannot explain court matters. Perhaps we unknowingly offended someone high up, and now they seek to destroy us. I will petition the emperor."

Just like before, though he knew the reason, he righteously blamed others instead.

"Petition the emperor?" Liu Pingkang sneered, "Don’t forget your current status. It’s not just the emperor; you can’t even request an audience with the county magistrate."

Seeing no answers, Liu Pingkang dismissed everyone, noting that without rest, they’d have no strength for the journey tomorrow. He only wanted to deliver them to Lingnan quickly.

But these attackers wouldn’t let it go, and indeed the incident needed to be reported, seeking aid or reassigning the Gu Family.

Gu Kaiyuan’s fearless actions, which helped quickly deal with the attackers, earned him Liu Pingkang’s appreciation.

He walked over and patted Gu Kaiyuan’s shoulder, "Although your Gu Family caused this trouble, your help earlier was commendable.

But you should also keep your family in line. If there’s more trouble, don’t blame me for not showing mercy."

Gu Kaiyuan knew the thin connection with Liu Pingkang wasn’t enough for significant assistance, so avoiding blame this time was fortunate.

"I understand, and I’ll speak with them," Gu Kaiyuan replied.

Moreover, those attackers shouldn’t have another chance to come back... 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Once the escorts left, keeping distance was still the norm around the Gu Family.

Only Chen Dafu came to retrieve the stick from Gu Kaiyuan, "It’s wise to have tools; they’re useful, right?

Don’t be rash and confront things barehanded; you’ll only suffer losses."

Chen Dafu looked at Gu Baijiang, "Mr. Gu, your son is commendable, filial and brave, though a bit impulsive."

Then disdainfully glanced at Gu Kaiping’s two brothers; these cowards hid behind their wives in fear, unable to aid their father and sibling, fortunate not to be part of the Chen Family, so disgraceful.

Gu Baijiang wished for a mirror, wanting to know the extent of his facial injuries.

If his features were damaged, no skill would gain him court approval.

"Quickly get a doctor," Gu Baijiang panicked, fearful of his family’s ruin if his face was damaged.

"Where can we find a doctor now?" Xu Huizhen, her limbs weak from nearly losing her life, replied, "In this desolate place, we can’t even determine directions."