Chapter 91: The Tribulation of Fufeng Mountain
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Damn it! What is happening?!”
“Why are they chasing us relentlessly? They’re getting closer, and the pack keeps growing!” Sister Dong, a seasoned wanderer of the mountains, easily identified the direction of the wolves by their howls. Her face had turned pale as she spoke.
“It seems they’re rallying more wolves and closing in on us.” Her hands trembled as she wiped the sweat off her brow, leaning against a boulder for support.
Fufeng Mountain was notoriously difficult to defend and harder to attack. Its treacherous terrain teemed with wild beasts, making it near impossible for imperial troops to penetrate.
Scarface, his breathing labored, barked orders as he stumbled along. “Go back and inform the Chief! Have someone patrol the mountain immediately!”
Lu Chao Chao had been crying out with her childish “Awoo” all the way, her small mouth dry and parched. When she shook her milk bottle, it was empty. Sighing dejectedly, she slumped against Scarface’s back, her cries ceasing altogether.
Strangely enough, as soon as she quieted down, the wolves’ howling diminished. Even their pursuit began to wane.
Sister Dong, drenched in sweat, propped herself up against a rock and cursed. “What kind of madness is this tonight?”
“There are so many wolves on this mountain. Even if they surrounded our stronghold, we wouldn’t stand a chance. Fighting them would barely fill the gaps between their teeth.” She spat angrily, wiping her sweat-soaked face.
Though they were bandits, their forces were scattered across the mountain. If a wolf pack ever targeted their stronghold, it would take a heavy toll. The villages halfway up the mountain were no better off. Isolated and fiercely independent, these villages were ruled by their chiefs like petty kings. Many of the women there were abducted brides from outside.
Yuan Man’s expression grew contemplative, as if he had stumbled upon something significant. [Why do the wolves chase every time Chao Chao cries, but stop as soon as she’s quiet?]
After a grueling trek that lasted until midnight, they finally reached the halfway point of the mountain, where a small village stood. As they neared, patrol villagers spotted them.
“Who goes there?” From the darkness emerged a group of villagers, their torches lighting up the night.
Sister Dong waved them off nonchalantly. “It’s me. Move aside! I’ve brought some fine goods for the Chief.” Her reputation within the village carried weight, and the patrol quickly stepped aside.
A rat-faced man with a large mole on his face, which sprouted a few wiry hairs, leered openly at the abducted women in their group.
“Sister Dong, this batch is excellent. Can we, uh, have a bit of fun first?” The man swallowed hard, his eyes gleaming greedily. “These are leagues better than the ones you’ve brought in before.”
Sister Dong spat on the ground. “You wish! These are for the Chief.”
The man raised his hands placatingly. “Hey, just for fun! We’ll leave them intact, save their maidenhood for the Chief.”
Sister Dong snorted derisively and led the group onward. Behind her, the man cursed under his breath. “Ungrateful wretch! She’s only doing this to curry favor with the Chief!”
Lu Chao Chao, utterly exhausted, had dozed off by the time the first light of dawn revealed the mountain village gates through the morning mist. It was no wonder this place was easy to defend and difficult to attack. The path was riddled with checkpoints, and the dense fog at night made climbing almost impossible.
Disheveled and battered, they reached the gate, where Sister Dong negotiated with the guards. “This batch is premium stock. The Chief will surely be pleased. There are even two children, well-formed and perfect for future use.”
One of the guards, a lecherous man, pinched Sister Dong’s waist, earning a coquettish giggle from her.
“Let them through,” the guard ordered.
The abducted women were pushed forward, their feet bloodied and faces full of despair. Everyone knew that once you entered Fufeng Mountain, there was no escape. Among them, a maidservant dressed woman bit her lip, her eyes glinting with regret.
“Joining the Chief’s household is a blessing. I’m doing you a favor!” Sister Dong gloated. “If I were twenty years younger, I’d serve the Chief myself.” Her expression was envious. Who in Fufeng Mountain didn’t dream of serving the Chief?
She clapped her hands, giving orders. “Clean them up. Let’s see when the Chief will call for them.”
Her gaze fell on the two children. “Take this one to the Chief directly. He’ll like her,” she mused. Sister Dong recalled how the Chief’s beloved daughter, a brilliant child, had died young at two years old. The resemblance between that child and the baby in her arms was uncanny.
Sister Dong wasted no time presenting Lu Chao Chao to the Chief, who was in the great hall, supervising the inventory of their latest plunder.
“Store the gold and silver in the warehouse. Distribute the grain,” the Chief ordered. His tall stature and sharp, piercing eyes exuded an aura of dominance, though his bandit roots were evident in his mannerisms.
After Sister Dong explained her purpose, the Chief chuckled lightly and tossed her a gold ingot. She caught it eagerly, grinning so widely her teeth showed.
“Keep the children on the mountain,” the Chief commanded, his gaze lingering on Lu Chao Chao’s face.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Wo… Wo, Lu Chao Chao!” she replied, craning her neck to see his face.
Next to her, Yuan Man burst into tears. “I’m Yuan Man. Please, please send me home! My family… I’m the only heir of ten generations. They can’t lose me!” He sobbed miserably.
The Chief’s lips twitched as he smirked. “You’ve got some guts, little girl.”
“Guts?” Sister Dong interjected hastily. “Hardly! She’s just a clueless child. Doesn’t know better. Last night, when the wolves chased us, she claimed they were welcoming her to the mountain!” She shook her head.
The Chief sneered. “Home? No one leaves Fufeng Mountain once they’re here. Raise them here,” he waved dismissively, clearly uninterested in further discussion.
Sister Dong obediently led the children out, grinning ingratiatingly. “Lock them up for now. Let them adjust before letting them roam freely. Otherwise, they’ll always think of running away.”
She issued another order. “As for the women, give them three days of ‘training.’ Once they’re tamed, send them to the Chief’s quarters.” With that, she excused herself to use the latrine.
“Wo, wo want to go too!” Lu Chao Chao raised her hand.
Trailing behind, Yuan Man sniffled. “Aren’t you scared?”
Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Fun! So fun! My new friends, did you see them?”
“Your friends?” Yuan Man asked warily. “You mean… the wolves?”
“Yes, yes! My new friends!” she nodded enthusiastically. Imitating a bird call, she summoned a flock of small birds, which circled her, chirping as if communicating.
“You can understand them?” Yuan Man’s tears stopped, replaced by astonishment.
Chao Chao tilted her head, confused. [Isn’t it obvious?]
“Come on, let’s play! Shall we?” she asked slyly, her bright eyes darting about.
They stopped outside the latrine, and Chao Chao sniffed disdainfully. “So smelly!” An idea gleamed in her mind. [If it explodes, that would be so much fun!]
From her hidden stash, she pulled out a fire striker. No one had checked her for belongings. While Sister Dong was occupied, she lit the latrine’s pit and bolted, dragging Yuan Man along. Her stubby legs couldn’t carry her fast enough, so she rolled down the snow-covered slope.
Moments later, an earth-shaking explosion rocked the mountain.
“BOOM!”
“BANG!”
Flames shot skyward, followed by waves of noxious fumes. The latrine’s underground chambers, sealed for years and filled with volatile gases, had ignited.
Pinching her nose, Lu Chao Chao’s eyes gleamed with delight. In the distance, Sister Dong’s shrill screams echoed.
Chao Chao laughed gleefully. “So fun! So much fun!”
Yuan Man stared at her, dumbfounded. [Getting abducted with her might be Fufeng Mountain’s greatest calamity!]