Chapter 91: The Calamity of Fufeng Mountain
“Damn it, what on earth is happening? Why are they so relentlessly pursuing us, closing in with every moment? And why does the number of wolves continue to increase?” The woman, experienced in mountain treks, easily pinpointed the pack’s locations by sound. Her face paled as she added, “It seems they’re rallying more wolves and are steadily advancing.”
Fufeng Mountain, known for its defensive advantages due to complex terrain and the presence of wild beasts, proved nearly impenetrable for the royal troops.
“Hurry back, and inform the head to dispatch a patrol in the mountains!” exclaimed Scarface, his breaths heavy and strained with each step he took.
Lu Chao Chao cried continuously, her mouth dry and tongue parched. She shook the now-empty milk bottle, sighed in disappointment, then lay limply on Scarface’s back, ceasing her cries.
Strangely, soon after her crying stopped, the wolves’ howling also dwindled, and the pursuit seemed to dissipate.
Wiping the sweat from her brow and catching her breath, the woman leaned against a rock, muttering curses. “Today is truly odd. What has driven them to this madness? There are so many wolves on this mountain, they could easily besiege our hideout, and we’d stand no chance against them.”
Despite being bandits, scattered throughout the mountain, a wolf attack on their stronghold would result in substantial losses. Furthermore, the mountain’s waist housed many villages, known for their fierce customs, with the village head resembling a local tyrant. The wives in these villages were often women kidnapped from elsewhere.
Yuan Man felt he was onto something significant. “Why does the wolf pack chase whenever Sister Chao Chao cries out? And why do they stop when she does?”
After a challenging night, halfway up the mountain, they stumbled upon a village. As they approached, patrolling villagers spotted them.
“Who goes there?” a group asked, torches illuminating the darkness.
“It’s me. Let me through; I’ve got valuable goods for the head,” declared Sister Dong, a woman of high status in the village, prompting the villagers to quickly make way.
A man, with a large mole and a rat-like demeanor, eyed the kidnapped women. “Sister Dong, these are indeed fine goods. How about letting us brothers have a bit of fun?” he asked eagerly, his gaze fixated.
Sister Dong responded with a disdainful spit, “Tsk, keep your thoughts to yourself. These are for the head!”
The man waved dismissively and muttered, “Come on, just a bit of fun, we’ll leave them as they were.”
Sister Dong snorted coldly and led the group further up the mountain path. Once out of earshot, the man cursed under his breath, “Ungrateful wretch, just sucking up to the head!”
Lu Chao Chao stayed drowsy until the first light of dawn, when she could just discern the main gate of the stronghold through the morning mist. The well-defended journey was made even more challenging by numerous checkpoints and thick night fog.
Looking disheveled, Sister Dong negotiated with the bandits guarding the entrance, “These goods are exquisite; the head will definitely appreciate them. And here are two kids, naturally beautiful, to be raised here for future use.”
The gatekeeper bandit coaxed a laugh from her as he squeezed her waist. “Let them through.”
The group was ushered in, the women’s feet bleeding and faces etched with despair, a stark reminder that once someone ascended Fufeng Mountain, returning was impossible. The woman dressed as a maid bit her lip, her regret evident.
“You are indeed fortunate to be chosen by the head,” Sister Dong remarked enviously, a wistful look on her face. “If I were twenty years younger, I too would serve the head. First, clean them up, then see when the head wants to see them.”
“These two kids…” Sister Dong mused, then decisively said, “Take this child directly to the head; he will be pleased with her,” recalling that the head once lost a very intelligent daughter at two years old, which nearly broke his heart.
This baby girl bore some resemblance to her. That was the reason for her kidnapping. Sister Dong then took her directly to meet the head. At that moment, he sat in the hall, overseeing the distribution of plundered items.
“Move the gold and jewels to the warehouse, distribute the food,” the head ordered, his presence commanding with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes.
Sister Dong, smiling flatteringly, relayed her intentions, and the head chuckled softly, tossing a gold ingot her way, which she caught eagerly, her smile widening.
“Keep these kids on the mountain,” he said casually, barely glancing at the children.
His gaze lingered on Lu Chao Chao. “What’s your name?”
“Wo, wo, Lu Chao Chao,” she replied, straining to look up at his face.
“I, I, I’m Yuan Man. Please, send me back home. I’m the sole heir of ten generations; my family cannot be without me,” Yuan Man pleaded, tears welling up.
“You little girl, you’re quite daring,” the head commented.
Sister Dong quickly interjected, “Ha, it’s not about being daring, she’s just a clueless one-year-old, oblivious and simple-minded. Last night, when we encountered the wolf pack, she claimed they were welcoming her,” shaking her head in disbelief.
The bandit chief, known as Song Yu, then addressed the young boy, “Send you home? Once you’re on my Fufeng Mountain, there’s no going back. Raise the kids here,” he commanded dismissively, underestimating Lu Chao Chao as a threat.
Sister Dong, still grinning, took the two children and left.
“Lock up the young girls first, tame them before releasing them. This will prevent them from always thinking about escaping. Give them a good beating for the next few days. Once they’re tamed, they can service the head in his bedroom,” Sister Dong commanded before heading to the outhouse.
“Wo, Wo wants to go too,” Lu Chao Chao chimed in eagerly.
“Aren’t you afraid?” Yuan Man followed, sniffling.
Lu Chao Chao looked excited, “It’s fun, it’s fun! See my new friends?”
Yuan Man paused, tears stopping, “You mean, that pack of wolves?”
“Yes, yes, they are Wo’s new friends,” she confirmed, mimicking a bird’s call, which attracted a flock of birds around her, chirping as though they were conversing.
“Can you understand them?” Yuan Man asked, his face filled with amazement.
Lu Chao Chao tilted her head, puzzled, “Isn’t it something anyone with ears can understand? I’ll take you to play, do you wanna?” Her eyes sparkled mischievously, scanning the surroundings.
Reaching the outhouse, Lu Chao Chao wrinkled her nose at the odor, “It’s so stinky. Blowing it up would surely be fun.”
She pulled out a fire starter from her personal space storage and swiftly tossed it into the pit.
As Sister Dong used the outhouse, Lu Chao Chao grabbed Yuan Man and ran, his short legs struggling to keep up, rolling through the snow.
Suddenly, a booming explosion echoed.
“Boom…! Bang…” Explosions continued throughout Fufeng Mountain, flames leaping into the sky, accompanied by waves of horrific stench spreading. Due to the latrines on Fufeng Mountain being connected and long sealed and filled with methane, ignited, causing a massive explosion.
Lu Chao Chao pinched her nose, her eyes shining brightly.
In the distance, Sister Dong’s frantic, shrill screams could be heard, and Lu Chao Chao laughed heartily, “It’s fun, really fun…”
Yuan Man looked utterly baffled, realizing that bringing her to Fufeng Mountain was indeed inviting a calamity!