Night descended upon the great mountains, casting an unusual darkness over the forest. Ancient lore warned against entering forests at night, for even moonlight could not penetrate their depths, leaving one oblivious to hidden dangers or potential ambushes. Such places were a haven for bandits, who could establish their dominion in inaccessible terrain, with the wilderness serving as their shield. Deserts, conversely, offered little cover, making banditry a far riskier endeavor.
However, deserts had given rise to a new breed of outlaw: horse bandits, who leveraged the mobility of their steeds for long-distance raids, proving elusive even to government forces.
On this particular night, over thirty individuals gathered in a cave within an unnamed mountain. A bonfire blazed in the center, illuminating the cave, but the lack of ventilation made the air thick and choking. The flickering fire cast shifting shadows on their faces.
Their leader, known as Cang Ying, was the master of this mountain. They resided here, in a karst landscape dotted with numerous caves, once the haunt of earlier bandits and now their own sanctuary.
“I’ve gathered you all here today for a singular purpose,” Cang Ying announced. “I’ve learned that a shipment of grain is en route to Yuzhou, expected within days. My brothers, I’ve called you to plan a raid. With this grain, we can live like kings on this mountain.”
“How much grain are we talking about?” someone grumbled. “Is it worth calling us all away from our busy schedules?”
Cang Ying smirked. “How much grain? Eight thousand tons! Enough to feed us for ten years. Do you grasp its value now? Fortunately, I have eyes in the lowlands who tipped me off. Otherwise, this feast would have slipped through our grasp!” He seemed determined to seize the grain.
However, a moment’s reflection revealed the inherent risks. Firstly, there was the uncertainty of victory. Secondly, even if successful, provoking Yuzhou could spell their doom.
“No, no! We absolutely cannot do this,” one voice protested. “Yuzhou is not to be trifled with. Angering them would be our end.”
Cang Ying dismissed him as overly timid. “Can anything great be achieved by hesitating? To become strong, one must first do what others fear. I’ve investigated. The escort consists of only three thousand mercenaries. We number over four thousand. Four thousand against three thousand – the advantage is ours.”
Hearing the mercenary count, the others relaxed. If the numbers were so low, it seemed manageable.
“But it’s Yuzhou’s grain,” another questioned, raising the most critical point. “If we intercept it, what about Shen Feng’s retaliation? Robbery itself is not the issue; it’s robbing the wrong people that causes trouble.”
Cang Ying scoffed, finding his companions hesitant and timid, which explained their meager influence. Yet, he knew he couldn't achieve his goal without them.
“Worry not,” he declared. “If Shen Feng sends his forces, we’ll simply retreat into Guizhou or Xiang Province. Yuzhou is under lockdown; I doubt Shen Feng can authorize cross-provincial pursuit. Once we have the grain, we can establish ourselves anywhere. With grain, we have everything!”
The bandits began to ponder. As seasoned outlaws, they were adept at raids. Under Cang Ying’s persuasion, they found their courage. One successful raid, and they could live in luxury for a decade. Eight thousand tons of grain – a quantity usually found only in granaries.
“Alright, we’ll do it. We’ll gather our men and set up an ambush along the main routes of Wuling Mountain. Once we know their path, we strike.” They resolved to fight with all their might.
As the saying goes, the bold thrive while the timid starve. This was the spirit they needed. Success meant long-term comfort. In this era of scarcity, grain was paramount, even serving as a medium of exchange.
If Lin Yue and Cao Fu Lie had departed that very night, the bandits in Wuling Mountain would have had no time to strategize. The convoy could have passed unimpeded. However, their rest by Dongting Lake provided the bandits with the opportunity to plan.
By the shores of Dongting Lake, the mercenaries finished loading the grain and began hunting and fishing. They had heard tales of the lake’s large, delicious fish and saw no reason not to indulge. Unaware of any danger, they relaxed, enjoying themselves until midnight before retiring.
The next morning, they awoke and drove directly into Wuling Mountain, while the Qinghong Gang members returned.
Wuling Mountain was steep and rugged, with significant elevation changes, as expected for a region marking the transition to the second tier of terrain.
Lin Yue sat atop a vehicle, chatting with Cao Fu Lie. With his abilities activated, even the slightest sound from his surroundings reached his ears.
Ordinarily, Lin Yue’s presence would ensure the convoy’s safety. However, he soon found himself tormented by the incessant chirping of cicadas. It was autumn, and dew had settled. The cicadas, perhaps sensing the dropping temperatures, were desperately making their calls. The dew on their bodies seemed to amplify their shrill cries, making them sound even more mournful, reminiscent of Liu Yong’s lament about the “chilly cicadas.”
The constant “zzzt-zzzt-zzzt” of the cicadas grated on Lin Yue’s ears. Listening to such a piercing sound all day made him feel as though he was developing neurasthenia.
Reluctantly, Lin Yue deactivated his abilities, forced to endure the cicadas’ calls. While his sonic abilities were excellent for detecting enemies, they came at the cost of his auditory senses.
Cao Fu Lie was confident in their strength. Even if bandits were observing them from the mountains, the sight of their massive convoy would surely deter them. After all, mountain bandits typically numbered only a few hundred, hardly a match for them.
However, by noon, the whistling sounds from the mountains had not ceased. The calls echoed through the valleys, growing louder and more coordinated, as if the entire mountain range was alive with whistles.
“Damn it, we’re ambushed!” Cao Fu Lie exclaimed, startled. He couldn’t believe the bandits dared to attack such a large group.
“Ooh-ooh…” Figures emerged from the forest, most armed with melee weapons, but many also carried firearms. Their eyes gleamed with avarice as they gazed at the convoy, knowing the trucks were laden with grain – enough to sustain them for a long time.
Xu Xing leaped from her vehicle, drawing her samurai sword. Her eyes blazed with fervor; her blood was already boiling. She had waited so long for this encounter with bandits.
Cao Fu Lie turned to Lin Yue. “You’re an ability user, aren’t you? Why didn’t you hear anything?” He had heard Lin Yue boast about being able to hear people’s breathing. Yet, with enemies surrounding them, Lin Yue had remained oblivious.
Lin Yue offered an awkward smile. “I was utterly overwhelmed by the cicadas. Please understand, I wasn’t using my abilities just now.”
Cao Fu Lie shook his head resignedly. “Prepare for battle. How dare anyone try to rob us? Vile creatures.” He had expected an unimpeded journey, believing Yuzhou’s might would deter any mountain brigands. Now, he realized these bandits were after their grain.
As Cao Fu Lie and Lin Yue disembarked, Luo Qing also sensed something amiss. He approached them. “Look, the valleys on both sides are filled with people. Their numbers seem to exceed ours. What do we do?” Luo Qing had heard the bandits were only a few hundred strong, but now they appeared to outnumber them.
Yu Mu He calmly remarked, “They must have joined forces. Don’t assume mountain bandits are fools. If it’s something they can consume themselves, they won’t give it up. But when facing a powerful opponent, these bandits will unite. We should wait for Qin Xiaogao to negotiate.”
Luo Qing’s expression turned incredulous. “Negotiate? With these bandits? Isn’t that absurd?” In his view, since they were bandits and his group were mostly mercenaries, negotiation was unnecessary; they should simply fight.
Yu Mu He, a former leader of a mercenary group, though now a mere soldier, was experienced. He explained, “Bandits also adhere to certain rules of the martial world. Some specialize in collecting tolls. A fight would result in mutual destruction, so to avoid unnecessary casualties, they often negotiate before engaging. If terms are met, they allow passage; if not, they fight.”
Hearing this, Luo Qing scanned their surroundings. He noticed the mercenaries were alert and ready, but none had fired, seemingly accepting the pre-battle negotiation protocol.
However, at that moment, Luo Qing realized something was wrong: Xu Xing was missing.
“Have you seen Xu Xing? Where did she go?” Luo Qing anxiously asked those nearby. No one knew her whereabouts. Lin Yue tried to comfort him. “Xu Xing is an ability user; she’ll be fine. She can protect herself. Don’t worry too much. Let’s focus on the current problem. It looks like we’ll have to fight. Let’s protect the convoy.”
Luo Qing sighed, thinking Xu Xing was too difficult to manage and would never be a proper bodyguard. He wondered what the City Lord’s future plans for her would be.
Just then, Qin Xiaogao stepped forward, holding a megaphone. He spoke loudly, “Esteemed heroes, we are from Yuzhou. This grain is for the City Lord. Please grant us passage, and there will be a reward.”