26 Adversity

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Just as Wu Laosan drew his sword, another person burst in from outside, shouting, “Report! Second-in-command! Bad news! That boy named Qian has disappeared!”

Everyone was shocked. Wu Laosan angrily barked, “How could he disappear? Didn’t I tell you to keep a close watch on him?”

“I don’t know either. Anyway, the guards assigned to watch him were all knocked unconscious, and he... he’s gone too...”

Wu Laosan was furious beyond measure, but forced himself to calm down. Qian Ning was missing, and his meticulously laid plan was now uncertain. If Qian managed to escape down the mountain and alert others, the consequences would be disastrous.

Without hesitation, he ordered, “Spread the word—lock down Canglong Mountain. All gang members, search everywhere! No matter life or death, bring him back to me!”

The order was received, and everyone sprang into action. Wu Laosan looked down at the two men on the ground. He wanted to kill them immediately, but no—if Qian Ning had escaped, keeping them alive meant holding some leverage.

With clenched teeth, he said, “As for them, lock them up first. We’ll deal with them once we find that Qian.”

Shi Nian and Zhu Houzhao were both locked away in the western prisoner camp, in the very room Shi Nian had been kept in before—only this time, there were two prisoners instead of one. As soon as the door closed, Shi Nian moved closer to inspect. Sure enough, just like last time, the door was locked from the outside and guards were posted. It was impossible for her to break free on her own.

She returned, disheartened, only to find Zhu Houzhao lying there, pale and with eyes tightly shut, seemingly drained of all strength. She leaned closer and asked, “How are you? Are you alright?”

Zhu Houzhao let out a soft snort but gave no reply.

Worry crept over Shi Nian. She didn’t know what kind of drugs they had given him—could there be side effects? There wasn’t even a charcoal brazier in the room, and the floor was as cold as ice. After some thought, she supported his upper body and rested it on her lap, asking, “Is this any more comfortable? How are you really feeling?”

Zhu Houzhao finally opened his eyes, glanced at her, and smiled lazily. “Very well.”

“Huh?”

“Never thought my first time in prison would come with such fortune... it couldn’t be better.”

This man! Shi Nian was furious—when was the time for jokes?

But he seemed to enjoy himself, nestling deeper into her arms like a spoiled puppy. “Still not warm enough... why don’t you hold me? We can keep each other warm...”

Before he finished, she shoved him hard to the floor. Breathing heavily, she stood up and said, “Freeze to death, you deserve it!”

Zhu Houzhao’s head throbbed, but he didn’t care. He still smiled, “You’re so fierce now, but some weren’t so earlier. If Wu Laosan laid a hand on me, Canglong Mountain itself would be razed... How did you know that?”

Shi Nian’s heart skipped a beat. In her panic, she had slipped up. Suspicion flickered in Zhu Houzhao’s eyes, but she kept calm and said, “I was bluffing. In situations like that, you have to find ways to scare them. The more intimidating, the better! Your reaction—could it be true? Who exactly are you?”

She turned the tables, and Zhu Houzhao’s expression faltered. They stared at each other for a moment before he blinked and said, “That’s a secret.”

The north wind rattled the window, sending out loud bangs. In the cold room, she lay down and he stood. Shi Nian looked at Zhu Houzhao’s serene face and slowly said, “Aren’t you scared at all?”

He glanced at her, and she continued, “If Qian Ning hadn’t escaped, maybe we really would die here...”

“If I died here, it would be the most amusing thing ever,” he smiled. “Believe it or not, for a hundred years forward or back in the Ming dynasty, you probably wouldn’t find such a novel story.”

You see! A mighty emperor, killed by a band of bandits! She worried the officials of Ming would be too embarrassed to record it in history!

Shi Nian decided not to argue with this strange man and silently contemplated. She definitely didn’t want to die, nor could she let Zhu Houzhao die. If he died, history would be utterly changed—a consequence she could not bear.

So, she had to do her best to protect his safety.

Zhu Houzhao watched the girl’s profile—the bruises on her cheek reminded him of the rough beating she had endured earlier.

Lost in thought, Shi Nian suddenly heard a voice, “Don’t worry.”

She turned to see Zhu Houzhao speaking calmly, “If I die here, Qian Ning’s whole lineage wouldn’t live. He wouldn’t dare. So he’ll risk his life to come back and save us.”

Shi Nian was stunned for three seconds, then nodded, “Oh.”

Because of Zhu Houzhao’s words, she kept staring at the door, hoping Qian Ning would burst in. The night deepened. After an unknown length of time, the door finally opened—not Qian Ning, but the bandits from the village.

Shi Nian’s heart tightened and she instinctively stepped in front of Zhu Houzhao. “What are you doing? Has Qian Ning been caught? Are you going to kill us to silence us?”

Zhu Houzhao noticed her movement and was somewhat surprised.

She looked like she wanted to protect him?

The bandit sneered coldly, “Don’t worry, your time hasn’t come yet. But we still have some scores to settle, and if we don’t act soon, there won’t be time.”

Shi Nian was stunned. Suddenly, she recognized his face. Looking up, she saw a scar on his forehead.

Damn! He was the bandit she had severely beaten that night!

Shi Nian stepped back, “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard that night... don’t hold a grudge! I apologized. You’re a man, right?”

The bandit grabbed her, pulling her into his arms. His gaze swept up and down her body, making her scalp tingle with a bad feeling. As expected, he grinned lecherously, “Of course I’m a man. If you don’t believe me, I can show you right now!”

The next moment, he tore at her clothes. Shi Nian screamed in terror, “Pervert! Let go of me!”

Zhu Houzhao was taken aback. Shi Nian struggled fiercely but was pressed against the wall. The bandit seemed not to care there was someone else in the room—perhaps it was just a show for him.

“The chieftain’s wife, huh? Let’s see how your husband’s wife serves me...”

Her screams filled the room. Zhu Houzhao felt his blood boil, his temples throbbing. He wanted to stand but had no strength. The bandit knew this and acted boldly.

Veins bulging on his hand, Zhu Houzhao finally heard the ripping of clothes and Shi Nian’s desperate cries, “Help!”

A roar exploded inside his mind, instantly burning away his reason.

The bandit tore open Shi Nian’s blouse and was about to kiss her when suddenly a great force struck, grabbing him by the back of the neck and slamming him to the ground! The next instant, a heavy body pressed down on him, one hand choking his throat!

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Zhu Houzhao’s bloodshot eyes glared darkly, “My woman is no one you can touch!”

The bandit was terrified. What was going on? Wasn’t he under the influence of a sedative? How could he move now?

His gaze caught the blood dripping from Zhu Houzhao’s lips. So he bit his own tongue and, driven by the intense pain, managed to burst out with strength?

The bandit grabbed his hand and twisted hard. Zhu Houzhao’s strength was nearly spent. With a thud, the bandit flipped him onto the ground and stood, delivering a crushing kick to his abdomen.

Zhu Houzhao groaned, curling up in pain.

Still unsatisfied, the bandit kicked again and again. “Chieftain, huh? So mighty! You wanted to beat me to death with sticks? Let’s see who dies first!”

He kicked with such force and relish, as if venting all his hatred through his blows.

“I’ll kill you first and then sleep with that woman. Let’s see who can save you then!”

His voice suddenly cut off. A sharp pain and numbness hit his neck. He slowly turned his head and saw Shi Nian, clothes disheveled, holding the black baton that had knocked him out before.

Shi Nian said, “No power that night, now I’ll make it up to you.”

She pressed the stun baton against his neck again. Crackling sounds filled the air. The bandit’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

Shi Nian rushed to Zhu Houzhao’s side, trembling as she asked, “Hey, are you alright? Still alive?”

Zhu Houzhao lay with eyes closed. After a while, he weakly said, “Well... I did save you... so don’t... curse me like that...”

He opened his eyes, looked at her face, and smiled gently, “Why are you crying?”

Shi Nian wiped her tears, “It was so dangerous just now. You shouldn’t have come. He might have really beaten you to death...”

He raised a hand and caressed her cheek. His touch was gentle, but unfortunately, his dusty hand only dirtied her face. Looking at the freckled girl, his voice softened, “I told you, you’re my queen of the stronghold. No one but me can bully you...”

Shi Nian fought back the urge to cry and helped Zhu Houzhao up, saying, “Can we leave? We have to escape quickly!”

Probably due to the pain or time passing, Zhu Houzhao felt the drug’s effect lessen. “Even if we can’t leave, we have to try... but wait a moment.”

He took off his outer garment and draped it over Shi Nian. Only then did she realize her clothes had been ripped, leaving her shoulder bare and pale.

He touched her lips and gave that same lazy, flirtatious look. “Though I like taking advantage of young girls, even I have standards.”

The bandit, probably intending to assault her, had separated their captors, making this moment perfect for escape. Under Zhu Houzhao’s guidance, Shi Nian hid as they fled, finally escaping through a back mountain path.

Zhu Houzhao’s steps were unsteady, but he still asked, “When did you steal that baton back?”

“Just a couple days ago. I saw you forgot it, so I sneaked back to get it.”

“Not honest. Stealing it back means you wanted to do something bad.” Zhu Houzhao laughed. “But why does it feel different from when I held it? What else are you hiding?”

What else could it be? Nie Cheng had brought her supplies, including instant noodles and replacement batteries, so the stun baton was operational again.

Shi Nian steadied him. “Don’t talk now. Once we get out safely, you can ask me anything.”

No sooner had she spoken than shouts and footsteps came from behind—the bandits were chasing after them!

Shi Nian panicked and tried to quicken her pace, but Zhu Houzhao stumbled and fell. She hurried to help him up. Zhu Houzhao looked at the pursuers and shook his head, “Forget it. I can’t run anymore. Don’t worry about me—just escape.”

Shi Nian insisted, “No! We promised to escape together! Get up!”

Zhu Houzhao stopped her and took out a seal from his pocket. “Take this to the nearest government office. The officials will trust you when they see this seal. Then bring them to rescue me. Little beauty, do as I say—I’m entrusting my life to you.”

He spoke lightly, but Shi Nian knew that if she followed his instructions, by the time she brought help, he might already be dead.

Clutching the seal until her hand ached, Shi Nian decided, “They’re your men—they might not listen to me. So you should find them yourself.”

Zhu Houzhao had been resting with eyes closed but opened them in disbelief. In the night, the girl’s face was pale but her eyes dark and determined.

“What did you say?”

Shi Nian quickly hid him in the roadside grass and said seriously, “I’ll lead them away. Once we’re far enough, you come down the mountain and find people to rescue me. Understand?”

Zhu Houzhao: “Are you crazy? Do you know what fate awaits you if they catch you...”

Shi Nian’s face was pale, but she smiled, like a night-blooming flower unfolding. “Don’t underestimate me. I can take down two of them. You’re the sick one now—weak as can be!”

She stood up. He instinctively grabbed her hand but she dodged. She put a finger to her lips, shushing him, “Don’t make a sound. Don’t ruin my plan, unless you want us all dead. Little beauty, do as I say—I’m handing my life over to you...”

The identical words stunned Zhu Houzhao. Taking the chance, Shi Nian turned and ran resolutely in another direction.

In the darkness, her silhouette grew smaller until it vanished.

He watched helplessly, suddenly recalling how, moments ago, when the bandit burst in, she had been so scared yet bravely stood between him and danger.

His heart clenched fiercely, and for the first time in his life, he felt panic.

Shi Nian ran a distance to ensure Zhu Houzhao wouldn’t be affected, then deliberately let out a sharp scream. The pursuers immediately rushed toward her. She didn’t look back, only kept running.

Exhausted, she ran into a group of men long accustomed to mountain life. They blocked her path. Leading them was the fourth-in-command of Canglong Village, who asked, “Why are you alone? Where’s the chieftain?!”

Shi Nian said, “Your chieftain? He’s gone down the mountain and will return soon with reinforcements. You’d better release me now!”

The men thought for a moment and realized they had been tricked. A cruel look flashed across the fourth-in-command’s face. He spat on the ground and said, “I don’t want to waste time with you, woman. We’ll kill you first, then chase after him!” Drawing his knife, he charged.

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Shi Nian was caught off guard and froze.

The man’s eyes were full of murderous intent. He shouted and stabbed straight at her—

“Ah!”

The blade stopped two inches from her face but couldn’t go further. A slender hand grasped the knife’s blade. The veins on the back of the hand bulged with exertion.

In the next moment, the wrist twisted, and the fourth-in-command felt a powerful force along the back of the knife. He screamed and dropped the weapon.

He leapt to retrieve it, but the stranger also leapt, catching the knife and kicking him in the chest. The fourth-in-command flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.

Everyone was stunned. They saw a tall, imposing man dressed in black, who had just ambushed the fourth-in-command.

The bandits exchanged glances and drew their weapons, rushing forward. The man remained calm and fierce, moving like the wind. Though wielding a knife, he used the back of the blade as a weapon, knocking down the attackers one by one.

When the last man charged, the man suddenly reversed the blade, pressing its tip against the bandit’s throat. The bandit froze in fear. The man stared at him a moment, then smiled, “Is that all the courage you’ve got?”

He tapped the man’s neck with the blade’s back. The bandit fainted.

Having finished, the man turned. Under the bright moonlight, his face was calm and his eyes sharp as blades. Handsome, and... remarkably familiar.

He saw Shi Nian standing there, almost dazed, and strode over to embrace her. Shi Nian leaned against him and after several seconds cried, “Captain! You finally came! I was so scared! I thought I was done for!”

Nie Cheng felt the girl trembling on his shoulder, her tears wetting his chest. He sighed softly and patted her shoulder. “Sorry I’m late.”

Shi Nian wiped her tears. The night had been so harrowing she no longer blamed him. He came, and that was enough. Thankfully, she hadn’t lost her life here.

Nie Cheng saw her disheveled state and asked, “What about you? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, but Zhu Houzhao... oh right, Zhu Houzhao!” Shi Nian suddenly remembered, grabbing his hand. “We have to rescue Zhu Houzhao!”

Despite her distress, Nie Cheng hadn’t expected her to still care about the mission. He grasped her hand firmly. “Don’t worry. I’ve already arranged things on his side.”

Zhu Houzhao finally reached the foot of the mountain, half an hour later. He was battered and bruised, clothes dusty and torn, his hairpiece fallen, looking utterly disheveled. Before he could orient himself, a group appeared ahead with Wu Laosan at the front, laughing, “I knew I’d catch you here!”

This was the only path out of the mountain. Unable to catch him elsewhere, they had taken this trap.

After enduring so much, he had almost made it—only to be foiled at the last moment. Zhu Houzhao suddenly recalled that night sitting on the wall—wasn’t this how he had felt then?

In the night, Zhu Houzhao’s expression was cold and calm as he faced Wu Laosan. The latter grinned, “Still not convinced?”

Zhu Houzhao curled his lips. “I rarely get truly angry at anyone, but tonight, you’re one.”

Wu Laosan sneered, “Too bad your anger can’t change anything.”

He waved his hand, and a person was dragged forward—Qian Ning, looking disheveled. He called to Zhu Houzhao, “Master, I failed you...”

So he had been caught after all. Zhu Houzhao closed his eyes, feeling suddenly guilty. He had hoped Qian Ning would escape but was let down...

Wu Laosan shouted, “Take him down!”

With that command, it was as if a switch flipped. Suddenly, a deafening roar filled the air as countless government soldiers surged from all directions, surrounding them. Each held a torch, and from afar, the flames snaked like a fiery dragon, illuminating the foot of the mountain as bright as day.

Wu Laosan tightened the reins, shocked, “What’s going on?”

Those nearby were uncertain. “Deputy chieftain, could it be... the soldiers have come to wipe out the bandits?”

Canglong Village had dominated the area for a long time and could indeed face a military crackdown, but this was unusual. Experienced as they were, the soldiers shouldn’t have arrived so fast.

Wu Laosan panicked and turned to find Qian Ning beaming with joy. He roared, “Was it you who betrayed us? You think bringing soldiers here will save you? You’re just like us—bandits doomed to be destroyed!”

Qian Ning retorted coldly, “Is that so?”

At the front of the fiery dragon stood an elderly man, about sixty, with pale skin and no beard, exuding an air of privilege. Seeing Zhu Houzhao, his face lit up. He dismounted and strode forward, kneeling with a thud before him, “Your servant Liu Jin pays respects to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor, long live forever!”

With a thunderous sound, countless soldiers knelt, their voices shaking the mountain, “We pay respects to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor, long live forever!”

Author’s Note: Tonight I wrote nearly six thousand words with lots of twists and turns. I’m so tired... I thought I could finish quickly, but I kept writing until now, finally posting...

Updates have been getting later and later. Let’s agree: if I can update by 7 p.m., I will; if not, come read before bed. I’ll definitely update unless I’m on leave, but sometimes it might be very late. Please don’t stay up late with me or refresh endlessly—I’ll worry about you! Muah.

Previously recommended books were too slim; tonight, here’s a hefty one—“Phoenix Terrace” by Huaisu. I think just mentioning the author’s name is a guarantee—it’s truly excellent!

Synopsis:

Wei Shan reborn in fire,

Returns to the Wei family’s peak glory,

Kills villains, destroys treacherous ministers, tears apart the favored concubine.

Will she submit to justice or walk alone in the clouds?

The road ahead is perilous—who will walk it with her?

—166 Reading Network