Chapter Ten: The Mountain Stronghold Receives Guests

  Bandits come to visit

  Zhen Shantiger followed Hong Shanniang all the way to Anmin Village, because the token was a sacred object of Hei Hu Village, so he had to retrieve it. However, no matter how hard Zhen Shantiger begged, Hong Shanniang refused to return the token of Hei Hu Village to him. In desperation, Zhen Shantiger knelt down and said: "Hong Da's master, as long as you return the token to me, Hei Hu Village will look up to you as a superior, and will be at your command without any hesitation."

  Hong Shangu wanted exactly this sentence, but her expression didn't reveal half a hint. She walked forward to help up Zhen Shantiger and said coldly: "Tiger Daren, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you, but this command plate has an enormous connection with the death of my Shan Gen brothers. If I return it to you, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

  "Since that's the case, how about this: the token is a sacred object of our Black Tiger Fort, usually enshrined in a Buddhist alcove. Unless there's an inside ghost at work, it wouldn't have ended up next to Wang Shan-gen's corpse. Would you please ask Hong Da to safely keep the token for me until I find the culprit and exchange it with him?"

  Hong Shangu turned back to her seat, picked up the teacup and said quietly: "It's just as Tiger Da said, that would be perfect. When the time comes for Da to capture the culprit, I will personally go to Hei Hu Zhai to apologize, with both hands presenting the command plate. What do you think?"

  Zhen Shantiger clasped his hands together and said loudly to Hong Shangu, "It's settled then." He then muttered to himself, "But that command token..." His face showed extreme unease.

  Hong Shangu looked at Zhen Shantiger with a faint smile and said, "Tiger, the master of the house can rest assured. I will keep the token close to my body and absolutely not let it leak out half a point. I have my own measure." Then she picked up her tea cup and took a light sip. She said to the henchman beside her, "See off the guest." The henchman walked in front of Zhen Shantiger and whispered, "Tiger master, please leave."

  Zhen Shantiger clenched his fists and said, "Farewell." After that, he turned around and left with big strides.

  When Zhen Shantiger left the gathering hall of Anmin Village, Chi Tui and the monk walked out from the back hall, looked at Zhen Shantiger who was leaving in the distance and sneered, then turned to Hong Shangu and said: "Sister, you have a good move, finally caught this seven-inch coward."

  Hong Shangu's expression changed to a thoughtful smile, and then she let out a long sigh. "Brother, I'm really getting a bit overwhelmed. I fear that I won't be able to fulfill Rain Big Brother's heavy trust and keep the secret of Fengling Mountain safe. I think Yezi Chun has also come for the secret of Fengling Mountain. He's been urging our three strongholds to form an alliance, with the intention of promoting Ba Tianlong as the leader. Once Ba Tianlong becomes the leader, he'll slowly but surely force us to submit, and the secret of Fengling Mountain will eventually be discovered." She suddenly changed her tone and said, "Oh right, Brother, what do you think of Yu Sheng? I don't know if Rain Big Brother has mentioned anything about Fengling Mountain to him. I always feel that this child's heart is very heavy, with many secrets hidden inside. You should find some time to probe his intentions."

  The foolish and arrogant monk sat casually on a chair, looking at the tired Hong Shanjie with a sympathetic expression. "Sister, don't worry too much, I'm here to help. What's the point of worrying about Yezi Chun or whatever alliance? As long as we risk our lives to protect the things that Yu Dage entrusted us with, what else matters? I just don't believe they have that kind of ability."

  "Hey, brother," she said with a pout, "you still can't change your youthful ways, can you? Protecting each other with our lives? But even that can't be protected!" He saw the foolish monk stand up and hastily waved his hand at her, saying, "Sit down, sit down, let's not talk about this. I know all about protecting each other with our lives, fighting to the death. Let me ask you, what do you think of Yu Sheng?"

  The foolish monk stroked his shiny bald head and said slowly, "This one? I think he's okay, good martial arts skills, brave, and has a mind of his own. If I teach him for a few more years, he'll definitely be famous throughout the land, shaking the heavens..."

  Look at how absurd and arrogant he is, speaking nonsense. Hong Shangnu said impatiently to him: "Go away, what a load of rubbish! I asked you to investigate Yu'er's background, see how much he knows about the secret, and whether he can help us guard this place in the future. What's with all this talk about martial arts skills and bravery? Are you famous throughout the land?"

  Chi Tien and Shang was a fearless master, but he was afraid of Hong Shan Gu, his face turned red as he stuttered: "I I I..."

  A small servant quickly walked in and bowed his head, saying: "Report to the leader, Ye Zichun led a team of national army to come and pay respects."

  Hong Shangu was startled at first, saying "Ye Zichun?" Then she calmly said "Alright, you can go down." Watching the departing guard. Hong Shangu thought for a moment and said "Night Cat is coming to the mansion. Brother, tell Yuyou'er to accompany me to the gate to welcome the guest. You arrange things, if they come in good faith we will treat them well. If not..." He whispered something in the ear of the foolish monk. The foolish monk listened excitedly and said "Alright, sister you just watch."

  Yun Xiangtian accompanied Hong Shangu to the front of the village, and he noticed that Ye Zichun was wearing a Zhongshan suit today, which made him look quite spirited. Next to him stood an officer with the rank of captain in the National Army, who looked at Hong Shangu and others with a haughty expression, followed by seven or eight National Army soldiers carrying guns and ammunition. Ye Zichun spoke first: "Mountain village master, you're doing well?"

  Hong Shangu smiled slightly and said, "Commissioner Ye is being polite. We just parted ways this morning, and it's not even dark yet that we meet again. What illness could I have? But I don't know if Commissioner Ye has come to wipe out my mountain stronghold this time?" Although her expression seemed extremely relaxed, she was secretly thinking: what was the purpose of Ye Zichun's trip this time? Had the National Army already stationed troops and sealed off Ling Mountain?

  Yun Xiangtian was also deeply puzzled by the arrival of the national army. He thought: The Japanese devils are only a hundred miles away, and they can attack Lingfeng County at any time. Why didn't they go to resist the enemy and prepare for battle? What do they want to do here? But he pretended to be extremely happy, went forward, held Ye Zichun's hand and said: "Brother Spring, where have you been these past few days? I've missed you so much." His words and expression were extremely sincere, as if they had not seen each other for a long time.

  Ye Zi Chun forced a faint smile, brushed away Yun Xiang Tian's hand and said lightly: "I miss you too, let's talk later, okay? Now I have important business to discuss with Shan Gu Village Master." He wanted to say go play on your own, but couldn't bring himself to say it. Instead, he turned his head and changed his expression to speak to Hong Shan Gu: "What is Village Master saying? Brother has come for a serious discussion, don't misunderstand the situation." He turned back to point at the military officer: "This is Huang Min, the commander of the 2nd battalion of the 206th regiment of the National Army. Commander Huang has long heard that Village Master Shan Gu is chivalrous and heroic, a female hero, so he came to pay his respects and wants to make friends with you. How can we discuss the matter of exterminating the nest?"

  Hong Shangu snorted and said, "Are you really here to pay respects? If so, leave your weapons here and follow me into the camp. Does Huang Zhangguan have such guts?"

  Huang Min burst out laughing and said loudly: "Joke! I've been through the rain of bullets and faced death many times. Afraid of your little mountain stronghold? Even if it's a dragon's lair, a tiger's den, or the underworld, I'll still charge in a few rounds! Brothers, put your stuff here and follow me into the stronghold."

  The night wind was gentle, the moon was bright and the stars were shining. Hong Shangu and Huang Min arrived at the gathering hall, took their seats as host and guest, and exchanged brief pleasantries. Then Huang Min loudly declared: "We didn't come here today for anything else, but the Japanese devils have already approached Lingfeng. This place is now in danger every day. I came this time to ask the leader of Shangu Village to let our 206th Regiment be stationed on Yuquan Ridge, join hands with each village head to resist the enemy, and hope that the leader of Shangu Village will not shirk."

  Looking at Huang Min's arrogant appearance, Yun Xiang Tian sneered in his heart. He didn't wait for Hong Shan Gu to speak and said first: "Good, good! Congratulations, Auntie is going to have many more brothers. When the time comes, Auntie must give me some of the new apprentices to bring back, I want one with an official position even higher than Huang Min's. What do you think, Auntie?"

  Everyone was stunned at first, and then they understood. Hong Shangu smiled and said, "Okay, okay, as long as it's what our Yu'er likes, Auntie will agree to it. Is that alright?" Hong Shangu was very grateful in her heart, if Cloud Soaring Heaven hadn't intervened, she really wouldn't have known how to deal with Huang Min.

  Before Huang Min could understand what was going on, Yun Xiang Tian said with infinite longing: "Thank you, auntie, it's great, it's great! When the time comes, I'll also lead soldiers down the mountain to loot and kill people. Just thinking about it makes me happy and excited!" He rubbed his hands together, grinning from ear to ear, full of pride and excitement, and walked in front of Huang Min

  "Hey Old Huang, when are you going to join us on the mountain? Hurry up, let me get a taste of the thrill! Haha, it's so much fun!"

  Huang Min slapped the table in anger, pointing at Yun Xiangtian with disgust and said: "Damn it, where did this madman come from? Are you looking for death? Believe me, I'll kill you right now."

  Actually, Yezi Chun wanted to kill Yunxiang Tian more than Huang Min did. Otherwise, Yunxiang Tian would have been caught in the middle and said that Hongshan Girl had already surrendered, but he couldn't do that. He knew it wasn't the right time yet. So, he supported Yunxiang Tian who was shocked by Huang Min and took a few steps back, saying: "Young Master Yun, how can you talk like this? How could Captain Huang, a national army lieutenant, come to the mountain to be a bandit?"

  Yun Xiang Tian said with a feigned surprise, "If you don't join the gang and go up the mountain, what's the point of coming here? Are you just trying to freeload or take advantage of us, or do you want to come and fight for dominance? Hmph, how disappointing. I thought we could work together with our National Army brothers to plunder and kill. Who would have thought that you're just a freeloader?" He looked at Huang Min with disdain after finishing his sentence.

  Ye Zi Chun raised his hand to stop the impending outburst from Huang Min and said in a low voice, "Young Master Yun, don't be too arrogant. Is Commander Huang the kind of person who takes advantage of situations and seizes power? He came here today to discuss strategies for resisting the enemy and defending against Japan, deploying troops at Yuquan Ridge and guarding Lingfeng Castle. And when did our national army's soldiers ever kill people, plunder goods, or commit evil deeds? Don't spread rumors and intimidate others."

  Yun Xiang Tian's eyes rolled, and he coldly snorted again: "Not here to take advantage, nor to seize the mountain head, but to be a turtle with its head withdrawn? Ling Feng City is over thirty miles away from here, how can it be defended? Still saying there are no ulterior motives, who would believe that? No, not even ghosts would believe!"

  Huang Min couldn't hold back his anger anymore. He had originally planned to use a combination of literary and military tactics, along with Yezi Chun, to intimidate the Red Mountain Maiden into letting them station their troops at Yuquan Ridge. Then, together with Yezi Chun, they would uncover the secrets hidden on Fengling Mountain. But who knew that halfway through, Cheng Yaojin would suddenly appear and ruin their plans? He reached for his waist, furious, and shouted: "How dare you kill people and set fires?! How dare you try to occupy this mountain head?! I'll kill you today!" When he realized his gun wasn't on him, he punched Cloud Soaring Heaven's chest with a fist. But upon hearing the cries of "Ah!" and "Oh no!", the two men fell to the ground together. Cloud Soaring Heaven quickly scrambled up and rushed to Red Mountain Maiden's side, shouting: "Murder! Murder! Auntie, save me!"

  Hong Shanguo had already stood up from her seat, pulled out the pistol at her waist and aimed it at Huang Min. She grabbed Yun Xiangtian with her left hand and pulled him behind her, shouting loudly: "What's going on? Do you think we're easy to bully? Brothers, get your guns ready." When she saw Huang Min struggling to stand up, but his right leg still not daring to exert force, she knew that Yun Xiangtian was up to his old tricks again. Indeed, this was one of Yun Xiangtian's masterpieces. At the time when Huang Min punched Yun Xiangtian in the chest, Yun Xiangtian used his left hand to block the incoming fist, and his body fell backwards as if he had been hit by Huang Min. At the same time, he kicked Huang Min's right knee with his right foot, pretending to be shocked and shouting "Ah!" Huang Min, on the other hand, let out a painful cry of "Ahh..." At that time, although the hall was brightly lit, it wasn't very clear what had happened, especially since Yun Xiangtian had moved so quickly. Even Huang Min himself didn't know how his right leg had become injured and he fell to the ground. But in his heart, he knew that he had been secretly attacked by Yun Xiangtian.

  Ye Zi Chun had no time to attend to the injured Huang Min, as there were over a dozen mountain bandits in the hall, each pointing their guns at their heads. He was extremely clear that if they weren't careful, they would lose their lives. He hastily said to Hong Shan Gu, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, Mountain Village Master, it's all a misunderstanding."

  Huang Min, limping and hobbling, pulled open the leafy spring, pointing at Yun Xiangtian with a scowl and saying: "You little brat, what kind of hero uses sneak attacks? Come down here and let's have a real fight!"

  Yun Xiang Tian frowned and said, "Who are you calling old man?" Huang Min replied without hesitation, "I'm calling you old man, what's wrong with that?" Yun Xiang Tian chuckled and said, "You're calling me old man? Alright, good boy, Daddy's tired today and doesn't want to play with you, go play by yourself!" As he spoke, he even stretched his waist, causing the mountain bandits to burst into laughter, and even Hong Shan Gu couldn't help but smile.

  Huang Min found himself being fooled by Yun Xiang Tian again, so he stopped talking, took off his upper garment and threw it on the ground, ready to fight Yun Xiang Tian to the death. Just as both sides were about to clash, a soldier suddenly shouted: "Ghost! Ghost!" Then there was a thud as he fell to the ground.