Chapter Twenty-Four: Ingenious Reinforcement

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Cleverly deploying reinforcements

  Just past noon, Yun Xiang Tian returned from Xuan Jian Dong and under the leadership of Hong Shan Gu, paid his respects to Wang Fu Ren once again. Their visit was somewhat unexpected by Wang Fu Ren, but she also knew that if it wasn't for something urgent, Hong Shan Gu wouldn't have come so suddenly.

  Madam Wang handed over the tea and asked coldly: "The master of Shangugou has arrived, what instructions do you have?"

  Hong Shangu picked up the teacup and took a sip, saying, "Hmm, good tea." She put down the teacup and said slowly; "It's not a big deal, it's just Yu'er looking for you. This child is filial, considering everything thoroughly, thinking of every possible outcome. I think that's just unnecessary worry."

  Madam Wang knew that Hong Shangu had a hidden meaning in her words, and she raised an eyebrow to ask: "Young Master Yun, if there's something on your mind, just say it. As long as I can help, I won't decline."

  Yun Xiang Tian fell silent for a moment before saying: "Madam Wang, I think it's best if you move to Anmin Village."

  "Old Lady Wang snorted and said: 'Move to Anmin Village? I'm living quite well here, why move to Anmin Village?'"

  Yun Xiangtian knew that Wang Furen would say this, because he had heard Hong Shangu say it before. There was a rift between Anmin Village and Wang Furen. It was because of the great disaster that befell the Wang family's village that year, and Anmin Village did not provide timely assistance, resulting in the destruction of the village and the loss of lives. Wang Furen also knew that this matter was not to be blamed on Anmin Village, and even Hong Dao Laozhuang had lost his life because of it. However, she just couldn't get over this hurdle. She always thought that if the people from Anmin Village could have arrived a little earlier, the consequences would not have been like this.

  So Yun Xiangtian calmly said: "Wang Furen, recently Fengling Mountain has not been peaceful. The Japanese have already set their sights on this place, and with the equipment of the Japanese, it's only a matter of time before they attack Fengling Mountain. For your safety, I suggest you move to Anmin Village, as a long-term plan."

  Madam Wang looked at Yun Xiang Tian, she felt that things wouldn't be so simple, but couldn't see what was wrong, so she said: "No need to say more, I've lived here for 15 years, never left this cave and don't want to leave. The Japanese have set their sights on this place, how many thieves are eyeing this place? Who can get even half the benefit? Go to Anmin Village, what's so special about Anmin Village? Can he really win over our Wang family?"

  Hong Shangu's expression turned unpleasant, she furrowed her brow and said: "Lady Wang, mind your words. Our Hong Lao also risked his life on Fengling Mountain." She turned her head and whispered: "Without Anmin Village, I'm afraid...I'm afraid..." She had wanted to say that it was probably already destroyed by someone, but ultimately didn't dare speak the words aloud.

  Yun Xiang hurried out to mediate, saying: "Lady Wang, Auntie, you two stop arguing and think about the current situation. The Japanese are just below the mountain, who knows when they'll attack, I think it's best for Lady Wang to move to Anmin Village to avoid the storm."

  Mrs. Wang was startled and stood up, saying: "The Japanese have arrived at the foot of the mountain?" He took a glance at Hong Shangu, then calmly sat down and said: "The Japanese are here, but isn't there still Mountain Village Master? Anmin Village has strong soldiers and horses, it's more than enough to deal with those little devils. What can I, a woman with no ability to even tie up a chicken, do? If all else fails, just let them slaughter us."

  Yun Xiang Tian's face turned dark as he forced a smile and said, "No way, no way, the people of Anmin Village absolutely cannot go, otherwise it will ruin everything."

  Madam Wang asked in doubt: "Why can't people from Anmin Village go?"

  Yun Xiangtian shook his head and said, "Can't go, the people of Anmin Village can't go. If they went, not only would Anmin Village be lost, but the entire Fengling Mountain might also be lost."

  Madam Wang felt increasingly strange and asked in surprise: "Why? If you can say a few words, I'll take people there."

  Yun Xiang Tian thought: "It's done." But his face showed a difficult expression. He said: "This, uh..." He secretly glanced at Hong Shan Gu.

  Hong Shangu looked at Yun Xiangtian, gritted her teeth and turned to one side, her face sinking as she said: "Speak up, speak up. As long as it can ensure the safety of Fengling Mountain and Madame Wang, what does this old face count for?"

  Madam Wang became more and more bewildered as she listened, and couldn't help but ask: "What's going on? I've lost all face."

  Yun Xiangtian rubbed his head, his expression serious as he said: "That's the situation. There are Japanese spies mixed in with Anmin Village, and also in Xuanjian Cave and Heihu Village. If Anmin Village can't find out who the spy is and launches a surprise attack, it will definitely be like hitting an egg against a rock, and we might even lose everything. So all we can do is close the village gates and wait quietly. Relying on the mountain passes and geographical advantages, we can barely hold on." Yun Xiangtian said worriedly: "I'm afraid that the Japanese army at the foot of the mountain will suddenly launch a surprise attack and catch us off guard. Letting the Japanese special forces roam free at the foot of the mountain without eliminating them is like raising a tiger to harm ourselves. That's why I want to ask Wang Furen to move to Anmin Village, to discuss ways to defend against the enemy together, and come up with a foolproof plan."

  Madam Wang thought for half a day and said: "Really, is there no other way?"

  "There is a way, but I'm afraid no one can do it?" Yun Xiang Tian said anxiously: "Who do you think can sneak into the Japanese army's barracks without making a sound and then quietly eliminate them?"

  Madam Wang smiled and said: "You say this is not difficult, only...". She originally wanted to say: "What does this have to do with me?"

  But Yun Xiang Tian didn't give her the chance, snatching the conversation and saying excitedly: "No, Lady Wang, you absolutely cannot participate in this matter. Not to mention the cruelty and ruthlessness of the Japanese people. But let's just say that your family, the Wangs, have paid too much already for guarding Fengling Mountain, from start to finish. Moreover, as women, even if you have the heart to kill the enemy, I'm afraid it would be a futile effort. I think it would be better for you to hide in Anmin Village."

  Madam Wang heard this and suddenly became furious: "Yun Gongzi, you also look down on us too much. We may not be able to charge into battle like the brothers of Anmin Village, but we have our own way of killing the enemy. Those few little devils are nothing but a few corpses in my eyes, I will go down the mountain tonight and wipe them out."

  Yun Xiang Tian stared blankly with his eyes wide open, and after a while, he said with a face full of reverence: "I admire you, Mrs. Wang is indeed a heroine among women, a heroic woman, making me feel ashamed. Tonight, if the lady doesn't mind, I'm willing to accompany her down the mountain again to see her elegance." He then turned around and said to Hong Shan Gu: "Auntie, why don't you come along too? We can also lend a hand to Mrs. Wang."

  Hongshan girl said with a smile: "Good, I am willing to go with Mrs. Wang together. The brothers in Anmin Village will be at the disposal of Mrs. Wang."

  Yun Xiang Tian waved his hand and said: "Not a single brother from Anmin Village can be used. That would disrupt Madame Wang's plan. Don't you think so, Madame Wang?"

  Madam Wang pondered for a moment, then suddenly enlightened, she scolded intimately: "You little brat, you've already got it all figured out and still trick me? If you want my help just say so, do you think being roundabout is troublesome? But I really saw the style of Rain Big Brother in his heyday on you, and I'm truly delighted. Speak! What do you want me to do? You speak!"

  "We just need to do this."

  Madam Wang couldn't help but smile, while Hong Shangu lightly pushed Yun Xiangtian and said: "You little rascal, you're indeed not simple. Madam Wang has such a fierce temper, yet she fell for your provocation. I think from now on, I'll have to be on guard against you. Don't sell me out, or I'll buy you candy to eat!" After finishing, she burst into loud laughter.

  Under the night sky, Fengling Mountain was desolate and eerie. After midnight, a group of ghosts emerged from a thicket at the foot of the mountain and slowly approached a cave entrance. Two young men dressed as mountain villagers stood guard at the entrance, watching their surroundings vigilantly. A fragrance wafted over, and the two young men fell to the ground, drunk-like, and passed out. The group of ghosts floated into the cave like a gust of wind. Inside the cave, a group of Japanese soldiers in yellow-green uniforms were sprawled around a bonfire. One ghost beckoned with its hand, and the other ghosts quickly pounced on the sleeping Japanese soldiers. After a short while, the ghosts that had entered the cave floated out again. Two of the ghosts stretched out their ghostly claws, reaching for the necks of the two young men at the entrance. Then, the ghosts disappeared into the distance like the wind.

  A wisp of morning cloud blushed and dyed the mountain ridge red, brushing a touch of ruddiness on the newly awakened Fengling Mountain. Hong Shangu and Yun Xiangtian sat in Madame Wang's cave, sharing the joy of victory with her. But down the mountain, a thrilling yet terrifying piece of news was spreading.

  The news was spread by Wang Dazhuang from Qing Shuiwan Town. After the last haunted house incident, Wang Dazhuang lay in bed for half a month, dazed and confused. When he finally got out of bed again, he became extremely strange. He said that he had already figured out life and death, could see through yin and yang, and every day would wander around Fengling Mountain, even staying overnight on the desolate mountain, sleeping alone in an empty grave. This morning when he came back, he held a handgun and told his wife: "I met ghosts again today, killed many people. Look, I even picked up this from a dead person's body."

  She saw the handgun and was shocked. She recognized this thing, a few years ago in Lingfeng City someone used it to shoot at a person's head, with a loud bang, that person's head exploded like a watermelon, brain matter and blood splattered everywhere. She was so scared she couldn't sleep for several days, felt nauseous for several days and couldn't eat. Today seeing this thing again, her legs immediately went soft, her whole body weak, barely able to walk out the door, she rolled and crawled towards the clan leader's house.

  Wang Dazhuang was playing with his handgun while recounting the terrifying and bizarre events of the previous night. The night before, Wang Dazhuang had slept alone on a grave mound, sleeping soundly when he was suddenly awakened by a push. He opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by all sorts of strange and eerie ghosts. He quickly got up and ran, but after only two steps, his left foot felt a sudden tightness, and he fell to the ground with a thud. When he turned around, he saw a red-haired ghost about ten feet away from him, using its bony hand to grab his foot and slowly pull him back. Wang Dazhuang let out a loud cry of "Ah!" and frantically kicked at the ghost's claws with his right foot. The red-haired ghost cackled maniacally and said in a chilling voice, "Kick all you want! If you kick too hard, I'll rip off your hand and reattach it for you." Frightened, Wang Dazhuang gave up resisting and shouted for help at the top of his lungs. Just then, a female ghost let out an ear-piercing shriek: "Open your eyes and let me take a look! It's been ages since I've seen such a sturdy man!" Wang Dazhuang tightly closed his eyes, not daring to look at the ghosts' faces. The female ghost said menacingly, "Not opening them? Then you might as well keep your eyes, I'll dig them out and play with them." Frightened, Wang Dazhuang opened his eyes, but what he saw made him scream in terror. He saw the female ghost stretching out her long tongue to lick his face. Overcome with fear, Wang Dazhuang felt a chill run down his spine and fainted on the spot. When he came to again, he found himself surrounded by naked corpses, and next to them, he saw this... Wang Dazhuang proudly waved his handgun in the air.

  "Whose corpse is it?"

  "Idiot! Of course it's a ghost. A corpse in the daytime and a ghost at night."

  Among the crowd, one person listened to Wang Dazhuang's words and looked around cautiously before quietly walking out of the crowd. Not far from him, a pair of eyes stared at him with an eerie smile.