Right as Dian Deng Zi Zhao Sheng was “observing” things in Gaojia Village.
Dian Deng Zi’s men hauled another ten stones of food up the slope, filling the Villagers with sheer delight. “Lord Bai from Bai Family Fortress is a good man indeed!”
“Earlier I thought the rich were all bad. Seems I was wrong.”
“Alright, tomorrow’s meals are settled too.”
The Villagers from Qingjian County cheered joyfully.
Just as the merriment peaked, a hunter scrambled back, shouting desperately: “Trouble! A group of men’s climbing the west slope—Seventh Team’s Ye Bu Shou!” The rıghtful source is novelFirｅ.net
His cry jolted the people of Qingjian County silent.
Captain of Bu Zhan Ni’s Seventh Team—Ye Bu Shou.
“But that’s odd—Ye Bu Shou went a different way. Why here? To Huanglong Mountain?”
“Could he be crowding our turf?”
“Oh no, Mr. Zhao isn’t here. He followed Lord Bai downhill to find us a lifeline. How do we deal with Ye Bu Shou now?”
Panic seized the crowd. After moments, Jiejia Valley’s Village Chief Jie was pushed forward to handle matters in Zhao Sheng’s absence. Age had curved his spine—fifty-two summers weighed on him, leaving the Village Chief gaunt and frail.
Approaching the west slope’s edge, Village Chief Jie eyed the ridge. A war banner unfurled—Ye Bu Shou glaring boldly from the cloth—as a compact band of fifteen hundred streamed upward along the path.
“It’s the Seventh Team!”
“They’re fewer, but carry far fewer elderly and weak, women and children. Stronger than we three thousand.”
Heart pounding, Village Chief Jie steeled himself forward: “Seventh Captain, why approach Huanglong Mountain? The Boss arranged us—Second Team—here.”
Ye Bu Shou was fierce-eyed, middle-aged. Compact, muscular, a coiled panther’s stance sheathed in Great Ming border army armor. Bow slung across his back—sword hanging sharp at the hip. Untamed power radiated.
“What right have you to come before me?” Ye Bu Shou scowled. “Where’s the Second Leader? Why isn’t he facing me?”
The Village Chief hastily bowed. “The Second Leader went to find food.”
A former elite scout’s eyes instantly assessed: nearly three thousand packed the peak—all Seventh Team’s forces. A worried frown creased his brow: “The Second Leader hunted food—without you? How?”
Village Chief Jie flinched briefly: “Well…”
He’d never dare say Dian Deng Zi fraternized with local gentry—such words courted peril.
Huffing coldly, Ye Bu Shou shrugged: “Fine. I‘ll wait here for his return.”
Village Chief Jie’s pulse raced. Dispatching this threat was urgent: “Seventh Captain, whatever brought you—might I help? Truly no need for delay.”
“What dealings could I have with you?” Ye Bu Shou sneered.
Village Chief Jie remained silent.
Slowly, Ye Bu Shou swept his gaze across Qingjian County’s people. Sharp eyes locked onto ten stones of food just hauled up. “Ah—your Second Team prospers! Ten stones lying idle! Looted from some rich landlord’s cellar?”
Village Chief Jie coughed uneasily: “That…we…raided a great tyrant… Mmm…a heartless wealthy man.”
Ye Bu Shou chuckled dryly: “Lucky you scored such fine harvest. I’ve struck several manor forts yet found meager grain! Ah! My men are famished! We all rose starving—surely brethren share? A few stones from your stock?”
Beads of sweat dotted Village Chief Jie’s brow: “This…this humble elder dares no such choice… Let the Second Leader return first… Then…perhaps we…”
Temptation flared—a swift raid could end this. Yet Ye Bu Shou reconsidered: Dian Deng Zi was learned—a rare scholar among illiterate rebels—greatly prized by Bu Zhan Ni. Seize Second Team’s goods and face Bu Zhan Ni’s wrath? Too weak now! If Teams One to Six joined forces against him…death beckoned.
Better wait for Dian Deng Zi. Rejected food? Turn righteous—accuse Second Leader of forsaking brotherhood before the Boss himself. Just claims secured…then strike.
Biting back rage, he motioned sharply: “Then I await your Second Leader.”
He withdrew Seventh Team to a nearby grove and settled in.
Heart thrashing wildly, Village Chief Jie slipped back to his Villagers. Whispering urgently to a hunter: “Slip unseen through thickets—get to Bai Family Fortress! Find Zhao Sheng… Warn him!”
Bai Yuan steered the wagon homeward, Dian Deng Zi’s party trailing behind from Gaojia Village.
Elated through the journey, Bai Yuan beamed: “Ha! Mastering that giant train proved simple! Flick the switch—it followed tracks on its own! Grasped it in moments! Hah! I reclaim the “Grand Charioteer” title—restored!”
Similarly, joy radiated from Dian Deng Zi. Turned rebel against his will, burdened daily with despair for his three thousand souls—certain doom had shrouded him. Utter darkness. Till this light dawned! Hope pierced—a path revealed! Strike boldly…all may survive!
Both overjoyed men arrived at Bai Family Fortress—before feet could steady—a guard raced toward them frantically: “Lord! Terrible news! Fresh bandits swarm Huanglong Mountain!”
The words struck Bai Yuan and Dian Deng Zi like thunder.
Rushing inside, they scaled the fortress wall. Cheng Xu had waited long. Spotting Bai Yuan, he breathed: “Not long past—a new bandit force scaled the peaks…joined Dian Deng Zi’s men…fifteen-hundred strong. No hostility shown since ascent.”
Dian Deng Zi paled slightly: “Fifteen hundred… Can’t be Ye Bu Shou? Only Seventh Team runs that lean.”
“Ye Bu Shou?” Cheng Xu’s eyes narrowed at the sound—a name bearing military scouts’ ring.
Before he pondered deeper, a bow-wielding hunter scrambled to the fortress gate below. Ducking glances upward, he cried: “I’m Dian Deng Zi’s man! Let me in! Urgent word for the Captain!”