Chapter 71
71 Departure
The Third-in-charge of Clear Wind Ridge fled back to Clear Wind Ridge with the remaining seven or eight bandits in a panic.
The Second-in-command of the bandits in Clear Wind Ridge, Hu San, had never been on good terms with the third-in-command, Lone Wolf. Seeing that the latter had returned empty-handed with his men and that half of the men were even missing, he looked at them gloatingly.
The chief, Black Bear, also looked at them curiously. With a livid expression, he asked repeatedly, “Third Brother, where’s Big Head and Dog Feed? Why did you come back empty-handed? Where’s the food you snatched?”
Lone Wolf looked at his boss, who was sitting in an armchair with his chest exposed and looked like a big black bear. He smiled cautiously and said, “Big Brother, you don’t know that those people have bows and arrows and are protected by two ruthless experts. We were busy for half the night and didn’t even manage to touch anything before half of our men were lost.”
Hu San looked at Lone Wolf and sneered. “Third Brother, didn’t you say that those who came were all refugees? You guaranteed that you will be able to capture them.”
Lone Wolf looked at the sharp-mouthed Hu San and felt bitter. He thought to himself, I was the one who went. I fought for a long time and I’ve already lost so many people. I’ll let him have a taste of kicking an iron plate.
Lone Wolf bent down and apologized to Hu San in a low voice, “Second Brother, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have snatched it from you. If it were you last night, you might have already dealt with those people.”
Hu San snorted. “You don’t have to set me up. Everyone knows what you are up to!”
Seeing that Hu San was pressing him s, Lone Wolf looked at Hu San angrily and sneered, “Why don’t you get a basin of water to take a look at yourself? It’s already an honor to say that you look like a quail.”
Hu San rushed up and punched Lone Wolf. The two of them started fighting.
Seeing that the two of them were fighting non-stop, Black Bear was so angry that he kicked the table to the ground and shouted, “You still have the strength to fight here? You’re about to run out of food!”
Seeing that Black Bear was angry, the two of them couldn’t care less about attacking each other. They hurriedly pounced in front of the Black Bear. Lone Wolf fawned on the Black Bear and said, “Big Brother, don’t worry. If they are going to Qi County, they won’t be able to escape from our hands.”
Hu San said anxiously, “That’s right! Brother, there’s only one way to Qi County, the Clear Water Ridge. We brothers will work together and guarantee to take them down.”
Black Bear looked at the two of them. “Second Brother, Third Brother, why were you fighting when Big Head and the others came back with the news yesterday?”
The two of them hurriedly patted their chests and promised, “Big Brother, don’t worry. From today onwards, we promise to be on the same side.”
Black Bear looked at the two of them and said earnestly, “If the two of you were as united as you are now, our Black Bear Stronghold would have long become rich.”
Lone Wolf said obsequiously, “Yes, Big Brother is wise. Big Brother is right. Second Brother and I will bring our brothers down the mountain and bring them back to avenge Big Brother and our dead brothers.”
Black Bear looked at Hu San, who was standing silently at the side. “Second Brother, what do you think?”
Hu San cursed Lone Wolf his heart for having thoughts about what little manpower he had.
Hu San stood up and cupped his fists at the black bear. “Brother, I’ll listen to you!”
“Alright.” Black Bear looked at the two of them. “Big Head said that they’re a group of refugees who fled. A group of them brought their families with them. Even if there are two good people inside, I’ll assign a few more people to you. Go to the pass and set up the people. Wait there and kill them when they come.”
Hu San looked at Black Bear and said, “Big Brother, who will lead this operation?”
Black Bear looked at Hu San and said soothingly, “You’re the Second-in-charge. Of course, you’ll lead. Third Brother, you have to listen to Second Brother’s instructions.”
Lone Wolf glanced at Hu San and suppressed his displeasure. He cupped his hands and said, “As you wish.”
Hu San and Lone Wolf came out of the cave with peaceful expressions and walked down the mountain with about twenty people.
Li Yu and a group of villagers rested in the forest for a day. Ruyi and Zhao Cai went hunting and came back with some pheasants and hares. Everyone gathered some food and more than 20 families gathered together to eat happily.
Hu San and Lone Wolf waited at the pass until it was almost dark. They were bitten by mosquitoes everywhere, but there was no sign of Li Yu and the others. Hu San scratched his itchy spot and said to Lone Wolf, “Third Brother, do you think they’ll turn around and leave?”
Lone Wolf shook his head. “That’s impossible! They don’t have much livestock with them. They must be walking slowly because they’re carrying a lot. Let’s wait.”
The two of them waited for another four hours. It was already dark, but Li Yu and the others were not there. Hu San lost his patience and stood up to say to Lone Wolf, “Damn it, we’re not waiting anymore. They must be afraid and turned around to go back.”
Lone Wolf also felt that those who fled the wasteland had most likely gone back. He secretly regretted it. If he had known that these people were so timid, he would have led them to charge again. If he didn’t get the food, he would have to tuck his tail between his legs in the village in the future.
Lone Wolf said unhappily to Hu San, “Let’s listen to Second Brother and go back!”
Hu San secretly enjoyed Lone Wolf’s worried expression and happily brought his men back to the village.
Li Yu and the others rested for the night. The next day, Li Yu arranged for people at dawn. Everyone packed their luggage and set off in high spirits.
This time, Ruyi took the lead. Li Yu followed behind and changed to a person on foot in the middle.
Not long after Chen Gui’s wife walked, she rubbed her foot and shouted, “Aiya! My foot is so sore that I can’t even lift it. The soles of my feet hurt like I’m stepping on iron nails.”
The auntie beside her looked at her and said with a smile, “Last night, Xiaoyu asked you to rub your feet. You didn’t do it, did you? You suffered today.”
Chen Gui’s wife smiled awkwardly. “I thought that a little girl like her wouldn’t have much knowledge, so I couldn’t be bothered! Who knew that I would be in pain today?”
Zhou Jia leaned against the cart shed and watched as Li Yu drove the mule cart forward. He suddenly felt very useless to think that as a man, he still needed his wife to protect him.
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu and said guiltily, “Xiaoyu, I’m sorry. I’m too useless. I can’t help you with the bandits or the cart.”
Li Yu turned to look at his handsome face and smiled. “Then you’ll be in charge of being as beautiful as a flower in the future. I’ll be in charge of earning money to support the family.”
Zhou Jia did not know whether to laugh or cry when he heard that. “Where did you hear this nonsense? Women are in charge of being as beautiful as flowers, and men are in charge of earning money to support the family.”
As Zhou Jia spoke, he moved to Li Yu’s side and sat down. He said in a low voice, “Although your husband is weak, he still has the ability to earn money to support the family. Just wait for us to settle down. I’ll earn money and dress you up beautifully.”
Li Yu glanced at Zhou Jia and pretended to be sad. “Then according to you, I’m not beautiful anymore!”
Zhou Jia hurriedly cupped his hands and apologized, “My wife is outstanding and unparalleled.”
Li Yu snorted. “At least you know your place. I’ll spare you.”
The two of them flirted as they drove the mule cart forward. Li Yu felt that this road was relatively flat. There were trees and withered weeds on both sides.
In the Black Bear Stronghold, Black Bear found Hu San and said to him with a smile, “Second Brother, I think you should bring people to investigate again and see if those people have turned around and gone back.”
Hu San thought for a moment and said to the Black Bear, “Big Brother, you have to give me more people. I’ll make a trip. If those people are still in the forest, I’ll send someone back to report.”
The Black Bear glanced at Hu San and pondered for a moment before nodding. “I’ll give you another five men. Take them down the mountain.”
Hu San was extremely satisfied when he heard that. “Thank you, Big Brother. Then I’ll leave with my men.” Hu San looked at Lone Wolf proudly before leading the dozen people down the mountain.
After Hu San left, Lone Wolf walked to Black Bear’s side and sowed discord. “Big Brother, look, Second Brother’s manpower is almost the same as yours now. In the future, I’ll follow behind you and Second Brother and enjoy life.”
Black Bear stroked his chin and looked thoughtfully at Hu San’s back. The smile was gone from his eyes.