The official road was only a few metres wide, and Monkey had just run past the bandits, all of whom had seen him.
In the woods near the official road, the bandits were discussing him.
“Boss, the person who just ran past on the road, he’s probably from Xihe Bay, right?” one bandit asked.
“There are scouts on the battlefield, mainly responsible for reconnaissance and clearing the way. Jin Feng has been to war with Lord Qing, so he must have learned those battlefield tactics. The one who just ran past was likely their scout,” said a bandit who had once been a soldier.
“Will he discover us?” another bandit asked, worried.
“We’re hidden so well, and he was riding so fast. How could he possibly notice?” the boss replied. “Even if he did, it doesn’t matter. This is the only road to the county city, unless they turn back now.”
“If they really turn back, haven’t we waited here for nothing?” a junior bandit complained. “And Three Dogs and the others died for nothing.”
They had taken a shortcut to get here, passing a steep cliff wall over ten metres long. Four bandits had slipped, failed to grip the rock crevices, and fallen to their deaths.
The remaining bandits, after arriving, had been hiding in the woods. The mountain was full of ferocious mosquitoes, and they were covered in bites.
If Jin Feng discovered them and retreated, wouldn’t all this waiting have been for nothing?
“We’re so well hidden, that scout probably didn’t notice anything. Maybe Jin Feng and his group will show up soon,” the boss said. “We’ll wait one more incense stick’s time. If they still haven’t come, we’ll chase after them.”
“Boss, they’re on horses. Can we catch up?” one bandit asked.
“Why do you think I chose Black Wind Ridge for the ambush?” the boss said proudly. “They can run all they want, but we can take a nap and still catch up.”
This section of Black Wind Ridge was a winding mountain road. From their current ambush point, the bandits could take a shortcut downhill for just over a hundred metres, while Jin Feng’s group, riding on the official road, would need half an hour.
“Boss, with so many of us, why wait? Why not just charge and cut them down?” the second-in-command said impatiently, scratching a large bump on his arm.
“Those following Jin Feng are surely skilled fighters. If we fight head-on, we’d lose at least a dozen brothers. Are our brothers’ lives worth nothing?” the boss said coldly. “Why let our men die when we can wait a bit longer and settle it with one round of archers?”
“I…” The second-in-command shrank back, not daring to speak.
The surrounding bandits, hearing the boss’s words, felt warmed, thinking they had found a good leader.
Seeing he had won their loyalty, the boss continued, “Brothers, stay sharp. If we take down Jin Feng today, tomorrow I’ll treat everyone to the best brothel in the county, and we’ll drink for three days!”
“Don’t worry, boss. Once Jin Feng reaches Black Wind Ridge, he won’t leave alive!” one bandit said.
“That scout’s horse was so strong and fast. When we take it, I’m definitely riding it,” another added.
“And that war blade on his waist, I hear it’s razor-sharp, cuts hair with a breath and slices iron like mud!” said another.
“That crossbow is mine!” another chimed in.
The bandits chattered excitedly, completely unaware that Monkey was already behind them, disguised and lying on a high ridge, counting their numbers.
“One, two, three…” Monkey’s face grew grimmer as he counted. After finishing, he silently retreated.
From start to finish, the bandits had no idea Monkey had uncovered their plans.
Not long after Monkey left, the boss grew impatient and called over a bandit. “Leper, you’re fast. Go check why they haven’t shown up. If they’ve fled, come back and report immediately.”
“Yes!” Leper nodded and slipped into the woods.
Meanwhile, Monkey had just returned to the convoy.
Iron Hammer hurried over and asked, “How many bandits are there?”
“I saw a hundred and twenty-seven, including twenty archers,” Monkey replied. “There are a few more hiding in a ravine, blocked by bushes. I couldn’t see clearly, but there’s likely between three and seven of them.”
“So, at least a hundred and thirty bandits?” Iron Hammer’s face darkened.
Hearing the commotion, Jin Feng opened the carriage door.
A gleaming heavy crossbow was aimed outward, startling Iron Hammer, who quickly stepped aside.
“Look at you, all big and tough, but so timid,” Qing Mulian, sitting behind the crossbow, mocked.
“Miss Mulian, no matter how tough I am, I can’t withstand a hit from that thing,” Iron Hammer said, well aware of the crossbow’s power and not at all embarrassed. “I’d advise Miss Mulian to dodge quick if she ever faces a heavy crossbow. Even that sturdy armour of yours won’t hold up.”
“Iron Hammer’s got a point,” Jin Feng said, nodding in agreement.
“What point? Didn’t you see I haven’t even strung it?” Qing Mulian retorted, unconvinced. “He’s just a coward.”
Iron Hammer didn’t bother arguing with Qing Mulian and turned to Jin Feng. “Sir, what do we do now? Fight or retreat?”
“Fight or retreat?” Jin Feng hesitated.
The bandits outnumbered them six to one. In a fight, Jin Feng had no confidence.
In the era of cold weapons, numbers mattered greatly.
Although Jin Feng had won against larger forces in Qingshui Valley and at Iron Can Mountain, that didn’t mean he could here.
The bandits had set an ambush and held the geographical advantage, putting Jin Feng’s side at a disadvantage.
But Black Wind Ridge was the only route to the county city. There was no way to detour.
If they didn’t fight, were they never to go to the county city again?
Most importantly, the choice to fight or not wasn’t in their hands.
“Do we know where this group came from?” Jin Feng asked during a pause. “Are they local Black Wind Ridge bandits, or has someone targeted us?”
For bandits, robbing was their job.
These days, few travelled at night. If they were local bandits, they’d likely return home by evening.
Then, Jin Feng’s group could pass under cover of darkness.
Iron Hammer’s concern was that they’d been targeted. Even if they retreated, the enemy would follow, leaving them more vulnerable than now.
Everyone turned to Monkey.
“Well… there were too many of them, and I didn’t dare get too close, so I couldn’t tell,” Monkey said, scratching his head sheepishly. “Boss, how about I go back and scout again? I’ll try to get closer and see if I can find any clues.”
“No need. We’ve never been to Black Wind Ridge and don’t know what the local bandits are like. There’s no need to take the risk,” Jin Feng said. “They already saw you. Whether they’re local or targeting us, with their numbers, they won’t let us go.
This fight is unavoidable. Everyone, prepare.”
