“No problem, we can make it down that side!”
The short hunter pointed to a narrow path.
“Are you mad? That route is thick with thorny vines, and it passes right by the bandits. How could you possibly make it?”
The tall hunter said, “Bandits cannot chase us through the forest, but down there they can. If you alert them, you are done for.”
“I have to try anyway!”
The short hunter said stubbornly, “Otherwise, how could I face my father in death?”
With that, ignoring the tall one’s protests, he dashed downward.
Time was critical. He had no chance to hack the vines and plunged straight in.
The weather was still hot, and hunters wore little. His face, arms, and legs were scratched by thorns, but he seemed oblivious, racing through the brambles at top speed.
Only when within a hundred metres of the bandits’ hiding spot did he slow.
As a seasoned mountain hunter, he crept to within twenty metres east of them undetected.
But the next stretch had sparse vegetation and was too close. Slipping past unnoticed would be difficult.
Pausing behind bushes, he took a deep breath, ready to sprint the riskiest section, when a folksong echoed from the peak.
“Clear water, clear, clear water clear, clear water reflects the carp’s scales; clear water shows my sister’s face, the Dragon King sends matchmakers straight…”
The short hunter glanced back. The tall one stood atop, belting out at the top of his lungs.
Drawn by the song, bandits turned uphill.
Seizing the moment, the short hunter bolted across the danger zone.
“Third, Jin Feng approaches. Take a few men, kill that fool. Do not let him warn Jin Feng.”
A bandit leader ordered.
“Got it!”
Third replied, leading three bandits uphill.
Seeing his companion past the bandits, the tall one ducked into the forest.
By the time bandits arrived, he had vanished. Third cursed and led his men down.
Meanwhile, the short hunter reached the base via the path.
Familiar with the mountains, sneaking along the foot through woods would evade detection, but it was slow.
Speed required the official road.
Yet that exposed him to bandits.
Hesitating briefly, he gritted his teeth, charged onto the road, and sprinted desperately.
“Chief, look! Someone on the official road!”
A bandit pointed at the short hunter.
“Where did he come from?”
“Probably a hunter hiding nearby, scared witless seeing us.”
“No way. Before you arrived, I scoured the area. No one could be here!”
“What if he warns Jin Feng?”
“Impossible. Xihe Bay is miles away. Who knows Jin Feng? How would he know we ambush him?”
“I hunted rabbits here before. From the peak, you see miles. What if he saw from up top?”
“Impossible. With so many of us, how did he descend?”
“Someone sang up there earlier. Maybe covering for him?”
“Now you mention it, that makes sense.”
“Then chase!”
“If he is not warning Jin Feng, chasing alerts them!”
“But if he is?”
“What then? Chase or not?”
…
The bandits wavered.
By the time they decided, the hunter was over a mile away, nearing the foot’s bend.
Then an old soldier trotted up on a warhorse.
After the Heifeng Ridge ambush, Jin Feng always required scouts.
“Brother, halt!”
The hunter blocked the path, arms outstretched.
“Who are you? Why so battered?”
The soldier reined in, looking down.
The hunter’s face and body were lacerated by thorns, looking pitiful.
“Brother, I am Tang Fei, hunter from Tang Village. Bandits ahead plan to ambush Mr Jin!”
He said rapidly, “Hurry back and tell Mr Jin to flee!”
“Bandits?” The soldier’s eyes chilled, “How many?”
“Over one hundred and fifty that I saw!” the hunter urged.
“Jinchuan still has such a large band?”
The soldier eyed him sceptically.
“Brother, I swear it is true. Three groups combined. I saw with my own eyes.”
The hunter was near tears.
“Fine. I will check. If true, go to Xihe Bay later. Mr Jin will reward you.” the soldier said.
“Brother, no need. I saw clearly. Report to Mr Jin now.”
The hunter grabbed the reins, trying to turn the horse.
“Release!”
The soldier drew his sword, pointing at the hunter.
He would have struck if not fearing a mistake.
As the hunter opened his mouth again, an arrow whistled, striking the soldier’s neck!
He clutched it instinctively, tumbling from the horse.
Now he believed, but regret came too late.
With all his strength, he pointed to the horse, then the way back, and closed his eyes forever.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two more arrows flew. The hunter had dropped flat.
One missed, the other hit the horse.
He dared not rise, crawling swiftly into nearby woods, only standing after rounding the foot.
Then he resumed sprinting along the road.
Behind, bandits poured from hiding, pursuing en masse.
Two miles away, Jin Feng rode, discussing strategy and formations with Qing Mulian, when Old Hei’s alert rang ahead.
Then he saw the hunter.
“Mr… Mr Jin… bandits… ambush… over a hundred…”
Running flat out so long, the hunter gasped incomplete words.
“What? Our scout?”
Old Hei startled, asked quickly.
“Dead… shot by arrow!”
Breath steadying, the hunter yelled, “Mr Jin, it is real. Flee!”
Just then, dense footsteps echoed from the road behind.
Bandits rounded the foot, weapons waving, murderous.
Knowing Xihe Bay’s crossbows, front-runners held shields.
No need for explanation now. Old Hei bellowed, “Protect sir, retreat!”
With veterans’ skill and female soldiers’ aid, thirty or forty bandits posed no fear.
But over a hundred? In melee, no chance!
Bandits could overwhelm with numbers!
All veterans and female soldiers wheeled horses.
But the mountain path was narrow, with a carriage. Turning was slow.
“At a time like this, abandon the carriage! Block the road with it!”
Jin Feng roared, “Xiaorou, Xiaobei, out now! A Mei, grab the heavy crossbow from the carriage!”
