Chapter Five: Taking to the Hills

The officer was about to flee but was blocked by a young girl in a blue dress. No matter how he tried to turn his horse, she always appeared in front of him, moving with a ghostly speed. Terrified, the officer went limp and tumbled off his horse, dropping to his knees to beg for mercy. The girl remained unmoved, her voice sharp as she shouted, "You dog! You oppress the people every day, serving as a lackey for the Demon Nation. Now that you’ve fallen into my hands, do you still hope to live?"

The officer immediately swore, "Merciful lady, I swear I’ll never harm the people again. I’ll resign my post and go back to the countryside to farm." Seeing her expression soften, he kowtowed several more times, threw down his sword, removed his helmet, and said, "Look, I’m shedding this dog’s skin right now! I won’t be this wretched officer any longer!"

The young girl looked at him with disgust, her face darkening. She turned away and barked, "Enough nonsense. Get out!" The officer, secretly delighted, kowtowed again, scrambled to his feet, and ran. He had barely taken a few steps when the girl exchanged a glance with a burly young man and called out, "Brother!"

The young man had already been frustrated that his sister let the officer go so easily. Seeing her signal, he understood at once, grabbed his club, and chased after the officer, bringing it down with fierce force. The officer was too busy running for his life to notice the attack. By the time he heard the wind behind him, it was too late. The club crashed down, splitting his skull open like a blossom of a thousand peach flowers. His corpse fell to the ground.

"Good heavens! These two are too formidable. Let’s run for our lives!" The soldiers, terrified out of their wits, let out a shout and prepared to scatter. But the young man blocked their way with his club.

The girl shouted, "No one moves! Anyone who tries will end up like your commanding officer!" Her voice cracked like thunder, freezing the soldiers in place, not daring to advance a single step.

Leaping to a high spot, the girl commanded, "Drop your weapons and surrender!" The soldiers dared not disobey. They threw down their blades and spears and raised their hands.

"You have served as accomplices to villains, so this is your just reward," the girl lectured in a gentler tone. "Who among you has no parents, no siblings, no family? Would you want to see your loved ones suffer under the Demon Nation?"

Her words moved the soldiers deeply.

"You live off the people’s labor, yet you do nothing to defend the country or ease their suffering. Instead, you willingly serve as lackeys for the Demon Nation. Don’t you feel ashamed before your ancestors and families?"

Her words were both reasonable and heartfelt; the soldiers all hung their heads, ashamed.

After her impassioned speech, the soldiers nodded in agreement, none objecting. Finally, the girl declared, "Do you agree with what I’ve said? If so, why not join my brother and me, become mountain lords, raise our banner in revolt, and turn your weapons against the demon soldiers?"

Though she used harsh language, her righteous bearing made her seem even more heroic. At her words, a commotion broke out among the soldiers as they discussed their choices.

The girl saw their hesitation and spoke again, "Enough chatter. Listen to me: those willing to join the righteous army, stand to the left; those unwilling, stand to the right. I’ll give you travel money and let you go home."

The soldiers hesitated a moment, then shuffled into two groups on the left and right. Some switched sides after a moment’s thought; others lingered indecisively in the middle before finally choosing. In the end, more stood on the right than the left.

When the girl saw they had chosen, she nodded approvingly. "Good choice! Well done!" She let out a cold laugh, her small dark mole twitching ominously. "Those on the left, follow me up the mountain. Brother, kill those on the right—they still wish to be Demon Nation lackeys, so we have no use for them!"

She turned and led the way up the mountain. Those on the left were stunned, while those on the right, seeing the young man approach with his massive club, were terrified.

"Thud! Thud! Thud!" One after another, the soldiers dropped to their knees, crying out, "Spare us, hero! We won’t go back! We’re willing to join the righteous army and fight the demons with you!"

But the young man, enraged, cursed, "You little cowards, you wouldn’t accept the wine of goodwill, so now you’ll drink the wine of punishment. It’s too late to regret!" He raised his iron club.

With a roar, he brought the club down, the wind howling. The soldiers shrieked and squeezed their eyes shut, waiting for death. But instead, a green sword flashed out, blocking the club with a deafening clang. The shock knocked the young man back two steps.

Surprised, he asked, "Sister, you—"

"Brother, step back!" the girl ordered. She calmly approached the soldiers. "Are you telling the truth?"

"It’s true! It’s true! We wouldn’t dare lie!" they cried, trembling.

"Since you’re willing, will you ever regret it?" she demanded.

"We won’t! We’ll never regret it! How could we dare?" they swore.

Only then did the girl’s expression turn cold. "If so, then follow me up the mountain!" She strode ahead, and the soldiers, relieved, hurried after her.

Ye Feng watched all that had transpired from halfway up the mountain. Though he felt the girl acted out of justice—killing the officer and absorbing his troops—he couldn’t approve of her methods. As they approached, he stepped aside, intending to let them pass and descend the mountain alone.

But the girl approached and bowed. "Young sir, you’re now a wanted man. You have nowhere to go. Why not join us in our mountain stronghold? We need someone literate like you. Together, we might accomplish great things."

Ye Feng quickly waved his hands. "Miss, thank you for saving my life. But I cannot accept your offer. Uncle Li told me before I escaped the city to seek out the righteous army at Dream Lotus Mountain. Their fame is widespread, and the people support them. I must follow my father’s will."

The girl burst into laughter. "You’re too rigid! Dream Lotus Mountain’s rebels are fighting the demons, and so are we! Besides, they’re so large they don’t need you. Over there, you’d have to prove your loyalty first. With us, you’d avoid all that trouble! Right now, we’re just starting out. When we succeed, you’ll be a founding elder—what an honor!"

Ye Feng didn’t truly want to join them, put off by the girl’s earlier behavior. But he couldn’t say so directly. Her words left him speechless.

After a moment, he replied, "Miss, you make good points. But Uncle Li’s instructions reflect my father’s wishes. I cannot disobey my parents. Please forgive me." He bowed and tried to leave.

He had taken only a few steps when a sharp voice called out behind him, "Men, this gentleman refuses to join us because we haven’t been sincere enough. Quickly, pick him up and bring him with us!"

Startled, Ye Feng turned to see a dozen soldiers rushing toward him. He fled, but as a mere scholar, he was no match for the trained soldiers. In moments, they caught him, lifted him up, and carried him up the mountain.

Ye Feng struggled desperately, but he could not break free. Furious and indignant, he cursed, "You madwoman! Why force me? Even if you drag me up the mountain, I’ll just find a chance to escape!"

The girl only laughed, "Don’t waste your energy, young sir. Come with us for now. Once we’re back, you’ll be well cared for—I won’t treat you poorly!"

Ye Feng, seeing she was unmoved, cursed her even more: "Bandit woman! Ugly hag! Shameless wretch! What you do is not the way of a gentleman. Even if you raise a banner in revolt, the people won’t follow you, and you’ll never achieve greatness. I’d rather die than follow you!"

The girl only laughed harder. "Well said! Scold me all you want—what of it? Am I ugly? Am I foul? Plenty of people say I’m beautiful and fragrant! As for achieving greatness, come with me and see for yourself. I promise there’ll be many more good shows to come!"

Ye Feng was left speechless with rage.

Thus, amidst their noisy arguing, the group made their way up the mountain.

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