Chapter Seventy-Four: Wild Goose Ridge

Wolf Osmanthus accompanied his senior brother down the mountain. The two of them traveled by day and rested by night, and in just a few days, they arrived before a towering mountain.

This mountain was truly precipitous! It resembled a massive steamed bun, its flanks all smooth granite gleaming under the sunlight. At its very summit stood a few ancient trees, and encircling them was a fortress. The encampment enclosed the trees, its ramparts lined with demon soldiers, each armed with spear and blade, overlooking the slopes. It was, indeed, a place where one man could hold the pass against ten thousand—a stronghold nearly impossible to breach.

From afar, Panther Toli pointed toward the high gate, where a plaque hung over the entrance. “We’ve arrived, junior brother. Can you see what’s written on the sign above the gate?”

Wolf Osmanthus shaded his eyes with his hand, summoned his demon power, and peered carefully. There were three large characters: “Falling Goose Ridge.”

“That’s just ‘Falling Goose Ridge,’ isn’t it, senior brother? Is there some special meaning?”

Panther Toli nodded. “Exactly! This place is the only route to Antong, the capital of the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom. It’s called Falling Goose Ridge because there’s a pool at the mountaintop, with cool, sweet water. Every time wild geese fly south, they alight here to drink and play in the pond. The presence of water ensures the garrison never runs dry, which makes it easy to defend and thus a coveted military stronghold.”

Having said this, Panther Toli urged, “Come, junior brother, let’s go and have the gates opened. We’ll rest and wait for Murong Yan and Ye Feng’s forces to arrive to attack this fortress!”

Even before he finished speaking, he pressed his heels into his iron-ribbed horse. The unicorn steed’s hooves thundered—

Clip! Clop! Clip! Clop!

Like an arrow loosed from a bow, he shot toward the foot of the mountain.

Seeing his senior’s horse galloping so fast, Wolf Osmanthus refused to lag behind. He tightened his grip on the reins and shouted, “Faster! After him!”

But the Golden Tiger with Twin Wings hesitated. With a mighty slap—

Smack!

The sound echoed as his palm landed squarely on the tiger’s rump.

A roar of pain erupted, and the Golden Tiger unfurled its wings, leaping into the air and swiftly giving chase.

At the foot of the mountain, Panther Toli called up to the wall, “Hear me, demon soldiers atop the ramparts! I am Panther Toli, Left Prime Minister of the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom! Why do you not summon your fortress lord, Miao Xianke, to come out and greet me?”

A lesser demon hurried inside to report. Soon, the gates swung wide, and a troop of soldiers rode out, parting to form two lines. At the fore were banners of every color, and behind them, drums and gongs sounded, a scene of jubilant welcome.

From among them dismounted a monstrous figure, who from afar clasped both hands in greeting and grinned slyly, “Miao!… Miao!…”

The voice was high and sharp, drawn out and grating—like a cat in heat.

“Prime Minister Tuo, your arrival at Falling Goose Ridge brings me great honor. Forgive me for not coming farther to greet you!”

Panther Toli looked closely. This monster had the head of a cat, eyes round and glowing green, a mouth split in three, four gleaming fangs protruding, whiskers bristling like needles. He stood just over three feet tall, his body plump as a ball and covered in soft, glossy fur more than a foot long.

Disgust flickered across Panther Toli’s face. He frowned and said coldly, “Enough courtesies. Hurry and lead me inside. I want to inspect your defensive preparations.”

Miao Xianke bowed and scraped, “Miao!… Miao!… Prime Minister Tuo, you are truly a paragon of public service, a model for us all. Please, this way!”

He stepped aside to let Panther Toli take the lead.

Without another glance at Miao Xianke, Panther Toli spurred his unicorn steed—

Clip! Clop! Clip! Clop!

—and rode straight into the fortress. Wolf Osmanthus followed closely behind.

Inside the fortress, guided by Miao Xianke, they proceeded directly to the council chamber, where Panther Toli alone took the seat of honor.

“Miao Fortress Lord, do you know that Murong Yan and Ye Feng are marching their army against our kingdom? Falling Goose Ridge is the only route to Antong. Have you any strategies in place for its defense?” Panther Toli asked bluntly as soon as he sat.

“Prime Minister, as the saying goes, ‘When soldiers come, send generals; when water floods, build dams.’ With the natural defenses here at Falling Goose Ridge, what have we to fear? Besides, I have already arranged the troops and made careful plans. I’ll drive them off in disarray!”

Panther Toli grew irritated at this bluster. His face darkened. “Miao Xianke, do you know how many formidable talents are among the enemy ranks? How can you be so careless? Do you think you have more than one head on your shoulders?”

Miao Xianke shrank back in terror, thinking to himself: This old man has already lost two battles, now he’s jittery and venting his anger at me. Best not to provoke him!

He bowed deeply and said with humility, “Prime Minister, I was careless. I am guilty and deserve punishment. Thankfully you are here to command us—surely we will hold the enemy at bay!”

Only then did Panther Toli’s face soften. “Good. Since that’s the case, take me on an inspection of your defenses.”

He stepped down from the dais. Miao Xianke hastily led the way, with Wolf Osmanthus at their side as the three made a tour of the fortress.

At every station, Panther Toli examined the defenses meticulously—the height of the walls, the weapons of the demon soldiers, the supply of provisions—asking about each in detail. If he found a problem, he ordered immediate corrections, moving on only when satisfied.

So more than an hour passed. At last, Panther Toli smiled, ready to retire for a rest.

Suddenly, shouts rang out from the demon soldiers. “Hey! What’s that flying in the sky?”

“Look! It’s falling! It’s falling!”

“Alert! Take cover! Protect the Prime Minister!”

At once, dozens of demon soldiers rushed over, forming rings around Panther Toli, weapons drawn and eyes vigilant.

A moment later—

Thud!

Something crashed into the courtyard, throwing up a cloud of dust.

The lesser demons hurried to investigate. Soon, they returned to report, “Prime Minister, Fortress Lord, something’s fallen from the sky—a winged demon general, nine heads with seven severed and bleeding. He’s gravely wounded—unlikely to survive!”

A chill ran through Panther Toli’s heart. Could it be the Governor of Black Cliff Pass, the Nine-Headed Vulture? Disaster! If it’s him, then surely Black Cliff Pass has fallen!

He barked, “Bring him here at once!”

The demon soldiers carried the wounded general forward. One look, and Panther Toli recognized the Nine-Headed Vulture.

He hurried to the general’s side. “Governor Jiu! Wake up! Governor Jiu!”

“Ai—ah! The pain is killing me!”

The Nine-Headed Vulture let out a wretched cry and awoke, realizing the one who’d saved him was Panther Toli.

“Prime… Minister… I… have failed you… Black… Black Cliff Pass… has… fallen…”

These were the first words the general uttered before his breath faded and he slipped again into unconsciousness.

“Take Governor Jiu to be treated—he must be saved!” Panther Toli ordered his men.

Miao Xianke shuddered, cold sweat trickling down his spine. Black Cliff Pass was not far from Falling Goose Ridge—he knew the governor’s abilities well, and never expected him to be defeated so quickly. With the loss of Black Cliff Pass, Falling Goose Ridge was next. He had thought Panther Toli’s defeats were due to incompetence, but now even the Nine-Headed Vulture had suffered a crushing loss. Clearly, the enemy was formidable.

His mind raced—now that the enemy would soon be upon them, he shouted, “Listen up, all of you! The enemy is nearly here. You must be vigilant! As the saying goes, ‘An army is raised for a thousand days, used in a single moment.’ Don’t disgrace me!”

He also remembered that this was the main road to Antong, where all sorts of people passed through. If spies slipped in, Falling Goose Ridge would be in grave danger. He ordered, “From this day forth, search all travelers thoroughly. Better to arrest a thousand by mistake than let one spy slip through!”

The demon soldiers answered in unison, “As you command!”

Miao Xianke felt somewhat reassured by their crisp response. Turning, he bowed to Panther Toli, “Prime Minister, is there anything else you wish to order?”

Panther Toli saw that Miao Xianke was tightly strung with fear and nodded with satisfaction. “Good! So long as you understand the enemy cannot be underestimated. But do not be overly anxious. After all, we have our own strengths. Today, I have invited a remarkable ally to assist us.”

He pointed to Wolf Osmanthus. “This is my junior brother, Wolf Osmanthus. He has attained the Shapeshifter’s Realm, skilled in the Bright Silver Spear and Emei Dagger, and can assume any form. You would do well to learn from him.”

Miao Xianke instantly realized this was not someone to offend. He bowed deeply, “Honored elder, I shall rely on your guidance. Please, do not hesitate to command me.”

Wolf Osmanthus glanced at him, chin held high, hands clasped behind his back, chest thrust out proudly. “That’s unnecessary.”

He continued to walk at Panther Toli’s side.

From that day, the atmosphere at Falling Goose Ridge grew ever more tense. Demon soldiers inspected every traveler with strict vigilance. Patrols within the fortress increased, and many scouts were dispatched over a hundred miles out, searching for signs of the rebel army’s approach.

One day, as the soldiers checked passersby, they spotted a stranger whose hat brim was pulled low, headed toward the fortress.

“Halt!” a demon general called out.

“What’s your business here?”

As the man stopped, the demon general strode over, his tone harsh. “Immortal lord, I’m a merchant, on my way to Antong to buy medicinal herbs,” the man replied, bowing with a smile.

“Oh, a merchant, are you?” The general eyed him suspiciously. The man’s beard was long, his face dark as if he hadn’t bathed in months. Although his clothes were silk, they reeked of mold. Yet he was tall and burly, over nine feet in height. No merchant was ever so robust, nor so unkempt. More like a fugitive than a trader!

Feigning indifference, the general continued, “If you’re a merchant, you must visit Antong regularly?”

The man hesitated, but could not refuse to answer. “Of course, naturally.”

A cold sneer escaped the general. “Then tell me, which direction is Antong?”

The question stumped the man. His hand rose, wavering, then he pointed at random, “That… over there.”

Crack!

The general’s whip lashed across his face, twisting his mouth in pain.

“Nonsense!” the general barked, ordering his guards, “Seize him!”

Thus they captured the man, intent on extracting his true identity—hoping to use him against the rebel army.