Chapter 53: The Forest of Hell

At the foot of the mountain, two corpses were locked in a struggle; neither had won—the wound on one was at the back of the head, the other on the back.

One fist was slightly open, as if clutching at something even in death.

“Gold!”

A clerk with sharp eyes spotted two scattered gold melon seeds beneath a leaf, his eyes lighting up instantly.

The other clerks felt intense envy.

The clerk chewed over it for a while, then reluctantly handed the seeds to Long San: “Boss, they’re for you.”

“It’s yours.”

“This…”

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Jiang Ding turned around, sighed in admiration, and without further words, pointed at the ruins: “There should still be some gold and silver, secret manuals, and several hundred head of cattle and horses. Can the Four Seas Merchant Guild handle this? I’ll offer you fifty percent as payment.”

As a major merchant guild of Yue State, they naturally had their own channels and knew that despite appearing as mere bandits, the Tiger Mountain Clan was deeply entangled with powerful figures, an extension of their influence.

The more such powerful individuals there were, and the more such convenient favors were granted, the deeper the foundation of fear became.

“Yes, yes, Boss, your eyes are sharp.”

Even though it was only two pieces, these were gold—worth at least twenty taels, enough for him to live on for five or six years, and he’d gotten them effortlessly, just by picking them up off the ground.

“It seems every major faction gives a token of respect, but the moment real interests are touched, they strike instantly with no mercy whatsoever.”

“Shut up!”

“First, care for these children. If their families are gone, send them to other prefectures, far from Dongling, and give them just enough to eat.”

Making money is important, but maintaining good relations with the powerful is equally vital.

Jiang Ding said coolly: “I don’t seek fame. I hope your guild will take charge of this, and claim it was your secret forces that annihilated the Tiger Mountain bandits, restoring peace to the people of Dongling.”

“My lord, I’ve arrived as agreed. Give your orders.”

Though he spoke calmly, deep in Long San’s eyes flickered faint traces of dread as his gaze swept over the corpses—each with a clean, single-sword cut across the throat.

“Second, cover this up.”

Long San barked, pointing at the corpses: “These bandits were beasts in human form, with no loyalty to each other. Most died in violent infighting over loot—the wounds are all different.”

“At least dozens died directly at his hands.”

Across the wild land, everything was blackened by fire; wisps of unburned smoke curled upward, the air still scorching hot, as if standing inside an oven.

Some Tiger Mountain clan members escaped, but they dared not return to Dongling Prefecture, and no one would believe their words. In contrast, people always trusted the stories spread by major merchant guilds.

One clerk shuddered: “That one… could he be a demon possessing a boy’s body, devouring souls and eating flesh—”

Over time, everything would naturally vanish.

Too many—bodies littered the path, increasing in number the higher they climbed. Some were locked in combat, others pierced through the chest by spears, some were headless, their skulls missing, others charred black and covered in terrifying blisters…

Among the embers lay layer upon layer of corpses, stretching beyond the horizon, piled into small mounds in places.

Yet, no matter how fierce the fighting, the area where he stood remained untouched.

Long San did not dare delay; he hurried forward with the clerks.

He’s still there.

“Thank you, Boss, for your generosity!”

He hadn’t released them—first, he had no experience caring for children, and leaving them as they were was better; second, it was dark, chaotic, and far more dangerous outside.

The vast Tiger Mountain Clan was unnervingly silent—not even the chirping of insects or birds could be heard.

Last night’s chaos had been immense: fleeing bandits had clashed violently over loot, the bloodshed far more horrific than what Jiang Ding had caused.

Long San waved his hand and continued climbing the mountain. “My lord, naturally. One of our guild’s main services is resolving the aftermath for powerful figures in the martial world,” Long San said gravely. “But fifty percent is too much. Twenty percent will suffice.”

Corpses!

Jiang Ding smiled. Clearly, dealing with such a person was comfortable.

Of course, the powerful were not hired retainers or servants of the Four Seas Guild; the bond was merely goodwill. One favor was acceptable, but repeated requests? Who would care? Thus, these relationships were never activated unless the guild faced existential peril—even the massive deaths of the clan’s elite hadn’t warranted their use. Their greatest function was deterrence against potential guild enemies.

“Don’t rush—I have more demands.”

Countless thoughts surged through his mind.

Before them stood the main compound of Tiger Mountain. A profound shock seized Long San and the clerks, freezing them in place.

As for sending them far from Dongling Prefecture, it was because he felt this place was unsafe—if these children were captured again.

*Crack!* The hilt of a blade swung hard, striking him across the back. A swollen, chopstick-thick blood mark rose instantly. The clerk hissed in pain but dared not speak.

“The Tiger Mountain Clan, including servants, numbered about five or six hundred. Probably three or four hundred are dead.”

The clerks’ excitement vanished; fear slowly crept into their hearts.

!.

“My lord, speak,” Long San bowed.

The clerk bowed enthusiastically, tucking the gold melon seeds into his chest.

“My family, the Longs, still have great shortcomings in this regard.”

Long San hesitated, thinking rapidly.

The martial world is treacherous. If it were merely about money, even wild dogs on the roadside would dare to snatch it.

Jiang Ding pointed to the dozens of children still in the cattle pen.

Long San pondered a moment: “My lord, this is not difficult.”

“Master Long is truly a man of his word.”

The higher Long San climbed, the more his heart trembled.

The other clerks snapped out of their shock—even the injured one—filled with gratitude.

The view, previously blocked by layered barracks and buildings, suddenly opened wide. From one end to the other, stretching to the horizon, stood a young man in blue robes, a long sword at his waist. He gazed at the mist rolling through the mountains, the sea of clouds on the horizon—as if already merging with them, ready to transcend at any moment.

This is what a great family's direct descendant is like—seemingly gentle, courteous, even kind, yet far more terrifying and heartless than any "Blood-Hand Butcher" or "Flying Tiger of Dongshan."

But it wasn’t without benefit: annihilating those who killed Long family members would greatly deter the guild’s potential enemies and elevate the Four Seas Guild’s prestige.

Should the Four Seas Guild face hardship in the future, I won’t ask for impossible favors—but if it’s merely a matter of a convenient favor, most of the powerful who’ve dealt with us before won’t refuse.

“So many… so many…”

“Foolishness! There are no ghosts!”

The foundation of the Four Seas Guild was forged through countless such dealings with the powerful, growing ever stronger.

Dozens of children—even if all were orphaned—could easily be trained into clerks across the provinces.

The other clerks widened their eyes, scanning every inch of the ground.

“This… acceptable.”

Long San gritted his teeth and agreed: “Even with these two conditions, fifty percent is still too much. Let’s make it thirty percent.”

“No, leave it as is.”

Jiang Ding said.

(End of Chapter)