Chapter 267: Elephant Trunk Ridge

Afternoon sunlight drifted through the dense forest, hardly any patch intact, just specks of light; a breeze made them flutter into a sheet.

Chen Wuji walked lightly on the rugged mountain path.

There was originally no path here, but after he walked it many times, a path formed.

Close behind and ahead of him followed Chen Luozi, Chen Wushuang, etc., while further back was the group led by Chen Lang.

One hundred people wouldn't seem many in a Lìng, but on this mountain path that allows only single file, they stretched out in a long line.

"Chen Wushuang, Chen Bang, you two clear the way ahead!" Chen Luozi shouted.

The somewhat frail Chen Wushuang quickly came out from behind Chen Wuji and walked shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Chen Bang, clearing the path.

After crossing this mountain path, they reached the place Chen Wuji rarely visited while hunting; overgrown weeds and thickets blocked the way, forcing them to clear a path while pressing on.

It took nearly two hours, and they finally arrived at Elephant Trunk Ridge.

Chen Wuji had previously blocked two mountain paths; this is the more distant one.

After scanning the surrounding terrain, Chen Wuji said to those on either side: "Split up the manpower; Chen Lang takes half to the opposite mountain, the rest stay here."

"Yes!"

Chen Lang, whom Chen Wuji had always kept a degree of wariness and distrust toward, clasped his fists and accepted the order.

His eyes were bright, his expression resolute, showing no other emotion.

No matter how you look at it, he is already a very competent warrior.

Chen Wuji glanced casually, then said solemnly: "Remember, set up the shelters on the mountain's back side, stay concealed, no open flames by day, and no firelight visible at night. When eating, you may find a cave or dig one on the spot; be sure to conceal it well."

"How you arrange the manpower is none of my concern, but every side of this mountain, especially this side of Elephant Trunk Ridge, must be watched day and night, with no letup. These matters concern your lives; those who disobey, I may consider clan ties, but my Knife will certainly not spare them."

Chen Lang's expression tightened; he clasped his fists firmly and said, "Yes!"

"Go."

"Understood!"

Chen Wuji watched Chen Lang casually pick fifty Clan Troops, swiftly cross Elephant Trunk Ridge to the opposite mountain, then withdrew his gaze and told Chen Luozi: "We'll go up the mountain as well."

"Understood!"

Chen Luozi accepted the order in a low voice.

He set aside his usual attitude toward Chen Wuji; his demeanor matched Chen Lang's.

Chen Wuji deliberately lagged a bit, walking alongside Chen Luozi, and asked, "Any objections?"

Chen Luozi shook his head: "The Family Head's arrangements are thorough; I have nothing to add."

Chen Wuji snapped, "Cut the formalities."

This morning he was acting recklessly, but now he's observing proper seniority.

Chen Luozi said quietly: "Wuji, we need to separate public from private a bit more; in front of all these people, we must not only uphold the Family Head's dignity but also find ways to elevate yours."

This was repeatedly instructed by Lao San before he left, but you know we're just old Nong Symbol Symbol Symbol holding hoes—making them instantly obey orders is indeed somewhat difficult.

But we're doing our best; don't undermine us. We need to adapt to this change, and you need to adapt even more. No one will think it's wrong for you to put on airs; on the contrary, we all hope you'll do so quickly.

Chen Wuji: ……

He shook his head: "No need to be so deliberate; dignity doesn't have to be shown this way. As long as we win this battle handsomely, even if I loaf around all day, no one will dare ignore me."

"That makes sense, but don't disturb us while we're doing this," Chen Luozi said.

He still insisted on following Chen Bushi's instructions.

Chen Wuji laughed and shook his head: "Then do as you please."

The mountains on either side of Elephant Trunk Ridge, one near, one far.

Chen Lang's group went to the nearer one; Elephant Trunk Ridge lies at the foot of that mountain.

After crossing the ridge, Chen Wuji stood on the mountain for a long time, then chose a shady hollow and ordered the construction of a temporary shelter.

This hollow sits on high ground; the protruding rocks and dense woods around it almost form a solid barrier. Though not completely wind‑proof from afar, if the enemy does not come close to inspect, they will certainly not notice people hidden here.

"Jiu Shu, send people out first to scout the surroundings, especially to look for any signs of human activity or footprints—even the slightest trace must be reported." Chen Wuji called out to Chen Luozi to give the order.

"Yes!"

Chen Luozi clasped his fists and accepted the order.

"Once the arrangements are made, let's go check the other side of Elephant Trunk Ridge," Chen Wuji added.

"Yes!"

Chen Luozi turned and left; moments later he had assigned the personnel.

He left ten people in charge of building the shelters everyone would need to live in, and of digging holes into the cliff wall to place the iron pots for cooking.

Although this place is well concealed, once there are open flames and cooking smoke, there is still a chance of being discovered.

On the battlefield there are no trivial matters; Chen Wuji believed that no amount of caution is excessive.

Even if everyone suffers some hardship, it is still a million times better than being discovered by the enemy and losing one's life.

Afterward, Chen Wuji brought Chen Luozi, Chen Wushuang, Chen Bang, and four others—five in total—back down the mountain.

Without checking the situation on the west side of Elephant Trunk Ridge, Chen Wuji felt uneasy.

Going up the mountain was hard, but coming down was much easier.

Chen Wuji took a shortcut and circled to the west side of Elephant Trunk Ridge.

On the abandoned mountain path, unknown how many years, a thick layer of fallen leaves had accumulated; beneath it the soil had turned dark and damp, so that a handful could be squeezed to release moisture.

This would be a flower‑lover's delight; it looks very fertile.

But Chen Wuji, looking at these things, felt somewhat annoyed.

It's hard to leave footprints on the fallen leaves.

The only thing he can be sure of now is that no large troop has passed here; otherwise the leaves would have been trampled flat and would not remain in their natural state as they do now.

But if only three to five, or a dozen or so people had passed through, there would be no trace at all.

"Let's go a bit further ahead," Chen Wuji said.

Several people spread out, walking forward while carefully observing their surroundings.

The meticulous ones all wished they could lie on the ground to look.

But doing so also has its effect.

In such a primitive jungle, any trace of something unnatural can prove that someone has been here.

"Family Head, there's something here."

A clansman suddenly called out.

Chen Wuji hurried over and saw a pit in the grass, with some dried, withered leaves scattered around, and a heap that looked like something a person had chewed and spat out.

"This is Panlong ginseng; someone dug up a Panlong ginseng here and ate it raw." Chen Wuji's expression turned grave; the thing he had been most worried about seemed to have already happened.

This place is the closest to Xishan Village; hunters from other villages probably wouldn't come this far.