Chapter 362: with translation of chapter title

As the Zi hour approached, Chen Wuji and the others finally reached the hiding place Chen Bushi had arranged in the mountains.

When they entered that mountain valley, the sight before them left Chen Wuji dazed for a good while.

"This is what you have always been curious about." Chen Bushi clasped his hands in his sleeves, his expression carrying a hint of pride as he said to Chen Wuji.

"This is also the last place of survival left to us by our ancestors. Although I have been striving to add bricks and tiles to it since learning this secret, I never wanted to have to use this place in my lifetime."

"But I never expected that we would not only have to use it, but also so soon!"

Chen Wuji looked at the somewhat expansive scene before him and couldn't help sighing, "I suddenly understand why our Chen clan is so poor. To create such a commotion in such a remote place, with our Chen clan's current resources, not being poor would be strange."

"But don't get carried away with lamentation; we went into the mountains to get out better! At least for now, this place will absolutely not be the end of our Chen clan."

What appeared before Chen Wuji's eyes was an extraordinarily vast valley.

All the buildings were built into the mountain, undulating and orderly arranged on both sides.

As far as the eye could see, lights glittered, and nearly all were two-story small buildings.

Even Xishan Village did not have such a scale.

"This is the result of several generations secretly working hard." Chen Bushi said.

"By our generation, we could be considered the most useless; I have only done one thing—stashing grain, fine iron, cloth, salt, and such in here, and not even much of it."

"Such ambition and perseverance… truly amazing!" Chen Wuji exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

With such a grand-scale architectural complex, combined with the Chen clan's longstanding situation, a host of allusions sprang to his mind—Yu Gong moving the mountains, Jingwei filling the sea, sleeping on firewood and tasting gall…

If it were a wealthy and powerful family, creating such a place deep in the mountains would not be difficult, but what is the situation of the Chen clan?

Above, the Court repeatedly exploits; below, local powerful clans relentlessly pursue and attack.

Under such circumstances, that several generations could still scrape together this place—who could not express admiration?

Perhaps the Chen clan's predecessors never thought of rebellion, but they have always been tightening their belts in preparation for passing down the lineage and for future rebellion.

I don't know if it was the night wind being too fierce or if the wind carried sand, but Chen Wuji suddenly felt his eyes become uncomfortable.

What virtue or ability does he have to have transmigrated into such a family?

From now on, I dare not despise them anymore; the ancestral tablets of the Chen clan might jump up and strike.

A hand patted Chen Wuji's shoulder: "Let's go home and have a look; we've finished discussing the important matters. Today we'll set down our burdens, go home, eat a proper meal, and sleep."

"Then you also have to tell me where my home is first." Chen Wuji forced his eyes open, pressed down the discomfort in his eye sockets, and asked with a light laugh.

Chen Bushi raised his hand and pointed: "As the Family Head, one naturally ought to live better, higher up."

Chen Wuji followed the direction of Chen Bushi's finger and saw, in the middle of East Mountain, a three-story small building that slightly stood out like a crane among chickens.

That should be a large courtyard, but the night is a bit dark, so it's not very clear.

In this valley, there are few three-story buildings; this is one of them.

"The three-story one?" Chen Wuji confirmed.

"Mm." Chen Bushi smiled and nodded, "I'll see you off, lest you lose your way and fall into a ditch; your household now has many people and great strength—I couldn't afford to compensate."

After making that joke, Chen Bushi ordered Chen Li and the others to wait where they were, first escorting Chen Wuji to the door of his home.

This is indeed a courtyard, and it is quite large.

Besides the most conspicuous three-story wooden building, there are also several two-story buildings below.

It appears to be a two-courtyard layout.

This house is far better than Chen Wuji's old home in Xishan Village—by who knows how many times.

The ancestors really put in hard work for the descendants.

Thud thud thud.

Chen Wuji knocked on the tightly closed wooden door.

"Who?"

A vigilant voice suddenly sounded from inside the door.

Before Chen Wuji could discern whose voice it was, a chill suddenly ran across his neck.

This sensation, Chen Wuji is now all too familiar with.

It is the cold of a blade.

"It is…"

Just as Chen Wuji opened his mouth to state his identity, the chill on his neck vanished abruptly, and before his eyes flashed, his head was forcibly shoved into a soft mass that could smother a person.

"Husband, guess who I am?"

A voice, deliberately pinched and cooing, sounded in his ear, while she vigorously shook the soft, faintly fragrant thing, rubbing it up and down across Chen Wuji's face.

Chen Wuji smiled faintly.

There aren't many in the household who practice knife and spear; is guessing even necessary?

Creak.

Just then, the wooden door suddenly swung open.

Immediately after, several heads cautiously crept forward.

"Cutter Red, is that the husband?"

"Wow, some people have red apricot over the wall, not avoiding anyone!"

"Sister Red, let me have a turn too!"

Chen Wuji's head was covered completely; he could see no one, only able to identify people by sound.

"That's about enough; I'm about to suffocate—are you murdering the husband?"

Chen Wuji laughed and shouted.

No matter how bitter and tiring outside, this moment is enough to soothe all fatigue.

Several small hands reached from behind and the sides, giving Chen Wuji an all-around embrace.

Fragrant breezes came in waves between his nostrils; everywhere was soft and snug, making Chen Wuji's mind and spirit sway to and fro.

Suddenly, a little hand, restless, darted straight down the mountain path.

"Huh, husband, you didn't go in?"

Chen Wuji's vision instantly went dark.

Aside from Shen Youwei and Qin Zhanhong, no one else could manage this.

Qin Zhanhong was hanging on him, but had no time to do that.

So there is only one answer.

"Husband, let me help you—after all these days, you must be parched and famished." Shen Youwei gave a wicked smile and immediately began to loosen Chen Wuji's clothes.

"Wait, wait, let's go home first!" Chen Wuji shouted urgently.

"Huh, husband, why are you still shy?" Shen Youwei giggled and sped up her motions, "Red Sister, come on, sit down!"

Just then, Qin Zhanhong, who had been hanging on Chen Wuji, suddenly jumped down, her red skirt flipping as she seized Shen Youwei and lifted her up, aiming forcibly.

The pit Shen Youwei had dug for Qin Zhanhong, she herself climbed into.

"Ah, wait, can't do it forcefully… ahaha, sister, wrong, wrong!"

Shen Youwei clutched her vital spots with both hands and shouted urgently.

Huo Sanniang stood to the side, smiling helplessly, and advised: "Wuji has just returned; he's surely tired and hungry. Don't rush to make a fuss—quickly prepare some food so Wuji can rest first."

Qin Zhanhong stopped her motion, poked her head toward Chen Wuji and asked, "Are you hungry? Should we eat us first or eat rice first?"