Chapter 2796: The Stand-In Was Forcibly Taken by the Mountain Bandit's Wife 02

Jin Chen lifted the curtain again; Ayan clumsily raised a short sword he had picked up from somewhere, blocking it in front of the carriage.

The youth was slight of build, his hand gripping the sword shaking violently, yet he did not retreat a step.

"We, we have money..." Ayan's voice trembled, but he forced himself to shout, "Good sirs, take all our money! Spare my young master, he is frail and cannot—ah!"

"Shut up!"

Duyan the bandit chief barked, pointing his saber, "Whose turn is it for you to speak!"

Two bandits stepped forward, one on each side, seized Ayan; the youth struggled desperately but was forced to his knees.

Duyan dismounted, walked to the carriage door, and lifted his saber.

The last glimmer of twilight seeped through the open carriage door, illuminating the person inside.

Jin Chen leaned against the wall, rose slowly, bent, and stepped out of the carriage.

He wore a sky-blue long robe, over it a thin cloak embroidered with bamboo patterns, and at his waist hung a mutton-fat Jade Pendant.

Perhaps from sitting long in the carriage, Jin Chen swayed slightly, raised a hand to his mouth, and coughed twice.

The mountain wind slipped through the gaps in the trees, stirring the few loose strands of hair on his forehead.

The surroundings fell silent for an instant.

Even the two bandits holding Ayan involuntarily loosened their grip; the youth seized the chance, scrambled to Jin Chen's feet, opened his arms to shield him from behind, voice trembling, "Don't move my young master!"

But no one paid him any heed.

All eyes fell on Jin Chen, or rather, on his face.

Duyan stared at him for a moment, his brows gradually furrowing.

He stepped forward two paces, lowered his saber, and asked in a deep voice, "Boy, what is your name?"

Jin Chen turned his head, lips pressed tight, did not answer, only letting out a disdainful "Hmph."

Duyan had no time to bother, still staring at his face.

"Like."

"Indeed, somewhat like."

"But on closer look, he seemed not so alike."

This young lord before him had finer brows and eyes, especially those eyes, the outer corners slightly upturned, gazing coldly, with no trace of fear.

Duyan's heart gave a jolt.

"Captain," a bandit beside him whispered, lowering his voice, "Does this resemble the painting in the chief's quarters..."

"Shut up." Duyan barked, cutting him off.

He sized up Jin Chen anew, waved a hand, "Tie him up! Take him back!"

"Yes!"

Ayan still wanted to struggle, but a bandit pressed him down.

Jin Chen did not resist, his hands bound with rope.

The rope was rough, chafing the skin at his wrists, leaving red marks.

Jin Chen lowered his gaze, startled.

"How, how fragile!"

The bandits shoved them forward up the mountain.

Ayan wept all the way, constantly looking back at the carriage, which still held the young master's everyday belongings and the gifts prepared to be taken back to South Continent.

But now those things were ownerless, scattered across the mountain road shrouded in dusk, unattended.

Jin Chen walked at his side, scanning the surroundings, noting the mountain path and the distribution of trees.

The bandits escorted them through the forest, going deeper and deeper as the light faded.

From the forest came the cries of unknown beasts; in the distance a faint firelight could be seen, and as they drew nearer it became clear that it was a stronghold built on the mountainside.

Flanking the gate were watchtowers, where bow-wielding bandits kept guard; seeing Duyan's party return, they blew a whistle.

"Brother Duyan is back!"

"Hey, they even brought two fat sheep!"

Jin Chen's expression did not change, but Ayan trembled all over, barely able to stand, shoved from behind by a bandit and staggered forward a few steps.

"To the woodshed!" Duyan ordered, "Keep watch, until the chief returns to decide."

"Yes!"

The woodshed stood at the westernmost end of the stronghold, a low wooden hut.

Inside lay piles of dry firewood and odds and ends, cobwebs in the corners, the floor covered with a thin layer of straw, long rotted and blackened.

Jin Chen was shoved inside, Ayan following behind, the door slammed shut behind them.

"Young... master..." Ayan's voice trembled as he felt for Jin Chen's arm, "Are you all right?"

"It's fine."

"It hurts, bound so tight."

"But I can't say it, it would be embarrassing."

Jin Chen answered in the dark, walked to the wall, and sat with his back against the firewood stack.

He lowered his eyes, fingertips lightly fiddling with the knot, the rope tossed aside at his feet, then he rubbed his wrist.

Ayan felt his way in the dark to crouch beside him, "Young master, we must find a way to escape… when it grows darker I'll try to pry open the lock, and we'll flee via the rear mountain…"

Jin Chen cut him off, "Where to escape to?"

Ayan blinked.

"Those four attendants abandoned us to flee on their own; if word gets back to the manor, you know what fate awaits them."

Jin Chen said slowly, "But they still escaped."

A Yan opened his mouth, but couldn't speak.

"Because they know," Jin Chen drew back his gaze, looking at A Yan, his eyes faintly probing.

"Even if he escapes back, he won't be punished."

"Why……" A Yan's voice trembled.

Jin Chen still didn't know whether this boy was sincere; at the moment he didn't answer, only gave two light coughs, raising his hand to cover his mouth.

"A Yan, I've been poisoned."

A Yan stiffened all over.

"It's chronic; he won't die right away, but he won't live long either."

Jin Chen spoke nonsense off the cuff.

"Someone at home can't tolerate me; those four attendants are merely following orders."

"Impossible……" A Yan's voice trembled, "Old Master and Madam treat you so well, the Eldest Young Master also……"

Jin Chen then grew a bit more gloomy: "Going back now would be walking into a trap; it'd be better to stay in this mountain stronghold, perhaps… there might still be a sliver of hope."

A Yan was completely unable to speak.

He sat dazed in the darkness for a moment, then choked out: "Young Master…… you have suffered……"

Jin Chen didn't respond further, raising his hand to pat the boy's shoulder.

A Yan began to sob softly, but fearing someone outside might hear, he clenched his lips tightly.

Jin Chen closed his eyes to rest, listening clearly to the sounds outside.

After an unknown amount of time, footsteps outside drew from far to near.

Jin Chen opened his eyes, and under A Yan's wary gaze, he loosely rewound the loosened rope around his wrist, tying a slipknot.

He leaned against the firewood stack, closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, weak and fatigued.

The wooden door was pushed open with a creak.

The torch's light flooded in, blinding enough to make one unable to open their eyes.

Two bandits stood at the doorway, shouting in rough voices: "Get up! The chief wants to see you!"

Jin Chen slowly opened his eyes; his gaze in the firelight appeared somewhat scattered.

He pushed himself up from the firewood stack, his body swaying; A Yan hurried to support him, but a bandit shoved him away.

"None of your business, stay put!"

A Yan was shoved and fell sitting in the straw pile; he wanted to rush forward again, but Jin Chen shook his head.

The boy's motion paused; he bit his lip, watching helplessly as his young master was dragged out of the woodshed by two bandits.

The wooden door was closed again and locked.

Jin Chen was escorted through the stronghold.