Chapter 2806: The Stand-In Was Seized and Plundered by the Bandit's Wife 12

That night.

Gu Fanghe finished handling the stronghold's affairs, and ordered someone to summon One-Eye and the few bandits who had participated in that day's highway robbery to come before him.

Only one oil lamp was lit inside the room, and the light was dim.

Gu Fanghe sat in the seat of honor, his expression appearing somewhat inscrutable in the flickering light and shadow.

"Please recount the details of that day's highway robbery again."

"One-Eye did not dare to be negligent, and carefully recalled: 'Chief, that day we set our sights on that carriage because its movements seemed somewhat strange.'"

"Normally, that stretch is near a mountain valley where beasts roam; ordinary travelers would either go in groups or hire escorts, but that carriage only had four guards, which just…… didn't seem right."

"One-Eye again said, 'We originally wanted to make some profit; according to the old rule, for such a fat sheep that mistakenly entered dangerous territory, we would take their wealth and also ensure their safe passage, settling the score, but strangely…'"

One-Eye's face showed confusion.

"We hadn't even made a move yet; we just showed our weapons and shouted a few slogans, and those four guards, after barely two exchanges, abandoned the carriage and the young master and fled, running faster than rabbits in the mountains!"

The little bandit beside him also kept nodding, "Yeah, Chief, those guards' skills don't look like mere show, yet they're utterly useless! So spineless!"

"And then?" Gu Fanghe's tapping on the armrest stopped.

One-Eye scratched his head, "All that remained was that half-grown servant boy, trembling as he raised his sword to block the carriage of the young master; we didn't give him a hard time, and after looking at the young master's appearance…… we just brought the person back."

Gu Fanghe listened silently, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.

He had originally thought that Jin Chen, residing in the South Zhou Jin Mansion, should be living in luxury, surrounded by servants and raised as a pampered young master, which explained his arrogance and intolerance of grievance.

But hearing One-Eye's description, it was clear those four guards had seen the situation turn bad and deliberately abandoned their master to flee.

Had it not been for the bandits' principle of seeking wealth without readily taking lives, Jin Chen and his servant would have fallen into danger, with unthinkable consequences.

What kind of guard would dare so openly abandon their master and flee?

Unless they had received orders, or were certain that even if Jin Chen came to harm, they would not be held accountable.

Furthermore, recalling Jin Chen's wistful demeanor when he mentioned his family earlier that day……

Gu Fanghe only felt heartache, and his face darkened.

One-Eye and the others held their breath, unaware why the Chief suddenly became displeased.

After a moment, Gu Fanghe took out a silver ingot from his bosom and threw it to One-Eye.

"Early tomorrow morning, take a few people down the mountain to South Zhou City to buy a serving of wontons, and also buy more delicate and tasty food to bring back."

"Pick the best candied fruits and pastry sugars; if the city has any skilled cooks, spare no expense to bring one back."

One-Eye blankly accepted the silver ingot, hastily replying, "Yes! Chief, rest assured!"

——

Two days later, Jin Chen moved into the new courtyard.

The new courtyard was extremely close to Gu Fanghe's daily office and residence in the main hall, separated only by a small bamboo grove; it took no more than half a cup of tea's time to walk there.

The courtyard was planted with flowers and grasses, and also had a small pond; all furnishings were clean and comfortable, revealing thoughtful care.

Throughout Black Mountain Stronghold, anyone with a bit of discernment could see that this Young Master Jin held a weight in the Chief's heart that was anything but ordinary.

Accordingly, the stronghold's people grew increasingly courteous toward Jin Chen, and the mischievous children loved to run to the new courtyard because snacks and candies were always kept there.

That afternoon, Jin Chen returned from a walk in the bamboo grove behind the mountains with Ah Yan; upon entering the stronghold's gate, he saw many people gathered in the open field, fully armed with knives and bows, grim expressions, and the horses they led snorting.

Jin Chen's steps paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, then he glanced back at Ah Yan before returning to the courtyard first.

Ah Yan nodded in understanding, turned, and walked toward the playing children.

Soon after, two somewhat older children came running with pastries, their faces still smeared with sugar crumbs, eyes bright and sparkling.

"Young Master Jin!" the taller one spoke first, "Are you looking for us?"

Jin Chen asked with a smile, "Why is the stronghold so lively today? Are you planning to raid a large merchant convoy?"

The two children exchanged a glance; the shorter one shook his head, still chewing on sugar, and mumbled, "My dad said we don't raid just anything."

"We don't rob passing civilians, nor legitimate merchant convoys; the several major merchant guilds of South Zhou still give us tribute each year, and we ensure their safe passage over Black Mountain Cliff, keeping them from falling into the jaws of beasts."

"Then what do you rob?" Jin Chen asked.

"We rob the rich and unkind wealthy merchants," the child counted on his fingers, "and convoys related to the imperial court…… Oh! It seems today there is an enemy of the Chief, an imperial censor sent from the court! I heard his surname is Song, and he's truly wicked!"

Jin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced toward the window.

"I see." He gave a slight nod and told Ah Yan, "Pack up the remaining pastries from the kitchen for them to take back."

"Yes, Young Master." Ah Yan replied.

The two children cheered, "Young Master Jin, you're wonderful! The Chief treats you well, and you treat us well—better than……"

Jin Chen looked at him with a smile and asked, "Better than what?"

The child blinked and whispered, "Better…… than the previous visitors who came here."

Having said that, they dashed off with the pastries.

After they had run far away, Ah Yan then approached Jin Chen and said, "Young Master, don't you feel that the people in the stronghold seem to avoid mentioning a certain person in your presence? Is it…… that Master Ruan?"

Jin Chen snorted, "It's not important."

——

The night had deepened, and the moonlight was obscured by thin clouds.

Jin Chen sat in the courtyard drinking tea, which had just been brewed, its fragrance wafting faintly.

Ah Yan was releasing fish into the pond; all were caught by the stronghold's children from the mountains, and each one was beautiful.

Jin Chen lowered his eyes, took a sip of tea, was about to rise and return indoors, when he suddenly frowned toward a certain direction.

Jin Chen called out: "Ah Yan."

Ah Yan responded: "Young Master?"

"It's late; go rest." Jin Chen said calmly, "I'm here waiting for the Chief to arrive; you need not attend to me."

Ah Yan had no suspicion, readily agreed, turned, and entered the side room.

Jin Chen picked up his tea cup again, brought it to his lips, but did not drink.

His eyes shifted slightly, taking in all movement and silence around him.

【Hey! There's an assassin!】 Ling Gun Gun became alert.

Jin Chen rose and walked toward the side door at a leisurely pace.

The courtyard returned to silence.

On the wall, three black figures crouched on the eaves, exchanging hand signals.

After a while, seeing Jin Chen not return, one of them lowered his voice and asked, "Where is he?"

The other two shook their heads.

The leader of the black-clad men furrowed his brow and made a hand signal.

The three jumped down from the eaves, landing silently—evidently skilled.

They drew their blades, eyes scanning the courtyard.

Just then, three bamboo leaves shot through the air, striking the backs of their necks.

"Hn!" they grunted, barely able to hold onto their swords.

They were all formidable fighters; though surprised by the ambush, they did not panic, but since this place was Black Mountain Stronghold, lingering would bring no good.

The leader made a swift decision, shouting low, "Retreat!"

With a tap of his toes, a few leaps carried him over the wall, and he darted swiftly down the mountain.

Jin Chen strolled out leisurely, gazing deep in the direction the three had vanished, and followed.

The black-clad men hurried all the way, not daring to stop, fleeing straight to the foot of the mountain.

In the forest at the mountain's base, two figures had long been waiting—one hugging his sword against a tree, the other standing with hands behind his back.

Upon seeing the two, the black-clad men hurriedly knelt and reported in a low voice.

Jin Chen stood on the hillside, looking down by moonlight.

【This is the protagonist's second attack, the two guard brothers of Ruan Shutong, Chu Yi and Chu Ming.】 Ling Gun Gun reminded, 【They're not good people!】

【Right, Host, you just used a Body‑Tempering Pill not long ago—better not act personally.】

"Young master, our men infiltrated to scout; the young master of the Jin Family is not dead—instead, the mountain bandit chief Gu Fanghe has placed him in the stronghold, treating him extremely well."

"Not dead? Still alive and well?" Chu Ming raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement on his face, "Gu Fanghe… what act is he putting on?"

Chu Yi snorted coldly, "What else could it be? It seems the mountain bandit chief truly hasn't forgotten Shutong; seeing someone somewhat similar, he treasures them like a priceless find, bringing them back to keep as a cherished thought."

Chu Ming stroked his chin, a calculation flashing in his eyes, "If that's truly the case, then it's easily handled."

Jin Chen recalled the child's words from earlier that day—there were many fierce beasts in the mountains—his lips curled, and he turned and left.

Before long, a beast's roar came from deep in Shan Lin, shaking the forest and startling countless birds into flight.

"Roar!"

Immediately after, a large, sturdy, striped figure lunged down.

It was none other than a terrifyingly huge Hanging‑Eye White‑Forehead Tiger, its eyes glowing green, its mouth a bloody maw.

"Damn it! This damned place!"

Chu Ming's face changed; although his martial skill was not weak, suddenly encountering such the overlord of Shan Lin also made him jump.

Chu Yi reacted instantly, pulling him behind him, his long sword already drawn.

The ferocious tiger was startled, lowering its body, emitting a threatening growl, ready to pounce.

"Mount up! We shouldn't linger here!" Chu Yi made a swift decision.

Though their martial arts were high, fighting beasts in this terrain was hardly wise.

Yet their movements and the tiger's roar had already alerted the nearby patrollers of Black Mountain Stronghold.

"What sound?!"

"Tiger roar! In that direction!"

"Quick! Go check it out!"

Torches flickered in the distance, rapidly converging toward this spot.

Chu Yi and Chu Ming's faces grew grimmer; they no longer cared about anything else, leapt onto their horses, and whipped them hard.

"Go!"

Several swift horses immediately galloped off in the direction opposite Black Mountain Stronghold.

【Host, you lured a tiger to scare them—that's enough—but why did you also help them alert the patrols?】 Ling Gun Gun was a bit puzzled.

Jin Chen turned and hurried back the way he had come.

【Let them know Black Mountain Stronghold is not a place you can just come and go as you please, and also spare us from having pesky rodents lurking nearby in the future.】