Chapter 33: At the Summit of the Second Peak, Conflict and Threats Between the Two

"Damn it, how dare they betray us? Anyone who betrays us must die!"

A bald, burly man sat on a protruding rock, gasping for air. It was clear they had just scaled the steep cliff face themselves. This man was Zhao Youtian, the bandit who had kidnapped the young mistress of the Tian family.

A gaunt man with a scar on his face, wrapped in a fur coat, walked over. "Big Brother, what exactly are you planning to do with this woman?" Xing Er asked, looking at Zhao Youtian.

Zhao Youtian replied coldly, "We’ll stay on the mountain for a while. In a couple of days, we’ll head down and demand money from Old Man Tian."

"But does Old Man Tian really have that much money?"

"He does. That fellow has been a landlord for so many years; he’s bound to have hoarded quite a bit. It’s a waste to just let it sit in the bank every day—it should be used to support our cause!"

Xing Er quickly chimed in, "Big Brother is right. It should be used to help us achieve great things!"

Hearing this, Zhao Youtian burst into boisterous laughter. The dozen or so brothers around them joined in.

"The righteous find many allies, the unrighteous find few. With behavior like this, you want to achieve great things? You don't even qualify as bandits."

A cold, clear voice rang out. It was Tian Xin, the youngest daughter of the Tian family and the favorite child of the old patriarch.

"You stinking wench, I think your skin is itching for a beating." As he spoke, Xing Er stepped forward and slapped her.

But Tian Xin showed no fear. Even with blood trickling down her face, she said coldly, "Am I wrong? Which hero ever started a cause through kidnapping and extortion? If you succeed, then Heaven truly must be blind."

Zhao Youtian chuckled. "As expected of a scholar’s daughter who’s spent a few years in school—you certainly have a way with words. But, unfortunately, I must tell you: no founding emperor in history ever had clean hands. They have slaughtered villages and harmed people. To secure provisions, they have plundered countless commoners. To fund their armies, they have even pillaged tombs. Do you think they were good people? Even the founding emperor of the Great Qian did these things. Do you think he was a good man?"

Tian Xin fell silent, unable to retort. Zhao Youtian was right. No founding emperor was a good man. Without ruthless methods, how could one steal an entire nation?

"I haven't even done those things yet. Once I have, then you can lecture me with your high-minded nonsense."

"Big Brother, this little wench is actually quite pretty," Xing Er added, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"What? You want a turn?"

"How could I? Of course, Big Brother goes first."

"Get out of here. Do you want your manhood to freeze off in a place like this? Still, she’s soft and tender; we can keep her as emergency rations."

"Big Brother, weren't we going to trade her for money?"

"Old Man Tian won't know if she's alive or dead. If I say she's still alive, do you think he won't pay?"

Xing Er gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of Big Brother, you think of everything."

"Enough, shut up. Hurry and dig out a snow cave; I don't want to turn into an ice sculpture here."

The men set to work. Chu Feng and Tian Zhuang lay at the edge of the cliff, listening quietly. When they heard Zhao Youtian’s words, Tian Zhuang gritted his teeth in fury.

"A faithless, unfilial villain, and he dreams of being emperor? Do you think he has the life for it?"

Chu Feng shook his head. "I don't know if he does, but for us common folk, it makes no difference who sits on the throne. A good emperor is one who lets us eat and stay warm; a bad one is one who doesn't."

"If you said that to me down the mountain, I would have you beheaded immediately!"

"Is that so?" Chu Feng’s gaze shifted instantly, becoming sharp enough that Tian Zhuang dared not meet his eyes.

"Of course. For now, I'll take it as you just venting. Don't say it again," Tian Zhuang coughed.

"Let's go. It's time to head back," Chu Feng said. His mission was perfectly complete: he had located the bandits and confirmed that Miss Tian was safe for now. All that remained was to return to the village and have Tian Zhuang bring reinforcements.

"Head back where?" Tian Zhuang asked.

"To report back. You need to hurry to town, tell Magistrate Liao, and have him bring his men."

"It's useless. The official troops and guards won't arrive for three days."

"Don't you have your own yamen runners?"

"I am the chief of the runners, and I know how useless they are. They wouldn't dare step foot into these mountains!" Tian Zhuang spat.

"Then what do you want to do?"

"I can't wait! I have to save her now! These bastards want to treat my sister as rations. If they run out of food in the next two days, what happens to her?" Tian Zhuang’s eyes were bloodshot. As he prepared to charge forward, Chu Feng grabbed him.

"Let's be clear: I’m not playing this game with you. There are a dozen of them. No matter how skilled you are, you can't rescue Miss Tian from that many people."

"No! You're the only one here with me—you have to help me!"

Chu Feng turned to leave without looking back. *As if I’d risk my life for you.*

"I know where you live!"

Chu Feng stopped and looked back at Tian Zhuang.

"I know you have a wife and a daughter! Based on what you just said, if I tell the county magistrate, your entire family will be executed!"

Tian Zhuang glared at him, his expression murderous. This man had defied him repeatedly, and it had pushed him to his limit. He was the eldest son of the Tian family, heir to their vast estate. With their ties to the generals in Xue Tie City, the Tian family held more sway in town than the magistrate himself. No one had ever dared to defy him before. Even this chief of runners only held his post because he wanted to. The magistrate and the county assistant had never uttered a word of protest. But Chu Feng had defied him time and again.

Tian Zhuang couldn't strike at Chu Feng now, but that didn't mean he couldn't do it later. If Chu Feng dared to walk away, Tian Zhuang would make his whole family vanish from the lands of the Great Qian.

Chu Feng remained expressionless, staring at the cold-faced man. Suddenly, he laughed.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Do you think you're qualified for me to threaten you? You stinking mountain patroller, I am ordering you to listen to me. Save my sister, and you can keep your job. Defy me again, and don't blame me for using my power!" Tian Zhuang drew his blade, his eyes filled with malice.

Chu Feng’s anger reached its peak, but he laughed again.

"You're right. But if you really want to save Miss Tian, I have a better way."

"A better way? What way?"

"Come hunting with me first."

With that, Chu Feng turned and slid down the steep cliff.