Mountain Patrol Bandits

Three li north did not sound far.

But there were no paths at all in the forest, only slippery moss, gnarled roots, and the occasional thorny thicket.

Six identical men escorted a mountain bandit captive whose hands were bound with vines, trudging unevenly through the woods.

The morning mist had yet to fully disperse, and the Aroma of Grass and Wood filled the forest.

Light filtered through the branches and leaves, casting mottled shadows. Judging by the sun's position, it was probably around nine in the morning.

"Are you sure it's this way?" Lin Mo asked the captive for the fifth time, idly swinging the short blade in his hand.

"Y-Yes! Sir, I wouldn't dare lie to you!" The captive wore a mournful expression. "The Earth God Temple is in the northern Mountain Hollow. There's a small stream ahead. Cross it, then climb a little slope, and you'll be there..."

The increase in Attributes from leveling up had greatly improved their speed.

The increased strength made clearing a path easier, while the boost in agility made their footing steadier.

But with only 50 points of blood essence, Lin Mo still felt somewhat short of breath. That hollow weakness had not completely faded.

"Main body, your complexion still doesn't look good." First Clone moved closer and spoke softly. "Should we use a stalk of Bloodline Grass first?"

Lin Mo shook his head. "We'll talk when we get there. This stuff has to be decocted before it can be fully absorbed. We don't have the conditions for that now."

As they spoke, the sound of running water came from ahead.

A small stream about three meters wide lay before them. Its water was crystal clear, flowing gently.

"This is the place!" the captive hurriedly said. "Cross the stream and climb that slope, and you'll see the temple!"

The stream was not deep, only reaching their knees.

They took off their straw sandals and waded across, the icy stream water stinging their skin.

Lin Mo noticed fresh footprints in the mud on the far bank. They were disorderly, and the sole patterns were rough, as though they had been left by straw sandals or ragged cloth shoes.

"Wait." Lin Mo suddenly raised a hand.

Everyone stopped.

"There are footprints." He pointed to the opposite bank. "Fresh ones."

The three clones immediately became alert and looked around.

"Maybe they belong to the mountain patrol..." the captive said quietly. "The stronghold sends patrols out twice a day, once between seven and nine in the morning and once between one and three in the afternoon. There are usually two men on the morning patrol..."

"Why didn't you mention that before?" Clone Two glared at him.

"I... I forgot..." The captive shrank his neck.

Lin Mo crouched down and carefully examined the footprints.

They led from the opposite bank into the forest, in the same direction as the Earth God Temple.

Lin Mo rose and stared at the captive, his gaze gradually turning cold.

"You just said Black Wind Stronghold patrols the mountains twice a day, once between seven and nine in the morning and once between one and three in the afternoon." Lin Mo spoke slowly.

The captive's expression changed slightly. "Y-Yes..."

"Then," Lin Mo said, staring into his eyes, "you deliberately led us toward the Earth God Temple because you wanted us to run into the patrol?"

"No! That's not it!" The captive frantically shook his head. "I..."

"First Clone." Lin Mo stood up, his voice icy.

First Clone immediately stepped forward.

"Hold down his right hand."

"What are you doing?!" The captive struggled in terror, but three clones pinned him down tightly.

Lin Mo drew his short blade, its tip glinting coldly in the Morning Light.

"I gave you a chance," he said flatly. "But you chose to play tricks."

"Spare me! Sir, spare me! I won't dare again—Aah!!!"

A shrill scream echoed through the forest.

Lin Mo's blade rose and fell, severing the captive's right index and middle fingers at the root.

Blood spurted out. The captive convulsed in agony, nearly fainting.

"Stop the bleeding." Lin Mo gestured to Clone Five.

Clone Five sprinkled some of the ash collected from the mountain bandits, which could be used to stop bleeding, over the captive's wound, then roughly wrapped it with a strip of cloth.

The captive collapsed to the ground, his face pale as paper, cold sweat soaking through his clothes.

Lin Mo crouched before him and pressed the short blade against his throat.

"Now, tell the truth. Is there some hidden place near Black Wind Stronghold that we don't know about? If you lie to me again..."

He looked at the captive's left hand.

The captive shuddered all over:

"Yes! Yes! Half a li upstream, there's a Water Curtain Cave hidden behind a waterfall!

That was where Hunter used to hide from wolf packs in the early years. No one in the stronghold really knows about it!"

"Why do you know?"

"Before I joined them, I was a Hunter around here... My Dad discovered that place and only told me..."

Lin Mo stared at him for several seconds before slowly sheathing his knife.

"Lead the way." He rose to his feet. "If you try anything again, it won't be a finger that falls next time."

Captives clutched his bandaged right hand as he staggered to his feet. His eyes were filled with fear and venomous resentment, but he did not dare say another word.

The group changed direction and headed upstream along the creek.

The half-li journey was harder than expected.

Jagged rocks lined both banks of the creek, and some places had to be climbed over.

But his enhanced physical condition made the journey much smoother.

About fifteen minutes later, the thunderous sound of water came from ahead.

After rounding a bend, a small waterfall around five meters high appeared before them.

Water poured down from the cliff face, carving out a deep pool below.

Behind the waterfall, the dark outline of a cave entrance could vaguely be seen.

"That's it!" Captives pointed at the waterfall.

"You can go around from behind that big rock on the left. You won't have to get wet."

Sure enough, a protruding rock wall stood to the left of the waterfall, with a gap behind it barely wide enough for one person to pass through.

They followed the gap, edging sideways for seven or eight meters before circling behind the waterfall.

The cave entrance was not large, about the height of a person and roughly two meters wide.

Inside was pitch-black, carrying a damp, chilly air.