Night Talk (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Before the light of day had fully broken, the caravan had already departed from Old Yang Inn.

The road gradually narrowed, with the shadows of the mountains on either side creeping closer. Ancient trees towered overhead, their branches and leaves blotting out the sun.

Though it was not yet noon, the light within the forest had dimmed to the gloom of dusk.

"We are entering the territory of Black Wind Ridge ahead."

Su Derong's voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.

He reined in his horse and looked around, his gaze sweeping over the jagged mountain rocks and the deep gaps in the forest. "Follow the old rules. We travel along the perimeter and do not enter the deep valleys. Find a wind-sheltered spot to set up camp before sunset, keep the bonfires burning all night, and rotate the night watch in three shifts."

The group responded in unison.

Zhou Yong spurred his horse to Chen Jianghe's side and lowered his voice. "Brother Chen, is this your first time at Black Wind Ridge?"

"It is," Chen Jianghe nodded. "I would appreciate your guidance, Brother Zhou."

"Guidance is too strong a word, but I can certainly share a few things." Zhou Yong grinned. "This Black Wind Ridge sounds terrifying by name, but it's actually a 'treasure trove'."

"A treasure trove?" Chen Jianghe raised an eyebrow.

Zhou Yong paused, pointing his riding crop vaguely toward the mountain shadows ahead. "See that? There are many wild beasts in these mountains. Wild boars, mountain deer, muntjacs—if you're lucky, you might even run into exotic beasts like the 'Iron-Backed Bear' or the 'Red-Striped Leopard.' For those of us who practice martial arts, blood and energy are the foundation. Ordinary farm-raised pork or mutton offers limited nourishment. But these beasts, which roam the wild and consume the essence of grass and trees, possess flesh and blood containing vital energy several times stronger than livestock."

Chen Jianghe's heart stirred. "Brother Zhou means that martial artists often enter the mountains to hunt and replenish their blood and energy?"

"Exactly!" Zhou Yong nodded. "The martial halls and gangs with any reputation in Yilin County organize disciples to enter the mountains every few days. First, to hone their combat skills, and second, to hunt for blood-food. Large martial halls like 'Zhenlei' and 'Yufeng' even have dedicated hunting teams. I've heard that the great families in the inner city even keep 'Hunters' on their payroll year-round, specifically to track down rare and exotic beasts for them."

He paused, lowering his voice further. "However, Black Wind Ridge is divided into inner and outer sections. The official road we're taking hugs the foot of the mountain and is considered the outer perimeter. Venturing deeper leads to true danger—poisonous miasma, swamps, and I've heard that in the depths, there are 'monsters' that have gained sentience. No one dares to tread there unless they are a master of Dark Strength."

From behind, Wang Gui chimed in with a muffled voice: "Last year, the New City Escort Agency lost three Escort Guards in the depths of Black Wind Ridge. They say they were chasing a wounded 'Iron-Backed Bear' and went too deep; not a single one of them returned."

Chen Jianghe understood. "That is why the escort team only travels the outer official road."

"Precisely." Zhou Yong nodded. "The official road may be narrow, but it is a path carved out by the blood of our predecessors. The trees on both sides are cleared regularly, making it difficult for people to hide. As long as you aren't greedy for speed by taking shortcuts and don't cross the ridge at night, following the rules means you'll pass safely eight or nine times out of ten."

As they spoke, Zhao Tieshan reined in his horse, turned back to the front of the caravan, and conferred briefly with Su Derong in a low voice. He then called out, "There is a wind-sheltered mountain hollow three miles ahead. It's spacious with a good line of sight. We'll set up camp there according to the old rules and cross the ridge at daybreak tomorrow."

The group's spirits lifted.

The hollow was located at a bend in the official road, backed by a steep rock wall. The view in front was open, and both sides were gentle slopes, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. More importantly, there was a shallow spring beneath the rock wall with clear, cold water—perfect for watering the horses.

"Old rules!" Su Derong dismounted, his voice steady and powerful. "Circle the wagons, cargo in the center! Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, take your men and clear the area. Clear away all weeds and loose rocks within thirty paces! Pathfinders, split into three groups: one for firewood, one for water, and one for sentry duty!"

"Understood!" the group replied in unison.

Zhou Yong grinned and patted the scabbard at his waist. "Don't worry, Young Gang Leader. I've traveled this ridge seven or eight times; I know it like the back of my hand. Even if a wild boar charges in tonight, I'll turn it into tomorrow morning's breakfast."

Wang Gui nodded honestly. "My ears are sharp; I'll hear any movement for sure."

The camp was quickly set up. Su Derong then called out three names: "Chen Jianghe, Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, you three are on night watch."

He walked up to the three of them, his gaze sweeping over each in turn. "The watch is divided into three shifts, one hour each. Chen Jianghe, you take the Xu hour to the Hai hour; Zhou Yong, Hai to Zi; Wang Gui, Zi to Chou. I will take over after the Chou hour."

He paused, his voice dropping low but remaining distinct. "Remember the rules of the night watch—first, do not remove your armor or weapons. Second, keep the bonfires burning all night; add wood every quarter-hour. Third, do not just stare at the fire; listen to all directions, especially the shadows outside the wagon circle and the area above the rock wall."

Zhou Yong cupped his hands. "Don't worry, Young Gang Leader, we know the rules."

Su Derong nodded and pulled a bamboo whistle from his tunic, hanging it around his neck. "You all remember the signals, right?"

"I do," Wang Gui replied. "One short whistle, like a partridge call, means warning; two sharp whistles, like an owl, mean enemy attack; three long and one short, like a cuckoo, mean call for help."

"Good." Su Derong put the whistle away. "The rest of you, get some rest."

The night deepened.

The wind wailed through the forest, mingled with the cries of unknown nocturnal birds, echoing from near and far, rising and falling.

The dancing light of the bonfire stretched and twisted the shadows of the trees against the rock wall, making them look like ghostly apparitions.

Chen Jianghe stood quietly by a wagon when he suddenly heard soft footsteps behind him. His left hand moved silently to the lime pouch at his waist.

"It's me." Su Derong's voice sounded, tinged with a hint of fatigue.

Chen Jianghe relaxed slightly, turning to see Su Derong walking over with a small leather pouch. He sat down on a cargo crate beside him.

"Senior Brother, you haven't rested yet?" Chen Jianghe asked.

"Can't sleep." Su Derong pulled the stopper from the pouch and took a swig—it was water, not wine.

He wiped his mouth and handed the pouch to Chen Jianghe. "Want some?"

Chen Jianghe took it and sipped; the coolness slid down his throat.

The two remained silent for a moment, save for the crackling of the bonfire.

After a while, Su Derong spoke suddenly, his voice so low it was almost drowned out by the wind. "Jianghe, do you think this shipment... will be delivered safely?"

Chen Jianghe turned to look at him. In the reflection of the firelight, the usual carefree smile on Su Derong's face was gone, replaced by a deep-seated anxiety.

"What is Senior Brother worried about?"

Su Derong did not answer immediately. He picked up a dry branch from the ground and poked at the coals at the edge of the fire, sending sparks flying.

"The Green Dragon Gang just swallowed the Lin Family Fort and needs time to consolidate. Their reach hasn't extended to Wolf Tooth Gorge yet, so we can just pay the toll and avoid trouble there," he said slowly. "But Black Wind Ridge... I just don't feel right about it."

"Xiao Qing of the Green Dragon Gang is incredibly ambitious." Su Derong continued, his voice growing deeper. "Since he dared to wash the Lin family in blood to seize power, he won't be satisfied with just being a fort master. Setting up checkpoints and collecting taxes on the roads outside the city is only the first step. I fear... he will use the pretext of 'suppressing bandits' to extend his reach into Black Wind Ridge."

"Suppressing bandits?" Chen Jianghe frowned.

"Yes." Su Derong gave a bitter smile. "Black Wind Ridge is known for its banditry. If the Green Dragon Gang sets an ambush here under the banner of upholding justice and clearing out remnants, and they rob our shipment, they can just blame it on 'internal strife among bandits' or 'accidental injury' afterward. Who could hold them accountable? The government is only too happy to have someone else do their dirty work; they'll just turn a blind eye."

Chen Jianghe's heart chilled.

This was no groundless fear. In these chaotic times, such tactics were common. Under the guise of righteousness, they committed murder and robbery.