Yama Ridge

"This time, we got reliable information. Every year, the Wang Family pays tribute to the Fierce Tiger Sect. We don't know the exact amount, but it's probably no less than a thousand taels of silver a year." Liu Qiang's eyes shone as he spoke. He had hesitated for a long time over this venture. After all, the Wang Family was sure to take something this important very seriously, and its escort would naturally be formidable. Over the past few years, however, he had more or less learned some of the Wang Family's escort routines, which had led to this operation.

"A thousand taels of silver?" Huang Xiao was astonished. He had never seen so much silver. His family had once owned an ancestral home and several dozen mu of farmland, but altogether, they had only been worth about two hundred taels of silver (one tael = 1,000 copper coins, with one copper coin equivalent to one yuan today).

"That's right, at least a thousand taels. I've been thinking that we can't keep going on like this. If we succeed this time, everyone will have enough money to live on, and we can move somewhere else and lead peaceful, settled lives," Liu Qiang said. "Besides, this time it's the Fierce Tiger Sect leader's sixtieth birthday. The Wang Family's tribute will probably be even larger."

"Brother Liu, before, everyone only robbed them of things like grain and cloth. Those losses meant little to them, so they only sent a few men, or a dozen or so, as escorts. But I'm afraid it won't be so simple this time. You mustn't act rashly," Huang Xiao said, misgivings in his heart.

"I know this is a bit of a gamble, but I haven't been idle all these years. Though the Wang Family will certainly have more guards than before, I still have some confidence this time. Of course, just in case, I'm planning to go scout Yama Ridge tomorrow first. They'll have to pass through there. This time, I've decided to send all fifty brothers from the stronghold into action. The most men the Wang Family has ever sent before was thirty. Even if this shipment is more important, they probably won't send more than fifty. If we prepare while they remain unsuspecting and set an ambush at Yama Ridge ahead of their arrival, our chances of success will be high," Liu Qiang said.

"Fifty against fifty, prepared against unsuspecting, plus an ambush-it certainly looks as though we have an overwhelming advantage. But have you considered the strength of the two sides? In the stronghold, apart from you, only a dozen or so have actually practiced martial arts. The others are only there to make up the numbers. The Wang Family is a local power, after all. Every one of its guards and household retainers has martial training. Even if they're not as good as you, they can't be underestimated. Besides, this shipment is for the Fierce Tiger Sect leader's birthday. Could there be people from the Fierce Tiger Sect among them? All of this has to be considered. So, if you ask me, this operation is very unwise. It's too dangerous," Huang Xiao said, shaking his head after his analysis.

Liu Qiang's expression shifted slightly at Huang Xiao's words. He had considered these things, but he had deliberately avoided dwelling on them, because deep down, he very much wanted to take this risk. After all, if they succeeded just this once, they would no longer have to live skulking about.

"Brother Huang, I know this is rather dangerous, but everyone agrees with it, and I can't bear to disappoint them. I was thinking you could come along when I scout the route, to see whether I've thought everything through. You scholars have plenty of ideas and no shortage of strategies," Liu Qiang said.

Huang Xiao shook his head without hesitation. "Brother Liu, you think too highly of me. When it comes to reading and writing, I'm better than you, but I've never given any thought to schemes or strategies. Still, I'll go with you. After all, lately I feel I've made some small progress with my Coiling Snake Hand. Perhaps I can help a little in some other way?"

Liu Qiang pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Yes, I have to say, you really do have an aptitude for martial arts. In just over a month, you've reached eighty percent of my strength. You should rank third in the stronghold now, with only our third brother able to get the better of you. Of course, in a few days, you'll surely surpass him, and surpassing me will only take a few months. All right, let's go together. We shouldn't assume the worst, either."

The next day, Liu Qiang took no one else from the stronghold and set out with Huang Xiao for Yama Ridge, several dozen li away. On level ground, that distance would hardly have been far, but the road to Yama Ridge was extraordinarily rugged and difficult. Huang Xiao and Liu Qiang walked for over five two-hour periods. It had barely begun to grow light when they left the stronghold, but by the time they reached Yama Ridge, the sun was almost sinking behind the western mountains.

"This road really is hard going. A month ago, I couldn't have reached this place even if you'd given me three days." Panting heavily, Huang Xiao planted his feet on a Boulder jutting slightly out beyond the cliff and looked down the mountain. A thin mist had already risen below, obscuring the foot of the mountain.

"Of course. Back then, you were so frail a gust of wind could have knocked you over. You certainly couldn't have climbed Yama Ridge. Do you know how Yama Ridge got its name?" Liu Qiang asked with a smile.

"Yama Ridge... Yama, the king of hell? I suppose it probably suggests danger? The mountain path here is narrow, steep, and difficult, with a sheer precipice ten thousand fathoms deep right beside it. One misplaced step could send you tumbling over the cliff. This is a place where the king of hell calls in lives," Huang Xiao ventured.

"You live up to your scholar's degree, Brother Huang. That's basically it. Who knows how many lives the ten-thousand-fathom abyss beneath Yama Ridge has swallowed? This is a place where the king of hell calls in lives," Liu Qiang said admiringly.

"That's strange, then. If it's so treacherous and difficult to travel, why would the Wang Family pass through here? With their resources, even if they don't dare openly take the main road, they could easily choose some other minor route," Huang Xiao said, somewhat puzzled. The Wang Family certainly would not take the main road this time. After all, this shipment of valuables was no ordinary one. If they flaunted it so openly and stirred greed in some people of the martial world, the Wang Family's household guards and retainers would be no match for them. Thus, they would most likely keep out of sight and choose secluded paths.

"That's what you don't know. Though Yama Ridge is extraordinarily dangerous, taking this route to the provincial capital, Gaozhou City, saves more than half a month compared with other routes. So quite a few people ordinarily choose this path. For the Wang Family, taking this path to the Fierce Tiger Sect also saves seven or eight days. With such valuable cargo this time, I imagine they won't dare waste much time. That means they'll definitely choose to pass through here," Liu Qiang explained.

"Riches and honor are sought amid danger. It seems there's no shortage of people willing to risk themselves," Huang Xiao said with a smile. "It looks like there's a very good chance they'll pass through here. Let's hurry and see where we can set an ambush."

"As long as we succeed this time, we'll make that old Wang scoundrel cough up three pints of blood. Just thinking about it fills me with delight. Ha ha!" Liu Qiang laughed loudly. "Brother Huang, come with me. I know Yama Ridge well. I'll show you the spots I've chosen for the ambush."

Before Huang Xiao could speak, a burst of loud laughter rang out a short distance ahead.

When Liu Qiang and Huang Xiao looked toward the sound, they saw two men appear ahead. Huang Xiao saw them clearly. He knew one of them, but he did not recognize the other.

"Second brother, what are you doing here too? And who is this friend beside you?" Liu Qiang asked. The second brother he referred to was naturally Liu Gui, a villager from the stronghold whom Huang Xiao also knew. Liu Qiang was the stronghold chief and the best martial artist, while Liu Gui's martial skills were second only to his.

"Heh heh, so you're Liu Qiang, that bandit chief? You're the tough customer Old Master Wang mentioned? You don't look like much to me," the man beside Liu Gui said with a chuckle. "There's no need for you to look at any ambush sites. As I see it, this place will be where your bones are buried."

Huang Xiao understood the man's words clearly, and so did Liu Qiang.