Chapter 83

The Black Whisker Mountain was in an uproar.

More than a thousand people densely surrounded Zhou Lu and his group, leaving no room for water to seep through.

In the crowd, Zhou Lu and the three Bullhead Mountain leaders were red-eyed, shouting hoarsely, "Everyone back, everyone back..." Zhou Lu tightened his grip on the dagger, drawing a bright red bloodline on the throat of the chief: "If you don't back off, I'll stab him to death."

The crowd reluctantly took a step back, then surged forward again in chaos.

The two sides were thus in a standoff, step by step, retreating from the wooden bridge of the bandit camp, then from the Black Whisker Slope, and finally to outside the stone walls of the camp...

Everyone's nerves were stretched to the limit, and the veins on Zhou Lu's forehead were pulsing.

Just ahead was the rocky slope of the Black Forest. The slopes on both sides were covered with loose rocks, making them difficult to navigate, leaving only a narrow path in the middle. Among the bandits, several influential leaders gathered anxiously, discussing in low voices. They planned to select a few sharpshooters to ambush on both sides of the rocky slope, waiting for the fat man and his group to pass, and then shoot the fat man with a single arrow, followed by two teams of bandits rushing forward to snatch the captives.

Before they could finalize their plan, a sudden commotion erupted ahead. Arrows rained down from the top of the rocky slope, catching the bandits off guard and causing them to scream in panic.

Zhou Lu and his group took the opportunity to speed up, dragging the chief and running quickly through the narrow path of the rocky slope.

By the time the bandits reacted and gathered several leather shields to charge through the rain of arrows and the narrow path, they saw more than twenty tall and strong hunting horses galloping away, carrying the fat man and the miners, already dozens of yards ahead.

"They have reinforcements?"

The bandits were dumbfounded. One leader waved his hand anxiously and shouted, "The chief is still in their hands, we must chase them..."

Before he could finish, an arrow flew at an incredible speed, piercing his chest and dragging him back more than ten steps, impaling and killing another bandit behind him.

The surrounding bandits were in an uproar, scattering in panic like chickens in a raided coop.

"What kind of crossbow can still have such power from dozens of yards away?"

From dozens of yards away, their arrows couldn't even reach the enemy, yet the enemy's crossbows could still hit their leaders with ease. Why chase them? It would be suicide.

Hesitating, Zhou Lu and his group were already far away.

At the top of the rocky slope, Zhou Lu had already set up archers. Behind the rocky slope, Ertu had spent a large sum to collect more than twenty fine horses from the wilderness. Ertu had prepared twice as many horses, originally for mid-journey changes, but they proved to be very useful. Each person, including the miners, had a horse, and they rode away with all their might.

They took small paths and dangerous routes, heading for places rarely visited by people, and after a full day of riding, they finally lost all pursuit.

Everyone was exhausted, falling off their horses and sitting on the ground, panting heavily.

The miners, having escaped, hugged each other and wept with joy.

Zhou Lu's leather armor was wrinkled and stained with dried water marks, and his hair was a mess. He rubbed his disheveled hair and, without resting, gathered Ertu and the others, his eyes bloodshot, and drew the next route on the ground, discussing how to proceed more safely.

After eating some dry rations and resting, everyone remounted their horses and cautiously moved forward. For several days, they didn't encounter any Black Whisker Mountain bandits, and Zhou Lu's heart gradually calmed down.

After three more days in the treacherous mountains, one evening, the sunset spread over a majestic mountain range. Zhou Lu and his group reined in their horses on a hillside, gazing intently at the undulating mountains. In the mountains, smoke from felt tents drifted peacefully, and in the sunset, a few herders leisurely drove their flocks and herds back from the pasture.

Children were happily running and playing together.

Zhou Lu and his group were all captivated.

"Is that the feeling of home?"

"Finally home!"

Some of the miners even cried, feeling the joy of returning home after a harrowing journey.

Ertu's eyes were also moist.

Since he fled his tribe into the wilderness, such a peaceful scene could only be seen in dreams. In his dreams, there was the warmth of a felt tent and a fireplace, the gentle smiles of his parents, the joy of riding a horse without a care, and the relaxation and integrity of not having to live in constant fear...

Today, such a dream was right before their eyes. They finally had the chance to return to that peaceful and harmonious place. Ertu felt his soul trembling.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Zhou Lu, seeing that the little fat man was also trembling.

Zhou Lu felt Ertu's gaze and slowly turned to look at him. The fat man's eyes were red, and he bit his lip, saying with a hint of委屈 (indignation): "I miss my wife."

No one laughed at him.

Ertu almost shed tears.

Who doesn't have loved ones at home? Who doesn't have the deepest attachments in their heart? Despite the most profound longing, for the peace of the tribe, he still bravely ventured into the bloody wilderness. This fat man was a true hero of the wilderness.

Ertu, from his horse, patted Zhou Lu's shoulder hard, suppressing his emotions, and asked deeply, "Zhou Lu, you don't seem very old, and you must have just gotten married. How could your wife let you come out so soon after your wedding?"

"No," Zhou Lu actually blushed, "I haven't gotten married yet."

"Not married?"

Ertu and the other leaders behind him all had a hint of amusement on their faces.

To call someone a wife before getting married, they could imagine the intense affection between two passionate lovers.

Ertu asked with a smile, "Not married? How long have you been in love, and when do you plan to get married?"

"I plan to..." Zhou Lu counted on his fingers, "As soon as I find someone who likes me, I'll get married."

"You..." Ertu was stunned, his eyes wide, "You don't even have a girlfriend yet?"

"Yes," Zhou Lu said worriedly, "That's why I'm afraid. If I die without even getting married, it would be so unfair. I miss my wife."

Zhou Lu blushed and fidgeted with the hem of his clothes.

Ertu's forehead veins bulged, and he spurred his horse forward. He was so frustrated he wanted to swear, feeling that he couldn't get along with that little rascal. He had just praised the little rascal as a hero of the wilderness, but how could a hero of the wilderness play such a trick?

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