Chapter 17

The narrow path behind the mountain, strictly speaking, could hardly be called a path. Pedestrians had to descend straight down the steep cliff crevices, with only shallow indentations at intervals for footholds. A thick iron chain hung from the mountaintop as a handrail, but the further down one went, the more the chain swayed, eventually forcing pedestrians to cling to it with both hands, swinging helplessly in the mountain breeze, stretching their toes to reach the indentations, much like modern extreme rock climbing.

Wang De led several guards and guides at the front. These few were the first to explore the path, enduring the greatest hardship and danger, with one guard even getting his forehead cut by falling rocks. Following them were the Lady of Jingling County and her close attendants. Although she was a noblewoman of the imperial clan, she clearly had a foundation in martial arts from a young age, and with the guards protecting her, the journey was perilous but safe.

Lu Yao, Xue Tong, and He Yun brought up the rear. These three were not subordinates of the Lady, and in the eyes of the guards, they were undoubtedly the type to be used as cannon fodder. Lu Yao was quite sensible and volunteered to be the last to descend. In terms of martial skills, these three were actually the strongest in the group, even the youngest, He Yun, was a seasoned warrior, making them suitable for the rear guard.

After about half an hour of arduous trekking, the group finally reached level ground and entered the deep ravine behind the mountain. The sound of a babbling stream flowed beneath their feet, and looking up, the steep cliffs on both sides seemed to almost meet, leaving only a narrow strip of sky.

The journey was truly difficult, and many people were so exhausted that they could barely stand after reaching the ground.

The Lady of Jingling County looked at herself and then at her two equally disheveled maids, suddenly pointing and laughing at them, "You two look like little monkeys!"

The two maids, who had been terrified by the treacherous path and almost cried halfway down, finally relaxed a bit. One of them pouted and said, "Lady, you look like a little monkey too!"

Indeed, to avoid being a burden on the descent, the Lady had borrowed a short robe from her maid. After the rough journey, the robe was torn in several places and was barely held together with a sash. Her palms were covered in blood, and her face had several abrasions and mud stains, making her look disheveled, a stark contrast to her usual dignified appearance.

After a few moments of laughter, the group remembered the fierce Hu army just a mountain away and felt the urgency. They gathered their strength and continued on their way.

After wading through the dark ravine for several dozen yards, the sky gradually brightened, and the sound of water grew louder. A swift river cut through the rock, blocking their path. After a brief search, they found a wooden boat hidden in the bushes by the shore. Though small, it was enough to hold a dozen people.

The guards, being northerners, knew nothing about rowing. Fortunately, Lu Yao was quite skilled in this area and quickly assigned everyone. Six oars moved in unison, propelling the small boat downstream.

The light boat glided swiftly, covering four or five li along the river in the blink of an eye, gradually moving away from Funiu Fort. The river widened to about a dozen paces, with lush vegetation on both banks. The water shimmered, and the trees were lush, with water birds occasionally skimming the surface, creating ripples. The group sighed in relief and finally relaxed.

At this moment, Wang De, who was steering at the stern, suddenly called out, "Look!"

Through the branches of the trees lining the river, they could see a large plume of smoke rising from the peak of Funiu Fort, followed by red flames dancing wildly in the smoke.

"Have the Hu already attacked Funiu Fort?" the Lady of Jingling County murmured to herself.

Given the Hu's brutality, if they had breached the fort, it would surely become a hell on earth, with few, if any, survivors. The bandits, though crude, were fighting for their lives against the Hu. And that seductive Hu Liuniang... the Lady, who usually found her alluring manner repulsive, now felt a faint concern for her safety.

"This fire might have been set by the people of Funiu Fort themselves," said Lu Yao, sitting cross-legged at the bow.

"What?" the Lady frowned, not understanding his reasoning.

"Funiu Fort is naturally fortified, surrounded by cliffs. As long as they hold their position, the Xiongnu can't breach it in a short time, even if they throw lives away." Lu Yao smiled bitterly. "Unless there's an internal conflict in Funiu Fort."

"That's unlikely. Hu Liuniang is cunning and resourceful," the Lady shook her head.

"True, Hu Liuniang is well-known in the Taihang Mountains and is no simple person," Lu Yao politely agreed, then asked, "But if there's no trouble in Funiu Fort, how do you explain this fire?"

Xue Tong coughed, interrupting their discussion. The fire at Funiu Fort was a fact, but no matter what they concluded, the group couldn't do anything about it. He picked up an oar, "This is not a good sign. Let's row faster."

Wang De nodded, "This river is a tributary of the Qishui River. Following it downstream will lead us to Jizhou... that's where we'll be safe. We mustn't slack off. Everyone, let's work together!"

At his command, the six guards on either side of the boat rowed with all their might. The boat shuddered and shot forward.

In the next instant, many on the boat sincerely thanked these six men for their efforts.

Dozens of arrows suddenly shot from both banks, whistling through the air and striking the water, creating a rain of splashes. The rear of the boat couldn't completely avoid the arrow rain, and four guards were hit, one of whom was pierced through the chest and fell into the water.

A second wave of arrows quickly followed, and the guards tried to block them with their weapons. However, the boat was too small, and any large movement risked capsizing it. In a moment, three more guards were injured. The two maids, loyal to their mistress, pushed the Lady to the bottom of the boat, shielding her with their bodies. The Lady was unharmed, but one maid was hit in a vital spot and was clearly dying.

The river was narrow, and the boat was within the range of the archers on both banks. After just two volleys, more than half of the people on the boat were dead or injured. If another volley came, everyone would be riddled with arrows. Wang De shouted, "Faster! Faster! Row faster!"

The order was simple, but execution was difficult. Some guards were busy blocking arrows, others tending to the injured, and the remaining few were rowing haphazardly, causing the boat to spin in the middle of the river.

Suddenly, several shouts came from the dense forest, and the archers on both banks stopped shooting. A voice called out, "People on the boat, stop and abandon the boat! Surrender peacefully!"

As the voice echoed, dozens of men with bows and arrows emerged from the dense forest on both banks, aiming at the boat. More bandits with knives stood up from the tall grass on the riverbank, all wearing leafy camouflage, clearly prepared for this ambush.

A large, fierce-looking man leaped onto a boulder and roared, "We are here to welcome the Lady of Jingling County. Surrender now, or you will all die under our arrows!"

Wang De recognized this man as Xiang Fei, the notorious bandit from Bingzhou, whom he had seen earlier at the foot of Funiu Fort!

How had the Lady's whereabouts been leaked to this man? Who was the "superior" he claimed to be following orders from? While Wang De was momentarily stunned, two grappling hooks flew from the rocky shore on the right, and the iron hooks "thud" into the boat's side.

A guard rushed over and cut the hooks with his sword, but his violent movement caused the boat to rock dangerously. The guards, including Wang De, were northerners and not familiar with water, and they panicked.

Wang De, while steering, also had to maintain balance to avoid falling into the water. In the midst of the chaos, he heard someone say, "This won't work..."

Wang De, already enraged and frightened, shouted, "At this point, what good is talking? Do something!"

"Alright... I'll take the Lady of Jingling County to safety first. Please, Wang, distract the bandits and buy some time."

Wang De was startled and turned back to see Lu Yao leap up.

The boat was small, barely holding a dozen people, and was only about three zhang long. Lu Yao took two steps to the Lady's side and reached out to grab her. A guard tried to block him but was punched in the chest and fell, nearly into the water.

"Protect the Lady!" Wang De, not thinking about the meaning of Lu Yao's words, leaped into the air and tackled Lu Yao with outstretched arms.

The boat rocked violently, and it was already difficult for anyone to stand, let alone fight. However, Lu Yao was agile and unaffected. He sidestepped Wang De's charge and struck him with a horizontal elbow to the back.

Wang De crashed to the bottom of the boat like a heavy stone, seeing stars and unable to move.

Lu Yao leaned over Wang De, as if to say something. At that moment, a guard behind him shouted and swung his sword with all his might. If he had hit, Lu Yao would have been cut in two.

However, before the sword reached him, Xue Tong grabbed the guard's shoulder and pulled him away. The guard stumbled and fell into the river.

Chaos erupted on the boat. Lu Yao and Wang De rolled to the bottom, and the other guards, unable to intervene, attacked Xue Tong and He Yun. The boat, losing control and off-balance, rocked violently in the center of the river.

In the next instant, the boat capsized, nearly flipping over. People tumbled like rolling gourds, and some screamed as they fell into the water, flailing wildly but sinking quickly.

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