Chapter Sixty-Nine: Crossing the Mountains

Jia Yu glanced at Wang Yuanfeng, whose expression remained unchanged. He guessed that this news was unlikely to be good. Still, it might be related to the marquis’s army, but at this point, there was nothing to be done—he would know sooner or later. So he addressed Jia Changfa.

“Speak. What news do you bring?”

Jia Changfa gritted his teeth and replied, “We’ve now lost all contact with the marquis. The carrier pigeons we used to send him information have all returned, their message tubes untouched. When we sent people to investigate, they found the warships swarming with shrimp and crab soldiers, but not a trace of the main army. Our men dared not approach further.”

Wang Yuanfeng felt a chill in his heart. If the whole army had been wiped out, there would be some sign—where there is battle, there is always smoke and the scent of blood, which carries far. But here, there was not a sound.

Could they all have been ambushed and slaughtered without a trace? He doubted it, yet unease gnawed at him. There did exist methods to annihilate an army in such a way—he’d read of several in the “External Alchemy Codex” he’d given his younger brother Wang Yuanqing. The Dragon King of Dongting Lake had been a deity for many years; who knew what strange powers he possessed? But the truth would only be revealed when he arrived. For now, he could only pray for his father’s safety. He turned to Jia Yu.

“I intend to cross Knife and Axe Mountain. I’ve heard the shady side teems with insects and snakes, the sunny side with tigers and leopards. Can you tell me what I should expect?”

Jia Yu had initially wanted Wang Yuanfeng to rest a while in the city, but with the marquis’s army’s fate uncertain and the young lord anxious for his father, it was clear he would not stay. So he replied, “My lord, both the north and south faces of Knife and Axe Mountain are difficult to traverse. The side near Yin Hua County faces north and is shaded; the side near Yang Hua County faces south and is sunny. There are indeed many insects and snakes on the northern side, but as long as you keep your distance, it’s rare for anyone to be bitten. However…”

Jia Yu considered the situation in Yang Hua before continuing, “In the past, the sunny side of the mountain was prowled by tigers and leopards. There was even a fire-breathing tiger who ruled over the mountain, but things changed half a year ago. News came of a tiger’s pitiful, agonized roar, and since then, the number of fierce beasts has dwindled, replaced by herbivores who sometimes wander down into the valleys where people can catch them. Even the musk deer you saw likely came from the southern slopes.”

Wang Yuanfeng sensed something momentous had happened in the south. Although it was within human territory, monsters abounded; as long as the stars shone and imperial power did not reach, beasts would become demons. In these chaotic times, he suspected some other creature had become a demon and slain or driven out the fire-breathing tiger. He said, “Then I won’t delay. I’ll set out now. Please continue to send messages ahead—I need news of my father’s army.”

“Yes, my lord,” Jia Yu replied. After a brief pause, he added, “Would you require any medicine to ward off insects and snakes?”

Wang Yuanfeng appreciated his thoughtfulness, but with his sword at his side, a mere flicker of sword energy would keep all creatures at bay, and any truly vicious ones could be cut down. He nodded slightly. “Thank you, but I have my own means of protection.”

Jia Yu, knowing the young lord’s ways were peculiar yet effective—many of the firm’s methods had come from him—nodded and said, “Safe travels, my lord. I will report to headquarters and intensify our investigations in the southern region.”

“My thanks,” Wang Yuanfeng replied. Then, with the shopkeeper and apprentice watching, he set out toward Knife and Axe Mountain. Once he was out of sight, Jia Yu instructed the apprentice beside him, “Hurry back and notify headquarters—the young lord has entered Knife and Axe Mountain. We need all intelligence on the southern region.”

Apprentice Jia Changfa was puzzled. “Aren’t we just gathering news on the marquis’s army? Would the firm really mobilize people to collect information in the southern region? Would they agree?”

Jia Yu glanced at him, recalling how he’d once been just as naïve. If an apprentice served under him, it was his duty to teach. “Do you know the young lord’s position within the firm?”

“Yes, it’s basic knowledge for all newcomers. He was once an elder, now he’s a core elder. But…”

Jia Yu saw his hesitation and asked, “Are you wondering why the young lord, who never involves himself in firm affairs, enjoys so many privileges?”

Jia Changfa hesitated, then nodded.

Jia Yu smiled. “The young lord may do nothing, but the influence he wields is unmatched. He is the family head’s grandson, the fourth son of the Marquis of Wu’an.”

This much Jia Changfa knew, and he felt a bit indignant, though he said nothing.

Jia Yu continued, “With his title, we can act in the name of the Marquis of Wu’an. The firm’s development over the past decade owes much to this.”

Jia Changfa was smart enough to recognize the truth of this. The firm’s current success was inseparable from the marquis’s name. The Jia family’s eldest daughter had married the marquis and bore him three sons. Still, he felt the young lord was simply fortunate.

Jia Yu understood his thoughts—he’d once felt the same way, but over the years, witnessing the firm’s growth and now becoming a shopkeeper himself, he realized the value of this connection; even county magistrates treated him with respect because of it.

He asked Jia Changfa, “Our firm prospers, but could we have reached such heights without the backing of an official?”

“No,” Jia Changfa answered honestly.

Jia Yu pressed on, “And do you know why our firm’s wealth spans the land?”

Jia Changfa considered, “Because of integrity in business, the ability to spot opportunities, and a sound organizational system.”

Jia Yu made no comment but asked, “Have you ever seen a business, lacking both force and political backing, achieve such scale?”

Jia Changfa thought it over—without force, bandits would rob you; without backing, you’d be oppressed, even ruined. Realizing this, he broke into a cold sweat. Without the marquis’s support, half their business would vanish, and in some places, they wouldn’t survive at all.

Thus, the marquis’s affairs were inseparable from the firm’s fate. If their patron remained safe, the firm could always recover—even from ruin. If he fell, the firm would be left for dead, even if it survived in name.

Seeing his apprentice begin to understand, Jia Yu said, “There are two sides to business: the open and the hidden. Only with honesty and official support can one truly succeed.” With that, he left the pondering apprentice behind and headed back into the county, greeting the guards at the city gate with courtesy.

In truth, there were things he hadn’t told the apprentice. The Marquis of Wu’an’s situation was precarious of late; these past years had brought one disaster after another, and many foresaw what might come.

Those with power sought to expand it; the weak only hoped to survive. As for the common people, who could afford to plan ahead?

In such times, martial strength became paramount. The fourth young master possessed extraordinary skill—rumor had it he was already at the level of a human immortal. As a blood relative of the family head, he could not be ignored. If ever the firm faced trouble, the young lord would not turn a blind eye. Recently, the reassignment of shopkeepers and apprentices from near Mount Tianzhu was also said to be his doing. Otherwise, he’d still be an apprentice, not even an acting shopkeeper.

…

After leaving Yin Hua County, Wang Yuanfeng, anxious about the affairs in the southern region, quickened his pace. Still, he reasoned that it would not be so easy to wipe out an army of ten thousand—perhaps they’d simply moved elsewhere. Yet, unable to see his father, he found no peace.

He decided to head to the mouth of Dongting Lake, hoping to find some clue. With this thought, his steps grew brisk, and soon he reached the foot of the mountain.

Knife and Axe Mountain was as its name suggested—a forest of jagged rocks, steep paths, its stones sheathed in brambles and low shrubs. Approaching, he felt a chill seep into his bones. The north face, always in shadow, never saw the sun, and the mountain itself seemed to have been split in two by a giant blade, forming a deep cleft that divided north and south, the two sides separated by less than a hundred feet, the fissure plunging straight to the mountain’s base.

Legend held that in ancient times, this land was plagued by storms, the southern region a wild expanse linked to the sea, and a great demon dwelled atop this mountain. Heroes rose among the human race, but this mountain blocked their campaigns. It was said the Great Emperor of the Western Peak struck down the demon with a sweep of his axe, splitting the mountain in two.

Later, for ease of passage, an iron chain bridge was built over the chasm, connecting north and south.

Wang Yuanfeng had planned to detour, but with the southern army missing, his heart was uneasy; he decided to cross the bridge straight to Yang Hua County.

He had heard of monsters lurking in this mountain, but as long as he hid his presence and avoided direct confrontation, he anticipated no trouble.

He made ready to climb, but after only a few steps, his sword at his side began to hum and tremble. Instantly alert, he realized something was watching him. Focusing his mind, he sensed its malice from the undergrowth ahead.

He halted and called out, “Who’s there? Show yourself!”

The thicket was dense and quiet, weighed with shadow.

“Won’t come out? Very well.”

He leapt forward, sword drawn, and swept the blade low along the ground; sword energy cut through the brush, cleaving the shrubs at the root.

Suddenly, a figure burst from the thicket. Without hesitation, Wang Yuanfeng struck at the figure’s side, three inches below the ribs.

A cry of pain rang out, and in a flash, the figure leapt a dozen feet away.