Chapter 17: Boulder Camp |
If the timing weren't inappropriate, Xia Hong would have genuinely praised Xia Chuan.
He had originally worried his younger brother might be too immature to keep calm, but unexpectedly, the boy proved quite clever.
Judging from the expressions on Wang Ming and his three companions' faces,
they were likely the only ones who came tonight.
Xia Hong narrowed his eyes, scanning the four men before finally settling his gaze on the large blade in Wang Ming's hand, considering whether to eliminate them all.
His decision to come out tonight wasn't without preparation.
Unbeknownst to Xia Hong, his scrutinizing posture made Wang Ming think he was debating whether to call for Xia Ding's assistance.
Wang Ming wasn't afraid of fighting three youngsters.
But if they couldn't quickly subdue them or if even one escaped to summon Xia Ding and his men, it would become a fight to the death.
even with this great blade, the four of them would be doomed tonight.
After brief contemplation, Wang Ming swiftly reached a decision.
"Young masters, no need for hostility. We'll leave the crystal fruits here and depart immediately. We'll never trespass on Great Xia territory again—farewell!"
Once decided, Wang Ming didn't hesitate. He signaled his companions to drop their harvested crystal fruits, bid farewell, and swiftly retreated westward without looking back.
Xia Hong watched until the four disappeared from view, waited a while longer, then turned to give Xia Chuan an approving thumbs-up.
"Good job, kid!"
Xia Chuan grinned. "We definitely couldn't win a fight, so bluffing was our only option to scare them off."
Hearing this, Xia Hong raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Provoking direct conflict with Boulder Camp now would be unwise.
Xia Ding and the lumberjack team had been missing for over a month. Their prolonged absence from Redwood Ridge couldn't have gone unnoticed by Boulder Camp.
Otherwise, they wouldn't dare cross boundaries so brazenly.
Given more time, they might deduce the truth.
During the previous three encounters, Xia Hong had faced groups of seven or more, forcing him to yield.
But tonight, only four came—and no archers among them.
Such a perfect opportunity couldn't be wasted.
This confrontation should deter Boulder Camp from further aggression—for a while at least.
"Still, we must help Yue Feng and the others break through soon. This bluffing tactic only works once or twice before exposing us."
Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng shouldered the discarded crystal fruits, grinning when they estimated over a thousand jin in weight.
An excellent first harvest for their expedition.
"Remember the location of the third crystal fruit tree. Next, follow me to cut trees—each of you will fell one tonight."
The two promptly agreed and hurried after Xia Hong.
………………
East of Redwood Ridge, north of the earthen slope where Great Xia Camp stood, rose a sheer hundred-meter-tall hill.
The tower-like hill stretched fifty to sixty meters across, its snow-capped peak bearing only snow-laden trees while the rest consisted of pitch-black stone.
The stones weren't merely dark—their surfaces were coated with thick crystalline layers from years of frost accumulation.
A long vine hung along the eastern slope.
Currently, four figures climbed swiftly upward.
Despite the height, they scaled it within minutes.
The flat summit spanned fifty meters wide, devoid of trees.
Upon reaching the top, they went straight to the center, brushed aside snow-covered ground, and revealed a five-meter-square wooden board.
The leader deftly lifted the board, exposing a three-meter-wide shaft with flickering firelight below.
The four jumped in one by one, the last man pulling the board back into place.
Beneath lay an enormous rectangular cavern over thirty meters across and thirty to forty meters tall, divided horizontally by wooden and stone partitions.
On the stone floor burned a two-meter-high bonfire surrounded by three to four hundred lively people, some children playing nearby.
These inhabitants clearly enjoyed better vitality than Great Xia's people.
As the four landed, someone approached smiling—until noticing their empty hands.
"Old Wang, why return empty-handed?"
"Bad luck. Don't ask. Where's the boss? Need to report something."
"Practicing archery below."
"Good, we're heading down."
After brief replies, Wang Ming hurried eastward where the wall sloped downward to the lower level—a similar space with a smaller bonfire.
Two men stood facing a wooden target, drawing bows.
"Boss, there's news from Redwood Ridge."
At Wang Ming's words, both archers lowered their bows and turned.
Both middle-aged men shared similar lean builds and calloused hands, even resembling each other by seventy percent.
But the left man bore a scar across his face, his fierce expression and darker complexion radiating menace.
The right one appeared fairer and more amiable.
Wang Ming approached the right man—clearly his leader.
The man narrowed his eyes calmly. "What happened?"
"Encountered three Great Xia people while gathering crystal fruits at the border."
"Old Ding?"
"No, his two sons."
Shi Qing froze momentarily before showing disbelief. "Old Ding's sons? You're certain?"
After consideration, Wang Ming nodded firmly. "Positive. The boys resemble Old Ding closely, and their ages match. Definitely his sons."
"How old are those boys? With just thirteen members, where would Great Xia get extra Frost Beast meat to cultivate them?" Shi Dong blurted out.
Only then did he notice his elder brother Shi Qing's grim expression.
Though hot-tempered, Shi Dong wasn't foolish—he immediately grasped the implication.
"Elder brother, are you thinking... they took advantage of that Snow Mane we hunted last time?"
Wang Ming smacked his forehead. "Exactly! Great Xia's thirteen can't compare to us. All these years they've only scavenged Frost Beast corpses by luck—barely enough for themselves. They must've gotten that Snow Mane!"
The shared realization darkened all three faces.
That previous Snow Mane hunt had cost three lives—including Shi Qing's younger brother Shi Kong, their blade-wielder.
Yet they'd fled empty-handed.
Learning Great Xia profited from their loss was infuriating enough.
Worse—Great Xia might have lurked nearby during the hunt, waiting to scavenge after their retreat.
"Daring to scheme behind our backs! In a few days, I'll lead a team to Redwood Ridge myself and see Great Xia's current strength," Shi Qing said coldly, his amiable face hardening.
Beside him, Shi Dong and Wang Ming seethed with rage.
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