Chapter Four: Why Didn’t You Say So Earlier!
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Although he was not entirely sure what kind of world this was, or to which dynasty or era it belonged, Li Yun could keenly sense from the conduct of these constables that this was certainly no time of peace and prosperity.
His impression was not born from the fact that the constables were extorting money from the villagers—after all, such behavior was all too common. The real reason was that these constables had not the slightest intention of mounting an attack on Cangshan Stronghold.
One must remember: the girl who was abducted was not merely a commoner’s daughter, but the county magistrate’s own child!
A county magistrate might have been one of the lower-ranking local officials, but an official was still an official; by rights, he ought to be a figure of supreme authority in his jurisdiction. If the county’s own constables could not handle it, the prefecture above could dispatch troops, or call upon higher-level local garrisons to suppress the bandits.
Yet, judging by the behavior of those constables just now, they seemed to have no intention whatsoever of launching any such campaign against the bandits—in other words, the local government had already lost, or at least partially lost, its ability to maintain law and order.
In times like these, all it takes is a spark to ignite chaos.
It was not until after midnight that Li Yun finally jumped down from the great tree. He had spent over two hours perched above, his whole body aching, but fortunately, his constitution was strong. After stretching his limbs, he prepared to return up the mountain.
For now, it seemed those “black-jackets”—the constables—would not dare venture up the mountain anytime soon.
After landing from the tree, bathed in moonlight, Li Yun glanced at the path leading up the mountain. He decided to return to the stronghold first and consider his next move. After all, it was now certain that their stronghold was safe for the moment, and since these were troubled times, he needed a place to call his own.
He was about to set off when, after just two or three steps, someone called out from behind.
“Little Scarface…”
The chieftain Li turned sharply, and saw not far from the base of the tree, an old man with hair half-turned white, thin and withered. It was none other than the headman of this small mountain village.
As Li Yun turned, the headman peered at him in the moonlight, recognized his features, and said, “So it really is you.”
Li Yun took two wary steps back, but he felt a vague familiarity with the old man. Hesitating a moment, he stepped forward, still on guard: “Elder…”
The headman looked him over and shook his head, “Don’t you recognize this old man?”
“Your father, Scarface, used to call me Third Uncle.”
Li Yun frowned, about to speak, but the old man continued, “Though your father became a bandit all those years, he never once robbed the villages at the foot of the mountain. In times of famine, he lent grain and goods to the villagers more than once. Though he strayed from the right path, he never forgot his roots.”
“You…”
The old man sighed, “But why on earth did you have to target the official’s daughter? The constable just said—the magistrate of Qingyang is determined to spend his fortune, go to the prefecture for help, and wipe out your stronghold.”
Li Yun raised an eyebrow.
He looked down, thought for a moment, and asked, “Elder, when did you realize I was in the tree?”
The withered old man glanced at him, replying gruffly, “Of course, after those constables left. If they’d seen you while they were here, would my son have suffered so much?”
Hearing this, the chieftain actually felt relieved. He grinned, “Elder, you’re a straightforward man. I won’t forget what happened today. In a few days, whatever money the village lost tonight, I’ll see it returned to you.”
The old headman was surprised, “Why, child, you speak so differently from the last time I saw you…”
Li Yun smiled and said, “Let me put it another way, then.”
“The money those black-jackets took, however much it was, I’ll make sure you get it all back!”
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With those words, he turned and strode up the mountain. The old man watched his departing figure, sighed gently, and then turned back toward his own home.
The night wind rustled through the great tree. Beneath it hung a signboard, the characters upon it scrawled in an ugly, crooked hand.
Li Family Village.
……
By the time he returned to the stronghold, it was already dawn. Perhaps due to the chieftain’s usual aura of authority, though he’d been gone a whole day and night, no one in the stronghold dared approach his quarters, nor his “new bride.”
Forcing himself to stay awake, Li Yun fetched some water to wash his face. Then, amidst the shrieks of the young woman inside, he pushed open the door to his quarters.
“What are you screaming for?” he barked.
With a swagger, the chieftain seated himself in the room and at last took a good look at the bride he’d snatched.
The young woman looked about fifteen or sixteen, her head barely reaching Li Yun’s shoulder. She was well-proportioned, with fair skin and striking features. Even lost in this bandit’s lair, with no trace of makeup, her delicate beauty was hard to conceal.
He stared at her for a while, only returning to his senses when she screamed again.
He coughed, trying to cover his embarrassment. “Miss, shall we… talk things over?”
The girl glared at him, fists clenched, her whole body trembling—half from fear, half from anger. She had no idea what “talking things over” might mean in the mouth of a bandit. Still, she said nothing. After a long silence, she lay down on the crude bed, stretched out her arms and legs in a large “X,” squeezed her eyes shut, and hissed through clenched teeth, “Beast, do your worst!”
The chieftain was speechless.
Women of this era… were they always so forward?
But he was mistaken. This “bride” had already been held in the stronghold for four days. After being threatened that any suicide attempt would result in her being stripped naked and thrown into Qingyang County, she had lost the will to die. Having abandoned thoughts of death, she could only face reality.
She knew all too well what fate awaited women captured by bandits. For more than a day, she had been steeling herself for it. Now that the wicked bandit chief had finally come to commit his crime, and resistance was futile, this was her form of protest.
Li Yun sat at the foot of the bed, silently regarding the “X”-shaped girl—foolish, yet a little endearing.
She even looked… a little gullible.
After a while, seeing he still made no move, the girl cautiously peeked open one eye. Finding him still sitting there, she quickly squeezed her eyes shut again, motionless.
Li Yun sighed, “Lie there any longer and you’ll fall asleep. Miss, what is your name?”
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She only snorted in reply, turning her face away.
He frowned. “If you don’t answer, I’ll strip your…”
“My surname… is Xue…”
He smiled, “And your given name?”
She glared at him fiercely. “Yun…”
“Xue Yun’er…”
Li Yun repeated the name, then praised, “A lovely name.”
Miss Xue raised her head, gritting her teeth, “Don’t add that ‘er’—it sounds disgusting when you say it…”
The chieftain ignored her and carried on, “Miss Xue, if I were to send you home right now, you wouldn’t want to go, would you?”
“What good would that do?” She sat up, hugging her knees, face streaked with tears. “You’ve ruined my life…”
Li Yun was at a loss.
His own wanted posters were plastered everywhere—his hopes for an official’s career were dashed! He was the one whose life was truly ruined…
He sighed. “Miss Xue, how about this: you write a letter to your father, say we’ve kidnapped you, and for two hundred taels of gold, we’ll release you immediately. That way, this whole affair will be simple extortion, not a forced marriage. Your reputation will remain intact when you return. How does that sound?”
Miss Xue slowly looked up at him, eyes wide. “What… what did you say?”
Li Yun blinked. “Was I unclear?”
She flew into a rage. “That day, in front of so many people, you shouted and raved about making me your wife! Why didn’t you just ask for money then? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”