Volume One: The Dragon Rises from the Wilds Chapter Three: Severed Wind
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…
“All families, young and old, set out—”
A distant shout echoed, and with it, the morning sky seemed to collapse, the warmth of dreams vanished completely.
Yu Ye awoke with a start.
The sky had yet to brighten, and all around were hurried, busy figures.
Fifth Uncle Yu Shitou strode over and kicked out.
“Doggie, time to hit the road!”
“Mm…”
Yu Ergou lay on the ground, refusing to move.
Yu Ye reached out and tugged him. “No indulging in sleep!”
Yu Ergou was forced to rise, still drowsy, and instinctively hugged Yu Ye, murmuring, “I’m so tired, let me sleep a bit longer…”
A short while later, the group departed from Yunling Village.
The farther south they traveled, the narrower the road became. The mountains on either side grew increasingly desolate.
The sky remained gloomy, gray clouds blanketing the heavens. The neighing of horses, the barking of dogs, and the sweep of cold winds made the travelers move with greater urgency.
By noon, after a brief rest, the party pressed on through the bleak mountain forests.
Another two or three hours passed.
The sky grew darker still.
The raging wind gradually died down. Horses and dogs were silent.
The travelers slowed their weary steps.
In the distance—some dozens of miles ahead—a stone mountain appeared. Towering, endless to the left and right, it resembled a colossal beast stretched across the dim sky.
“My father said, that’s the Windbreak Cliff.”
Yu Ergou’s headscarf was askew, his face covered in dust, his voice weak: “Let’s fill our bellies, have a good sleep!”
Yu Ye was also exhausted and sleepy, but dared not complain. To be able to go to Spirit Flood Dragon Valley, he was already content.
Windbreak Cliff was right before their eyes.
As the saying goes, ‘mountains will wear out a horse.’ By the time they reached the foot of Windbreak Cliff, night had fallen.
In the darkness, shouts erupted—
“Brother Feng, Brother Yu, our carts and horses are weary, let’s rest here for the night.”
“Agreed, let’s continue at dawn.”
“Baoshan, settle the carts and horses, gather firewood.”
“Yu Quan, Yu Meng, Yu Ergou, come help—”
Nearly a hundred people and horses from three villages gathered, resulting in another bout of chaos.
Yu Ye followed Yu Ergou to help unload the carts, picking up a bundle of dry wood. Once the fire was lit, everyone sat around for warmth. Yet, by the fireside, there was no space left for him.
Not far away, the stone mountain was Windbreak Cliff. In the darkness, its height was unknown. Fortunately, the wind had stopped, making the winter night a bit less bitter.
Yu Ye, carrying his wooden stick and bundle, found a spot away from the crowd and sat down. His legs were swollen and numb, toes aching. Likely the skin was rubbed raw, but fortunately, his battered boots still held up. He took a sip from his water pouch, his stomach rumbling with cold. Though famished, he could not eat. He gazed at the fire and the laughing crowd, leaned against the stone wall, and his vision blurred with sleep…
“Young lady has waited here for a day, such hardship!”
“Brother Xuan, no need for courtesy!”
A few figures descended from the mountain, gathering in the wind-sheltered spot at the foot of the cliff—
“It’s late and cold, why not find another place to stay?”
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“This place is fine.”
“Would you like some dry rations?”
“I’ve been fasting for days, avoiding cooked food!”
“Lady, please suit yourself. If you need anything, just ask…”
Yu Ye was so tired he could barely open his eyes, but hearing voices, he couldn’t help but turn to look.
They were from Bai Village, and among them, the veiled young woman was none other than Miss Bai, Bai Zhi. Yesterday, she had left on horseback and disappeared, but apparently she had arrived here earlier. Perhaps her status was high, as she addressed Bai Xuan as brother and sister.
What is fasting?
Never heard of it.
What is cooked food? Who doesn’t use fire to cook meals—could she possibly eat raw meat?
Yu Ye had no time to ponder, wrapped himself tightly in his robe, curled up, and closed his eyes.
“Hm…”
Someone spoke—it seemed Bai Zhi was approaching.
Yu Ye ignored her, longing only for sleep.
The spot under the cliff was not only flat but covered with dry grass, an ideal place for spending the night outdoors. He had seized the opportunity while others warmed themselves by the fire, getting a small advantage for himself.
Another voice rang out—
“Miss Bai, my family’s venison is delicious. Let me offer you some to stave off hunger.”
“No need.”
“Why not try a bit?”
“Go away!”
“Miss Bai…”
“Bang—”
Yu Ye was drifting into sleep when suddenly his backside was kicked. He sat up, startled, and saw Yu Baoshan standing before him, holding a piece of dried meat, angrily saying:
“Miss Bai told you to leave!”
Yu Ye was baffled.
Ah, Yu Baoshan had failed to ingratiate himself with Bai Zhi and came to vent his anger on him. But was he not entitled to sleep here?
Miss Bai stood not far away; though her expression was unclear, her aura was unmistakably proud.
Yu Baoshan grew more unreasonable, raising his foot as if to kick again—
“Are you deaf? Get out!”
“Yu Baoshan…”
Yu Ye was both angry and aggrieved, rolling over and jumping up.
All along the journey, he had been careful, diligent, fearful of being disliked, yet trouble found him anyway.
Yu Baoshan refused to let him stand, shoving him hard.
“Well, you dare to fight back?”
Yu Ye stumbled and fell, then sprang up, eyes blazing.
Bai Zhi seemed impatient and spoke coldly: “Stop the noise!”
Yu Baoshan, eager to please yet scolded, nodded awkwardly and forced a smile: “Miss Bai, please don’t be angry!”
Bai Zhi ignored him and turned elsewhere.
Yu Baoshan, feeling embarrassed, barked at Yu Ye: “If you dare offend Miss Bai, I won’t let you off!” He left a harsh warning, biting into his dried meat and swaggering off.
Yu Ye picked up his bundle, silently stewing in frustration.
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Yu Baoshan liked to bully him, and he was no match for the brute. The other was not only tall and strong but possessed considerable brute force.
On the hillside, four or five fires burned, men from each village gathered around, warming themselves and eating, paying no mind to the quarrel nearby.
Yu Ye was about to find another place to sleep when a chill hit his face.
Was it rain?
No.
Snowflakes, like goose down and willow fluff, carrying damp chill, drifted from the dark sky above.
It was snowing.
Yu Ye hurried to find shelter. Seeing a depression beneath the cliff, like a shallow cave, he curled up inside and glanced around.
Two yards away, a thin figure sat.
It was Miss Bai. She seemed unafraid of the cold, sitting quietly amidst the falling snow.
Yet, with the firelight, he saw that the increasingly dense snowflakes did not touch her at all.
Strange!
Could it be related to her cultivation?
Did the legendary arts of ghosts and spirits truly exist…
It snowed all night.
The wild mountains were transformed into a vast whiteness.
A band of mountain men drove carts and horses, braving wind and snow.
“Spirit Flood Dragon Valley—”
Following the shouts, a great mountain appeared ahead, standing like a wall, looming in the icy, snowy world.
As they drew nearer, it was indeed a mountain blocking the way.
At the sheer wall, a narrow gorge appeared.
“All village carts and horses shall wait here. The rest will enter the valley. In ten days, we’ll meet again…”
The gorge was only three to five yards wide, but a hundred yards deep. Passing through, the fierce wind and snow lessened greatly. With shouts from the village leaders, the carts and horses halted, and guards were left. The remaining men, carrying blades, spears, and sticks, pressed on toward the depths.
Amid the bustle, Yu Ye stomped his feet, rubbed his hands, and blew hot breath. His cheeks and nose were red with cold, his head and body covered in thick frost.
“Yu Ye, Doggie…”
Fifth Uncle Yu Shitou called from ahead.
Beside him, Yu Ergou was equally snow-covered. He waved to Yu Ye, and the brothers hurried after.
Soon, they reached the end of the gorge, and before their eyes, the world opened up.
Under the gray sky and amidst the snowy expanse, mountains rose and fell, ravines crisscrossed, and strange rocks jutted out—spectacular and mysterious.
This was Spirit Flood Dragon Valley!
“Everyone, Tiger Leap Gorge is the Bai Village’s winter hunting ground.”
“Leopard Tail Gorge belongs to the Feng Village.”
“Brother Bai, Brother Feng, Yu Village will take Withered Grass Gorge.”
Spirit Flood Dragon Valley covered hundreds of miles. The terrain was perilous, and beasts abounded. Hunters dared not venture too deep, agreeing to hunt near the valley entrance at Tiger Leap Gorge, Leopard Tail Gorge, and Withered Grass Gorge. The locations were close, allowing for mutual aid.
Bai Xuan, Feng Shuanzi, and Yu Youcai discussed and led their groups through the valley.
Miss Bai vanished once more…
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