Narrow Road

Before dawn, a layer of grayish-white frost covered the withered grass and rocks. Gu Tieshan crushed the last embers on the ground with his foot, his gaze sweeping over the group who were all ready to set off.

"Let's go." His voice was deep and left no room for argument.

The group once again disappeared into the vast forest. Gu Tieshan led the way as always, while Shen Lanjun walked in the middle of the group this time. Her gaze was no longer just focused on the path beneath her feet, but rather, like the most precise compass, she meticulously scanned the surrounding environment—broken grass stems, marks on the soil, and even the faint scents lingering in the air.

Xiao Chen, holding a gun, brought up the rear, his expression wary. Xiu Niang held her daughter tightly, taking each step carefully, afraid of making too much noise.

The mountain path was rugged and became increasingly remote. As the sun began to set, an abandoned path, half-hidden by weeds, appeared ahead, winding its way along the mountainside.

Shen Lanjun suddenly stopped and squatted down. She parted the withered grass by the roadside, revealing several clumps of horse manure that were not yet completely frozen. She then measured several clear footprints next to her with her fingers, her brows furrowing slightly.

“No more than an hour later, a cavalry group passed by, seven or eight riders, their footsteps were disorderly, they weren’t a proper group.” She stood up, her voice low, and looked at Gu Tieshan.

Gu Tieshan's eyes narrowed. "Go around it."

The group immediately left the path, attempting to traverse the steeper, denser forest on the side. However, just as they were struggling around a bend, a sharp whistle suddenly rang out from the hillside to their side!

"Whoosh—snap!"

A whistling arrow, accompanied by a mournful cry, struck a tree trunk not far in front of them, its tail feathers trembling violently.

"Hahaha! This mountain is mine, this tree is mine! If you want to pass, leave your toll!" A rude howl came from above.

Seven or eight men, dressed in bulky, tattered fur coats and carrying broadswords and homemade guns, emerged from the rocks and trees on the hillside, blocking their path. The leader was a one-eyed man with a face full of scars, his remaining eye greedily scanning them, especially when he saw Xiuniang and her daughter, his gaze revealing an undisguised lewdness.

"Oh, there are women and little brats too? Perfect, the men in the village need someone to warm their beds! Leave your stuff and women here, and the men get out of here!" The one-eyed man brandished his ghost-head knife and shouted arrogantly.

Xiu Niang turned pale with fright and clung tightly to her daughter. Xiao Chen immediately raised his gun and aimed it forward, but the enemy outnumbered them and occupied advantageous terrain.

Gu Tieshan remained calm and composed. He stepped forward, shielding Shen Lanjun and her daughter, Xiu Niang, behind him. He ignored the clamoring henchmen and fixed his gaze directly on the one-eyed leader.

"Make way." He only said two words, his voice not loud, but it carried a chilling aura, like the north wind in the dead of winter, making one's bones feel cold.

The one-eyed man was momentarily stunned by this imposing aura, then flew into a rage: "Damn it, you're asking for it! Brothers, give him a piece of our minds..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Tieshan made his move!

This movement was like a dragon emerging from its slumber, swift and unstoppable! With a leap, he shot forward like an arrow, charging straight at the one-eyed man! He completely ignored the armed bandits on either side, aiming to capture the leader first!

One-Eyed Dragon was also a ruthless bandit who had lived on the edge of a knife. He reacted quickly, letting out a roar as his ghost-headed knife came crashing down with a fierce wind! This strike was powerful and heavy; if an ordinary person were hit, they would immediately be torn in two.

However, Gu Tieshan neither dodged nor evaded. Just as the blade was about to reach his body, his body twisted violently as if it had no bones, and he slid in close to the blade! This was the essence of "close-quarters combat" in Chuojiao Fanziquan—avoiding the sharp edge and going straight for the center!

At the same time, his left hand shot out like lightning, executing a "golden thread wrapping the wrist" move, precisely grabbing the one-eyed man's wrist holding the knife, and twisting it with force!

"Snap!"

The sickening cracking sound of bones breaking was clearly audible.

"Ah—!" The one-eyed dragon let out a bloodcurdling scream, and the ghost-headed knife clattered to the ground.

Gu Tieshan's movements did not stop at all. His right leg was like a whip, and he kicked the back of the knee of the one-eyed man's supporting leg with a "kick"!

"Thump!"

The one-eyed dragon's massive body collapsed to his knees like a felled tree stump, curling up in excruciating pain, utterly powerless to resist.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye! From Gu Tieshan's sudden attack to the one-eyed dragon kneeling and howling in agony, it was all over in the blink of an eye!

Almost at the same time that Gu Tieshan made his move, Shen Lanjun also made her move.

Instead of charging at the main enemy, she swayed and used her Bagua steps to glide like a ghost towards the two bandits on her right who were trying to aim their guns at Gu Tieshan. The two men only felt a blur before their eyes, then their wrists went numb, followed by excruciating pain, and their guns slipped from their hands. Shen Lanjun's attack was swift as the wind, using the "Intercepting Hand" and "Grabbing the Acupoint" techniques from Bagua Palm, dislocating tendons and bones, instantly rendering the two men unable to fight, causing them to scream and clutch their wrists as they fell to the ground.

"Don't move! Anyone who moves will be shot!" Xiao Chen's angry roar rang out at the right time. The muzzle of his rifle was steadily pointed at the remaining bandits who were stunned by the sudden turn of events. His young face was flushed with excitement and tension, but his eyes were unusually fierce.

Seeing their leader cripple in a single move, and their two companions taken down instantly by the woman using some unknown method, the remaining bandits were already terrified. With guns pointed at them, they fell silent, dropping their crude weapons and begging for mercy.

Gu Tieshan didn't even glance at the one-eyed man kneeling on the ground; his gaze swept over the begging bandits like an icy blade. "What lies ahead?"

One of the more quick-witted bandits immediately kowtowed repeatedly: "Hero, spare my life! Hero, spare my life! Thirty miles ahead is Black Wind Pass, that's 'Mountain Eagle's' territory, they have more men and guns than us! And...and there's also a squad of yellow weasels...no, the Imperial Army...Japanese soldiers, they patrol the road outside Black Wind Pass every few days, they check very strictly!"

Gu Tieshan and Shen Lanjun exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. With bandits entrenched and Japanese soldiers patrolling, taking the main road would be tantamount to walking into a trap.

Gu Tieshan kicked the wailing one-eyed man unconscious and said in a deep voice, "Tie them up and throw them into the ravine. Whether they live or die is up to fate."

Xiao Chen and Shuanzi immediately stepped forward and used the prepared ropes to tie up the bandits tightly.

Gu Tieshan walked to Shen Lanjun's side, gazing at the towering, even more primitive and desolate mountains ahead. "It seems that the only way is to cross these mountains and directly reach the area behind Linjiang Village."

Shen Lanjun nodded, her cool gaze sweeping over the vast forest. "The mountain path is difficult, but safe."

There was no better choice. The group composed themselves, abandoned the relatively easier path, and plunged headlong into the seemingly impassable primeval forest ahead. The path beneath their feet became even more difficult, strewn with thorns and jagged rocks, and the temperature seemed to drop even further.

Gu Tieshan and Shen Lanjun led the way, clearing the path with their knives, their movements silent and coordinated. Xiao Chen continued to bring up the rear, glancing back every now and then. Xiu Niang gritted her teeth, pulling her daughter along, stumbling along as they went.

When paths cross, the brave prevail, and the wise prevail. They overcame one hurdle with their strength, but the more severe tests have only just begun. The road to Linjiang Village is destined to be paved with sweat, perseverance, and perhaps even blood.