CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: HEY, FIRE BOY!

"Kid, this is the entrance to our mountain stronghold. Without us, you can’t get in here at all!"

On both sides were steep cliffs, surrounded by weeds and scattered rocks. Li Qingmu stood dazed between two boulders.

"Is this kid dumb?"

"Scared stupid by our stronghold’s mystery, hahaha!"

The laughter of the mountain bandits echoed in his ears. Li Qingmu slowly came to his senses and then said to Ma Biao, "The head is really impressive to find such a hidden place for a stronghold! I heard people say before, if you’re going to be a bandit, go to Luanshi Ridge; you can be a bandit for life and live like a god!"

"Hahaha, stinky kid, few in this world have your potential. Come on, follow me inside; let me show you the sights of our stronghold!"

A group of mountain bandits led the way in front. Li Qingmu and Long Yue exchanged a glance, the innocence in their eyes instantly replaced by a hint of depth, and then they followed in.

The terrain here in Luanshi Ridge is very complex, with many natural ravines along with countless cliffs, forming a natural barrier. Those unfamiliar with the path can’t get in, so the mountain bandits here are rampant and very arrogant.

The government office has tried to capture them multiple times, all ending in failure.

Of course, they also sent undercover agents to spy on enemy lines, but no one succeeded.

Just as Li Qingmu was about to enter the passage, he suddenly squeezed Long Yue’s hand and whispered, "This mission is dangerous. Are you really prepared?"

"Dear, I said before, wherever you go in the future, I’ll be with you!"

The little wife’s eyes were firm, warming Li Qingmu’s heart, "Alright, let’s go!"

...

Ling’an City, Lingjiang Imperial Mansion!

Qi Jingyu had returned to this mansion like a cage. He stood in a pavilion at a high vantage point, looking far into the distance.

Suddenly, a shadow appeared beside him, kneeling on one knee: "Princely Heir, that Li Qingmu did not do as you intended!"

"Hmm? He didn’t follow our agreement?"

Qi Jingyu’s eyes instantly turned cold.

"Princely Heir, it’s not..."

"Then what is it?"

Qi Jingyu abruptly turned and coldly stared at him.

"It’s... he killed the Xiliang envoy, then used the opportunity to mix into the mountain bandits."

"Oh..." Qi Jingyu was slightly surprised, "He actually killed a Xiliang person? Isn’t he afraid of sparking a war between the two countries?"

Is he crazy?

"Yes, I’m curious too. The key is, he personally killed him with an arrow!"

The man in black looked dumbfounded when mentioning this.

"This person is restless, likely wanting to stir up some trouble, but the commotion seems too big. Is it within his calculations? Cough cough cough..."

"Father, why are you here?"

Qi Junlian slowly approached, began speaking, then suddenly coughed violently. Qi Jingyu quickly ran to support him.

"No worries, Father is fine!"

Qi Junlian waved his hand, walked to the pavilion, sat down, and poured himself a hot cup of tea, sipping gently.

"Acting on impulses, this person... difficult to control..."

Qi Junlian slowly shook his head, a trace of worry shining in his eyes.

Qi Jingyu immediately asked, "Ruying, do you know why he killed those envoys?"

Killing must have a reason; if someone kills without cause, he really can’t be used!

"He..." Ruying hesitated and said, "That envoy previously injured his family’s servant, then insulted him verbally, so..."

"Oh! Overprotective, but unable to contain his emotions... That’s the temperament of the young. Seems I was wrong before. Those who protect their own well are usually good to their own, but his way of handling things was reckless. He needs a good waking up in the future!"

"He should be knocked into shape; he killed the Xiliang envoy, which will disrupt our arrangements!"

Qi Jingyu huffed, his cheeks puffing.

Qi Junlian stared at the tea leaves floating in his cup, speaking softly, "Act according to circumstances!"

...

Long Yue and Li Qingmu had been at Heifeng Village for six days now. Both were clever and soon got to know everyone here.

Heifeng Village had a total of one hundred and thirty-five bandits, twenty-two of whom were female bandits and over ten were good women plundered from the mountains below.

Long Yue held a wooden basin filled with various washed and folded clothes.

"Brother Bao, I’ve washed your clothes!"

"Yo, Lady Yue is really sweet, not in vain for Brother Bao to care for you..."

"Hey, Brother Bao, what did you care for her? You haven’t done anything, feel guilty saying that?"

"Hahaha..."

Laughter echoed from the stronghold, followed by cheering calls.

"It’s just washing clothes, look at those beasts getting so excited, humph!"

The speaker was the second in command, a skinny man with a hook nose, looking very sly.

He squinted, watched Long Yue’s retreating figure with the wooden basin, and lightly licked his lips.

"What, interested in that woman?"

Ma Biao leaned slightly closer to the second in command, lowered his head, whispered.

"I wouldn’t dare! Can’t chill the brotherhood. Besides, that boy’s archery is so precise; I don’t want to waste this advantage! Tch, women are like clothes; having more or less makes no difference!"

"Hahaha! Well said, cheers!"

These people, accustomed to living freely in the mountains, spoke without any reservations, daring to say anything aloud, and spoke loudly enough for Long Yue to overhear despite the distance.

She hesitated slightly, her face turning cold.

These bullies and vile people!

Brimming with contempt, Long Yue finished distributing the clothes in the basin as night fell and headed towards the kitchen.

Li Qingmu couldn’t get used to the food here; he had stomach troubles initially, slimming down visibly, which distressed Long Yue, so she started cooking for him herself.

To use the kitchen, she needed to get along with the people there. Long Yue gave Sun Erniang a silver hairpin, and once delighted, Sun Erniang let her cook there daily.

Sun Erniang’s team consisted of three helpers, two responsible for washing vegetables, cutting them, and cleaning dishes, and another for managing the fire.

The firekeeper was a young guy about Li Qingmu’s age, his face slightly darkened from long years with the fire, but his eyes were bright.

He didn’t talk much, sitting quietly, and if needed, a call would make him help with the fire.

"Hey, firekeeper, can you help with the fire?"

Long Yue approached, smiling slightly at him. The boy had no name, called "Hey" by everyone, which made Long Yue feel sad.

Today, the boy only glanced at Long Yue indifferently, with no response.

"Uh... Sun Erniang, what’s up with him?"

"Don’t know. Every year at this time, he’s like this; ignore him, I’ll help you with the fire!"

Sun Erniang spoke and went to help Long Yue with the fire, but Long Yue couldn’t help glancing at the boy, feeling something amiss?