Chapter 15: Captain Zhong

The third chieftain, Makha, and the others had predicted correctly. Since noon, after Group Nine had demonstrated their absolute strength, the competition for food, though still fierce, had gradually settled into a kind of order. As the most formidable group, Group Nine was allowed to take ample food first. At first, this understanding was not universally accepted, but over the next few days, with Hu San leading, supported by Tanyue, Xiangbao, and Leiming, their sword and blade formation tore through any group daring to block their way, leaving the challengers battered and bruised. This, over time, became an unspoken rule.

With the precedent set by Group Nine, other strong groups were unwilling to lag behind. Once Group Nine established itself at the top of the pyramid, other groups began vying for the remaining positions. Man Shi, leader of Group Fifteen, had foreseen this well. In the second phase, the groups that eventually claimed victory in the second tier, recognized by all except Group Nine, were precisely the two he had predicted: his own Group Fifteen and Group Two, led by Fatty Sheya.

Once this second tier was established, the rest of the hierarchy fell into place more easily—bribes, alliances, flattery, every trick in the book. In less than ten days, the sixteen groups of the second phase split into four tiers: the first tier was Group Nine, with first choice of food; the second tier consisted of Group Two and Group Fifteen, with slightly less privilege but still a rich share; the third tier included Groups One, Six, Ten, and Sixteen, whose strength was about equal—though their shares were smaller, at least they had enough to eat. The remaining nine groups made up the last tier, fighting over what was left.

Before every meal, a skirmish broke out. Sometimes one group grabbed more, sometimes another. One time this group ate its fill, the next time that group did. Because of shifting opportunity and position, these nine groups seemed to revolve like a lantern carousel, each taking its turn at fortune, forming a kind of balance.

After more than ten days of consolidation, the structure of the second phase was firmly established. As Hu San had said before, because of the distribution of resources, a single misstep meant falling behind at every step. Soon, the lines dividing the groups’ strengths, once subtle, became starkly apparent. Group Nine, in particular, stood out. Under the relentless training of Hu San and with ample nutrition, the group changed daily. Already formidable, Tanyue, Xiangbao, and Leiming grew stronger at a meteoric pace. In truth, any one of these three could now match the likes of Sheya or Man Shi.

As for Hu San himself, with sufficient food, his strength grew past all limits. Now, his power equaled that of two fully trained adult bandits—he could toss a hundred-pound boulder with ease. With skill factored in, Hu San’s strength had doubled in ten days. Yet, regrettably, he still knew only two techniques: the Fish Step for mobility and the Bird Strike for a full-force blow. He did not even know a basic set of fist techniques. The bandits guarded their secret skills jealously; even the crudest sword forms were worth a fortune here. Though Hu San was eager, he could only bide his time and seek an opportunity.

Once the second phase stabilized, the first phase also formed a unified power. Seeing this, the purple-cheeked commander, long frustrated, threw in the towel and rode off at speed to Wolfheart Fortress. To be honest, with his strength, facing a bunch of newcomers every day was either stifling or infuriating, and with the scar-faced commander and the third chieftain already gone, he could not even find a sparring partner. He was bored to death.

The first phase, lacking a dominant figure like Hu San, remained in chaos until now. Only after much effort did the purple-cheeked commander establish a group at the apex, hastily set up a hierarchy, said a word to his subordinates, and slipped away.

With his departure, all three figures of real authority in Wolf Fang Fortress vanished, and the hidden undercurrents began to surface.

On Little Bamboo Peak, on the right side of the main summit of Wolf Fang Fortress, famed for its scenery, two bandits in martial dress were drinking heartily in a cool pavilion. The stone table before them was littered with cups and plates, showing the meal had lasted some time. After draining another bowl of clear wine, the middle-aged bandit in the seat of honor squinted his eyes, smacked his lips, glanced at his companion—whose mind was visibly clouded by drink—and slammed his bowl down onto the table.

Bang!

The table shook violently. A wine jar, unsteady, rolled off the stone and crashed to the ground, spilling wine everywhere.

The long-haired bandit, drowsy with drink, was startled. With a flick of his hair, his crimson eyes were revealed.

“Alas!”

Seeing he had his companion’s attention, the middle-aged bandit sighed deeply, as if some unresolved matter weighed on his heart.

“Captain Zhong, what’s the matter? If there’s something troubling you, why not share it? If I can help, I won’t refuse!” The long-haired bandit flashed a broad grin, pounding his chest.

“I appreciate your goodwill, brother, but my sigh is not for myself. Such fine weather, such good wine and food, reminds me of someone. Not long ago, we were still sharing tea and drink, yet within days, we are parted by life and death—never to meet again. Is that not a tragedy?” The middle-aged bandit’s gaze grew distant as he seized the wine jar and drank deeply.

At this, the long-haired bandit’s eyes flickered, his drunken haze momentarily clearing. He tentatively asked, “Brother Zhong, are you speaking of Hu San from Group Nine? Was Brother Zhang truly killed by him?”

“You are no outsider, so how could I deceive you?” The bandit surnamed Zhong seemed even more grieved at this question. “Brother Zhang always treated me with great kindness, which I never repaid. When I heard the news, I thought it most suspicious. I rode in haste to investigate and found Brother Zhang’s corpse in a trap on the mountainside—riddled with wounds.”

“Poor Brother Zhang, always so generous, to die by a villain’s treachery. Worse still, though many in the fortress owe him favors, not one dares avenge him.” As he spoke, Zhong fixed a piercing gaze on the long-haired bandit; there was not a trace of drunkenness left in his eyes.

“Heh, Brother Zhong, you’re quite right.” The long-haired bandit, feeling the pressure, forced a laugh and explained, “I suppose everyone is ignorant of the truth, or would they let that brat roam free? But with the third chieftain and both commanders away, why not wait for their return and bring it up then?”

He should not have said so. At these words, Zhong’s rage flared, and he snorted coldly: “Brother, you jest. That brat is a favorite of the third chieftain. If not for his protection, would he have survived this long?”

“Don’t pretend ignorance with me. If we wait a couple more years until the boy grows stronger, how could we ever avenge Brother Zhang?”

Seeing the long-haired bandit’s hesitance and shifting eyes, Zhong knew all too well the nature of these men—push too hard and they’d turn on you. He moderated his tone and changed tack: “Of course, everyone here has their hardships. Who isn’t risking his neck for a meal? I understand completely. But Brother Zhang’s death must be avenged. I don’t ask anyone to do it themselves—just to give me a little help.”

As he spoke, Zhong pulled a small cloth bag from his breast and placed it on the table with a crisp jingle, pushing it toward the long-haired bandit.

With the sunlight glaring overhead, the long-haired bandit saw a glint of gold. Looking closer, he saw the pouch was open, revealing two gleaming gold bars. Judging by their heft, he guessed they weighed a full ten taels. His breath grew heavy, but he did not take them at once, clearly weighing the risks and rewards.

“Do you still have misgivings, brother?” Zhong’s eyelid twitched.

“To be honest, the training grounds at the back of the mountain are organized by group. Hu San alone is easy to handle, but all of Group Nine is another matter. If you could isolate Hu San, it’d be simple; but as long as he stays with his group, I must decline, for the sake of my own life.” The long-haired bandit struggled with temptation, but in the end, chose safety over gold, and covered his indecision by draining his cup.

“Isolate Hu San?” Zhong curled his lips, thinking, If I could do that, would I need you? But aloud, he said, “I’ve heard your Group Three is the strongest in the first phase, and the work areas for first and second phase overlap. Could you lend a hand in getting rid of Hu San?”

But the long-haired bandit shook his head after some thought. “Group Three may be the strongest, but they’re just a bunch of muscleheads. Hu San slew ten bandits of the Sky’s End Fortress in a day—dealing with some brutes is nothing to him.”

“That’s nothing to worry about. I have a cunning plan,” Zhong began, but the long-haired bandit cut him off, scooped up one of the gold bars, and left the other on the table. “I’m just a minor figure and won’t get involved. I’ll summon my group’s leader shortly; if you’ve business, discuss it directly with him. Whatever the outcome, I’ll know nothing of it!”

With that, he turned and left without hesitation, his stride steady—there was no trace of drunkenness left.