Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Absolute Light Mountain Stronghold 1
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It had been a month since departing from Xi'an.
Everything had gone smoothly, and even the weather had cooperated.
The midday heat was starting to build, but the air remained crisp and dry—perfect conditions for a merchant caravan.
There had once been a time when the Green Forest's Eighteen Strongholds and Seventy-Two Lairs held sway, but now they were mere shadows of their former selves.
The Great Ming laws were strict, making it rare to encounter bandits preying on trade routes. Even the occasional Green Forest band could be placated with a bit of courtesy.
But there were always exceptions.
Namely, the Absolute Light Mountain Stronghold nestled near Wushan County in Gansu Province.
As the Shenzhou Caravan's procession crossed the open plain without a shred of shade and reached the mountain pass at the entrance to Absolute Light Mountain, a chill already hung in the air.
"Halt for a moment."
At the front of the line, Sa Hongcheon raised his right hand, and the dozens of wagons came to a stop one by one.
As Sa Hongcheon brought the caravan to a halt, Kang Pyo, the Pagoda Tower, who had been riding beside him, pulled out a yellow flag.
"We've finally entered Absolute Light Mountain territory."
He waved the flag, and the warriors scattered throughout the caravan spurred their horses forward.
"You take the lead from here. The Iron Gall Black Leopard of Absolute Light Mountain Stronghold, Seo Hongsan, is no pushover. His temper is ferocious beyond measure—don't let your guard down."
"Trust me. Do you think the Pagoda Tower would fall to some mountain rabble?"
"Hah. How many times must I say it? We're not on some chivalrous escort or martial parade. The best thing is to pass quietly, so if they show up, notify me at once. I'll handle the negotiations and clear the path myself."
"Understood, Caravan Master."
Kang Pyo bowed respectfully, then set off ahead with a dozen or so of his men.
A short while later, the halted caravan began moving again.
"Hey, looks like there's something in these mountains. Those guys are on edge."
Do Gwang, who had been humming as he drove his wagon, asked Seonwoyong beside him.
Seonwoyong shook his head.
"How should I know? They'll handle it. But even from afar, the peaks look treacherous, and the valley stretches long and deep. Seems their stronghold is sizable and fierce."
"Any caravan heading west has no detour. Prime pickings. Heh heh..."
"The garrisons and outposts are pretty far off too... Yeah, it'd be quite the haul."
"Sigh... If I were twenty years younger, I'd throw in with a stronghold like this. Nothing beats being the chief, living it up. Heh heh."
"More nonsense..."
The two bantered casually, as if discussing someone else's affairs, while trailing the Shenzhou Caravan.
The valley of Absolute Light Mountain was indeed deep and endless; no matter how far they traveled, the end was nowhere in sight.
Three hours after Kang Pyo and his elite guards entered the narrow path along the valley, they finally emerged from the shadows into an open clearing bathed in sunlight.
The sun would set in about an hour.
It was time to choose a campsite.
And that fell to Kang Pyo.
"Shall we press on?"
At his subordinate's question, Kang Pyo focused his inner energy, scanning the surrounding terrain and sunlight.
Then he shook his head.
"No. Judging by the lay of the land, we won't find another spot like this for the next hour or two. We'll camp here."
"Got it. We'll prepare."
Once Kang Pyo made the call, his men sprang into action.
Two warriors galloped back to notify the main caravan, still trailing slowly behind, while the rest dismounted to scout the area.
These were the necessary steps for a large procession to set up camp.
Checking for venomous insects or snakes, signs of wild beasts, of course no bandit activity, and so on.
They also needed to locate a water source, prepare a fire pit in advance, and secure a spot to rest the horses.
But the moment Kang Pyo dismounted and tied his reins to a nearby tree branch—
?!
Thwack!
An axe flew in and embedded itself in the tree trunk where he was about to secure the reins.
The force was so great that half the blade sank in, the handle still quivering.
A strip of green cloth was tied to the axe handle.
Kang Pyo spun around in alarm.
Dozens of bandits had already revealed themselves in the direction from which the axe had come.
The Shenzhou warriors quickly formed a circle around Kang Pyo.
"Who might you be, setting up camp in Absolute Light Mountain without so much as a greeting?"
Kang Pyo cupped his hands in salute, offering courtesy first.
"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Kang Pyo of the Shenzhou Merchant House from Xi'an. Please, forgive us."
*Incredible. Without a sound...* He kept a bold front, but cold sweat trickled down his back.
They had scouted meticulously on the way up and kept watch here too, yet it had all been for naught.
"Hmm. Shenzhou Merchant House... Indeed, the famed Pagoda Tower, Brother Kang Pyo. I am Ki Hyogwang, who shares rice and hardship with my brothers here in Absolute Light Mountain. I have four elder brothers above me and hundreds of younger ones below."
Kang Pyo had heard there were five chiefs in Absolute Light Mountain Stronghold.
"Ah... Then you must be the renowned Taihang Sword Guest, Great Hero Ki."
Ki Hyogwang was a swordman from the Hengshan Sect, which had once been one of the Five Mountains Sword Sects before its fall.
A Hengshan broadsword hung from his shoulder.
After the sect's collapse, its disciples had scattered across the jianghu to fend for themselves, but no one had expected any to turn bandit.
"I've long forgotten the moniker Taihang Sword Guest. Here in the mountains, they just call me Red Weasel."
True to his Absolute Light Red Weasel name, Ki Hyogwang's face bore a distinct reddish hue, his lower features sharp and weasel-like.
"In any case, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Our main caravan will arrive soon, and Great Hero Sa Hongcheon, the Incisive Sword Guest who serves as caravan master, will offer proper greetings. He's long admired Absolute Light Mountain's heroes..."
"Hmph. You think that'll fly?"
"What do you mean? Surely not..."
"Exactly. Three of my elder brothers have already gone down to handle your main force..."
Kang Pyo sensed something had gone very wrong.
Most of their armed elites were pinned here; if the main caravan was attacked, the outcome was unpredictable.
"Then I, Kang Pyo, must go down and pay respects to those three chiefs as well. Please clear the path, and we'll reward you properly later."
"No can do. Big Brother ordered me to entertain you here, so..."
Kang Pyo was already subtly gathering his inner energy.
The man's intent was clear: no avoiding a fight. Best to rejoin the main group swiftly.
"I ask Great Hero Ki once more. We're like water and fish, we Green Forest brothers and merchant house warriors. Please consider our position and keep the peace."
"My deepest regrets. Defying Big Brother's orders would cost a life I couldn't repay, so I daren't. Brother Kang, why not share a drink with me here instead?"
Utter nonsense, of course.
"If Great Hero Ki insists on blocking the way, I may have to use a little force. This is my final request."
"If you use force, I'll have to draw my blade in turn."
The air in the clearing grew icy.
Ki Hyogwang drew his longsword first, and both sides' warriors followed suit, weapons ringing free.
Kang Pyo retrieved his steel staff from his horse's saddle.
He preferred not to use weapons, but one couldn't travel trade routes barehanded.
"Wait, Brother Ki. Things have come to this, but if everyone here swings weapons... I'd rather avoid needless bloodshed. What if we two settle it?"
With the long road ahead, Kang Pyo had to prioritize his men's safety.
Ki Hyogwang felt the same.
Absolute Light's few true experts were jianghu-grade, but their common bandits lacked real martial prowess.
A melee would mean far more of them dying or wounded.
Ki Hyogwang nodded.
"Fair enough. It's been ages since I played the righteous hero, but your idea's sound."
Thus began the duel between the two.
"Ahem... What now?"
"We can't just watch. Depending on how it goes, you step in."
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm just the wagon driver. Two taels of silver a month."
"Ah, then forget it."
Seonwoyong tuned out Do Gwang and focused his gaze on the action ahead.
The bandits had appeared the moment the caravan rounded a bend in the vast valley—over a hundred of them, blocking the path with assorted weapons, while dozens more encircled the rear.
The Incisive Sword Guest Sa Hongcheon dismounted, stepping forward with gifts in both hands.
"Humbly, we offer these gifts. Please accept them, Lord of Absolute Light Mountain."
On the tray Sa Hongcheon proffered sat a hefty pile of gold ingots, alongside heaps of silver taels.
"Hmph. When did the Shenzhou Merchant House turn so stingy? You think this pittance gets you through Absolute Light Mountain?"
A young bandit at the front of their group sneered.
"What do you mean? Fifty gold taels and five hundred silver taels. We've dealt with countless mountain heroes across the Central Plains, but never has anyone taken offense at this level of courtesy on a trade route."
It was true.
The Shenzhou Merchant House viewed crossing Absolute Light Mountain as the greatest peril in the Central Plains routes and had prepared accordingly.
Fifty gold taels and five hundred silver was beyond generous for a single caravan's toll to the Green Forest.