Chapter 16: Escaping

The chaos in Qingya County escalated beyond expectations. Even from their vantage point at Fierce Tiger Stronghold, the brothers on watch saw individuals raising banners of rebellion from the previous dynasty, shouting phrases like “March towards the capital!”

Such thoughts had crossed Leader Cai’s mind during his idle moments, but they were mere daydreams and fantasies.

With real weapons involved, he wouldn’t dare contemplate it, even if given ten times the courage.

However, now the heroes of Qingya County had taken action. Although uncertain of the outcome, Leader Cai’s immediate reaction was to flee swiftly.

Rebellion meant risking the execution of one’s entire clan!

How could a small-time bandit leader ever involve himself in such affairs?

Fortunately, the imperial army couldn’t quell the uprising instantly. After evacuating the elderly, women, and children, Leader Cai grabbed his large blade and sprinted down the mountain path without hesitation. As for Old Third and Old Seventh, who went ahead to scout Qingya County - well, apologies were due. At best, Chen Luo could burn extra paper money during festivals so that they might live comfortably in the afterlife.

“Let’s move!”

At the front, Leader Cai ran with swift strides, his large blade held tightly.

Chen Luo followed closely behind. Once they descended from the stronghold, as expected, numerous soldiers encircling the mountains came into view.

Chen Luo understood the intricacies of this rebellion better than anyone else. Despite the fervor in Qingya County, there were no genuine rebel forces to speak of. To achieve their required merits, these soldiers would undoubtedly sweep through the mountains: first, by killing vagrants to pad their numbers, and secondly, by searching for any signs of bandit strongholds.

With its prominent reputation, Fierce Tiger Stronghold was naturally on their list of targets.

As expected, Leader Cai, having survived multiple encirclements, effortlessly evaded the searching soldiers. He led Chen Luo and the others through thorny undergrowth, navigating along low clusters of shrubs.

Soon, the sound of flowing water reached their ears.

“Water?” Chen Luo’s ears twitched slightly. Although he could hear the sound, all he saw ahead were piles of rocks and brambles, with no sign of a river. Previously, when he and Third Uncle had attempted to flee, they had searched the area nearby, including this stretch, but found no trace of a river.

“It’s an underground river that runs through the mountain,” Leader Cai explained without turning back.

Grateful to Chen Luo and his uncle for alerting him, Leader Cai chose not to withhold information from them.

After traveling further, Leader Cai guided the group to a pile of scattered boulders.

This area consisted of several large rocks piled together, covered with dense thorny bushes. Unless someone crawled beneath the brambles, they would never suspect an underground river existed here.

“Following this river will lead us to Yanhu County.”

Yanhu County was adjacent to Qingya County, approximately twenty miles away.

If Leader Cai’s information was accurate, this indeed could be their escape route to freedom.

“Let’s go!”

Taking the lead, Leader Cai swiftly squeezed through the gap between the rocks. Soon after, the sound of splashing echoed as he entered the water. The Fierce Tiger Stronghold had faced numerous imperial sieges before; traversing this river was not new to them, making it a familiar path.

The remaining bandits quickly followed suit.

Chen Luo brought up the rear, ensuring there were no immediate dangers before joining them. As he passed through the narrow channel, he glanced back one last time.

The fire in Qingya County blazed more intensely, and even at this distance, the clashing sounds of weapons could be heard. Countless civilians wailed in agony, lives fading away without understanding why they were dying—just like Chen Luo and his third uncle, Chen Dahe, who remained perplexed about the cause.

All they knew was that they were fighting for survival, nothing more.

What a truly rotten world this is!

After passing through the channel, Chen Luo also plunged into the water. The icy chill of the underground river sent shivers down his spine, causing him to involuntarily flinch.

“Quickly, Chen brother!” came the voices of Leader Cai and others ahead.

“I’m coming.”

Chen Luo hurried to catch up.

The underground river was relatively wide with a gentle current. Looking up, stalactites hung from above. Navigating such terrain is inherently dangerous due to its constantly changing landscape. Only those like Leader Cai and his band, who frequently traversed this river, would dare venture into it; others might not have the courage.

They drifted downstream for about half a day.

Having fully adjusted to the dim light, Chen Luo suddenly squinted as the waters ahead became more turbulent, revealing distant specks of brightness.

“Be cautious, we’re nearing the exit!” Leader Cai shouted from the front.

Upon hearing this, all the bandits swiftly took deep breaths, held them, and dove underwater. Mimicking their actions, Chen Luo also held his breath and submerged himself.

The water flow accelerated rapidly, increasing the speed at which they moved forward.

Finally, feeling a momentary sensation of weightlessness, Chen Luo and the Fierce Tiger Stronghold bandits were propelled out by the currents. With several splashes, Chen Luo found himself carried into another pool. Exerting control over his movements, he strove to swim upwards.

Light streamed down once again, giving them the sense of emerging into daylight.

The group quickly surfaced, gasping for air.

“Big bro!”

“Robber Chief!”

Seeing Chen Luo and the others surface, the bandits who had escaped earlier quickly gathered around. Among them was Chen Luo’s Third Uncle, Chen Dahe.

Relieved upon spotting Chen Luo emerge with the group, he called out, “Little Luo, over here!”

Squatting at the water’s edge, Third Uncle extended his arm to pull Chen Luo towards him.

“Third Uncle.”

With his uncle’s help, Chen Luo joined the rest in climbing out of the water.

Initially, Chen Luo had planned to stay behind hoping to collect a few more ‘brains.’ However, fate did not align as no one ventured close to Fierce Tiger Stronghold, sparing them from potential conflict.

“We used up all the wooden barrels ahead; it must have been much riskier for you coming after us,” said Third Uncle, acknowledging that their escape was easier due to using the hidden barrels within Fierce Tiger Stronghold. This arrangement was part of Leader Cai’s plan, ensuring those bringing up the rear, being skilled members, could navigate without relying on barrels.

“Let’s move, we need to leave this place immediately.” Upon reaching the shore, Leader Cai promptly instructed everyone to gather their belongings and depart swiftly.

Although the path was concealed, there was still a chance of discovery. With wildfires raging in Qingya County, once the thicket masking the entrance burns away, the cave would no longer be secure.

“What should we do now?” Third Uncle Chen inadvertently asked.

After all, they were not part of the Fierce Tiger Stronghold; they had merely joined forces to escape danger.

Now that they had successfully fled, continuing with this group might raise suspicions. If others witnessed their association, his nephew and he could face serious consequences, potentially leaving them no choice but to retreat into the mountains permanently.

“We’re not far from Yanhu County. Until we reach safety, it’s best to stick with them,” Chen Luo pondered for a moment before responding.

Being unfamiliar with the area, following Leader Cai’s local group was undoubtedly the safest option under these circumstances.

“Alright.”

Third Uncle Chen had grown accustomed to trusting Chen Luo’s judgment. The events of the past few days solidified his unconditional faith in his nephew.

The group swiftly descended the mountain and soon arrived at a village about three kilometers away.

It was evident that the villagers recognized Leader Cai and his men. As they approached, several villagers greeted them warmly, inviting the group to rest within the village. After half a day’s harrowing escape, Leader Cai and his companions were famished, so reaching relative safety meant it was time to eat.

Upon paying some silver coins, the villagers eagerly started fires to prepare food.