[1] The Whole Family Is Insanely Eavesdropping on My Thoughts

"Damn it! What is happening?!"

"Why are they chasing us relentlessly? They're getting closer, and the pack keeps growing!" Sister Dong, a seasoned wanderer of the mountains, easily identified the direction of the wolves by their howls. Her face had turned pale as she spoke.

"It seems they're rallying more wolves and closing in on us." Her hands trembled as she wiped the sweat off her brow, leaning against a boulder for support.

Fufeng Mountain was notoriously difficult to defend and harder to attack. Its treacherous terrain teemed with wild beasts, making it near impossible for imperial troops to penetrate.

Scarface, his breathing labored, barked orders as he stumbled along. "Go back and inform the Chief! Have someone patrol the mountain immediately!"

Lu Chao Chao had been crying out with her childish "Awoo" all the way, her small mouth dry and parched. When she shook her milk bottle, it was empty. Sighing dejectedly, she slumped against Scarface's back, her cries ceasing altogether.

Strangely enough, as soon as she quieted down, the wolves' howling diminished. Even their pursuit began to wane.

Sister Dong, drenched in sweat, propped herself up against a rock and cursed. "What kind of madness is this tonight?"

"There are so many wolves on this mountain. Even if they surrounded our stronghold, we wouldn't stand a chance. Fighting them would barely fill the gaps between their teeth." She spat angrily, wiping her sweat-soaked face.

Though they were bandits, their forces were scattered across the mountain. If a wolf pack ever targeted their stronghold, it would take a heavy toll. The villages halfway up the mountain were no better off. Isolated and fiercely independent, these villages were ruled by their chiefs like petty kings. Many of the women there were abducted brides from outside.

Yuan Man's expression grew contemplative, as if he had stumbled upon something significant. [Why do the wolves chase every time Chao Chao cries, but stop as soon as she's quiet?]

After a grueling trek that lasted until midnight, they finally reached the halfway point of the mountain, where a small village stood. As they neared, patrol villagers spotted them.

"Who goes there?" From the darkness emerged a group of villagers, their torches lighting up the night.

Sister Dong waved them off nonchalantly. "It's me. Move aside! I've brought some fine goods for the Chief." Her reputation within the village carried weight, and the patrol quickly stepped aside.

A rat-faced man with a large mole on his face, which sprouted a few wiry hairs, leered openly at the abducted women in their group.

"Sister Dong, this batch is excellent. Can we, uh, have a bit of fun first?" The man swallowed hard, his eyes gleaming greedily. "These are leagues better than the ones you've brought in before."

Sister Dong spat on the ground. "You wish! These are for the Chief."

The man raised his hands placatingly. "Hey, just for fun! We'll leave them intact, save their maidenhood for the Chief."

Sister Dong snorted derisively and led the group onward. Behind her, the man cursed under his breath. "Ungrateful wretch! She's only doing this to curry favor with the Chief!"

Lu Chao Chao, utterly exhausted, had dozed off by the time the first light of dawn revealed the mountain village gates through the morning mist. It was no wonder this place was easy to defend and difficult to attack. The path was riddled with checkpoints, and the dense fog at night made climbing almost impossible.