My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 26: Frogs in the Ditch, How Dare They Covet the Bright Moon...

Chapter 26: Frogs in the Ditch, How Dare They Covet the Bright Moon…

Dai Li had plenty of mountain-climbing experience, but this was her first time scaling a wild mountain in the dead of night.

No steps, no signs, no climbing gear, and certainly no cable cars.

Everything was terrifyingly primitive.

Their party held scattered torches, weaving a faint orange-red glow through the darkness. The firelight fell at their feet, illuminating dead leaves, vines, and some nocturnal insects.

Mo Yanyun walked ahead of Dai Li, with Qin Shaozong behind her. Several times when Dai Li missed her footing and slid downward with a rustle, Qin Shaozong caught her firmly against his chest, supporting her waist to steady her again.

Halfway up the mountain path, Dai Li was thoroughly exhausted. She was about to ask Mo Yanyun how much longer until they reached their destination when a voice came from ahead: Lord, we’ve reached the marker.

Dai Li couldn’t fathom what they were up to until she saw a cave.

The cave opening was about half a person’s height, resembling a den for wolves or other carnivorous animals. Vines hung straight down over the entrance. Unless one knew its location beforehand, it would be nearly invisible even in daylight, let alone by torchlight.

Keep only one torch inside the cave. Extinguish all others, Qin Shaozong ordered.

With two swift motions, the slender fire dragon twisted through the mountain forest before being swallowed by the night. As the fire dragon vanished, only a nearly imperceptible glimmer remained before them. Dai Li’s face paled slightly.

Climbing a wild mountain late at night, and he dared to extinguish the torches.

This era was nothing like later times when human footprints covered the land and most wild beasts were confined to zoos. Here…

They roamed the mountains freely searching for food.

Remembering how bears fed, Dai Li couldn’t suppress a shudder.

Madam, stay still for now, the man behind her said.

Dai Li remained motionless, partly obeying him and partly frightened by her own imagination.

Before the cave was a steep slope. Qin Shaozong took a long stride, easily ascending with one step before turning to look at Dai Li below. Your hand.

Dai Li hesitated for a moment before offering her hand.

His rough, large palm enveloped hers. In the cool spring night, he was excessively warm, as if he had concealed the vanished fire dragon within his grasp.

In just a daze, Dai Li found herself effortlessly atop the steep slope.

Mo Yanyun pushed aside the vines covering the cave entrance, allowing Qin Shaozong and Dai Li to enter. As the heavy plant curtain lifted and fell, firelight spilled out before vanishing again.

Once inside the cave, Dai Li discovered it was funnel-shaped on its side, much larger than she had imagined. However, judging by the faint odor and the dense covering of grass and leaves on the ground, this cave had been abandoned for quite some time.

Wait here and don’t wander off. I’ll return shortly, Qin Shaozong said, pressing a dagger into Dai Li’s hands.

Dai Li looked down at the dagger in her hands and murmured, I don’t know the way. Where could I possibly run?

Qin Shaozong laughed in exasperation.

Listen to what she was saying—she couldn’t run because she didn’t know the way. If she did know the path, that would be trouble.

But now wasn’t the time to argue. He would settle this account along with previous matters later.

Qin Shaozong left one guard behind and departed with the others.

Dai Li didn’t know what he intended to do. Since he said he’d return shortly, she could only wait. She found a corner to sit with her back against the wall, hugging her knees and placing the short dagger beside her.

The sole torch was positioned at an L-shaped hook angle, making the cave entrance invisible from her spot to further dim the firelight.

As for the remaining guard, he sat behind the cave mouth draped with thick vines, peering intently through narrow gaps to observe outside.

After settling Dai Li on the mountainside, Qin Shaozong led the rest upward at accelerated pace.

Their choice to ascend here wasn’t due to being recklessly pursued by Li Zan’s troops – rather, a bandit hideout existed slightly further along the ridge.

Zhuya Ford had recently been invaded by northern-driven bandits who’d just arrived. These newcomers couldn’t possibly have mastered the surrounding terrain, likely not even having fully established their den.

Such bandits were easiest to exterminate.

After clearing the mountain stronghold and crossing the summit, they’d reach the Qi River view. The bandits had recently plundered multi-storied warships – surely they’d kept at least one vessel for themselves.

Then they could either leverage the terrain to ambush Li Zan’s pursuing forces, or escape aboard the warship.

Regarding Li Zan’s troops, Qin Shaozong wasn’t concerned about immediate pursuit like blood-scenting hyenas.

Recently, civilians had universally avoided this area fearing the bandits’ brutality, creating scarce traffic through the southern city gate. With numerous branching paths south of Taiping County, he’d ordered soldiers to ride daily, ensuring every route bore hoofprints.

Just distinguishing their chosen path would cost the pursuers dearly, especially on this pitch-black night with minimal visibility.

After scaling a perilous section, the soldiers formed a horizontal line. At Qin Shaozong’s bird-whistle signal, all swarmed upward like lightning.

Elder brother, did you hear something unusual? Li Wu opened his eyes, glancing around.

Li Si lazily yawned, What unusual sounds in deep night? Probably some hungry mountain creature feasting. Rest easy – the boss already surveyed this mountain. No great worms or blind bears, rarely even wolves. What you heard was likely a wildcat. Why panic?

Li Wu muttered, Really? But I’ve got this unease, exactly like when we nearly died at Misty Cliff.

Li Si remained nonchalant. With Taiping County’s Lord Deng being pushover-soft, they’d been living lavishly, barely keeping night watches. Brother, instead of wild thoughts, better ponder capturing pretty women. This camp lacks femi…

Before he finished, blood blossomed from Li Si’s throat – an arrow had pierced his windpipe.

Li Si’s eyes bulged like bells, whites flooding crimson as he collapsed soundlessly.

Elder brother! Li Wu cried in shock and fury.

As he reached for his bronze whistle, peripheral vision caught cold glint approaching. Alarm screaming, he abandoned the whistle to block with his blade.

Clang!

The first weapon clash rang clear.

But soon, as both forces intensified their struggle, an ear-grating screech emerged – Li Wu’s aged sword wailing in protest.

The opponent’s blade was clearly superior to his.

Li Wu knew escape was impossible. Glancing at his motionless elder brother lying on the ground, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. Abruptly, he released one hand from his sword grip and reached for the bronze whistle at his waist.

As the blade pierced flesh, an earsplitting shriek erupted from the whistle.

Hearing the signal, Qin Shaozong clicked his tongue in annoyance. Can’t even handle such a simple matter properly? Have I been feeding my finest meat and vegetables to the gutters? More training when we return. Pick up the pace – Li Zan’s men will follow the sound here soon.

Inside the stronghold.

Meng Dahong was shaken awake from deep slumber by his subordinate.

Chief, we’re under attack!

Meng Dahong jolted fully awake, rage instantly replacing drowsiness. We sent Deng Tuo generous gifts just two days ago, and now he sends men to raid my nest? That damned Deng Tuo!

Chief, these attackers move with unnatural speed and ferocity. They don’t resemble those useless soldiers from Taiping County. Our weapons are no match for theirs – heavy casualties are inevitable if we hold out. This place becomes more dangerous by the moment. I beg you to consider retreat, the subordinate urged.

Meng Dahong couldn’t conceal his shock. Has the situation deteriorated so badly? Then we withdraw! While green hills remain, we’ll never want for firewood! We’ll escape through the back mountains and take the boats.

Two riders traveled side-by-side along the mountain path under night’s cloak.

This Qin Shaozong is truly cunning – leaving hoofprints on every possible route. Now we don’t even know which trail to follow, grumbled one torch-bearing rider, controlling his horse’s pace to prevent the flame from extinguishing.

Not only must the torch remain lit, its glow couldn’t dim too much, or they’d miss subtle traces on the mountain path. This forced slow progress, fueling their frustration.

Suddenly, one rider tugged his reins. Did you hear something? Like a bronze whistle?

The other recalled crucial information. Mountain bandits often use whistles as signals, but they don’t sound them routinely unless something extraordinary occurs. Could Qin Shaozong have entered the mountains and encountered bandits?

Then we might be on the right track after all! Quickly, let’s investigate ahead.

We’ve found something! Numerous horses – they abandoned their mounts here to proceed on foot into the mountains! We’ve finally located them! Report back to the commander immediately!

Qin Shaozong flicked his ring-pommel knife, splattering a thick arc of blood across the ground.

Mo Yanyun reported: Lord, the area is cleared. Seventy-three bandits eliminated. Five treasure chests in the stronghold, all containing gold/silver ornaments and decorative items.

Qin Shaozong’s gaze remained fixed ahead.

Before them lay mountains embracing a lake. Indeed, a lake – where the Qi River curved, forming a squarish body of water resembling the character 口.

With peaks flanking both shores and a generously wide waterway between them, this location formed a perfect natural harbor.

Now, before this harbor, blood meandered in slender crimson streams while corpses lay scattered haphazardly. One fallen man stretched his arm forward, eyes wide and staring ahead.

He had been so close – so close to boarding the multi-storied warship now before them.

Bree—bree—

Two prolonged whistle blasts suddenly echoed from the mountains.

Qin Shaozong’s expression hardened, recognizing that Li Zan’s forces had tracked them here and begun ascending.

Lord, I’ll bring Madam Dai up, Mo Yanyun volunteered.

Sheathing his ring-pommel knife, Qin Shaozong turned and strode forward without looking back. I’ll retrieve her myself. Take four men and guard this position. Prepare our withdrawal.

Only when that tall figure disappeared into the darkness did Mo Yanyun slowly exhale, feeling the lingering invisible pressure gradually dissipate.

It seemed the Lord was still holding back his anger. Better him venting on Li Zan’s troops than on me.

Dai Li hadn’t dared to sleep since entering the mountains. Her nerves were stretched taut like bowstrings, any rustle or movement capable of producing a fragile hum.

When she heard the bronze whistle, it was no exaggeration to say Dai Li felt it was the horn of death itself.

Who uses bronze whistles as signals for an ambush?

They must have been discovered by the bandits.

Perhaps her internal cries of fear were palpable, for the guard stationed behind the cave entrance turned and said, Madam Dai, these petty bandits are nothing to fear.

Dai Li pressed her lips together without responding.

The guard sighed helplessly. Years ago, when bandits plagued the Bolei Mountains and Tianze Range, it was the Lord himself who led troops to eradicate them. He has never lost a battle nor failed to conquer, building corpse mounds one after another. For over a decade since, those regions have been free of banditry. The bandits in these small valleys now aren’t even one-tenth of what they were back then. Why worry?

Dai Li knew nothing of Qin Shaozong’s past military achievements, but seeing the guard’s confident, proud expression, she felt half-convinced and derived a sliver of reassurance.

She hoped it was true.

If the troops were completely wiped out, or so badly damaged they had to abandon them to survive, then being left in the mountains with just one guard would likely end with them becoming food for wild beasts.

Faint sounds of fighting reached them but soon quieted, whether because the fighting had stopped or because distance prevented the sounds from carrying.

Time crawled by until she heard another sound
The pounding of hooves.

A single horse’s hooves made limited noise, but hundreds or even thousands created a rumbling that seemed to make the earth itself groan.

The guard’s eyes sharpened, and he quickly slipped out of the cave to investigate.

Whether because night travel was difficult or because they felt secure in their numbers, Li Zan brazenly carried torches. A ferocious fire serpent coiled at the mountain’s base, arrogantly waving its four claws as if searching for the best angle to charge upward.

After two long whistles sounded outside, the guard returned solemnly. Madam Dai, the pursuers have caught up. Reinforcements will arrive shortly. Please stay close to me when they do.

Dai Li, pale-faced, nodded emphatically. She took the torch stuck in the corner and crushed it against the wall.

Sizzle. The torch extinguished, instantly plunging the cave into darkness.

Time passed quarter-hour by quarter-hour. Dai Li, who had moved to the cave entrance, watched nervously. She saw the fire serpent on the ground rise, watched the flames spread upward, and heard distant sounds growing clearer.

They were conducting a bold mountain search, closing in step by step, while the reinforcements the guard mentioned still hadn’t arrived.

Rustle—!

The hanging vines were suddenly pushed aside, and a tall black figure appeared at the cave entrance. Like some immovable mountain rock, it alone blocked most of the person-high opening.

Dai Li’s heart nearly leaped from her chest. In her daze, she thought she saw a pair of faintly glowing wolf eyes.

Her icy hand was grasped, and the scalding heat of the other’s palm made Dai Li realize—oh, it wasn’t a giant wolf hunting prey. Qin Shaozong had returned.

She heard him chuckle softly.

Usually bold as brass, cloaked in rabbit fur while committing every misdeed, yet now frozen stiff with fear. Qin Shaozong gave a slight tug, pulling her out of the cave.

Dai Li opened her mouth, but her throat remained choked with lingering terror, unable to utter a word.

Hu Bao, escort Madam up the mountain. Qin Shaozong assigned the task.

Hu Bao accepted the order. Madam Dai, please follow me.

Dai Li followed him a few steps before pausing. She tilted her head slightly and saw the guard who had been with her in the cave following behind. Meanwhile, Qin Shaozong remained standing before the cave entrance, having turned to face the winding fiery serpent down the mountain.

Dai Li lowered her gaze and followed Hu Bao without a word.

Move faster! Don’t let Qin Shaozong escape. The Grand Marshal has declared: whoever takes Qin Shaozong’s head will be promoted directly to Commander, rewarded with ten grand estates, hundreds of servants, and a thousand taels of gold!

Those two whistles earlier came from the northeast—someone must be there. Head that way quickly!

The city guards said Qin Shaozong left with a woman. Unless he abandons her, dragging her up the mountain will be a burden. He can’t have gone far.

The fiery serpent stretched horizontally into a straight line, like a massive, fanged sieve slowly filtering through the entire mountain.

Whoosh—!

A cold arrow swept through the gusting wind from above, striking the torch-bearing soldier with precision. The archer’s strength was such that the arrow not only pierced the target but nailed him to the tree behind.

The arrow’s fletching hummed, startling the surrounding soldiers searching the mountain.

He’s over there! someone shouted first.

Is it Qin Shaozong?

Who else could possess such immense strength?

Qin Shaozong is here!

The cry spread like plague, while several more cold arrows whistled down from above—each shot perfectly accurate, never missing their mark. Many fell before they could even nock their arrows in retaliation.

Torches dropped to the ground one after another.

It was spring, when all things grow, and with the area near Qi River, the soil was damp, vegetation saturated with moisture. Most fallen torches failed to reignite.

The fiery serpent seemed as if a dark beast had bitten off its claws—severed and fallen to the ground, quickly extinguishing.

The broken segment of the fiery serpent no longer appeared continuous.

Loose arrows!

After some preparation, arrows rained from the rear, whistling into the darkness. But the forest, which moments ago seemed to conceal a giant beast, now fell silent—no screams, eerily quiet. To Commander Feng Liang, all the demons and monsters had gone into hiding.

If the enemy hid behind tree trunks for cover or stealthily changed positions, even a volley of arrows—let alone emptying quivers—wouldn’t harm them in the slightest.

Feng Liang gritted his teeth. Pass the order: extinguish all torches!

The enemy in darkness, us in light—the situation was unfavorable. Now that Qin Shaozong’s general location was known, there was no need to give him the advantage.

Military orders swept like wind, dousing the soldiers’ flames.

When people abruptly move from light into darkness, their vision blacks out for a second or two. Seizing this brief gap, Qin Shaozong abandoned his longbow, drew a forearm-length blade, and plunged into the nearby crowd.

His movements were agile as a tiger’s. Approaching the nearest soldier from the side, his white blade flashed like lightning across the man’s neck—one swift, clean stroke.

Blood arced through the air in a terrifying spray as a man collapsed heavily, a round object rolling from Qin Shaozong’s feet toward the steep slope with a dull thud.

He’s here! Reinforcements, now!

A shout came from behind, accompanied by the swing of a blade. Qin Shaozong swiftly countered, raising his own sword to block the strike at his shoulder. A sharp clang echoed as the opponent’s blade was firmly halted.

Pivoting with fluid grace, Qin Shaozong delivered a powerful kick to the assailant’s abdomen. The force sent the soldier crashing into a tree trunk, where he coughed up blood mixed with fragments before his eyes rolled back, leaving him unconscious and teetering on the edge of life and death.

The initial search line had been stretched thin, and regrouping in the darkness required time.

After claiming five heads in quick succession, the area around Qin Shaozong fell silent.

The man glanced up at a nearby tree, his narrow eyes narrowing further. With practiced ease, he sheathed his sword and leaped upward, his long arm seizing a higher branch. Muscles bulging, he executed a clean pull-up.

In the blink of an eye, the man who had stood beneath the tree vanished.

Two or three breaths later, several soldiers arrived, gasping at the sight of the gruesomely slain corpses on the ground.

The blood hasn’t spread far—he must have just left. Let’s move ahead.

Commander Feng said Qin Shaozong fled with a woman in tow. He certainly knows how to indulge.

She must be a natural beauty. Once we kill Qin Shaozong, we can take advantage of the chaos to enjoy the Lord’s favored concubine. I promise we’ll…

A dark shadow abruptly descended from the tree, landing precisely behind the two men. A gleaming blade slit the throat of the one on the left like a venomous serpent, while a large, sinewy hand clamped around the neck of the one on the right.

Dark veins bulged on the back of his hand, resembling the ruthless grip of a tiger’s paw, crushing the man’s neck with sheer brute force.

In an instant, both were dead.

Qin Shaozong had leaped from the tree with his back to it, landing behind the group. As the others sensed something amiss and turned, their widened eyes caught a glint of chilling white light.

Splash…

Blood sprayed onto the leaves, gathering along their veins before dripping downward, landing squarely on a pair of eyes frozen in perpetual shock.

Qin Shaozong sheathed his sword, then casually lifted one of the corpses, stripping it of its military uniform and dome-shaped red cap before donning them himself.

Once properly attired and ready to depart, the man seemed to recall something. His gaze swept downward, disdainfully eyeing the first two he had killed. As he passed, he kicked their bodies into the ravine below.

Frogs croak in the ditch, yet dare covet the moon.

Author’s Note: To clarify Old Qin’s path up the mountain with the torch—the bandit hideout wasn’t directly above but to the right of the factory. Plus, he had scouts survey the area beforehand, so the sentries above couldn’t spot him. Heart

Still begging for nutrient solutions Shy. Tomorrow’s update will still be at 11 p.m. Paw

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