It took some effort to subdue Yellow Pond Mountain, but the overall speed was still very fast.
The people of Tiger Head Mountain turned around and returned to their stronghold. Zhou Jing only brought the lackeys of Red Cloud Mountain, the leaders of the two villages, and their personal guards along with him for the return trip.
After walking for a few days, the group was not far from Red Cloud Mountain.
Zhou Jing and the other two walked in front together with Hong Dingxian, chatting casually.
This was because Hong Dingxian’s martial arts was the highest among the two leaders. Over the past few days, Guo Haishen and Fang Zhen had been discussing martial arts with him every day. They appreciated each other and their relationship gradually deepened, becoming closer than the other leaders.
“Brothers, are you really not staying in the Lu River?”
Hong Dingxian chatted for a while before posing this question.
Guo Haishen shook his head, “Chief Yu has treated us well. It’s just that we brothers can’t stay idle and want to travel.”
Hong Dingxian sighed, “Sigh, since my three brothers aren’t around, I won’t have anyone to fight even if I go to the Red Cloud Stronghold. Although Lu Yunzhao’s martial arts are good and his personality is straightforward, he’s not to my liking. As for Deng Zhi, although his spear technique is extraordinary, he comes from the Imperial Court. I don’t have any feelings for him. I’m afraid my life will be boring.”
Fang Zhen blinked, “What’s so difficult about that? Why don’t you just leave the stronghold for a while and travel the world with us?”
Hearing this, Hong Dingxian immediately hesitated, “I’ve been in Tiger Head Mountain for a long time. It’s not good to leave like this, right? Besides, I’m still wanted…”
Zhou Jing had not said much the entire time. When he thought of this person’s background, he asked, “I heard that you’re from Wenshui County. You fled in fear of punishment because you killed a local noble on the streets and joined Tiger Head Mountain as a result.”
Hearing this, Hong Dingxian could not help but think of those distant memories and let out a long breath. “That’s right. My uncle and aunt were harmed by the rich and powerful. I killed them out of righteous indignation and got into trouble as a result.”
“I heard that the Wenshui County Magistrate and the county lieutenant both harmed you. Why didn’t you resolve it together?”
Zhou Jing stroked his chin.
Hong Dingxian only replied in a helpless tone,
“I once had such thoughts, but the county lieutenant was an official after all, so it wasn’t easy for me to attack him. Moreover, Chief Peng didn’t want to rashly offend the government. After I went up the mountain, he often advised me not to commit the crime of killing an official, so I put this matter aside to avoid implicating the village. Later on, as time passed, my thoughts faded.”
Zhou Jing nodded and did not continue the topic. He switched to something else more conversational,
“Brother Hong, you can go anywhere you want. Why should you take an arrest warrant so seriously? If you want to follow us, we’ll naturally welcome you.”
Fang Zhen immediately understood and echoed, “That’s right. The things my second brother has done are much worse than yours, so he’s still not afraid. Besides, what’s so good about staying in Tiger Head Mountain? It’s understandable that Brother Hong wants to show loyalty, but why don’t you think about how Peng Jin treats you?”
Hearing this, Hong Dingxian’s expression changed.
He had worked for Tiger Head Mountain for many years. When he was captured, Peng Jin actually did not care about his life. This matter had always bothered him.
At the same time, Xu Gui, who was at the back of the team, also chatted up Peng Jin.
“Chief Peng, how have you been?”
Xu Gui chuckled and cupped his hands. He did not seem to have any ill feelings towards the Tiger Head Mountain for dragging them down.
Peng Jin glared at him, “I’m no longer a Stronghold Chief. Are you mocking me?”
“What are you talking about? Am I not the same?” Xu Gui smiled.
“Tsk, I have nothing to say to you.”
Peng Jin snorted, his tone impatient.
Xu Gui waved his hand and said warmly, “Sigh, although we have a feud, we didn’t get to know each other without fighting. Brother Peng, why are you so distant? Besides, we’re already grasshoppers on the same line. It’s time to get close.”
Peng Jin’s eyes flickered, “Oh? What are you trying to say?”
Xu Gui lowered his voice and said, “Our stronghold is also a tyrant in Lu River, but now it has been subdued by a smaller one. You and I are originally the chiefs of a stronghold, but in the future, we have to listen to the orders of others. Are you convinced?”
Peng Jin’s face stiffened, and he said in a deep voice, “I’m naturally convinced that I lost to Chen Feng. Do you dare to be unconvinced?”
“Of course I’m convinced by Chen Feng. If he’s the Chief, I’ll support him with all my might without a word. But Yu Feng? Forget it. Although he’s experienced, his talent is ordinary, far inferior to mine… Ahem, you. In the entire Red Cloud Mountain, only the Clear Wind Fan Li Chun and Divine Mace Lu Yunzhao can enter my eyes.”
Xu Gui whispered.
Peng Jin narrowed his eyes, “I’m not convinced by Yu Feng either, but so what? You have many tricks up your sleeve. Do you have any plans?”
Xu Gui snorted and said in detail, “In my opinion, when Red Cloud Mountain does this matter of a snake swallowing an elephant, they will naturally be wary of you and me. They will try to suppress our prestige and annex our stronghold’s forces. However, because we are powerful, Yu Feng can only slowly plan and eat away at our mountain. Perhaps he will use you and me to balance each other to let him sit firmly in the position of chief…”
“Yes, that makes sense. Continue.” Although Peng Jin was not that smart, he had been a chief before and was no stranger to this.
Xu Gui paused for a moment before continuing,
“Why don’t we put on a show and pretend to not get along? We’ll let Yu Feng think that he has us under control and then secretly take him down. Both of us have perfected our stronghold systems, so Red Cloud Mountain as a small stronghold won’t be able to accommodate the people of our two mountains. It is likely our people can most likely continue to stay on our respective mountains. If he doesn’t speak, we’ll use this reason to request it. I’m afraid he won’t be able to refuse.
We’ll find a reason to return to our respective mountains and stay there. On the surface, we’ll listen to the orders of the Red Cloud Mountain, but in reality, we’ll listen to some and ignore others. Without a fierce person like Chen Feng, what can Yu Feng do to us? We’ll just treat the Red Cloud Mountain as an ally and imitate the ancient vassals. This way, we won’t violate Chen Feng’s agreement.”