Chapter Fifty-One: Into the Lion’s Den

"Boss, what do you think? How reliable is that old man's story?" Mo You asked.

Ye Zihan smiled faintly. "When traveling in foreign lands, everyone is cautious and keeps something in reserve. Whether what he said is true or not doesn't matter to us—we only need that map, nothing more."

Yan Chen nodded in agreement. "The kidnapping of his son and daughter-in-law couldn't have been for such a simple reason. Otherwise, how would the old man have returned home safely? And judging by his expression, though worried, he wasn't panicked. Clearly, he's quite confident those bandits won't harm his son."

"So that's it. Humans are truly complicated—always going in circles, never straightforward. If it were demon beasts, there'd be no talk, only a fight," Mo You said, sticking out his little head with a sage-like air.

Ye Zihan and Yan Chen chuckled, neither disagreeing. Perhaps it was true—demon beasts solved problems directly, never beating around the bush.

The two men and one dragon moved swiftly, and since the branch mountain was only a dozen miles from Liuyu City, their pace was faster than any horse. They had set out as soon as they accepted the job in the morning, and by dusk, they arrived at the mountain, which was only about a hundred yards high, its woods dense but insignificant compared to the mountains of demon beasts.

"The leader of the Liuguang Bandits is a Five Elements cultivator, with two deputies at the Four Symbols level. The other ten lieutenants are at the Three Talents stage, and the rest are all at the Two Forms or One Origin level," Yan Chen recited from memory, sharing his knowledge with Ye Zihan.

"So this job is pretty tough. No wonder no one else took it—the reward is just a hundred taels and a Demon Prison map," Ye Zihan said, half-joking.

"Heh, Zihan, do you really think we're at a loss this time?" Yan Chen teased, his eyes glinting with mystery as he glanced at his companion.

"Oh? Are you saying this is actually a profitable job?"

"Neither side loses. I looked over that quarter of the map, and its detail easily rivals those held by the major human powers—perhaps even surpasses them. All thirteen chambers of the Demon Prison are marked, along with hidden factions and demon mountains—it's practically a treasure map, not just a regular chart!" Yan Chen grew more and more excited. This unremarkable piece of sheepskin might hide unimaginable riches.

Ye Zihan's eyes lit up with excitement. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he asked, "Does it show the site of the Yin-Yang Blood Sacrifice?"

"This is only a quarter of the map. The Yin-Yang section isn't included. Once we help the old man rescue his family, we'll find out," Yan Chen replied.

"Good!" Ye Zihan agreed, then added, "We don't have the strength for a frontal attack; we'll need to rely on cunning. Let's infiltrate the stronghold first, then plan our next move."

Without wasting further words, the two men and the dragon raced up toward the mountain peak.

"Who dares approach?" On a flat stretch along the mountainside, two sentries at the stronghold's gate spotted them and shouted.

"Is this the Liuguang Stronghold?" Ye Zihan asked.

"Heh, you know exactly where you are, and yet you two little brats still dare come here? Get lost and play in the mud somewhere else," the guards laughed raucously.

Ye Zihan and Yan Chen took no offense. Their goal was to find out where the old man's son and daughter-in-law were imprisoned. Politely, Ye Zihan said, "We've long admired the fame of Liuguang Stronghold and wish to join you. Could you please inform your leaders for us?"

Hearing this, the two guards stopped mocking and exchanged a glance. "Heh, looks like everyone knows our reputation—even these kids want in. Liuguang Stronghold is sure to flourish," one of them, a burly fellow, called out. "Wait here. I'll go report."

"Thank you, big brother," Ye Zihan and Yan Chen replied courteously.

By now, dusk had fallen, the setting sun casting golden light over the land. After about the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, the guard came back, breathing heavily. "The bosses say, if you truly want to join, go down the mountain and bring back two heads as proof of loyalty."

"It's nearly nightfall, big brother. If we go now, we won't be back until dawn. Could you ask the bosses if we could spend the night in the stronghold and head down tomorrow for the heads?" Yan Chen called out loudly.

The two guards whispered to each other, then the burly one ran off again, returning after only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. "The bosses are in a good mood tonight. They want to meet you first. If you're really up to it, then tomorrow you can go get the heads. If not—well, you'll become snacks for the brothers. Think carefully!"

"We came here to join, so we have nothing to fear," Yan Chen and Ye Zihan replied, feigning bravado, and followed the guard into the stronghold.

After twisting and turning along the mountain paths, they finally saw the entire Liuguang Stronghold: a cluster of buildings like a small village, with the tallest at the center—the council hall.

Led by the burly guard, they entered the hall, where dozens of eyes immediately turned their way. Their hearts tightened; some of these people were their equals, others even stronger. One man's presence was so daunting, Ye Zihan and Yan Chen truly understood the meaning of inviolable power.

Just being looked at, without any fighting spirit, was enough to tell that the leader was indeed a Five Elements cultivator—perhaps even higher.

"So, you two want to join us?" The burly man at the center of the hall, wine in hand, glanced at them and spoke.

Ye Zihan and Yan Chen bowed deeply. "We've long admired Liuguang Stronghold and have come to join, eager to eat and drink with our brothers."

"Did you bring a token of loyalty?"

"Boss, we didn't know the rules before. Now that it's late, we ask to rest here tonight and will fetch the heads tomorrow to present to you and the other chiefs," Yan Chen said.

Ye Zihan chimed in, "We beg for your mercy, Boss, and hope you grant our request."

"And what if I say no?" The boss's tone sharpened, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the two youths.

"In that case, we'll leave now and return at dawn with the heads," Yan Chen said, and the two turned to go.

"You brats think Liuguang Stronghold is a place you can come and go as you please?" the boss sneered.

"We didn't mean it that way, Boss, we just—" Ye Zihan began, but a lieutenant suddenly hurled his wine bottle to the floor, shattering it with a crash.

"What joining? I say you two are clearly spies from the Clear Water Stronghold! Think we can't tell your cultivation? Two young men at the Three Talents stage—why would you want to join a bandit gang?" the lieutenant shouted, and the others voiced their agreement.

Ye Zihan and Yan Chen's faces darkened. They had thought their plan clever, but in front of these seasoned rogues, it was child's play.

"Speak! Why have you come to Liuguang Stronghold?" the lieutenant pressed.

"We truly just want to join," they insisted, knowing they could only stick to their story. Everyone here was at least as strong as they were, if not stronger. If it came to a fight, they'd be doomed.

"I saw your faces change just now—still claim you're not spies? Take this!" The lieutenant drew his gold-backed broadsword, overturned his table, and slashed at them.

The boss and other lieutenants didn't intervene, simply drinking as they watched the show, enjoying the back-and-forth of the three in the hall.

"Chief, we really do want to join," Yan Chen pleaded, their earlier humility now useless.

Ye Zihan, growing angry, said, "If you keep pressing us, don't blame us for fighting back!"

"Haha! You snot-nosed brats think you can beat me? We're the same stage, but my experience alone is enough to win," the lieutenant boasted.

The pair dared not strike back, knowing if they did, everyone would pounce and they'd be hacked to bits.

The stalemate dragged on, the lieutenant unable to land a blow and they unwilling to retaliate. After two incense sticks' time, the boss finally spoke.

"Seventh, stand down. These two kids aren't the type you can beat with experience alone." As a Five Elements cultivator, he could see that Ye Zihan and Yan Chen, though appearing on the defensive, were actually holding back and never fought in earnest.

"Do you truly wish to join us?" the boss asked solemnly.

Ye Zihan and Yan Chen exchanged glances, hearts soaring with hope. "Boss, we sincerely wish to join Liuguang Stronghold!"

"Very well. Tonight you may rest here. Tomorrow, you will go down the mountain and slaughter an entire village—leave no one alive."

Just a moment ago, the task was only two heads. Now it was an entire village—clearly the boss was making things difficult. Both Ye Zihan and Yan Chen understood, but after a brief flash of hesitation, they replied firmly, "We will not disappoint you or the chiefs, Boss!"