Chapter 859: Monkey Wine Enters the Mountains

Chapter 859: Monkey Wine Enters the Mountains

"Blame me!"

South of Lake State, within a small county, Monkey Wine and Sweet Potato Burn were not particularly skilled in interpersonal relationships, but they could tell that Bald Old Zhang was suspicious and reluctant to fight.

Now was the time to seize every moment; any delay could lead to unforeseen changes. Sweet Potato Burn was slightly irritated and said, "You bald donkey, don't you know what's good for you!"

"Let me find out where his wife and children live, and I'll talk some sense into him..."

"..."

Monkey Wine gently stopped Sweet Potato Burn and advised, "People can't place their hopes on things they've never experienced. He doesn't believe that just the two of us can solve his current predicament, so it's understandable that he has some doubts."

"We can only blame ourselves for not gaining his trust. We shouldn't blame him for not tricking us into leaving; he's already showing a good temper."

"..."

Sweet Potato Burn was a bit surprised by Monkey Wine's patience and said, "You're actually a pretty good person..."

He remembered the time when no one wanted to join him, thinking he was unlikable. But now, he seemed gentle and well-mannered, though a bit cold and not very good at communicating with others.

Sweet Potato Burn wanted to help this seemingly honest little brother and take the opportunity to advise him that his personality would not fare well in this world. With a sly smile, he asked, "If they don't believe you, what do you plan to do?"

Monkey Wine whispered, "Forcing him to send troops might lead to misunderstandings. So, of course, we should choose a way that won't cause any misunderstandings."

Sweet Potato Burn was immediately curious to see what method Monkey Wine had that wouldn't lead to misunderstandings. After understanding Monkey Wine's intentions, they both re-entered the military tent.

Inside, Monkey Wine surveyed the people in the tent and asked Bald Old Zhang, "Snake, scorpion, centipede, toad, gecko..."

"Which one do you like the most?"

This question came out of nowhere, and Bald Old Zhang was already worried. He didn't want to leave this place and ruin his reputation, nor did he want to ruin his future under Bright State King. But he also knew the terror of Chaotic World King, so he couldn't focus on anything else.

He was quite dismissive of these so-called "martial arts experts" who claimed to help but offered no strategies or troops. Still, he didn't dare offend them.

Bald Old Zhang was caught off guard by the sudden question and subconsciously replied, "Toad?"

Toads could be roasted and eaten, and Bald Old Zhang had eaten many during his poorer days.

Monkey Wine nodded with satisfaction, "Good."

He waved the flute lightly in the air, and suddenly, from a dry bag on an ox-drawn carriage outside, a loud croak sounded.

"Ribbit!"

The sudden noise startled Bald Old Zhang and his personal guards, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Their eyes changed, and for a brief moment, their pupils turned yellowish-brown, resembling a toad. Bumps appeared on their foreheads, but they quickly returned to normal, showing no difference from before.

However, their faces showed a sudden realization, and they even felt a sense of self-blame. With an apologetic look, Bald Old Zhang slapped himself and said to Monkey Wine, "Sir, you came to save me, and we hesitated. We were truly wrong!"

"Although many of my brothers have died or been injured, those who remain can still hold their swords. Whether it's climbing a sword mountain or descending into a fiery pit, just give us your orders."

"Anyone who frowns is no hero!"

"..."

Monkey Wine nodded and said, "There's no need to climb a sword mountain or descend into a fiery pit. Pack your bags and come with me to the south. Don't delay!"

"Earlier, I promised the Zhu Family that I would visit within three months, and now I'm almost late!"

Bald Old Zhang immediately felt deep remorse and repeatedly said, "The older you get in the martial world, the smaller your courage becomes. It was Chaotic World King who scared me witless, and I almost delayed your important matter!"

"Quick!"

He ordered his men to pack up immediately, and they left the city.

Not only was Bald Old Zhang anxious, but his subordinates, personal guards, and two disciples in the tent were also worried. They deeply regretted their hesitation and felt ashamed, wishing they could take a hundred army sticks as punishment.

Sweet Potato Burn, who still thought Monkey Wine was too old-fashioned in his dealings with people, had a change in his expression.

He quietly looked at his eyes in a water bucket and then patted his chest, saying with some fear, "So, your precise method is this?"

Bald Old Zhang's men, who had been waiting for the order, started packing up. Some died, some escaped, and only eight hundred remained, which was all he had left.

With these eight hundred, there was hope to gather ten thousand or even tens of thousands of troops.

Losing these eight hundred would be like total annihilation. He had found it difficult to decide, but now, with a grand gesture, he rallied the remaining troops and, along with the five hundred Hemp Uniformed Army brought by Sweet Potato Burn, they raised their banners and left the county.

They marched towards the Hundred Thousand Mountains, a place that had once been like a nightmare, where they dared not take a single step.

Earlier, they had proceeded with caution, but now, they even discarded caution, marching day and night without rest. After seven or eight hours, they had already ventured deep into the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

However, their bold entry into the mountains had already alerted the plants and trees within. Soon, the sound of whistling filled the air, starting from one and then spreading everywhere, as if they were surrounded by whistling.

"Not good, it's... the Bamboo Raft Army..."

Upon hearing this sound, Bald Old Zhang's troops were already terrified, their faces ashen.

Even Bald Old Zhang, who was under the influence of poison, grabbed his sword and stood at the forefront, but his hands trembled.

For Bald Old Zhang, the Bamboo Raft Army under Chaotic World King was like a nightmare. These soldiers, dressed in blue skirts and adorned with silver accessories, each carrying a bamboo tube on their backs, moved stealthily through the deep mountains, appearing and disappearing like ghosts.

Old Zhang's forces originally numbered ten thousand, and with the addition of tens of thousands of farmers who could join the battle, the total number was unknown. They all met their end at the hands of the Bamboo Raft Army.

The enemy's battle formation wasn't particularly formidable, but the bamboo tubes on their backs were incredibly sinister.

When engaging with the enemy, as soon as they tapped on their bamboo tubes, even the fiercest warriors would clutch their heads in pain and roll on the ground.

Not only were those who died at their hands miserable, but those who were rescued were also covered in strange insects that couldn't be cured by any medicine.

The sound of the willow whistle was a sign that they had discovered the enemy, and for Old Zhang's men, it was like the King of Hell calling their names.

"Master..."

Although he himself was a respected teacher of the Year-Guarding Sect, and his knife was sharp, Old Bald Zhang was truly terrified at this moment. He held his knife defensively, but his courage had already faltered.

He kept turning back to look at Wu Song, his face filled with pleading.

"I understand!"

At this moment, the Monkey Wine, who was sitting in the ox-drawn carriage, merely nodded slightly.

Then, he tilted his head slightly and muttered to himself, "So, this is the Bamboo Raft Army?"

"How many of them are there?"

"..."

Upon hearing his question, Old Bald Zhang immediately answered in a trembling voice, "The Bamboo Raft Army hides in the mountains and rarely shows themselves. I've fought them several times, and I know they have at least two or three thousand men. It's not a large number, but they're extremely sinister. Even ten thousand men couldn't defeat them!"

"It's not that many..."

Meanwhile, Sweet Potato Burn suddenly raised her head, as if hearing a report, and said, "It's just seven or eight hundred."

Monkey Wine also withdrew his gaze and said, "Eight hundred and thirty-two."

Everyone was stunned, wondering how he could be so certain, but Monkey Wine didn't explain. Instead, he slowly took out a smoking pipe from the carriage.

As he filled the pipe with tobacco, he said, "This Bamboo Raft Army can be said to be the dumbest troops trained by the Zhu Family."

Hearing this, Old Bald Zhang shuddered. What had the Bamboo Raft Army done to his troops? And now he was calling them dumb?

Three out of the eight disciples under his command had died from the strange bamboo tubes used by the Bamboo Raft Army...

But Monkey Wine continued, "Among the shamans, those who understand poison insects, finding eight hundred of them is easy. But to have them refine the same poison and act as an army, following orders without question, is impossible."

"This is determined by the nature of the poison insects and their refiners. So, these eight hundred Bamboo Raft Army soldiers were originally soldiers, and the poison insects on their bodies were refined by others."

"Since they're using someone else's poison insects, and they have to prevent the insects from turning on them, they need a unified method to identify the insects."

"Once you understand this method, you can make them suffer the consequences of their actions."

Old Bald Zhang, although poisoned, was still able to think clearly, except when listening to Monkey Wine.

Upon hearing these words, he couldn't help but feel delighted. If he could figure out how the Bamboo Raft Army prevented the poison insects from turning on them, he could use the same method on his own troops, effectively breaking the enemy's poison. Of course, this method was likely a secret of the Bamboo Raft Army, and it might be difficult to find out.

The others also listened to Monkey Wine's explanation while pondering. After he finished speaking, he took out a flint and lit his pipe, slowly smoking it without saying anything further. The others found this strange.

Someone gathered their courage and asked, "Master, since you've guessed the Bamboo Raft Army's abilities, is there a way to defeat them?"

Monkey Wine slowly smoked his pipe, and it wasn't until someone asked that he tapped the pipe's bowl. "They're all dead."

"What?"

Everyone was shocked, feeling like they were hearing a fantastic tale.

But soon, someone gathered their courage and rushed into the forest, where they saw corpses lying behind the grass. The clothes and appearance matched those of the Bamboo Raft Army.

Their faces had turned black, and white foam was coming out of their mouths. Strange insects were crawling in and out of their seven orifices, and they were already dead beyond any doubt.

And it wasn't just the ones nearby who had died.

As the pipe was lit, the faint smoke blended with the thin mist in the forest, making it difficult to distinguish.

Old Bald Zhang and his troops were completely unaware, but deep in the forest, it was like a boiling pot. Countless groups and teams of the Bamboo Raft Army were approaching Old Bald Zhang and the others, following orders.

Some soldiers had taken the bamboo tubes from their backs and were holding them in their hands, while others were blowing willow whistles to communicate.

However, as the smoke spread, their faces changed, and the poison insects in the bamboo tubes became agitated, no longer obeying commands and crawling chaotically inside.

Furthermore, in the forest, from all directions, the sound of rustling leaves filled with the sound of insects. On the trees, on the ground, in the dry leaves, and in the thick grass, countless insects crawled out.

The Bamboo Raft Army soldiers wanted to shout, but they couldn't even make a sound, as their bodies were already covered in poison insects.

They wanted to escape, but the more they ran, the more they found themselves surrounded by snakes and insects.

Moreover, behind the Bamboo Raft Army, on a distant small hill, there were three men, one tall, one short, and one thin, sitting in a circle with a poison insect pot in front of them.

"This is bad..."

After sensing the strange behavior of the poison insects, the three men's faces turned pale, and they jumped up.

They circled the poison insect pot, performing strange dances, reciting incomprehensible incantations, and one even cut his palm, sprinkling blood into the pot.

But the mother insect in the pot was still agitated, screeching and slamming against the pot.

The three men used all their strength to resist, struggling for a long time... or perhaps it wasn't that long, not even the time it took to smoke a pipe. Cracks appeared on the poison insect pot, and two of the three men turned pale and slowly knelt on the ground.

In the depths of the forest, a man with a bald head and a monkey-like appearance, known as Bald Old Zhang, witnessed a shocking scene. A white-robed young man, seemingly unafraid of death, had severed his own arm and was running deeper into the forest, howling in agony as if possessed by a ghost.

"In the time it takes to smoke a pipe, he killed eight hundred soldiers of the Bamboo Raft Army?" Bald Old Zhang wondered aloud, his voice trembling despite his efforts to remain calm.

The soldiers around him had scattered, discovering the bodies of the Bamboo Raft Army soldiers everywhere. Some ventured further and found the corpses of two Gu Masters on the hillside, along with a broken Gu pot.

Bald Old Zhang couldn't comprehend what had happened; it surpassed his understanding of the martial world. The unknown nature of the incident even instilled fear in him.

"Their Gu is too rigid," Monkey Wine explained politely, but a hint of confusion crept into his voice, "They only know how to cling to the ancestral art of refining Gu, but they don't understand that the many mysteries of this world are brought by the Tai Sui. The ancestral art can only utilize a portion of its power."

"They stubbornly adhere to tradition, unable to adapt. They're practically handing their lives over to their opponents," Monkey Wine added.

Everyone listening was left bewildered by his words.

The white-robed man appeared courteous and approachable, readily answering questions without the typical arrogance of a martial artist. However, his explanations only added to the confusion.

The more calmly and politely he spoke, the more fear he instilled in those around him.

Only Sweet Potato Burn, with her boldness, seemed to sense that this white-robed young man was not what he seemed. She had her own pride and refused to yield to anyone except Hu Ma.

Sweet Potato Burn led her soldiers in a thorough search of the forest, and soon they emerged with the bodies of the two Gu Masters. A few soldiers in white hemp uniforms helped her carry the bodies, saying, "Big Brother Wu, the job's not done yet. I saw footprints of three old men on the hill, but only two died. One escaped..."

"Let him go back to report," Monkey Wine said, raising his head slowly to look in the direction of the escaping Gu Master. "It'll give others time to prepare."

Sweet Potato Burn was taken aback, "Huh?"

The soldiers and a few brave advisors nearby were completely lost.

In warfare, the key to victory is surprise and speed. If you can catch your opponent off guard, you've already won half the battle.

The opposing army, seemingly unaware of the situation, was about to face a formidable challenge.

If both armies were equally matched, it would be a different story, but it was clear that their side had fewer soldiers.

Sensing their confusion, Monkey Wine politely explained, "The Hundred Thousand Mountains are vast, and searching for them individually would be troublesome. I needed them to gather in one place."

Indeed, the escaped Gu Master, having lost an arm, managed to flee back to the Chaotic World King's army and report the situation.

The Chaotic World King was shocked by the news. He rose from his bed in the middle of the night to inquire about the situation in the mountains. Upon learning what had happened, he was so enraged that he slammed his teacup onto the ground. "Eight hundred soldiers of the Bamboo Raft Army! They were the most formidable troops given to me by Old Master Zhu, meant to help me conquer the world!"

"You're saying they didn't even see their opponents' shadows, and they all died in the forest?"

"Someone broke their defense, causing the Gu insects to turn on them..."

The escaped Gu Master, with his severed arm and pale face, felt as if his bones were about to shatter. His eyes were bloodshot, and he could sense the Gu insects inside him going out of control, burrowing into his organs.

With his last breath, he cried out, "It's a malevolent spirit... a malevolent spirit... They've already led the Huizhou army deep into the mountains..."

He wanted to warn the Chaotic World King about the powerful malevolent spirit in the forest, but as he finished his sentence, he felt his organs tearing apart, and his body became limp.

"They're seeking death!" The Chaotic World King was furious as he witnessed the Gu Master die before him. He slammed his fist on the table.

The loss of eight hundred Bamboo Raft Army soldiers was a significant blow. They had been a formidable force, repeatedly distinguishing themselves in battle. With just eight hundred soldiers, they had instilled fear in the Huizhou region, causing the enemy army to scatter. Now, to lose them in the mountains was infuriating.

Upon hearing that the enemy had dared to enter the mountains, the Chaotic World King clenched his teeth and shouted, "Gather the troops! We march at dawn and enter the mountains!"

"Old Master Zhu gave me the art of awakening the mountains. The Hundred Thousand Mountains will serve me!"

"Let's see how they dig their own graves!"

The order was given, and the Fire Army sprang into action. They lit fires and prepared meals, and by dawn, the entire army was fed. They raised their banners, and the generals led the troops into the mountains. The Chaotic World King personally performed a ritual at the foot of the mountains, beating a drum.

This drum was one of the three Mountain-Watching Drums bestowed by Old Master Zhu. It was the Malevolent Heart Drum.

Inside the drum was a living human heart, beating incessantly.

The drumstick was made from the leg bone of a living person. Once struck, its sound reverberated through the mountains, awakening the mountains to devour people.

Wherever there were mountains, the Chaotic World King's army stood invincible.

"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"

The Malevolent Heart Drum echoed through the mountains, its sound traveling for miles. The endless, deep, and mysterious Hundred Thousand Mountains reverberated with the drumbeats, the sound echoing between the towering peaks.

It was as if the ancient mountains were awakening, undergoing a profound and eerie transformation.

When one looked at the mountains, they seemed endless, but upon looking again, they appeared to have changed, like chess pieces moving from one position to another.

In the vicinity of Bald Old Zhang and his companions, the Bamboo Raft Army had been completely wiped out. The soldiers' courage seemed to grow as they witnessed the power of the white-robed young man.

As they walked, they couldn't help but feel a deep sense of awe towards the mysterious and unseen mountains. Their voices were hushed, and they dared not speak too loudly.

Suddenly, amidst the depths of the mountains, the sound of drums echoed.

The drumbeats resembled a heartbeat, deep and heavy, carrying a chilling and eerie aura.

The entire army looked up, and they saw that the mountains seemed to have changed. The dense pine trees appeared like people, and the withered vines and wild grass seemed like hair, swaying back and forth in waves.

The mountain peaks they had just crossed seemed to reappear before them, and the eerie cliffs seemed to open their eyes, gazing at them.

"The mountains... they're alive again..."

Someone whispered, and everyone seemed to lose their souls, their voices trembling uncontrollably.

Some soldiers even wanted to throw away their weapons and flee.

The Bamboo Raft Army was terrifying, but they were still human, and there was a limit to their fear. What truly terrified them was the Hundred Thousand Mountain Range.

No one knew how many soldiers there were, but they were well-positioned in the mountains, utilizing the terrain to their advantage. There were many places where one soldier could hold off thousands. However, what happened next caught the entire army off guard.

The Chaotic World King's soldiers weren't the strongest, and their weapons and armor weren't the most solid.

It was only this Mountain Awakening Technique that could awaken the mountains and devour people. Mysteriously, the enemy soldiers were found hanging dead in the mountains.

This was an inexplicable situation, and there was no way to defend against or avoid it. It was the easiest way to dampen morale.

Now, as the drumbeats resumed, the fear in their hearts became overwhelming. They stared at the mountains, where the mist grew thicker and deeper, and in the haze, they saw slopes with ropes hanging from ancient trees.

Corpses were suspended from these ropes, some fresh and others half-rotten.

As they slowly turned their heads, they saw their former comrades with strange, greenish smiles, as if inviting them to stay on the slopes.

...

...

"This is a big problem..."

Sweet Potato Burn was so shocked that he forgot to assess the abilities of Rice Wine Brother. He cautiously glanced around, looking from one side to the other, and said, "How could these mountains become so sinister?"

"Even more sinister than my own brothers..."

Others may not have known, but Sweet Potato Burn understood. Although he had only brought five hundred Hemp Uniformed Army soldiers, in reality, he had brought an army of thousands. It was just that living people couldn't see these soldiers.

But now, as they entered the mountains, he felt these soldiers within his perception, appearing and disappearing like ghosts wandering aimlessly.

He naturally knew that they had encountered a ghost wall.

But damn it, the brothers he had brought were already ghosts. Was there any justice in ghosts encountering ghost walls?

Some things truly exceeded his understanding, and he became more humble. He cautiously approached Rice Wine Brother and said with a testing tone, "Big Brother, do you have any other ideas?"

Rice Wine Brother slowly jumped down from the ox-drawn carriage and replied, "It's a bit tricky."

Sweet Potato Burn was surprised. Was he stumped? He felt a surge of happiness and puffed out his chest, ready to share the good idea he had been pondering.

Then he heard Rice Wine Brother gazing at the eerie and terrifying mountains all around and saying, "How could they be so foolish as to awaken the Hundred Thousand Mountain Range and send their own army into the mountains to perform the Mountain Awakening Technique?"

"Initially, we made a Spell Battle agreement with the Ten Surnames to minimize casualties."

"Now, if this entire army were to perish here in the blink of an eye, wouldn't it seem a bit..."

"..."

After a moment of silence, he found the right words, "Wasteful?"

Everyone suddenly became quiet, stunned as if they had misheard. Sweet Potato Burn was shocked, "What the hell, are you serious?"

"I don't like killing."

Rice Wine Brother didn't elaborate further; he just shook his head slowly. Then he asked Bald Old Zhang to take a bamboo basket from the ox-drawn carriage. Holding a flute, he stood in front of the basket and took a deep breath.

He looked up at Sweet Potato Burn and said gently, "But I came here to Spell Battle with the Zhu Family. They are a decent family, so I must give it my all."

"If I'm going all out, I can't hold back. I can't consider protecting these soldiers' lives while breaking through the Zhu Family's techniques."

"It's a good thing you're here."

He seemed to remember something and turned to Sweet Potato Burn with a smile, "I know that your Hemp Uniformed Army is just a facade, and you have more powerful methods hidden. So, it's up to you to drive away the Chaotic World King's soldiers!"

"If you can help even one more soldier escape these mountains, you'll be saving a life for the new world."

"..."

After saying these words, he looked up, and the mountain forest fell silent. Even the drumbeats from deep within the mountains seemed to become lighter.

Sweet Potato Burn, standing beside him, was also stunned. "Me? Save people?"

"Yes!"

Rice Wine Brother looked at her with a gentle smile and said, "I can tell that you're a kind-hearted girl."

"Since I can't consider these things, then it's up to you to protect the soldiers who came with us into the mountains and those controlled by the Zhu Family!"

"I believe you can do it!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end