A solitary well stood before the humble bamboo shed, its dark opening a stark contrast to the surrounding greenery. The room within appeared spartan and empty, furnished only with three simple bamboo beds and a small, functional table accompanied by four benches. In the very center of the space, a burnt fire pit marked the heart of what was once a source of warmth and light.
"Renshu, go and see if there is anything that can be used to boil water," Guo Baiyu instructed.
"There should be some pots on the carriage," Lee Dachin offered.
"This is a good thing, you are moving," Zhao Renshu said, a mischievous grin on his face, referring to Lee Dachin's new living arrangements. He walked out of the door to retrieve the pots.
"Dachin, take off your robe," Guo Baiyu said, his focus already on healing. Guo Baiyu examined Lee Dachin. It appeared that his arm was not broken, but his elbow was clearly dislocated. "I'm going to put the elbow back in the socket. It will hurt a lot. There is no other way around. Yaoting, hug him tightly."
Fang Yaoting immediately put his left arm around Lee Dachin's back, and his right arm held Lee Dachin's front, bracing him. When Guo Baiyu adjusted the dislocated elbow, Lee Dachin tried to struggle violently due to the searing pain.
"Don't bite your lips," Fang Yaoting whispered, his voice urgent. "If necessary, please bite my shoulder."
Guo Baiyu twisted, pushed, and bent Lee Dachin's arm with practiced movements. Lee Dachin grunted loudly, a guttural sound of pure agony. "There... it should be okay now," Guo Baiyu said, panting slightly from the effort. "Try to move it."
Fang Yaoting used his sleeve to dry Lee Dachin's sweat-soaked brow. Lee Dachin cautiously moved his arm, and there appeared to be no lingering pain.
"Baiyu, thank you," Lee Dachin said, his voice filled with relief.
Zhao Renshu walked in with a pot of water. He added some chopped wood to the fire pit and summoned a talisman to light the fire.
Next, Guo Baiyu cleaned Xiao Dan's wound and applied medicine. At this time, two young monks appeared at the bamboo shed, carrying two bags of soy powder. By this time, it was already dark outside.
Guo Baiyu took the two bags of soy powder. "Thank you," he said.
"Please make sure that the fire is completely extinguished when you leave tomorrow morning. Thank you," a young monk said politely. The two monks bowed and walked out.
Zhao Renshu poured some water into a bowl and mixed it with the soymilk powder for the baby. He looked at Xiao Dan and said, "Sister, you want to tell us what's going on."
"Like we told everyone before," Xiao Dan said sadly, her voice trembling. "They believe that our ancestor Kaiming concealed the immortal medicine and a magic book given to him by Syaoran. Other clan leaders want our clan to share the magic book and the immortal medicine." She cried, tears streaming down her dirty face. "Before I sneaked away, our mountain was surrounded by all other clan leaders. They all claim that they are there to prepare for the fighting competition, but this is just a lie. They are there to lock us and scare us to surrender to them."
Guo Baiyu looked at Fang Yaoting and Lee Dachin. He said, "Yaoting and Dachin, there are still four days before the fighting competition among the spirit clans. We have promised the Fox Clan we will help them. You two can wait here with Shanquan, or you can take Shanquan to Cloud City first?"
"We came together, so we leave together," Fang Yaoting stated firmly, his gaze unwavering.
"Why?" Zhao Renshu asked, surprised by his immediate commitment.
"This is the purpose of having friends. Friends help each other," Fang Yaoting replied simply, a profound truth in his words.
"How far is it to Fox Mountain from here?" Guo Baiyu asked Xiao Dan.
"Half a day," Xiao Dan replied. "Villagers call it 'The Forbidden Mountain'."
Guo Baiyu looked at the people sitting by the fire, their faces illuminated by the flames. "Let's have a good rest tonight. We will go to Fox Mountain tomorrow morning."
It was nearing afternoon when the group of friends arrived at the foot of Forbidden Mountain. The air thrummed with a vibrant energy, a testament to the numerous clans whose camps sprawled across the base. Nestled amongst towering trees and overshadowed by the imposing peaks of the mountains, each encampment bustled with the distinct lively hum of its inhabitants, a rich tapestry of different traditions and bustling activity.
Zhao Renshu became irritated. He shook his head and said, "A whole bunch of idiots. I thought it only happened in Peace Town."
"As long as there is life, it is everywhere," Guo Baiyu mused, a cynical truth.
A man in black, his eyes hungry, walked straight to Xiao Dan. He licked his lips with his tongue, an obscene gesture. He said, "Xiao Dan, we thought you were still inside." He sniffed her and put his arm on her, a possessive touch.
Xiao Dan instinctively took a step forward, trying to pull away.
Zhao Renshu reacted instantly. He grabbed the man's arm, twisted it sharply, and kicked him away from Xiao Dan, sending him sprawling. He warned the man, his voice a low growl, "If you put your hand on her again, I will cut off the arm that touched her. This is a promise."
"This is the territory of the Fox Clan," Guo Baiyu stated, his voice firm but calm. "They are the host. As a visitor, you should show respect."
A woman in black, her face scornful, stepped forward. "Who are you? You say this is the territory of the Fox Clan, so what are human beings doing here?"
Zhao Renshu smirked. "Oh, you didn't know?"
"Know what?" the injured man, now recovering, demanded.
"We are the newest members," Zhao Renshu declared, his smirk widening.
"The Fox clan must be at the lowest point to seek human help," the woman in black scoffed, dismissing them.
"Nan..." Zhao Renshu said ironically, his eyes gleaming with defiance. "The lowest of all fairy clans are standing here, guarding other people's doors like a bunch of hungry, dying animals." He suddenly burst out laughing, a provocative sound.
"If I were you, I would not dare to offend him," a new voice said, a warning tone.
When Hu Qingge walked out from behind a group of people in black, Zhao Renshu stopped laughing, his face hardening instantly.
"Why?" the woman in black asked, turning to Hu Qingge.
"Do you know who is standing in front of you?" Hu Qingge said, a strange smile playing on her lips as she looked at the people wearing black. "He is the famous hunter Zhao Renshu. The two people standing behind him are Guozhao hunters."
Everyone around gasped, a ripple of fear spreading through the crowd as they recognized the formidable name.
Zhao Renshu watched Hu Qingge angrily, his fists clenched, his eyes bloodshot with rage. Hu Qingge merely smiled back at him, a subtle taunt.
"Renshu, how are you doing?" Hu Qingge smiled and asked, her voice light.
"Renshu, let it go," Guo Baiyu advised softly, knowing his brother's temper. "We have a promise we must fulfill."
Ping'an, worried that Zhao Renshu would kill Hu Qingge, reached out and held his right hand. Zhao Renshu turned to her, and she shook her head, a silent plea for restraint. The group of friends then followed Xiao Dan up the mountain path, heading deeper into the Forbidden Mountain.
About halfway along the mountain path, Zhao Renshu stopped. Zhao Renshu turned around and stared directly at Hu Qingge, who was still observing them from below. He said loudly, his voice echoing, "Hey, Hu Qingge!" He smirked. "You'd better pray that you don't meet me on the fighting arena, because I am itching to return your knife back to you!" He then turned back and followed his friends up the mountain path, leaving Hu Qingge fuming.
Hu Qingge's expression immediately changed from happy to unhappy, her smile twisting into a furious scowl.