HMHSE - 22

The moment the black cloth was removed, the group of men were forced to their knees with the backs of blades pressing down on their necks—

A group of men with cropped hair, their mouths and noses bound by black masks.

Most were gaunt but not weak, still stubbornly holding their heads high despite kneeling. Beneath their disheveled hair, pairs of menacing eyes glared out, occasionally emitting muffled, eerie sounds.

They resembled bloodthirsty beasts, restrained only by the bindings over their mouths. If not for those restraints, they seemed capable of lunging forward and tearing someone’s throat out at any moment.

Shen Rong had never encountered such people before and couldn’t help but wonder if these individuals could even be considered human in the conventional sense.

Especially here in this wild mountain setting, their beastly nature appeared all the more pronounced.

“No need to be surprised,” Shan Zong said calmly. “This is already their tidied-up appearance.”

Their original state must have been even more horrifying.

Shen Rong gripped her riding whip tightly. “How did you manage to get them to comply?”

Shan Zong suddenly smiled, his tone unreadable. “There are eighty-four of them in total. I went in beforehand and subdued four of their leaders, binding them deep within the underground prison. Today, I moved them again. Those four became my hostages, and the remaining eighty had no choice but to follow my orders. They’re a tight-knit group—entered the dungeon together, bound by loyalty.”

He spoke slowly and matter-of-factly, as though describing something trivial, like brushing past leaves or flowers, rather than pulling teeth from a tiger’s mouth.

But his words provoked one of the hardened prisoners to lunge forward, only to be forcefully restrained by the soldiers. The man could only glare at Shan Zong, revealing a long white scar over his left eye that distorted its shape, making him look even more grotesque.

Shan Zong remained unfazed, dragging his blade forward as he paced slowly in front of them. “Even prisoners of the dungeon must keep their word. If you’ve accepted your fate, work diligently here. Otherwise, I can let you see daylight—or send you on your way.”

At this, not just that man but nearly everyone stared at him with burning hatred, though none dared to make another reckless move.

Shan Zong waved his hand dismissively and turned to leave.

The soldiers, having already received their orders, began lengthening the chains on the prisoners’ handcuffs to allow them enough freedom to labor while still keeping them under control. Wooden tags with identification numbers were hung around each of their necks.

By now, Shen Rong fully understood the situation.

She walked over to Shan Zong and asked quietly, “You said these eighty would obey. Are you certain?”

Everyone has selfish instincts, especially hardened criminals. Who’s to say they wouldn’t abandon their four comrades held hostage once they saw daylight and escaped?

“I’m certain,” Shan Zong replied with unwavering confidence.

Her gaze swept over him once more, and she murmured softly, “No wonder they’re so compliant. How is this different from taming wild beasts?”

Shan Zong looked at her. “Are you saying I’m more dangerous than them?”

Shen Rong thought to herself, isn’t that obvious? But outwardly, she only shifted her eyes slightly. “I didn’t say anything. That’s your interpretation.”

He chuckled lowly. “Then why don’t you stay away from danger?”

Shen Rong shot him a sidelong glance, but he had already turned back to oversee the preparations.

Meanwhile, Hu Eleven leaned over to Zhang Wei and muttered, “Only now do I realize what Boss went into the dungeon for. He’s really helping Lady Jin.”

Zhang Wei replied, “After all, they were once married. Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘A day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of gratitude’?”

Hu Eleven nodded, then glanced at the two figures who had briefly conversed and separated. Unable to resist, he added, “You know, just based on appearances, they actually look quite well-matched as a couple.”

Zhang Wei agreed, “Matched, very matched.”

While the handcuffs were loosened, additional ankle restraints were added, granting them only enough freedom to labor. Any attempt to escape would be nearly impossible.

Shan Zong raised his hand and gestured. Hu Eleven and Zhang Wei stopped their idle chatter and immediately dispersed with their respective teams to guard various points around Wangji Mountain.

Guards would rotate shifts regularly, ensuring that the area around Wangji Mountain was sealed off like an iron bucket, completely impenetrable.

Shan Zong turned his head and looked at the woman standing a few steps away. “If you want to wait a bit before putting them to work, that’s fine too.”

Shen Rong thought to herself, does he underestimate her?

She had already accepted this group; there was no need to delay. She took out a sheet of yellow hemp paper from her sleeve and said, “No need to wait. We’ll start immediately.” With that, she handed the map to Dong Lai. “Take this and show them the layout.”

Shan Zong watched as Dong Lai unfolded the yellow hemp paper, revealing a detailed drawing of the mountain terrain. The winding lines were clear, with the mining site clearly marked, including specific instructions on where to dig. His gaze shifted back to Shen Rong.

It was the map of the mining site that Shen Rong had meticulously prepared in advance, specifically for this day.

Dong Lai carried the map to the front of the group, raising it slowly as he walked to ensure everyone could see.

The group had been allowed to stand, their mouths still covered by black cloths, occasionally emitting strange sounds that seemed both mocking and derisive.

Until Shan Zong moved his hand, unsheathing his blade slightly with a metallic ring before pushing it back into place.

A warning.

The escorts accompanying the Changsun family were experienced. Shen Rong instructed Dong Lai to lead the initial team to mark the digging sites according to the map. Once the groundwork was laid, the labor would be taken over by this group.

Heavy chains dragged across the rocks as the group began their first round of hard labor shortly after being exposed to daylight.

A squad of soldiers armed with whips patrolled the area.

Dong Lai led the guards to dig a test hole near the mining site, then stepped aside to mark another location.

The group was divided into smaller teams, separated to dig at designated points.

At first, no one moved. The man with the white scar who had earlier tried to lunge forward even turned his head heavily to look at Shan Zong when handed an iron drill for mining.

Coincidentally, Shan Zong, arms crossed, was already watching him intently.

Finally, a man beside the scarred prisoner stepped forward and drove the first drill.

Once someone took the lead, others gradually followed. Eventually, even the scarred man had no choice but to drive his drill.

The chains were heavy, and every strike required triple the effort. Soon, they were panting like bulls, their prison clothes soaked with sweat.

Shen Rong observed from afar for a while, then glanced at the sky. The light overhead had dimmed further; time always seemed to pass quickly in the mountains.

The sound of footsteps approached. Shan Zong walked over and said to her, “Let’s go.”

Shen Rong followed his lead.

As they passed Hu Eleven and Zhang Wei, both instinctively saluted Shan Zong.

They had already received military orders to remain in the mountains and maintain order while he was gone.

Shan Zong descended the mountain path, tugging at his horse’s reins. “We can return to the city.”

Shen Rong mounted her own horse and cast one last glance back at the mountains.

“Don’t worry,” he said, swinging himself onto his horse with those two words.

She didn’t know where he got such unwavering confidence, but judging by his demeanor, he had indeed brought the group under control. She nodded. “Alright then.”

As she mounted her horse, Dong Lai and the guards emerged, though they remained at a distance, following without approaching.

The escort team that had accompanied Shen Rong also stayed behind in the mountains. Only Shan Zong rode alongside her.

Shen Rong had assumed he would veer off toward the military post halfway, but to her surprise, he continued heading straight back to the city.

Upon entering the city, he reined in his horse, dismounted in one swift motion, and said, “Wait for them to catch up. You’ll return to the official residence with them. I have other matters to attend to.”

Shen Rong realized why he had accompanied her all this time—not out of kindness to escort her, as she had briefly thought.

Before Dong Lai could catch up, Shan Zong entered an open room beneath the city gate.

The room was unoccupied, save for two resting gate guards who saluted and left upon seeing him.

Shen Rong dismounted and followed him inside. He had already seated himself and only now noticed the dust on his clothes, brushing it off and adjusting the hem tucked into his waist.

Shen Rong sat across from him, separated by a small table about an arm’s width wide. Suddenly, he turned his head and fixed his gaze on her.

Unable to help herself, she asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Shan Zong replied, “Where did you learn your knowledge of mining?”

Since seeing that map, he had been certain she was knowledgeable in the field.

Shen Rong hadn’t expected him to ask this question so suddenly. She fiddled with her riding whip and said, “Didn’t you say you weren’t going to pry anymore?”

He rested his arm casually on the edge of the table, leaning back slightly, and gave a faint smirk. “It’s up to you. You don’t have to answer.”

Oddly, even though he was the one asking the question, it felt as though he held all the control.

Shen Rong set down her riding whip, turned her body to face him directly, and leaned slightly toward him. “Actually, my true expertise isn’t in mining.”

Shan Zong’s face turned back to her.

She pointed casually toward the door with one finger. “It’s in mountains, rivers, lakes, and marshes—especially mountains. Do you believe me?”

He neither affirmed nor denied, only stared at her. “Mountains?”

Shen Rong propped her chin on one hand, teasing him with a mischievous glint in her eyes, like a hook lightly tugging at him. “Perhaps one day, even you, the ‘Ancestor of Ten Thousand Mountains,’ will be thoroughly understood by me.”

His dark eyes lingered on her face, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing at the corners of his lips. After a moment, he said, “I doubt that day will ever come.”

Before Shen Rong could respond, he suddenly straightened and looked toward the door.

Someone had arrived.

Shen Rong pressed her lips together and sat up straight.

Zhao Fumei entered through the door, carrying a stack of bundled medicinal papers. She glanced at Shen Rong before bowing to Shan Zong. “Mountain Envoy, I’ve prepared the medicine you requested earlier.”

Shan Zong nodded. “Leave it here.”

Zhao Fumei placed the stack of medicine on the table, then bowed slightly to Shen Rong. “My Lady, I met the Mountain Envoy outside the city earlier. He mentioned that a group of prisoners who hadn’t seen daylight in a long time would be performing hard labor and might carry injuries or illnesses. To avoid delays, he instructed me to prepare some medicine for them.”

The medicine was piled high on the small table, nearly overflowing. Shen Rong picked up her riding whip and stood. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Zhao Fumei smiled warmly and turned back to Shan Zong. “Old Master Junyi has left. Though I studied under him for three years, I’ve only scratched the surface. These medicines may not be perfectly prepared.”

Shan Zong grunted, appearing indifferent. “As long as they work.”

Zhao Fumei lowered her head and retrieved a piece of paper from her sleeve. “These are the instructions…”

As Shen Rong listened to Zhao Fumei speak, she noticed that Dong Lai had already arrived and was waiting quietly by her horse outside.

She glanced at Shan Zong, then at Zhao Fumei, who stood respectfully before him, her hands folded demurely, radiating gentleness. But Shen Rong recalled the question Zhao Fumei had asked her hours earlier at the city gate—whether she was going to look for him again—and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Both women, after all, shared unspoken thoughts. She wasn’t foolish.

Though Shan Zong didn’t raise his eyes as Zhao Fumei spoke, he subtly noticed the hem of a water-blue cloak brushing lightly past his vision.

The cloak swirled as the woman turned, revealing her calves briefly before vanishing from sight toward the door.

“Is your wound healed, Mountain Envoy?” Zhao Fumei suddenly asked.

“Mm,” Shan Zong replied. Sensing it was time to leave, he picked up the medicine, stood, and walked toward the door.

Seeing him about to depart, Zhao Fumei refrained from further speech and simply bowed deeply behind him. “Safe travels, Mountain Envoy.”

Shan Zong exited, secured the bundle of medicinal papers to his horse, mounted, and glanced around before departing. There was no one in sight.

Shen Rong had quietly slipped out the door moments ago. Dong Lai and the guards were nowhere to be found—they had already silently returned to the official residence.

This time, she had truly left without a word.

For some inexplicable reason, Shan Zong thought briefly, then tugged the reins and spurred his horse in the opposite direction, heading out of the city.