Chapter 39: The Road to Life and Death, Uncertain and Obscure

Tonight, Jianglin was unlike any other night; the usual tranquility had been shattered, replaced everywhere by chaos and clamor. On this night that should have been quiet, emotions tangled and surged, voices rose in tumult—some shouted harshly, others cursed in anger, resentment filling the air. Some were furious at the grand display by the Shen household; others ground their teeth at the audacious river bandits. Yet none of it could stem the disorder sweeping through Jianglin tonight.

In a dilapidated courtyard at the southeastern edge of the city, Lu Jin, who had been knocked unconscious, finally came to. His hands were bound behind his back, and he had been violently thrown into a corner. He struggled to sit up, shifted his position, and leaned against the wall, pausing to steady himself before turning to survey his surroundings.

The room appeared long-abandoned, cluttered with random, jumbled furniture. Cobwebs draped over everything, illuminated starkly by the moonlight filtering through the window lattice. Lu Jin’s gaze swept through the gloom; he could make out several others huddled against the walls, and more lying scattered across the floor—one smaller figure looked suspiciously familiar.

He heard hushed voices at the door; clearly, they were being held captive. He could only guess what these people wanted with them. Sensing that those at the door would not enter for a while, Lu Jin collapsed and crawled forward, inching closer until he could see the face clearly—indeed, it was Xiao Bai.

That unlucky child—how had he gotten caught up in this too? It wasn’t just a matter of life and death now; even if they survived, escaping the Shen household would be a bitter defeat.

When he reached Xiao Bai's side, Lu Jin gripped Xiao Bai’s clothes with his bound hands and shook him vigorously. To his surprise, it worked—Xiao Bai woke up, though the result was less than ideal.

Lu Jin hadn’t expected Xiao Bai to let out a piercing scream as soon as he awoke, leaving him stunned. The other captives began to shout in terror, and there were angry voices and curses from outside as the door was shoved open.

The situation was handled swiftly. Two brutish river bandits kicked Lu Jin and Xiao Bai until they curled up motionless on the floor, then threatened them before stomping out.

Lu Jin lay on the ground for a long while, finally enduring the pain and crawling back to the wall. Xiao Bai followed, huddling close at his side. Having been beaten, Xiao Bai was at last alert, sniffling quietly with fear.

"How did you get caught?" Lu Jin whispered.

"I bought sour plum soup and went to find you, but you were gone. I searched everywhere, and then… I don’t know what happened," Xiao Bai replied.

Lu Jin sighed—he’d known there was risk, but hadn’t imagined it would ensnare Xiao Bai so quickly.

"How did you get caught, sir? I didn’t see any river bandits," Xiao Bai whispered. "There were so many people around—if you’d been grabbed right there, surely someone would’ve noticed."

"If you could see them, would they still be bandits? How do you know it was river bandits?" Lu Jin scoffed. No way he’d admit he was actually on the run.

"I just heard there’ve been river bandits causing trouble in town. Who else would be bold enough to snatch us?"

Lu Jin was speechless. Even now, Xiao Bai’s nerves seemed strong.

Remembering his escape, Lu Jin suddenly realized—his silver and travel permit!

His bound hands couldn’t reach, and he felt no weight—his silver was gone. All that hard-won money, lost.

Now, another worry pressed on him: his pawn ticket and identification papers were also on him. If the bandits had taken those, the consequences were clear.

"Xiao Bai, let’s sit back to back. Feel in my sleeve for something," Lu Jin whispered.

"What am I looking for?" Xiao Bai asked.

"Folded paper. See if it’s there."

Without further questions, they pressed together and fumbled around.

"Sir, I think it’s here," Xiao Bai said.

"Take it out."

When Xiao Bai handed it over, Lu Jin felt it and finally relaxed. He had to thank his habit of not keeping important things together. The bandits must have missed it in their haste.

He quietly slipped the paper into a crack in the wall. That was all he could do. Whether he’d live to retrieve it, or even find the same spot again, was beyond his current concern.

"What is it, sir?" Xiao Bai whispered, having operated blind and unaware of the paper’s contents.

"It’s my lifeline. Remember this place well."

"How do I remember? I don’t know where we are…"

"Do you still have your silver?" Lu Jin asked.

"Silver?" Xiao Bai froze, then frantically tried to check his pockets.

Lu Jin sighed—what a slow-witted child.

"Don’t bother. The bandits took it long ago."

The room fell quiet again. Lu Jin leaned back against the wall, his mind racing through their predicament.

He didn’t know who these people were, but judging by the situation, they didn’t intend to kill them outright—otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to such trouble to drag them here. Most likely, the kidnappers planned to move them elsewhere. But where? Lu Jin wondered if they could attempt rescue, but knew nothing about the outside.

He had seen only two just now, but there were certainly more—at least several. Still, if they didn’t try to save themselves now, their chances would only diminish.

As Lu Jin hesitated, considering whether to probe the situation outside, chaotic noises suddenly echoed in the courtyard, and the battered door was kicked open.

Several masked men rushed in, saying nothing as they hauled Lu Jin and the others to their feet, tying black cloths over their eyes.

The man standing nearby swept his gaze around and said in a low voice, "Keep the captives under control. Anyone who makes a fuss will be killed on the spot… Move!"

He turned and strode out first, followed by the river bandits dragging Lu Jin and the others behind.

Lu Jin was hauled out of the room. Judging by the sounds around him, the courtyard was crawling with bandits—at least several dozen.

He heard distant uproar drawing nearer, and hope flickered in his heart. Could someone be coming to search for them? It seemed the river bandits realized the place was no longer safe, and were moving them out.

Were they planning to hide elsewhere, or leave the city? If they were leaving, how would they get through the gates? Was there any defense set up?

Blindfolded, Lu Jin could only feel himself being hustled along, turning several corners before coming to a stop. They hadn’t gone far—what now? Suspicion gnawed at him.

"Jump down!"

Before Lu Jin could think further, he heard the bandits’ barked orders, hostages wailing, and the thud of heavy bodies hitting the ground. A cellar?

Some hostages panicked and screamed, only to be beaten into silence.

Lu Jin could imagine the terror of being shoved into the pitch dark—fear of the unknown.

"Jump!"

His turn came. Fear gripped him; he swallowed nervously, only to be kicked down by a bandit.

Damn!

With a crash, Lu Jin nearly twisted his ankle—these brutes had no mercy. Not just his ankle, his face was scraped raw.

He lay sprawled, deliberately rubbing his temple against the ground as he rose, feeling a burning pain near his eye.

But luck favored him—along the edge of the cloth he glimpsed torchlight. This was a tunnel!

Before he could recover, another kick landed from behind.

Ignoring the pain, Lu Jin stumbled forward, guided by shouts and threats.

He felt like a wild beast, beaten and battered, his features unrecognizable, pain radiating through his entire body.

If I survive, he swore inwardly, I’ll smash their filthy den to pieces!