Chapter Fifty-Seven: Entering the Mountains in Search of Beauty

Mei Ruoxue turned around and saw two people behind her, one tall and one short.

The tall one was rather thin, with a horse-like face covered in pockmarks and a long, slender neck.

The short one was a bit stout, with a round, bald head.

Both of them grinned, revealing yellowed, uneven teeth, leering at Mei Ruoxue as they chuckled, “Little girl, dressed in men’s clothes, you have quite a charm. Don’t bother looking for your sister—come with us. We’ll make sure you’re well fed and cared for…”

Startled, Mei Ruoxue hastily drew her sword and demanded, “Who are you?”

“Come with us and you’ll find out…” they continued, still grinning, advancing to grab her, showing not the slightest concern for the sword in her hand.

Mei Ruoxue had already realized these two were up to no good, so she thrust her sword at one of them.

“Oh, the little girl knows how to fight!” they jeered, drawing their own weapons and engaging her.

Within just a dozen exchanges, Mei Ruoxue had sustained several wounds from their sharp blades, blood seeping from her injuries.

It was clear her opponents were not even using their full strength, still wearing those mocking, playful grins.

Mei Ruoxue realized the situation was dire. Suddenly, she remembered what Little Ding had told her and her sister before they set out: if you can’t win, run. Feinting a thrust, she turned and fled.

The two men, one tall and one short, chased relentlessly behind her.

Mei Ruoxue ran quickly, torch in hand, but she could not shake them off.

Only when she was utterly exhausted did she realize she should discard the torch—so long as she carried its light, her pursuers could easily follow.

Summoning her last reserves of strength, she finally managed to lose them. By then, it was already past midnight. Mei Ruoxue rested briefly, then pressed on, wandering aimlessly.

Now, she dared neither light her torch nor call out for her sister. Loneliness and helplessness pressed in on her, fear and dread growing with every step. She had never imagined that sneaking out with her sister behind their father’s back would lead them into such danger…

As dawn approached, she seemed to hear the sound of horses snorting. She stopped and called softly, “Little Black, Little White…”

Sure enough, two answering snorts came. She hurried toward the sound.

In a clearing among the trees, Mei Ruoxue saw the two horses she and her sister had ridden—the black and the white.

At the sight of the horses, it was as if she had found long-lost family; tears sprang to her eyes.

She had not expected, by sheer luck, to stumble upon them. She knew that, seeing the horses, the path down the mountain could not be far.

At this, she thought of the only person she could turn to for help: Little Ding from Luoxia Village, whom she had just met. Though she did not know him well, she could tell he was not a bad man and had a chivalrous heart.

So she mounted her black horse and let it lead the way.

Though she did not know the road, her horse did. As the saying goes, “An old horse knows the way.” Indeed, the black horse carried Mei Ruoxue in front, with the white horse following behind, and soon they descended Luoxia Mountain. Recognizing the familiar path, Mei Ruoxue spurred her horse to a gallop and finally arrived at Little Ding’s house. She dismounted, about to enter the yard, just as Little Ding came out.

After Mei Ruoxue recounted everything, tears welled up again. Er Niu brought her a bowl of hot food, but she had no appetite.

“Brother Ding, can you help me find my sister?” Mei Ruoxue pleaded, her face streaked with tears.

Little Ding listened in silence. Her desperate request left him with an inner turmoil.

He could not help but sigh inwardly—why did trouble always seem to find him?

Originally, he and the Mei sisters were strangers, only brought together by a chance meeting and mutual admiration for each other’s chivalry. Who would have thought that, so soon after meeting, such trouble would arise? Should he go to her aid, or not?

If he went, Luoxia Mountain was a den of dragons and tigers, filled with poisonous insects and fierce beasts, not to mention the many skilled martial artists seeking treasure. Little Ding knew that, though he was strong and agile, he could handle a few ordinary men, but facing true martial artists, he would only be throwing his life away.

But if he refused, it would be hard to justify, either by reason or conscience. How could he stand by and do nothing, watching Mei Ruoxue lose her sister and grieve day after day?

Alas… Little Ding let out a long sigh, thinking that luck never favored him. He had just poured his heart into buying land and building a house, hoping for better days ahead, and now this.

If he agreed to help, he might not come back alive. Even if good days were ahead, he might not live to enjoy them.

Seeing Little Ding lost in thought and saying nothing, Mei Ruoxue grew anxious. She sat up, seized his hands, and implored, “Brother Ding, I beg you—save my sister! She must be in grave danger now. If you bring her back safely, I will… I will agree to anything you ask…” With that, she tried to kneel before him.

Little Ding hurriedly stopped her, thinking to himself that fate would have him play the hero venturing into the mountains for a damsel in distress.

With Mei Ruoxue’s heartfelt plea, how could he refuse?

He replied, “Miss Mei, do not worry. Your sister is blessed and will surely be safe. Wait until day breaks; I will arrange matters at home and then go into the mountains to search for her. You just focus on recovering from your injuries.”

“Thank you, Brother Ding! In the future, I will repay your kindness a thousand-fold, no matter what it takes!” Mei Ruoxue said, her voice hoarse with gratitude.

“Miss Mei, there’s no need for thanks. Please eat something, and let Er Niu help dress your wounds. I need to go out and see to a few things,” Little Ding said before leaving the donkey cart.

“Are you really going into the mountains?” Tang Yunzhi called from the straw shed. Little Ding’s yard was small, the donkey cart not far from Tang Yunzhi’s shed, and with her keen hearing, she had overheard their conversation.

“Yes, I’ll go in a bit. If I can find her, so much the better. If not, there’s nothing more I can do,” said Little Ding.

“Aren’t you afraid of dying?” Tang Yunzhi asked.

“I am!” Little Ding answered bluntly.

“Then why go?” she pressed.

He sighed deeply. “I’ll do my best to stay alive.”

After breakfast, Little Ding explained to his family that he was going to Luoxia Mountain to look for someone and might be gone for several days. He told them not to worry or send anyone after him. He said nothing of the dangers.

Then he called Zhao Laixi aside and explained all the details of the house construction, telling him to coordinate with Uncle Niu, who already knew much of the plan.

He entrusted all the household money to Zhao Laixi, instructing him about ordering bricks and tiles, buying food for the workers, paying their wages, and so on.

He told Zhao Laixi that if he did not return within ten days, they should not wait for him—he might never come back. In that case, there was no need to build too many houses, and the money should be spent sparingly. Just finish the eight rooms and build a couple of greenhouses for growing off-season vegetables, which would at least keep the family fed.

Having made all arrangements, Little Ding changed into tight hemp clothing, tucked the dagger he’d bought in town at his waist, brought a water pouch, and hefted his iron staff, ready to set out for Luoxia Mountain...

Indeed,

Life is a balance of impossibilities; Mei endures the frost and snow alone.
In Heyang’s golden valley, a beauty is cherished—
No price is too high to save a damsel fair!