Chapter 105: Abandoned

Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Abandoned

When Dean Lin confirmed he was truly on Tiger Head Mountain, anxiety gripped him. He could only wait fretfully for Cao Hu, the bandit chief, to arrive, desperate to understand what had transpired.

He’d been waiting in his study for the Secret Guards to return with good news. How did I end up on Tiger Head Mountain?

And where are those Secret Guards?

Just as he was pondering this, Cao Hu, the bandit chief, arrived. He pushed the door open, plopped onto a stool by Dean Lin’s sickbed, and grumbled, “Dean Lin, the officials have blocked the road down the mountain. What do we do now?”

What does he mean, ’what should we do’?

Dean Lin was bewildered.

I don’t even know what’s going on.

Dean Lin frowned. “Eldest, first, have someone bring some food. Then, tell me what in the world is happening. I was clearly at home.”

Cao Hu was taken aback. He had assumed Dean Lin already knew.

He took a deep breath. “Dean Lin, your family was dumped at the mountain stronghold’s gate three days ago. The gate guards found you and carried you back. That same afternoon, officials arrived at the foot of the mountain, demanding we hand you over. You were all unconscious, and I had no idea what had occurred. How could I possibly hand you over? So, we’ve been at a standoff ever since.”

Hearing this, Dean Lin nearly fainted.

Why didn’t this fool hand us over then?

Whatever happened, I can’t stay in a bandit’s den! Even if these men are mine, they’re known as bandits to the world.

Dean Lin took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm and resist the urge to strike Cao Hu. “What did the officials say? And since we were unconscious at the stronghold gate, how did they even know we were here?”

I desperately need to know what happened to the Lin Family estate.

Cao Hu replied, “They didn’t say much, just demanded we hand over your family. They haven’t attacked.”

What Cao Hu and his men didn’t realize was that Zhao Shijin had no idea where Dean Lin’s family actually was. Surrounding the mountain was merely a pretense.

Now, Zhao Shijin’s forces were awaiting an imperial decree.

However, after they had besieged the mountain for several days, the occupants of Tiger Head Mountain began acting strangely. When the officials demanded they hand over Dean Lin’s family, the stronghold gates were shut tight, and no response was given.

Could Dean Lin’s family truly be on the mountain?

Zhao Shijin wondered.

If they are, they might still be alive.

Amitabha, Buddha, please let them be alive,

Zhao Shijin prayed silently. If Dean Lin’s family was alive, he might at least keep his position, and his head.

Only now did I realize how utterly incompetent Cao Hu is, completely incapable of handling important matters!

Dean Lin thought with dismay.

After eating a little and regaining some strength, Dean Lin went to check on his family.

Their incessant crying and wailing grated on his nerves, so he summoned Cao Hu.

“Open the stronghold gates! Hand us all over. Then, you find a way to lead your men and evacuate.”

Cao Hu hesitated. “This…?”

“There’s no room for hesitation. I must return, and you all must evacuate,” Dean Lin stated firmly.

If we don’t leave now, we’ll never get the chance.

I have to abandon these twenty thousand men.

Only by sacrificing these twenty thousand will they have a chance to live.

And so will I.

Once this is exposed, the entire Lin Family, including my younger sister in the palace, will face utter and irreversible ruin.

Clearly, Cao Hu hadn’t yet grasped the severity of the consequences. After so many years of ruling Tiger Head Mountain as his own fiefdom, he had grown truly accustomed to this life. He seemed to have forgotten they were merely Dean Lin’s private army.

But an immediate evacuation… where could they possibly go?

Cao Hu thought.

There are over twenty thousand soldiers, not to mention the elderly, the weak, women, and children. Nearly thirty thousand people in total—the size of a small town!

Evacuation? It sounds like a joke!

Only then did Cao Hu belatedly understand Dean Lin’s true meaning: he intended to abandon them, leaving them to fend for themselves.

At this realization, Cao Hu’s fury surged.

Most of the wealth we’ve plundered over the years went to Dean Lin! If we retreat, how will all these people survive? We’ll all starve!

But things have come to this; I have no choice. From the day we started following Dean Lin, we were destined to be cannon fodder.

He waved to his subordinates, ordering them to escort Dean Lin’s family out of the mountain stronghold. Simultaneously, he summoned Second and Third to discuss matters.

Since Dean Lin has abandoned us, we must find our own way to survive.

Cao Hu thought.

We can’t just sit here and wait for death! But handing over Dean Lin’s family now is an open admission that we kidnapped them. The officials will never let us go.

“Big Brother, what’s so urgent that you called us?” Second asked as soon as he entered the room.

Cao Hu suppressed his simmering resentment, composed himself, and then said, “Dean Lin just ordered us to evacuate. I’ve called you here to discuss this: with so many people, where can we possibly retreat to?”

“Evacuate?” Second scoffed. “Why should we? Just because of those government dogs at the foot of the mountain?”

Cao Hu replied, “It’s not just that. Don’t forget who we really are.”

Second’s eyes widened. “Identity? What about it? Wouldn’t it be better to disband our current arrangement and become true bandits? Then, whoever comes, we just fight them off!”

Third, who had just entered, saw the two arguing and casually sat down, content to watch the unfolding drama.

Cao Hu snorted.

Fight them off? Ridiculous! Second only knows how to fight and kill. To put it bluntly, our group is just a disorganized mob. We’d be routed instantly if we faced the imperial army’s regular forces.

He turned to Third. “Third, what are your thoughts?”

Third smiled faintly. “Second Brother has a point. Since we’re effectively disbanded from Dean Lin, we should focus on living well here, but not as bandits.”

Cao Hu was puzzled by Third’s statement.

“What do you mean?” Cao Hu asked.

“Why not be bandits?” Second added, equally confused.

Third continued, “Big Brother, Second Brother, let’s not talk about evacuation. With so many of us, where could we possibly go? The imperial court will undoubtedly send forces after us. Our best option is to seek amnesty by surrendering. If for no other reason, do it for our families.”

It was true. Over the years, most of the men in the mountain stronghold had started families. Even among the three chiefs, each had wives, concubines, and children.

Seeking amnesty… it’s certainly a viable path.

Cao Hu mused.

Cao Hu’s resolve hardened.

Dean Lin, since you were ruthless enough to abandon us, don’t blame us for being disloyal! For the sake of our many brothers here, it’s better to sacrifice Dean Lin’s family than to endanger all of us. Their dozen or so lives are nothing compared to the thirty thousand souls on this mountain! We can’t risk everyone for them.

And so, the three sworn brothers reached a decision.

Meanwhile, Dean Lin was leading his family down the mountain. They had only recently regained consciousness and were still clad in the same rumpled clothes they’d worn for three days. Though they had eaten a little, everyone was still weak and bore the clear marks of great suffering.

Captain Li was dumbfounded seeing them descend the mountain, weak and trembling.

Can anyone believe it? Dean Lin’s family was actually here!

“Dean… Dean Lin? Is it truly you?” Captain Li stammered.

Dean Lin nodded weakly.

With a pitiable expression, he said, “Captain Li, thank you. If it weren’t for your presence, those bandits would never have released us.”

“N-no, not at all, Dean Lin. Th-this is our duty,” Captain Li stammered, the entire situation utterly astounding him. His gaze swept over the wretched-looking group trailing Dean Lin, his eyes lingering on the apparently half-dead Miss Lin, who was being carried.

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