Chapter 24 Seize the Peach Blossom Mountain

It was dinner time at the Peach Blossom Camp, the leader, Hu San, and his men were in the hall eating mutton and washing it down with wine.

"Hu Zi, well done!"

Hu San praised the bearded man clapping him on his shoulder.

"Th...thank you, boss. This...this is what...what I should do." Hu Zi stammered.

"I like what I am seeing in you, keep it up. After we get the ransom, I will promote you to third master of Peach Blossom Camp." Hu San promised.

Hu Zi immediately smiled, "Th...Thank you, boss..."

A man dressed in white, seated next to Hu San jumped to his feet. He was small, looked weak and not at all like a bandit. His expression wasn't ruthless and his actions seemed harmless. His voice was high-strung as he blurted out, "Boss!"

He stated the obvious, "Boss, we can't let our guard down. We gotta do our due diligence and check the kid's info out."

Hu San waved his arm dismissively, "Don't worry, the boy has told us already, he was the son of the richest man in Can City. He came to the Peach Blossom City to visit his grandma." He paused thinking of the ransom, "What do you think? Should we demand ten cartons of gold bars, that'll set us up for life."

The man frowned, "Boss, the kid looks like he is up to no good, and looks smart enough to try and trick us."

Hu San laughed loudly, "He is just a kid of 5 or 6. Do you think he can kill me? Brother, you think too much sometimes."

"Boss! We have reports that General Yun has arrived at Peach Blossom City. He will probably attack the Camp within a few days. We must prepare." The man was anxious.

"I don't worry because you are here. Bro, you are a kung fu master and know your poisons. General Yun only brought about thirty men with him. You can beat them on your own. Come my brother, let's have a drink together." Hu San said.

"Boss..." The man tried persuading Hu San.

"It turns out you are the counselor of the Peach Blossom Camp, Wu Dushu*!"

(*TN: This Chinese name indicates that he is good at using poison)

A clear young voice was heard just then. The bandits dropped their bowls, took up their swords staring at the kid walking into the hall.

Yun Canglan sauntered to the men, his hands on hips, casual enough as if he is strolling in a garden. Even though his clothes were wrinkled, he still looked distinguished.

Yun Qin and Yun Qi took a deep breath, following Yun Canglan. They sighed in relief having escaped the filthy woodshed that smelled of dung.

"Wh-wh-wh-why ar-ar-e...are...aren't you in the woodshed?" asked Hu San. He pointed at Yun Canglan surprised, while the man dressed in white stared at Yun Canglan brutally but remained silent.

"Mind that finger of yours there! Don't point it at our Master." Yun Qin said his voice chilly as he stared down Hu San.

"What are you talking about?" Hu San was furious, "How dare you talk to me that way; I am Hu San the Iron Fist! I'll..."

A flicker of light flashed as a silver needle flew through the air, piercing itself in Hu San's finger, who helplessly whimpered in pain.

"Ouch...ouch...Damn it, who the hell are you? And why are you here?" Hu San asked.

Yun Canglan raised his brow looking Wu Dushu over.

"I didn't expect that Wu Dushu would turn bandit after disappearing for so many years! That's really shameful!" Yun Canglan said.

Wu Dushu stared at Yun Canglan in a menacing look, narrowing his eyes, "Who are you?"

Yun Canglan yawned indifferently, "Night Phoenix."

"Night Phoenix? I never heard of you." Wu Dushu said.

"Never mind that, just remember, it is Night Phoenix who kills you."

Yun Canglan's arrogance irritated Wu Dushu, "You believe you can kill me?"

"I will give it my best!" Yun Canglan taunted.

Wu Dushu seized on the opportunity and flew at Yun Canglan, with is finger curled like talons of a hawk, poised to strike. Yun Canglan saw his charge and took a step backward, removed himself from the fray. Yun Qi stepped forward in Canglan's place, effectively blocking Wu Dushu's attack.

Yun Qi was quite nimble, and within movements, a heartrending cry echoed as Wu Dushu dropped to his knees and raised his hands. He cradled the bloody stubs where his fingers had just been, which were skillfully removed by Yun Qi.

"Ooow-ch...ooooh..."

His cries reverberated throughout the Camp. Hu San and Hu Zi strained to see what was wrong. Before they were able to figure out what had happened, the seco

nd master was defeated.

Yun Qi was spattered with Wu Dushu's blood, taking a handkerchief, Yun Qi wiped his blood off in disgust, and tossed it onto the ground, "How dare you to use poison to fight me!"

Yun Qi was as arrogant as Yun Canglan.

Long before Yun Qi was born, Wu Dushu earned fame for his poisons and had been undefeated for twenty years, yet the young Yun Qi defeated Wu Dushu today, with ease.

Yun Canglan smiled angelically, but as Wu Dushu gazed at Canglan, Wu Dusho thought he looked like a demon.

"Wu Dushu, if you answer my questions, I promise not to kill you." Yun Canglan put forward.

"Fuck you! How dare you look down on me, the Iron Fist!" Hu San stepped forward staring through Yun Canglan; Hu San had his fists tightly clenched.

"Bro, step back, it's alright. I'll avenge you! Guys, follow with me!" Hu San shouted confidently. His hundreds of subordinates could take on three kids, he thought.

The bandits rushed headlong, swarming like angry hornets. Yun Canglan stood still, while Yun Qi and Yun Qin showed no mercy, removing heads of bandits as easily as slicing like watermelons.

Before long, there were dozens of heads rolling around on the floor, and the remaining bandits dared not get close.

Yun Qi and Yun Qin tossed their swords away outraged.

Yun Canglan remained in the same spot while watching one bloody scene after another as if he was watching a cartoon. He smiled cheerfully but brutally.

"Do you fear me yet? If I did not know I would win, I wouldn't be here. How stupid of you! Hahaha!" Yun Canglan ridiculed Hu San more, driving him crazy.

"Are you feeling weak yet? Hahaha! I slipped you poison a moment ago. If you don't take the antidote in time, you will die." Yun Canglan said haughtily.

"You...you...you what?" Hu San was terrified now. He was also curious, "What's your goal?"

Yun Canglan pointed at Wu Dushu explaining, "I was looking for him."

Wu Dushu felt panicked watching Yun Canglan.

"Answer my questions, otherwise you will be Yun Qi's guinea pig." Yun Canglan giggled.

Wu Dushu immediately nodded too frightened to fight, because He used poisons also and knew very well what Yun meant by 'guinea pig'.

Yun Canglan was satisfied he would now cooperate, "Were you sent here by the Crown Prince?"

"No...no..." Wu Dushu responded as quickly as possible..

"Did the Grand Preceptor send you here then?" He continued.

"Yes..." He told Yun Canglan.

Yun Canglan was furious, "Did the Grand Preceptor tell you to kill General Yun?"

"Yes..." he gulped.

"Do you have a partner?"

"No."

Yun wasn't sure he believed him, "Really?"

Wu Dushu was anxious of the outcome if Yun Canglan didn't believe him, "Really!"

There was a silence that seemed to go on forever before a child's innocent and joyful sounding voice echoed in the room, "Great!" Yun Canglan was pleased and then winked at Yun Qin. Yun Qin understood the silent command and threw a silver needle which penetrated Wu Dushu.

Before Wu Dushu knew what happened, his eyes back, he felt something on his neck, he grabbed his throat with his bloody fingerless hand lifeless and fell to the floor.

"Brother! Brother!" Hu San rushed to his side, "You promised! You said you wouldn't kill him!"

Yun Canglan looked at Hu San innocently, "Yes, I said I wouldn't kill him, but I didn't say Yun Qin wouldn't kill him."

"You...you..." Hu San didn't know what to say.

"I told you before, don't point at my Master!" Yun Qin voice was detached and icy. Hu San slowly crooked his finger before putting his hand at his side.

Yun Canglan slowly sauntered to Hu San. The look in the child's eyes was that of a demon, "The royal court sent him here, and he planned to wipe out the Peach Blossom Camp. I killed him, and you should thank me now. How about you do me a favor, and in return, I give you the antidotes?"

Hu San gulped and cleared his throat but still had a hard time getting his question out, "What...what favor do you want?" there was terror in his voice and words. Hu San did not want to help this mini demon, but Yun Canglan eyes aglow, smiled devilishly and Hu San shivered, feeling he understood fear on a whole new level. He agreed, "What is it you would like me to do?" the defeat in his voice matched his hunched over body.

"Kill Yun Yajun's troops and burn down Peach Blossom Mountain." Yun Canglan uttered through clenched teeth.