16: Chapter 16 Three Bandit Wives

On Black Wind Mountain, inside Juyi Hall, there was a choking smell of beef tallow mixed with the stench of sweat.

Chen Fan really disliked staying here, so he walked toward the stone room in the back hall.

It had been several days since he became the Black Wind Demon; life on the mountain was hard, even more bitter than his time at the Daoist temple.

Life here couldn't compare to how it was during Zhao Long's time at all.

The only thing that gave Chen Fan any comfort was his few bandit wives.

The corridor was deep and dark, completely cutting off the noise from outside.

He pushed open the heavy door.

The scene inside the stone room was no different from the Black Wind Demon's residence in his memory.

Yun Niang was sitting by the bed. Hearing the movement, her body reflexively shrank back, but she still stood up with her head lowered.

"Chief."

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Beside her stood two other women.

One wore a fiery red, tight-fitting long dress with a voluptuous figure; her peach-blossom eyes unabashedly sized Chen Fan up with a wild charm.

The other wore an emerald-green silk shirt with a graceful posture, holding a round fan that half-covered her face, revealing only a pair of watery, sparkling eyes, which shone as she looked around.

These were the Black Wind Demon's other two bandit wives, Honge and Cui Qiao.

"Chief, you have such a strong Evil Qi today; even from afar, my heart was trembling," said Honge.

Honge walked up, swaying her hips, and reached out with her fair, tender fingers, wanting to touch the muscles on Chen Fan's chest.

Chen Fan didn't dodge.

The strength of this body gave him nothing to fear.

As soon as Honge's fingers touched him, she felt the explosive power hidden beneath those muscles. She giggled foolishly, her whole body almost pressing against Chen Fan.

"Chief, did you kill someone? Is your fire running high? Do you want me to help you vent it?"

Her breath was like orchids, her words explicit and bold.

Beside them, Cui Qiao also waved her round fan and walked over gracefully, lightly tapping Chen Fan's shoulder with the fan.

"Sister Honge is just impatient. The Chief just returned from the foot of the mountain and must be exhausted from the journey; he should bathe and change his clothes first."

As she spoke, her eyes curved into crescents.

"I have already prepared the hot water and am just waiting for the Chief."

One was as passionate as fire, the other as gentle as water; they complemented each other perfectly.

Compared to the wives in the Zhao Manor, they were far more wanton.

Of Zhao Long's three wives, one was as cold as frost, and two were submissive.

But these few before him were the true vixens.

Chen Fan grinned. Mimicking the Black Wind Demon's coarse manner, he wrapped one arm around Honge's waist and used the other hand to tilt up Cui Qiao's chin.

"It's still you two who understand my heart."

He felt the softness in his hands.

Well, it was mainly to adapt to his new identity.

He didn't really like this situation; it was all out of necessity to fit the role.

That's right!

Yun Niang watched this scene from the side and silently lowered her head, seemingly long accustomed to it.

Just then, a flurry of footsteps and a coarse shout came from outside the stone door.

"Chief! Chief!"

With a "bang," a subordinate outside knocked loudly on the door.

"Scram!"

Honge was pressed against Chen Fan's chest. Disturbed by the intrusion, her brows furrowed as she scolded sharply.

"Who the hell told you to come here and disturb the Chief! Don't you know the rules!"

The bandit shuddered from the scolding and stopped knocking, but still shouted loudly:

"Chief! A report from down the mountain! The County Office... the County Office has gathered all the County Soldiers, over five hundred men, and they're heading toward our Black Wind Mountain!"

He finished in one breath, his tone extremely panicked.

"They say... they say it's to seek revenge for that kid from the Zhao family!"

The atmosphere in the stone room instantly turned cold.

The seductive smiles on Honge and Cui Qiao's faces also froze.

Five hundred County Soldiers!

This was no joke!

The County Soldiers of Qinghe County, all told, were only about that many; they were mobilizing their entire force!

Chen Fan released the two women in his arms, his face showing no emotional fluctuation.

He was a little annoyed.

Just as he was about to enjoy life, someone came to disturb him.

"Got it."

He uttered those two words, then turned and walked out of the stone room.

Honge and Cui Qiao glanced at each other, both seeing a hint of worry in the other's eyes.

...

Juyi Hall.

The Second-in-Command, Iron-Armed Monkey, and the Third Chief, Smiling Tiger, were already waiting there.

One was thin and withered with sinister eyes.

The other was fat with large ears, a smile hiding a dagger.

Seeing Chen Fan walk out, the two immediately came forward to greet him.

"Big Brother!"

"Chief!"

Chen Fan walked to the tiger-skin chair at the head of the hall and sat down, heavily thumping his Ghost-Headed Greatsword onto the ground.

*Thud!*

The entire cave seemed to shake.

"What's the panic?"

He glanced at the bandit leaders below, who had various expressions.

Iron-Armed Monkey gave a "heh" and revealed a row of yellow teeth.

"Big Brother is right! Just five hundred County Soldiers, a bunch of useless gluttons, what's there to panic about!"

He thumped his chest, full of disdain.

"Last time the County Lieutenant brought three hundred men, didn't they just wander around outside the mountain for three days and go back without daring to say a word?"

The Third Chief, Smiling Tiger, also shook his massive head and chimed in with a chuckle.

"Exactly, exactly. Those County Soldiers are just a bunch of rabble, good for show but useless. If it really comes to a fight, they won't even be enough to fill the gaps between our brothers' teeth."

He narrowed his eyes and calculated: "It's just that there are many of them. If we fight head-on, our brothers will also suffer losses, which isn't worth it."

Chen Fan looked at these two.

One was arrogant, the other shrewd.

In the Black Wind Demon's memory, these two were indeed his right-hand men.

"Tell me, how should we fight?"

Chen Fan threw the question back.

He was the bandit Chief now; he only needed to give orders, not use his brain.

Iron-Armed Monkey was the first to speak, his face full of bloodthirsty excitement.

"What's there to discuss! Big Brother, in my opinion, we should set an ambush at the Narrow Pass! Once their people enter, we'll rain down rocks and logs, ensuring none of them return!"

"Then, I'll lead a team of brothers around the back of the mountain to cut off their retreat! I'll bring back that damn County Lieutenant's head to use as a chamber pot for Big Brother!"

Smiling Tiger, however, shook his head.

"Second Brother, you are mistaken. Although the Narrow Pass is treacherous, Zhao De is determined to seek revenge this time and will surely be on guard. A head-on clash is not the best strategy."

He leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"Chief, in my humble opinion, we should... hold our ground and not go out."

"Our Black Wind Mountain has treacherous terrain, with only one path leading up. As long as we hold the mountain pass, even if they have five thousand men instead of five hundred, they won't be able to attack!"

"The food and water on the mountain are enough to last us three months. Once their supplies are exhausted and their morale wanes, they will naturally retreat."

One advocated for a proactive strike, while the other advocated for holding the position and waiting.

The bandit leaders in the cave also split into two factions, chirping away in debate.

Chen Fan didn't speak, just listened quietly.

He tapped the tiger-skin armrest rhythmically with his finger.

After a long while, the arguing in the cave gradually subsided.

Everyone's eyes converged on him, waiting for his final decision.

Chen Fan stood up.

"We'll do as the second says."

His words were crisp and decisive.

Iron-Armed Monkey was instantly overjoyed.

"Big Brother is wise!"

Smiling Tiger's fat face slumped, but he didn't dare say more.

Chen Fan ignored their reactions. He shouldered his Ghost-Headed Greatsword and walked toward the back hall.

"As for the rest, you two discuss and handle it."

"Don't let those soldiers disturb my sleep."

His back disappeared into the darkness of the corridor.

In Juyi Hall, only a group of bandits staring at each other remained.

Iron-Armed Monkey and Smiling Tiger glanced at each other; the former looked triumphant, while the latter looked worried.

Meanwhile, Chen Fan had already pushed open the stone door of the back hall.

Honge and Cui Qiao were waiting anxiously at the door. Seeing him return, they hurriedly came forward.

"Chief, how is it?"

Chen Fan didn't answer.

He simply reached out and once again pulled the two warm and soft bodies into his arms.

"No matter how big the matter is, it has to wait until I've had my fun."

He smiled slightly, picked up the two women by their waists, and walked toward the large stone bed.

He kicked the door shut with a heavy thud.

Outside the door was the impending storm of blood.

Inside the door, only irrepressible panting and women's giggles remained.

Cui Qiao was tossed onto the bed, her clothes half-undone. She panted and hooked her fingers around Chen Fan's neck.

"Chief, aren't you afraid... that Magistrate Zhao De will really attack the mountain?"