Chapter Twenty-Seven: Freedom

Camelback Ridge, as its name suggests, refers to two connected mountain peaks resembling the humps of a camel. Of these, one is covered with pine and cypress trees, ever-green throughout the year, thus called Green Peak; the other, shrouded in mist all year round, is known as White Peak.

White Peak’s treacherous terrain renders it insurmountable, but halfway up Green Peak lies a hidden mountain stronghold. Its location is so concealed that without a guide familiar with the area, it is almost impossible to find. This is the headquarters of the bandits.

At this moment, the stronghold is festooned with lanterns and decorations, red symbols of happiness pasted everywhere. The bandits are as jubilant as if celebrating the New Year, their faces alight with joy.

Not all voices are harmonious. The bandit who previously wanted to share a woman with Scarface is disgruntled; after a few bowls of wine, he loudly declares, “I oppose this marriage!”

But soon his protest is drowned out by the crowd: “Big Brother and the lady are a perfect match, you’re just a lackey—your objection doesn’t count!”

Meanwhile, inside a room, Scarface throws Zhou Hongxian onto the bed, then begins to remove his clothes.

“What are you doing?” Zhou Hongxian scoots back warily.

“Heh, little beauty, you’re my captive bride—what’s wrong with me sleeping with you first?” Scarface laughs wantonly. As he speaks, he’s stripped down to his shirt, his prominent chest muscles covered in thick hair, making Zhou Hongxian’s heart pound with fear.

Zhou Hongxian tries to flee, but Scarface catches her in a single stride, grabbing her from behind in a tight embrace. “Do you think you can escape, little beauty? Obey me, and I guarantee you’ll know true pleasure!”

The pungent masculine scent behind her fills Zhou Hongxian with panic. Scarface, staring at her slender, pale neck, swallows audibly, then presses his lips to her skin; his rough beard prickles so harshly she wishes for death.

“Big Brother!” Suddenly someone knocks at the door.

Scarface, interrupted in his excitement, is deeply annoyed. He shouts, “What are you yelling for?”

“Big Brother, I didn’t mean to disturb you, but Jiang Old Six and Yu Big Mouth’s groups are fighting over seats at the feast. If you don’t go settle it, they’ll pull knives! Today’s your wedding day—if there’s bloodshed, it’ll be unlucky!”

Scarface curses loudly: “Those two fools—always squabbling over nothing, damned nuisances!” After venting, he sighs in exasperation. “Fine, I’ll be right there!” With that, Scarface forcibly turns Zhou Hongxian to face him, grinning wickedly. “Little beauty, wait for me—I’ll come back and treat you right!”

Zhou Hongxian pushes his face away, cursing, “Treat me, my ass! Get lost!”

Scarface, unsuccessful, leaves through the door, snarling as he goes, “Stupid woman, you’ll regret it when I return!”

When Scarface leaves, Zhou Hongxian cracks open the door and peeks outside, only to find guards posted everywhere. She has no choice but to return to the room, mocking herself, “Why does fate always toy with me? I’d barely escaped a den of wolves only to fall into a tiger’s lair. Damn, it’s absurd!”

The door opens again. Zhou Hongxian, thinking Scarface has returned, quickly stands up in fright. But this time, it’s not Scarface—it’s a delicate-looking girl of about fifteen or sixteen.

The girl speaks with no emotion, “The chieftain sent me to assist the bride in bathing and changing clothes.”

Hearing this, Zhou Hongxian assumes the girl is a relative of the bandits and snaps irritably, “Bath for what? Change for what? Leave me alone!”

The girl is startled, tears welling up in her eyes. She pleads timidly, “I’m just following orders. Please don’t make things difficult for me, Bride.”

Zhou Hongxian senses the girl is deeply aggrieved and finds it strange. She steps forward, closes the door, and asks, “Aren’t you a relative of the bandits?”

The girl shakes her head, unable to hide a hint of hatred. “Who would be related to those bandits!”

Zhou Hongxian is surprised, quickly asking, “What’s going on? Can you tell me why you’re working for the bandits?”

The girl shakes her head again, unwilling to speak, but Zhou Hongxian senses an opportunity for escape and persists. “You were captured too, weren’t you? Don’t worry, I’m in the same situation—I won’t betray you if you tell me.”

The girl wants to remain silent, but Zhou Hongxian coaxes her gently, like comforting a child. Finally, her nose tingles, tears streaming down her face as she confides everything.

Her name is Deng Xiu’er, a villager from the outskirts of Husu County below the mountain. Last month, the bandits raided her village, stole her family’s belongings, burned their house, killed her parents and brother, and dragged her up the mountain for endless torment.

Deng Xiu’er’s fate is not unique. Some girls, fiercely spirited, took their own lives after being violated, while others, timid like Deng Xiu’er, survived by swallowing their pain, becoming playthings and slaves for the bandits.

After telling her story, Deng Xiu’er sobs, “I shouldn’t have survived! Last month, a thirteen-year-old girl was also taken, but she killed herself immediately to preserve her dignity. I’m older than her—why didn’t I dare?”

She looks directly at Zhou Hongxian as if questioning her, but Zhou Hongxian knows the girl is really questioning herself.

In her previous life, Zhou Hongxian was the sort who would rage at news of school principals preying on female students. Hearing Deng Xiu’er’s story, seeing her still-childish face, Zhou Hongxian thinks, “If she were in my old world, she’d be just a high school student—innocent and carefree. But here, she’s endured such tragedy. It’s heartbreaking.”

Zhou Hongxian silently embraces Deng Xiu’er, comforting her as one would a child. “Deng Xiu’er, don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault—even I fear death, and it’s natural for girls to be afraid! All the evil was done by those bandits. You’re still so young, your life is long—don’t lose hope.”

Deng Xiu’er, tears in her eyes, says, “Those bandits commit evil and go unpunished. Does what you say matter?”

“They should be punished! Deng Xiu’er, do you trust me?”

“You?” Deng Xiu’er wipes her tears, staring at Zhou Hongxian. She suddenly realizes Zhou Hongxian is actually a stranger. Somehow, she’d vented her emotions to Zhou Hongxian—perhaps because she saw her as a fellow victim.

Zhou Hongxian smiles gently. “I can help you escape, even help you avenge your family, if you’ll do one thing for me.”

“What do you want me to do?” Deng Xiu’er is skeptical. “Don’t trick me into helping you escape—I can’t, and I don’t have the ability! There are bandits everywhere; if you walk ten steps, you’ll be caught!”

Zhou Hongxian turns her back to Deng Xiu’er and removes the outer robe Qiu Miao had given her to cover the talisman, revealing the original red dress underneath. “It’s not complicated. Do you see the talisman on my back? Can you help me take it off?”

“What’s it for?” Deng Xiu’er reaches out cautiously, wary of such a strange request.

“You still don’t trust me!” Zhou Hongxian gives a wry smile. “Alright, to avoid scaring you later and to earn your trust, let me tell you who I am. Actually, I’m not human!”

“Why insult yourself?” Deng Xiu’er doesn’t understand.

“I’m not insulting myself—I really am not human. I am a fox spirit.”

“Fox spirit?” Deng Xiu’er is even more confused, pointing at Zhou Hongxian’s face. “You do look a bit sly, but saying you’re a fox spirit—I don’t believe it! How could a fox spirit be caught by bandits?”

Zhou Hongxian is momentarily speechless, so she resorts to her trump card—lifting her skirt.

Seeing Deng Xiu’er’s stunned expression, Zhou Hongxian says softly, “Now you believe me?”

“Oh my—she’s really a fox spirit! Such a big tail!” Deng Xiu’er nearly faints.

Zhou Hongxian quickly supports her. “Don’t be afraid, Deng Xiu’er. I’m a good fox spirit—no, I mean, I’m a good fox demon! I don’t harm people.”

Steadying herself, Deng Xiu’er still looks at Zhou Hongxian with fear. “Fox demon lady, what exactly do you want me to do?” The question, asked again, shows how frightened she is.

Patiently, Zhou Hongxian replies, “Just help me remove the talisman from my back.”

“Alright, alright!” Deng Xiu’er, trembling, reaches for the talisman. With a ripping sound and sparks flying, she jumps back, then sheepishly holds out the torn talisman. “Sorry, I think I tore it.”

In that instant, Zhou Hongxian feels her strength and magic gradually returning.

“Finally, I can be free again!” Zhou Hongxian wants to cry and laugh all at once—the talisman had brought her nothing but humiliation. Yet she restrains herself, mindful of Deng Xiu’er’s feelings. Taking the now-useless talisman from Deng Xiu’er’s hand, she says with a faint smile, “Tearing it is not enough; this is the proper way to deal with it.”

The half talisman falls gently to the floor. Zhou Hongxian crushes it underfoot, grinding it into a muddy pulp.