Chapter 495: There are People Deep in the Mountains

Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter

It took another two days, but finally Song Yangzhu stood at the valley bottom, filled with joy. She knew she had found the tomb's location, only 10 meters from the valley floor.

Song Yangzhu wanted to find temporary shelter, planning to cultivate while excavating the ancient tomb. But at that moment, a voice sounded.

Were there people talking in the depths of the snow mountain? Song Yangzhu looked behind in shock and saw two men carrying large bags, shotguns in hand, walking toward her as they spoke. Two hunters? What were they doing there? Song Yangzhu didn't approach the tomb; she couldn't expose it.

When Song Yangzhu spotted the men, they saw her. The hunters spoke to each other and headed toward her with their guns.

Getting closer, Song Yangzhu saw one was a white-skinned foreigner with a bulky build. The other, a short but sturdy Chinese man, had a scarred and hideous face.

They were obviously surprised to see her.

“Who are you? Why are you in the depths of the Mei Nei snow mountains?” the short man asked, vigilant, as if a wrong word would trigger gunfire.

“Who are you?” Song Yangzhu relaxed. These men were probably hunters; she could smell blood in their bags.

But Song Yangzhu couldn't understand why they were so far in.

As if sensing Song Yangzhu posed no threat, the short man lowered his gun. “I’m Jiang Chuanwu, this is my friend Ericson. We came here hunting.”

“Hunting.” Song Yangzhu looked at them with confusion, then said, “Did you come to hunt the snow fox?”

She was increasingly certain they hunted snow foxes. Snow fox fur was precious, found only in the Mei Nei snow mountains, and the animals were nationally and internationally protected.

Jiang Chuanwu's expression soured, but he said, “Are they that easy to find? We just came to hunt regular animals.”

Song Yangzhu didn't press; it didn't concern her. It was fine as long as they weren't after the tomb.

“What are you here for?” Jiang Chuanwu looked at Song Yangzhu, confused. She was pretty and young, alone in the snow mountain depths—it seemed eerie.

“I’m hiking, but I got lost.” She no longer wanted to talk to them, so she turned and walked away. With them there, she couldn't dig the tomb; she had to wait until they left.

Jiang Chuanwu turned to the foreigner. “Ericson, do you believe her?”

The tall white guy looked at Jiang Chuanwu and smiled. “Mr. Chuanwu, the woman is very pretty.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chuanwu considered speaking, but Ericson continued, “Mr. Chuanwu, we’ve been here for half a month and haven't seen any snow foxes. I don’t think it’s worth continuing.”

Jiang Chuanwu immediately understood. He was hired by Ericson; finding the fox meant a large sum, otherwise, he was just a guide.

He knew Ericson wanted the woman, but he had concerns. A young, beautiful woman venturing into the snow mountain depths couldn't possibly lack self-defense skills.

“Mr. Ericson, she’s no ordinary woman if she can wander in these depths. There are many capable people in China. If she has an important background, then we—” Jiang Chuanwu said worriedly.

Ericson smiled. “We’d be jailed for poaching snow foxes. Now that she knows our purpose, if she reports us, then we would—” He didn't finish the sentence.

Jiang Chuanwu knew what Ericson meant. He also desired women, but he’d heard about ancient martial arts and masters. She might be one, daring to venture there alone.

Ericson waved a pouch. “I know what you’re worrying about, but this scent can weaken people, even drive them mad.”

Jiang Chuanwu was shocked and cursed. The man had such a thing. If used on him, he'd be helpless. He needed to be more wary.

Although he thought this, Jiang Chuanwu didn't show it, smiling. “That’s potent, but if we smelled it too, wouldn't we be disabled?”

“Don’t worry, I have the cure.” Ericson produced a green capsule and gave it to Jiang Chuanwu.

Ericson smiled. “Mr. Chuanwu, I can let you go first with the woman…”

Hearing this, Jiang Chuanwu thought carefully. Was Ericson really that generous? It wasn't like his cunning nature; Jiang Chuanwu became even more wary.

Ericson quickly said, “Mr. Chuanwu, don’t misunderstand. I have conditions. I brought the scent and cure. If you go first, you must give me the short sword you found.”

Jiang Chuanwu took a short sword from his bag, strangely. “You want this short sword?”

He'd found it by the river yesterday; he didn't understand why Ericson wanted the ordinary-looking sword.

“Yes, yes,” Ericson said excitedly, reaching for it.

Jiang Chuanwu put the sword away, casually. “Mr. Ericson, we don't even have her yet. No need to rush.”

“Oh, right, yeah.” Ericson rubbed his hands.

…

Song Yangzhu found windbreak, cleaned it, and set up her tent.

Just as she finished, the two men approached. Song Yangzhu became vigilant. She didn't want to talk to them; why were they here?

Unexpectedly, they set their tents near hers. Song Yangzhu frowned. She decided to pack up and leave. She wasn't feisty, but if they followed, they couldn't blame her actions.

Before she left, Jiang Chuanwu approached, standing at her tent door. “Young girl, help us! There are many beasts around the snow mountain. It’ll be safer together. We’ve made roasted rabbit meat, let’s eat together.”

Song Yangzhu said coldly, “No need, I don’t like living with strangers. Since you like it here, I’ll move.”

“Hi, I’m Ericson. Nice to meet you.” Ericson approached politely, extending his hand.

Song Yangzhu's face was cold, ignoring his hand.

Ericson awkwardly withdrew his hand, passing a cigarette to Jiang Chuanwu before lighting his own.