Heixiazhi hurried after him. Ali, like a deflated balloon, flew everywhere before finally landing on the grass in the distance. He turned back to see only darkness behind him, filled with a noisy buzzing sound rushing towards him. Ali scrambled to his feet and ran forward without looking back. It was a long time before he transformed back into human form.
According to the original plan, Ali needed to impersonate an injured person, infiltrate Jinpeng's territory, and deliberately reveal the mountain god's condition to the other side.
However, Jinpeng was not so easily fooled. He was known for his cunning and treachery. If they were too careless, he would see through it. At that point, not only would the mission fail, but Ali's life might also be at risk.
Thinking of this, Ali gritted his teeth. To ensure the mission's success, he drew his saber from his waist and slashed his left arm fiercely. Blood gushed out like a stream, and thick blood dripped onto the grass in large patches. The scent of fresh blood filled the air. He then hastily threw the saber into the grass to avoid Jinpeng's suspicion.
Crossing Jingxin Lake and climbing another mountain, they reached Jinpeng's territory, which had special bird sentinels.
As soon as Heixiazhi crossed the border, he was attacked by the feather darts of the bird sentinels. The bird sentinels, with their black wings, transformed into demonic forms upon landing, resembling the legendary Great Tengu.
Upon seeing a tanuki, they were filled with disgust and shouted, "A little tanuki from Nanshan? Scram! This is Jinpeng's territory."
This was the moment for Ali's superb acting skills to shine. He covered his bloody left arm with his right hand, his face slightly pale, his lips trembling slightly, yet he calmly said, "I wish to see your lord."
Several sentinels rushed forward and pushed him, giving him no pleasantries. "Scram! Don't force us to act."
"I have important intelligence to convey to your lord, concerning the mountain god of Nanshan."
Regarding intelligence about the enemy, the sentinels exchanged glances. They had clashed with Nanshan frequently over the years but had not gained an inch of territory. Although the tanuki was not entirely trustworthy, they had heard that the mountain god of Nanshan was extremely brutal, so it was understandable for the tanuki to hate him.
However, out of caution, one of the bird sentinels asked for his reasons, "Why did you come to tell our mountain god these things?"
"Our mountain god doesn't take us tanukis seriously at all. He only thinks about how to exploit and extort. If anything displeases him, he sets villages ablaze, leaving us homeless and starving. We have long hated him to the bone. If we had anyone to rely on, we would have rebelled against him long ago."
The sentinels listened to his words and looked at his expression. Ali's face was fierce, filled with hatred, indicating genuine hatred and disgust for the mountain god of Nanshan.
After a moment of thought, the sentinels turned and huddled together to discuss.
"I think what he says is genuine and not false. Let's take him."
"I've also heard that the mountain god of Nanshan is inhumane and kills indiscriminately."
"I think this is a good opportunity for our lord to annex Nanshan."
After some thought and discussion, the sentinels finally decided to take Ali back.
The sentinels spread their wings, their feet transforming into bird claws. Two sentinels grabbed Ali's shoulders, one on each side, and flew him towards the sky. Flying over a dense forest, they saw a steep cliff face in the distance.
Jinpeng's residence was different from that on Nanshan. Jinpeng lived on a cliff face a hundred feet high. There was an opening in the cliff face, and inside the opening was their settlement.
The sentinels dragged Ali into the cave and locked him in a secluded stone chamber. Afterward, they explained the situation to their lord in detail.
A moment later, the sentinels returned and brought Ali out of the stone chamber onto a spacious stone platform outside the cave. From a distance, he saw a man with golden wings, wearing a purple robe, standing with his back to him.
Before he could get close, he heard the man ask, "Are you a tanuki from Nanshan?"
Ali replied, "Indeed."
"What do you know?"
Ali immediately understood and recounted the words he had prepared. "My lord, as you must know, our mountain god of Nanshan is ferocious and an evil demon who devours people without spitting out the bones. Everyone wishes to eliminate him. This time, perhaps by chance, while I was foraging for wild fruits in the mountains, I happened to see the mountain god's subordinates collecting herbs everywhere, likely due to severe injuries. I intended to inform the village chief of this news, but I was discovered by those black-clad men who pursued me relentlessly. Fortunately, I was spared harm upon reaching your territory."
After hearing Ali's words, the man recalled that they had indeed fought a battle with Nanshan before. Although they were still at a disadvantage, their years of cultivation were enough to deliver a heavy blow to their opponents.
Thinking this, the man believed the boy was not lying. However, Nanshan and this Jinpeng had always been at odds, and naturally, the tanuki clan was also a thorn in their side. He chuckled coldly, thinking, Since this boy has already divulged important intelligence, there is no need for him to live.
He then turned around, intending to kill Ali with a single palm strike.
Ali saw his intention but remained calm and slowly said, "Although the mountain god is severely injured, his strength should not be underestimated. Our tanuki clan can assist you."
Hearing this, a hint of amusement arose within him. He then pretended to be arrogant and asked, "How will you help me?"
"I will return and persuade the village chief to act as an inside informant. When you attack, we will also join you in attacking the mountain god."
His mind raced, and he asked sharply, "Do you have any requirements?"
"Our tanuki clan only seeks a place to live. After attacking the mountain god, we ask that you promise not to enslave the tanuki clan anymore, and that we may have a place to settle and live."
His eyes darted around. This was a great bargain. After the attack, he would renege on his promise, and then he would decide whether to drive them away or punish them as he pleased.
"Since that is the case, I agree to cooperate. Go back and tell the village chief to prepare to be an inside informant."
"Yes."
He casually glanced at the bloody knife wound on Ali's right hand and, out of kindness, said to the person beside him, "This young brother is injured and bleeding profusely. Since he is our ally, take him down to have his wound treated."
"Yes."
Saying this, the person walked up to Ali and said, "Follow me." Ali followed him into the cave, walking from the large cave hall towards a stone door on the left. Inside the stone door was a stone chamber, neither large nor small, filled with various herbs. The person took a bottle of medicinal wine from the table, grabbed Ali's injured hand, and said, "It might hurt a bit, bear with it."
Ali nodded slightly.
Then, the person poured the medicinal wine onto Ali's wound. The wound and the medicinal wine collided fiercely, causing a tearing pain. Ali gritted his teeth and did not cry out.
Afterward, the person took gauze and carefully bandaged Ali's wound. Once finished, he patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, I'll escort you back."
Ali thanked him, "Thank you, I appreciate it."
Thus, Ali was safely escorted back to the village without any further incidents. The first thing he did upon returning to the village was to find the elder and inform him of the plan's progress.
I sat beside the village chief. The elder looked at me, thinking I was capable of great things, and entrusted the matter entirely to me.
"Young lady, this matter is of great importance, and I believe you are capable of handling it. The task of resisting the mountain god will be led by you, and we will cooperate with you to the best of our ability."
Hearing the elder's words, I suddenly felt more confident and calmly told them, "Currently, we need the village chief to write a letter stating our attitude towards resisting the mountain god and give it to Ali. Ali will then deliver it to Jinpeng. Since we are going to act, we can choose the day of the sacrifice."
The village chief nodded and then went to write the letter.
With all this done, everything was in place, waiting for the opportune moment.
After leaving the village chief, I went to Ali's side and took his right hand, saying, "How did you get injured like this?"
I looked at the large bloodstains that had soaked through the white cloth and asked him, "Did you bandage it yourself?"
"No, someone bandaged it at Jinpeng's place."
"Did you do it yourself?"
He nodded.
I chided him, "You're too dedicated. There was no need to make it so realistic."
"If I didn't do it this way, Jinpeng wouldn't believe me, and we wouldn't be able to proceed according to the plan."
I sighed silently, feeling sorry for his efforts. Before we could recover, we suddenly heard a commotion ahead.
When I went to investigate, I saw that Zhaidao Fox had brought a group of subordinates down the mountain to cause trouble in the village. The village chief had arrived at some point and was leading the charge to stop them.
Zhaidao Fox arrogantly said, "Hand over that Ali to me. He dared to go to Jinpeng's territory."
The village chief replied sternly, "He's dead. He was chased by Heixiazhi into Jinpeng's territory and killed by the bird sentinels."
Zhaidao Fox clearly didn't believe him and spat, "Bah! You're talking nonsense. Several of my brothers saw Ali return. How dare you lie to me, old man?"
The village chief straightened his back and challenged him, "He is already dead. If you want him, go ask Jinpeng yourself. I don't have him here."
"You don't have him? I think you're refusing a toast and choosing to drink a forfeit. Brothers, charge!"
"Yes!"
Then Zhaidao Fox led his subordinates into the village. The village chief and his men desperately blocked them. Just as the two groups were about to fight, Ali pulled me aside and revealed his plan. "No, we can't let Zhaidao Fox disrupt our plan. I think this way: I'll create a fake me, a dead body, and you can hand it over to them on my behalf."
I thought his plan was feasible and agreed, "Okay."
Ali casually picked up a pebble from the ground, blew on it lightly, and the pebble instantly transformed into a lifeless, gray, cat-like fake tanuki. I nodded at him, picked up the fake tanuki, and ran out crying, "Ali! Ali! How could you die so tragically? Why did you run into Jinpeng's territory, Ali! Ali! Wuwuwu."
Hearing the cries, everyone stopped in confusion and turned their heads to look. They saw me sitting on a rock, holding Ali, crying profusely.
Zhaidao Fox's subordinates became suspicious and wanted to step forward to examine it, but he raised his hand to stop them. Having fought for many years, he had developed courage and a keen insight into people's hearts. For years, no one had escaped his notice.
He thought, "To come out holding a tanuki at this time, isn't this just an act? Let me see what happens."
Seeing that they were motionless and just staring blankly, I guessed that Zhaidao Fox indeed had some ability and knew that I might be faking it. It seemed that if I didn't show some real skill, I wouldn't be able to fool him.
So, I imagined the scene of Ali being stabbed to death by Jinpeng, and then this fake tanuki corpse was truly him. Tears welled up, and I slowly said with genuine emotion, "Ali, do you know? You were the first tanuki I met here, and the first person who was good to me.
I still remember making you my elder brother in the cave, and I remember watching the full moon with you by Jingxin Lake all night after returning from the mountain. I remember you always loved sweet potatoes and apples. You left in such a hurry that I didn't even have time to prepare them for you.
You said, is there a next life? If there is a next life, can I see you again? Then, we'll be good brothers again, okay? Okay?"
As I spoke, the sadness slowly welled up in my heart. My dim tears rolled down like water, and then I shook the fake corpse in my arms desperately, crying heartbrokenly, asking him, "Ali! Ali! We still have to eat so many apples together, and watch every night's moon in Nanshan. You said you would stay with me forever. How can you break your promise? How can you heartlessly abandon me, Ali! Ali!"
Everyone listened to the heartfelt words spoken from the bottom of my heart, like watching a touching movie. They couldn't help but sob, covering their mouths so as not to cry too loudly. Zhaidao Fox saw that I was crying genuinely, and also saw that the tanuki was indeed stiff and dead. He then believed that Ali was dead.
He had come today to take Ali back to demand an explanation, and might even kill him. Now that he was dead, it was convenient, saving him the trouble of doing it himself. So he said, "Alright, since Ali is dead, it's good for us to report back. Brothers, let's go back."
"Yes."
After saying this, he led his subordinates out of the village. After they had gone far away, the village chief curiously stepped forward and asked, "Muye, is Ali... is he really dead?"
Even the village chief was deceived by my exquisite acting.
I shook my head slightly, slowly stood up, and turned my back, meeting Ali's eyes. Ali's eyes were red, and he complained to me, "You cried so genuinely just now, you almost made me cry too."
I wiped away my tears and laughed at him, "Hahaha, see? My acting wasn't bad, was it?"
The tanukis also gathered around, praising me. "Miss Muye spoke so truthfully, it made me feel so sad."
"I didn't expect you two to have experienced so much together. It's so touching."
"Can we be more than just brothers?"
Listening to the tanukis' chatter, they praised me and Ali, making us both smile foolishly and feel a bit at a loss. The village chief also showed a moved and gratified smile. After a long while, he called out to everyone, "Alright, alright, everyone go back, go back."
Only then did the tanukis disperse.
After everyone had left, the village chief called us to a corner and instructed, "Now that Ali is faking his death, you cannot show yourself anymore, lest the mountain god see through our plan."
"Okay."
"I'll just say this. You two can go back now."
"We're leaving."
"Go."
After bidding farewell to the village chief, Ali and I returned to the cellar to hide.
On the other side, after Zhaidao Fox returned to the mountain, he reported what happened in the village to the mountain god.
"Boss, that Ali, he's dead."
"Dead?" Hei Feng asked with confusion.
Zhaidao Fox continued, "He was stabbed to death by Jinpeng. The girl who ran into the mountain last time was Ali's friend. I saw with my own eyes her crying over Ali's corpse."
Hei Feng still didn't quite believe it and asked, "Did you look carefully?"
Zhaidao Fox replied without hesitation, "I saw it clearly, right before my eyes."
Hei Feng thought that with Zhaidao Fox's sharp eyes, he must not have made a mistake, which meant that Ali had indeed been killed by Jinpeng. It was his fate to dare to enter Jinpeng's territory.
Thinking of these things, he felt relieved. At this moment, he remembered Muye and asked, "Did you see that girl?"
"I did."
"In the village?"
"Yes."
"That's good. She's a plump piece of meat that can live forever. In a few days, it will be the sacrificial ceremony. Remember to have them tie her up and send her up the mountain for the brothers to feast on."
"I've already spoken to the old tanuki."
Hei Feng nodded and said, "Well done. Who is responsible for this year's sacrificial ceremony?" he suddenly asked.
At this moment, a subordinate waiting by the side hurried forward and replied, "Reporting to the lord, it is I who am responsible."
"Good. Remember to check carefully and see if the things they gave are complete. If not, teach the tanukis a lesson."
"Yes."
"Remember, not a single fruit is allowed to be missing, otherwise, these tanukis will try to be sly. Jinpeng's sneak attack this time also caused us considerable losses, which must be recovered from the tanukis," Hei Feng emphasized.
"Understood."
"Alright, you may all withdraw."
"Yes."
After saying this, he stretched and went back into his room to sleep.