I never imagined that I, who was threatening the leader of the white-haired mountain baboons, would now be threatened by it. Its meaning was simple: if I released its tribesmen, it would let me leave. This was its bottom line. Otherwise, it would rather die and pound me into meat paste for feed.
Hearing this, I was utterly depressed. I never expected to be threatened by a mountain baboon, even if it was a mountain baboon king.
I coughed to ease my embarrassment and then said in a deep voice, "I will naturally let your tribesmen go, but I still have one condition..."
Before I could even utter the word "condition," I saw the white-haired mountain baboon leader's gaze turn cold. I knew something was wrong and saw it raise its large hand, sending a black light rushing towards me.
My mind had reacted, but my body couldn't keep up with my brain's speed. I could only watch as the "thing" flew towards me.
Just as I thought my life was over, a huge pushing force came from my right side. I felt a gust of wind flash past my ear.
*Whoosh—*
*Bang—*
I knew it was Bai Ling'er who pushed me; there was no one else.
I quickly got up from the ground and saw a fist-sized crater in the tree behind me, large enough to be hugged by three people. A stone was embedded in it. If that had hit my head, would I still be alive?
I looked at the white-haired mountain baboon leader. I saw a hint of regret in its eyes, and then it roared at me twice. Without translation, I knew it was saying "what a pity."
"Damn it, you dare to play dirty with me? I'll kill one of your offspring right now to show you." Saying this, I took out a dagger from my backpack and plunged it towards the neck of a mountain baboon.
The knife didn't feel like it was piercing flesh. Instead, it felt like I was stabbing a stone.
*Clink—*
I glanced sideways and saw it was Bai Ling'er, who had somehow run to the mountain baboon's head and blocked the blow for it.
"Ling'er, what are you doing?"
"If you kill it, there will be no room for negotiation. You need to think clearly."
"This..."
I looked at the knife in my hand, then at the white-haired mountain baboon leader glaring at me coldly. It was clear that trading my life for the mountain baboon's life was not worth it. Helplessly, I had to put the dagger away.
Seeing this, the white-haired mountain baboon leader's icy gaze softened considerably. It then barked at me twice more.
"It says it knows what conditions you have. If you want to enter the valley, you have to step over its corpse. That was just a warning to stop you from having any ulterior motives." Su Dan Novel Network
Bai Ling'er's words made me feel a bit strange. The white-haired mountain baboon leader's intelligence was already quite high. Even if it hadn't reached adult human intelligence, it was probably not far off.
Logically, it shouldn't have failed to see that it was the one at a disadvantage. If it continued to resist, the mountain baboon group would ultimately suffer. If all the mountain baboons died, it would become a lone commander.
If the valley was the only way to the destination, Li Jian would definitely not give up easily because of the mountain baboons' obstruction. Even if it could make me retreat, could it stop others?
If Li Jian were angered and told Li Zuoquan about the mountain baboons' obstruction, the mountain baboon group would still be the ones to suffer. No matter how strong the mountain baboon leader was, under the pressure of modern technological firearms, it would have to bow down and submit. After all, it hadn't reached invulnerability; it was still flesh and blood, wasn't it?
In response to my question, the white-haired mountain baboon leader didn't rush to explain. Its eyes seemed hesitant. It bared its teeth and looked at its tribesmen, who were bound and lying limply at the roots of the tree, then looked at me, and finally roared twice.
This time, Bai Ling'er did not translate the white-haired mountain baboon leader's words very quickly. Its green, gem-like eyes revealed a look of surprise.
Judging by Bai Ling'er's expression, the white-haired mountain baboon leader must have said something of immense secrecy, otherwise, Bai Ling'er wouldn't have looked so surprised.
"Ling'er, what did it say? Translate it for me!"
Bai Ling'er did not translate for me. Instead, it let out a series of hisses, as if it were saying something to the white-haired mountain baboon leader.
As expected, as soon as Bai Ling'er's hisses subsided, the white-haired mountain baboon leader's roars followed. For a time, the entire forest was filled with their calls. From the white-haired mountain baboon leader's occasional stomping on the ground, it was clear that the discussion was extremely heated.
Several times I wanted to interject and ask Bai Ling'er to explain what they were talking about, but I didn't succeed. I could only wait until their conversation was over.
Their final exchange ended with the white-haired mountain baboon leader's roar. After speaking, the white-haired mountain baboon leader squatted on the ground. The rage in its eyes was gone. Even when looking at its bound tribesmen, it only showed a fleeting glimpse of sorrow, but that trace of sorrow came and went quickly.
After finishing its conversation with the white-haired mountain baboon leader, Bai Ling'er retracted its two snow-white fangs. Its gem-like green eyes flickered, as if it were contemplating something.
Their expressions made me anxious because I didn't know what they had said. I could only urge Bai Ling'er to explain.
"It said it was entrusted to guard the valley. If you insist on proceeding, it's not impossible. You only need to wait a few more days, and they will be free, and you can pass through as you please."
Hearing this, I couldn't help but frown. Who had such great ability to make these mountain baboons guard this valley?
It is known that mountain baboons are hot-tempered and naturally aggressive, belonging to a species that is impossible to tame. Moreover, people have always regarded mountain baboons as mountain spirits and monsters, so they have always been extremely fearful of them. Therefore, there has never been any record of anyone being able to tame mountain baboons, let alone order them to guard a valley.
"Ling'er, did it say who asked it to guard the valley here?"
Bai Ling'er shook its head. "It didn't say who that person was because it didn't know either. The previous mountain baboon king told it."
Hearing this, I felt like I had been hit by a dog. I never expected this matter to be passed down from generation to generation. How powerful was this person to make mountain baboons obey so obediently?
From ancient times to the present, mountain baboons have been regarded as mountain spirits and wild monsters by mountain dwellers. Some people also regarded them as mountain gods. Now, to suddenly hear that they were tamed by ancient people and used as gatekeepers and servants was simply subverting my worldview!
My leaving was not a problem, but would that old fellow Li Jian give up? Judging by his attitude when we got out of the car, he was determined to reach his destination today, but his progress was delayed by a day due to the mountain baboons.
Furthermore, even if it could stop me, could it stop Li Jian and his men? If Li Jian were truly angered, and he asked Li Zuoquan to mobilize a large number of firearms, then they might be wiped out.
This was not me being alarmist. We feng shui masters might care about damaging our virtue or defying heaven's will, but this might not necessarily apply to ordinary people.
Moreover, Li Zuoquan didn't seem to have much time left before his death. Before he died, he would definitely try to obtain the control item of the Yin-Yang realm, so he was extremely desperate at this time. Anyone who dared to obstruct him would become his mortal enemy.
If he were truly angered, this valley could be blown flat. In other words, even if Li Zuoquan didn't have such great capabilities, who could guarantee that he wouldn't tell some important figure in the capital about this matter? At that time, no one could predict the outcome.
I reiterated my concerns to the white-haired mountain baboon, hoping it would lead its tribe away from the valley. However, it was unappreciative, and roars came from its mouth, appearing ready to fight at any moment.
"Idiot, stop talking. You're talking too much." Bai Ling'er suddenly flew to my head and tapped me with its small tail as a warning. "Mountain baboons don't easily change their promises. Be grateful that you can keep your life! Let's leave here quickly before it changes its mind."
Looking at the white-haired mountain baboon leader, whose eyes were slightly red again, I could only leave dejectedly. As for whether they could pass through the valley, that was Li Jian's problem. I had done my best anyway.