Chapter Eight: The Money-Seeking Hunter

“Three miles east of Tianmeng Mountain lies the mine. To the east is where the sun rises...” When Shen Jifeng circled back to the scar-faced man’s corpse for the fifth time, she finally stopped in resignation. Her terrible sense of direction was incurable. Although she had secretly marked the path on her way in, following the marks only led her in circles.

“Could it be a ghost trap?” Shen Jifeng kicked the scar-faced man’s body hard. “A wretched scoundrel like you, trafficker of women and children, even if you turned into a ghost, I’d kill you again!”

“Woo woo...” A ghostly wail echoed through the woods, instantly making Shen Jifeng’s scalp tingle.

The sound was eerie, seeming both like laughter and crying, drifting unpredictably in the dark forest. She gripped her dagger tightly, pressing her back against a sturdy pine tree. The night wind rustled the treetops, whispering as if something lurked in the shadows, watching her.

“Woo woo...” The sound drew nearer.

Panicked, Shen Jifeng brandished her dagger, shouting, “Don’t come any closer!”

“Hahaha!” A deep male voice suddenly rang out in the darkness.

“Didn’t you say you could kill me again even if I were a ghost? Scared now?”

Shen Jifeng spun around swiftly, her dagger slicing a cold gleam through the night. A tall figure stepped out from behind a tree, clad in black cloth that blended seamlessly with the darkness.

“Did you see me kill anyone?” Shen Jifeng tightened her grip on the dagger, ready to strike.

The man glanced at her stance and answered bluntly, “Yes.”

“Then you heard our conversation too?” This was Shen Jifeng’s greatest secret, one she could not let outsiders know.

“Oh no, I didn’t.” The man seemed oblivious to the murderous intent in her eyes and took two steps closer. “The distance was too far, and you started before I even arrived.”

Shen Jifeng kept her dagger raised, scrutinizing the man. His plain cloth robes bore no valuable items; aside from a readable face, nothing suggested wealth or status. If he were a common villager, his boldness didn’t fit; but if an official, he appeared far too shabby.

“Who are you? Why are you here in the middle of the night?”

“I’m a hunter in these mountains, called Ma Yao. I couldn’t sleep, so I went out for a walk.”

The excuse struck Shen Jifeng as absurd yet oddly plausible. She was not one to kill wantonly and preferred to avoid needless bloodshed. But caught between erring on the side of caution and letting him go, she hesitated.

Before she could decide, the man suddenly snatched the dagger from her hand and pushed her aside.

A wolf, half a man’s height, lunged out, its snarling jaws dripping with saliva, two ghostly green eyes fixed intently on them.

The night wind carried the beast’s rank smell, making Shen Jifeng almost retch. After only one glance, her legs weakened, and she could hardly move.

This was the end; today she would die here.

“Come on then.” The man, Ma Yao, did not flee but faced the wolf head-on.

With a leap, the fierce beast pounced.

“Shhh—”

The sharp sound of a blade slicing through flesh echoed sharply in the silent forest. The wolf’s belly was slit open; it never even had time to cry out before falling silent.

Ma Yao wiped the wolf’s blood from his face and looked toward Shen Jifeng. “Are you alright?”

Only then did Shen Jifeng realize her palms were drenched in cold sweat. Gathering herself, she studied the man again. He was no mere hunter; he resembled a bloodthirsty general clad in armor.

She got to her feet, abandoning the thought of killing him. Their strength was uneven, and he had just saved her life.

“The scent of the corpse attracted the wolf. More will come. This isn’t a place to linger. Let’s leave quickly.”

“Thank you for saving me,” Shen Jifeng said as she followed his lead. “I’m lost. Can you take me out of here?”

“I know; you’ve been circling here five times,” Ma Yao said, drawing a large circle in the air. “I can escort you out, but you’ll have to pay.”

“How much?”

“Your life, plus the information you carry—at least 100 taels.”

“Why don’t you rob someone? 100 taels is enough not just for buying a house and marrying a wife, but even your son’s wedding. Thirty taels, no more.”

Ma Yao was stunned for a moment. “Your life and your news only worth 30 taels? You’re stingy.”

“You’re the generous one—still want money?” Shen Jifeng refused to yield when silver was involved.

“I’m just that broke,” Ma Yao muttered. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t stoop to taking advantage of kindness.”

“Thirty it is; something is better than nothing.”

Shen Jifeng didn’t expect him to concede so quickly. She thought to herself that he was terrible at bargaining. Now that he held the upper hand, he was still being led by the nose. If he ever went into business, he’d lose everything.

Dawn was breaking, and the mine’s fence came into view. Shen Jifeng stopped and handed him a silver note.

“No need to escort me. For helping me out, here’s some advice: use your money to buy property, not to go into business. You’re not cut out for it.”

Ma Yao watched Shen Jifeng head toward the mine, guessing her identity. He then retreated into the forest.

From behind an ancient pine stepped a man. “General, the bodies have been dealt with.”

Wei Xiao handed over the silver note. “Give this to my godmother to prepare Xiao Yue’s bridal trousseau.”

Shiwu took the note, sighing inwardly. What is a passing fortune? Their general was exactly that—no matter how much silver came, it never stayed warm in their hands.

“General, I think that girl said one thing right: you really aren’t suited for business.”

“Feeling itchy, huh?” Wei Xiao kicked Shiwu on the backside.

Just as Shen Jifeng lay down on a bed in her room, Dong Yang came in with news: the scar-faced man had fled.

There was no need to waste manpower or time on the dead, but appearances had to be maintained. She instructed Dong Yang to hand the matter over to the officials guarding the silver mine. The main event today was a meeting with Huang Bai, the Prefect of Xijing.

To keep the mine running, craftsmen were essential.

Huang Bai sat beside his favorite yellow rosewood tea table, sipping white tea brewed by his favored concubine. Hearing that the Princess of Chaoyang had come to visit, he nearly spilled his cup.

“Good heavens, she arrived so fast! The emperor only issued the decree yesterday, and it’s not even noon!”

Sun Jingli, the clerk of Xijing Prefecture, rushed in. “Sir, Head Forester Lin just sent word. The princess arrived yesterday and has already quelled the troublemakers at the mine. She’s coming today to demand craftsmen. He warned that the princess is not easily intimidated, so be prepared.”

“Prepared my foot! Those craftsmen have legs; if they want to run, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Should I send the princess away then?” Sun Jingli hesitated.

“What nonsense are you talking?” Huang Bai glared at him. “That’s the princess. You wouldn’t dare offend her, and neither would I.”

Sun Jingli grimaced. “So what do we do?”

“Here’s the plan,” Huang Bai said with a scheming smile. “We must be respectful in attitude. As for the matter itself... heh heh...”