Chapter Seventeen: Reinforcements

"Where exactly is this so-called safe place?"
"You don't need to worry about that. As long as you find the stone, I won't treat you badly."
Although the woman was unwilling to reveal much, Xiang Jiuxi could guess with near certainty that she was referring to the continent where, according to White Bone, the sun rose.
"You even attacked the man who saved your life. Why should I trust you? What if you shoot me after I find the stone?" He knew the woman still needed him, so he spoke with bold sarcasm.
"You—!"
"Beep! Beep beep!"
Just as the woman was about to lose her temper, a clear, resounding whistle echoed from afar.
The woman's expression instantly grew complicated and subtle; she perked up her ears, listening intently.
"Beep! Beep beep!"
The whistle sounded again, and the woman was overjoyed. Forming a circle with her index finger and thumb, she blew into it, producing a whistle in the same melody: "Beep! Beep beep!"
She had mimicked the same tune!
Xiang Jiuxi was shocked; he hadn’t anticipated the woman would have reinforcements. Now he was in real trouble—if surrounded, he would have no chance of survival.
"Beep! Beep beep! Beep beep!"
The whistling drew nearer. Xiang Jiuxi’s heart pounded with panic, and he tried to sneak into the cave while the woman was distracted, but she aimed her gun at him, barking, "Move again and I'll blow your head off!"
Staring at the dark muzzle, Xiang Jiuxi hesitated, then gave up.
"Do as I say later. Say what I tell you to say—understand?"
Xiang Jiuxi shrugged helplessly. "Given the present situation, do I have any right to refuse?"
The woman shot him a look of disdain and fell silent.
Soon, five or six figures in black robes, mounted on tall horses, rode into view. The leader carried a black flag embroidered with golden flames, fluttering fiercely in the wind.
When the woman saw the flag, her brows furrowed and she murmured in surprise, "How could it be them?"
Before the black-robed riders could approach, she panicked, swung her gun toward them, and tossed Xiang Jiuxi a gold coin.
"Go to the cliff on the continent’s eastern edge and find the ferryman. Give him this—he’ll show you the way."
The eastern cliff—that was surely the "Moonwatch Cliff" that White Bone had mentioned. White Bone’s words were once again confirmed.

At the same time, as Xiang Jiuxi took the coin, he realized the newcomers meant trouble.
Pointing to the flag, the woman said, "Remember that emblem. My name is Xia Boling. If anything happens to me, it’s their doing!"
Xiang Jiuxi nodded blankly.
Xia Boling, her anxiety growing, shouted, "What are you waiting for? Aren’t you good at hiding? Go hide! No matter what happens, don’t come out!"
"What about you?"
"If you stay, I’m doomed for sure! Go!"
With things at this point, Xiang Jiuxi didn’t hesitate—he slipped into the cave and blocked the entrance with a few rocks, making his hiding place even more concealed.
After a while, the black-robed riders drew up before Xia Boling. The leader threw back his hood, revealing a fierce, scarred face.
"Zhang Kaishan reporting to the Young Lord."
Though Zhang Kaishan spoke respectfully, he did not dismount. He only stared coldly at Xia Boling, his demeanor utterly disdainful.
Feigning composure, Xia Boling lowered her rifle. "So it’s Commander Zhang. I thought it was savages from the wild."
Zhang Kaishan ignored her, circling on his horse. When he spotted the tall, thin man’s corpse, a flicker of anger crossed his eyes, but he returned to her.
Xia Boling, clearly intimidated, hurried to explain, "That wretch tried to poison my food. I killed him when I caught him at it."
Zhang Kaishan showed no interest in the man’s death; his tone remained icy. "There was someone else here earlier. Where is he?"
"A local savage, just out for food. I let him go."
"You two—bring him back." Zhang Kaishan’s orders brooked no argument.
"At once!"
"The rest of you, return immediately to Moonwatch Cliff. Kill any suspicious figures on sight!"
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Kaishan efficiently dispatched his men, and the black-robed riders set off in different directions.
Hiding, Xiang Jiuxi’s heart pounded with terror—these men intended to kill everyone. Xia Boling was in grave danger.
Her eyes darted about, panic rising. She stammered, "Perhaps we should let it go. It was only a vagrant…"
Clang!

Before she could finish, a three-foot steel blade was at her throat.
"You know very well why I’m here," Zhang Kaishan said coldly, his menace sharper than the blade.
Xia Boling realized that begging would do no good. Instead, she lifted her chin defiantly and met his gaze. "I am the legitimate heir of the Xia family, first in line for the title 'Grand Prince of Yanshan.' How dare a mere retainer bare his fangs at me! Stand down!"
Her rebuke startled the horse, which neighed and stamped in agitation. Even Zhang Kaishan seemed taken aback, and he struck the horse with the back of his blade to cover his surprise.
Composing himself, he said, "How could the title of 'Grand Prince of Yanshan' pass to a useless heir? We’ve already chosen another. Today, you’ll sleep here forever!"
"Hah! You treacherous wolves will pay for this one day!"
Zhang Kaishan sneered. "We’ll see whose retribution comes first."
With that, he raised his blade and swung at her.
Boom!
A thunderous crash rang out—Xia Boling had nimbly dodged the blow. Staring at the pit the blade had gouged in the earth, she shivered. If she hadn’t moved in time, she’d have been crushed to pulp.
Xiang Jiuxi, too, was shaken. Was that strength even human?
A single swing had carved a hole a foot deep—wielded one-handed, no less. If Zhang Kaishan used his full strength, he truly could "cleave a mountain."
Annoyed by his failed strike, Zhang Kaishan growled, "So you do have some tricks. But this is the end! Hyah!"
He spurred his horse and charged, blade raised.
Knowing she couldn’t outrun a horse, Xia Boling raised her rifle and fired twice. The horse collapsed, taking Zhang Kaishan down with it—he tumbled to the ground.
She didn’t give him a chance to recover. She aimed and fired at his brow.
Bang.
Xiang Jiuxi thought Zhang Kaishan was done for, but the bullet struck as if against steel—without effect.
Climbing to his feet, eyes smoldering with fury, Zhang Kaishan snarled, "Now you’ve really angered me. I won’t let you die swiftly!"