Chapter 2834 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 39

Below Black Mountain Village, the mountain wind whistles through the jagged rocks and dense treetops, adding to the atmosphere of desolation and eeriness.

Gu Fanghe stood on a rock halfway up the mountain, his dark-colored outfit blending into the morning mist, only appearing dark blood red in the faint morning light.

He looked down at the winding mountain road below.

That was the only way in and out of Black Mountain Village, and it was also the battlefield where we were trapped like turtles in a jar.

As planned, Jin Chen will continue to impersonate Ruan Shutong, guiding the Third Prince Wu Zhengchu and his soldiers into the perilous Yixiantian Pass.

Gu Fanghe would lead his men to ambush the soldiers on both sides of the mountain wall, and then block them from the front and rear as they entered the heart of the territory, annihilating them in one fell swoop.

Gu Fanghe gripped the spear tightly, his palms sweating.

“Brother.” Chen Xiaoshan walked up to him. “The scouts have reported that Wu Zhengchu’s men have arrived at the foot of the mountain and will reach Yixiantian in about 15 minutes.”

Gu Fanghe remained silent.

Chen Xiaoshan glanced at him and said, "Jin Chen is a capable man. Even without your protection, he can handle things well. You can rest assured."

“…I know.” Gu Fanghe finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse.

He knew, of course he knew.

Jin Chen is not the kind of pampered young master who needs to be protected.

He can command a tiger, devise a counterattack, and even take control of the entire situation.

Knowing is one thing, but worrying is another.

Love gives rise to sorrow.

He was so unwilling to see any injury on Jin Chen's body, even just a scratch, it made his heart ache as if it were being pricked by needles.

Gu Fanghe withdrew his gaze, turned around, and faced the crowd standing behind him. Dozens of elite team members stood up in unison, each holding a sword and with sharp eyes.

"As planned, everyone to your positions."

-

The treacherousness of Black Cliff below the mountain far exceeded the imagination of Wu Zhengchu and most of his subordinates who had never truly experienced mountain warfare.

The mountain walls on both sides are steep and sheer, and the passage in the middle is narrow. Looking up, you can only see a sliver of sky, hence the name "One Line Sky".

Wu Zhengchu, mounted on his horse, looked up at the treacherous pass, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

For some reason, he felt unwell from the moment he woke up today, as if he had caught a cold, but he didn't have a fever. As he went deeper into the mountains, the discomfort became more and more obvious, and he even felt nauseous.

Wu Zhengchu felt agitated and uneasy. He looked up at Jin Chen, who was walking a few steps ahead.

"Shutong," he lowered his voice, "is this place... really alright?"

Jin Chen turned to look at him, her eyes slightly upturned, a smile almost eerie. "Of course."

“Shen Sima’s plan is foolproof. As long as we lure Gu Fanghe out of the mountain stronghold and into this place, we can block him from both sides. Even if he has wings, he will not be able to escape.”

Wu Zhengchu felt a little relieved. Yes, with Shu Tong there, Shen Sima's brilliant plan, his own hundreds of elite soldiers, and the assistance of the Southern Continent's government troops... no matter how fierce Gu Fanghe was, he was just a bandit who had fallen into the mountains. How could he possibly defeat him?

But that uncomfortable feeling surged up again, and he subconsciously raised his hand to rub his temples, his face turning a little pale.

Seeing this, Shen Sima, who was standing nearby, quickly said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this humble general has already ordered General Wei to lead the elite troops to clear the way ahead, and will certainly ensure Your Highness's safety."

General Wei was a man in his forties, with a burly build and a scar on his face, making him look fierce.

He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Highness, I swear to protect your safety with my life."

Wu Zhengchu nodded, barely managing to muster his spirits.

"Alright! General Wei, you lead a team to scout ahead! The rest of you follow closely behind and remain vigilant."

"Today, we must wipe out Gu Fanghe and all the bandits of Black Mountain Stronghold in one fell swoop!"

"Yes!" the crowd responded.

The group continued forward and had entered the heart of the narrow pass.

The towering mountain walls on both sides blocked out most of the sunlight.

Wu Zhengchu's heart skipped a beat, and the unease he had forcibly suppressed surged up again, growing stronger and stronger.

This place... is perfect for an ambush.

if……

Before he could react, a shrill scream suddenly came from ahead!

Then came the second sound, the third sound...

The sound of arrows piercing the air came like a torrential rain, pouring down from the top of the mountain walls on both sides.

"An ambush!" General Wei shouted sharply, drawing his sword and standing in front of Wu Zhengchu. "Protect His Highness!"

But it's too late.

Above the mountain wall, dozens of figures, taking advantage of the wall's cover, fired their arrows with unerring accuracy.

Even more terrifying, the roars of wild beasts echoed from deep within the mountains and forests.

Not just one, but many; the roars of tigers, howls of wolves, and howls of bears mingled together, echoing through the narrow valley, making one's eardrums ache and chill one's heart.

The sound seemed to come from all directions, making it impossible to discern the direction or judge the distance. It was as if all the ferocious beasts and poisonous insects of the entire Black Cliff had been awakened at this moment, baring their fangs at them!

"Wild beasts! So many wild beasts!"

"And poisonous snakes! In the trees! On the rocks! Everywhere!"

The officers and soldiers were already terrified by the ambush, and now, frightened by the omnipresent roars of beasts and hiss of snakes, they were thrown into complete chaos. The timid ones even began to cry out, dropping their weapons and trying to escape, but were blocked by the narrow terrain and their comrades, resulting in utter confusion.

Fear spread like a plague among the officers and soldiers.

Although they outnumbered and outgunned, their numerical advantage became a burden in this treacherous pass. Crowded in front and behind, with no way to go to the left or right, they could only become sitting ducks.

General Wei protected Wu Zhengchu and retreated, but after taking only two steps back, he heard screams from behind, and his retreat was blocked!

In the chaos, Gu Fanghe swooped down from the top of the mountain wall.

Gu Fanghe drew his spear expressionlessly, blood dripping from its tip.

He stood amidst the pile of corpses on the mountainside, his dark-colored outfit stained with blood. His gaze swept over the chaotic crowd, fixed directly on Wu Zhengchu, filled with undisguised killing intent.

Wu Zhengchu trembled and instinctively stepped back, but was firmly grabbed by a hand.

“Your Highness,” Jin Chen said, “come with me.”

Without saying another word, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him into the dense forest on the inside of the cliff.

Jin Chen moved with astonishing speed; Wu Zhengchu didn't even have time to react before being dragged into the dimly lit woods.

Behind him came deafening battle cries, and before him lay unknown darkness.

"Let me go! Shu Tong! Where are you taking me?!" Wu Zhengchu stumbled as he was dragged along. The pain in his arm and Jin Chen's unusual behavior heightened his senses of foreboding. He struggled, hissing as he demanded, "Why did you betray me?! I've treated you well! You..."

Jin Chen turned a deaf ear.

He pulled Wu Zhengchu along as they hurried through the dense forest. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

There was a deep pit in the center of the open space. Jin Chen pulled Wu Zhengchu to the edge of the pit before letting go.

Wu Zhengchu staggered to his feet, looked up at Jin Chen, and said, "Shu Tong...you..."

Suddenly he heard footsteps coming from behind him, and he turned around abruptly.

Gu Fanghe slowly walked out of the forest, still carrying the blood-dripping spear in his hand, like a demon emerging from hell.

He raised his other hand, the one not holding a gun, and pointed it at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen took the hand that Gu Fanghe had reached out to her.

"Ruan Shutong!!"

Wu Zhengchu roared furiously, his eyes bloodshot, "You...you dare to betray me! With this bandit leader...you...you adulterous couple! I will exterminate your entire family! I will tear you to pieces!!"

Jin Chen simply raised his hand, removed the mask from Gu Fanghe's face, and kissed his cheek. "The victor doesn't need to hide himself."

"You...you..." Wu Zhengchu was so angry at the sight that he almost vomited blood. His vision blurred, and the weakness brought on by the snake venom became increasingly intense.

Before he could finish speaking, Jin Chen pulled Wu Zhengchu back and pushed him into the deep pit.

The pit wasn't deep, but it was enough to trap a pampered prince.