Chapter Fifteen: A Surprising Encounter in the Forest

For days, the three who had been trapped in the unknown forest could not possibly know what was happening across the continent. Since they had entered the woods three days prior, they had found no normal path.

“Second Brother, are you sure we can find a way out?” Yang Ruiyun looked at the continental map in his hand and said helplessly, “We should be within the borders of Chu, but the exact location is hard to tell.”

“My father once told me that to the south of Chu there’s a vast rainforest, considered forbidden territory. A savage tribe lives there, and even Chu dares not provoke them. We aren’t in that place, are we?” Deng Zhanxuan, using his giant axe as a crutch, limped along and eyed the towering trees surrounding them.

Yang Ruiyun frowned at this news. “I’ve suspected this forest might be that place, but wasn’t certain. Now it seems we’re indeed trapped in the Southern Barbarian Rainforest.”

“Are those barbarians really formidable?” Li Qiutong asked, his face alight with excitement.

Yang Ruiyun sighed. “Big Brother, can you not be so eager? We’re not here to fight. But it’s said those barbarians once stood against the Overlord’s Iron Cavalry—their strength is nothing to scoff at, and with their home advantage, we had better hope we don’t run into them.”

Li Qiutong scratched his head, embarrassed. “Alright, alright, let’s hurry and find a way out.”

The three pressed onward. Yang Ruiyun, with the keenest sense of direction, led the way; Deng Zhanxuan, gravely injured, was protected in the middle, and Li Qiutong brought up the rear.

A sudden beastly roar echoed from behind them, tightening their nerves. Instantly, a tiger marked with stripes cautiously emerged from the undergrowth, facing off against them.

“Second Brother, protect Third Brother. I’ll handle this,” Li Qiutong whispered to the others.

“Big Brother, be careful.”

Li Qiutong brandished his Yin-Yang Dragon Staff, holding it across his chest, his gaze locked with the tiger’s. The tiger circled them, seemingly seeking an opening. Li Qiutong had no intention of dragging things out; seizing the moment, he gathered green martial energy and struck at the tiger’s head. The speed of the blow was beyond what any beast could react to—the tiger was about to be hit.

Suddenly, an arrow shot swiftly toward both man and beast. Sensing a chill, Li Qiutong quickly blocked it with his staff. Almost at the same instant, a sturdy figure dropped from the trees and stood beside the tiger.

The newcomer, wary of Li Qiutong, patted the tiger’s head and spoke in a strange tongue. The tiger turned and leapt into the forest, vanishing.

“Who are you, and why did you ambush me?” Li Qiutong demanded, staring at the young man before him.

The youth lowered his bow and replied, “I come from the Southern Barbarian Tribe. I mean you no harm, but the tiger is my friend—I couldn’t let you kill him.” Seeing the three still on edge, he continued, “You’re outsiders, aren’t you? My name is Meng Yanyu. If you would, put down your weapons. Let’s sit and talk. I hold no ill will.”

Li Qiutong signaled to the others, and all three set aside their arms.

Meng Yanyu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Welcome, strangers. If you don’t mind, you may rest at my home. You look exhausted, and I’d like to make up for my friend frightening you.”

“Thank you—we really do need a place to rest,” Li Qiutong said, extending his hand in goodwill. His instincts told him this man was not a threat, and after being stranded for so long, any help was welcome. Perhaps they could also ask him for guidance.

With their leader’s decision, Yang Ruiyun and Deng Zhanxuan had no objections. Led by Meng Yanyu, the four set off toward his home.

The Southern Barbarian Forest was teeming with strange and wondrous plants—towering trees, vibrant blossoms, and lush green shrubs carpeting the ground, all interwoven with tangled vines. For outsiders, finding their way was nearly impossible. Guided by Meng Yanyu, a native, they marveled as they passed through hidden paths beneath the grass. After a long trek, they arrived at a secluded spot where a modest bamboo house stood nestled within the rainforest.

Li Qiutong gazed at the surroundings in awe. “This is so well hidden; we’d never have found it ourselves.”

Meng Yanyu laughed, “Only our tribe can navigate the rainforest. Outsiders either starve or are devoured by beasts.”

Inside the bamboo house, a refreshing breeze greeted them, a stark contrast to the humid heat outside.

“This is wonderful,” Deng Zhanxuan and Li Qiutong settled right down, savoring the rare coolness. Yang Ruiyun, though less expressive, also relaxed. Three days of rainforest ordeal had left them utterly exhausted.

“This bamboo house is comfortable, isn’t it? It’s unique to us. Rest here for a while. I’ll fetch you some food and drink,” Meng Yanyu said, briefly introducing the house before stepping out.

Once he left, Yang Ruiyun turned to Li Qiutong, “Big Brother, do you think he can be trusted?”

Li Qiutong considered Meng Yanyu’s departing figure. “Should be fine. He doesn’t seem any smarter than Third Brother.”

Yang Ruiyun was speechless, sighing helplessly. “He strikes me as straightforward and well-intentioned toward us, but we mustn’t let our guard down.”

“Of course. We should thank him later. Without him, we’d likely die in this forest.”

The three sat by a low wooden table.

After a while, Meng Yanyu returned, carrying a bamboo tube in his left hand and a large basin in his right.

“Come, try my homemade cold drink and our special cured meat,” he said, setting the basin on the table and pouring fruit juice into four wooden cups.

“Brother Meng, thank you for saving us. I toast you,” Yang Ruiyun raised his cup politely.

The other two were far less restrained, grabbing the meat and eating eagerly.

“This is delicious! Hey, Big Brother, don’t steal mine!”

Yang Ruiyun could only smile apologetically. “Forgive us, Brother Meng—we haven’t eaten properly in days.”

Meng Yanyu was easygoing and laughed heartily. “If you want to toast me, wait for wine. I’ll fetch some, and you’d better eat quickly or there’ll be none left.”

Yang Ruiyun, seeing Meng Yanyu unconcerned, smiled as well. But when he looked at the basin, it was already empty—Li Qiutong and Deng Zhanxuan were still licking their fingers, clearly unsatisfied.

“Brother Meng, your meat is truly special,” Li Qiutong praised after a sip of juice. Deng Zhanxuan nodded in agreement, while Yang Ruiyun could only drink his juice in resignation.

“Of course! I’ll bring more, and some wine as well,” Meng Yanyu replied happily, going to fetch more food.

Since leaving the tribe, Meng Yanyu had lived alone at the forest’s edge, guarding the woods. Apart from his childhood friend who visited occasionally, he spent most of his time in solitude. Longing for companionship, he was genuinely delighted by the brothers’ arrival. Tonight would be a sleepless one.

“So you’re from Song? I’ve only heard about the outside world from my mother and teacher, but I’ve never left this forest. Can you tell me what it’s like out there?” Meng Yanyu asked eagerly.

The three began describing the world beyond to him.

The four drank and talked late into the night. Li Qiutong, despite being the eldest, unsurprisingly succumbed early as usual, while the tall and sturdy Deng Zhanxuan was soon sprawled on the floor, mumbling incoherently. The two who remained sober conversed enthusiastically.

“I can’t believe you’re sworn brothers. If I were there, I’d join you—come, cheers!”

Yang Ruiyun drained his cup and laughed, “Today’s kindness, my brothers and I will never forget. Even if we don’t swear an oath, we’ll always regard you as a brother.”

Meng Yanyu waved his hand dismissively. “No need for such talk. My father always said those who meet are destined. And don’t call me Brother Meng—just call me Yan, everyone here does.”

“Alright, Yan. Call me Ruiyun.”

“Good, another toast, Ruiyun.” The two clinked cups and drank.

The next day, when Li Qiutong opened his eyes, the sunlight was blinding. Shielding his squinting eyes, he walked to the doorway where the sun was already beginning its descent.

“Don’t tell me I slept until afternoon again.” Though reluctant to believe it, the scene outside confirmed his suspicions. Li Qiutong knocked his fuzzy head, trying to recall the previous night, but as always, once he lifted the wine cup, his memories ended.

“Looks like I really shouldn’t drink so recklessly—too dangerous.” Resolving to be cautious, Li Qiutong stepped into the yard where sounds of sparring could be heard—the other three must be there.