Courtyard House: My Long and Hard Body Makes Me Play with All the Women in the Courtyard

"Don't move!" a gruff voice came from the tree. "State your identities and your purpose."

Xiao Shi raised his hands: "I am Xiao Shi, an apprentice of Master Chen Shan. This is Su Ting, an envoy sent by Master Lin Qing. We have urgent business to discuss with the clan chief."

There was a moment of silence on the tree, then several people dressed in leaves and animal skins slid down the trunk. They carried bows and arrows, their faces painted with green stripes, and their eyes were wary and sharp.

The leader was a tall, burly middle-aged man with a braided beard adorned with small bones: "Little Shi, long time no see. How is your master?"

"Chief, Mr. Chen is injured, but his life is not in danger. We have come because of a more urgent matter."

The clan chief looked at Su Ting: "Lin Qing's envoy? Prove it."

Su Ting produced Lin Qing's letter of introduction and the metal token given to him by Chen Shan. After inspecting them, the clan chief's expression softened: "Come with me, but only the two of you. The rest of you stay on the perimeter and keep watch."

Chapter 843 Life Taken Away

Chapter 843 Life Taken Away

He led Su Ting and Xiao Shi through a secluded thicket to a camp hidden on the mountainside. There were a dozen or so simple tents made of branches and animal hides, surrounding a giant tree in the center. The trunk was covered with runes, similar to those in the Chenshan cave.

There were twenty or thirty people in the camp, men, women, and children, all dressed in similar clothing and with various facial markings. They looked at the two unfamiliar guests with curiosity, but did not approach.

The chieftain led them to a makeshift shed under the giant tree and gestured for them to sit down: "Speak, what's the matter that's so urgent?"

Su Ting briefly explained the situation—the seal had loosened, the power of the void had leaked, and they needed to go to Blackrock City to find the third fragment of the Silver Moon Tear.

After listening, the chieftain's expression turned grave: "We have already felt the encroachment of the void. The tribesmen are cleaning the borders every day, but the pollution is spreading faster and faster."

"Mr. Chen said you know a secret passage to Blackrock City?" Xiao Shi asked.

“Yes, there is an ancient mine tunnel that runs from the northern end of the valley straight down to the foot of Blackrock City.” The chieftain took out a piece of animal hide with a simple map drawn on it. “It takes about a day to get from here to the entrance of the mine tunnel, and two days to cross the tunnel before you can reach Blackrock City.”

Is the mine safe?

“It used to be safe, but now…” The chieftain hesitated for a moment, “Recently, some members of the tribe have reported strange noises and lights coming from the mine tunnels. None of us dare to go in and investigate.”

Su Ting's heart sank: "Aren't there any other routes?"

“Going by land will take four more days, and we’ll have to pass through several villages and a small town, which increases the risk of being discovered.” The chieftain pondered for a moment. “However, I can send my son, Amu, to lead you through the mine tunnels. He knows the area best, and if there’s any danger, he can get you out of there in time.”

Xiao Shi looked at the chieftain in surprise: "Is Amu willing to go? Last time he said he would never set foot in the mine again."

The clan chief smiled wryly: "To stop the spread of the void, I think he would be willing to take this risk."

A voice came from behind: "Yes, I do."

Turning around, I saw a young man standing there, about twenty years old, lean and with a resolute face. Unlike the other members of his tribe, he had only a simple green line on his face, extending from his left eye to his chin.

“Amu,” the chieftain gestured for him to come over, “this is Suting, he needs your help.”

Amu stared at Su Ting for a few seconds, then nodded: "I know every corner and fork in the mine tunnel and can get you through safely. But there's one condition—if I say we should retreat, you must do it immediately, without asking why."

Su Ting extended his hand: "Deal."

They shook hands as a pledge, and Amu's hand was surprisingly strong.

"We'll set off early tomorrow morning," Amu said. "Get a good rest tonight. There's no distinction between day and night in the mine; it'll be tough."

In the evening, the Children of the Forest prepared a simple yet delicious dinner for their guests—roasted venison and wild vegetable soup. Everyone sat around the campfire under the giant tree, but the atmosphere wasn't exactly relaxed.

“The pollution has spread to the other side of the river,” an old man said. “If this continues, we will have to give up this territory and move eastward.”

Su Ting munched on perfectly roasted venison, listening to the conversation of the children of the forest. The campfire cast flickering shadows in the night, illuminating the worry on everyone's faces.

“The trees on the other side of the river have begun to wither,” an elderly woman said, her fingers lightly touching the amulet on her chest. “The roots are turning black, the leaves are turning gray, as if life has been drained from them.”

Chapter 844 Drawing the Longbow

Chapter 844 Drawing the Longbow

“I saw a deer while I was on patrol yesterday,” another young hunter added. “Its eyes… were strange, like they were covered in a layer of gray mist, and its behavior was also very odd.”

The patriarch nodded: "The effects of the void are spreading faster than we anticipated."

Amu sat not far from Su Ting, silently wiping his short sword. Seeing this, Xiao Shi leaned over and whispered, "Amu used to be the best pathfinder in the tribe, until the accident three years ago."

"What accident?" Su Ting asked curiously.

“He took a few young men to explore the mine shafts, but he was the only one who came back.” Xiao Shi paused. “After that, he rarely spoke and was even less willing to mention the mine shafts.”

Su Ting looked at Amu and suddenly realized that the other man was staring at him. His eyes flickered with unfathomable emotions in the firelight.

"Curious why I changed my mind?" Amu suddenly spoke, his voice deep and clear.

Su Ting nodded frankly.

“Because I owe them.” Amu sheathed his knife. “Those companions lost in the mines. If the void continues to spread, more people will suffer misfortune.” He stood up. “Get some rest. We’ll set off before dawn tomorrow.”

Night fell, and most of the tribesmen returned to their tents to rest, leaving only a few to keep watch. Su Ting lay on the animal hide prepared for him, but he couldn't sleep. He got up and walked to the edge of the camp, gazing up at the starry sky.

"Can't sleep?" a voice came from the side.

Su Ting turned his head and saw the clan chief sitting on a protruding rock.

"I've been thinking about some things." Su Ting walked over and sat down next to the clan leader.

The chieftain handed him a small leather pouch: "Forest brew, it can help you relax."

Su Ting took it and drank a sip; the cool, slightly sweet liquid, with its herbal aroma, slid down her throat.

“Lin Qing is a wise man,” the clan chief said. “There must be a special reason for choosing you as the envoy.”

Su Ting smiled and said, "I'm just an ordinary apprentice who happened to be in the right place at the right time."

“It’s not that simple.” The clan chief gazed into the distance. “Our ancestors believed that everyone’s place in a certain place is a matter of fate. You have a certain… quality that is hard to describe.”

"What trait?"

“Like an unlit ember.” The chieftain turned to him. “The mine is not just dark and dangerous; it also possesses ancient power. It was once the place where our ancestors performed sacrifices, until the demonic tide came.”

"You mean the mine tunnels are related to the seal?"

The clan chief shook his head: "Not entirely. But the energy flow there is very special. In some places you can see the past, and in others it reflects people's hearts. What Amu saw there last time, he has never told anyone."

Su Ting was silent for a moment: "So you're worried about him?"

“I am worried about all of you,” the chieftain sighed. “If the Silver Moon Tear is truly as important as the legends say, there are probably already people in Blackrock City who covet it. You are not only fighting against the mines, but also facing potential enemies.”

Su Ting gripped the shard hanging around his neck tightly: "We have to try, no matter what."

“Yes, we must try.” The chieftain stood up. “Get some rest, young man. The road ahead is long.”

Before dawn, Su Ting was awakened by Amu. They ate some dry rations and prepared water and necessities. The chieftain performed a brief blessing ceremony for them, drawing protective symbols on each person's forehead with mud mixed with herbs.

“This will help you resist the illusions in the mine,” the chieftain explained, “but the effect will be limited; ultimately, it still depends on your own will.”

Chapter 845 Various Characters and Creatures

Chapter 845 Various Characters and Creatures

After saying goodbye, Amu set off with Suting and Xiaoshi. They followed a secluded forest path, bypassing several obviously polluted areas. As the sun rose, the forest gradually thinned out, and the terrain began to rise.

“We need to cross these hills,” Amu pointed ahead, “The mine entrance is under the cliff to the north.”

During the journey, Su Ting noticed that Amu often stopped, as if listening to something.

"Is something wrong?" Su Ting asked.

Amu frowned: "I feel like we're being followed."

Xiao Shi looked around warily: "Soldiers? Or wild beasts?"

"Neither," Amu said in a low voice. "Keep moving forward, but be vigilant."

They quickened their pace and reached an open area around noon, where steep cliffs could be seen in the distance. Just as they were about to cross the open area, Amu suddenly grabbed them and gestured for them to lie down.

“There.” He pointed to the bushes on the left.

Su Ting squinted and looked over, initially finding nothing, but then noticed unnatural movement. It wasn't the slightest rustling of leaves, but rather someone stealthily moving about.

“It’s probably three or four people,” Amu judged. “They started following us as soon as we left the camp.”

"What should we do?" Xiao Shi asked nervously.

Amu quickly pulled several small cloth bags from his backpack: "I have a plan. Listen..."

A few minutes later, Su Ting stood up alone, deliberately exposing himself in the open, and walked towards the cliff. As expected, the pursuers in the bushes began to move, trying to intercept him.

Just then, Xiao Shi rushed out from the other side and ran in the opposite direction, successfully attracting the attention of two of them. At the same time, Amu had already sneaked up behind the pursuers, lit the cloth bag in his hand, and threw it at them.

The bag burst open in mid-air, releasing a thick cloud of green smoke. Coughs and curses could be heard from within the smoke. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Su Ting quickly ran towards the agreed-upon meeting point.

When he reached a secluded recess at the bottom of the cliff, Amu and Xiaoshi were already waiting.

"Who is it?" Su Ting asked, panting.

“They’re not soldiers,” Amu said. “They’re wearing black leather armor and have no military insignia. They’re professional hunters or mercenaries.”

Why are you following us?

Xiao Shi shook his head: "It's probably because of the Silver Moon Tears. Has the news leaked?"

“There might be someone monitoring the Children of the Forest’s camp.” Amu took a sip from his water bag. “Anyway, we’ve shaken them off, at least for now. The mine entrance is just ahead; we need to hurry.”