Chapter Twelve: Exploring Bottle Mountain Together

After leaving the He residence, seeing that the afternoon was already halfway gone, Li Yang dared not waste a single moment and rushed to the place he had agreed upon with Partridge Whistle.

"My friend, I apologize for keeping you waiting!" From a distance, Li Yang spotted the two pacing impatiently at the crossroads, their faces full of annoyance.

"Have matters at home been settled?" Partridge Whistle brushed off Li Yang's apology with a calm remark, while Miss Hong said nothing, but her furrowed brows and angry glare betrayed her impatience.

"Everything at home has been arranged. If there’s nothing else, please lead the way," Li Yang replied.

With their patience long worn thin, the two immediately took the lead, heading toward Bottle Mountain.

None of the three were ordinary men; their physical prowess was unmatched. Traversing hills and ridges was effortless, and after a hurried hour, they arrived at a deserted mortuary halfway up Bottle Mountain—their temporary base.

Seeing Partridge Whistle return, Old Luo, who had grown restless from waiting, rushed forward and grabbed him, demanding, "Did you find anything to counter those poisonous insects?"

"Don’t be anxious, Commander Luo. Let Brother Partridge Whistle catch his breath first," Chen Yulou, seated at the head, remained composed. He rose slowly and blocked the agitated Old Luo.

"And who might this young man be?" he asked, turning to Li Yang with a cupped fist.

"I am Li Yang. Greetings, Chief Chen," Li Yang replied, saluting with a cupped fist before stepping aside without further words.

"Let me introduce everyone," Partridge Whistle said, taking the initiative. "This is Daoist Li, a master I encountered on my way down the mountain. Without his help, we cannot hope to break the poison insects' spell."

"A master, you say? Boy, are you even grown? You say breaking the poison insect curse is up to him—don’t try to fool me, fake priest. Otherwise, the bullets from Old Luo’s gun won’t distinguish faces," Old Luo eyed Li Yang skeptically, tilting his neck and sizing him up repeatedly.

"And where did you train, young man, to possess such skill?" Chen Yulou, whether sincere or not, was different from Old Luo. Though doubtful, he trusted Partridge Whistle to some extent, given the latter had saved his life and the powers of the Mountain Movers were well known among those present.

"Just a traveling sorcerer, with humble skills—not nearly as impressive as Chief Chen’s Mountain Movers. But to dispel Bottle Mountain’s poisonous haze, only my Thunderous Rooster will suffice," Li Yang replied politely, though his bearing conveyed unmistakable confidence.

No sooner had he spoken than Li Yang released a rooster the size of a wolfhound. Old Luo and his men stared in shock; even the experienced Chen Yulou and Partridge Whistle’s pupils contracted.

"Brother Li, what skill! That trick alone puts you above ordinary sorcerers. With your help, half the battle at Bottle Mountain is won," Chen Yulou said.

"Chief Chen overpraises me!" Knowing Chen Yulou’s pride, Li Yang let him keep up the pretense. "I am straightforward; I speak my mind. I will help with the Bottle Mountain expedition, but I want forty percent of the spoils."

"What? Are you half asleep, or am I dreaming? Damn it, you little bastard are greedier than Old Luo, asking for forty percent right off!" Li Yang’s words caught everyone off guard. Chen Yulou’s expression soured; he glanced at Partridge Whistle for explanation, while Old Luo cursed unabashedly.

Partridge Whistle could only respond with a wry smile. Unmoved, Old Luo drew his pistol and sneered, "You must have guts the size of an ox and nerves like a leopard, daring to snatch food from the tiger’s mouth. Brothers, drag him out and shoot him—leave the rooster, though; we’ll need it."

Li Yang glanced at the silent Chen Yulou and Partridge Whistle and thought, as expected, tomb robbers are all ruthless. If he didn’t show some strength, there would be no peace in this partnership.

"Seize!"

As Old Luo’s men approached, Li Yang flicked his sleeve and shouted. The Golden Toad swelled in the wind, sending a blast of air through the room that knocked everyone off balance.

A sticky tongue swept through the air, and Old Luo’s men dropped like garbage. The tongue then wrapped around the panicked Old Luo and hoisted him into the air.

The Golden Toad moved swiftly; the fight ended in a flash. When everyone regained their footing, Old Luo was hanging in midair.

"Brother Li, please show mercy. Commander Luo was only joking. We can discuss matters calmly—no need for violence," Chen Yulou, though frightened by the sight of Old Luo caught by a toad the size of a car, held his ground as leader and stepped forward to mediate.

"I am a blunt man. As they say, if business fails, there should be goodwill. But Commander Luo’s conduct was out of line," Li Yang replied, having made his point. Seeing Chen Yulou yield, he refrained from further action.

"Yes, yes, Brother Li is right. Commander Luo is a rough man; please be magnanimous and don’t stoop to his level," Chen Yulou said, breathing a sigh of relief and signaling Old Luo frantically.

"Forgive me, Brother Li. I, Old Luo, am rough and acted on impulse. With so many men to feed, my household is at the point of starvation. It was a moment of desperation—please forgive me," Old Luo said, proving himself a shrewd warlord capable of humility.

"I’m not unreasonable. You all have men to feed, and it’s not easy. I know the Mountain Movers’ rule: no gold or silver. So for this expedition, I’ll settle for thirty percent. The rest is up to Commander Luo and Chief Chen. Is this acceptable?" With Old Luo conceding, Li Yang didn’t press further. He put away the Golden Toad and spoke calmly.

"Agreed! Let’s do it," the two exchanged glances, deliberated, and finally gave their consent.

With profits divided, camaraderie blossomed—at least on the surface. Li Yang cared little for their true intentions.

Truthfully, aside from the explosives and a few heavy machine guns, Old Luo’s gang were nothing more than rabble. As long as he remained cautious, Li Yang was confident he could suppress any dissent.

As night fell, everyone agreed to enter the tomb at dawn to avoid complications.