My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 116 What kind of place is this?!
"Don't attack! Don't attack!"

Zhai Rang hurriedly started shouting.

The other brothers also woke up in alarm and were terrified when they saw the people surrounding them.

Zhai Rang hurriedly explained, "We come from Dongjun, and we have come to seek refuge with you heroes!"

Zhai Rang could tell that these people were neither local militia nor government officials; they must be the bandits from the mountain stronghold he was looking for.

"Huh, Dongjun?"

The man with the spear sneered, sizing up Zhai Rang before him. "Do you look like a thief? You're clearly an official! You've disguised yourself to come up the mountain and deceive us!"

“I am not an official, but I used to be one. Young man, take me to see your leader. I have something to say!”

"Tie them up!"

After the order was given, people immediately came to bind them. Zhai Rang told everyone not to worry or resist, and to just let them bind them and be escorted forward.

Zhai Rang's group consisted of more than forty people, but now there are nearly a hundred people guarding them.

That's not all; most of them were armed and were young and strong.

The stronghold wouldn't send out all its troops; these people must only be a portion of its forces. Zhai Rang couldn't help but wonder, if a portion of the forces was this large, how big must their stronghold be? How many people would they need?

They continued on the rugged mountain path, which twisted and turned, rising and falling. Zhai Rang and the others walked for a long, long time, until even Zhai Rang felt tired. Finally, they slowed down.

A campsite appeared ahead, with a campfire and several people sitting there, chatting.

This is clearly a temporary base.

When they discovered that the group had brought Zhai Rang and others with them, they were not surprised at all.

Zhai Rang understood that these people must have discovered him a long time ago, and it wasn't a chance encounter.

A moment later, a man walked up to Zhai Rang with a smile.

"So you are the leader?"

"My name is Zhai Rang, a native of Dongjun. I was originally a legal officer in the county, but I committed a crime and fled to various parts of Dongjun. There are still wanted posters for me."

The man ordered his men to untie Zhai Rang and gave him a proper salute. "I am Cao Chi. Is Lord Zhai from Dongjun?"

"Exactly."

"Zhai Junyuan is in Dongjun, how would he know about Wild Buffalo Mountain?"

Zhai Rang thought for a moment, "Someone gave me directions."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"That person only told me to say that he was a person who delivered dates from the south."

"Sending dates from the south?"

Cao Chi was taken aback, and suddenly remembered the matter that Zhang Sengyuan still kept mentioning: the green dates in the south courtyard of the city. Cao Chi looked at Zhai Rang in astonishment, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I understand. I will take you to the village. However, before the chieftain speaks, I will have to trouble you all."

“The situation in the mountains has been really bad these past few days. The local militia have been frequently going into the mountains to gather information and try to attack us.”

"Let's talk as we walk!"

Cao Chi had his men look at the people Zhai Rang had brought, and then continued walking into the mountains.

Life was tough for the mountain stronghold. A new prefect had arrived in Xingyang, and this prefect was currently in a great hurry to attack Qingzao Village.

He gathered a large number of local militia and defined Qingzao Village as a rebel group. The nature of these rebels was not comparable to that of thieves. When rebels appeared in the territory, the Yingyang Prefecture could be mobilized to solve the problem.

Of course, the imperial court might not agree.

Transferring troops from Yingyang Prefecture is too expensive; it would be better to let the local people organize more militia to be wiped out.

Cao Chi led his men to stake out various strategic locations, keeping a close watch on the local militia. They didn't find any militia, but they did find Zhai Rang and his group.

Upon seeing this group of fully armed men, they did not rush to meet them. Instead, they waited until Zhai Rang and the others were resting at night before suddenly taking action and subduing them.

Because of Zhai Rang's previous words, Cao Chi became much more amiable towards them. Later, he simply untied them, but did not return their weapons. Their stronghold seemed to be in a very far place. They walked for many days, and Zhai Rang felt completely confused before finally arriving at their destination, Qingzao Village.

The Wild Buffalo Mountains stretch for hundreds of miles, and if you keep going from one end, you can even reach Nanyang and Guanzhong. After they passed through a dense forest, their view suddenly opened up and became clear.

On either side, you can see two simple watchtowers, and ahead is a checkpoint that completely blocks the road. To go further in, you have to get through this checkpoint.

The checkpoint is still under construction; the foundation is currently being laid.

Seeing this, Zhai Rang became even more convinced that this was the armed force organized by the Duke!
After passing the checkpoint, you'll see many people cutting down trees. They're clearing the land and collecting timber. Only after passing through this forest can you see the real camp.

The camp was currently only surrounded by some simple wooden fences, through which one could see the exceptionally lively scene inside.

There were all sorts of wooden houses and thatched huts, with several samurai guarding the gates, patrolling back and forth.

The people inside were extremely busy, coming and going.

This is practically a huge village hidden in the mountains!

Both Zhai Rang and his men were extremely surprised. They were led into the camp, which was even divided into simple roads. All the wooden houses and thatched huts were not built randomly, but were constructed around the dirt roads. Zhai Rang even saw some small pits on one side of the dirt road, which seemed to be used for drainage.
Zhai Rang was dumbfounded.

They walked all the way to a dilapidated house in the very center.

Cao Chi gestured to him and then went inside. Zhai Rang was still observing his surroundings. This place didn't look like a mountain stronghold at all, and these people didn't seem to be building a stronghold. Was this some kind of city?

While Zhai Rang was still in shock, Cao Chi came out and invited him in.

Zhai Rang followed him into the house.

Cao Chi only escorted him to the door, but did not go in himself.

When Zhai Rang entered the house, he saw two people sitting inside.

One of them was an elderly man, who was sitting in the seat of honor. His clothes were unusual, and he was clearly not from an ordinary family. Beside him sat a strong young man.

"Zhai Rang pays his respects to his father-in-law!"

Zhai Rang didn't know who was in front of him, but he still quickly bowed.

Liu Xuan stared at Zhai Rang, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Were you sent by the Marquis?"

"My lord?"

"Who else knows about these dates besides you, my lord? Just tell me."

"I really don't know anything about this lord's affairs. This is how things are."

Zhai Rang did not hide anything and told them about how he robbed a group of people on the road, was captured by them, and finally learned about what happened here from his followers.

After Zhai Rang finished speaking, Liu Xuan laughed, "The Third Young Master you mentioned is the Lord I spoke of. He is my disciple and the master of Qingzao Village!"

Zhai Rang was taken aback. The Third Young Master wielding the golden mace?

Isn't this the Duke's property, or is it the property of the Third Prince alone?
"My name is Zhang Sengyuan, and I currently serve as the head of Qingzao Village."

Zhang Sengyuan stood up and bowed, then pointed to Liu Xuan beside him, "This gentleman's surname is Liu, and he is one of the three elders of our Qingzao Village."

"The village head? The three elders??"

Zhai Rang bowed to the two of them again, looking astonished.

"Since you are sent by the Lord, then please stay here from now on."

"We really need a capable official like you to govern this area!"

Zhang Sengyuan was very happy. He looked at Liu Xuan beside him and said, "Lord Liu, although I have read some books, I have never really governed a local area. This Lord Zhai is a truly capable official. I think it would be better to let him take the position of village head."

Although Zhai Rang didn't know why there was a local official position like "village head" in this bandit's den, he dared not accept it and hurriedly refused.

Liu Xuan snorted coldly, "What do you take this place for? A den of thieves? This official position isn't something you can just give up to someone else."

Liu Xuan then looked at Zhai Rang in front of him.

"From now on, you will work for me. If you are truly capable, I will make an exception and exempt you from the imperial examinations. I will appoint you as an official in the name of the Lord."

The imperial examination system?
Recruitment?
Zhai Rang was completely dumbfounded at this moment.

Bandits? Rebels?
What the hell have I gotten myself into?!
(End of this chapter)