Chapter 10: Exposed
"Sansan there are two news one good and one bad, which one do you want to hear first?" Asked Zhao Mei.
"Mother, it doesn't make any difference between whichever I hear first, just tell me, anyone," Arthur answered.
"Okay, the good news is that a relative of mine living in the town has sent word, they have found and ordered the desolate rain flower and its seeds. And the bad news is that our hunting party led by your uncle Lu Ping's men has been spotted by Bai clan members. Now, they know that we are alive so they might start to trouble us. We cannot stay in the swamp anymore," Said Zhao Mei.
Arthur asked, "Did they follow us to the swamp, have they noticed our base too?"
"No, our base has not been discovered, replied Zhao Mei."
"Mother, please take me to Uncle Ping, I need to speak to him."
Zhao Mei lifted Arthur in her arms and walked toward Lu Yehan's house. There were five people inside the room already, debating about the topic of the clan's discovery by the Bai clan. On entering Arthur heard Lu Ping apologising, "Uncle Hai, I have brought danger to our clan, please punish me."
Before anyone could respond Arthur who was in her mother's arms cried aloud, "Uncle Ping, it is not your fault, don't blame yourself. Let's discuss what we should do next." Both Lu Donghai and Yehan nodded and agreed with Arthur, lifting the burden of guilt from Lu Ping's shoulders.
Lu Yehan asked, "Sansan, what do you think we should do?"
Lu Ping said, "Father, Sansan is just a child. Why are you troubling him with my burden."
Arthur asked, "Uncle Ping, tell me what exactly happened."
Lu Yehan berated, "Son just answer the question without any arguments."
Lu Ping then looked between his father and Arthur and started to narrate his story, "There were six of my men hunting in the forest near the swamp. Even after a stern warning, they left and hunted outside the swamp. They said they were bored of eating the fish so they went hunting for meat. They acted carefully and discreetly but they didn't expect the Bai clan to hunt in that area too. And when they were skinning their hunting spoils they were noticed. There were also six Bai clan members on the other side. They said that they wanted to silence those people to prevent them from discovering our whereabouts and spreading information about us but before they could act, those terrified Bai clan members shouted ghosts and fled hurriedly."
Lu Donghai said, "They ran away thinking of seeing a ghost because they were surprised and horrified but later when they calm down they'll know that you guys are alive and have escaped. They'll go back and report it to their clan and by the next day, the whole village will know about our escape. This is bad, we cannot stay here anymore. Both the Liu and Bai clans will sweep the whole outer area of the forest."
"Uncle Ping, where are your men who went hunting?" Asked Arthur.
"I have just bound them inside the storehouse to be brought here for sentence, I came beforehand for reporting," answered Lu Ping.
Arthur said, "Release them immediately, we don't have time to exercise penalties. We need men to act now and we cannot divide our people. Keep this a secret from everyone, I don't want anyone to hate them or their families. We need no dissension among the members of our clan. Uncle Ping, call them after I leave and let Grandpa Hai deal with them."
After Lu Ping left, Lu Yehan asked, "Old Hai, Jia Kong, Sansan... any suggestions on what we should do next?"
"It'll take around 8 days for those Bai clan members to return to the village. A day or two to inform and prepare, another 8 days to reach here. We have roughly around 17 to 18 days in our hands right now. We have to shift to another place," suggested Jia Kong.
"Even if our people weren't discovered, Liu Longwei would be reaching Pseudo Tribulation Realm by this time. He will never be in peace knowing that I am still alive, seeking me out was inevitable. I was thinking of showing my presence in the town to beguile them, making them think we have shifted to town but it is of no use now. I'll go to the village to confront them meanwhile you guys should leave this forest," Suggested Lu Donghai.
"No, grandpa. It won't do, that will only help them to deal with us faster. Instead of facing them directly, it will be better for us to hide and try to confuse them. The Linzhi forest is so big that if we lay low they won't be able to find us for some time. We may have around 20 days ahead of them if we want to leave but treading the whole clan into the forest with danger all around us will put us at more risk," told Arthur.
He continued, " The water level in the swamp is high, the trees we cut are also from the deeper region. Presently, the debris from the trees should also be washed away deeper into the marshes and the tree stumps left behind are already flooded completely by the water. In other words, there is no need to worry because our trails are covered. If we misdirect them away to another place, the swamp will be the safest place."
Arthur looked at Lu Yehan and said, "It should take more than a month to get the desolate rain flower from the town but if grandpa Yehan goes alone to fetch it, we may get it sooner."
Then he looked at Lu Donghai and said, "Grandpa Hai, you should form a team to confuse our pursuers and steer them away from the western territory. The village is in the south of the Jinzhi forest, on the western side of the forest lies the sticky milk swamp, the clouded snake groove situates on the east side and in the Northeastern direction lies the three snow-capped peaks. Thus, if we want to move towards the clouded snake groove. Then we should lead the Liu and Bai Clan much deeper into the northwestern region where crooked stone fields lie."
"Lastly, Grandpa Jia Kong is the third strongest among us so you should stay in the swamp with other seniors of our clan and wait for Grandpa Yehan's return while protecting the members from the beasts and pest attacks," told Arthur directing at Jia Kong.
Then Arthur said, "Order men to cut all the anchorages and let our base drift further inside the swamp. We will just have to conceal our base in the border areas of those reeds, if we go deeper into the reeds then moving out will be very difficult after the water subsides. Moreover, no one knows what's deep inside the reeds. We shall move to the groove as soon as Grandpa Yehan returns from town. Safety is the issue, therefore, once again we have to lay low for around two months...inform everyone and let's act quickly."
He further added, "And also order men to build boats as much as possible, when the water recedes, moving the whole platform would be impossible. We'll require more boats in future. Grandpa Hai, call the 5 people who exposed us and choose another 50 strong volunteers too. Then, send them to various places in the forest to build booby traps for Liu and Bai clan's search parties. Have them ambush solo pursuers using poison darts or bows. They should not stay in one place or attempt an attack on the same person twice even if they fail. The ambush is just to cause panic and fear among the Liu and Bai clan members, it is not for revenge or war. They know the jungle survival skills so, I don't mind if they stay hidden away for 4 or 6 months alone in the forest but they should not get killed or get caught at any cost, that includes you too. You take 6-7 strongest people with you and leave trails for the pursuers to make them think that the whole clan is shifting towards Crooked Rock fields and beyond. Forget it, I'll also go with you."
Jia Kong was surprised by Arthur's meticulous and precise action plan. He also realised why the two old men of the Lu clan were feeling uncomfortable when he praised them before. He finally understood that it was Arthur, who is the main brainchild behind the whole escapement and evacuation of their clan. Before he could applaud, Arthur closed his eyes and began to sleep in his mother's arms.
Soon, The anchorage was cut and pulled back. The tree-top lookouts were dismantled and everything that could reveal their presence was taken back half a day later when the base drifted into the reeds, it was finally secured among the tall reeds completely hiding their presence in the swamps. The next day Lu Yehan left for town and Lu Donghai along with 55 strong volunteers started to act according to their plan.
Meanwhile, in the woodsman village, ugly laughter filled the entire Liu Clan. Liu Longwei finally exited his seclusion chamber after twenty-six long months. Voices of cheering and applause followed everywhere.
Liu Longwei cried, "Let's kill Lu Donghai and those Lu Clan bastards. It's time for a new master to emerge in our village. Liu Chong, call every elder to the clan hall."
"Father, the Lu clan is no more, they have suffered a misfortune one after another," said Liu Chong and then he narrated everything that happened to Lu Clan in great detail.
After listening to the story Liu Longwei said, "We cannot let loose a powerful and recluse enemy like Lu Donghai...He has nothing to fear anymore and we have everything to protect, if he comes back and strikes the clan in my absence we will suffer greatly."
Liu Longwei ordered, "Send people to search for their location and I will remove this pest once and for all. Tell them to act discreetly and inform me immediately on finding their whereabouts."
Before his orders were put into action a loud voice interrupted them.
"Chief Longwei, Elder Chong!."
"Chief, Bai clan chief has visited personally saying he has an urgent matter to discuss," reported a clan member who came running inside the mansion perspiringly.
"Send him in," commanded Liu Longwei.
Bai Dong, Bai Clan Chief entered the guest hall, bowed and congratulated Liu Longwei for reaching the Pseudo Tribulation Realm.
Liu Longwei proudly said, "Brother Bai Dong, I have just entered Tribulation Realm and has not even stabilised my cultivation. After a week or two when I firmly place my foot on the Tribulation Rank, I would have sent word to you personally to thank you."
"Uncle Dong, What brings you here early in the morning, didn't you sleep well last night? Are you having problems with your wife and concubine again?" Jeered Liu Chong.
Bai Dong felt irritated and humiliated by the treatment of the Father and Son, duo. He thought, "It is just attainment of Pseudo Tribulation Realm and that also with my clan's help. Hmpff, and he is already acting like reaching the actual Tribulation Rank."
"Once I and my brothers reach the Pinnacle Stage Alleviation Cultivation Realm, even if I have to sell all our property, I shall buy two or three Pseudo Tribulation Pill and treat you and your clan like dogs, just you wait." Thinking about it, Bai Dong grinned.
Then he smile and said, "Brother Longwei, an unbelievable thing happened. I came personally because I want to inform you that while we rejoice in our victory and alliance, dead men walk amongst us freely under our nose."
Annoyed by the act of Bai Dong who wanted to sound so mysterious Liu Longwei voiced aloud, "Brother Bai Dong, don't fish in circles, talk straight to the point."
Bai Dong smiled triumphantly and said, "Brother Longwei, can I know how you punish liars in your clan? In our clan, the degree of punishment depends on the severity of the lies spouted. If a liar is a junior and defames a junior we elders don't interfere, we consider it as life's important lesson that one should learn. When an elder dupes another elder we either settle it by compensations or let them settle between them if it doesn't involve the reputation of the whole. But, if the whole clan is fooled then justice can only be served by death alone. Brother, I wish to know how your clan deals with such people."
Liu Longwei shouted, "Brother Dong, don't test my patience. We deal with such people the same way as your clan does. I have not yet tested my fist after reaching Tribulation Realm. If you spout any more nonsense I don't mind using ur head for measuring my strength.'' He was truly angry this time.
Bai Dong was terrified but he didn't show it on the surface, having successfully instigated the Liu clan's chief and his son. Thus, fulfilling his actual purpose he said, " The Lu clan and Jia clan members following Lu Donghai, Lu Yehan and Jia Dong are all alive and well." His Bai clan was not strong like the Liu clan and the notion of the Lu clan living in the dark while their clan lay open in the light frightened him. He didn't sleep well the previous night and the early next morning he came running to Liu Clan.
Liu Chong implored, "What? Don't spread nonsense, the whole village witnessed their misfortunes. It was black ivy disease, the poison made their skin completely black and their eyes red. You saw it too."
"Yes, I saw it but did you witness any deaths of their clan members. Have anyone in the village seen their dead body? We are all fooled by them. What if Lu Fang's surrender to your clan a bigger master plan?" Retorted Bai Dong.
Liu Longwei asked, "Tell me what happened, what made you think that they are all alive?"
"10 days ago, my youngest grandson along with his 15 followers set a hunting band to slaughter 'Lacura Boar' in the western zone. They happened to have been misinformed about the strength of the boar. During the assault, none of them survived except for six people. They were chased towards the swamp area by the boar and while they were resting and healing their injuries they saw another six members of the Lu Clan who were supposed to be killed by the black ivy plague, alive, hunting and dressing a kill for meat," told Bai Dong.
He then swore, "My useless grandson hid this information from me fearing my wrath for the death of many of my clan members. And because these cowards also fled on encountering the people of the Lu Clan thinking of them as ghosts, fearing the mockery of their peers they delayed conveying it to me for two days."
"Go fetch Lu Fang and bring him here immediately," Liu Longwei ordered.
After a long interrogation and threats, they discovered that Lu Fang didn't know anything. Thus, they concluded that the escape plan of the remaining Lu clan members only occurred after Lu Taio's betrayal and Lu Fang's default from the Lu clan.
They came to a consensus that Lu Clan members might be migrating. Catching and destroying them before they flee from the forest was their topmost priority. Following that, the decision of sending search parties and a series of orders were issued simultaneously by both the clans to find and apprehend the escapees of the Lu clan.
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