Fire Phoenix Chapter 23

   Chapter 23 No Money

There were more than ten generals in Can Kingdom, and General Yun was not supposed to be handling bandits. Besides, it was usually the local government who crushed bandits in their territories, so there was no reason for the general to be involved.

Yun Canglan questioned herself what the plot behind this matter was, while Yun Yajun spoke, "Don't worry, Wan'er. Bandits are not cunning like enemies on the battlefield. I won't even have to bring the army, only the Yun's Troops will accompany me this time."

Yun Canglan sighed to herself, she was sure there was a plot behind this.

Yun Canglan reflected on what she knew, 'Are you going after my father, Liuyun?'

Yun Yajun had spent most of his time accumulating experience on the battlefields. He also grew to be an arrogant man though. He had faced thousands of enemies and hundreds of bandits, becoming somewhat cocky. Huo Liuyun thought Yun Yajun would bring the secret force of the General's House.

No secret force existed in the General's House at all. There were only 36 guards, who were each saved by Yun Yajun on the battlefield. 'Liuyun, you have overestimated my dad's ambition and the lure of Imperial Power.' Yun Canglan sadly determined.

'Liuyun, which is it you are after, I wonder? The secret force at the General's House, or my father?'

Yun Canglan wrinkled her brow concentrating. It pained her that Huo Liuyun did not trust her, but she wasn't willing to give up on him. Yun Yajun's safety troubled though too, she could not let harm befall her family. Yun's family was a thorn in emperor and crown prince's side. How could she resolve this problem?

When they finished dinner, Yun Canglan went to her bedroom. She was so upset that she didn't fall asleep till dawn. When she woke, it was already noon.

"Are you hungry, Mistress? It's time for lunch." Yun Hua said as she helped Yun Canglan into her clothes, and Yun Shu set the table.

"What time is it?" Yun Canglan looked perplexed.

"12:45." Yun Hua answered.

It was that late? "Where are my grandpa, dad and mom?" Yun Canglan needed to know. She felt anxious, but was not sure why.

Yun Hua answered "Lord Yun He went to visit a friend earlier this morning. His Lordship left with Yun Hu and the Yun's Troops at dawn, it appeared this would be a long trip. Her Ladyship stopped in this morning, to see you, but..."

Yun Canglan felt her anger rising, "My dad left with the Yun's Troops? When? How long ago did they leave?"

Yun Hua answered: "Early this morning. They have been gone about four hours now."

Yun Canglan paled fearing the worst, "They left too soon."

She had studied the terrain of Peach Blossom Mountain, which was easy to hold but hard to attack. The leader of the bandits must have talent to find such an appropriate place as their stronghold. Yun Yajun underestimated the enemy and took only the Yun's Troops with him. He would be in danger.

Why couldn't he have waited one day before leaving. She would have had time to arrange things.

"Yun Qi, Yun Qin!" Yun Canglan yelled, a pair of teen twins appeared in the room.

"Master!" The twins greeted at Yun Canglan.

"Yun Qi and Yun Qin come with me in the name of 'Medical and Poison Sages'. We will be gone for about 5 days. Yun Shu and Yun Hua, you find a kid to disguise as me. Remember not to allow my mom and grandpa to get close to her, otherwise they will find out." Yun Canglan demanded.

"Yes, Master." Yun Shu and Yun Hua didn't know what was happening, but would follow Yun Canglan's demands without hesitation.

"If His Crown Prince comes looking for me, tell him that I'm sick. Don't let him near me."

"Yes!" they nodded agreeing.

Then Yun Canglan left with Yun Qi and Yun Hua.

On the highway just outside Peach Blossom City, three horses whizzed past faising up huge trails of dust in their wake.

There were three weak children on the horses. The one on the middle horse held the reins tightly, like she would fall off the horse if she loosened her grip.

"Master, Peach Blossom City is just ahead. The Peach Blossom Mountain lies on the north side of Peach Blossom City." Yun Qi informed his companions.

Yun Canglan nodded, "We go to the Peach Blossom Mountain now!"

They had been travelling for two days straight, to catch up to Yun Yajun. Yun Canglan was fearful for her father's safety.

They changed their direction near the wall encircling Peach Blossom City, and headed to Peach Blossom Mountain.

Peach Blossom Mountain Road, was broad and smooth, several carriages were traveling on it. The terrain became rugged at the base of the mountain.

There were less people in the mountain, except for a handful of woodcutters. The farther they went, the darker it became.

The horses had to slow down because the road was rockier. When night came, the road was so rough, the horses were forced to walk.

"Stop!" A shout came from the darkness ahead of the three.

There dimly seen, a group of men with swords were blocked them from passing.

Yun Canglan frowned. Robbers?

"Rob...robbery!" The bearded man up front shouted as he brandished his sword.

Yun Canglan was intrigued and asked, "Are you the bandits of the Peach Blossom Mountain?"

"Ye...yes!" The bearded man proudly exclaimed, "Leave...leave your...your money and horses. Other...otherwise, I'll make...make this very personal!"

Yun Canglan heaved, sighing deeply, it was tiresome listening to this man speak, and she had more important things to focus on.

She had been worried about finding a way to sneak into the Peach Blossom Mountain, and the way found them!

Yun Canglan dismounted, rubbed her arms and started shivering, with tears streaming down her face, she walked up to the man closest. Yun Qi and Yun Qin didn't know what she was going so they dismounted in case they were needed. They only hoped that these bandits wouldn't be tortured too severely by their young master.

Suddenly, Yun Canglan was clutching the bearded man's leg crying out, "Uncle...waah...uncle, please let me go. I have no money. I have no money, I swear. I wear my father's clothes and my brother's shoes. I have no pieces of jewelry at all. My parents have no cloth store or jewelry store. My family is poor. Waah! My servants are thin. My horse is old. I have no money at all. Uncle, please let me go."

Yun Qi and Yun Qin were shocked at Yun Canglan's behavior. Their master was indeed a cunning individual.

The man had planned to release the three. But when he heard Yun Canglan's words, he couldn't help but to see Yun Canglan's clothes seemed expensive. It didn't take the thief long to see through Yun Canglan's lies. Those two servants were handsome, the clothes they wore were more expensive than others' wore. The horses looked healthy and vigorous too. Poor people couldn't afford these horses at all.

The man laughed loudly. He was grateful he was observant; otherwise they would have missed an opportunity to earn a lot of money.

Yun Canglan continued crying, while the bearded man stood there admiring his cunning.

"This...this kid is...is rich. Take...take them back." They would blackmail his parents for more than they earned robbing in an entire year. He felt sure the boss would be happy and praise him.

Yun Canglan's cries grew to hysterics, "Waah. No, please don't kidnap me. I have no money. I'm from a poor family. Waah..."

His plan was working, he thought, as the bandits led Yun Canglan, Yun Qi and Yun Qin back to the Peach Blossom Camp.

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