Chapter 9: Reaping What One Sows
“What, what, what on earth is going on? Why are there gray wolves appearing on Cloud Summit Mountain?”
“Run! Run for your lives!”
The few of them were so terrified that they could barely speak, scattering in all directions. The gray wolves pursued relentlessly, their chilling howls sending shivers down their spines, forcing them to flee desperately.
Unlike Song Junyao, who had trained in martial arts since childhood, the Zhao brothers and Chu Changling were merely indulgent scions who enjoyed drinking and revelry. Their weak constitutions naturally made them slower runners.
Before long, Song Junyao left them far behind, but the wolves pressed even closer on their heels.
In panic, they shouted, “Brother Song! The wolves are catching up to us! Please come save us!”
“You’re a martial artist; you must be able to drive off these damn wolves, right?”
Though Song Junyao heard their pleas, he paid them no mind.
Facing a pack alone was perilous; if he rashly engaged them, it would only lead to needless casualties.
How could they be so selfish, forsaking a friend in need?
Suddenly, Zhao Yan stumbled, breaking his ankle, and let out a piercing scream, “Ah—”
Zhao Zimo hurriedly helped him up, shouting, “Brother Song, Brother Chu, Yan has twisted his ankle! Come help him!”
Chu Changling merely glanced back once, feeling a strange surge of strength, and his pace quickened.
From afar, Song Junyao spotted a cave. He called out to the three behind him, “There’s a cave here where we can evade the wolves!”
Overjoyed, Chu Changling replied, “Brother Song, I’m coming right away!”
The Zhao brothers felt cold to the bone, their hearts chilled to the core.
Gritting their teeth, they almost tumbled and crawled toward the cave that could save them.
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The pounding steps of the wolves echoed behind them, terrifying them beyond reason. Just as the pack was about to reach them, they tumbled into the cave.
Song Junyao and Chu Changling kept their distance, letting the two brothers crash painfully to the ground. The searing pain spread throughout their bodies, but they endured it with grim determination...
For the wolves surrounded the cave’s entrance, sniffing cautiously, their eyes gleaming with an eerie green light.
No one knew how much time passed before the pack finally retreated.
The four, having narrowly escaped death, breathed long, relieved sighs, though pained groans soon followed.
Each bore wounds of varying severity; bruises marked their faces and bodies, while snow had seeped into their clothes, sharpening every ache.
This scene bore little difference from the tragic picture they had imagined five days ago: terror-stricken and fleeing in utter disgrace before the savage wolves.
Yet silence reigned in the cave; no one spoke.
Inside, they seethed with resentment—resentment toward the one who had devised this plan, toward friends who had forsaken them.
The Zhao brothers even suspected Song Junyao and Chu Changling of setting a trap, for why else had Junhe never appeared?
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