Chapter 3 — Silencing the Grievance

I believed in him. Not until White Snow appeared did I realize that Stone Lock's eyes could also light up for someone else. He was willing to help her farm, could spend hours watching her twirl in a dress, and even secretly saved up his hard-earned money to buy her cold cream. The mere memory of it sent a sharp, agonizing pang through my heart. Yet, this was no time to nurse the wounds of unrequited love. Since Big Fortune refused to lend a hand, I would simply go further afield—there was a military garrison twenty kilometers away. I could ride a horse better than most men; if I spurred the beast into a gallop, I could reach them in an hour. There was still a chance to save the entire village. I had just one foot in the stirrup when Big Fortune lunged forward and grabbed me by the waist.

Still bent on hunting down those bandits, are you?

I am going for help! If you will not lift a finger, then get out of my way! I struggled frantically, kicking and thrashing. Let go of me!

I will not allow you to go anywhere!

With a brutal yank, Big Fortune pulled my arm until the joint popped with a sickening wrench. He produced a length of rough hemp rope, bound my wrists tightly together, and began dragging me back toward his own village. Panic clawed at my throat, threatening to choke out my tears. Big Fortune, release me! The lives of everyone in my village are at stake!

Stop this nonsense! Without listening to another word, he hoisted me up and threw me across the saddle like a sack of grain. With me here, do not even dream of running off today.

He grabbed the reins and led the horse toward his village. As they neared the wooden gates, a group of armed militiamen came rushing out, their faces pale with anxiety. Big Fortune stopped and urgently demanded to know what was happening.

Someone from the outlying hills brought word that Stone Mountain Village has been surrounded by bandits! We are arming ourselves to go and rescue them!

All the blood drained from Big Fortune's face. When the entire rescue party finally reached Stone Mountain Village, a heavy, suffocating silence fell over them. The heavy stone gates had been blown apart by crude explosives, and there was no sign of the bandits anywhere. The village elder and several elderly men lay lifeless on the blood-soaked ground, their bodies bearing the brutal marks of a fierce, desperate battle. Seeing the crimson stains spreading across the earth, I could no longer hold back my tears. In the end... we had arrived a step too late. Big Fortune trembled from head to toe as he took in the carnage, while the militiamen stood grim-faced, their jaws clenched in fury. They searched the perimeter thoroughly, finding only the bodies of the slain men, with not a single woman among the dead. They turned to me, demanding the location of the secret underground tunnels. According to the unspoken law of these remote mountains: when danger struck, the men fought to the death while the women vanished into the hidden bunkers. I pointed out the exact spot. Yet, when the heavy trapdoor was finally pulled open, everyone stood paralyzed in disbelief. The tunnels were completely empty.

Damn it all! They must have been captured by the bandits!

Those ruthless bastards! Dragging away so many women like that, who knows what kind of atrocities they will suffer...

What else could happen to them—they are going to be sold off across the border!

In these chaotic times, a woman was often worth more than a mule. Everyone’s mind raced with horrifying visions of their fate, driving some to kick the stone walls in helpless rage. My heart felt as though it were being ripped to shreds. At that exact moment, Big Fortune suddenly lunged forward, grabbed me by the collar, and roared into my face: Where are the bandits?! I shook my head blindly. I do not know... The others, unnerved by his terrifying fury, reached out to pull him back. Big Fortune, what are you saying? How could she possibly know where the bandits went? We need to report this to the authorities—

She is an accomplice to the bandits!

Big Fortune bellowed at the top of his lungs, and the color instantly drained from the faces of everyone present. A chilling dread washed over me. No! I cried out, desperately trying to defend myself. It is not true! I have nothing to do with this!

You still dare to lie to our faces! Blinded by rage, Big Fortune raised his hand and struck me across the cheek with a vicious backhand. How long do you intend to keep playing the innocent victim?! Hundreds of lives are at stake here! Speak up now, where have you hidden them?!

The surrounding militiamen glared at me with undisguised hatred and disgust. Stone Mountain Village never treated you poorly, so how could you be so utterly cold-blooded?! Do you have no fear of divine retribution?!

Confess right now! There might still be time to give chase!

I... I truly do not know anything... My face burned with a scorching pain, and my voice cracked into a hoarse whisper.

An overwhelming sense of despair swallowed me whole. I had no idea what to do, what words to utter that would make them believe my innocence. If the bandits had been people I knew, perhaps I could have traced their path... But in Big Fortune's bloodshot eyes, my tears were nothing more than a deceitful performance. His veins bulged as he let out an insane, ear-splitting scream.

You wicked, worthless bitch, go to hell!

He delivered a merciless kick straight into my stomach. A wave of agonizing cramps doubled me over, turning my limbs to jelly. Before I could even register the shock, several more heavy boots pounded into my body. They cursed me as vicious, inhuman, a soulless monster unworthy of drawing breath. Amidst their hateful, venomous tirades, the pain was so blinding that I could not utter a single word in my own defense. Warm fluid continued to leak down the insides of my thighs, soaking through my garments. I knew all too well what that warmth meant—it was... my child. Just as the terrifying thought crossed my mind that these furious men might actually beat me to death right here on the blood-stained earth, a sudden voice rang out:

Stop right there!

Everyone froze in their tracks.