This Three Xiang Four Waters, Guizhou South region, how vast is its area.
Because it is located at the juncture of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Western Hubei Mountains, the geological landforms are diverse.
Mountains, hills, and river valleys account for 75% of the total area.
Because of its subtropical monsoon humid climate, rainfall is abundant, allowing natural organisms to flourish, and there are countless species.
Moreover, this Xiang Yin region has been inhabited by ancient Yi people since ancient times, living in caves.
Over the centuries, various tribes, such as the Miao people and the Tusi, have formed.
Because they live in deep mountains and forests, coupled with turmoil, these large and small tribes are scattered, numbering in the hundreds if not thousands.
Because of the dense vegetation in this Xiang Yin region, the environment is suitable for the survival of various creatures.
Therefore, in these deep mountains, venomous insects and ferocious beasts abound, and poisonous miasma and fog frequently occur.
Thus, the Miao people in these mountains are also rumored to possess sorcery.
This kind of sorcery uses venomous insects to harm people.
Whether it is real or not, it is not important.
It is only said that these rumors are spread according to the mountain environment, geography and people, which is very consistent with the ancient legends of this Xiang Yin region.
As there are many tribes in this region, the situation is complex.
Coupled with recent turmoil, the people are suffering, and there are many people who are unable to make a living and engage in the practice of corpse transportation.
As a result, corpse transporters became a common sight in this area.
With high mountains and dense forests, there are many strange and unusual stories.
Various legends abound in this place.
However, despite these legends, the natural scenery of this region is quite beautiful.
Valleys and hills, rivers crisscross, and the vegetation is abundant.
The Changsheng Mountain, though called a mountain, is not actually very high.
However, because the reputation of the Xie Ling thieves is not good, they use this name as a disguise. In reality, their main work is grave robbing and tomb excavation.
"Twenty li ahead, we reach Chenjiazhuang. That area, within a radius of a hundred li, is our territory. There are also many small warlords nearby, but don't worry, the biggest warlord and the headman are sworn brothers, having sworn an oath and shared brotherhood wine. So there won't be any problems!"
Hong Gu Niang explained to Zhang Chen while continuing on their journey.
Zhang Chen nodded.
Chen Yu Lou is quite famous.
However, even Hong Gu Niang might not know his origins as well as Zhang Chen.
He is able to become the leader of the Xie Ling thieves.
His own strength is one aspect.
But more importantly, it is because Chen's ancestors were wealthy and influential, with strong connections in both the black and white worlds.
Of course, his ancestors also made their fortune through tomb robbing.
He is traveling with Hong Gu Niang.
The two brothers they brought along did not come with them.
For her, traveling alone is much faster than bringing two thieves.
It is getting late.
Hong Gu Niang and Zhang Chen must hurry to Chenjiazhuang.
The headman has already deployed a hundred of his best men.
They are waiting for her to bring Zhang Chen, then they will set out.
Their destination is not directly to the Bottle Mountain.
This Xiang Yin region has many mountains and valleys.
The Bottle Mountain is even deeper in those mountains.
They need to first locate the large tomb before gathering their forces.
Otherwise, the large group's movements will inevitably leave traces.
Tomb robbing is not a simple matter of having a meal, it requires skill.
Zhang Chen, hearing her mention Luo Lao Wai, couldn't help but ask, "What kind of person is this Luo Lao Wai?"
Although Hong Gu Niang mentioned Luo Lao Wai, it was only because she knew that Luo Lao Wai and the headman, Chen Yu Lou, had a connection.
In this chaotic world, anyone with guns is a warlord.
This Luo Lao Wai also enjoys tomb robbing, and he has looted all the tombs he could in his territory.
He used the gold and silver treasures from these tombs to exchange for a large number of guns and cannons.
He has become the most powerful force in the surrounding area.
But this man was originally a corpse transporter, and he has killed countless people in his early years, making him extremely violent.
If anyone displeases him slightly, he would raise his gun and shoot.
Hong Gu Niang is fiery and fearless.
But Zhang Chen...
She was truly afraid.
She immediately instructed, "That Luo Lao Wai was originally a corpse transporter, he killed like crazy, he'll kill you if you disagree with him. Don't be afraid if you see him, if he dares to do anything to you, I will kill him even if it costs my life!"
Hong Gu Niang's words were filled with murderous intent.
Zhang Chen was stunned.
"Does Luo Lao Wai have any ill intentions towards you?"
Zhang Chen asked.
"He dares!"
Hong Gu Niang said.
"If he shows any disrespect towards you, you don't even need to do anything, I'll kill him first!"
Zhang Chen said.
Hong Gu Niang immediately stopped in her steps and looked at him.
Zhang Chen also stopped and looked at her.
Visibly, Hong Gu Niang's pretty face turned red.
They looked at each other for three seconds.
Hong Gu Niang, who used to fear nothing, suddenly became afraid of his gaze.
She turned her head and said, "Let's hurry up and go!"
"Okay!"
Zhang Chen nodded.
…
In front of Zhangjiazhuang.
Chen Yu Lou was motivating his thieves.
This Chen Yu Lou is able to become the leader of the Xie Ling thieves.
Besides his own skills, he is also very eloquent.
Although the thieves are all his subordinates, he wants to show that he cares about them and that they are all brothers.
So, he starts by mentioning brotherhood and loyalty.
Finally, he mentioned that after they succeed in getting the treasures from the Bottle Mountain tomb, everyone will share in the gold and silver.
In this era, in this world, money is power, without money, you're nothing.
This kind of encouragement is much more effective than anything else.
He spoke with passion, so much so that the hundred or so thieves were excited and eager to accomplish something great.
Just then.
Hong Gu Niang arrived at Zhangjiazhuang with Zhang Chen.
Upon entering the village, Zhang Chen looked around curiously.
Although it is just a village, there are guards at every intersection.
On the way here, there were also guards posted along the road and in the woods.
Now that they have entered the village, there are even more people gathering inside and outside the houses.
These people are mostly from nearby villages.
Some are from this village.
They usually do business in weapons and opium.
When there is work, they gather as thieves.
When there is no work, they disperse and blend in with the villagers.
But there is a certain order within this system, which is quite ingenious.
It is clear that Chen Yu Lou has some good methods in leading the Xie Ling thieves.
"Second Madam!"
"Second Madam!"
…
The thieves greeted Hong Gu Niang respectfully upon seeing her return.
However, their eyes were filled with curiosity as they looked at Zhang Chen.
What happened in the Blood Corpse Tomb on Biaozi Ridge has already spread throughout Changsheng Mountain.
Moreover, the headman heard about it and is very appreciative of this young man who saved Second Madam.
Therefore, they all looked at him curiously.
"He looks pretty young, maybe eighteen or nineteen?"
"Isn't that older than Second Madam?"
"What does that matter, three years older is like holding a gold brick!"
"Shhh, be careful, Second Madam might hear you!"
The person quickly covered his mouth. He was really afraid.
He looked up and saw that Hong Gu Niang hadn't heard.
He then continued with a smile, "I never thought that Second Madam, who has such a fiery temper, finally found someone to tame her. Do you think her temper will be better after she gets married?"
"If you keep talking like that and she hears you, we won't help you!"
"Hey, I'm just concerned about Second Madam's happiness!"
…
A group of thieves whispered amongst themselves.
It was like throwing a pebble into a calm pond.
In no time at all, the whole village knew.