Chapter 36: The Rough and Unrefined Man

After finishing dinner, they managed to slip away, leaving behind Song Jiao, who had been insistently asking to join them. Meng Hu donned two large, iron-reinforced conical hats, led out two horses, and guided Su Yunqing from the house. The pair mounted and rode deep into the dense forest. Although the canopy was towering and the branches blotted out the sun, the path beneath their feet was wide and flat, clearly a trail frequently traveled by people and horses.

Su Yunqing lost track of how far they had gone, noting only that the path ahead grew increasingly narrow and the mountain breeze bitingly cold. It was not until they reached a rugged area filled with loose rocks, requiring them to scramble up and down slopes, that they dismounted to continue on foot.

After finally navigating the treacherous rock formation and reaching a slightly flatter path, Meng Hu reached into his robes and produced a black cloth bag. He handed it to Su Yunqing. "Young Master Cheng, you are not one of our mountain folk, and this is a secret route we use to descend the mountain and reach the sea. According to the rules of Dragon Hidden Mountain, you must cover your head."

Without a word, Su Yunqing took the bag, pulled it over her head, and grasped the branch Meng Hu had prepared for her. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since I am here, I must abide by the rules." Meng Hu was risking his life to help her; she could not be demanding or push her luck.

Meng Hu led her forward. "Follow me closely. The path ahead is clear of pits and bumps, and we have plenty of time, so we can take it slow."

"Understood!"

After traveling for what felt like an eternity, they heard the rhythmic sound of dripping water. Someone called out to Meng Hu, "Brother Hu."

Meng Hu replied, "I am taking a friend down to find a medicinal herb. We should be back by the hour of the Dragon (7:00–9:00 AM). If we haven't returned by tomorrow noon, tell my wife not to wait for me and to find someone else to marry."

*What?*

Though shrouded in darkness by the cloth bag, Su Yunqing felt as if her world had gone pitch black. "Brother Hu, is it really that serious?"

Meng Hu said, "Watch your step; the next long stretch is all stairs. I’ll walk slowly."

Su Yunqing felt a surge of panic. "No, no, I mean... if it's that dangerous, you could just point the way. You don't have to risk your life with me."

Meng Hu replied, "Since you call me Brother Hu, I consider you a friend. Your affairs are my affairs. Anyone who would make you risk so much to find a medicine must be someone very important to you. After all, a friend would go through fire and water for another."

Su Yunqing was moved to the point of speechlessness, silently praying that she would not be the cause of any harm to Meng Hu. He was often sharp-tongued, but in reality, he was a man of deep loyalty and heart.

Judging by the dripping sounds, they had entered a massive cavern. The occasional clatter of the iron hats in Meng Hu’s hands echoed loudly. They wound their way through the cave, descending a staircase that seemed to have no end. Finally, she heard the sound of waves crashing against rock.

Su Yunqing felt a flicker of excitement. "Brother Hu, are we almost there?"

"Soon," Meng Hu said. "But the tide hasn't gone out yet. We must wait a little longer."

"Can I take this off now?"

"Not yet," Meng Hu insisted.

They walked a bit further and encountered others who greeted Meng Hu. After a brief explanation of their situation, he led Su Yunqing onto a boat. Both donned their iron hats; Su Yunqing noticed the underside was lined with thick, soft cotton. No sooner had she put it on than a loud *clang* echoed, and she felt a heavy weight on her head—a falling rock the size of an egg had struck her hat before tumbling into the boat. She patted her chest, trembling; had she come alone without Meng Hu, that stone would have ended her life.

Once the boat had traveled some distance, Meng Hu finally allowed her to remove the cloth bag. Su Yunqing opened her eyes to see the small boat tied to a stone pillar, which glistened with a brownish-yellow, oily sheen under the moonlight.

"Black copper stone?"

Meng Hu nodded. "Yes. This is the largest deposit on this cliff face. The boat is secured; we only need to wait for the tide to recede before we can go ashore to find the herb."

*Clang, clang, clatter, clatter...*

As they spoke, a barrage of rocks pelted their iron hats. Thankfully, the thick cotton padding saved them from having their brains rattled.

"Thank you, Brother Hu."

"Eh?" Meng Hu didn't hear her. "What did you say?"

Su Yunqing’s throat tightened. She had spoken quite loudly; it seemed the impact of the falling rocks had left Meng Hu with ringing ears. She said nothing more, keeping his kindness locked in her heart.

***

The next day, at the end of the hour of the Dragon, two exhausted figures appeared, gasping for air, at the rock formation.

"Young Master Cheng, you can take off the hood. We are almost there."

Su Yunqing pulled off the hood and took deep gulps of fresh air. "We finally made it out. Brother Hu, are you alright?"

"Eh? What was that?"

Having been struck repeatedly by falling rocks the previous night, Meng Hu was dizzy, and the ringing in his ears made it nearly impossible to hear. Coupled with the fact that they had spent the entire night in a state of high tension, searching for herbs without a moment's rest, both were utterly drained.

Meng Hu led the way. "Let's go. We’ll rest at my place first. We can head back once we've recovered our spirits. You’re in no state to travel right now."

Su Yunqing agreed, for all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep.

After the harrowing experiences of the night, their survival felt like a gift. As she walked, she opened the silk pouch to glance at the two small Dragon-Saliva Grasses inside, a smile blooming on her face. Cheng Ji could truly be saved.

When they reached Meng Hu’s house, Song Jiao and Lin Lang rushed out before they could even dismount. Lin Lang threw herself into Meng Hu’s arms. "I was worried sick! I didn't sleep all night. Well? Did you find it?"

Meng Hu: "Eh? What did you say?" He pushed her away slightly. "There are others around! What kind of behavior is this?"

Song Jiao watched Su Yunqing with a smile but remained silent.

Su Yunqing explained to Lin Lang, "Sister-in-law, it is all thanks to Brother Hu leading me there. We found the medicine, but Brother Hu was hit quite hard by some falling rocks and is suffering from tinnitus. He will likely need a day or two to recover."

Lin Lang smiled. "As long as you found it and returned safely, that is all that matters. Young Master Cheng, hurry inside and rest. Jiao Jiao, you come in too; you’ve been waiting since early morning, you must be exhausted as well."

As they headed inside, Song Jiao muttered behind them, "Not at all, I slept perfectly well."

Su Yunqing collapsed onto the bed, clutching the pouch, and fell into a deep, weary sleep. In her half-conscious state, she faintly heard Lin Lang and Song Jiao talking outside.

"Sister Lin Lang, you really spoil Brother Hu. If it were me, I’d give him the cold shoulder."

"It’s not about spoiling. Once you're married, it’s about mutual tolerance. Jiao Jiao, what kind of man do you like?"

"I certainly don't want any of these rough, mountain men. When I marry, I want someone refined, clean-cut, and gentle."

...

Time passed, and Su Yunqing was awakened by a man shouting outside the courtyard.

"Miss Song Jiao! Master Ling has returned!"

Song Jiao was overjoyed. "My brother is back?"

The messenger replied, "Yes, he is kneeling at the Yi’an Hall. The Clan Leader is furious and was about to have him whipped, only to discover he was severely injured. Even so, the Leader is still very angry. You should go and plead for him."

"Right, I’m going immediately! Sister Lin Lang, I’m leaving now—please take care of Young Master Cheng for me!"

Lin Lang replied, "Don't worry, I have him. Go, don't delay."

Su Yunqing put on her shoes and emerged, but Song Jiao had already vanished with the messenger.