Strongest Soldier King

The tree was tall, and the wolves couldn't climb it; they could only stare helplessly, standing still in the dark night, which looked especially eerie. Firing a gun would easily expose one's position and attract pursuers, so everyone else could only look on helplessly as well. They neatly folded their sleeping bags, tucked them into their backpacks, and engaged in a stalemate with the wolves. Shan Hu, feeling particularly helpless, let out a wry smile and said, "Brothers, we're like tigers that have fallen to the plains and are being bullied by dogs. No one should act rashly. Let's wait until daylight."

Everyone was sensible enough not to provoke the wolves. Though there were only four in sight, who knew if others were hiding nearby? They all waited patiently. Since the wolves wouldn't leave, they simply took ropes out of their bags and bound themselves to branches to sleep.

Dawn gradually broke, and a gentle breeze carried the fresh air that refreshed the spirit. Birds chattered noisily in the trees, enlivening the forest. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dancing, dappled patterns on the ground like butterflies fluttering in the wind. In the distance, a large bird let out a strange cry and dove into the forest on High Peak opposite them.

The wolves had gone. Luo Zheng didn't know when they had left and didn't bother to ask the others. Golden Eagle emerged from somewhere and informed everyone that he had scoped out the area and it was safe. After eating some dry food, the group set off towards the village.

By noon, they came upon a mountain with many houses constructed along its waist, all built of wood and stone with suspended building designs. There was a path in the center of the building cluster leading straight from the foot to the summit of the mountain, with smaller paths branching off to different homes. This path was like a great artery, and at the top, there was a large stone house.

"This is the village we were looking for. According to the intelligence, it is inhabited by a group of Shengmiao people. Anyone entering must surrender their weapons to be guarded by them, and they can reclaim them when they leave. Their safety will be taken care of by the locals, and no one is allowed to cause trouble. Outsiders all stay in that inn at the top of the mountain," explained Golden Eagle.

"Interesting, let's go have a look," Shan Hu replied thoughtfully. After a moment, he continued, "Let's find a place to hide our weapons and equipment. Remember, from now on, we are posing as drug traffickers. I'm your big brother, and our gang is called the Brotherhood, newly formed and on its first run of the line." "Running the line" was slang used by drug traffickers, referring to familiarizing oneself with the drug procurement and transportation routes.

"This route is all traffickers, so our cover should be suitable. The problem is, we don't have any money for food and lodging once we're inside," Duke of Thunder said with worry.

"None of you brought any?" Shan Hu looked at them in surprise, and everyone nodded in confirmation. Who would carry money on a mission? Shan Hu thought for a moment and said, "Never mind, let's go in and see. We'll adapt as necessary. And don't forget, our purpose for coming here is to gather information."

Everyone agreed, found a place to hide their weapons and equipment, then descended the mountain in plain clothes. There was a dirt road from the base of the mountain straight to the village. They walked openly and eventually reached the entrance to the village where more than a dozen fully armed men stopped them. One of them, who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward and asked, "You look unfamiliar. First time coming here?"

"Is there a problem?" Shan Hu posed as a boss, asking discontentedly.

"No problem, just do you know the rules of the mountain?" the lead man retorted without getting angry.

"Yes," Shan Hu grunted, spreading his arms out for a search.

The leader swiftly signaled two subordinates with a look, and they promptly came up and thoroughly searched everyone, making sure no one had any weapons. After confirming they were unarmed, the lead man coldly said, "No fighting, no drug use, no going to the residences on either side. You may pass."

It was interesting that a drug trading hub forbade the use of drugs on its premises. Shan Hu didn't ask any further and, with a gaze towards his group, proceeded up the mountain. One of the men who had conducted the search whispered to the leader, "Young Clan Chief, I noticed that these people have no cash on them. What are they doing here?"

"Hard to tell, but our village's rules can't be abandoned. Anyone can come as long as they follow the rules. We have to ensure their safety," said the leader. "I think these guys look suspicious. Notify the brothers to keep a close watch but not to get too close. As long as they don't trouble us, let them be."

"Understood," responded the man before hurrying up the mountain.

Shan Hu and his group continued up the stone steps and soon reached the spacious and flat summit, big enough to fit three football fields. It was planted with numerous flowers, and in the center stood a stone inn, three stories high and enclosed by a courtyard.

The lobby was six meters high, with the exterior completely made of stone. At the entrance was a fountain. Guards were patrolling the door, all dressed in Miao costumes like the men at the mountain base, probably the local Guard. A pretty young girl in a Miao costume approached with a sweet smile, politely asking, "Are you here to eat or to stay at the inn?"

"To eat," Shan Hu said nonchalantly, oozing the aura of a street boss. As Special Forces elites accustomed to identity mimicking training, they slipped readily into their roles. It was Luo Zheng who looked around curiously, noting the best escape routes and sniper positions, memorizing them all.

It was only when they approached the lobby that they realized the lavish interior was entirely different from the exterior, with marble floors, marble on the walls, and a crystal chandelier overhead. The reception desk was made of yellow pear wood, heavy and simple yet elegant and understated, highlighting its value. Several receptionists in Miao costumes, all beauties, simple yet refined, sat there.

"Please follow me," said the girl who had greeted them, speaking fluent Mandarin.

They glanced at the brawny men scattered around the lobby, each carrying a Miao knife, likely members of the Guard. They agreed and followed the girl to the back of the inn where a large dining area with private rooms was located. The main dining hall was already filled with patrons, and Shan Hu chose a busy area, ordering a tableful of food without reservation.

After the girl left, Shan Hu whispered, "Brothers, stay sharp. Right after we eat, we'll need to bolt. Whether we can gather any useful intel depends on this short time."

Everyone nodded understandingly; without any money, they were destined to dine and dash. In these extraordinary circumstances, they couldn't worry about the proprieties. They all tuned their ears to eavesdrop on the surrounding conversations, which were mostly uninformative, before long, the servers brought in the dishes—exclusively game. They dove into the meal without any fuss.