Chapter Eleven: Entering the Land of Death

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“Damn it, you people are really like ghosts haunting me. So what if I killed your useless young master? Do you really have to go this far?” Lin Yanghao, seeing the group closing in on him, suddenly had an idea. He stopped running, turned his head, and cursed loudly at the squad chasing him.

“Hmph, easy for you to say! Think about it—if your only son was killed, how would you feel? Do you think we want to chase after your miserable life? We’re being forced!” The squad captain, seeing Lin Yanghao had stopped, halted as well and shouted back.

“I know all of you have suffered under the Tian family since you were children. Haven’t you been bullied by Tian Ergou enough? So why do you still obey their orders?” When the group heard this, their expressions grew uncertain and dim. Lin Yanghao saw their faces and knew he had gambled right.

They were all deathsworn purchased by the Tian family from a young age, their status even lower than the maids and servants, and they had endured endless abuse. Every order from the Tian family had to be carried out unconditionally—no one would mourn them even if they died.

Lin Yanghao would not give them a chance to catch him. Taking advantage of their distraction, he bolted straight toward the Land of Death.

He knew with so many people after him, he’d never escape if he just kept running—they’d send another wave soon, and then he’d be truly trapped. So he hatched a plan.

Lin Yanghao had majored in psychology at university. Though he hadn’t studied diligently, he still understood enough to use their emotions to gauge their thoughts, creating a moment of distraction to slip away.

He decided to enter the Land of Death. Having escaped death several times already, he was not so afraid anymore. At worst, he would die; if luck favored him, he might even make it to the White Tiger Gate.

“Hurry, chase him! We’ve been tricked by that kid again—move!”

“Captain, we all think that kid was right. We’ve suffered under the Tian family since childhood—we’ve had enough. Let’s turn against them.”

“Yeah, Captain, haven’t we all been bullied by Tian Ergou since we were kids?”

“Sigh… Enough. Do you think I haven’t wanted to rebel? But the Tian family’s revenge is more than we can bear!”

“Captain, how many brothers have we lost over the years? If this keeps up, who’s to say the next won’t be us? Why don’t we find a place in the Chaoyang Mountains and become kings of the hills? Maybe one day our power will surpass the Tian family’s, and we’ll have nothing to fear. Besides, that kid killed Tian Ergou—he’s avenged our suffering!”

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“Damn it! Enough! You’re right—if this continues, we’ll die anyway. Better to die doing something great than live as Tian family dogs.” After a moment’s thought, the captain finally made his decision.

“Hey, kid! Thanks for what you said earlier. We’ve decided to turn against the Tian family—hurry and run, a large group will be here soon!” he shouted at Lin Yanghao, who was already far ahead. “Brothers, let’s get out of here.” In no time, the group vanished into the wilderness.

By then, Lin Yanghao had already run far and didn’t hear the captain’s last words. Had he known his words would push them to betray the Tian family, he would have been astonished.

What no one expected was that after their rebellion, the squad found a mountain in the Chaoyang range, claimed it as their own, and after several years of expansion and absorbing smaller groups, became the largest bandit force in the mountains. Yet they only robbed the rich to help the poor, never harming the common folk, who called them “heroic bandits.” But that is another story.

The Chaoyang Mountains, lush with green hills and clear waters, basked in sunlight. Deep within, beside a boundary stone, stood a dark-skinned youth.

That youth was, of course, Lin Yanghao. He stood beside a stone tablet, reading its inscription.

“Land of Death—All Who Enter Die!”

Lin Yanghao had arrived at the Land of Death and now lingered at the boundary, uncertain whether to proceed.

To enter might mean no return, but it could also be his only chance to survive. Gritting his teeth, he stepped into the Land of Death.

“All who enter die? Hmph, I’m already inside and nothing’s happened. Just a scare tactic!” Lin Yanghao was delighted to find nothing amiss, his face glowing as he walked toward the White Tiger Gate.

After walking a long time, night fell. Having found some wild fruit along the way, Lin Yanghao ate and was no longer hungry. As darkness deepened, he had to find shelter. After searching for a while, he gathered some dry grass and, with the sky as his blanket and earth as his bed, soon drifted into sleep.

“Ooooo—oooo—”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

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Lin Yanghao was startled awake by strange cries. Rubbing his bleary eyes, he looked around—and what he saw made his heart leap in terror.

Countless figures were fighting all around him. To be precise, Lin Yanghao wasn’t even sure they were human. All around were armored warriors, wielding swords, spears, sabers, and halberds. Their faces were ashen, their eyes lifeless, attacking anyone in sight. Black mist swirled at their feet, and even when one was cut down, the body would quickly re-form and the fighting would resume.

Lin Yanghao felt as if he could hardly breathe, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. Anyone present would have seen that his face was deathly pale, his eyes vacant.

Watching this nightmare, only one thought filled his mind—he had stumbled into the legendary “ghost maze.” Now he understood why this place was called the Land of Death. Terror drained the strength from his legs; he could barely stand.

“My life is over! The Land of Death lives up to its name—no wonder…” Before he could finish, terror overwhelmed him, and he fainted dead away.

At that moment, something strange happened. The ring on Lin Yanghao’s left hand glowed blue, the light forming a shield that enveloped him. But Lin Yanghao, unconscious, knew nothing of this.

Meanwhile, in the Tian family’s great hall—

“What did you say? Say it again! Say it again!” Tian Ergou’s father, his face drained of all color, roared at the steward.

“Master, the squad has rebelled, they let Lin Yanghao escape, and now his whereabouts are unknown. The squad’s men have vanished as well.” The steward wiped his face, repeating his report.

“Ugh—ugh—” Tian Ergou’s father was so furious he could not catch his breath, and fainted on the spot.