After climbing for a long time, Shi Yin and her group finally set foot on the cliff top, truly entering Heishan Island.
The overall shape of Heishan Island resembled a massive shoe sole.
Connecting in the middle like the sole of a foot were low peaks, surrounded by cliffs on all sides. At the base of the mountains lay several sunken hollows, which served as the living areas for the exiles on the island.
Sheltered from the wind and cold, this area housed an ancient well fed by a natural freshwater spring, making it the most critical location on the entire island.
The three burly men led Shi Yin directly toward that settlement.
Along the way, low huts constructed from gravel mixed with mud and roofed with mud-daubed wicker were scattered here and there.
Crooked and misshapen, these structures looked incapable of withstanding a single gust of wind—little more than mud hovels.
“I say, brothers, I don’t want a place like this. It looks like it will collapse in a few days,” Shi Yin said, the disdain on her face far from fake.
The man pushing the cart scoffed, casting a sideways glance at the accomplice walking at the rear, his tone frivolous: “Naturally. How could such a dilapidated hovel be fit for a fine lady like you?”
The man trailing behind glanced into one of the squalid huts, shot a cold look at Shi Yin and his pushing companion up front, and followed closely in silence.
The further inward they went, the more orderly the dwellings became. Clay-brick grass huts thatched with straw gradually increased in number, barely capable of offering shelter from wind and rain.
Yet Shi Yin remained full of disdain, questioning softly, “The good place you mentioned couldn’t possibly be straw huts like these, could it? One strong gust of wind and the roofs would probably blow right off.”
The man holding the side of the cart had been about to speak, but Shi Yin cut him off, leaving him utterly speechless. He could only shut his mouth.
The burly man pushing the cart shot him a triumphant look and said haughtily, “Just put your mind at ease, little lady. The good places are further ahead.”
Sure enough, after several dozen paces, houses built with bluestone foundations, rammed earth walls reinforced with straw, and neatly laid gray-tiled roofs appeared. There were seven in total, standing out conspicuously amidst the broken, desolate island.
The burly man led Shi Yin straight toward the outermost house.
The house was small, consisting of only a single room with one window and one door.
It was enclosed by a crude wicker fence, and the yard was strewn haphazardly with shells, loose rocks, and dried wood debris. Even from outside the fence, a foul odor hung in the air.
“Little lady, what do you think of this courtyard?”
Shi Yin surveyed the place. Though dirty and small, it was indeed the best dwelling to be found under current circumstances.
Her expression remained calm as she asked slowly, “To whom did this house originally belong?”
“Naturally, it belongs to me,” the burly man chuckled vulgarly.
“Is there anyone else living inside?”
“Haha, empty as can be. Just me, your big brother, living alone. Perfect for a little lady like you to settle in comfortably.”
“How much silver does it cost to rent this place?”
As soon as Shi Yin’s words left her lips, the man’s laughter burst out loudly, his eyes glued to her as he scanned her up and down:
“No need to mention silver. Paying with your body will do just fine,哈哈哈!”
Having confirmed her targets through her line of questioning, Shi Yin dropped all pretense: “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”
Her expression instantly changed, and she barked a sharp command:
“Chengzhou!”
Chengzhou, who had been curled up under the sheepskin mat, immediately sprang up on command. The primed crossbow was aimed steadily at the burly man standing in front of the handcart. With a release of his finger, a sharp bolt cut through the air.
*Pfft—*
The crossbow bolt precisely pierced his neck, the arrowhead exiting through the back of his neck while the feathers at the tail shuddered lightly.
“Gurgle… gurgle…”
It happened far too fast for the man to utter even a cry of alarm. Blood gushed violently from his neck; the axe tucked at his waist served as nothing more than decoration before his life was completely extinguished.
The other two froze on the spot, eyes wide with horror as they stared at the quivering bolt in their companion’s neck, unable to process the reality for a moment.
Yet Chengzhou did not stop moving. He drew the hidden ring-pommel sabre and threw it accurately toward Shi Yin.
In the next instant, the ring-pommel sabre plunged straight into the abdomen of the man closest to her.
The last man was scared out of his wits, hastily turning around to flee.
However, Chengzhou’s movements were lightning-fast. A second crossbow bolt had already been loaded, pinning itself deep into his back.
In a mere blink of an eye, the three villains were left breathless and lifeless.
And just like that, Shi Yin and her children had a house.
At this moment, most of the people on the island were still lining up at the dock to exchange salt for grain. Only a few family members remained behind in the settlement, and seeing this scene unfold, they all looked on with curiosity, casting long glances at Shi Yin from a distance.
Outside a nearby courtyard containing five brick rooms, a woman was playing with her child when she happened to catch the entire event.
She lowered her voice and called out urgently, “Husband, come out quick! Sun Da and Zhou Zhe were just slaughtered by a woman.”
Before her words faded, the door creaked open, and a man around forty years old strode out. The woman whispered into his ear, and the man watched Shi Yin with a heavy, grim expression.
Shi Yin maintained a calm demeanor, casually wiping the blood off the ring-pommel sabre, wrapping it securely in cloth, and slinging it behind her back.
Picking up the second crossbow, she stepped forward with a steady posture, retrieving the arrows from the bodies like an incarnation of King Yama.
On the handcart, Chengzhou stood tall and straight, a cleaver strapped to his back and a crossbow held in hand as he surveyed the surroundings.
Two crossbows were more than enough to deter the crowd.
“This woman is fierce; she kills without blinking an eye.”
“And that child killed two! He doesn’t even look that big!”
“The child is the truly ruthless one—he killed people without a trace of fear!”
Sibilant whispers rippled through the surroundings, but Chengzhou’s eyes remained unchanged, devoid of any timidity.
Retrieving her arrows, Shi Yin turned around and kicked open the wooden door of the house behind her, scanning the interior.
Before her eyes was a single room. Aside from a pile of straw and a few clay jars, there was nothing else.
That pile of straw was likely the previous owner’s bed, as it was pressed down into shape.
Shi Yin tapped the pile of straw a few times with her blade. There was nothing unusual, though two rats scurried out, giving her a fright.
Dirty and messy, it was hardly a good place to live.
After letting out a sigh, Shi Yin brought Rong’er, who was still hidden under the sheepskin mat, into the room.
“Rong’er, make do with this for now. Mother will find a better place for you later,” she whispered softly in Rong’er’s ear. Rong’er nodded obediently, quietly waiting inside for her mother and brother.
When Shi Yin returned to the yard, she found that even more people had gathered around.
She knew these men definitely had accomplices, and those accomplices were right among the crowd at this very moment.
Shi Yin held her head high, meeting those veiled gazes, and spoke each word with crystal clarity:
“From this day forward, I claim this courtyard.
Since we are going to live as neighbors from now on, let us get acquainted today.
My family name is Shi, and my given name is Yin. You may all call me Lady Shi.”
Shi Yin paused briefly before continuing:
“Regarding today’s matter, I will only say this once: these three had evil intentions and sought to harm my children and me, only to be slain on the spot by us.
This is because they lacked brains, being both stupid and foolish, bringing about their own destruction. Such was their fate.
If their accomplices are present today, I advise you as well: all good things must come to an end, and your bond with them ends here.
From now on, let us mind our own business and not seek revenge for a few fools.
However, if you cannot see things clearly and foolishly wish to avenge them, I, Shi Yin, am not someone to be trifled with.”
Then, Shi Yin spoke once more: “I also know that coming onto this island and immediately cutting down your gang’s face isn’t ideal. So I would like to pass a message to your boss: if we can coexist in peace, I can point out a way for your future business. After all…”
She paused, slowly scanning the crowd, and raised her voice: “After all, the imperial court’s official ships will cease sailing next year. The voyage at the start of next month will likely be the final one.”
As soon as Shi Yin’s words landed, another wave of hushed whispers broke out among the onlookers nearby.
In the neighboring yard, the forty-something man took a step forward and asked in a gruff voice:
“What do you mean by that!”