Moments later, one mountain rat after another crept out of hiding—only to shrink back instinctively the moment they spotted the little white fox standing nearby.
Great Heavens! This nearly scared the whiskers off me!
Their leader truly lived up to his title. No wonder he became their King—he was clearly no ordinary rat. But to stand so boldly beside a fox… did he not fear being eaten for breakfast? Such were the thoughts racing through every rat’s mind.
Squeak, squeak-squeak…! Squeak, squeak-squeak! Squeak-squeak-squeak, squeak!
After a flurry of rapid conversation, the Mountain Rat King relayed all his subjects’ questions and misgivings to Xia Yuge. She answered them one by one, putting their fears to rest.
Satisfied, the rats cast one last cautious glance at Xia Yuge and the fox beside their leader, then scuttled back into the undergrowth, vanishing into the shadows.
【Rest assured, Master. We need only wait here. Trust me—it will not be long before they bring word.】
True to his word, barely a dozen minutes had passed before a small grey rat darted back to them.
Squeak, squeak-squeak! Squeak, squeak!
【Master! Little Grey reports he has found a cave! Inside are many wooden chests—nothing good to eat, only great hard lumps of cold iron he cannot gnaw. He asks—shall we investigate?】 the Rat King translated, his eyes bright with curiosity.
“Iron lumps?” Xia Yuge’s heart skipped a beat. If her guess was right, this was exactly what remained after the enemy’s retreat—the abandoned arsenal. 【Little Grey says it lies not far ahead. The cave is cleverly concealed; he stumbled upon it purely by accident when he slipped and fell through the ground.】
“Then we go—at once.” Xia Yuge wasted no time. Anyone who learned that a potential bomb lay dormant so close to home would lose all sleep. She, who had already lived one life and lost it, understood better than most how grave the danger was.
Guided by Little Grey, they arrived beside an ancient tree stump so wide it took two people to span.
【Beneath this stump—those iron lumps lie hidden!】 With that, Little Grey scampered straight down into the hollow.
Dawn was breaking; light seeped softly through the trees. Xia Yuge examined the stump and realized it was no natural formation—it had been fashioned by human hands. Years of fallen leaves had disguised it well. Only because a wild boar had tilted the heavy stone covering was a narrow opening exposed.
Xia Yuge cleared away the foliage, revealing a proper entrance.
【Master—wait here. I shall descend first and ensure all is safe before you come down.】
“Very well. Thank you, Xiao Jiu.” She stroked his fur gratefully. This could well be an arsenal filled with untold dangers. She would never risk her life without first confirming it was secure. But Xiao Jiu was different—he was bound to her by a spirit pact; so long as she lived, he could not perish. And should true peril arise, he could instantly retreat into his spirit space.
Moments later, his voice echoed upward.
【Safe below, Master! Come down!】 He had brought a luminous pearl from his pouch to light the way, guiding her steps.
In its radiant glow, Xia Yuge surveyed the cavern. Rows upon rows of crates stretched into the distance—filled with rifles, ammunition, and worst of all, vast stockpiles of explosives. Had those men in black succeeded… not only this cavern, but perhaps even the entire nearby military district would have been leveled to dust.
Xia Yuge’s blood ran cold. She climbed hastily back out, replaced the stone cover, and carefully re-covered the opening with leaves and branches until it appeared undisturbed.
“Listen well,” she said, turning to the Rat King with utmost gravity. “Xiao Jiu and I must return to the post and report this at once. You are to guard this place. Until I return with soldiers, no person—nor beast—may approach. And ensure none of those men in black escape either. Can you do this?”
【Never fear! Leave everything to me!】 He puffed out his chest proudly. 【Though… Master—might I ask one favour? Do stop calling me ‘Little Mountain Rat.’ It lacks all dignity!】
Xia Yuge suppressed a smile. “Very well. Your coat is the blackest I have ever seen, and you command many kin. From this day forth—you shall be known as General Black.”
【General Black?! Splendid! I am General Black!】 The rat squeaked with delight, and his subjects took up the cry, chirping and cheering in celebration.
Xia Yuge smiled at the sight, then grew serious once more. “General Black—your title carries duty. Guard this arsenal with your life. Should harm come to it, I shall hold you accountable.”
【And remember this—】 Xiao Jiu stepped forward, flexing his sharp, gleaming claws. 【Though you may be General among rats, my claws were not made for show. Fail this charge… and this fox shall see to your punishment. But succeed—and my protection shall extend to all your kin.】
【We swear it!】 General Black thumped his chest. 【Let no one fear! While General Black stands guard, not even an ant shall pass within!】
“Good. And you shall not go unrewarded.” Xia Yuge nodded to Xiao Jiu, who fetched all the fruits they had stored in his spirit pouch and laid them out as payment. Little Grey received double share for making the discovery. The rats chirped joyfully, overwhelmed by such bounty.
With arrangements complete, Xia Yuge and Xiao Jiu hastened down the mountain. She must reach headquarters without delay and report what lay hidden in the hills to her superiors.