《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【二十八】、硬闖蜥蜴人地界 Chapter Twenty-Eight: Forcing Their Way into the Lizardmen’s Territory

這一行人到來的消息，已驚動蜥蜴人頭目拉旺。石灰林山的大溶洞裡，拉旺獲悉竟然是朗恩頭目親自帶隊，決定派出親信朱古力，在穀口附近攔路跟朗恩問清楚來意。
親信朱古力問：「頭目，如果狼族只是跟我們借道經過，我們是不是就放他們過去？」
拉旺說：「那可不行！我們蜥蜴族和狼族幾百年前就有默契，不能帶任何人類到對方的地界，朗恩已打破默契在先，除非他把那幾個人類留下，給我們來處置，我就同意讓朗恩他們狼族離開。」
朱古力說：「根據偵查兵回報，朗恩那夥狼族嚴密保護著那幾個人類，看情形不可能答應頭目你開的條件。」
拉旺說：「不接受我的條件，我們只好被迫跟他們開戰，畢竟他們一行人在我們的地界上，無論兵力或地形地物，我們都占上風，而且以逸待勞。」
朱古力說：「頭目，我們不能小看狼族的戰鬥力，還有同行的那幾個人類，偵查兵跟我描述說，從那幾個人類的穿著看來，不是尋常遊客，其中有一對男女，手上還提著刀劍，可見對方有備而來。」
拉旺不耐煩說：「朱古力，你怎麼越活越膽小？就照我的意思跟朗恩說，朗恩最好吞得下去，否則我不會讓他說來就來，說走就走！」
朱古力面色凝重說：「頭目，我曾聽祖父說三百多年前，也有一夥人類，一路硬闖狼族和我們的地界，當時狼族只派出一個小隊攔路，被對方打得抱頭鼠竄後，就放對方經過。我們的祖宗頭目不肯放行，和對方打了起來，結果我們付出慘重犧牲，我擔心歷史重演，何況，這回是狼族頭目朗恩親自護駕，我們犯不著跟整個狼族硬槓啊！」
拉旺說：「不跟朗恩硬槓，難不成任由他們說來就來說走就走？把我拉旺當成空氣？反正，我心意已決，你照我的意思去傳話就是！」
朱古力眼見頭目態度堅決，也就乖乖閉嘴，轉身離開。

朗恩和陳約翰這行人，剛離開地獄穀，來到石灰林山入口前，就被朱古力和幾個衛兵攔下。
朗恩認得朱古力，夏波陪著他趨前走向朱古力。
朱古力主動拱手行禮說：「朗恩大頭目別來無恙，看您老依舊老當益壯，風采不減當年。」
朗恩微笑說：「朱古力，你也沒怎麼變老啊！我帶了幾個朋友，要借道進去幽冥山谷，無意驚動你們，還請拉旺頭目給個方便。」
朱古力說：「我個人的確不想為難朗恩大頭目，可我們拉旺老大說你打破雙方默契在先。」
夏波說：「我們也不想打破雙方默契，可我們帶人進去幽冥山谷，並沒有第二條路可走。」
朱古力說：「你們如果現在就折返，我可以擔保各位一路平安。」
朗恩語意堅定說：「我們不可能半途而廢，借道前往幽冥山谷情非得已，請朱古力轉告拉旺頭目，我們狼族無意侵犯你們，但請務必給個方便。」
朱古力面有難色說：「拉旺頭目曾有明確指示，除非你們留下這些人類，交由我們來處置，否則我們不會放行。」
朗恩側身伸手指著說：「這幾位人類朋友，是我狼族貴賓，其中這位手提長刀的大衛侍衛長，曾經是暗黑世界裡的頭面人物，你們拉旺頭目應該聽聞過此人。如果你們硬要我將他們留下來，不只我不同意，大衛也不會同意。請拉旺頭目考慮清楚，硬碰硬的結果將會如何？」
朱古力順著朗恩所指，盯著林曉陽和黃敏華打量了一下，懷疑地問：「我聽傳言說三百多年前大衛已經被陣前叛將魯夫殺死，眼前這位東方人怎可能是大衛？頭目不要欺我沒知識。」
朗恩不悅，提高聲量說：「他的確是大衛轉世，我騙你做什麼？」
朱古力說：「好，我姑且相信，請各位在此稍後一小時，我回去稟告拉旺頭目，再回來跟您報告我們頭目的決定。」
朱古力以手勢指示衛兵，衛兵隨即跟著他往回走，走進石灰林山。

朱古力回到石灰岩大溶洞，連忙去見頭目拉旺，把方才他和朗恩面談經過，概略說了。
拉旺問：「那，你看清楚那個轉世的大衛了？」
朱古力分析說：「是的，頭目，我估計那個東方青年肯定有些本事，雖然外表上看起來文質彬彬，可他手上的那把長刀，應該不是擺設而已。朗恩強調那青年是大衛轉世，應該不假…。」
拉旺想了一下說：「如果真是大衛轉世，可就棘手了，別說我沒把握撂倒他，就算真能殺了此人，恐怕也會因此開罪暗黑世界的瑪莉亞公主，這夥吸血鬼，咱們蜥蜴族肯定是惹不起的。這樣吧！我讓蒙大拿帶著他那隊精銳的盔甲軍，去埋伏在朗恩他們必經的棧道上，伺機突襲，實在打不過就撤退，不要跟他們硬槓。」
朱古力欣慰說：「頭目能這樣思考就對了，識時務才是好漢，對方既然是刺蝟，咱們硬槓下去，恐怕不死也傷筋動骨。何況，來人真要是大衛這尊戰神，蒙大拿打不過，族裡沒有人敢背後說頭目風涼話。」
拉旺隨即吩咐身旁的蒙大拿：「蒙大拿，你帶隊去伏擊朗恩，如果朗恩那夥人實力太強，就往後撤，別跟對方硬槓到底，以免弟兄傷亡慘重。」
蒙大拿拱手接令：「是，屬下會見機行事。」
拉旺嘴裡嘀咕著：「朗恩這老頭，存心來找我麻煩…」。

蒙大拿帶著他那隊盔甲軍，進到埋伏地點，隱身在石灰林的陰影中。在林外等候朱古力的陳約翰一行人，經過一個多小時，還是沒等到朱古力依約前來。
朗恩不耐煩說：「朱古力這老小子，不是說好一小時後，前來回報，怎不見人影嘞？」
陳約翰說：「只怕事情有變化，蜥蜴族存心不放我們路過。」
朗恩說：「這些臭蜥蜴，敢跟我使詐，看我怎麼扒了拉旺的那副老皮！」
陳約翰說：「說狠話無濟於事，我直覺蜥蜴族似乎先禮後兵，咱們絕不能大意輕敵，給他們有機可乘。」
朗恩說：「就由我和夏波來打頭陣，我們狼族聽覺嗅覺敏銳，這些臭蜥蜴休想瞞過我們。」
林曉陽說：「朗恩兄弟，我陪你走在對伍前頭，我的反應快。」
一行人列隊進入石灰林山的小徑，林曉陽和朗恩、夏波走在隊伍最前頭，黃敏華、陳約翰和蘿娜和凱斯居中，史特龍和阿多諾殿後，外圍左右兩行的狼族弟兄手持強弓和掃刀，個個繃緊神經，提高警戒表情顯得緊張，清楚這段路可攸關性命。
山徑兩旁都是怪石嶙峋的石筍和壺穴，藏身其間很難被發現，即使狼族弟兄嗅覺聽覺靈敏，一旦蜥蜴族發動突襲，也可能第一時間來不及反應。一行人進到一處狹窄的山溝小徑，前方是一道木棧橋，朗恩憑經驗判斷蜥蜴族可能在此設下埋伏，於是以手勢要大夥兒放低身子。就在此時，林曉陽率先發覺山溝上方壺穴陰暗處有人影匍匐，於是一個跨步提氣，腳踩在幾近垂直的山壁飛快爬上岩壁，抽出長刀縱身躍入壺穴，幾聲刀械磨擊聲響後，兩隻蜥蜴族盔甲兵，連同手上長矛和鐵鎚兵器，先後掉落山溝，卻還活著，只是動彈不得，多數夥伴都看不懂其中明堂，只有陳約翰和黃敏華知道這兩隻蜥蜴兵被林曉陽以點穴方式制住，想來曉陽無意開殺戒，預留迴旋空間。
盔甲軍隊長蒙大拿眼見行蹤暴露，一聲長哨音發起包圍戰，盔甲兵紛紛自壺穴和山壁陰影間現身，將朗恩這行人團團包圍，竟然有數百兵勇之眾。
蒙大拿站在山溝上方制高點，對著朗恩等人喊話：「朗恩大頭目，你們狼族侵門踏戶不聽勸阻，帶著人類強行硬闖我們的地界，破壞雙方默契，怨不得我們痛下殺手！」
話才說完，這數百人盔甲兵，手持長槍鐵鎚，紛紛縱身躍下山溝，雙方開始短兵相接。
郎恩急忙喊話：「維持隊形完整，不要被敵人衝散！」
狼族弟兄訓練有素，築起人牆抗敵，將陳約翰等人圈圍在人牆裡，與蜥蜴族盔甲兵展開近身格鬥。陳約翰等人眼見敵人以人數優勢強攻硬打，於是各自加入戰局，挺身到外圍，與狼族兄弟一起和敵人格鬥。
林曉陽判斷此時若不能出奇招，雙方會戰持續越久，狼族勢必傷亡慘重，於是以傳音入密要黃敏華跟他會合。夫妻倆會合和，形成刀劍太極陣法，直接撲向盔甲軍主力，也就是蒙大拿所在的方位，活生生劈出一道通路。盔甲兵手上的武器，一碰觸到刀劍鋒芒，紛紛被削斷落地，那些蜥蜴兵登時愣住。蒙大拿隊長親眼看見來人這等淩厲身手，卻無意痛下殺手，直覺強攻硬打己方勢必傷亡慘重，立即高聲大喊：「兩軍休兵！兩軍休兵！」，親兵隨即吹響號角，盔甲兵立即退到山壁兩側，擺出警戒姿態，雙方隨即停止格鬥。
狼族幾個兄弟掛彩，傷勢尚無大礙，蜥蜴族卻已陣亡十數人。
蒙大拿在親兵護衛下，來到林曉陽夫妻面前，向曉陽拱手行禮：「敢問閣下，是否傳說中的天空城堡大衛侍衛長？」
林曉陽收刀入鞘，拱手回禮：「我是大衛。」
蒙大拿態度恭敬說：「久仰盛名，今日得見閣下身手，果然名不虛傳！我是蜥蜴族盔甲軍隊長蒙大拿。」
「蒙大拿隊長，幸會。」
「我們蜥蜴族本無意與暗黑世界或狼族為敵，但這裡是我們生息地域，不得已冒犯您們。」蒙大拿態度懇切，已無方才的霸氣。
「請隊長明察，我們此行借道前往幽冥山谷情非得已，並非意在挑釁你們。」林曉陽語氣平和。
「此番對陣，我等的確實力相差懸殊。方才若不是侍衛長手下留情，我的弟兄們恐怕已屍橫遍地。我即刻收兵，回稟大頭目，給您和同行友人方便。」蒙大拿說完，深深一鞠躬，轉身向部屬們揮手，盔甲兵抬起陣亡兄弟屍體，隨即整隊，井然有序通過木棧橋，蒙大拿走在隊伍後方押隊。
朗恩和陳約翰等人，這時總算鬆了一口氣，狼族弟兄歡呼聲起。
陳約翰和朗恩來到林曉陽夫妻面前。
陳約翰說：「曉陽，要不是你急中生智，及時使出刀劍陣法嚇住蒙大拿，這場惡戰持續下去，雙方恐怕死傷枕藉。」
朗恩讚許說：「大衛兄弟，你們夫妻的刀劍合璧威力，我算是開了眼界啊！」
林曉陽說：「我原本打算擒賊先擒王，制住蒙大拿，逼他們停手。」
陳約翰說：「接下來這段路，我們仍不能掉以輕心。」
朗恩說：「依我估計，這票臭蜥蜴，應該不敢再來攔路。」
狼族弟兄為傷者包紮後，一行人通過木棧橋，繼續前行

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Forcing Their Way into the Lizardmen’s Territory

The news of this group’s arrival had already alarmed the lizardmen leader, Lawang. Inside the huge limestone cave on Limestone Forest Mountain, Lawang learned that Chief Lang En himself was leading the group. He decided to send his trusted subordinate, Chocolate, to block their way near the entrance to the valley and ask Lang En exactly why he had come.

Chocolate asked, “Chief, if the wolf clan is only borrowing our territory to pass through, should we just let them go?”

Lawang said, “That won’t do! Hundreds of years ago, our lizard clan and the wolf clan reached an understanding that neither side could bring any humans into the other side’s territory. Lang En was the first to break that understanding. Unless he leaves those few humans behind for us to deal with, I will agree to let Lang En and his wolf clan leave.”

Chocolate said, “According to the scouts’ report, Lang En and his wolf clan are protecting those humans closely. Judging from the situation, it is unlikely that they will agree to the terms you have set, Chief.”

Lawang said, “If they refuse my terms, we will have no choice but to fight them. After all, their group is on our territory. Whether in terms of manpower or terrain, we have the advantage, and we are rested while they are tired.”

Chocolate said, “Chief, we cannot underestimate the wolf clan’s fighting ability. And as for the few humans traveling with them, the scouts described them to me. Judging from the way those humans are dressed, they are not ordinary tourists. There is also a man and a woman carrying swords. Clearly, they came prepared.”

Lawang said impatiently, “Chocolate, why are you getting more timid as you get older? Just tell Lang En what I said. Lang En had better swallow my terms, or I won’t let him come and go as he pleases!”

Chocolate said solemnly, “Chief, I once heard my grandfather say that more than three hundred years ago, another group of humans also forced their way through the territories of the wolf clan and our clan. At that time, the wolf clan sent only a small squad to block their way. After being beaten into a panic and fleeing, they simply let the humans pass. Our ancestral chief refused to let them through and fought them. As a result, we suffered terrible losses. I am worried that history will repeat itself. Besides, this time Chief Lang En of the wolf clan is personally protecting them. There is no need for us to take on the entire wolf clan!”

Lawang said, “If we don’t take on Lang En, are we supposed to let them come and go as they please? Do they think I, Lawang, am nothing? Anyway, I have made up my mind. Just go and deliver my message!”

Seeing that the chief was determined, Chocolate obediently fell silent, turned around, and left.

Lang En, Father John Chen, and the others had just left Hell Valley and arrived at the entrance to Limestone Forest Mountain when Chocolate and several guards stopped them.

Lang En recognized Chocolate, and Xia Bo accompanied him as they stepped forward toward Chocolate.

Chocolate took the initiative to clasp his hands in greeting and said, “Chief Lang En, it has been a long time. You still look strong and vigorous, and your bearing has not diminished with the years.”

Lang En smiled and said, “Chocolate, you haven’t aged much either! I have brought a few friends and need to borrow your territory to enter Netherworld Valley. We had no intention of alarming you. Please ask Chief Lawang to do us a favor.”

Chocolate said, “Personally, I really don’t want to make things difficult for Chief Lang En, but our Boss Lawang says that you were the first to break the understanding between our two sides.”

Xia Bo said, “We do not want to break the understanding between our two sides either, but there is no other way for us to bring these people into Netherworld Valley.”

Chocolate said, “If you turn back now, I can guarantee that all of you will travel safely.”

Lang En said firmly, “We cannot possibly give up halfway. We have no choice but to take this route to Netherworld Valley. Please tell Chief Lawang that our wolf clan has no intention of invading your territory, but we ask that you make an exception for us.”

Chocolate said uneasily, “Chief Lawang has given clear instructions. Unless you leave these humans behind and hand them over to us to deal with, we will not let you pass.”

Lang En turned sideways and pointed toward them as he said, “These human friends are honored guests of the wolf clan. This man carrying the long saber, Guard Captain David, was once a prominent figure in the Dark World. Your Chief Lawang should have heard of him. If you insist that I leave them behind, I will not agree, and neither will David. Please ask Chief Lawang to think carefully about what the consequences will be if we come to blows.”

Following Lang En’s gesture, Chocolate looked closely at Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua, then asked suspiciously, “I heard rumors that more than three hundred years ago, David was already killed by the traitorous general Ruf in the middle of battle. How could this Oriental man standing before me possibly be David? Chief, don’t try to deceive me just because I lack knowledge.”

Lang En said displeasedly, raising his voice, “He really is David reincarnated. Why would I lie to you?”

Chocolate said, “Fine, I will take your word for it for now. Please wait here for an hour. I will go back and report to Chief Lawang, then return and tell you our chief’s decision.”

Chocolate gestured to the guards, and they immediately followed him back into Limestone Forest Mountain.

Chocolate returned to the huge limestone cave and hurried to see Chief Lawang, briefly recounting what had just happened during his conversation with Lang En.

Lawang asked, “So, did you get a good look at that reincarnated David?”

Chocolate analyzed the situation and said, “Yes, Chief. I estimate that the young Oriental man definitely has some ability. Although he looks refined and scholarly on the outside, the long saber in his hand is obviously not just for show. Lang En emphasized that the young man is David reincarnated, and I believe that is probably true…”

Lawang thought for a moment and said, “If he really is David reincarnated, this could be troublesome. Never mind whether I am confident that I could take him down. Even if I really could kill him, I am afraid we would offend Princess Maria of the Dark World. Those vampires are people our lizard clan definitely cannot afford to provoke. How about this? I will have Montana take his elite armored troops and lie in ambush along the plank road that Lang En and his people must pass. They can seize an opportunity to launch a surprise attack. If they really cannot beat them, retreat. Do not fight them head-on.”

Chocolate said with relief, “That is the right way for the chief to think. Knowing when to adapt is the mark of a wise man. Since our opponents are like porcupines, if we insist on fighting them head-on, we may suffer crippling injuries even if we do not die. Besides, if the person who has come really is the God of War David, and Montana cannot defeat him, no one in the clan will dare to criticize the chief behind his back.”

Lawang immediately instructed Montana, who was standing beside him, “Montana, take your troops and ambush Lang En. If Lang En’s group is too powerful, retreat. Do not fight them to the bitter end and risk heavy casualties among our brothers.”

Montana clasped his hands and accepted the order. “Yes. I will act according to the situation.”

Lawang muttered under his breath, “That old man Lang En is deliberately coming here to cause me trouble…”

Montana led his armored troops to the ambush site and concealed them in the shadows of Limestone Forest. Father John Chen and the others, who were waiting outside the forest for Chocolate, waited for more than an hour, but Chocolate still did not return as promised.

Lang En said impatiently, “That old rascal Chocolate said he would come back and report to us after an hour. Why haven’t we seen him?”

Father John Chen said, “I’m afraid something has changed. The lizard clan may have deliberately decided not to let us pass.”

Lang En said, “Those stinking lizards! They dare to play tricks on me. Just wait until I tear that old skin off Lawang!”

Father John Chen said, “Threats will do us no good. My instinct tells me that the lizard clan seems to be preparing to use force after pretending to be courteous. We absolutely cannot be careless or underestimate the enemy and give them an opportunity to catch us off guard.”

Lang En said, “Xia Bo and I will lead the way. Our wolf clan has keen hearing and a sharp sense of smell. Those stinking lizards will never be able to fool us.”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Brother Lang En, I’ll walk at the front of the group with you. My reactions are fast.”

The group formed a line and entered the path through Limestone Forest Mountain. Lin Xiaoyang, Lang En, and Xia Bo walked at the very front. Huang Minhua, Father John Chen, Lorna, and Keith were in the middle, while Father Stylon and Adorno brought up the rear. Along the outer left and right sides, the wolf-clan warriors carried powerful bows and machetes. Every one of them was tense and highly alert, their expressions showing how nervous they were, fully aware that this stretch of road could determine whether they lived or died.

On both sides of the mountain path were jagged rock formations, stone pinnacles, and potholes. It was difficult to detect anyone hiding among them. Even though the wolf-clan warriors had keen hearing and a sharp sense of smell, if the lizard clan launched a surprise attack, they might still be unable to react in time.

The group entered a narrow trail in a mountain ravine. Ahead was a wooden plank bridge. Based on his experience, Lang En judged that the lizard clan might have set an ambush there, so he gestured for everyone to lower their bodies.

At that very moment, Lin Xiaoyang was the first to notice figures crawling in the darkness of the potholes above the ravine. He immediately took a large step, gathered his energy, and planted his foot against the nearly vertical mountain wall, rapidly climbing the rock face. He drew his long saber and leaped into the pothole.

After several sounds of blades and weapons scraping against each other, two armored lizardmen, along with the long spears and iron hammers in their hands, fell one after another into the ravine. They were still alive, but unable to move.

Most of the companions could not understand what had happened. Only Father John Chen and Huang Minhua knew that Lin Xiaoyang had immobilized the two lizard warriors by striking their vital pressure points. It seemed that Xiaoyang had no intention of killing them and had deliberately left room for further negotiation.

Seeing that their movements had been exposed, Montana, commander of the armored troops, gave a long whistle and launched an encirclement. Armored soldiers emerged one after another from the potholes and the shadows along the mountain walls, surrounding Lang En and his group on all sides. There were actually several hundred soldiers.

Montana stood at the high ground above the ravine and shouted at Lang En and the others, “Chief Lang En, your wolf clan has invaded our territory despite our warnings, bringing humans here and forcing your way through our land, breaking the understanding between our two sides. You cannot blame us for showing no mercy!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the hundreds of armored soldiers, carrying long spears and iron hammers, leaped down into the ravine one after another. The two sides immediately engaged in close combat.

Lang En hurriedly shouted, “Keep the formation intact! Do not let the enemy break us apart!”

The wolf-clan warriors were well trained. They formed a human wall to resist the enemy, surrounding Father John Chen and the others within it as they engaged in close combat with the lizardmen’s armored troops.

Seeing that the enemy was using its numerical advantage to launch a fierce frontal assault, Father John Chen and the others each joined the battle, stepping out to the perimeter and fighting alongside the wolf-clan warriors.

Lin Xiaoyang judged that if he could not use an unexpected move at that moment, the longer the battle continued, the heavier the wolf clan’s casualties would be. He therefore used secret voice transmission to tell Huang Minhua to join him.

When the husband and wife joined forces, they formed a Taiji saber-and-sword formation and charged directly toward the main force of the armored troops, where Montana was positioned, literally cutting a path through the enemy.

Whenever the weapons in the hands of the armored soldiers touched the sharp edges of the saber and sword, they were sliced apart and fell to the ground. The lizardmen were immediately stunned.

Commander Montana witnessed the newcomers’ astonishing skill, yet they clearly had no intention of killing indiscriminately. He instinctively realized that if his troops continued attacking head-on, his side would suffer devastating casualties.

He immediately shouted at the top of his voice, “Both sides, cease fighting! Both sides, cease fighting!”

His personal guards immediately blew their horns. The armored soldiers retreated to both sides of the mountain wall and assumed defensive positions. The two sides then stopped fighting.

Several wolf-clan warriors were wounded, but their injuries were not serious. The lizard clan, however, had already lost more than a dozen soldiers.

Under the protection of his personal guards, Montana came before Lin Xiaoyang and his wife and clasped his hands in greeting.

“May I ask, sir, are you the legendary Guard Captain David of Sky Castle?”

Lin Xiaoyang sheathed his saber and returned the greeting.

“I am David.”

Montana said respectfully, “I have long admired your reputation. Having witnessed your skill today, I can see that your fame is well deserved. I am Montana, commander of the lizard clan’s armored troops.”

“Commander Montana, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Our lizard clan never intended to make enemies of the Dark World or the wolf clan. But this is the land where our people live and thrive, so we had no choice but to offend you.”

Montana’s tone was sincere, and the arrogance he had shown earlier was gone.

“Please understand, Commander. We have no choice but to take this route to Netherworld Valley. We had no intention of provoking you.”

Lin Xiaoyang spoke calmly.

“In this confrontation, the difference in our strength is indeed enormous. If the Guard Captain had not shown mercy just now, my brothers would probably be lying dead all over the ground. I will withdraw my troops immediately and report to the chief, allowing you and your companions to pass.”

After Montana finished speaking, he bowed deeply. He then turned and waved to his subordinates. The armored soldiers lifted the bodies of their fallen brothers and immediately formed ranks. In orderly formation, they crossed the wooden plank bridge, with Montana bringing up the rear.

Lang En, Father John Chen, and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief. Cheers erupted from the wolf-clan warriors.

Father John Chen and Lang En came to Lin Xiaoyang and his wife.

Father John Chen said, “Xiaoyang, if you had not come up with a brilliant move in the heat of the moment and used the saber-and-sword formation to intimidate Montana, this fierce battle might have continued, and both sides could have suffered terrible casualties.”

Lang En said approvingly, “Brother David, I have truly witnessed the power of your husband-and-wife saber-and-sword combination today!”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “I originally planned to capture the leader first, restrain Montana, and force them to stop fighting.”

Father John Chen said, “We still cannot let our guard down on the road ahead.”

Lang En said, “In my estimation, those stinking lizards probably will not dare to block our way again.”

After the wolf-clan warriors bandaged the wounded, the group crossed the wooden plank bridge and continued onward.