At noon, the convoy arrived near a series of mountain ridges. Luo Zheng jumped off the vehicle and calmly surveyed the area ahead. The ridges stretched endlessly. To reach the capital, one must cross these ridges. A dirt road ran through them. The elevation wasn't high, with the highest point estimated to be no more than three hundred meters. The ridges were severely desertified, barren, devoid of plant life, and radiated a suppressive and dangerous aura under the sun.
Luo Zheng had a vague feeling that people were lying in ambush on the mountain. Sarazi approached and whispered, "The ridges ahead are their territory. The person in charge is called Gai Wafu, forty-five years old, a local. He grew up bold and aggressive, gathered his village men to occupy the mountain and become a local leader. Gradually developed to what it is today. Passing through only requires a fee, not too extreme, and they don't proactively attack others, so they have survived."
