### Chapter 35: Bandits Demand No Ransom, Only Your Life! - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 35: Bandits Want Your Life, Not Your Ransom! [Because your intentions were too obvious, Guo Lin had a vague sense of your thoughts. However, proud as she was, she did not wish to associate with you.] [In her eyes, you were merely a servant who happened to be good at cooking.] [As spring arrived, Guo Lin arranged an outing with several young masters and ladies from prestigious families in Linjiang City, specifically bringing you along as the cook.] [Your reputation had preceded you, and the others had heard of your culinary skills, so you prepared a variety of dishes for the occasion.] [The highlight was the grilled venison.] [A group of young masters and ladies, attended by servants, reveled in the springtime meadow, enjoying the feast.] [Meanwhile, you could only serve them carefully from the sidelines.] [Watching Guo Lin laughing and chatting with the young gentlemen, a pang of discomfort stirred within you.] [You felt a twinge of undeserved jealousy.] [As everyone was enjoying the feast, the sound of galloping hooves suddenly interrupted the merriment. Looking closely, you spotted a group of rough-looking men approaching on horseback.] [Instantly, panic filled your heart. Their demeanor was undeniably malicious.] [Others were alarmed as well.] [Screams filled the air as people began fleeing for their lives.] [Experienced servants amongst them shouted warnings.] "It's bandits! The local bandits are coming down the mountain to capture people!" "It seems like they captured many merchants last month too, but they never demanded ransoms. None of those captured were ever seen again." [After hearing the servants' alarmed cries, you astutely realized that the bandits' intentions this time were sinister.] [The prospect of being captured seemed grim.] [Amidst the chaos, you seized the opportunity to grab the hand of Second Miss Guo Lin, pulling her away to escape.] [Guo Lin glanced at you in surprise, not expecting you to stick with her and attempt an escape together.] [But it seemed the bandits were well-prepared. As you tried to flee, another group of horsemen appeared, encircling all of you tightly.] [Trapped by the bandits, there was no way for you and Guo Lin to break free from the encirclement.] [Together with the others, you were captured by the bandits.] [However, instead of harming you, the bandits tied everyone's hands together with a rope and led you towards their mountain stronghold.] [Some attempted escape, only to be struck down by arrows piercing their backs—it was your first exposure to such lethal violence.] [Your mind was in disarray.] [Scenes of killing you'd only seen in dreams were now starkly real and terrifying.] [Beside you, Guo Lin was pale, struggling to accept the death she'd just witnessed.] [You walked for a long distance, approximately over forty miles, until you were brought to the bandits' stronghold.] [The young masters and ladies, accustomed to a life of comfort, lamented incessantly.] [Upon reaching the stronghold, your acute sense of smell as a 'God of Cooking' detected an extremely nauseating odor.] [You discerned it was a concoction of human flesh, bones, and offal being boiled together, a stench that nearly overwhelmed and numbed your senses.] [The bandits residing at the stronghold were jubilant at their new captives, celebrating with wild gestures.] [Some bandits attempted to take liberties with Guo Lin and the other young ladies, but were stopped by the head chieftain of the bandit stronghold.] [You overheard a chilling sentence.] "The master needs pure yin blood..." [Shortly afterward, you, Guo Lin, and the others were thrown into a dank prison cell.] [The cell reeked of rotting flesh mixed with the metallic tang of rust, a smell that filled every breath and permeated your entire being.] [In a corner of the prison, you noticed a man lying there, devoid of visible injuries yet appearing emaciated and spiritless.] [Upon seeing you, a spark of liveliness returned to his eyes.] "More fresh meat has arrived." [The term 'fresh meat' made you feel a deep unease, suggesting that you were all considered helpless prey at the mercy of these bandits.] [You approached to inquire about this man's identity and why he referred to you as 'fresh meat.'] [In response to your questions, the man burst into laughter.] [He then revealed his background.] [Through his tale, you discovered he was one of the merchants captured a month ago.] [At first, he believed the bandits would demand ransom by writing to his family.] [Contrary to his expectations, however, the bandits never sought ransom. Instead, every other day, they would drag someone out of the cell.] [Once taken, those people were never seen again.] [Gradually, the number of captives dwindled, leaving him the sole survivor.] [Today was supposed to be his turn, but with your arrival, his skeletal presence had gone unnoticed.] [After hearing his account, panic spread among the group.] [The young masters and ladies initially assumed that as long as their families paid ransom, their safety would be ensured.] [To their horror, it became clear that these bandits had no interest in money—they wanted lives!] [Everyone was thrown into a state of panic, clueless about what to do.] [Just then, several bandits arrived, ruthlessly dragging out a servant by hooking through his shoulder blade, pulling him outside.] [The servant’s agonizing screams were gut-wrenching, with no one able to intervene.] [The merchant, relieved, sighed.] "In this situation, at least we can live another day." "Traditionally, they only take one person a day." "Given there are twenty-three of you, plus me, that means the luckiest person has twenty-three days left." [On hearing his grim calculation, everyone erupted in despair.] [The young ladies from wealthy families, in particular, wept uncontrollably, shouting and yelling.] "I want to go home! I want to go home!" "My father is Wang Qinghe. He won't let you get away with this!" [...] [The loud cries attracted one of the bandits who was in the midst of eating.] [Upon seeing the crying young ladies, the bandit, with a mouthful of roast meat, chastised you all.] "Shut up! This isn't your home!" "Annoy me enough, and you'll be the first taken tomorrow, you pampered miss!" [The bandit's roast meat drew your attention—it wasn't human flesh but a rabbit leg, which came as a small relief. This suggested the bandits weren't cannibals.] [Inspiration struck you then, pointing to the rabbit leg in the bandit's hand.] "Brother, brother!" "I'm a cook, and that rabbit leg of yours is all dry with no juices." "Why not let me cook for you?" [The bandit looked at you with skepticism, as their food was notoriously unappetizing.] [The prospect of having a decent cook intrigued him, envisioning better meals.] [With that thought, the bandit decided to let you out of the cell.] "Alright." "I'll let you out to cook for us." "But if the food isn't good, I'll start by cutting you!" Brothers, I'm asking for some monthly votes. After the ban was lifted, I found I'd fallen off the new book rankings, which is disheartening. I'll need to be more careful in my writing in the future!