The mountain in the southern suburbs of Baojiao County belonged to the Lian Family, one of the Eight Great Surnames in the county.
It was said that one of the Owners behind the Firewood Iron Shop was a member of the Lian Family.
The entrance to the mountain was guarded even more strictly than in the countryside. Over ten sturdy family retainers, who looked like they had trained in martial arts, patrolled with leashed hunting dogs, guarding the entrance.
"Entering the mountain to gather herbs costs eight hundred wen; chopping firewood costs one hundred wen. Both are for a single day, with no time limit," a Mountain Guard of the Lian Family at the checkpoint said to Chen Ku, who wanted to enter the mountain.
"Is chopping firewood that expensive?" Chen Ku asked curiously.
