〈Epic Fantasy Novel: The Paradise Hotel〉10

Author: Chen Qingyang

[26] Hunter Village in the Alps

John Chen and Stallone, the couple Xiaoyang and Minhua, Adorno, Rona, and Case—a group of seven—arrived at a border checkpoint.

John Chen said, “A month ago, a night of life-and-death battle between humans and ghosts occurred right here.”

Adorno smiled: “Yes! Rona, Case, and I participated. It was truly thrilling!”

Case: “Such a large-scale battle… I doubt I’ll ever witness another like it.”

John Chen sighed: “Our good friend, Station Chief Marlin, heroically sacrificed himself by detonating explosives at a critical moment.”

Adorno: “Marlin was truly courageous!”

Xiaoyang: “Wilson later told me that thanks to you intercepting the bat army here, the Paradise Hotel wasn’t reduced to ruins.”

John Chen: “When two armies clash, every opportunity must be seized to weaken the opponent. I chose this location against Anderson to leverage the terrain and fight with fewer troops.”

John Chen then drew a map from an envelope. He pointed to a fork in the road: “Take this path into the Alps.”

Stallone: “The Ghost Valley isn’t far on the map, but the mountain roads twist. It will take several days.”

Xiaoyang pointed to an area on the map without roads or villages, marked only with a swastika (卍).
John Chen guessed: “It might be a forbidden zone—no one has ever returned alive, hence no markings.”

Stallone: “Dragon’s lair or tiger’s den, we’re here—let’s venture in.”

John Chen: “This area is dangerous. We must stay alert. I’ll lead, you follow behind. Maintain formation.”

The group hiked in a column: Adorno behind John Chen, the couples and Rona and Case in the middle, following the forked mountain trail into the majestic Alps.

The mountain path wound along slopes; even in midsummer daytime, temperatures remained below ten degrees.

Huang Minhua held Xiaoyang’s arm, her cheeks flushed.
Xiaoyang: “If you feel tired, tell me.”
Minhua: “Not bad. Since our wedding morning, I feel clear-headed and lighter.”

By evening, they reached a small mountain village of about ten households. Stone walls, thatched roofs, strings of cured meat.

They met Piaget, the village hunting captain, strong and bearded, carrying a longbow and quiver. He invited them to stay for the night for safety against wolves and bears. John Chen thanked him.

Piaget signaled the village chief with his horn. The group was led through the village, curious faces peeking from windows.

Piaget’s home had a low entrance, a spacious living room with stone floors, high windows near the eaves, and a central hearth. A metal pot with stew simmered, aroma filling the room.

The villagers served food, and after some initial wariness, John Chen and the party sat respectfully. Adorno praised the stew, Piaget explained the ingredients included deer bones and local bats. The group paused at the mention of bats, startled, but Piaget reassured them they were fruit bats.

The chief instructed on bathing, warning about wolves and bears at night. John Chen joked that humans are scarier than wild animals. Adams, the village chief, agreed: beasts don’t attack humans unless provoked, just like humans—they hold grudges.

After the meal, everyone toasted with the chief, enjoying smoked deer meat. Rona smiled at Case, impressed with the flavors.

[Chapter 27] Dawn Reunion with the Lyon Brothers

Not long after John Chen and his group left Hunter Village, they had already been spotted by wolf scouts among the orcs and were being shadowed along the way. John Chen, of course, was not easily fooled. From the faint reflection off the wolf teeth and the wolf hairs fallen near footprints in the mud, he immediately sensed they were likely being tracked and monitored by wolf orcs.

These wolf orcs, John had read in historical records, had wolf-like upper bodies and human lower bodies, were tall and fierce. However, encountering them on this mission was something he had not anticipated.

John Chen quickly sent a secret telepathic message to Lin Xiaoyang: “Xiaoyang, we’re being tailed by wolf orcs. Stay alert!”

Huang Minhua, attuned to Xiaoyang’s thoughts, received the message simultaneously.

Xiaoyang thought: “The howling last night was probably from the wolves; their keen sense of smell must have detected our presence, and they relayed warnings to each other. They’re alert to us, unknown outsiders.”

The group slowed their pace. John Chen gestured wildly and sang a song, subtly embedding a few warning lines into it.

"Summer is perfect for hiking in the mountains, scenic views along the way, and wolves as companions, let’s sing and enjoy…"

John Chen encouraged everyone to maintain a cheerful mood, like a school field trip. The companions played along, walking happily and singing, confusing the wolf scouts tracking them.

However, the reflections off the metal hilts of swords and knives in Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua’s backpacks still heightened the wolves’ wariness.

Their singing gradually waned as their throats grew hoarse, but their steps did not slow. At noon, they stopped under the shade of a large tree to eat. They formed a circle, taking turns to keep watch, noticing that the number of eyes watching them seemed to increase.

John Chen reminded the group: “We must reach the next village before nightfall. I fear the wolves may launch a full-scale attack after dark.”

Xiaoyang said: “Then let’s not delay—eat quickly and move on.”

They hurriedly finished their lunch and resumed the journey. Huang Minhua endured leg fatigue, knowing she couldn’t slow the group and endanger everyone.

As dusk approached, they arrived at a small market. The scene surprised them: most villagers were nearby orcs, including wolves and bears. They brought deer hides, antlers, venison, and mutton to trade with a few human merchants using gold and silver. The market was winding down; the orcs were leaving, and merchants were packing their goods.

John Chen approached a middle-aged man: “Brother, is there an inn nearby for overnight stay?”

The man pointed with one finger: “Go to the end of the market and turn the corner. There’s a Mama Bear Inn there; they provide lodging, meals, and hot water.”

The group followed John Chen to the inn. Upon entering, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The inn’s owner, a bear-woman, was large and imposing but greeted guests warmly. The group gathered around the table, enjoying hot meals and laughing, spirits lifted.

John Chen asked: “Mama Bear, can you tell us what areas we will pass on the way to the Nether Valley?”

Mama Bear’s expression darkened: “Even we orcs never go near that valley. If you insist on going, you must first cross wolf and lizard territories, then the Hell Valley, and finally the terrifying Monster Forest.”

John Chen produced the map from his pocket, which indeed marked Hell Valley and Monster Forest.

John Chen asked: “Is there any way to bypass Hell Valley and Monster Forest?”

Mama Bear shook her head: “No.”

Xiaoyang asked: “What is Hell Valley like?”

“I’ve never been there, but elders say it’s volcanic. Fumaroles constantly release lava, sulfur gas, and CO₂. CO₂ settles in the valley floor; humans and animals passing through suffocate. The spring water is poisonous and undrinkable.”

Xiaoyang then asked: “And Monster Forest?”

“It’s filled with man-eating monsters, plus giant snakes, centipedes, spiders, and scorpions. Your group stands out—hard to avoid being targeted.”

The group’s cheerful mood instantly soured.

John Chen said: “On the way here, it felt like the wolves were following us but never directly blocked our path.”

“You came from the western mountain path via Hunter Village. This mountain foothill is traditional wolf hunting ground. They monitored you to see if you were a threat.”

John Chen understood: “I see.”

“Wolves rarely attack humans, unlike us bears, who are closer to humans and trade frequently. The Nether Valley is not meant for you—no one has ever entered it. I advise turning back via the southern trail, controlled by us bears. Our people will ensure your safety.”

John Chen bowed: “Thank you, Mama Bear. We have a mission and must enter the Nether Valley.”

Mama Bear sighed: “You’re all young. There’s no need to go there.”

After a night’s rest, they prepared supplies and left the inn. On the way to Hell Valley, they continued to be shadowed by wolves. Xiaoyang’s gaze wandered across the mountains, a sense of déjà vu creeping in. Minhua thought it was the peaceful scenery that attracted him.

At Hell Valley’s entrance, two or three dozen wolves blocked the path. Leading them was a gray-haired old wolf, Lyon.

Lyon asked: “Who’s the leader of this group?”

John Chen stepped forward: “I am.”

Lyon asked: “Your destination must be the Nether Valley?”

John Chen: “Yes, Captain Lyon.”

“I am Lyon, head of the wolf clan.” Lyon fixed his gaze on Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua.

John Chen bowed: “Pleased to meet you, Head Lyon.”

Lyon said: “I’ve watched you for days. I boldly assume you may be the one I’ve been waiting for.”

John Chen, confused: “Oh? You’ve been waiting for us?”

“Yes.” Lyon stepped to Xiaoyang and Minhua, staring at Xiaoyang. Pointing at Xiaoyang’s face: “You are David, right?”

Xiaoyang, astonished, asked: “You recognize me?”

Lyon extended his hands to grasp Xiaoyang: “I’ve been waiting for you for three hundred years. I always believed you would return.”

Xiaoyang recalled a scene from his dream: “You… you are Archie Lyon? My wolf brother.”

Lyon’s shoulders trembled, tears glimmering. Xiaoyang hugged him.

Not only John Chen and Stetson were confused, but even Huang Minhua was puzzled by the scene.

“Archie, Wolf Dad and Wolf Mom…” Xiaoyang’s eyes filled with tears.

Lyon wiped his eyes: “Wolf Dad passed away over two centuries ago, Wolf Mom waited for you but died a hundred years ago.”

Xiaoyang asked: “Archie, how did you recognize me?”

Lyon, smiling through tears: “Your unique musk scent!”

Xiaoyang sniffed himself: “But after being reincarnated in the East, I no longer smelled it.”

Lyon: “You can’t smell it, but I can! Last month, someone named Rufus passed through. He told me you had reincarnated in the East and would come this way.”

John Chen’s group gradually understood the two’s relationship.

Xiaoyang said: “Indeed! I have an important mission. No wonder the scenery felt familiar along the way.”

Lyon: “Rufus said he was your friend and going to Nether Valley, so I sent people to escort him through Hell Valley and the lizard lands.”

Xiaoyang: “I see.”

Lyon asked: “Brother, what mission takes you to the Nether Valley?”

Xiaoyang: “I must meet Princess Tanya, daughter of Ghost King Anderson.”

Lyon shook his head: “Princess Tanya? Never heard of her. Are you sure she’s in Nether Valley?”

John Chen added: “Rufus’s letter said she lives in seclusion there.”

Lyon asked: “And this is?”

Xiaoyang: “He’s my senior brother, Father John Chen from the Roman Church.”

Lyon extended his hand: “Pleased to meet you, Father Chen.”

Lyon said: “Since you’re going to the Nether Valley, I’ll take some of my young men to accompany you.”

Xiaoyang worried: “But the Monster Forest is very dangerous.”

Lyon smiled: “Not only the forest, but even passing through the lizard lands requires wolf escort. Even if it’s a den of dragons and tigers, I’ll accompany you, because you are my brother, David.”

John Chen: “Lyon, your brotherly bond is truly moving!”

Lyon looked at Huang Minhua: “This fine woman is your wife?”

Xiaoyang: “Yes.”

Lyon praised: “Good eye, brother. She’s beautiful.”

Huang Minhua was pleased.

Lyon bowed to her: “Though I look fierce, I’m very approachable.”

Lyon: “I’ll guide you all safely to the Nether Valley.”

Chapter Thirty: Princess Tanya of the Nether Valley

The group successfully left the Forest of Monsters and entered a broad, open valley. A vast gentle slope stretched before them, lush with green grass, and the mouth of the valley lay at the lowest point of the slope.

John Chen compared the terrain with the markings on his map and said,
“This should be the Nether Valley!”

Lann said,
“Beyond this valley, the snow-covered mountain ranges rise layer upon layer. That direction should already be the Austrian border. As for how deep and long this valley really is—there’s no way to judge it by sight alone.”

John Chen clenched his fist and said resolutely,
“There’s a saying in the East: ‘If you don’t enter the tiger’s lair, how can you catch the tiger’s cub?’ Even if this place is a dragon’s den or a tiger’s cave, no matter how dangerous it is, we must venture in.”

The group immediately moved toward the valley entrance. At that moment, they saw a man clad in a black cloak approaching them.

John Chen said,
“That must be Rufus, right? Why hasn’t he gone into the valley?”

The man was indeed the Archmage Rufus, who had gone ahead several days earlier.

As he drew closer, Rufus cupped his hands in greeting and said,
“Father John Chen, David—you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for you here.”

John Chen asked,
“Archmage, you haven’t gone in?”

Rufus gave a bitter smile.
“I couldn’t find a way in. Outside the towering walls and great gate lies a fire dragon, sprawled there, spewing flames from its mouth and refusing to let anyone approach. And behind the dragon, there’s also a pair of Cyclopes, wielding massive iron maces and chained iron flails.”

Steron said,
“If even you can’t get in, this really is troublesome.”

John Chen replied,
“There’s always a way. Let’s sit down and discuss how to lure away the dragon and those two giants.”

The group sat down on the ground to deliberate. John Chen drew three circles on the earth and began to explain his plan.

“My idea is to divide into three teams. Steron, Adorno, Rona, and Keith will draw away the fire dragon. Lann and I, together with our wolf clan brothers, will lure away the two giants. Archmage Rufus will escort Lin Xiaoyang and his wife into the valley.
When the first two teams succeed in drawing away the dragon and the giants, they’ll retreat toward the Forest of Monsters and hide within it, minimizing casualties.”

Lann frowned and asked,
“Retreat back into the forest? Those monsters and giant insects won’t be easy to deal with.”

Rufus said,
“In that case, both teams will regroup at the forest entrance. I’ll use illusion magic to conceal everyone and lead you into the forest. I guarantee you won’t be targeted by monsters or giant insects—though you may have to endure a bit of discomfort.”

John Chen nodded.
“I’ve personally experienced Archmage Rufus’s illusion magic. His plan will work. Let’s split up and act.”

---

Deep within the Nether Valley, inside a castle called Greenlight, two monster chieftains hurried into the great hall. Inside, Princess Tanya was speaking with her guards, with Captain Husserl standing beside her. Tanya received the two chieftains.

Ami cupped his hands and reported,
“Your Highness, we’ve confirmed the identities of the intruders. They consist of two priests of the Church, three vampires, Lann—the wolf clan’s chieftain—and his subordinates, as well as a married couple highly skilled in magic. The man is named David.”

Tanya asked in confusion,
“David? You say his name is David? Wasn’t he killed by Rufus more than three hundred years ago?”

Ami replied,
“I heard Old Wolf Lann call him David with my own ears—calling him ‘brother.’ The two appeared extremely close.”

Husserl said thoughtfully,
“Your Highness, there is only one possibility—David’s soul has been reincarnated.”

Colin added,
“That man called David and his wife fight together using a pair of long blade and long sword. Their skills are extraordinary. As soon as our spider, centipede, and scorpion guards approached, the two of them cut them down with coordinated sword formations—beheaded and dismembered, dying horribly. Knowing we were no match for them, our men didn’t dare to intercept them again.”

Husserl said gravely,
“It could indeed be David. His swordsmanship was so refined that even our former master, Anderson, was no match for him.”

Tanya said with concern,
“If it truly is David, then he has most likely come to demand that I fulfill my promise—to hand over the Sun Scepter.”

Husserl analyzed,
“If it is David, even if we forcefully try to stop him, we would likely pay an enormous price.”

Tanya pondered for a long time before making her decision.
“Very well. I will go and meet him myself. If he truly is David, I will first try to persuade him. If persuasion fails, I will have no choice but to honor my promise and return the scepter to Princess Maria. But if he is not David, then no matter how formidable he may be, I cannot allow him to succeed.”

---

Tanya, Husserl, and several personal guards each mounted flying dragons and arrived one after another at the western valley entrance.

By then, John Chen and his companions had already split into three groups and begun executing their plan.

Standing atop the watchtower, Husserl observed the situation through a long spyglass.
“Your Highness, the enemy has divided into three groups and is already in motion!”

Tanya said calmly,
“Transmit my order: seal the gates tightly. All guards at the valley entrance are to hold their positions. Do not fall into their trap.
Xiaobona, you ride out on a dragon and bring the man called David to me. I wish to speak with him face to face.”

The guard named Xiaobona cupped his hands in acknowledgment, jogged to a nearby platform, mounted a flying dragon, and took to the sky.

---

On the left route, Steron, Adorno, Rona, and Keith approached the high walls and main gate. The fire dragon stationed there received orders from a messenger, rose up, turned back, and entered through the gate. The massive gate shut tight, completely ignoring the four intruders.

The four stood there, stunned, not knowing what to do.

Shortly after, on the right route, John Chen arrived with Lann and the wolf clan warriors. Seeing the four standing helplessly before the sealed gate, John Chen found himself at a loss as well. He ordered a retreat to a distance of an arrow’s flight, waiting to rendezvous with the third team—Rufus and the Lin couple.

At that moment, a flying dragon descended from above and hovered overhead. Several hot-headed young wolf warriors were about to draw their bows and fire when John Chen shouted in time,
“Do not shoot! The one approaching is a messenger!”

The dragon landed before them. Xiaobona leapt down from its back and cupped his hands toward Lann.

“Chief Lann,” Xiaobona said,
“I am Princess Tanya’s personal guard. Is there someone among you named David? Her Highness wishes to see him personally.”

Lann was secretly puzzled.
We’ve never met—how does he know who I means I am?

John Chen returned the salute and said,
“There is indeed a man named David. Please wait a moment—he is at the rear of the group.”

Rufus and the Lin couple had also seen the dragon land and hurried forward to join them.

John Chen said,
“Xiaoyang, Tanya has sent a messenger. She specifically requests to see David.”

Lin Xiaoyang replied calmly,
“Then I will go and meet her.”

Rufus warned him,
“They’re deliberately sealing the gates and refusing to engage. There may be a trap.”

Lin Xiaoyang said,
“Since Tanya has already seen through our plan, rather than remaining deadlocked here, it’s better that I go and meet her myself.”

Huang Min-hua said,
“Xiaoyang, let me go with you.”

Lin Xiaoyang gently reassured her,
“My love, don’t act on impulse. I’ll be fine.”

John Chen said,
“Xiaoyang, let Min-hua go with you. The princess specified that Tanya wishes to see both of you together.”

Lin Xiaoyang nodded.
“Alright. Since it’s the princess’s request, we’ll go together.”

John Chen introduced David to the messenger. The couple mounted the flying dragon and followed him toward the high walls. The others watched their figures recede into the sky—there was nothing they could do now but wait.

John Chen said quietly,
“We’ll withdraw to the edge of the forest and wait for David’s news.”

The group followed John Chen and retreated.