Chapter 10

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Chapter 10: The Dense Forest

The mountain at night was very quiet, with few bird or insect calls. Occasionally, the howling of wolves pierced the darkness, emphasizing the danger of the wilderness. It was overcast that night, and the moon had long since hidden behind the clouds to sleep. Looking at the dark clouds in the sky, it was uncertain when the crescent moon would peek out. Fortunately, Situ Ping and Young Master Ma were martial artists with sharp eyes, so they could move swiftly in the pitch-black night.

When they arrived at the foot of the Five Claws Mountain, all that greeted them was a dead silence, with only the sound of the wind blowing. The Five Claws Mountain’s Thumb Mountain was a short and stout little mountain, its height indiscernible in the darkness of the night. To the east of the mountain was a flat area of about four or five mu, with a very smooth terrain covered in fallen leaves and dry grass. Every step they took made a rustling sound.

Young Master Ma glanced around and said to Situ Ping: “This is it. Let’s wait here.” Then, he walked through the dry grass on the flat ground and approached a large rock protruding from the ground, as big as a lying ox. He leaped onto it and sat cross-legged, falling silent as if entering a meditative state. Situ Ping followed him to the rock but didn’t jump up. Instead, she leaned against the rock, holding her sword at her waist, her eyes scanning the surroundings, observing this familiar yet unfamiliar place in the night.

The wind continued to howl as both of them remained motionless, passing the time quietly for the duration of a joss stick burning.

Suddenly, Young Master Ma opened his eyes and looked towards the direction of the northern forest. Situ Ping sensed his movement and turned to look at the forest as well, listening intently, but she didn’t notice anything. Just as she was feeling puzzled, she heard someone swiftly approaching from the north, using lightness skills. Situ Ping couldn’t help but feel impressed once again, thinking to herself: “Truly worthy of being a disciple from a famous sect.”

In no time, the night travelers arrived before them. It was Wen Wenhai and his junior sister. They seemed to have abandoned their horses at the foot of the mountain and hiked up. Wen Wenhai didn’t rush to leap down from the tree but instead observed the situation from above before gesturing for his junior sister to descend.

They didn’t greet the others but, just like Young Master Ma, Wen Wenhai sat cross-legged under the tree, closing his eyes in meditation. His junior sister, on the other hand, didn’t stand. She took out a cushion from her backpack, placed it on the ground, and sat on it, seeming to be resting.

Young Master Ma also closed his eyes again, as if he hadn’t noticed the newcomers, and Situ Ping could only stand there silently.

After a while, several of them simultaneously opened their eyes and looked toward the small path on the opposite side of the mountain. From the other end of the path came the sound of footsteps. In this silent wilderness where only the sound of the wind could be heard, these ordinary footsteps seemed somewhat eerie. The footsteps approached steadily, neither fast nor slow, gradually drawing nearer, yet the figures of the walkers remained unseen. All four of them were filled with anticipation, eager to catch a glimpse of the person walking along the mountain path.

As the figures drew nearer and became clearer, everyone grew even more astonished. It turned out to be two individuals walking side by side, their strides identical, their movements synchronized. In the darkness, it was impossible to discern whether they wore similar clothing or shared similar features. However, observing their strides, which were half again as long as those of ordinary people, everyone had already guessed the answer. They all silently thought to themselves: “So, the other group is them.”

The two individuals reached the edge of the clearing, casting a glance at the two groups within. Without uttering a word, they made no move to enter the clearing, simply standing there motionless.

Inside the clearing, the four individuals, seeing the two standing motionless, continued to meditate with closed eyes as before, indicating that someone else had yet to arrive.

After another period of time, as everyone began to grow a bit anxious, a voice suddenly descended from above: “The cicada’s mournful cry, as twilight falls upon the pavilion, the sudden rain comes to an end.” A figure abruptly appeared in the center of the clearing. All six individuals opened their eyes simultaneously, seemingly unaware of how this person had emerged, yet all instinctively exclaimed: “Hermit Yanming?”

The newcomer was tall and slender, dressed in attire with a color that couldn’t be discerned, and a headscarf obscured their features. However, their thin face and a few long strands of beard beneath the jawline were unmistakably familiar to those in the Jianghu.

Without hesitation, everyone stepped forward and respectfully greeted: “Hermit Yanming, please accept the younger generations’ humble greetings.”

Hermit Yanming brushed his long beard with his right hand and smiled, saying: “I have indeed arrived late, keeping you all waiting. You may not be familiar with each other yet, so let’s introduce ourselves first. We’ll need to support each other for the upcoming mission.”

Young Master Ma, who came first, clasped his fists at everyone and said: “I am Ten Thousand Swords Peak’s Ma Xiangyang. This is Situ Ping, the leader of the Evil Tiger Gang.” Then, to avoid any misunderstanding, he added: “The Evil Tiger Gang is local to this area, and she is under my command, serving as our guide.”

Hermit Yanming chuckled and said: “Young Hero Ma, your consideration is truly thoughtful. Then, we’ll have to trouble Leader Situ.”

Situ Ping quickly performed a gesture of respect and said: “To be able to serve you all is my honor across three lifetimes.”

Then, Wen Wenhai also clasped his hands and greeted: “I am Wen Wenhai from the Piaomiao Sect, and this is my junior sister, Xue Qing.” Xue Qing then removed her veil, revealing a countenance that conveyed both anger and joy. However, in the darkness of the night, no one could see clearly. She remained silent, only returning the gesture of respect to everyone.

Then Hermit Yanming said: “I’ve long heard of the great reputation of Young Hero Wen Wenhai and Heroine Xue from the Piaomiao Sect. Meeting you both today, your reputations are indeed well-deserved, which brings me great joy.”

Finally, the two silent figures standing upright also clasped their fists and said in unison: “Tan Family, Tan Wen.” “Tan Wu.” Their deep voices, one following the other, coupled with their imposing stature, added to their aura of authority.

Having heard everyone’s introductions, the Yanming Hermit ceased smiling and spoke: “Good, allow me to introduce myself as well. I am Yanming Mountain’s Sect Master, Hermit Yanming. From this moment onward, we are all acquainted with each other, and we know the four forces involved in tonight’s affair. Our operation begins now.”

“When you arrived, the elders of your sects must have instructed you. Tonight, everything will be under my command. I have reached agreements with your sects as well, and we will discuss the specifics as we proceed. Now, take out your tokens.”

After saying this, Hermit Yanming pulled out a square-foot piece of leather from his robe. Ma Xiangyang, Wen Wenhai, and Tan Wen also retrieved identical items from their own robes. Hermit Yanming handed his piece to Ma Xiangyang, saying: “Piece them together.” The others also passed their leather pieces to Ma Xiangyang. Then, Hermit Yanming took out a night pearl from his robe and handed it to Situ Ping, saying: “Please, Gang Leader Situ, take a look at this map.”

So Situ Ping took the Night Pearl, while Ma Xiangyang swiftly pieced together the four pieces of leather under the faint glow of the Night Pearl. In that dim light, everyone could see a map drawn on the leather, resembling five fingers, with a circle drawn in the middle of the ring finger. Situ Ping carefully examined the map, then exchanged glances with Ma Xiangyang before addressing everyone: “That’s right, this map depicts the Five Claw Mountain. The lengths of these five ‘claws’ are proportionate, as you can see, the thumb is longer than the index finger, and the ring finger is the longest.”

Everyone looked towards Yanming Hermit, who nodded and said: “Excellent. Everyone, retrieve your belongings.” Following his instructions, Ma Xiangyang returned the four pieces of leather to their owners, and Situ Ping handed the Night Pearl back to Yanming Hermit. Taking the Night Pearl, Yanming Hermit asked: “Gang Leader Situ, do you happen to know what location the circled area on the map represents?”

Situ Ping replied: “That’s a grove of sour jujube trees. I’ve been there before and once released a wolfhound inside, but it never came out again.”

Hermit Yanming nodded and said: “Excellent. Then, Gang Leader Situ, please lead the way.”

Situ Ping responded: “Very well, please follow me.” With that, she employed her lightness technique and proceeded ahead.

Hermit Yanming’s gaze swept over Ma Xiangyang, Wen Wenhai, and Tan Wen in succession. They nodded in understanding and followed suit, employing their lightness techniques to catch up.

Finally, after carefully scanning the surroundings and finding nothing unusual, Yanming Hermit stood up and swiftly trailed behind them like lightning. Only the lonely reclining stone remained, as the wind blew, stirring up fallen leaves and dry grass, quickly covering all traces. It seemed as if no one had ever come to this remote place on such a night.

The group of seven people used their lightness techniques, led by Situ Ping, arriving at the sour jujube forest mentioned earlier about the time it takes for two sticks of incense to burn. By this time, the moon had already set in the west, thick black clouds still shrouding the sky. Dawn might not be far off, but this was the darkest time of the night.

In the darkness, the sour jujube forest was barely visible, resembling a colossal beast lurking on the mountainside. Situ Ping, gazing at this place she had visited before, couldn’t help but feel a hint of unfamiliarity. It was surprising how different it appeared in daylight compared to the darkness of night. She wondered what secrets this mysterious sour jujube forest held, compelling practitioners from four different factions to cooperate and venture here throughout the night.

Situ Ping halted her steps and waited for everyone to gather around before addressing them: “Everyone, this is the sour jujube forest marked by the circle on the map. Judging by the height comparison, this is it.”

The Yanming Hermit nodded. “It should be correct.” With that said, he didn’t approach for a closer look. Instead, he sat down on the ground and, seeing the puzzled expressions of the group, chuckled. “We still have some time before we act. Take a rest for now. I’ll explain things to you so you won’t be in the dark when we proceed.”

So the other six people all sat down on the ground, forming a semi-circle around the Yanming Hermit.

Hermit Yanming organized his thoughts and looked at the younger generation seated around him. “Do you know about the One-Armed Sword God from three hundred years ago?” Everyone shook their heads.

He continued: “Before February 2nd last year, I didn’t know, and neither did your masters.”

“On February 2nd last year, during the Dragon Raising its Head festival, my wife and I went to the Dragon God Temple in Yucheng to burn incense. There, in the temple, we unexpectedly encountered Wan Chengjiu, the Sect Master of your Ten Thousand Sword Peak, along with his family, as well as Ou Peng, the Sect Master of your Piaomiao Sect, and Tan Yefeng, the head of the Tan family. The four of us had long been acquainted through correspondence but had never met in person. Finally encountering each other, we all spontaneously left our families and found a place to exchange martial skills and compete in drinking.”

“We brought our swords and wine and headed to the Wutong Mountain next to Yucheng, intending to spend a few days joyfully. But as soon as we reached the mountaintop, we encountered something strange.”