Chapter 9

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Chapter 9: Mountain Peak

The merchant was also puzzled. He knew about the Lotus Flower Escort Agency, but he wasn’t sure about its exact influence. However, one thing he was acutely aware of was that if the Lotus Flower Escort Agency decided to annihilate his entire family, it would be effortless. Sitting there, the merchant’s mind was in turmoil.

At that moment, Third Brother Zhao’s voice sounded: “Little Brother, there’s no need to be so pessimistic. Since our two nephews have returned safely and compensated, and since the matter didn’t involve anyone from the Piaomiao Sect, there probably won’t be any major issues. But, brother, remember to put an end to this matter here. Absolutely do not go looking for trouble with those few individuals. If the people from the Piaomiao Sect find out…”

These words were like gospel to the merchant. He immediately woke up and said: “I understand, Third Brother. Right now, I wish I could give them another five thousand taels of silver. Come and take the two young masters back to the courtyard and keep a close watch on them. Let them stay there for a month, no, three months, without coming out.”

“No, don’t lock them in the courtyard just yet.” Third Brother Zhao stopped the merchant’s order. “Don’t apply any ointment to their injuries. Let their faces swell, and it’s even better to give them a few big beatings. Make sure they can’t walk properly. Tomorrow, let them go to the tavern and other places to eat and drink. Spread the word that they harassed village girls and got a severe punishment from you.”

The merchant was delighted to hear this and raised his thumb, saying: “Third Brother, great idea. Come, give these two beasts a good beating.”

Poor two fatties, they didn’t understand why getting beaten was considered a good idea. All they could do was scream for mercy loudly while cursing their cheap third uncle in their hearts.

After finishing these tasks, Third Brother Zhao turned to Zhao Quansheng and said: “Quansheng, you handled this matter very well. I am extremely satisfied. I will speak highly of you in front of the Gang Leader.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Quansheng was overjoyed. “This is all thanks to your excellent teachings, Hall Master. Quansheng is willing to serve the Hall Master at all times.”

The merchant also spoke up: “Quansheng, thanks to you today. I must properly thank you. Someone, bring me a thousand taels of silver.”

Zhao Quansheng replied modestly: “No need to be polite. It’s my duty to protect the young masters.”

Hall Master Zhao said, “Take it. This is what you deserve. Without you, this matter couldn’t be solved, even with ten thousand taels.”

Only then did Zhao Quansheng accept the thin stack of silver notes and tucked them into his pocket.

At that moment Hall Master Zhao added: “Quansheng, quickly notify the Gang Leader about the appearance of Piaomiao Sect in Lu Town. I wonder why they came to Lu Town at this time?”

Agreeing, Zhao Quansheng promptly took his leave from the merchant’s residence. Before long, he arrived at a secluded courtyard and entered a small house. After a short while, the window of the small house opened, and a carrier pigeon flew out. It circled in the air for a moment, orienting itself, then spread its wings and flew off towards a certain direction.

The pigeon flew swiftly, but it was already dusk by the time it reached a secluded village. After circling in the air for a moment, it descended straight towards the eastern side of the village. This was a large estate, surrounded by walls that weren’t particularly high. Within the walls, there were numerous houses scattered about, all of uniform design with no tall structures, featuring gray walls and gray roofs. The house where the pigeon landed was in the middle of the courtyard, and once it landed, the house became indistinguishable from the others.

The pigeon landed on the windowsill of the small house, cooing softly. A well-built man emerged from inside the house and quickly approached the windowsill. Upon seeing the man, the pigeon fluttered onto his arm, walking back and forth. The man retrieved a small container from the pigeon’s leg, gently stroked its back, and then took out some food from his pocket, sprinkling it on the table beside the windowsill. The pigeon spotted the food and flew over eagerly, pecking away happily. With the container in hand, the man swiftly left the house.

The man walked out of the house, traversed several corridors, and arrived at a slightly larger house in the center of the estate. He knocked cautiously on the door, and a hoarse, authoritative voice from inside responded: “Come in.”

The man carefully pushed open the door and entered the room. The windows were open, and the oil lamp was unlit. A slender figure stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, gazing outward. After bowing respectfully, the man spoke deferentially: “Hall Master Situ, there’s news from Hall Master Liu.”

The figure uttered a sound of surprise and said: “It’s the New Year, what news could possibly warrant the use of a carrier pigeon? Quickly, light the lamp.”

Once the man had lit the oil lamp, Hall Master Situ turned around. The man offered the small tube, and Hall Master Situ accepted it. He took out the paper from inside, held it up to the lamp flame, and upon reading it, his thin brows furrowed slightly. He muttered to himself: “…How did they end up in this remote and desolate place?” Then, he burned the paper in the flame of the lamp. Glancing at the man, he said: “You may go.”

The man bowed quietly and withdrew, leaving Hall Master Situ alone in the flickering light of the lamp.

Hall Master Situ knew that this message must be conveyed to the Gang Leader, but he was unsure of where to find him. Last night, the Gang Leader informed him that he had important matters to attend to that day, but when he sought the Gang Leader in the morning, he couldn’t find him anywhere.

Just as Hall Master Situ speculated on the whereabouts of the Gang Leader, his capable and assertive elder female cousin, Situ Ping, who was known for her strength and independence, was riding a horse, following closely behind a young man dressed in fine garments. She spoke softly to the young man, saying: “Young Master Ma, this is the highest peak in our Lu Town, called Stone Man Peak. It’s named after a rock formation that resembles a person. We’ll be able to enter the mountain in half an incense stick’s time if we hurry. However, I don’t know where young master is headed, so I can’t tell you the exact time.”

Turning back, Young Master Ma shook his horsewhip and said gently; “Gang Leader Situ, there’s no need to be so formal. Sect Master Wang recommended you as a guide, so I don’t consider you an outsider. Once this matter is settled, I will definitely reward you. As for the specific location, I’ll inform you once we enter the mountain.”

Situ Ping looked at Young Master Ma’s jade-like face and handsome brows, and she lowered her head, repeatedly expressing her humility. She knew that Young Master Ma had significant influence, and her flirtatious behavior in front of Wang Hong from Wu Jian Sect might not work here. It was her first time meeting Young Master Ma, and he had been reserved throughout the journey. How could she dare to employ her feminine charm? She just needed to stay alert and cautious.

So, the two of them rode their horses forward in the dusk.

On the other side of the mountain peak, Wenwen Hai and his junior sister also urged their horses towards the peak.

As they neared the mountain, Wenwen Hai gradually tightened the reins and slowed the pace of the horse. He turned to his Junior Sister and said: “Junior Sister, we’re almost at the mountain. I think we should start by having a meal and taking a rest to rejuvenate ourselves before venturing into the mountains. We may need our strength for whatever challenges lie ahead. There might even be a tough battle awaiting us.”

His Junior Sister nodded in agreement, and the two of them dismounted to rest, taking out the dry rations they carried with them and began to eat. After they finished eating and drank some water, his Junior Sister couldn’t help but express her concern: “Senior Brother, considering the importance of this mission, why didn’t Master come in person? At the very least, shouldn’t he have sent Great Senior Brother, why did he send us? I really don’t understand what Master is thinking.”

Wen Wenhai took another sip of water, glanced around, and said quietly: “Junior Sister, Master has his own reasons for arranging things this way. Before we set off, he instructed me that to avoid attracting attention from other sects, only second-generation disciples from each sect were chosen for this mission. We need to keep a low profile, and there will be an elder overseeing us. We’ll just follow the elder’s arrangements when the time comes. Anyway, this is a lucrative assignment, and if all goes well, we’ll complete it satisfactorily and receive generous rewards from Master upon our return.”

The Junior Sister said: “I thought that this unheard-of place, would be a desolate and remote area, with dangerous mountains and treacherous waters. But all along the way, there’s been a scent of fresh air and clear water. Although we haven’t entered the mountain yet, it feels quite majestic. I wonder what it’s like inside. It’s a pity we can’t appreciate anything at night, otherwise, it would be a worthwhile trip.”

Wen Wenhai slapped his forehead: “Junior Sister actually has such thoughts. This Senior Brother can’t compare to you. Could this be why my progress in martial arts is slower than your rapid progress?”

His Junior Sister remained silent, her expression hidden beneath the veil. Wen Wenhai continued: “Junior Sister, it’s getting late. Why don’t you take off your veil? There’s no one around here.”

His Junior Sister still didn’t respond.

Wen Wenhai, accustomed to this, continued: “Alright, it seems like it’s almost time. Let’s get going. We should arrive at the scheduled time.”

After the leader of the Evil Tiger Gang accompanied Young Master Ma in brocade into the mountains, they rode swiftly for a while and soon arrived at the foot of a mountain. Young Master Ma dismounted, and Situ Ping followed suit. The young master then asked: “Gang Leader Situ, do you know where the Five Claw Peak is?”

Gang Leader Situ replied, “Of course, the Five Claw Peak is located next to the Stone Man Peak, comprising five small peaks shaped like the bent fingers of a monkey’s hand, hence the name. There are no paths leading there, and horses cannot traverse it. We can only climb through these mountains.”

After hearing this, Young Master Ma smiled faintly and loosened the reins of his horse. The horse trotted off on its own to find some dry grass. Situ Ping also patted her own horse and draped the reins over its body. The horse followed Young Master Ma’s horse, indicating it was accustomed to this routine.

Young Master Ma said: “Then I’ll have to trouble Gang Leader Situ to lead the way.”

Situ Ping didn’t hesitate and returned the gesture, using her lightness skill to climb up the mountain toward the peak.

Situ Ping gathered the qi in her dantian and dashed forward for the time it took two incense sticks to burn. Gradually, she began to feel a bit out of breath and lacking in stamina. At that moment, she heard the gentle voice of Young Master Ma in her ear: “Gang Leader Situ, it’s still early. We can arrive by midnight. How about we take a few steps to rest and regain our energy?”

Leader Situ listened to the calm and unruffled voice, without a hint of breathlessness, and without needing to turn around, she knew that Young Master Ma was leisurely strolling behind her. She couldn’t help but silently sigh in her heart that the prestigious sect disciples really lived up to their reputation, and said: “Thank you for young master’s pity.” With a word of gratitude, she slowed her steps, walking down the mountain path. Young Master Ma caught up from behind and walked alongside her, asking: “Gang Leader Situ, have you been to this Five-Claw Peak before?”

Situ Ping replied: “I have been here before. During the summer, the climate in the mountains is cool, so we often come here to escape the heat. The spring water at Five-Claw Peak is the best, and sometimes we even stay overnight there.”

Young Master Ma nodded and then asked: “Is there anything strange about Five-Claw Peak?”

Surprised, Situ Ping asked: “Has the young master been here before? How do you know there’s something strange about Five-Claw Peak?”

Young Master Ma chuckled and said: “If I had been here before, why would I need Gang Leader Situ to lead the way?”

Situ Ping replied modestly: “I was momentarily surprised, please forgive me, young master. Speaking of Five-Claw Peak, its scenery is not much different from Stone Man Peak, but the spring water there is indeed much sweeter than other peaks. The strange thing is on the unnamed peak, where there’s a large area of sour jujube forest halfway up the mountain. It’s rarely visited, even by the locals who live off the land near Stone Man Peak. According to those who have been there, the forest is inhabited by man-eating beasts. There have been instances where people went in to pick sour jujubes and never returned. So few dare to venture there, especially since sour jujubes aren’t considered valuable. Two years ago, I led some of our brothers there to explore and sent a wolfhound to scout, but it never returned. We didn’t dare to venture further and retreated after exploring the outskirts.”

Situ Ping didn’t shy away from discussing internal matters of the gang with Young Master Ma and spoke in a casual manner. Young Master Ma seemed quite satisfied and said: “Gang Leader Situ knowing about that place is good enough. Later, I’ll trouble you to lead us there.”

Situ Ping was taken aback. “Us? Young master, are there others with you?”

Young Master Ma smiled and replied: “Of course there are others. But for now, let’s head to the first peak of Five-Claw Peak and wait for them there. Gang Leader Situ, if you’re about ready, shall we hit the road?”

Situ Ping nodded, saying: “Certainly, young master. Please follow me.”