Chapter 33

From Qingshan Village to Luoxia Mountain, Su Peng encountered two groups of martial artists on his way. None of them were riding horses; they were using their lightness skills to travel. However, it seemed as if they had some unspoken agreement, for after seeing Su Peng, both groups changed their direction or slowed down, avoiding getting closer to him.

Su Peng thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of his lightness skills. Although the increase in his land flight skill only boosted his speed to 170%, his original 100-meter sprint time was around 12 to 13 seconds. After using the land flight skill, he felt almost no fatigue, supported by a strange energy that made his body feel lighter. Su Peng relished the sensation of sprinting, which was entirely different from riding a fast horse.

After accelerating, Su Peng's 100-meter sprint time was reduced to about 7 to 8 seconds, surpassing the fastest 100-meter champion on Earth. It took him less than 40 minutes to cover the 20-odd miles to Luoxia Mountain.

Upon arriving at Luoxia Mountain, Su Peng found it to be quite steep, with almost no path. Only a small trail, opened by woodcutters, led up the mountain. Moreover, the number of martial artists around had increased.

Su Peng did not want to draw too much attention. He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head. This cloak was a set of rags he had specially chosen from the Black Water Army's supplies. It was unremarkable but could conceal the leather armor with the flying knives, making it harder for people to recognize him.

Su Peng quickly ascended the mountain, carrying an iron sword, which made him look like a martial artist. During his climb, he suddenly became alert, sensing someone following him.

Su Peng slowed down slightly, hoping the person below would pass him. He was not comfortable being in a position where he could be ambushed. However, the person behind him used lightness skills to catch up to Su Peng's side and then stopped accelerating.

"Hehe, young man, how are you? Are you also here to try your luck at Luoxia Mountain?"

The person spoke to Su Peng, who turned his head to see a man in his fifties, dressed as a woodcutter, carrying a woodcutter's axe. Although the handle looked worn, a closer look revealed some subtle patterns on the blade, indicating it was a specially made, high-quality weapon, just not very noticeable.

Moreover, Su Peng's nose was quite sensitive, and he could faintly smell a hint of blood from the axe.

Su Peng did not want to cause any trouble and grunted in response. Seeing that the old woodcutter did not want to continue, Su Peng increased his speed and quickly moved up the mountain.

"Wait for me, young man," the old woodcutter shouted, catching up, which made Su Peng even more cautious. He casually took the iron sword off his back and held it in his left hand, ready to draw it in a second if needed.

"Hehe, young man, don't misunderstand. I just find climbing alone boring and wanted some company. If you don't want to talk, that's fine. I'll take my leave." The man, seeing Su Peng's expression, slowed down and said this before slowing his pace even more.

"Who knows who you are, old pervert? Who would believe you have no ulterior motives?" Su Peng thought to himself, but since the man slowed down, Su Peng increased his speed and continued climbing.

The old woodcutter behind Su Peng slowed down and eventually stopped on the mountain path, his face showing a sinister expression.

Soon, four people, three men and a woman, quickly climbed up and met the old woodcutter.

"Brother, have you figured out that boy's background?"

The four people were a farmer, a Taoist, a monk, and a flamboyant woman in her thirties. The man, who looked like a farmer and carried a hoe, asked.

"That boy is very tight-lipped and didn't say anything. He was very cautious, and as soon as I got close, he had his sword in hand. I couldn't gauge his skill level and didn't dare to test him. I waited for you all to come."

The old woodcutter replied.

"Brother, are you sure he used the land flight skill? Did you see it clearly? Is it the skill of your enemy?"

The flamboyant woman asked the old woodcutter.

The old woodcutter nodded and said, "I've been an enemy of Xu An, the Loyal-Faced Demon, for years. I recognize his skills. The land flight skill is good for long-distance travel, and not many people know it. Although there are many lightness skills in the martial world, in the Jiangning region, only my enemy uses this skill. I recognized the boy's figure in the forest."

"Since you're sure, that boy might be related to Xu An, possibly a master and disciple. If he's here, Xu An might be nearby. We need to be more alert and not let that seemingly loyal but devious man take this opportunity."

"Agreed!"

The five people whispered for a while before each using their lightness skills to continue climbing the mountain.

...

When Su Peng reached the top of the mountain, he found it to be quite large. The entire mountaintop seemed to have been flattened by a sword, creating a vast platform of over 400 square meters.

There were a few crooked pine trees on the mountain, but the view was still clear. Su Peng counted and found that nearly a hundred martial artists had already arrived.

These martial artists were either in groups of three or five, a couple, or alone. Some were clearly part of a group but spread out in different directions. The 400-square-meter space on the mountaintop was almost crowded.

Su Peng did not want to draw attention, so he found a crooked pine tree and leaned against it, observing the other martial artists. Most of them were quite showy, standing boldly, though a few were more low-key.

After scanning the area, Su Peng did not find anyone who looked like the carpenter Cao, which made him feel more at ease. He began to wait patiently.

After a while, the old woodcutter who had spoken to him, along with a monk, a Taoist, a farmer, and a flamboyant woman in her thirties, climbed up the mountain.

As soon as these five people reached the top, a strange voice from the crowd said, "Oh, today, the Five Virtuous Men of the Bamboo Grove are here."

"Ha, the Five Salty? What's salty? Is it that flirt's private parts?"

With this strange shout, someone chimed in with a crude joke.

"Hehehe..."

Many of the rough martial artists on the mountain laughed ambiguously. Most of them were men, and the woman called a flirt was one of the few women present. However, the few women there all showed signs of displeasure.

"Iron-Backed Centipede! You dare to joke about me? When I didn't tighten my legs, you slipped out. Now you dare to tease your mother here?" The flamboyant woman, who was quite bold, retorted. The man called Iron-Backed Centipede, who was not good with words, turned red in the face.

"Ha ha ha..." The martial artists on the mountain, who were all fierce, did not give the Iron-Backed Centipede any face and burst into laughter.

Su Peng's lips twitched. These martial artists, though vulgar, were amusing in their vulgarity.

"Iron-Backed Centipede, stop making trouble. You're targeting us, the Five Virtuous Men of the Bamboo Grove, because ten years ago, when we were working for 'that person,' we took some of your credit by finding the 'Fire Dan Cicada' first. You were jealous, but what's the point? We didn't get 'that thing' either. 'That person' gave 'that thing' to the Venerable Yunzhi, but he was killed within a month, and 'that thing' disappeared. 'That person' has the power to kill all of us here in a moment. Without 'that thing,' who can say if 'that person' would have kept their promise?"

The leader of the Five Virtuous Men of the Bamboo Grove, the old woodcutter, said to the tall, bald man with a red centipede tattoo on his head.

"Hmph!" The man coldly snorted and turned away, not speaking. Meanwhile, Su Peng, who was observing the situation, noticed that when the people on the mountain mentioned 'that person,' their aura collectively faltered, even the most arrogant martial artists subconsciously shrank their heads.

"From what these people are saying, it seems most of them know each other. Ten years ago, they worked for a powerful person. Could this person really have such incredible abilities? These hundreds of martial artists, all proud and independent, are still intimidated by this person's influence after ten years?"

Su Peng thought to himself, observing the reactions and listening to the conversations.

"Let's not talk about this. Today is the day of the ten-year agreement. We don't know if that person will come. Fighting among ourselves would be meaningless." Another man, who looked like a scholar and held a pen, possibly a judge's pen, stood up and said.

"That person said they come from the hidden sect, the Purple Mist Sect. These hermits are known for their integrity and would never break a promise. I want to try my luck and see if my past contributions can get me into the Purple Mist Sect."

A man who looked like a bailiff, but whose clothes were worn and dusty, with a single sword on his back, spoke.

"Um... Waiting for that high person is my goal, but there are a few people whose existence makes me uncomfortable. Iron-Backed Centipede, you've gone too far with your insults. Come and fight me!"

A man holding a Zen staff, who looked like a wandering monk, shouted loudly.

"Sure, I'm not afraid of you!" The Iron-Backed Centipede, who had many enemies and was impulsive, took off his clothes, revealing a large red centipede tattoo on his back, and was about to step forward.

"Stop fooling around! It's almost noon, and the high person hasn't arrived... I think they might not come."

The flamboyant woman, looking at the sky, said.

"No way... We've waited for ten years. They wouldn't break their promise?"

Doubtful voices grew louder in the crowd.

The flamboyant woman felt more and more that this might be the case. She anxiously looked at the sun, trying to check the time, and noticed something...

"Look, what's that?" The flamboyant woman suddenly pointed to the western sky.

Everyone on the mountain, including Su Peng, looked in the direction she pointed. In the sky, against the backdrop of the fiery red sun, a giant eagle with a wingspan of nearly ten meters was flying from the west, carrying a man with a large iron sword on its back...

An eagle from the west!

~~~~~~

After dinner, I played basketball. My body, unused to exercise, felt rusty. After a game, I found myself with muscle strains, especially in my back, which now feels like I'm being tortured.

I endured the pain to write this chapter. What kind of willpower is this... I ask for your support in the form of recommendations, collections, and member clicks!

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends