Chapter 9

Chapter Nine: The Mountain Peak

The wealthy merchant was stunned. He knew about the Lotus Escort Agency, but he didn't know the full extent of its power. However, one thing he was very clear about: if the Lotus Escort Agency wanted to wipe out his entire family, it would be effortless. The merchant sat there, his mind in turmoil.

At this moment, Third Brother Zhao's voice rang out: "Younger Brother, there's no need to be so pessimistic. Since your two nephews have returned safely and you've compensated them, and since the incident doesn't involve the Ethereal Sect, there shouldn't be any other major issues. But, Younger Brother, remember, this matter must end here. Under no circumstances should you seek trouble with those people. If the Ethereal Sect finds out..."

These words were like a gospel to the merchant's ears. He immediately came to his senses and said, "I understand, Third Brother. I would even be willing to give them another five thousand silver notes. Someone, take the two young masters back to the courtyard and keep a close eye on them. Make sure they don't leave for a month, or even three months."

"Don't, don't lock them in the courtyard yet," Third Brother Zhao stopped the merchant's order. "Don't apply any medicine to their injuries. Let their faces stay swollen, and give them a few more lashes so they can't walk normally. Tomorrow, take them to the tavern and other places to eat and drink, and spread the word that they were flirting with village girls and were severely punished by you."

The merchant was delighted and gave a thumbs-up, saying, "Third Brother, that's a great idea. Someone, give these two beasts ten lashes."

The two short and fat young men, not understanding why being beaten was a good idea, could only shout for mercy while cursing this cheap uncle in their hearts.

After doing these things, Third Brother Zhao turned to Zhao Quansheng and said, "Quansheng, you handled this matter very well, and I am extremely satisfied. I will speak highly of you to the leader."

Zhao Quansheng was overjoyed and said, "Isn't it all thanks to your guidance, Hall Master? I am willing to serve you faithfully."

The merchant also said, "Quansheng, I owe you a great deal today. I must thank you properly. Someone, bring me a thousand silver notes."

Zhao Quansheng said, "No need to be so formal. It's my duty to protect the young masters."

Hall Master Zhao said, "Take it. You deserve it. Without you, this matter would have cost ten thousand silver notes."

Zhao Quansheng politely accepted the thin stack of silver notes and put them in his pocket.

At this moment, Hall Master Zhao said, "Quansheng, quickly inform the leader that someone from the Ethereal Sect has appeared in Luzhen. We don't know why they are here."

Zhao Quansheng agreed and immediately left the merchant's house. Soon, he appeared in a secluded courtyard, entered a small room, and after a while, the window of the small room opened, and a pigeon flew out, circled in the air, identified its direction, and flew off toward a certain place.

The pigeon flew quickly, but it was almost dark by the time it reached a hidden village. The pigeon circled in the air and then landed directly on the east side of the village. This was a large estate with a not-so-high wall surrounding it. Inside the wall, there were many houses, all of the same style, with no tall buildings, gray walls, and gray roofs. The pigeon landed on a house in the middle of the courtyard, and after landing, it was impossible to tell which house it was.

The pigeon landed on the windowsill of the small house, cooing. A man in simple clothing came out of the inner room, quickly approached the windowsill, and the pigeon, seeing the man, cooed and flew to his arm, walking back and forth. The man took a small tube from the pigeon's leg, stroked the pigeon's back, and took out some food from his pocket, scattering it on the table next to the windowsill. The pigeon saw it, spread its wings, and happily pecked at the food. The man took the small tube and quickly left the room.

The man walked out of the room, passed through several corridors, and arrived at a slightly larger room in the center of the estate. He knocked on the door carefully, and a hoarse, authoritative voice came from inside: "Come in."

The man carefully pushed the door open and entered the room. The windows were open, and the oil lamp was not lit. A thin figure stood by the window, hands behind his back, looking outside. After the man bowed, he respectfully said, "Hall Master Situ, Hall Master Liu has sent a message."

The figure said, "What kind of message could there be during the New Year? Light the lamp quickly."

After the man lit the oil lamp, Hall Master Situ turned around. The man handed him the small tube, and Hall Master Situ took out the paper inside, held it close to the oil lamp, and his thin face frowned. He muttered, "Why did they come to this remote place?" Then he burned the paper in the flame. He looked at the man and said, "You may go."

The man bowed and quietly left, leaving Hall Master Situ sitting alone in the flickering light.

Hall Master Situ knew this news must be reported to the leader, but he didn't know where to find the leader. The leader had told him the night before that he had important matters to attend to and was nowhere to be found when Hall Master Situ looked for him in the morning.

While Hall Master Situ was speculating about the leader's whereabouts, his strong-willed sister, who was no less capable than any man, was riding a horse, following a young man in fine clothing, and speaking softly, "Young Master Ma, this is the highest peak in Luzhen, called Stone Man Peak. It's named after a stone that looks like a person. We can reach the mountain in about half an incense stick's time. However, I don't know where you want to go, so I can't give you an exact time."

Young Master Ma turned around, shook his horsewhip, and said gently, "Hall Master Situ, there's no need to be so formal. Wang Zhuangzhu recommended you as a guide, so I don't consider you an outsider. I will reward you after this matter is completed. I'll tell you the specific location once we enter the mountain."

Situ Ping looked at Young Master Ma's gentle and handsome face and his elegant eyebrows, and bowed, saying she didn't dare to. She knew that Young Master Ma was a person of great importance. Her previous attempts to act feminine in front of Wang Hong of Wu Jianzhuang might have worked, but with Young Master Ma, whom she was meeting for the first time and who had been calm and composed throughout the journey, she didn't dare to act feminine. She just needed to be cautious and attentive.

Thus, the two rode forward in the twilight.

On the other side of the mountain, Wen Wenhai and his junior sister were also riding fast toward the mountain.

As the mountain peak came into view, Wen Wenhai slowly pulled the reins to slow down his horse, turned to his junior sister, and said, "Junior Sister, we're almost at the mountain. Let's eat something and rest a bit to regain our strength before entering the mountain. We might face a tough battle."

His junior sister nodded in agreement, and the two dismounted to rest, taking out the food they had brought with them. After they finished eating and drinking some water, his junior sister asked worriedly, "Senior Brother, this mission is so important. Why didn't Master come himself? At the very least, he should have sent the eldest disciple. Why did he send us two? I really don't understand what Master is thinking."

Wen Wenhai drank some more water, looked around, and said in a low voice, "Junior Sister, Master has his reasons. Before we left, he instructed me to keep a low profile to avoid drawing attention from other sects. This mission involves second-generation disciples from various sects, and an elder will be leading us. We'll know more when the time comes. Just follow the elder's instructions. This is a good mission, and if we complete it without any issues, Master will reward us handsomely."

His junior sister said, "I thought this place would be a remote and dangerous area, but the scenery along the way has been quite beautiful. Although we haven't entered the mountain yet, it feels majestic. It's a pity we can't appreciate it at night, or this trip wouldn't be in vain."

Wen Wenhai patted his forehead, "Junior Sister, you have such thoughts, which I can't match. Is this why my martial arts progress is slower than yours?"

His junior sister didn't respond, and her expression behind the veil was unclear. Wen Wenhai continued, "Junior Sister, it's getting late. You can take off your veil here; there's no one around."

His junior sister still didn't respond.

Wen Wenhai, used to this, said, "Well, it seems the time is right. Let's get moving. We should arrive at the designated time."

After Hall Master Situ of the Evil Tiger Gang accompanied Young Master Ma into the mountain, they rode for a while and soon reached another mountain. Young Master Ma stopped his horse, dismounted, and Situ Ping followed suit. Young Master Ma asked, "Hall Master Situ, do you know where Five Claw Peak is?"

Situ Ping replied, "Of course, Five Claw Peak is the five smaller peaks next to Stone Man Peak. They are named for their shape, which resembles a monkey's curved fingers. There is no path to that area, and horses can't go there. We can only climb through the mountains."

Young Master Ma smiled, released the reins, and the horse trotted off to find some grass. Situ Ping patted her horse and let the reins drape over its back, and the horse followed Young Master Ma's horse, as if used to this.

Young Master Ma said, "Then, Hall Master Situ, please lead the way."

Situ Ping didn't hesitate, bowed, and used her lightness skill to climb the mountain.

Situ Ping used her internal energy and ran for about two incense sticks' time, but gradually felt her energy waning. At this moment, she heard Young Master Ma's gentle voice, "Hall Master Situ, it's still early. We can arrive by midnight. Why don't we walk for a bit to rest and regain our strength? What do you think?"

Situ Ping, hearing his calm and steady voice without any sign of breathlessness, knew that Young Master Ma was walking leisurely behind her. She was secretly impressed by the reputation of the noble families and said, "Thank you, Young Master, for your consideration." She stopped, walked slowly on the mountain path, and Young Master Ma caught up, walking beside her. He asked, "Hall Master Situ, have you been to Five Claw Peak before?"

Situ Ping replied, "Yes, in the summer, the climate in the mountains is cool, and we often come here to escape the heat. The spring water at Five Claw Peak is the best, and we sometimes spend the night there."

Young Master Ma nodded and asked, "Is there anything unusual about Five Claw Peak?"

Situ Ping was surprised and said, "Have you been here before, Young Master? How do you know there's something unusual about Five Claw Peak?"

Young Master Ma laughed and said, "If I had been here, why would I need Hall Master Situ to lead the way?"

Situ Ping, embarrassed, said, "I was just surprised, Young Master, please don't be offended. Speaking of Five Claw Peak, the scenery is similar to Stone Man Peak, but the spring water is much sweeter. The unusual place is on the middle finger peak. There's a large hawthorn forest halfway up the mountain, and few people go there. The mountain people who live near Stone Man Peak rarely venture there. According to those who have been there, there are man-eating beasts in the forest. Someone once went in to pick hawthorns and never came out. So, few people have the courage to go there, and wild hawthorns are not valuable. Last year, I brought some of my gang members to explore. We sent a wolfhound in, but it never returned. We didn't dare to go deeper and only explored the outskirts before returning."

Situ Ping didn't hide anything from Young Master Ma and spoke frankly, which pleased him. He said, "It's good that Hall Master Situ knows about that place. We will need you to lead us there later."

Situ Ping was taken aback, "You? Young Master, are there other people?"

Young Master Ma laughed and said, "Of course, there are others, but for now, let's go to the first peak of Five Claw Peak and wait for them. Hall Master Situ, if you're rested, let's get going."

Situ Ping said, "Alright, Young Master, please follow me."

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