The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 274 - 185 Hua Mountain The Most Perilous Under Heaven_2

Chapter 274: Chapter 185 Hua Mountain The Most Perilous Under Heaven_2

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In the side room, after Yuan Ba and his disciple had left, Manager Wan’s expression instantly turned grave. In a deep voice, he said, "There’s another important piece of news that I must inform Brother Li of."

"The matter with the Fire Bear Gang might not be over yet!"

"Though Xiong Baodong is dead, he had the backing of several Commander officials. The Fire Bear Gang was essentially the Commander Department’s private purse."

"It was precisely because of this backing that the Fire Bear Gang could act so brazenly in Chang’an for so many years. Now that Xiong Baodong is dead, the Commander Department’s source of funds is gone, and they will surely take their anger out on you."

"I’ve overheard some rumors by chance. The Fire Bear Gang and the Qiao family have offered a hefty bounty in secret, and behind it, those few officials are likely fanning the flames."

"Brother Li must be extremely careful."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan appeared relaxed with a slight smile, "No matter, after the trip to Hua Mountain is over, we shall leave this place and travel across Divine State."

"Even with the Commander Department’s long reach, they won’t be able to find us."

"That’s very good."

Upon hearing this, Manager Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes filled with envy as he sighed, "When I was young, I too dreamt of venturing into the pugilistic world, traveling thousands of miles to see all the beautiful sceneries of the Human World."

"Unfortunately, alas..."

"In my youth, I dedicated myself entirely to the pursuit of swift success. In middle age, with my own business to attend to and people to take care of, my ability to travel had ended by the time I was old."

"Brother Li, take advantage of your youth and go see more of the world."

After expressing this sentiment, Manager Wan took leave.

He had come up the mountain with a group of craftsmen from Chang’an. This time, they too wanted to purchase some spiritual materials and had many matters to attend to.

After Manager Wan departed, Yu Fengzi who was meditating in the hall seemed thoughtful, leaning slightly to whisper something to Yu Hanzi beside him.

Afterward, he stood up and headed towards the side room.

Arriving at the door, Yu Fengzi knocked gently. Upon hearing a response from inside, he pushed the door open, entered with hands clasped and a warm smile in his eyes, "Fellow laypeople, the vault opening will still be tomorrow."

"Since you’ve come all this way, why not let this poor Daoist accompany you to appreciate the scenery of Hua Mountain?"

"That would be wonderful."

Li Yan responded with a smile, readily nodding in agreement.

Atop Hua Mountain now, the Proper Xuan Sect, Magic Veins and experts from various side doors had gathered. They did not wish to cause trouble, hence they were quietly waiting here for tomorrow’s ritual.

But with Yu Fengzi as their companion, naturally, no trouble would arise.

Upon hearing about touring Hua Mountain, Wang Daoxuan and Sha Lifei both readily agreed, after all, it wasn’t easy to come this far.

Yan Jiuling was even more excited, quickly getting ready.

Hua Mountain was a key location for the Mystical Sect, guarded by the Chunyang Palace and also a place where soldiers from Guanma Pass congregated. Apart from large national ceremonies, on ordinary days, pilgrims could only go as far as North Peak before being forbidden to proceed further.

Especially now with the opening of the vault starting from Thousand Feet Pillar, travel was prohibited, so touring with everyone made the trip worthwhile.

Only Lv San shook his head in refusal upon hearing there were many people on the nearby mountain. He preferred staying in the room, tinkering with his gourd and hawk, rather than dealing with people.

Li Yan did not insist, leading the rest to follow Yu Fengzi.

Not long after they left Wangxian Temple, they bypassed several rocky slopes, and suddenly the view opened up onto a vast plateau.

Hua Mountain was one large piece of rock, with uneven terrain, and thus the plateau was also rough, with high and low areas.

About twenty or so young Daoist disciples were practicing their swordsmanship on top. They were all practicing the Pure Yang Sword technique; their figures whirled, sword lights flickered, sprinting and leaping between the rocks at great speed.

Far away were the cliffs and the sea of clouds, which looked like they could tumble down at any moment, quite thrilling; yet these young disciples already had the basics of the swordplay down, their movement techniques were extremely proficient, and they showed no fear.

"Good!"

Li Yan couldn’t help but praise in a low voice.

The Chunyang Institute truly lived up to its reputation as a major faction of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect.

This Chunyang Palace on Hua Mountain was just one among them.

Earlier at the foothills, those few young disciples had already impressed him, but he had not expected to see so many more here. Just any one of them in the pugilistic world would be a cornerstone figure.

Practicing their swordsmanship in such treacherous terrain, their movements unconsciously took on the flowing and precarious nature of Hua Mountain, infused with the solemn and forceful essence of Taibai’s Geng Metal. Truly, they were extraordinary.

Yu Fengzi smiled lightly, stroking his beard, "They are but novices who’ve just joined the sect. Brother Li, please excuse their lack of skill."

Having said that, he lifted his foot and stepped forward, leading them onto a mountain ridge.

This path, leading to other peaks, was extremely perilous, as if walking on a knife’s edge, with deep chasms of thousands of feet and swirling clouds on either side, as though treading atop a dragon’s spine.

At that moment, the sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, casting a golden halo over the sea of clouds, creating a dreamy and fantastical scene.

The howling wind fluttered everyone’s garments, giving them an air of transcendence, while also sending shivers down their spines.

Just as Yu Fengzi was about to introduce the place, Yan Jiuling’s eyes widened with excitement, "Could this be Canglong Ridge?"

Yu Fengzi nodded slightly, his smile growing as admiration filled his eyes, "Brother Li, your knowledge is impressive."

"I dare not claim such."

Yan Jiuling, buoyed by the hopeful turn in his mother’s illness, explained to the group with a laugh, "Legend has it that Han Yu, the ancient literary figure, was once so terrified here that he couldn’t ascend nor descend. He wrote a farewell letter and tossed it off the cliff to seek rescue."

"Hahaha..." Sha Lifei laughed, "This Han Yu, such a notable literary talent, yet not much of a gutsy one, eh?"

Li Yan glanced at him, the corner of his mouth upturned, "Uncle Sha, could you please refrain from trembling while you say that?"

"If you’re scared, you might as return first."

"Scared? Me? What a joke!"

Sha Lifei stiffened his neck and feigned composure, but his body betrayed him, turning his head away, his gaze dodging the view of the cliff below.

He had climbed Taibai Mountain before, but for some reason, arriving here, he felt an inexplicable dread.

The surrounding fog was dense and bottomless, and just a peek seemed enough to stir a desire to plunge down, causing his heart to leap to his throat.

Seeing this, Yu Fengzi remained silent, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

After navigating Canglong Ridge, the terrain suddenly flattened. Arriving behind a certain peak, Yu Fengzi said with a smile, "This place is Sunrise Peak, an excellent spot to watch the sunrise."

"In the past, Chen Tuan, our esteemed ancestor, played chess here with Song Taizu and won three games in a row, prompting the Grand Ancestor to exempt Hua Mountain from taxes."

"Everyone, the journey ahead is somewhat perilous."

With that, he led the way to a cliff edge and leapt down, climbing along the ropes secured to the cliff and halfway through performed an aerial flip.

At this moment, the clouds churned, and Yu Fengzi, true to his Daoist name, moved with a lightness and grace as if riding the winds through the clouds.

Upon seeing this, Yan Jiuling’s scalp tingled, and his face betrayed discomfort, "This must be the Hawk’s Turnabout. I truly do not have the capacity to cross it. Let it be, let it be."

Sha Lifei peered out curiously and then quickly turned his head, waving his hands and protesting, "Forget it, let’s go back. We just came to tour the mountain; there’s no need to risk our lives here."

This Hawk’s Turnabout was far more dangerous than in past times, its wintry snow slippery, and one had to rely on a few hemp ropes tied to rocks.

Moreover, in this realm, the Famous Mountains and great rivers were all enveloped by Innate Astral Qi, making the sea of clouds surge. Although it presented a celestial panorama, it also looked even more perilous.

Li Yan shook his head and smiled, "The Daoist is just joking with you. Look around, there should be another path to take."

He remembered from his past life visiting Hua Mountain and navigating the Hawk’s Turnabout, and it seemed like there was another way, though he was unsure if it had been established in this world.

Nevertheless, Sha Lifei’s head shook like a rattle-drum, adamant about not crossing over, clinging tightly to Wang Daoxuan, "Daoist, let’s just enjoy the sunrise from here."

Although Wang Daoxuan was tempted, seeing both Sha Lifei and Yan Jiuling unwilling to proceed, he stroked his beard and chuckled, "That would be fine, as I’m feeling a bit dizzy myself."

"Then you all wait here for me."

Without any other choice, Li Yan had to follow Yu Fengzi’s lead and jump down.

His movements were quick and agile, resembling a nimble monkey, easily surpassing the Hawk’s Turnabout. In a flash, he disappeared into the vast sea of clouds.

"Why did the Daoist tease us?"

Catching up with Yu Fengzi, Li Yan asked with a smile.

Yu Fengzi stood on the edge of the cliff, the mountain wind inflating his Daoist robe’s wide sleeves, and with a slight smile, he said:

"Brother Li, please do not take offense. It’s just that some matters need to be discussed in private..."