Stranger Danger

“Young master.”

Mrs. Basket and Mountain Tunneling King appeared beside Ye Qing after he left the Brigand Obliterator’s main camp.

Ye Qing nodded in acknowledgement before walking toward Mount Qi. “Let’s go. To Mount Qi!”

The reason he came to meet Xue Beikun in person was one, to pick his brain regarding Mount Qi and the Celestial Abode, and two, to give Xue Beikun the items.

Xue Beikun had been his loyal servant since the day the Fog Demon had brainwashed him. Since there was no worry about betrayal, he saw no reason not to nurture him. The stronger Xue Beikun was, the greater his authority in Northern Xinjiang would become. And the greater his authority in Northern Xinjiang became, the more useful he would become in the future.

Now that he had seen Xue Beikun, it was time to rescue Chen Wuxin.

……

For the newcomers, it was impossible to understand how big Mount Qi really was until they actually set foot on its mountains. Ye Qing, Mrs. Basket and Mountain Tunneling King had walked for over tens of kilometers, and still they were at the perimeter of the mountain range. The mountains were tall, the forest was thick, the valleys were deep, and the streams were more complex than a spider’s web. It was extremely difficult terrain to put it mildly.

As if that wasn’t enough, Mount Qi’s forests were absolutely infested with Strangers. Danger could be lurking in every corner. It was one of the major reasons why it was so difficult to eradicate the bandit infestation in Mount Qi at the roots.

But of course, these dangers were nothing to the two Truemen and one Grandmaster. It wasn’t long before they entered the inner regions of Mount Qi.

Surprisingly, the signs of humanity actually grew after they entered the inner regions. They saw man-made tools or structures all over the place, and there were many lookouts keeping an eye on certain areas openly or covertly.

Ye Qing did not bother with the small fries. He made a beeline for the Celestial Abode. Thanks to the Annon Sutra and the map provided by Xue Beikun, the trio was able to locate the place very quickly.

Although Celestial Cave had the word “cave” in it, it was actually a fort surrounded by mountains with a river flowing next to it. It was a beautiful place that almost looked like a tiny slice of paradise cut off from the harsh world beyond.

When the trio finally arrived at the destination, they discovered in surprise that the Celestial Cave was jam-packed with people for some reason. There were thieves, bandits and brigands everywhere.

Ye Qing immediately noticed that these people belonged to different factions. It was because they were flying different flags and staying away from each other. In some cases, their hostility toward certain factions were barely concealed.

“The Green Wolf Brigand, Seven Killing Peak, Flowing Cloud Peak, Hawk Fort, Soul Calming Fort, Imp Gang, Flying Soul Cave…”

Ye Qing read at the names on the banners with a small frown on his face.

According to Xue Beikun, there were three brigands, five peaks, nine forts, eighteen gangs and thirty six caves on Mount Qi. Of course, it wasn’t the total number of bandit factions that existed on Mount Qi. They were just those that were strong enough to garner attention. However, all of these factions were gathered at the Celestial Abode today, and it was quite unusual to say the least.

“Where is Gong Wuwei? Didn’t he invite us over to discuss the news regarding Prince Xian’s hoard?”

“Gong Wuwei sure knows how to give himself airs. I came only because I gave him face, but not only is he nowhere to be found, he didn’t even prepare a single cup of wine for me! What is the meaning of this?”

“Yeah! Are you fucking with me, Gong Wuwei?”

“Show yourself, Gong Wuwei! Show yourself, now!”

“Show yourself!”

“Show yourself…”

Not a single person in this place was good or lawful. Ye Qing had no idea how long they had been waiting for this Gong Wuwei, but it seemed like they were getting quite restless. A riot was going to erupt if something wasn’t done soon.

Ye Qing crossed his arms and just waited. Instead of hurrying to save Chen Wuxin, he decided to wait and see what happens next.

On a related note, Gong Wuwei was the head of the Celestial Cave.

Thump!

It was at this moment a drumbeat rang, and a terrible pressure descended on the entire place. The noise disappeared in an instant, and it became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

A moment later, a beautiful woman in her thirties walked out of an exquisite pavilion. She smiled at the crowd and said cordially, “Sorry for arriving late. I hope you all can forgive me for my negligence.”

Ye Qing was a little surprised. Gong Wuwei sounded like a man’s name, but not only was she a woman, she was quite the looker too.

A Trueman. She’s quite strong.

Ye Qing quickly identified Gong Wuwei’s cultivation level through his demonic thought.

Two men and three women followed behind Gong Wuwei. They were all wearing stern, unfeeling expressions, and they were all at Half Step Trueman.

Feng Xiong, the head of Hawk Fort stared at Gong Wuwei with cold eyes. “What is the meaning of this, Gong Wuwei? You’re the one who invited us over, and yet you hid yourself until we get impatient? Are you toying with us?”

Feng Xiong was a man in his forties, and he had a pale, haggard-looking face and a pair of vertical, animalistic pupils. He was currently squeezing a pair of iron balls and spinning them in a way that caused them to emit an uncomfortable screech.

“You misunderstand me, Head Feng. I am just a woman. I would never dare to toy with you.” Gong Wuwei smiled like a blooming flower. “I really came late because I was held behind by something. I hereby apologize to you all again for my tardiness!”

“Keke… you said you had news regarding Prince Xian’s hoard. Now that everyone has arrived, why don’t we get straight to business?” Another man let out a strange chuckle. “Unless you plan to treat us to dinner first?”

The man was small in stature and wearing a set of paper-made burial clothes. His face was pale and bloodless, and a pair of red, coin-sized circles adorned his cheeks. He looked like a paper doll people offered during a funeral or a ritual. It was quite the dark and unsettling appearance to say the least.

The speaker was the gang boss of the Imp Gang. They called him the Provocative Imp Zhu.

“Yeah. I’m a busy man, you know? Get on with it already.”

A third man spoke up. He was brawny with a thick beard and mustache. What was strange was that he was wearing a red bridal dress and sewing a crimson tree peony with a silver needle.

He was the head of the Soul Calming Fort, Cheng Xiuyi.

“He’s right, Head Gong. Everyone’s already here, so just tell us where Prince Xian’s hoard is already!”

“You do not possess the power to claim the hoard for yourself, Head Gong.”

“Stop putting on airs and tell us already, Head Gong!”

The crowd was starting to grow rambunctious again.

“What is this Prince Xian’s hoard?” Ye Qing tilted his head and asked Mrs. Basket.

The Trueman explained, “Three thousand years ago, there was a regional prince named Prince Xian who was obsessed with immortality and the way of the celestials. In hopes of gaining immortality, he collected treasures and martial arts from all over the world and recruited uniquely talented people to build a Celestial Tower. He would pray day and night at the tower in hopes of obtaining the way of the celestials.”

“It was said that Prince Xian’s heartfelt prayers touched the celestials, and they sent someone to teach him the ways of immortality. That was how Prince Xian was able to live for eight hundred years as a mortal. In the end, he rode a crane out of the eastern sea and became a true celestial.”

“It was said that Prince Xian hid everything he ever collected including the way to become a celestial in a hidden location for the one who would find his hoard before departing the world. Eventually, it became known as Prince Xian’s hoard.”

“The way to become a celestial? People actually believe this crap?” Ye Qing raised his eyebrows.

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but it is real.” Mrs. Basket asked, “Have you heard of the Undying Celestial, young master?”

“Yeah.” Ye Qing nodded. Hong Jianglong had mentioned it back when he was participating in the Hidden Dragon Meet. It was rumored that Wei Bulao was the Undying Celestial’s disciple. That was why he knew a little about the Undying Celestial.

A Trueman’s lifespan was around two hundred years or so, but it was said that the Undying Celestial had lived for four hundred years. Assuming that the rumors could be trusted, he was still very much alive and looking to live for many years more. That was why they called him the Undying Celestial.

“So, you’re saying that the Undying Celestial lives so long because he obtained Prince Xian’s hoard?”

“That is exactly correct, young master. You are most wise.” Mrs. Basket paid him a compliment before continuing, “Apparently, the Undying Celestial accidentally stumbled upon Prince Xian’s hoard by accident and was saw the way to become a celestial. That was how he was alive for four hundred years despite being a Trueman.”

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