Chapter Six
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The sky gradually darkened as heavy snow began to fall outside once again... Inside the dimly lit house, no lamps were lit. Lin He and his teacher sat opposite each other across the hearth. Although the room was dark, it was warm. On the bed lay neatly packed bundles. The two sat silently, the crackling of burning firewood mingling with the howling snowstorm outside, creating a strangely comforting ambiance.
In the dim room, Tao Zhiming furrowed his brows, gazing out at the swirling snow. The loose skin on his face gathered into deep wrinkles on both sides, resembling the rough bark of an old tree—bitter and worn. Lin He stared blankly into the fire, his eyes dull and lifeless, lacking the brilliance they once held, and he remained unblinking for a long while.
After an unknown stretch of time, Tao Zhiming slowly rose and looked at Lin He with his deeply sunken eyes, speaking softly, “Since the days of Bai Yunfeng, I haven’t seen Deng Yangfeng for over a decade. Even with some clues, I can’t be more than thirty percent certain...”
Lin He said nothing, still fixated on the flames. This time, a glimmer appeared in his eyes, as if tears welled up but never fell. He finally understood why his mother had often warned him that if Teacher Tao ever offered help, he must never refuse, and repay tenfold. Now, he grasped the meaning behind her words.
Clearing his dry throat, Lin He stood up, his gaze firm, hands clasped tightly, his sorrow tinged with reproach, “Teacher, today I have failed you. I should not have returned home. You brought me to seek Master Deng’s tutelage, and I should be grateful, yet I have only caused you trouble repeatedly.”
Tao Zhiming shook his head, “Five years ago, I promised your mother to take you to study under Deng Yangfeng. This matter is unavoidable.”
Lin He straightened his posture, eyes resolute, “Once I master the entire Yu Yin Divine Skill, I will rescue my parents and repay your kindness!”
His words did not please Tao Zhiming. Slowly rising, he moved to the window and spoke heavily, “What defines a hero of the world? It is to take responsibility for all living beings...”
Lin He lowered his head, clenched his fists tightly, and said bitterly, “I cannot even protect my own parents, how can I speak of saving the world? How can I speak of serving the people?” He paused, then looked at the fire and sneered coldly, “Isn’t that laughable?”
Tao Zhiming sighed deeply but said no more.
Mu Xiangming burst through the door, having just returned from the city.
“The coachman is here! We can leave now!”
Lin He grabbed his bundle, and the three stepped outside. The heavy snow had not ceased, the ground thick with white powder. The coachman was a cripple, blind in one eye, with rough, dark skin and hair tangled like a bird’s nest.
Seeing the three, he cursed, “With snow this deep, bringing a carriage is troublesome and hard to travel.” His accent was thick with retroflex sounds and spoken rapidly—clearly not a local.
Mu Xiangming glanced at Lin He, then pulled out a silver coin, holding it up. Upon seeing the silver, the coachman immediately jumped down from the carriage.
“Oh my goodness!” he said, biting the silver with his teeth.
“These days, business is bad. This silver is pure!”
Mu Xiangming said, “You usually haul goods, and no one dares ride your carriage. To travel from Jiuling Peak to Jiulong City, this silver should be enough.”
“Alright! Alright!” he said happily, stuffing the silver into his pants. “Masters, please get on!”
The three climbed onto the carriage. The coachman fitted new horseshoes and donned an extra layer of clothing before pulling the reins. The carriage slowly set off...
As the carriage moved, the three sat inside. Tao Zhiming took out a book to read, while Lin He drew aside the curtain, gazing at the place he had grown up. He wondered when he would return again, or when he would see his parents. Mu Xiangming looked at his profile; the cold wind stirred his hair, his figure seeming like the coldest thing in winter.
Before long, the carriage left Mu’s village. The sky was not fully dark yet, but the snow fell ever heavier. Behind the carriage trailed a long track. The horses braved the snowstorm as if cleaving through waves, heading towards the distant mountains. The coachman sat on the carriage board, singing in his thick local accent:
“Little child, grow quickly—
The fields at home await you—
Little boy, eat fast—
The burdens at home need your strength—
Little one, marry soon—
The household’s weight still needs bearing—
Little child, bear children soon—
To carry on the family line...”
At Shen hour;
Night had fully fallen, and the snow and wind had ceased. The coachman lit a bright lamp inside the carriage and hung it on the front. As the howling of wolves drew nearer, it indicated they were close to Jiuling Peak—the highest mountain in the Man Kingdom, towering and rugged with countless ridges and valleys. The mountain path was treacherous, known as the Cloudy Path, with sheer cliffs on either side. A single slip would mean plunging into the abyss with no hope of survival.
At You hour;
The carriage reached the foot of the mountain. The coachman said, “We’re about to ascend. There’s an inn ahead—do you want to stop and warm up?”
Lin He drew back the curtain. Not far ahead, a light shone. Tao Zhiming looked at the two and slowly asked, “You must be hungry.”
Mu Xiangming nodded, “Yes. We didn’t boil water when we got on. It might be good to stop and get some.”
A cold gust blew in, making Mu Xiangming shiver. Lin He quickly drew the curtain closed, his expression turning grave:
“This is a wild and desolate place, yet the inn’s lights burn brightly. Should we wait for another place?”
The coachman laughed, interrupting, “Master, you’re used to the good life. Don’t know how hard it is out here. After such a long journey, there’s no other inn open but this one. Not far off, you can hear wolves howling in the valley. Anyone running a shop here must be crazy to risk their life for money!”
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Tao Zhiming nodded, “The coachman is right. This is the only route through Jiuling Peak. Having an inn here is not unusual. Let’s stop here for a while.” The coachman eagerly chimed in, “Good! My horse needs a rest too! This long journey has frozen me solid!”
The carriage stopped near a withered tree by the inn.
“Gentlemen, you may rest here!”
Lin He opened the carriage door first. “Teacher, I’ll help you down.”
Mu Xiangming was about to move but was stopped by Tao Zhiming.
“Xiangming, the people outside may not be kind. You’d better stay in the carriage.”
She nodded in agreement.
She handed Lin He the water bottle and took out three silver needles from her pouch.
“These needles are coated with anesthetic poison. Keep them with you, just in case.”
Lin He glanced at Mu Xiangming and took the needles and water bottle. “Understood.”
The teacher and student approached the inn. The snow on the ground had been swept clean. As they neared, they saw what Tao had said was true: the men outside were all roughly dressed, their faces fierce, and various knives and weapons were laid out on the ground.
The coachman saw Mu Xiangming hadn’t come down and shouted toward the carriage, “Hey! Why doesn’t she get down?” Lin He gestured for him to be quiet.
The bandits were drinking and celebrating.
Scarface said, “If we weren’t starving, I’d have chopped his head off with my green blade!”
Flat-nose replied, “Not you having a hard time! A few days ago, we stopped a carriage. Guess what? Damn it, not a single silver coin!”
Scarface laughed. “Old fox, we all live by luck. No money, we eat wolves. If heaven feeds us, we eat; if not, those officials starve too!”
Both laughed heartily. The teacher and student passed by, Tao Zhiming quietly advising, “Try not to look at them.” Lin He lowered his head and silently agreed. Fortunately, the bandits paid no attention to them.
The innkeeper, seeing guests in plain clothes arrive, immediately threw a towel over his shoulder, patted his robe, and said with a grin, “Looks like there’s money to be made today!” Then he cheerfully approached.
“How may I assist you?”
Lin He handed over the water bottle. “Fill this with water and bring four roasted cakes.”
The innkeeper took the order eagerly. “Alright! Four cakes and a pot of tea!” He hurried into the inn.
Lin He glanced toward the group of men nearby. Seeing none paying attention to them, he moved a bench from a nearby table.
“Teacher, let’s sit for a while.”
Tao Zhiming nodded and sat down slowly.
Lin He asked, “Teacher, these bandits are so brazen. Whose men are they?”
Tao Zhiming looked at the weapons on the ground. “Around Jiuling Peak, the Double Fiend couple hold sway. The only one daring to dominate here is Leng Mian Wuqing, known as the Three Qiu Blade.”
Lin He frowned slightly. “Teacher, do you have a history with the Three Qiu Blade?”
A trace of serenity passed over Tao’s face. “Back then, both he and Song Xianglian were poisoned by the Poison Woman. Out of pity, I gave them the antidote...”
Amid the noisy crowd, Lin He’s gaze sharpened as he sensed people nearby watching him. A subtle sideways glance revealed not just one table, but many eyes fixed on him like a pack of lions stalking prey, all bearing fierce glints. Lin He’s innate martial talent and keen insight detected this immediately.
After thinking briefly, he tried to stand and ask the innkeeper when the food would be ready but was pulled back by Tao Zhiming.
“You go up first. I’ll wait here.”
Lin He hesitated but obeyed.
No sooner had he taken a few steps than a bandit blocked his path. The man was burly, scarred, and fierce-looking. Soon, more bandits surrounded him, tall and menacing, trapping him with no way out.
The bandit leader, drunk and holding a cup, saw his men encircle Lin He and shouted, “What are you all doing? We have rules in this world. If it’s not the time, we don’t provoke!”
One bandit said, “Brother Lei, you have good food and wine at home, but the brothers don’t!”
The others complained in unison, “Yeah, Brother Lei... yeah... the brothers have nothing...”
The coachman sensed trouble and quickly hid behind the carriage.
Lei laughed heartily, “Alright, alright! Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to help. You heard them; the brothers are starving. Whatever silver you have on that carriage, give it to them so they can eat and drink!”
At this moment, Tao Zhiming approached Lei, holding a silver coin.
“Hero, please accept this. The storm is fierce, and we have little money to spare. Let this silver be your reward!”
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Lei laughed upon seeing the silver. “Ha! This old man knows how to behave!” Tossing aside his cup, he held the coin up to the light, his expression flickering with surprise.
“Oh! This is top-quality silver!”
Just then, the innkeeper came over, picked up the fallen cup, bent over, and smiled broadly, “Wise Brother Lei! I’m a humble businessman. You get this silver, just don’t cause trouble here!”
Lei was instantly enraged, kicking over the tableware. The innkeeper crouched down, too afraid to speak. Lei pointed furiously at Tao’s forehead, shouting, “You’re damn crazy! I’m a bandit, not a beggar!”
The sudden outburst shocked Lin He, who feared the bandit might attack his teacher. He shouted loudly, “Brother, you want silver! I’ll give you some!”
Lei’s face changed instantly. “That’s my good brother! Brothers, get on the carriage and take it. Don’t mess up this brother’s belongings!”
With Lei’s command, the bandits parted. Lin He slowly stepped out, eyes darting to assess the situation. From his sleeve, he quietly slipped out a silver needle. Once clear of the circle, he flicked it toward the bandit leader!
Lei dodged swiftly, faster than Lin He expected.
“Not good!” Lin He thought. Seeing he missed, he leapt forward, but a bandit grabbed one of his feet and slammed him down hard!
Lin He grimaced and got up, but Lei was furious.
“Damn it!” He picked up a knife to throw it, but just then, a silver needle shot out from the carriage window, piercing his vital point. The knife froze midair.
Silent and swift, Lei instantly became immobile. The bandits rushed over to check him.
Mu Xiangming shot out three more needles, each striking its target without a sound. Three more bandits were pinned.
Realizing a hidden expert was among them, the bandits scrambled to grab weapons from the ground.
Amid the chaos, Mu Xiangming jumped down from the carriage and flew to Lin He’s side, helping him up.
“Are you alright?”
Lin He shook his head. “You handle them. I’ll protect the teacher.”
Mu Xiangming nodded, “Don’t worry!”
The bandits surrounded Mu Xiangming, weapons drawn.
One sneered, “Mess with us and you won’t cross this mountain alive.”
Mu Xiangming sneered back, “You call yourselves mountain lords, yet you’re just a ragtag bunch?”
As she spoke, a young man’s voice echoed from above.
“Hahaha, no one’s ever called the bandits of Fushou Mountain ragtag before!” His tone was arrogant.
“Young master!” The bandits looked toward the withered tree nearby.
A handsome man in white lay on the branch, robes fluttering, long hair loose. His high cheekbones and narrow chin gave him an elegant yet unpretentious air.
Lin He’s eyes narrowed sharply, wary of this man. Though close in age, his inner strength was formidable. He whispered to his teacher, “Teacher, you should go inside. This man is dangerous.”
Tao Zhiming shook his head calmly, showing no fear, and walked toward the man. The young man saw him, immediately jumping down and sneering, “Long time no see, scholars of the Four Families. Senior Tao!”
Lin He and Mu Xiangming were both startled.
The man called Sanqingfeng bowed slightly and respectfully, “Senior Tao, my father often speaks highly of you.”
Tao frowned, “He often talks about me? Could it be he wants to bind me back?”
Sanqingfeng replied, “I apologize on behalf of my father for today’s matter. However...” He glanced at Mu Xiangming. “This beautiful young lady, gifted with Master Deng’s true transmission, is truly promising.”
Tao Zhiming looked at him sharply, “Isn’t the son of the Three Qiu Blade also promising?”
Sanqingfeng forced a smile, “Then I shall not keep you. Jiuling Peak’s terrain is perilous. I wish you a safe journey!”
After Sanqingfeng and the bandits left, the innkeeper brought the cakes and water to Tao.
“Master, I run a humble business. My wife suffers from cold in her feet and is bedridden. Our family can’t withstand your fighting. Please take these as payment; you don’t need to pay.”
The cakes were still hot from the pan, yet the man held them steadily.
Just as the innkeeper was about to kneel, Lin He stopped him, handing him a silver coin.
“This is the silver we gave the bandits just now. Use it to buy medicine for your wife.”
The innkeeper bowed gratefully. “You truly have a compassionate heart. The Bodhisattva will bless you!”
He gave the coachman some cattle fodder from his home and shook Lin He’s hand.
“The Jiulong Mountain path is treacherous. Please be careful!”
The carriage set off again. Moonlight bathed the mountain road in a quiet, enchanting glow. Wolves howled in the valleys, but the snowy mountains were barren, and even the wolves dared not hunt on the steep slopes of Jiuling Peak.
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