Chapter 75: Tales of Jade Peak, The Old Man in the Mountains
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya didn’t linger in Nanfeng County.
He’an Village was only a dozen miles away, and the weather was fine, so they decided to head to Jade Peak Mountain and investigate.
…
Smoke curled from chimneys, and the sounds of birds and insects filled the air.
Following the map’s directions, they arrived at He’an Village in the afternoon.
The village was indeed quite simple, a truly remote and impoverished place. Most of the houses were single-story structures built from mud bricks, and they occasionally saw villagers carrying farming tools.
Although the village was isolated and quiet, the villagers they encountered greeted them with smiles and nods, their demeanor kind and welcoming.
Following the directions of a young boy, Lin Tianlu found a dilapidated tavern. Inside, a middle-aged man, his appearance unkempt, was slumped over the counter, seemingly bored from lack of business.
“Innkeeper, two dishes, please.”
The man roused himself from his slumber and greeted them.
But as he brought them their food, Lin Tianlu smiled and bowed. “May I ask your name, Innkeeper?”
“My surname is Niu. You can just call me Innkeeper Niu.”
“Innkeeper Niu, what’s the terrain like on Jade Peak Mountain?”
The innkeeper’s expression froze. “You’re planning to climb Jade Peak Mountain, Sir?”
“Yes.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly. “I heard that there’s a rare treasure hidden on Jade Peak Mountain, so my companion and I have traveled a long way to see it for ourselves.”
The innkeeper’s expression turned strange. “Sir, I… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“That mountain…” The innkeeper hesitated, then gritted his teeth. “It’s strange!”
Lin Tianlu’s curiosity was piqued. Even Hua Shuya, who had just picked up a peanut, paused, listening intently.
“Could you tell us more, Innkeeper?”
“Ai… I don’t even know where to begin.”
The innkeeper scratched his head and sighed. “Sir, you don’t know this, but our He’an Village has been around for about two or three hundred years. But our population has always been small, as if we’re cursed.”
“Every year during the rainy season, we’re hit by floods. The village is often submerged, and rocks fall from the cliffs. Even in other seasons, disasters often befall us. Every year, people die from these calamities. If it weren’t for the ancestral shrine, which is difficult to move, and the wishes of our ancestors, many people would have left this village long ago.”
Hua Shuya looked puzzled. “It sounds like natural disasters, Innkeeper. What does that have to do with Jade Peak Mountain?”
“Those falling rocks and wild beasts all come from Jade Peak Mountain.” The innkeeper shook his head. “Once or twice would be fine, but it happens every year. It’s truly ominous. The elders in the village say that the mountain god is angry and needs to be appeased, but we’ve been offering sacrifices for years, and nothing has changed.”
“And the terrain on Jade Peak Mountain is incredibly treacherous. The mountain is shrouded in mist, making it difficult to navigate. You can sometimes hear the roars of wild beasts and strange, chilling laughter. It’s quite eerie.”
Niu took a sip of his wine and clicked his tongue. “I remember a few years ago, these strange events spread outside the village, exaggerated into fantastical tales. People said that a rare treasure was about to appear. Many young adventurers came to investigate, but in the end…
Dozens of people entered the mountain, but almost none returned. We only found piles of bones at the foot of the mountain. And those who did survive came back babbling incoherently, as if they had gone mad.”
“After that, people avoided Jade Peak Mountain. No one dared to enter… Well, except for a group of young people who came here a while ago. They claimed to be from some powerful sect, skilled in martial arts. But we haven’t heard from them since. I don’t know if they made it out safely.”
“And the people of He’an Village…”
“Everyone knows that the mountain is dangerous. No one would dare to go there. Even if a child misbehaved, their parents would beat them with a stick.” The innkeeper grinned. “I was taught a lesson when I was young. I still remember it vividly!”
It seemed the mountain’s reputation preceded it.
Even the locals were afraid to go there.
Finding a guide would be impossible. They would have to explore the mountain themselves.
But…
“Could you tell us more about this treasure, Innkeeper?”
“To be honest, these stories about a hidden treasure are just legends passed down from our ancestors. Only the elders in the village still remember them. Most young people have never even heard of it. I’m surprised you asked, Sir.”
The innkeeper’s face was filled with uncertainty. “As for what the treasure is, no one knows for sure. But according to the rumors, it’s supposed to be hidden in a lake on Jade Peak Mountain? I don’t know the details.”
Lin Tianlu bowed slightly. “Thank you for your answers, Innkeeper.”
“Ai… If you’re really determined to climb Jade Peak Mountain, at least wear warm clothes. It’s very cold up there. You might freeze.” Niu couldn’t help but say, “But it’s best to just give up. You two seem like people of high status. Why risk your lives when you could be enjoying a comfortable life in the city?”
“Don’t worry, Innkeeper. We won’t be reckless.”
Lin Tianlu smiled.
“That’s good.” The innkeeper sighed in relief.
After finishing their meal, they said goodbye and left the tavern.
Then, they headed straight towards Jade Peak Mountain.
…
He’an Village was quiet, and as they entered the mountain, the only sound was the chirping of insects.
“Senior, this Jade Peak Mountain doesn’t seem as tall or as dangerous as Mount Taiyi.”
Hua Shuya looked up at the misty peak. “But the mountain range is vast, with many valleys and ravines. And the mist… it seems like miasma.”
“It does seem dangerous, as the innkeeper said.”
Lin Tianlu was also on guard.
Although he knew he possessed extraordinary abilities, the dangers hidden within the mountain were unpredictable.
They started their ascent, carefully marking their path to avoid getting lost.
Although the path was treacherous, it wasn’t too difficult for them.
With her Azure Spirit realm cultivation, Hua Shuya could probably reach the summit without breaking a sweat. And Lin Tianlu’s movements were as light as a feather, as if he were walking on flat ground.
Halfway up the mountain, they turned around and looked down at the breathtaking view.
Hua Shuya brushed her hair back and exclaimed, “The scenery here is truly beautiful.”
Lin Tianlu agreed. The surrounding landscape did have an ethereal quality.
But…
He faintly heard a low growl.
Lin Tianlu turned his head and saw a white tiger emerging from the bushes. Its large, amber eyes were fixed on them, and it growled menacingly.
Hua Shuya immediately drew her sword.
The tiger, sensing danger, whimpered and retreated back into the bushes.
Lin Tianlu chuckled.
That tiger was quite clever. If it had charged at them recklessly, Hua Shuya would have sliced it open with her sword.
At that moment, Lin Tianlu suddenly turned around and pointed his finger.
—Bang!
A grotesque ghost was thrown back, crashing into a thick tree trunk.
Lin Tianlu’s eyes narrowed as he saw the blood-red aura surrounding the ghost. Behind it, he could faintly see the figures of several young men and women, their faces filled with sorrow and regret.
“So that’s why this Jade Peak Mountain is so strange—because of you.”
Seeing the ghost trying to escape, Hua Shuya’s expression turned serious, and she was about to give chase.
“It can’t escape.”
Lin Tianlu reached out with his hand, and the ghost froze in mid-air. A wave of spiritual energy surged forward, instantly obliterating it.
The figures of the men and women seemed to find peace, and they bowed to him in gratitude.
But…
“Beware… the lake on the summit… a strange woman…”
Their voices faded as their figures disappeared.
Hua Shuya sheathed her sword, her face filled with surprise. “Did they just speak?”
“They warned us to be careful of the lake on the summit, and a woman.”
Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
There was someone else on the mountain?
“Wait, Senior, do you feel that it’s getting colder?” Hua Shuya rubbed her arms, her brows furrowed. “It feels like Yin energy is gathering here.”
“Indeed.”
Lin Tianlu took out a jacket from his bag and draped it over her shoulders. “Put this on, Miss Hua. Keep warm.”
Hua Shuya clutched the jacket, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Thank you, Senior.”
“If you feel unwell, Miss Hua, don’t hesitate to tell me. This Jade Peak Mountain is quite strange. We need to be careful.”
“Mm!”
…
About half an hour later, they finally reached the summit, and a breathtaking view unfolded before them.
A clear stream flowed down from the peak, cascading into a lake, its surface shimmering with ripples. Several peach trees swayed gently in the breeze, their blossoms adding a touch of color to the landscape. It was like a scene from a fairytale.
An old man with white hair, dressed in an azure robe, sat meditating on a rock by the lake, his aura calm and still.
“Guests from afar, have you come for the treasure in the lake?”
His voice was cold and deep, adding to the chilling atmosphere, as if he were carved from ice.
Lin Tianlu smiled and bowed. “You’re right, Old Master. We’ve come a long way to see this treasure. Could it be that you’re also…”
“Such treasures belong to those who are worthy. I’m just a passerby.”
The white-haired old man flicked his finger, and a black light shot towards them!
Hua Shuya’s expression changed, but before she could react, the black light whizzed past her face.
“Watch out—”
“Don’t worry.”
Lin Tianlu had caught the black light. Looking closely, he realized it was just a small, black Go stone.
“You have refined tastes, Old Master.”
“I’ve been sitting here alone for five days, bored out of my mind. Why don’t you play a game of Go with me?”
The old man turned to him with a cold gaze. “If you can defeat me, you can have the treasure in the lake… Hmm?!”
His eyes widened in shock as he looked at Lin Tianlu.
He couldn’t sense his cultivation level at all?!
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