Chapter 9 Mountain Peak_2

Young Master Ma looked back, shaking his horse whip, and said gently, "Gang Master Situ, there's no need to be so restrained. Since Master Wang recommended you as a guide, I've never treated you as an outsider. After finishing this task, you'll be rewarded. I'll tell you the specific location after we enter the mountains."

Situ Ping looked at Young Master Ma's gentle, jade-like face and handsome eyebrows, and bowed her head, replying that she dared not. She knew that this Young Master Ma was a person with a significant background. Pretending to be a woman in front of Wang Hong of Wu Sword Hamlet might have had some effect, but for Young Master Ma, whom she was meeting for the first time and had been neither warm nor cold in their journey together, she didn't dare to employ the same tactics. She decided to be cautious and attentive instead.

And so, the two rode their horses into the evening.

On the other side of the mountain, Wen Wenhai and Junior.sister also hurried towards the mountain peak on their fast horses.

As the mountain peak approached, Wen Wenhai slowly adjusted his reins to slow down the horse speed. He turned to Junior Sister and said, "Junior Sister, we're about to enter the mountains. Let's eat something first, rest for a while, regain our energy, and then go in. We might have a tough battle ahead."

Junior Sister nodded in agreement, and the two dismounted to rest. They took out the dry food they had brought with them and began to eat. After they finished eating and drank some water, Junior Sister couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Senior Brother, why did Master and the Sect Leader not personally attend this important mission? They could have at least sent our Senior Brother, why did they send the two of us? I really don't understand what our Master was thinking."

Wen Wenhai took another sip of water, looked around, and said softly, "Junior Sister, there must be a reason behind Master's arrangement. Before we set out, he did tell me that in order not to attract the attention of other sects, this mission would only involve second-generation disciples from various sects, who are unremarkable and low-key. Moreover, there would be an elder in charge of us, and we'll know who it is at the time. We just have to listen to the elder's arrangements then. After all, this is a good opportunity, and as long as everything goes smoothly, Master will reward us handsomely."

Junior Sister sighed, "I thought this unknown place would be a desolate, dangerous mountain area, but on our way here, I actually found it quite picturesque. Although we haven't entered the mountain yet, it feels quite majestic. It's a pity that we can't appreciate it at night, otherwise it would be worth the trip."

Wen Wenhai patted his forehead and said, "Junior Sister actually has such thoughts, which I can't compare to. Is this why your martial arts have progressed more rapidly than mine?"

Junior Sister didn't respond, and her expression couldn't be seen under her veil. Wen Wenhai continued, "Junior Sister, it's getting late, so why don't you remove your veil? There are no people around here."

Junior Sister still didn't say anything.

Wen Wenhai, accustomed to this, said to himself, "Alright, it's almost time, let's get moving. We should be able to arrive at the appointed time."

As Young Master Ma and Situ, the Gang Master of the Evil Tiger Group, entered the mountain together, they rode for a while and soon arrived at the foot of a mountain. Young Master Ma stopped the horse, got off, and Situ Ping followed suit. Young Master Ma said, "Gang Master Situ, do you know where Five Claws Peak is?"

Situ Ping replied, "Of course, I do. The Five Claws Peak is a group of five smaller peaks next to Stone Man Peak, named after their resemblance to a monkey's curved fingers. There are no paths to that area, so horses can't go there. We can only climb over these mountains to get there."

After hearing this, Young Master Ma smiled slightly, let go of the horse's reins, and the horse went off on its own to find hay. Situ Ping also patted her horse, draped the reins over its body, and the horse followed Young Master Ma's horse, seemingly accustomed to such treatment.

Young Master Ma said, "In that case, please lead the way, Gang Master Situ."

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

Using her chest as a support, Situ Ping ran for the length of two incense sticks before gradually feeling out of breath and weak. At that moment, she heard Young Master Ma's gentle voice near her ear, "Gang Master Situ, there's still plenty of time before midnight. How about we walk for a while, catch our breath, and regain our strength?"

Without looking back, she could tell that Young Master Ma was strolling leisurely behind her without any hint of panting. She sighed in admiration of the exceptional talent of the noble families and gratefully said, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master." After stopping, she walked slowly along the mountain path. Young Master Ma caught up with her, and as they walked side by side he asked, "Gang Master Situ, have you been to Five Claws Peak before?"

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

Young Master Ma nodded and continued to ask, "Is there anything strange about Five Claws Peak?"

Situ Ping was surprised, "Have you been here before, Young Master? How do you know that there is something strange about Five Claws Peak?"

Young Master Ma smiled and said, "If I had been here before, I wouldn't have asked Gang Master Situ to guide me."

Situ Ping awkwardly replied, "I was just surprised; please don't take offense, Young Master. Speaking of Five Claws Peak, the scenery is not much different from that of Stone Man Peak, but the spring water is indeed much sweeter than that of other mountains. The strange thing is in the unnamed mountain peak, where there is a large sour date grove on the mountainside. Few people go there, and not even the mountain people who make a living in the vicinity of Stone Man Peak can reach it. However, according to the mountain people who have been there, there are man-eating beasts in the grove. People who have entered to pick sour dates have never returned, so very few people have the courage to go there. Moreover, wild sour dates are not particularly valuable, so eventually, ordinary people stopped going. Two years ago, I brought some of my gang members there to scout the area. We released a hunting dog into the grove but it didn't return, so we didn't dare to venture in further and just explored the outskirts before heading back."

Situ Ping didn't hide anything about her gang from Young.Master Ma, speaking openly, which made Young Master Ma quite satisfied. He said, "It's good that Gang Master Situ knows about that place. Later, I'll need your help to take us there."

Situ Ping was puzzled, "Us? Young Master Ma, are there other people as well?"

Young Master Ma smiled and said, "Of course, there are others. But for now, let's go to the first peak of Five Claws Peak and wait for them there. Gang Master Situ, if you have had enough rest, let's get going."

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