Chapter Thirteen: Ascending the Mountain (Happy New Year, everyone)

After leaving, Duàn Yì didn't linger around. Instead, he went straight back to the inn to check out. He'd rather find another inn with slightly worse accommodations than stay there any longer.

Fortunately, the plump innkeeper was likely still with Young Miss Zhou and hadn't returned, so everything went smoothly.

The next morning, Duàn Yì packed his belongings and headed directly for Shalu Mountain, outside Daming County, which was the location of the Golden Cauldron Sect's mountain gate.

Shalu Mountain originated in the northeastern part of Daming County and extended southeast. Its five nearly parallel ridges undulated gracefully, resembling five sika deer, hence the name Shalu.

According to Yuè Jiāo Nú, the Golden Cauldron Sect was one of the three sects on Shalu Mountain, possessing the greatest strength and fame. They occupied three main peaks, while the other two sects, the Green Crane Sect and the Heart-Questioning Nunnery, occupied the remaining two main peaks.

Walking at a brisk pace, Duàn Yì finally arrived at the foot of Shalu Mountain's path near noon. He ascended the man-made bluestone path step by step, eventually reaching the Golden Cauldron Sect's mountain gate.

The two disciples guarding the Golden Cauldron Sect's gate wore earth-yellow robes and held swords in their hands. They were idly chatting near the steps.

Suddenly, they saw a poorly dressed youth, his face wet with sweat, walking towards them with a bundle on his back. Their previous languor instantly turned into vigilance. Their swords remained sheathed but were held in their hands, defensively placed across their chests. The younger of the two disciples spoke in a deep voice, "Who goes there? This is a restricted area of the Golden Cauldron Sect. Unauthorized entry is forbidden."

In truth, they already had a guess. They thought it was just another naive kid with a wild idea of becoming a disciple, as there had been too many such cases in the past. However, they didn't think much of him.

Seeing this, Duàn Yì quickly spread his hands to show he meant no harm, then cautiously said, "Esteemed young heroes, I'm here to visit a relative on the mountain. I'm looking for someone named Bái Xī Wén. I have proof, and I'm not causing trouble."

When Duàn Yì and Yuè Jiāo Nú had discussed him joining the Golden Cauldron Sect to learn martial arts, they had already planned what identity to use. After all, Duàn Yì's background was unusual. If Qū Dōng Liú detected anything amiss, he would surely die.

Finally, combining Yuè Jiāo Nú's description of Bái Xī Wén and relevant information, they decided to go up the mountain under the guise of visiting a relative, directly asking for Bái Xī Wén by name, bypassing the Golden Cauldron Sect's usual procedures.

The token was also easy to arrange. It was a silk scarf that Yuè Jiāo Nú possessed, which Bái Xī Wén had given to her when he was persistently pursuing her. He would surely recognize it.

Furthermore, Bái Xī Wén knew Yuè Jiāo Nú's current predicament. As long as he saw the scarf, he would not expose anything for her safety, preventing Qū Dōng Liú from detecting anything unusual. This would complete the first step of their plan.

At this moment, Duàn Yì was playing the role of a poor youth who, having no other options in his hometown, had come to rely on a successful relative. In essence, it wasn't entirely an act, as besides the familial connection, he genuinely intended to latch onto Bái Xī Wén.

"Relative? Uncle-Master Bái has been on the mountain for so many years, living alone. When did he get a relative? Who exactly are you? Speak quickly!"

One of the mountain-guarding disciples clearly didn't believe Duàn Yì's story. With a stern expression, he drew his sword with a clang. The sword glinted under the midday sun as he shouted, "I really am here to visit a relative. If you don't believe me, you can take me directly to Bái Xī Wén. If he doesn't acknowledge me, you can do whatever you want with me."

Duàn Yì naturally refused to back down, his neck stiff as he replied firmly, his gaze unwavering.

It's a joke. This guy is clearly trying to trick me. If I easily reveal my background, why would I come to this dangerous place like the Golden Cauldron Sect?

"Alright, put your sword away. I see the youth's gaze is clear and he doesn't seem like a liar. How about this, I'll take him to Uncle-Master Bái, and you stay here and watch. That's decided."

The other disciple, who appeared slightly older, had been observing Duàn Yì the entire time. Seeing that he was indeed confident, he had a plan and quickly stepped in as a peacemaker.

Within the Golden Cauldron Sect, if power was concerned, it was naturally the Sect Leader Qū Dōng Liú. However, in terms of martial arts and prestige, it was undoubtedly Elder Bái Xī Wén.

"This person's background is currently unclear, so it's not advisable to offend him. If he truly is Uncle-Master Bái's relative, and we intentionally make things difficult for him today, he might seek revenge in the future. Junior Brother, listen to me and put your sword away."

Seeing that his junior brother hadn't sheathed his sword, the older disciple walked over and forcefully pressed him to put it back in its scabbard, whispering in his ear.

Seeing that the man was finally no longer drawing his sword, Duàn Yì breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't expected that while the King of Hell was easy to deal with, the minor devils were troublesome. He had almost been refused entry at the mountain gate.

Afterward, Duàn Yì followed the Golden Cauldron Sect disciple who was leading the way up the mountain. As they walked, they exchanged information, allowing Duàn Yì to learn some details.

This person's name was Wáng Jīn Guì. He and the other disciple guarding the mountain were both inner disciples of the Golden Cauldron Sect's master, Hé Shū Huái. Hé Shū Huái was Bái Xī Wén's senior brother and also one of the Golden Cauldron Sect's six great elders, possessing formidable martial arts.

In Duàn Yì's understanding, gatekeepers were usually assigned the dirty and tiring work, which should have been done by outer disciples, not inner core disciples. After Wáng Jīn Guì's explanation, he finally understood the reasoning.

The mountain gate was a sect's first line of defense. The martial arts of the mountain-guarding disciples must not be weak. Besides protecting the mountain gate, they also represented the Golden Cauldron Sect's reputation. Therefore, the mountain-guarding disciples of the Golden Cauldron Sect had always been inner disciples of various masters serving in rotation. If Bái Xī Wén were to take Duàn Yì as his disciple in the future, he would eventually have to guard the mountain himself.

After chatting casually like this, Wáng Jīn Guì suddenly realized that he had revealed quite a lot of information, while he knew nothing about this youth except that his name was Duàn Yì and he was here to visit Bái Xī Wén. A strange feeling arose within him. This kid has such a meticulous mind.

They didn't encounter anyone else on the way up the mountain. Finally, Wáng Jīn Guì led Duàn Yì to a meticulously constructed building on the side of the mountain peak. It resembled a civilian residence in the city, with tea-cup-sized copper nails on the grand door gleaming. However, it was a solitary house, appearing somewhat desolate.

Wáng Jīn Guì didn't step forward to knock. Instead, he stood about six or seven meters away from the main entrance and called out loudly, "Disciple Wáng Jīn Guì requests an audience with Uncle-Master Bái."

Duàn Yì stood not far from Wáng Jīn Guì. Hearing this voice, his ears buzzed as if someone were speaking into his ear with a loudspeaker, causing discomfort. However, his heart stirred.

This person wasn't shouting at the top of his lungs; he was speaking normally, but his voice was exceptionally loud, capable of covering the entire building in front of them. It was clear he had used some technique, or perhaps directly infused it with True Qi, making it so remarkable.

If there was anything Duàn Yì was interested in at this moment, it was internal cultivation.

Internal cultivation, along with powers like Dou Qi, magic, chakra, and cosmos, were considered supernatural abilities beyond ordinary comprehension. Besides extraordinary destructive power, they also possessed various miraculous effects, such as prolonging life.

He had braved great danger precisely to obtain the methods of internal cultivation. Now, feeling the miraculousness of internal cultivation directly from Wáng Jīn Guì, how could he not be excited?

Not long after, the vermilion-lacquered main door was opened from the inside. A man in white emerged. He moved with light steps, as if weightless, and floated before Duàn Yì and Wáng Jīn Guì.

Duàn Yì carefully observed the man in white. He appeared to be in his thirties, with long hair cascading over his shoulders. He was tall and thin, with slightly dark skin. His features were not particularly handsome but were rather regular. Moreover, he had a refined demeanor, giving off an impression of politeness.

However, as soon as he spoke, his true nature was revealed, and his previous refined aura vanished completely.

"Ah, it's Jīn Guì, is it? What do you need me for?

Huh? Where did this pretty boy come from? Damn it, you know I hate it when people are better looking than me, and you still brought him in front of me. Are you tired of living and want a beating?"

It was clear that this was Bái Xī Wén, the person Yuè Jiāo Nú had mentioned, and also a target for Duàn Yì to learn advanced martial arts from. However, he didn't seem very reliable.

He hates people being better looking than him? His appearance is at best regular, not handsome at all.

"Heh heh, Uncle-Master, you jest. This young man came up the mountain specifically to find you, saying he's here to join you and is related to you.

I had no choice. Seeing his determined expression, I brought him to see you. Don't you recognize him?"

Wang Jin Gui's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Duàn Yì with his peripheral vision and, seeing no tension in him, felt a wave of relief.

Bái Xī Wén was puzzled. He had gone up the mountain to study martial arts since childhood. While he did have some distant relatives, they were all practically strangers, people he hadn't seen in ten to twenty years. How could anyone come seeking him out? Did this person have ulterior motives?

Duàn Yì, however, was unhurried. He took out a pale pink silk scarf from the small bundle he carried on his back. It carried a faint fragrance as he respectfully handed it to Bái Xī Wén, saying, "This is a token from my elder sister. She said you would know everything upon seeing it."

Wang Jin Gui watched clearly from the side. It was just an ordinary silk scarf used by women, nothing particularly special. Yet, the moment Bái Xī Wén saw the scarf, he was struck as if by lightning. His expression became agitated, his eyes looking as if he had just seen a lover he had been separated from for a long time.

Neither he nor Duàn Yì clearly saw the movement; the silk scarf had already landed in Bái Xī Wén's hand.

Then, they saw Bái Xī Wén, like a pervert, rub the scarf against his cheek and sniff it, lost in ecstasy, which sent a shiver down their spines.

If outsiders saw this, the foremost expert of the Golden Cauldron Sect acting like a pervert, wouldn't he lose all face?

Wang Jin Gui's suspicions grew. Judging by his Uncle-Master Bai's actions, this must be a token from a lover.

Coupled with the age difference between Bái Xī Wén and Duàn Yì, and the slight resemblance in their eyebrows, he suddenly felt as if he had uncovered a colossal secret.

"Could it be, could it be that this young man is Uncle-Master Bai's illegitimate son from outside, who has now come to find him? Fortunately, I didn't make things difficult for him at the mountain gate earlier."