Betrayal and the Dragon-Breaking Stone

Lin Xiao eventually agreed to make the trip to Dushan Fortress. Just as he had thought, Dushan Fortress was known in the martial arts world for its domineering ways, but it wasn't evil like a demonic cult. Moreover, the Great River Gang, his origin, was a subordinate guild of Dushan Fortress, so they were technically his own people.

Besides, they held no grudges against each other, so there was no reason for them to set a trap for him.

Of course, the main reason was the immense temptation of that Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng. Just seeing the brocade box produced by the Golden Eagle Envoy, without even seeing the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng itself, he felt a strange power compelling him to agree.

Or rather, he had a vague feeling that this Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng was more than just a Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng; it seemed to contain something else within it.

That something held a peculiar attraction for him, making him unable to resist the desire to obtain it.

The group tidied up and continued on their journey. Lin Xiao traveled alongside the Golden Eagle Envoy, who introduced him to the many Dushan Fortress experts accompanying them.

As he had expected, besides the Golden Eagle Envoy Wang Zhen, there was also a Dharma King, the Purple Elephant Dharma King, four Dushan Envoys, along with the accompanying Dushan Fortress experts and the Thirteen Riders of Saibei. There were a great many experts, and it seemed that even if the previous group of martial artists had continued their attack, they might not have been able to defeat them.

The various experts were very surprised by Lin Xiao's background. Even the Purple Elephant Dharma King, who was tall, strong, and appeared quite imposing, couldn't help but size him up from time to time, looking very surprised by his youth and martial arts skill.

Riding side-by-side with the Golden Eagle Envoy, Wang Zhen stroked his beard and said to him:

"Our Fortress Lord collects all sorts of martial arts from across the land in the fortress. Once you enter the fortress, you can freely practice any martial art in the Martial Arts Pavilion. With your talent, I believe you'll surpass me in no time."

Lin Xiao smiled upon hearing this and said:

"We'll see about that later."

He didn't dare to make casual promises.

The Golden Eagle Envoy didn't mind and didn't press for reasons. He simply continued to praise Dushan Fortress, emphasizing how eager the Fortress Lord was to recruit talented individuals and the benefits Lin Xiao would receive if he joined. It all sounded very enticing.

Lin Xiao also showed appropriate anticipation. Although his hopes of obtaining the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng in the end were slim, it wouldn't hurt to make the trip.

Before long, following the dry river valley of Zushan Longtan Gully, they reached the end of the riverbed and saw the tall Great Wall.

The Great Wall passed through Zushan Mountain, and this was precisely where it traversed. It rose and fell along the mountain ridge. Beneath this Longtan Gully was a pass. Although it couldn't compare to Shanhaiguan Pass, it still had over a thousand guards and tight defenses.

Lin Xiao's gaze swept over the guards lining the city walls and the densely packed military equipment. He couldn't help but ask curiously:

"With such tight security here, how did you get through, Senior?"

The Golden Eagle Envoy Wang Zhen, sitting on his horse, stroked his beard and laughed heartily:

"We walked through, of course."

Lin Xiao was bewildered. At this moment, the convoy had stopped, and a subordinate on horseback galloped towards the pass, shouting loudly upwards. However, the distance was a bit far, and it was difficult to hear clearly. The Golden Eagle Envoy beside him happened to say:

"Guess how we're getting through the pass."

He knitted his brows and thought for a moment before saying:

"Did you bribe the commander of Zushan Pass before we even left?"

Wang Zhen laughed heartily:

"You're partly right, but not entirely."

Lin Xiao became even more confused. At this moment, the Purple Elephant Dharma King beside him turned his head and said:

"The commander of Zushan Pass was already one of our people, so we could naturally pass safely."

Lin Xiao suddenly understood, and at the same time, he was shocked. He was shocked by the influence of Dushan Fortress; even the border pass commander was theirs... Wait.

Lin Xiao's heart suddenly grew heavy. The commander of Zushan Pass being one of Dushan Fortress's people must be a secret known only to the high-ranking officials of Dushan Fortress. The Purple Elephant Dharma King telling him this was clearly trying to trap him!

Knowing a secret that only high-ranking Dushan Fortress officials knew, would they still let him leave once he entered Dushan Fortress? It seemed unlikely.

He looked up and saw the Golden Eagle Envoy smiling at him. Lin Xiao saw the words 'old and cunning' in his eyes. As expected of an old hand in the martial arts world, he had unknowingly dug a pit for him.

Realizing this, Lin Xiao felt terrible.

"I need to find a chance to slip away!"

Running with a group of old and cunning martial artists was too dangerous. One day, he might be sold out and still be counting money for them.

However, there was no opportunity to escape now. The pass was close at hand, and he was in the middle of the crowd. He couldn't run. He could only wait for an opportunity on the road. As long as there was a chance to escape, it would be incredibly easy to get away with his Lightness Skill.

At this moment, the subordinate who had gone to negotiate with the pass returned and cupped his hands to the Golden Eagle Envoy:

"Reporting to the Golden Eagle Envoy, we have contacted Brigadier General Li, and we can enter the pass at any time."

Wang Zhen nodded while sitting on his horse. He looked up at the pass and waved his hand:

"Move out!"

The halted convoy continued forward, and the drawbridge of the pass ahead was slowly being lowered, while the gate was also slowly opening. It looked like... the gaping maw of a giant beast, giving a very bad feeling.

As the convoy drew closer, they could already see the guards on the city walls. In the center of the gatehouse, a military officer surrounded by his subordinates bowed from a distance towards the Golden Eagle Envoy Wang Zhen.

The leading part of the convoy had already entered the barbican of the pass. However, for some reason, Lin Xiao felt a sense of dread, as if something bad was about to happen.

Looking at the others, their expressions were normal, as if they felt nothing. Even Wang Zhen beside him swayed with the horse's gait, occasionally looking around.

"Is it just my imagination?"

Everyone else's reaction was normal, and Lin Xiao began to deeply doubt his own senses. Could it be that he was overly sensitive to the killing aura accumulated by these border troops who had experienced countless battles?

One carriage after another entered the city, and soon it was their turn. Stepping onto the drawbridge over the moat and entering the long gate tunnel, there was a small commotion ahead. The Purple Elephant Dharma King asked loudly:

"What's going on up ahead?"

Someone immediately replied:

"The barbican exit ahead is closed, we can't get through."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Xiao's mind went blank for a moment, as if blood had suddenly rushed to his head, causing him to lose consciousness. He immediately knew his previous perception was correct; the commander of Zushan Pass truly had a problem.

Wang Zhen, standing beside him, also reacted and immediately shouted:

"Everyone, retreat!"

He pulled his horse back at the same time, but with a crowd jostling, he simply dismounted and dashed out.

But just then, a thunderous roar came from the entrance of the city gate behind them. A Dragon-Breaking Stone, of unknown thickness, plummeted from above, sealing the exit.

"Damn it, we're truly trapped like rats in a jar now!"

Lin Xiao grumbled speechlessly. Beside him, the Golden Eagle Envoy and the Purple Elephant Dharma King simultaneously leaped in front of the fallen stone. They exchanged a look and simultaneously channeled their energy, striking the Dragon-Breaking Stone with a powerful palm.