Wusheng Pass

Plane trees rustled as moonlight spilled down, and the little courtyard lay quiet and serene.

Xie Jinghan sat cross-legged atop the Bluestone Platform, closed his eyes, and slowly circulated his Innate True Qi.

Another night of cultivation passed.

Dawn broke, and morning mist swirled through the air.

The dew before the steps had yet to dry, carrying a chill in the air.

The vermilion gates of the Xie Residence stood wide open. Twelve elite members of the Xie Clan stood in formation before the residence, packs slung across their shoulders, each standing tall and ready to depart.

Fourteen mighty black steeds stood proudly still, dew clinging to their dark manes and strength evident in their sturdy hooves.

Xie Jinghan wore a light-colored fitted outfit, his gaze calm and steady. He turned to Xie Yue beside him and gave a slight nod.

Understanding at once, Xie Yue raised an arm and shouted in a deep voice, "The time has come! Everyone, mount up and move out!"

At the command, everyone sprang onto their horses. Xie Jinghan and Xie Yue rode at the front, followed closely by the twelve clan members.

"Giddyup~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

"Giddyup~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

"Whoa~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

"What do you mean, whoa? Giddyup, hurry~~~~~~~~~~~"

Hooves shattered the morning silence. Amid sharp calls, the fine horses galloped forward, tearing through the boundless morning mist and carrying their spirited riders out of Heaven-Bearing Prefecture's gates toward the vast wilderness beyond.

Their destination was the former site of Black Tiger Mountain.

Black Tiger Mountain lay on the southwestern border of Central Province, adjoining Shu Province.

Its ranges rose layer upon layer, a thousand li from Heaven-Bearing Prefecture. Even at full gallop, the journey would take three days.

Xie Jinghan's party rode hard day and night, enduring wind and rain for three full days. They traveled old roads, crossed barren hills, and covered a thousand li.

After days of relentless travel, the Xie Clan members were exhausted in both body and spirit, weariness plain on their faces. Even Xie Yue, who had roamed the martial world for years and possessed a strong physique, now breathed unevenly and could only grit his teeth and endure. Xie Jinghan alone remained composed, his bearing unchanged.

Fortunately, the journey had gone smoothly. No bandits had blocked their way, nor had any unexpected disaster struck, allowing them to travel at full speed without delay.

Dusk descended, and the setting sun melted into gold, its rosy glow staining the endless mountain ranges red.

In the distance stood a towering pass, its sheer cliffs piercing the heavens and its fortifications imposing. It was Wusheng Pass.

A perilous stronghold beneath the heavens!

To the north lay the thousand-li plains of Central Province; to the south stretched the countless hills and valleys of Shu. It controlled the vital route between north and south.

Wang Zhongze had previously sent a carrier pigeon with a letter, arranging to meet the Xie Clan at Wusheng Pass so that the two families could jointly investigate the black-clad assassins' trail.

On the open ground before Wusheng Pass, a tall figure had waited for some time. It was Wang Zhongze. Several elite members of the Wang Clan stood behind him, their auras steady as they awaited Xie Jinghan's party.

Spotting the distant cloud of dust and the Xie Clan riders galloping toward them, Wang Zhongze's eyes brightened. He strode forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with delight, "Nephew Jinghan, you have ridden a thousand li. The journey must have been arduous."

Xie Jinghan reined in his horse, dismounted neatly, and returned the salute. "Thank you, Clan Leader Wang, for waiting here. After days of riding a thousand li, we have finally reached Wusheng Pass as scheduled."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wang Zhongze swept his gaze over the dust-covered Xie Clan members and laid out the arrangements. "Wusheng Pass guards the main route between Shu and Central Province. Beyond the pass, wild forests stretch far and wide. After nightfall, bandits and ferocious beasts emerge one after another, making the area exceptionally dangerous. I have already arranged lodgings within the pass. Tonight, everyone should enter the city and rest, gathering your strength for tomorrow."

Xie Jinghan nodded slightly. "We shall follow Clan Leader Wang's arrangement. We will rest within the pass tonight, then join forces at dawn tomorrow to leave the pass and search the mountains for the black-clad assassins."

"Excellent."

No one objected. They all breathed a sigh of relief, their taut nerves easing somewhat after the relentless journey.

After making a few adjustments to their luggage, the group led their horses through the gates of Wusheng Pass.

Inside and outside the gates seemed like two entirely different worlds. Beyond the pass lay vast gray mountains and desolate, windblown wilderness. The moment they entered, however, bustling voices and the warmth of everyday life greeted them, along with the vibrant atmosphere of the martial world.

For thousands of years, merchants had gathered at Wusheng Pass, and martial artists had come in an endless stream. Its prosperity never faded.

Bluestone streets crisscrossed the city, lined with taverns, inns, martial halls, and shops. Banners of every kind fluttered in the wind, while carriages and horses came and went and pedestrians flowed without end.

Martial artists were everywhere in the streets. Most wore swords or sabers at their waists and fitted outfits. Some chatted about martial arts, some purchased supplies, and some sought news and intelligence.

This was a place where all sorts mingled, containing every facet of the martial world. There were green newcomers just entering the jianghu, seasoned martial artists who had wandered it for years, and even hidden experts passing through under assumed names.

The martial customs of north and south met and collided here, while the arts of different sects and secrets of the jianghu flowed freely between them. This mighty pass had become a natural gathering place for the martial world. Countless martial artists passed through, heading south to explore Shu's dangerous mountains or north to seek their fortunes in Central Province. Every day, the crowds remained dense and the bustle never ceased.

In the streets and alleys, armored soldiers occasionally patrolled in formation, their discipline strict and their bearing stern. They stood in sharp contrast to the free-spirited martial artists of the jianghu.

Xie Yue looked around and said with feeling, "I had long heard that Wusheng Pass was filled with martial artists and gathered heroes. Seeing it today, its reputation is indeed well deserved. An ordinary prefectural city simply cannot compare to such a scene of the jianghu."

Xie Jinghan's eyes also moved as he looked about, inwardly marveling again and again.

Wang Zhongze had long traveled the martial world and knew the rules here well. As they walked, he solemnly warned them, "Wusheng Pass is ruled by strength! Private duels among martial artists are tolerated here, and conflicts within the city are commonplace. We must keep our clan members in line, watch our words and actions, and not recklessly cause trouble or invite needless disaster."

As they spoke, the group reached an elegant inn in the western part of the city—Clear Breeze Inn.

"This is the place I reserved in advance. The western district is quiet and sparsely populated, far from the bustle of the market. It is ideal for lodging."

"Everyone, rest well tonight and recover your strength. At dawn tomorrow, we will leave the pass on time and pursue the black-clad assassins' trail."

For safety, they stayed four to a room so they could watch over one another. Xie Jinghan and Xie Yue shared a room and took turns standing guard.

After night fell, undercurrents stirred throughout Wusheng Pass.

Worn out in body and mind after days of travel, Xie Yue fell into a deep sleep the moment he touched the bed, his breathing even and long.

Xie Jinghan sat cross-legged on the bed, quietly regulating his breath.

As he meditated, he keenly detected fights breaking out in several places throughout the city.

Several groups of suspicious figures approached and lingered outside the room, their intentions unclear. Xie Jinghan silently released a trace of his aura, and the watchers were instantly frightened away.

The martial world truly was dangerous.

The night appeared peaceful, but undercurrents lurked beneath the surface.

Early the next morning, after everyone had rested and recovered, they set out toward the Black Tiger Mountain region beyond the pass.

Beyond the pass lay jagged mountains. The group raced onward, crossing ridge after ridge, and after traveling for half a day, they finally arrived.

At the mountain peak, an old gate stood quietly in a broad clearing. Its stone plaque bore the words "Black Tiger Stronghold," though the inscription was weathered and blurred, steeped in age and ruin.

Wild grass grew thick around the gate, reaching waist height. Moss covered the mountain path, and the entire ancient stronghold appeared to have been abandoned long ago, dead silent and desolate.

Everywhere they looked bore the marks of decades of abandonment.