Dense Forest

The mountains at night were very quiet, with few sounds from birds or insects. The occasional wolf howl from an unknown direction pierced the darkness, further emphasizing the danger of the wilderness. Tonight was overcast; the moon had long since hidden behind the clouds to sleep. Looking at the dark clouds in the sky, one couldn't tell when the tender sliver of a moon would finally show itself. It was fortunate that Situ Ping and Young Master Ma were martial artists with sharp eyes, allowing them to move as swiftly as flying in the pitch-black night.

When they arrived in front of Five Claw Peak, the scene before them was one of deathly silence, broken only by the sound of the wind. Five Claw Peak's thumb-shaped mountain was a short, stout peak. In the darkness, its height was unclear. To the east of the peak was a flat area, about four to five fen (a Chinese unit of measurement) in area. The terrain was very level, covered in fallen leaves and withered grass. Their footsteps made a "rustling" sound on the ground. Young Master Ma looked around and said to Situ Ping, "This is the place. We'll wait here." Then, he walked through the withered grass of the flatland to a rock protruding from the ground, as large as a reclining ox. He leaped onto it, sat down cross-legged, and spoke no more, appearing to be in meditation. Situ Ping followed him to the side of the rock, but she didn't leap onto it. Instead, she leaned against the rock, her hand gripping the precious sword at her waist, her eyes scanning their surroundings, observing this familiar place in the unfamiliar night.

The wind continued to blow with a whistling sound. Neither of them seemed to move. A period of time equivalent to drinking a cup of tea passed.

Suddenly, Young Master Ma opened his eyes and looked towards the woods to the north. Situ Ping sensed Young Master Ma's movement and also turned to look at the woods, listening intently. She found nothing and was about to feel surprised when she heard someone approaching rapidly from the northern woods using Lightness Skill. Situ Ping couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion, thinking, "Truly a disciple of a renowned sect."

In a short while, the night travelers arrived before them. It was Wen Wenhai and his Junior Sister. Judging by their appearance, they had abandoned their horses at the foot of the mountain and climbed up on foot. Wen Wenhai, in the tree, didn't rush to descend. He first surveyed the situation from above before calling his Junior Sister to jump down from the treetop. He didn't greet the people in the clearing. Instead, like Young Master Ma, he sat down cross-legged under the tree, closed his eyes, and entered meditation. His Junior Sister, however, did not stand. She took a cushion from her backpack, placed it on the ground, and sat on it. She seemed to be resting.

Young Master Ma also closed his eyes again, as if he hadn't seen anyone arrive. Situ Ping could only continue to stand there silently.

After a while longer, the several people opened their eyes simultaneously and looked towards the small path opposite the mountain peak. From the end of the path, the sound of footsteps could be heard. In this silent wilderness, where only the wind could be heard, these ordinary footsteps sounded rather eerie. The footsteps approached unhurriedly, from far to near, yet no figures could be seen. All four were filled with anticipation, wanting to see who this person walking the mountain path was.

As the person drew closer, they could be seen clearly, surprising everyone even more. There were two people, walking side-by-side with the same gait. They had the same build and the same movements. In the night, it was impossible to tell if their clothes were the same or if their faces were the same. However, seeing their strides, which were more than half again as long as a normal person's, everyone already knew the answer in their hearts. They thought in unison, "So, the other party is them."

The two people reached the edge of the clearing and looked at the two groups of people within. They made no sound and did not step further into the clearing, standing there straight and still.

The four people in the clearing saw the two standing motionless and, just like before, closed their eyes to rest. It seemed more people were yet to arrive.

Another period of time equivalent to drinking a cup of tea passed. Just as everyone was starting to feel anxious, a voice suddenly descended from the sky: "The cicadas cry mournfully, facing the pavilion at dusk, the sudden rain has just stopped." A figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the clearing. All six people in the clearing opened their eyes. It seemed none of them noticed how this person had appeared, yet they all exclaimed in unison, "Hermit Yanming?"

The newcomer in the center of the clearing was tall and slender. The color of his clothes and the headscarf could not be discerned, but his thin face and the few strands of long beard beneath his chin were familiar to those in the martial arts world. At this moment, no one hesitated. They stepped forward and said respectfully, "Hermit Yanming, juniors pay their respects."

Hermit Yanming stroked his long beard with his right hand and said with a smile, "This old man is indeed late, causing you all to wait. You are likely not yet familiar with each other, so let's get acquainted first. For the task ahead, we will need to support each other."

The first to arrive, the Young Master Ma of the Brocade Clothes, cupped his fists towards everyone and said, "I am Ma Xiangyang of Ten Thousand Sword Peak. This is Gang Leader Situ of the Fierce Tiger Gang." Then, fearing misunderstanding, he added, "The Fierce Tiger Gang is local. She is my subordinate and will be our guide."

Hermit Yanming smiled and said, "Young Hero Ma's consideration is truly thoughtful. We shall trouble Gang Leader Situ."

Situ Ping quickly bowed and said, "It is my great fortune to be of service to you all."

Next, Wen Wenhai also cupped his fists and bowed, "I am Wen Wenhai of the Misty Sect. This is my Junior Sister, Xue Qing." Xue Qing then removed the veil from her face, revealing her true features, which could express both anger and joy. However, in the darkness, no one could see clearly. She did not speak, merely cupped her fists towards everyone.

Hermit Yanming said, "I have long heard of the great reputations of Young Hero Wen of the Misty Sect and Heroine Xue. Meeting you now, you truly live up to your names. I am deeply pleased."

Finally, the two people standing quietly cupped their fists towards everyone and said, "Tan Family, Tan Wen." "Tan Wu." Their gruff voices spoke one after another, complementing their tall figures, making them appear quite imposing.

After everyone had introduced themselves, Hermit Yanming's smile faded. He said, "Very well. I shall introduce myself as well. I am Hermit Yanming, the master of Yanming Villa. From now on, you all know each other, and you know the four forces participating in this matter tonight. Our operation begins now."

"When you arrived, your sect elders must have given you instructions. Tonight, you will listen to me. I have reached an agreement with your sects. We will discuss the specific details as we walk. Now, please take out your tokens."

After speaking, Hermit Yanming took out a piece of leather, about a foot square, from his robes. Ma Xiangyang, Wen Wenhai, and Tan Wen also took out similar items from their robes. Hermit Yanming handed the piece he was holding to Ma Xiangyang and said, "Put them together." The others also handed their pieces of leather to Ma Xiangyang. Hermit Yanming then took a luminous pearl from his robes and handed it to Situ Ping, saying, "Gang Leader Situ, please examine this diagram."

Situ Ping took the luminous pearl. Under its light, Ma Xiangyang quickly pieced together the four pieces of leather. In the faint light of the luminous pearl, everyone saw that the leather depicted a map, shaped like five fingers. Between the fingers of the ring finger, a circle was drawn. Situ Ping carefully examined the map, exchanged a glance with Ma Xiangyang, and then said to everyone, "That's right, this map depicts Five Claw Peak. The proportions of these five claws are consistent. Look, this thumb is longer than the index finger, and the ring finger is the longest."

Everyone looked at Hermit Yanming. Hermit Yanming said, "Excellent. Everyone, please take back your items." Ma Xiangyang returned the four pieces of leather to their owners as instructed. Situ Ping also returned the luminous pearl to Hermit Yanming. Hermit Yanming took the luminous pearl and said, "Gang Leader Situ, do you know what place the circle on the map indicates?"

Situ Ping replied, "That is a Ziziphus jujuba forest. I've been there before. I once released a wolfdog into it, but I never saw it come out again."

Hermit Yanming said, "Excellent. Then we shall trouble Gang Leader Situ to lead the way."

Situ Ping said, "Alright. Please follow me, everyone." With that, she used Lightness Skill and moved forward.

Hermit Yanming's gaze swept over Ma Xiangyang, Wen Wenhai, and Tan Wen in turn. They nodded in understanding and followed suit, using Lightness Skill in that order.

Finally, Hermit Yanming carefully scanned the surroundings. Finding nothing unusual, he got up and followed them like a lightning bolt. Only the solitary reclining ox stone remained where it was. The wind blew, stirring the fallen leaves and withered grass, and soon covered all traces, as if no one had ever visited such a remote place on such a night.

It is said that the seven people, led by Situ Ping using Lightness Skill, swept through the dark night like a fierce wind and lightning. After about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, they reached the previously mentioned Ziziphus jujuba forest. The moon had already set in the west, and thick black clouds still shrouded the sky. Dawn was perhaps not far off, and this was the darkest time of the entire night.

The Ziziphus jujuba forest in the darkness was indistinct, like a massive beast coiled on the mountainside. Situ Ping looked at the place she had visited before and felt a sense of unfamiliarity. The difference between day and night was truly astonishing. She wondered what secrets this mysterious Ziziphus jujuba forest held that people from the four sects would come here tonight and cooperate in such a manner.

Situ Ping stopped, waiting for everyone to arrive. Then she said to them, "Everyone, this is the Ziziphus jujuba forest marked by the circle on the map. According to the height comparison, it is indeed here."

Hermit Yanming said, "It should be correct." After speaking, he did not approach for a closer look. Instead, he sat down on the ground. Seeing their confused expressions, he smiled and said, "There is still some time before we act. Everyone, rest for a while. I will explain it to you, otherwise, you will still be in the dark. I guarantee nothing will go wrong once we enter."

The other six people then sat down on the ground, forming a semicircle around Hermit Yanming.

Hermit Yanming gathered his thoughts and looked at the juniors sitting around him. "Do you know about the one-armed sword god from three hundred years ago?" Everyone shook their heads.

Hermit Yanming continued, "Before the second day of the second lunar month last year, I didn't know, and your masters didn't know either."

"On the second day of the second lunar month last year, when the dragon raises its head, my wife and I went to Dragon God Temple in Yucheng to burn incense. In Dragon God Temple, we actually met Wan Chengjiu, the Myriad Sword Master of your Ten Thousand Sword Peak, along with his family, and Ou Peng, the Great Sect Master of your Misty Sect, and Tan Yefeng, the Family Head of the Tan Family. The four of us had admired each other from afar for a long time but had never met. When we finally met, we all abandoned our families and found a place to spar and compare our drinking prowess."

"We brought our swords and wine and went to Wutong Mountain near Yucheng, preparing to spend a few enjoyable days. Unexpectedly, as soon as we reached the mountaintop, we encountered a strange event."