The wealthy merchant was stunned as well. He knew of the Lotus Escort Agency, though he did not know exactly how powerful it was. But there was one thing he knew with absolute clarity: if the Lotus Escort Agency wanted to wipe out his entire household, it would be as easy as turning over a hand. Sitting there, the merchant mulled it over and over, his mind in utter chaos.
At that moment, Third Brother Zhao spoke. "Brother, there is no need to be so pessimistic. Since your two worthy nephews returned safely and paid compensation, and since the matter did not involve anyone from the Misty Sect, there probably will not be any further trouble. But brother, remember this: let the matter end here. By all means, do not go looking for trouble with those people. If the Misty Sect finds out..."
Those words were like gospel to the merchant. He immediately came to his senses and said, "I understand, Third Brother. Right now, I would gladly send them another five thousand taels in banknotes. Men! Take the two young masters back to their courtyard and watch them carefully. Do not let them out for one month—no, three months."
"Wait, do not lock them up in the courtyard yet." Third Brother Zhao stopped the merchant's order. "Do not apply healing medicine to them. Let their faces stay swollen. Better yet, give them several heavy strokes with the paddle so they cannot walk properly. Tomorrow, have the two of them go to places like taverns and restaurants to eat and drink. Then spread word that they molested village girls and were severely punished by you."
The merchant was overjoyed. Raising a thumb, he said, "Third Brother, excellent idea. Men! Give these two beasts ten hard strokes each."
The two short, fat men were pitiful indeed. They could not understand why being beaten was supposed to be a good idea. All they could do was howl for mercy while viciously cursing their bargain-price Third Uncle in their hearts.
After handling all this, Third Brother Zhao turned to Zhao Quansheng. "Quansheng, you handled this matter very well. I am extremely satisfied. Later, I will put in a good word for you before the gang leader."
At this, Zhao Quansheng was overjoyed. "Is this not all thanks to Hall Master Zhao's usual excellent instruction? Quansheng is willing to serve Hall Master Zhao before the saddle and after the horse."
The wealthy merchant said as well, "Quansheng, I have you to thank for today. I must reward you properly. Men! Bring me one thousand taels in banknotes."
Zhao Quansheng said, "There is no need to be so courteous. It was my duty to protect the young masters while we were out."
Hall Master Zhao said, "Take it. You deserve this. Without you, even ten thousand taels would not have been enough to settle this matter."
Only then did Zhao Quansheng politely accept the few thin banknotes and tuck them into his robes.
At that moment, Hall Master Zhao added, "Quansheng, quickly inform the gang leader that someone from the Misty Sect has appeared in Lu Town. I wonder what business has brought them to Lu Town at this time?"
After agreeing, Zhao Quansheng immediately bade farewell to the merchant's household and left. Before long, he appeared in a secluded little courtyard and entered a small room. A while later, the window of that room opened, and a carrier pigeon flew out. It circled in the air, identified its direction, and spread its wings toward some distant place.
The pigeon flew swiftly, yet it was nearly dark by the time it reached an extremely hidden village. It circled once in the air, then descended straight toward the eastern side of the village. There stood a large estate. The surrounding walls were not particularly high, and numerous houses lay scattered within them. The houses all followed the same design, with no especially tall buildings—gray walls and gray rooftops. The pigeon landed on a room in the center of the compound. Once it had landed, it was impossible to tell which room it was in.
The pigeon landed on the windowsill of the small room, cooing repeatedly. A man in fitted clothes came out from the inner room and hurried to the window. Upon seeing him, the pigeon cooed and flew onto his arm, pacing back and forth. The man removed a small tube from the pigeon's leg, stroked its back, then took out a handful of food from his robes and scattered it onto a table beside the windowsill. Seeing it, the pigeon spread its wings and flew over, happily pecking at the food. Holding the small tube, the man quickly left the room.
The man left the room, passed through several corridors, and arrived before a somewhat larger house at the center of the estate. He carefully knocked on the door. From within came a hoarse, imposing voice. "Come in."
The man carefully pushed open the door and entered. The windows were open, and no oil lamp had been lit. A gaunt figure stood before the window with hands clasped behind his back, gazing outside. After saluting, the man respectfully said, "Hall Master Situ, Hall Master Liu has sent word."
The figure gave an "Eh?" and said, "It is the New Year. What news could require a carrier pigeon? Light the lamp, quickly."
Once the man had lit the oil lamp, Hall Master Situ finally turned around. The man presented the small tube. Hall Master Situ took it, removed the slip of paper inside, and held it close to the lamp. His brows immediately furrowed on his gaunt face, and he muttered, "...Why have they come to this godforsaken backwater?" Then he held the note over the flame and burned it. Glancing at the man, he said, "You may go."
The man saluted and quietly withdrew, leaving Hall Master Situ sitting alone amid the swaying lamplight.
Hall Master Situ knew that this news had to be reported to his gang leader. Yet he did not know where to notify her, because as early as last night, the gang leader had told him she had important business to handle today. When he had looked for her that morning, she had already vanished without a trace.
Just as Hall Master Situ was speculating about Gang Leader Situ's whereabouts, his cousin, who had always been fiercely competitive and no less formidable than any man, was riding behind a young man in brocade clothes. With lowered eyes and a submissive manner, she softly explained, "Young Master Ma, this is the highest mountain in Lu Town. It is called Stone Man Peak. It got its name because there is a rock on the mountain that resembles a person. If we spur our horses onward, we can enter the mountains in half an incense stick's time. However, I do not know where Young Master intends to go, so I cannot give you an exact estimate."
Young Master Ma turned back, lightly flicking his riding crop as he said warmly, "Gang Leader Situ, there is no need to be so restrained. Master Wang recommended you as my guide, so I have not treated you as an outsider. Once this matter is done, you will certainly be rewarded. As for the precise destination, I will tell you after we enter the mountains."
Situ Ping looked at Young Master Ma's face, gentle as polished jade, and his handsome brows. Lowering her head, she repeatedly said she would not dare. She knew that Young Master Ma was a man of great background. Perhaps showing off a woman's charms before Wang Hong of Wu Jian Zhuang had once been useful, but this was her first meeting with Young Master Ma. Moreover, throughout their journey, he had remained neither warm nor cold. How could she dare use those womanly tricks on him? All she could do was keep her wits about her and proceed with utmost care.
Thus, the two rode onward through the twilight.
On the other side of the mountain peak, Wen Wenhai and his junior sister were likewise spurring their horses toward the mountain.
As the mountain drew near, Wen Wenhai gradually tightened his reins and slowed his horse. Turning to his junior sister, he said, "Junior Sister, we are about to enter the mountains. I think we should first eat something and rest awhile, replenish our strength before going in, and prepare for whatever lies ahead. There may even be a hard battle waiting for us."
His junior sister nodded in agreement. The two dismounted to rest and took out the dried provisions they had brought with them. After they had eaten and drunk a little water, his junior sister could not help asking worriedly, "Senior Brother, this mission is so important. Why did Master not come himself? At the very least, he should have sent Sect Leader Senior Brother. Why send only the two of us? I truly cannot understand what Master is thinking."
Wen Wenhai took another drink of water, looked around, and lowered his voice. "Junior Sister, Master must have his reasons for arranging things this way. Before we departed, he told me that, in order not to attract the attention of other sects, those sent for this mission were all second-generation disciples from the various sects. We are to keep a low profile and not show mountain or reveal water. There will also be an elder overseeing us. We will learn the details when the time comes; we only need to follow the elder's arrangements. In any case, this is a lucrative assignment. So long as nothing unexpected happens, we should complete it successfully, and Master will richly reward us when we return."
His junior sister said, "I had thought this place I had never heard of would be nothing but poor mountains and barren wilds, dangerous mountains and evil waters. Yet along the way, it has had the air of clear mountains and beautiful waters. Though we have not entered this mountain yet, it already feels lofty and imposing. I wonder what it is like inside. What a pity—it is night, so we cannot admire anything. Otherwise, this trip would not have been in vain."
Wen Wenhai slapped his forehead. "Junior Sister actually has such thoughts. Your senior brother cannot compare. Could this be why my martial arts have not progressed as swiftly as yours?"
His junior sister did not answer, and it was impossible to make out her expression beneath her veil. Wen Wenhai continued, "Junior Sister, it is already dark. Take off your veil. There is hardly any human habitation here."
His junior sister still did not answer.
Used to this, Wen Wenhai spoke to himself. "All right. The time should be about right. Let us set out. We should be able to arrive at the appointed time."
After Gang Leader Situ of the Fierce Tiger Gang accompanied Young Master Ma of the Brocade Clothes into the mountains, they sped along the route for another stretch. Just as they came before a mountain, Young Master Ma halted his horse and nimbly dismounted. Situ Ping dismounted as well. Young Master Ma said, "Gang Leader Situ, do you know where Five Claw Peak is?"
Situ Ping said, "Of course. Five Claw Peak consists of five smaller peaks beside Stone Man Peak. They are named so because their shape resembles the curled fingers of a monkey's hand. There is no path leading there, and horses cannot pass through. We can only climb over these mountains."
After hearing this, Young Master Ma smiled faintly and released his horse's reins. The horse casually trotted off to search for dry grass. Situ Ping patted her own horse, draped its reins over its back, and it followed Young Master Ma's horse away. It seemed accustomed to this arrangement.
Young Master Ma said, "Then I shall trouble Gang Leader Situ to lead the way."
Situ Ping did not stand on ceremony. She cupped her fists, then lifted a leg and used her lightness skill to climb toward the mountain peak.
Situ Ping drew up her dantian qi and raced on in a single breath for the time it took two incense sticks to burn. Gradually, she began to feel short of breath and unable to sustain herself. At that moment, Young Master Ma's gentle voice sounded beside her ear. "Gang Leader Situ, it is still early. We need only arrive by midnight. Why not walk for a while and recover our strength? What do you think?"
Situ Ping heard that his voice was unhurried and steady, without the slightest hint of panting. Without even turning back, she knew that Young Master Ma was strolling behind her as if taking a leisurely walk in a courtyard. Inwardly, she marveled that a Disciple of a Renowned Sect truly lived up to his reputation. She said, "Thank you for your consideration, Young Master," then stopped and landed on a narrow mountain path, proceeding slowly. Young Master Ma caught up from behind and walked beside her, asking as they went, "Gang Leader Situ, have you ever been to Five Claw Peak?"
Situ Ping said, "I have. The climate in the mountains is cool during summer, and we often come here to escape the heat. The spring water at Five Claw Peak is the best. Sometimes we even spend the night there."
Young Master Ma nodded and continued, "Does Five Claw Peak have anything strange about it?"
Situ Ping said in surprise, "Has Young Master been here before? How do you know Five Claw Peak has something strange about it?"
Young Master Ma said with a smile, "If I had been here before, why would I need to trouble Gang Leader Situ to guide me?"
Situ Ping said awkwardly, "I was startled for a moment. I hope Young Master will not blame me. Speaking of Five Claw Peak, its scenery is not much different from Stone Man Peak, though its spring water is indeed far sweeter than that of the other peaks. The strange place is the peak of the Nameless Finger. Halfway up that peak is a Jujube Forest so vast it is frightening. Few people ever go there. Even among the mountain folk who make their living around Stone Man Peak, only a handful can reach that place. But according to the mountain folk who have been there, there are man-eating beasts in the forest. Some people went in to pick wild jujubes and never came out again. So very few have the courage to go there. Besides, wild jujubes are not anything precious. As time passed, ordinary people stopped going there. The year before last, I took some brothers from the gang there once. To scout the path, we sent a wolfdog inside, but it never came back either. We did not dare venture deep in, so we only investigated the outskirts before returning."
Situ Ping did not hide matters of her gang from Young Master Ma and spoke at length. Young Master Ma was quite pleased to hear it and said, "It is good that Gang Leader Situ knows that place. In a while, I will have to trouble you to take us there."
Situ Ping froze. "Us? Young Master Ma, are there others?"
Young Master Ma said with a smile, "Naturally, there are others. But first, we will go to the first peak of Five Claw Peak and wait for them there. Gang Leader Situ, if you have rested enough, let us be on our way."
Situ Ping said, "All right, Young Master. Please follow me."