Not long after, the two reached the mountain top.
On the summit, Yu Qing and the others had also emerged from the house to survey the surroundings, and they spotted the two climbing up.
They had chosen the house on the peak for a reason, to make it easier to observe the area around them.
They did not know the newcomers, but they recognised them as the people from the mountain pavilion earlier.
Just as they were wondering about the visitors’ intentions, the newly arrived Xiao Changdao laughed heartily and cupped his hands in greeting. “New neighbours have arrived. Delighted, truly delighted.”
Nan Zhu glanced at Baili Xin beside him and immediately stepped forward with a sense of responsibility, cupping his hands with a smile. “So you are our neighbours. Delighted, truly delighted. May I ask your honourable names?”
“Wu Ronggui.”
“Xiao Changdao.”
“I am Zhu Zhihai, a disciple of the Longguang Sect. This is my junior sister, Baili Xin, and these two are my junior brothers, Zhang Zhichen and Dou Guan.”
They introduced themselves to each other. Nan Zhu had introduced everyone on his side all by himself, leaving Yu Qing and the others no chance to speak.
After another round of mutual pleasantries, Xiao Changdao informed them that they lived in the house diagonally opposite, sharing it with Chan Shaoting and Zhao Qing.
Nan Zhu asked, “Are they the two from the pavilion earlier?”
Xiao Changdao immediately seized the opening. “Precisely. Do you gentlemen know who Brother Chan and Brother Zhao are?”
Nan Zhu was surprised. “Do they have some notable background?”
Xiao Changdao said, “They are the legitimate grandsons of the master of Guijian Villa.”
At these words, Yu Qing and the others were secretly startled. The famous Guijian Villa was naturally known to them. It was one of the top sword sects in the world. Compared to it, a so-called sect like Linglong Guan was simply dust.
These minor characters were strange in this way. They could not even clearly identify some sects within their own region, yet they could list the great sects of the world as if counting their own treasures.
Of course, Nan Zhu merely sighed with admiration. “What a fine lineage.”
Noticing that this group showed no great reverence, Xiao and Wu exchanged a glance. They did not press further, considered the acquaintance made, and took their leave, heading back down the mountain.
Yu Qing and the others truly felt no awe toward that young master Chan. At most, they admired his background. Their own origins were indeed wretched, but after experiencing some inexplicable events, they had genuinely encountered some major figures. Having even met the Monk of the Underworld, the status of the young master of Guijian Villa was indeed slightly too green to inspire much veneration from them.
It was also quite unavoidable. The moment they left the mountain, their path had gone crooked. They estimated that few people would dare befriend them now. Even if they managed to attach themselves to someone, it would be useless. Once their identities were discovered, those people would likely immediately keep their distance.
Being able to call them brothers required courage. It was not something that just any so-called noble disciple could withstand. Those with large families and extensive estates probably had even more concerns.
Since befriending them was useless, they might as well save themselves the trouble.
Besides, they had not come here to make friends, nor did they want too many people to know them.
So they turned their attention back to their own affairs, going to help Baili Xin find her senior brother.
They had to help with this matter on the surface, they had no choice. They had finally infiltrated Kunling Mountain and still needed to use the Longguang Sect’s identity to continue blending in there. Falling out with her would bring trouble upon themselves.
The search process was better done with company. Gathering everyone together to inquire about the situation was inefficient, so they decided to split into two groups. However, a slight dispute arose over who would go with whom.
Nan Zhu wanted to be in a group with Baili Xin, but Baili Xin insisted on being with Yu Qing. This made Nan Zhu’s smile rather strained, and his gaze toward Yu Qing turned unfriendly.
Fortunately, Yu Qing did not want to be with Baili Xin either. He wanted to be with Mu Aotie, as he had no intention of helping Baili Xin find her senior brother. He was going to investigate the situation at Spirit Valley.
Only Mu Aotie was indifferent about who he was with.
Given the majority preference, Baili Xin could not come up with a suitable reason to object, so she reluctantly went with Nan Zhu’s group.
The four of them, in two groups, descended the mountain by two different paths, each heading their own way.
Although the conference attendees were not imprisoned, the permitted range of movement was actually not large. They were only allowed to move within the “Ding” district. Going beyond this range was considered trespassing. At best, they would be politely escorted back. At worst, the consequences would depend on the situation.
The activity space of ten mountain peaks was not small. It was enough for people to stretch their legs or take a stroll.
Yu Qing and Mu Aotie wanted to venture out of this range. After a brief attempt, guards emerged and politely persuaded them to return.
The two were unfamiliar with the internal layout and did not dare to sneak around, so they had to retrace their steps. On the way, they found a Kunling Mountain disciple who was sweeping and struck up a conversation.
First, he showered him with flattery. Then, he revealed his identity as a disciple of the Longguang Sect, stating that he was a great archer. This left the Kunling Mountain disciple both flattered and impressed. After that, Yu Qing asked without hesitation, “It is rumoured that Kunling Mountain has a Spirit Valley with fine scenery. We would like to go and see it. Is it far?”
In reality, he simply did not know the terrain and wanted to find out where Spirit Valley was located.
Hearing this, the sweeping disciple laughed heartily. He turned and pointed to the highest peak among the distant mountains. “See that? The sect’s main hall is on that highest peak. Behind that peak is a valley. That is Spirit Valley. It is about thirty li from here. Is that far or not?”
He turned back and added teasingly, “You cannot get there either. You can only move within the Ding district. Did no one tell you?”
Yu Qing was somewhat speechless. He felt that the scope of Kunling Mountain was truly extraordinary. They had ridden in a carriage for so long and thought they were already close to the centre, but there were still several dozen li to go. Trying to approach secretly without permission was indeed somewhat difficult. He uttered an “oh” and then sighed, “There are still more than twenty days until the conference begins. Being cooped up is quite boring. We wanted to take this chance to broaden our horizons. I wonder if we could gain some flexibility by asking your esteemed sect for permission?”
The sweeping disciple rested both hands on his broom handle and retorted, “How could there be flexibility? There are so many attendees. If you want flexibility, and he wants flexibility, how can everyone be accommodated? If you were an elder or the sect master of the Longguang Sect, perhaps flexibility could be granted. But as an ordinary disciple…”
His tone paused slightly. He shook his head. “If you truly wish to admire the scenery of Spirit Valley, you should still strive to distinguish yourself in the competition. Those who rank in the top hundred of the competition might have a chance to enter Spirit Valley. Of course, that was the case in previous years. I do not know if the same tradition will be followed this year.”
Competing was nonsense to Yu Qing. He noticed the key point in the previous sentence and hurriedly asked, “Do you mean that if one’s status and position are high enough, there is still room for human flexibility, and one could enter Spirit Valley for a look?”
The sweeping disciple shrugged slightly. “Is that not normal? No family can avoid the ways of the world. If a truly honoured guest wishes to tour Spirit Valley, our sect could not possibly refuse everyone. There are also some people who cannot be refused.”
Yu Qing nodded thoughtfully.
A carriage coming up the mountain path passed by, forcing them to quickly step aside.
The carriage did not go far. It slowed to a stop at a fork in the road ahead. The driver jumped down from the shaft, carrying a bucket, and went down the slope to draw water from the stream. Yu Qing and the others merely glanced at it a couple more times without paying much mind, continuing their conversation.
From inside the carriage window, a pale, bamboo-shoot-like index finger emerged, gently parting the curtain to create a narrow gap. Bright eyes flickered within.
Sitting in the carriage was a stunningly beautiful woman with fiery red lips. It was none other than Xiang Lanxuan, accompanied by one male and one female attendant.
After learning that Yu Qing and the other two wanted to infiltrate Kunling Mountain, Xiang Lanxuan had suspected that Yu Qing might not give up easily and could still try to blend in. So she had arranged people in advance at every entrance to Kunling Mountain. It was too easy for her to place people here. There was nothing improper about the Grand Enterprise Office sending people to monitor this “Dawn Assembly.” Neither the court’s forces nor Kunling Mountain had any reason to object.
Then, her people on this side had spotted a small moustache, a big fatty, and a big blockhead, matching the description of those to watch out for. They immediately sent a message to her via flying bird.
Xiang Lanxuan had therefore rushed over to confirm. Unwilling to show herself ostentatiously, she had specifically procured a carriage from nearby to conceal her presence.
At this moment, after casually glancing a couple of times, she could not help but smile mockingly. “It really is him. Who knows what this fellow is sneaking around here for. He actually dared to impersonate a disciple of the ‘Longguang Sect.'”
Seeing that Yu Qing, Mu Aotie, and the sweeping disciple had cupped their hands in farewell and were walking toward this side, Xiang Lanxuan withdrew her finger and sat quietly in the carriage.
As Yu and Mu swaggered past the carriage, they even sized up the vehicle. Seeing the driver lift the bucket up to water the horses, they looked a couple more times and noticed that his clothes were not those of a Kunling Mountain disciple. But they did not think much of it and simply walked past.
After the two went around the mountain foot and disappeared from sight, Xiang Lanxuan, who had been listening intently, let out a charming laugh. “Go find that sweeper. Ask what they were talking about.”
“Yes.” The male attendant complied, immediately jumping out of the carriage and hurrying off.
The female attendant reached out to part the curtain and watched. She saw that after the man met the sweeping disciple, the latter seemed unwilling to engage, clearly not wanting to easily reveal the contents of his conversation with others. So the man produced a token from the Grand Enterprise Office. The sweeping disciple’s face changed dramatically, and he immediately began to speak honestly.
Before long, the man quickly returned and entered the carriage to report. “Grand Walker, they were asking the sweeper how to enter Spirit Valley. They said they had long heard of Spirit Valley’s great fame and wanted to go in to see the scenery.”
“Enter Spirit Valley?” Xiang Lanxuan was surprised. “Just that?”
She had entered Spirit Valley before, visiting it long ago, and more than once. She did not think there was anything remarkable about it.
The man said, “Yes. Nothing else. Just that matter.”
Xiang Lanxuan pondered, muttering to herself, “After entering Kunling Mountain, wanting to enter Spirit Valley to take a look is indeed normal. Sneaking in without daring to reveal his identity and impersonating someone else is also understandable. But I just have a feeling that this fellow brings trouble wherever he goes… Impersonating someone is fine, but why impersonate a great archer to register for the conference? Isn’t that a bit too conspicuous?”
Her brows lifted. “Verify the identity of that female archer with them. Also, arrange for people to get close to them and feel out the situation.”
“Yes.” Both the man and woman acknowledged the order.
Yu Qing and Mu Aotie had not bothered to investigate the whereabouts of Baili Xin’s senior brother at all. They had not even put on a pretence of doing so. They returned early to the mountain where they were staying.
They had come back too early. When they returned to the small building, they found that Baili Xin and Nan Zhu had indeed not yet returned. They immediately went to visit their neighbours next door.
From the sounds inside, they knew that the four neighbours they had seen in the pavilion earlier had all returned. Yu Qing stood outside the building and shouted loudly, “Is Young Master Chan in? A disciple of the Longguang Sect has come to pay a visit!”
His shout immediately startled all four people inside into coming out.
Xiao Changdao and Wu Ronggui appeared at the doorway. Chan Shaoting and Zhao Qing leaned over the railing upstairs to look down, all slightly surprised.