“You want to seize power!” Han Li’s expression remained unchanged as he asked indifferently.
“Exactly. As cultivators, how can we be ordered around by those so-called elders like mere mortals? We should be the ones ruling the village. I, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, have endured being commanded by mortals for far too long. Previously, we lacked the numbers to act, but with the two of you joining us, success is within reach,” said another red-faced elder, his eyes gleaming with fervor.
“No interest. Please leave, fellow Daoists. Let’s pretend this conversation never happened,” Han Li replied, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, his tone indifferent, causing their expressions to darken.
“What? Are you truly content to remain subservient? If we seize the elders’ positions, we’ll rule the village together as equals. Even in this harsh environment, we’ll live freely,” the long-bearded elder pressed with a forced smile.
“I think you’ve misunderstood something. We never said we’d stay in this village. In a couple of days, we’ll be leaving. So no matter how persuasive your words, neither I nor Miss Mei will get involved,” Han Li said calmly, stroking his chin.
“Leave? Are you dissatisfied with this village and planning to go elsewhere? You should know, our village is among the largest and most prosperous of all human settlements. Other villages are far worse off,” the long-bearded elder blurted out in surprise.
Han Li chuckled faintly and shook his head without a word.
“Could it be… you two intend to climb Stormwind Mountain?” The hunchbacked elder, noticing Han Li’s demeanor, suddenly realized something, his face filled with shock.
“What’s so strange about us not wanting to stay here and wishing to leave?” Han Li’s smile faded as he replied noncommittally.
“It’s not about strangeness. Do you truly understand the dangers of Stormwind Mountain?” the red-faced elder stroked his white beard, his expression odd.
“Though I don’t know much, I’ve heard some details from the Grand Elder,” Han Li replied, his tone neutral.
“Hmph! That man knows nothing of the true horrors of Stormwind Mountain—just hearsay. Its real terror is something Brother Yun and I have experienced firsthand. It’s impossible for those like us, stripped of our magic power, to pass. Beneath the mountain lurk the most powerful shadow beasts of the Netherworld. A single misstep and you’ll die without a grave. Even if you somehow bypass them, the shadow winds and illusionary mists on the mountain kill without warning. No one has ever reached the summit. And the legend of escaping through the mountain’s peak when the spatial rift opens is just that—a legend. No one has ever succeeded,” the hunchbacked elder said, his face pale with lingering fear.
“You two have climbed Stormwind Mountain before? Could you share your experience?” Han Li’s interest was piqued as he fixed his gaze on them.
“Of course. Even if you hadn’t asked, we’d have told you to dissuade you from such folly. Shortly after arriving here, Brother Jin and I, unwilling to resign ourselves to this fate, spent half a year preparing and joined forces with three others from neighboring villages to attempt the climb. Before we even reached the mountain, one of us was discovered by a shadow beast and died at its base. By the time we made it to Stormwind Mountain, the remaining two hadn’t even scaled a quarter of it before freezing to death in the shadow winds. Brother Jin and I, carrying some flame stones, barely managed to press on. But the higher we climbed, the fiercer the winds became, making it impossible to stand. We never even reached the illusionary mists at the mountainside before being repeatedly blown off the cliffs. Though we survived, we dared not continue and had to retreat. Upon returning, we fell gravely ill from the bone-chilling winds and were bedridden for months. Since then, we’ve abandoned all hope of escaping through Stormwind Mountain,” the red-faced elder recounted slowly, his eyes haunted by fear.
“Quite terrifying indeed,” Han Li murmured thoughtfully, stroking his chin.
“Terrifying doesn’t even begin to describe it. Abandon this foolish notion. The outside world may be desirable, but only if you live to see it. Stay and join us in taking control of the village. You’re both young—once we pass on, everything here will be yours,” the long-bearded elder coaxed, his tone dripping with sincerity.
“Fellow Daoists, spare your words. I won’t give up until I’ve tried myself. Of course, if I fail to summit Stormwind Mountain, I’ll reconsider your proposal,” Han Li replied diplomatically, unwilling to provoke them outright.
Dissatisfied, the three pressed further, but Han Li remained resolute. Turning to Mei Ning, they were met with her calm declaration: “I stand with Brother Han,” leaving them speechless.
Seeing no immediate rejection, they clung to the hope that if Han Li failed, he might still join them. With forced smiles, they took their leave.
“Will he betray us?” the hunchbacked elder asked darkly once they were out of earshot.
“Betray us? What would he gain? The woman aside, Han Li is no fool. I only hope they retreat before reaching the mountain. With them, our odds improve, though it’s already fifty-fifty. Still, we owe Han Li for unwittingly removing Feng Tianji, our biggest obstacle,” the long-bearded elder mused.
“True. He’s shrewd enough to avoid pointless conflict. But to be safe, we should have him watched,” the red-faced elder agreed.
“A wise precaution, Brother Yun. But…” The long-bearded elder hesitated.
“But what?” the hunchbacked elder asked.
“Call it intuition, but he seemed oddly confident about escaping, unfazed by our warnings. Could he truly have a way to summit Stormwind Mountain?” the long-bearded elder muttered.
“Impossible! The shadow winds alone are insurmountable. The frozen corpses littering the mountainside are proof enough,” the hunchbacked elder scoffed.
“Perhaps it’s just my imagination,” the long-bearded elder conceded with a self-deprecating laugh.
Yet the red-faced elder, Jin, felt a sudden stirring of thought.
After the trio left, Han Li visited Feng Tianji’s residence, confirming his death by the throat-piercing golden beetles. Without emotion, Han Li departed.
Over the next two days, he gathered every scrap of information about the land, neighboring villages, and shadow beasts, compiling it into a detailed map. When he informed the Grand Elder of his plans to climb Stormwind Mountain, the old man expressed regret but relented.
As Han Li and Mei Ning prepared to rest before their departure the next day, an unexpected visitor arrived—the red-faced elder, Jin.
“Brother Yun?” Han Li was taken aback.
“I’ll be brief. Whether you can truly escape or not, you represent hope. If you succeed, I ask that you deliver this box to our Tianfu Sect,” Jin said solemnly, presenting a crude bone box.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage