Urban Martial Saint

Ye Qing just stepped off the plane when the leading officer walked over and said, ”Hello, Mr. Ye. I am Commander Zhou Yue. Mr. Su has already told me about you. We will certainly do our best to provide any help we can.”

Su Kaicheng had introduced Zhou Yue as an old classmate who had a good relationship with him. Moreover, Zhou Yue’s family had some connections in the Capital, which is why he became a commander at a young age.

Zhou Yue was close to Su Kaicheng because the Su Family was doing well. Su Kaicheng praised Ye Qing when introducing him to Zhou Yue, making Zhou Yue feel that Su Kaicheng valued Ye Qing highly, so he treated Ye Qing well.

Ye Qing also saluted Zhou Yue, and after exchanging pleasantries, they went to the lounge.

After chatting with Zhou Yue for a while, Ye Qing revealed the purpose of his visit to Xiliang Mountain. Of course, Ye Qing mentioned doing some tasks inside Xiliang Mountain but did not disclose anything about Shijia. Ye Qing couldn’t reveal it even if he wanted to; if he did, Zhou Yue surely wouldn’t believe it. After all, even the old Ye Qing couldn’t believe that someone could live for two or three hundred years.

”You intend to enter Xiliang Mountain?” Zhou Yue slightly frowned, visibly surprised by Ye Qing’s intent to enter Xiliang Mountain.

”That’s right!” Ye Qing nodded. Seeing Zhou Yue’s expression, Ye Qing could conclude that Zhou Yue was aware of the legends surrounding Xiliang Mountain.

”Has Mr. Ye ever heard the legends about Xiliang Mountain?” Zhou Yue asked Ye Qing, ”Xiliang Mountain is known as a human forbidden zone. In recent years, no one who went in has come out alive!”

Officially, Xiliang Mountain has been closed off, and any attempt to enter is prohibited. If Ye Qing hadn’t come through Su Kaicheng’s connection, Zhou Yue wouldn’t have spoken to Ye Qing this way; he would have directly refused Ye Qing’s request to enter Xiliang Mountain.

”Does Commander Zhou also believe in those legends?” Ye Qing asked with a smile.

Zhou Yue chuckled and said, ”Those legends aren’t credible, especially not in this scientific era. But the dangers in Xiliang Mountain are real, without a doubt. The mountain has been sealed for over thirty years. Its vast area is filled with fierce beasts and venomous snakes. Over thirty years, with rare human presence, it is unknown what level these beasts have reached. Entering now is extremely dangerous. Many exploration teams have gone in over the years but none have survived. I hope you reconsider; Xiliang Mountain is just too dangerous. If it’s not absolutely necessary, you shouldn’t risk it!”

Zhou Yue spoke honestly but didn’t really understand Ye Qing’s team. For Ye Qing, the real threat wasn’t the beast crisis—they weren’t much of a threat. Ye Qing was more concerned about the strange golden light in the mountains and the skeletons that could attack people. However, since Shijia went inside, Ye Qing must venture in to uncover what secrets Xiliang Mountain holds.

”We have important business that requires us to enter Xiliang Mountain this time, so I appreciate Commander Zhou’s kindness, but this journey must happen!” Ye Qing paused, leaned closer to Zhou Yue, and whispered, ”Actually, this time, we’re on a secret mission.”

On hearing this, Zhou Yue’s eyes lit up. He couldn’t help taking another look at Ye Qing, starting to ponder. So it’s a secret mission; no wonder Su Kaicheng personally called to arrange for them. It seems Su Kaicheng knows about this, and this is no small matter—no mission details can be questioned!

”In that case, if Mr. Ye needs anything, just let me know!” Zhou Yue said, ”I’ll make sure it’s arranged properly.”

”We need a map of Xiliang Mountain, preferably a military-grade one,” Ye Qing paused, ”We also need three Jeeps for the mountain entry.”

Zhou Yue nodded and said, ”No problem. I’ll arrange it right away!”

Military-grade maps and Jeeps are not scarce in the army. In under ten minutes, a complete military map of Xiliang Mountain was placed before Ye Qing, along with the keys to three Jeeps. All vehicles were fueled up, with extra barrels of fuel included in case of emergencies.

Ye Qing picked up the military map and compared it with his own map, finally locating the mountain peak indicated on his map.

Xiliang Mountain is coupled with a collection of mountain ranges, and Ye Qing’s map depicts just one peak. Through comparison, Ye Qing had identified this peak, positioned in the central area of the Xiliang Mountain Range, about a hundred or two hundred miles from the edge.

This isn’t a short distance. With a car, a hundred or two hundred miles isn’t much, but Xiliang Mountain has been closed for over thirty years, without developed roads. The mountain paths are mere walking trails, not suitable for vehicles, meaning Ye Qing’s team must traverse the hundred or two hundred miles on foot, which isn’t a small distance.

In the evening, Ye Qing found Handsome Fatty Wang and the others and provided each with a copy of the map, instructing them to study the terrain thoroughly. On noting this distance, everyone seemed calm. With years of grave-robbing experience, even scavenging several hundred miles of mountains in search of one tomb never deterred them; this distance was nothing.

Seeing no one resisted the distance, Ye Qing breathed a sigh of relief, fearing they might refuse to go due to how far it was.

”Moreover, there’s something else to clarify first.” After everyone reviewed the map, Ye Qing took a deep breath and solemnly said, ”There’s a legend about Xiliang Mountain.”

”What legend?” Everyone turned to Ye Qing; it was clear none knew about the Xiliang Mountain legends.

Without reservation, Ye Qing recounted the legend of Xiliang Mountain to them. Hearing Ye Qing’s words, they were all just as astounded as Ye Qing was when he first learned of the legend. Clearly, the legend was truly shocking.

”So, the inside of Xiliang Mountain may be dangerous. I want to make this clear here. If anyone doesn’t want to go, tell me now, and I certainly won’t force anyone.” Ye Qing surveyed the group and said, ”I cannot let everyone take risks with me!”

No sooner had Ye Qing said this than a sharp voice emerged from the corner: ”I don’t want to go; I don’t want to go. Please send me back first!”

The voice belonged to Old Chen, who had looked displeased since leaving Shenchuan City. Now, hearing Ye Qing’s offer, he was the first to raise a hand wanting to go back.

”You’re an exception; you must go with me!” Ye Qing ignored Old Chen and spoke to the others, ”Whoever wants to return, speak up now, and I’ll arrange it immediately!”

Handsome Fatty Wang turned to the group and said, ”If you want to leave, do it now. Don’t wait till we’re in the mountains to whine about going home to drink milk—no one’s sending you back!”

This remark elicited laughter. A man with a full beard stood up and said, ”Fat Wang, stop joking. Brothers have robbed tombs for years; what haven’t we seen? Dangerous places tend to hide treasures, thus making them the places worth exploring. I’m definitely going in, Big Beard is going in!”

”Right, right, such dangerous spots deserve investigation,” another man chimed in, ”I’m going in too.”

Following these words, most people in the room clamored to go into the mountains. They seemed quite excited. It’s reasonable, as Big Beard had noted, years of tomb-robbing experience meant little could scare them, certainly not mere legends.

”Honestly, I want to go back...” Old Chen mumbled in the corner, but by now, who paid him any mind?

Witnessing everyone’s eagerness to enter the mountain, Ye Qing sighed in relief, worried they might all retreat. If so, only he, Fat Wang, and Old Chen remained, making the entry quite challenging.

”Then it’s settled!” Ye Qing turned to the group and said, ”Of course, I won’t let you take unnecessary risks. Regardless of the outcome this time, I’ll reward each of you three million; consider it your fee!”

With that declaration, the group cheered. Under such generous rewards, enthusiasm peaked—they were eager to explore the mountains.

After resting overnight in the military district, the team packed up every necessary item for the mountain expedition. After breakfast the next morning, they carried their gear and drove three Jeeps toward Xiliang Mountain.

Initially, Zhou Yue intended to send someone to escort Ye Qing’s team, but Ye Qing tactfully refused. Ye Qing didn’t want Zhou Yue aware of the matters here, nor did he want them involved. After all, confidentiality was essential.

The path to Xiliang Mountain traversed a barren desert with poor roads. The hundred-mile distance took over two hours, illustrating the treacherous terrain.

Upon reaching the mountain base, they finally viewed Xiliang Mountain closely. Indeed, the Xiliang Mountain Range was vast, with its winding stretches extending far beyond sight.