Chapter 30: Lively Back Mountain

## Chapter 30: The Unforeseen Bustle of the Back Mountain

The following day, before the first blush of dawn touched the sky, Ye Chen donned his black robe and ascended the slopes of Heng Yue Spirit Mountain.

Just as before, he made directly for the back mountain, where he swiftly exchanged his attire for tattered rags, disheveling his hair and smearing mud across his face. Finally, he concealed himself within a dense thicket of lush weeds.

"One more venture, and then I shall cease," he resolved in his heart, observing the disciples of Heng Yue passing by.

He considered his own thoughts meticulous and his plans thorough. However, no matter how well-laid a scheme, there was always the risk of unforeseen flaws. To avoid inviting a calamity that could befall his very person, it was wise to know when to draw back.

As the sky brightened fully, the back mountain of Heng Yue Sect saw a steady increase in foot traffic. Yet, Ye Chen noticed a peculiar phenomenon. The disciples of Di Yang Peak who arrived to gather spirit grasses today were not alone. They came in groups of three or five, always in a team.

"Gathering spirit grasses, and they still form teams?" A cold smile played on Ye Chen's lips from within the weeds.

It seemed the disciples of Di Yang Peak had learned their lesson. Fearful of being struck from behind by a muffled blow, they now ventured forth in organized groups.

This realization brought a knot of entanglement to Ye Chen's thoughts. While he was confident in his current cultivation realm and strength, unafraid of any single Di Yang Peak disciple, and even possessing the assurance to subdue a group of three or five, this was not the same as fighting in a secluded valley. Failure to incapacitate them instantly would surely lead to trouble, potentially attracting more disciples – a most undesirable outcome.

Hmm?

Amidst his deliberations, Ye Chen spied a familiar figure approaching from afar. The fellow's eyes were bloodshot, his face a mask of grimness, as if everyone owed him a hundred spirit stones. Looking closely, it was none other than Zhao Long.

"Still daring to venture out alone? Your courage is not small indeed!" Ye Chen sneered from the weed patch, his hand already reaching into his storage bag for the black iron staff.

However, just as Ye Chen was about to move, he witnessed Zhao Long also produce a black iron staff from his own storage bag, leaving Ye Chen momentarily stunned.

Ye Chen halted his movement and further withdrew into the weeds.

His gaze followed Zhao Long's movements. He saw Zhao Long, staff in hand, walk directly behind a disciple of Tian Yang Peak, and then with a simple, decisive swing, bring the staff down. The Tian Yang Peak disciple collapsed on the spot.

Urh…!

Ye Chen's mouth fell open, frozen in astonishment.

"Let your Tian Yang Peak scheme against my Di Yang Peak! Let your Tian Yang Peak scheme against my Di Yang Peak!" As Ye Chen remained stunned, Zhao Long swung his iron staff again, mercilessly striking the already unconscious Tian Yang Peak disciple.

Upon hearing these words, the corners of Ye Chen's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Excellent! The two previous incidents of muffled blows, including that suffered by Ge Hong of Di Yang Peak, had now been firmly attributed to Tian Yang Peak.

Witnessing this scene, Ye Chen in the weed thicket couldn't help but rub his eyebrows. This was an outcome he had not anticipated. His target was Di Yang Peak, yet he had inadvertently convinced Di Yang Peak that Tian Yang Peak was the culprit.

For a time, Ye Chen's expression turned rather peculiar. He finally understood why the Di Yang Peak disciples had come to the back mountain in groups today. They hadn't come to gather spirit grasses at all; they had come in a collective quest to administer muffled blows.

Ah…!

True to his realization, the mournful cry of a pig being slaughtered soon echoed from the northeast.

Ah…!

Another piteous wail followed, this time from the northwest.

Ah…!

The cry from the southeast also joined the chorus.

Ah…!

Subsequently, the southwest contributed its own chilling shriek.

Soon, a clamor erupted as people converged from all directions, a uniform multitude of Di Yang Peak disciples, each and every one… carrying a black iron staff.

"I struck down two from Tian Yang Peak!"

"I struck down three from Ren Yang Peak!"

"I struck down one from Tian Yang Peak and two from Ren Yang Peak!"

The disciples of Di Yang Peak reported their results, their expressions ranging from indignant to refreshed to excited.

"Withdraw!" With a wave of Zhao Long's hand, the Di Yang Peak disciples swiftly retreated from the back mountain of Heng Yue Sect.

After the crowd departed, Ye Chen emerged from the weed thicket, dryly cleared his throat, and muttered, "This cannot be blamed on me."

Saying this, he donned his black robe and quickly withdrew from the back mountain of Heng Yue Sect. This place had become a hotbed of trouble and was no longer suitable for lingering.

He knew that for many days to come, the back mountain of Heng Yue Sect would be anything but peaceful.

The disciples of Di Yang Peak would believe they were being schemed against by those of Ren Yang Peak and Tian Yang Peak.

Ren Yang Peak would suspect Tian Yang Peak was behind the mischief.

Tian Yang Peak would believe Ren Yang Peak was responsible.

The three main outer peaks had always been in a state of mutual checks and balances, a constant overt and covert struggle, and naturally, mutual suspicion was never in short supply. At this moment, regardless of who initiated the first muffled blow, it was already fated that this incident would be exceedingly difficult to clarify.

Alas!

Ye Chen rubbed his temples. "What sin have I created!"

He could already envision the scene in the coming days: the disciples of the three main peaks venturing to the back mountain to gather spirit medicine would undoubtedly each carry a black iron staff.

Leaving the back mountain of Heng Yue Sect, Ye Chen made his way to the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Treasures. As he entered, Pang Da Hai, who was studying ancient texts behind the counter, glanced up at Ye Chen and said without a hint of good cheer, "Boy, in broad daylight, what is the meaning of wearing a black robe?"

Urh…!

Ye Chen chuckled sheepishly. He hadn't wanted anyone to know he had recovered so soon, hence the black robe. He hadn't expected to escape Pang Da Hai's discerning eye.

"Received over a hundred fire whips, and you're walking around so quickly? Boy, your bones are sturdy indeed!" Pang Da Hai put down the ancient texts, his bright, large eyes sizing Ye Chen up and down, seemingly attempting to discern some clue.

"Elder, you know about the matter of the fire whips?"

"Nonsense. The entire outer sect knows."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen involuntarily gave a dry cough, and then handed over a storage bag. "Elder, the Snow Jade Orchid Flower."

Receiving the storage bag, Pang Da Hai glanced inside and discovered a staggering six thousand spirit stones. Even he couldn't help but be startled. A mere Qi Condensation Realm intern disciple possessing such a vast sum of spirit stones was indeed strange.

"Where did you acquire so many spirit stones?"

Although Pang Da Hai didn't usually pry, he couldn't help but ask.

"Picked them up."

"Picked them up? You picked up a bit too many, didn't you?"

"Good luck, good luck," Ye Chen mumbled, touching the tip of his nose.

"Tell me next time, and I'll go pick some up too." Pang Da Hai glanced at Ye Chen, but ultimately didn't press further. Instead, he took a storage bag from his bosom and handed it to Ye Chen.

Receiving the storage bag, Ye Chen quickly tucked it away in his robes. However, he didn't immediately leave. He looked at Pang Da Hai and asked, "Elder, is our Heng Yue Sect's Scripture Pavilion open to intern disciples?"

"On the last day of every month. Only on that day is it open to intern disciples."

"So, that means in three days," Ye Chen murmured to himself, then turned and walked out of the Scripture Pavilion.

After Ye Chen left, Pang Da Hai stroked his beard, his ancient eyes filled with deep meaning. "This boy is truly a marvel."