Outside the city's mountain forest.
A group of four people, two horses, and one elephant were traveling through the mountain forest, the giant elephant trampling the ground, creating a deep echo, passing through without encountering a single fierce beast.
This was General Wei's first time leaving the manor, and also Xu Guang's first time bringing General Wei into the mountain forest.
Upon entering the mountain forest, Xu Guang finally understood General Wei's might.
The term overlord couldn't begin to describe General Wei's strength.
Before its eyes, nothing seemed capable of being an obstacle, trees broke, and all beasts scattered.
Xu Guang and Zhu Cheng sat on General Wei's back, occasionally looking around, but most of the time, their eyes unconsciously fell on the girl beside them.
Zhu Zhenzhen.
This was also Xu Guang's first time seeing Zhu Zhenzhen.
She appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, her face full of collagen, skin smooth as cream, slender physique, graceful figure, clearly wearing a chest binding, appearing somewhat plain, but it did not mar her beauty.
Indeed, she was a beauty.
He initially thought that Zhu Zhenzhen, a formidable woman, upon knowing Zhu Fu had intended to marry her off to him, would surely show him disdain and other emotions.
But unexpectedly, Zhu Zhenzhen acted as if she hadn't seen him at all.
Her whole demeanor cold, like an ice block.
"Xiaoguang, don't mind, Zhenzhen is just like this; when you get to know her better, you'll find she's a kind-hearted girl."
Zhu Cheng spoke softly into Xu Guang's ear.
Xu Guang was at a loss for words.
Today, they were here to help Young Master Song capture someone, though he didn't want to come; wasn't gaining experience at the Martial Arts Academy better?
Yet, he couldn't help it, as he was now a Tributor of the Zhu Family.
Throughout the journey, whether it was the Zhu siblings or Song Di, none of their conversations avoided Xu Guang.
Xu Guang simply kept his ears open, knowing many secrets.
Zhu Zhenzhen suddenly spoke up at this time.
"Now that we are in the mountains, Young Master Song, can you tell my brother and I what abilities the Celestial Destiny Demon we are to face possesses?"
Song Di was silent for a moment, then spoke.
"The demon's name is Wei Shuangnian, who has been lurking within the White Crane Sect for years. After the sect's demise, he again hid in Songjiang Prefecture for several years, stealing countless secrets. By chance, I learned of his identity.
Not to hide from you, he possesses the cultivation technique inheritance of the White Crane Sect, especially its unparalleled Lightweight Skill, White Crane's Western Journey, in Zouchuan Dao. I only want the demon's life; the White Crane Sect inheritance is yours to dispose of."
At these words, both Zhu Zhenzhen and Zhu Cheng showed a trace of doubt on their faces,
and Xu Guang was equally surprised.
An unparalleled Lightweight Skill in Zouchuan Dao?
He hadn't expected Song Di to be so generous.
Yet there was something odd in his heart; Song Di didn't seem like someone driven by hatred or grudge; why would he come to Qingshuo County just to kill a demon because of the Celestial Destiny Sect's presence?
However, the Zhu siblings weren't foolish; what he thought of, they too could think of.
Besides, he was of low rank and couldn't advise them.
What he needed to do was protect himself and the powerful General Wei.
"Mr. Zhu, shortly, I will rely on you to remain with the great beast; if the Celestial Destiny Demon appears, it will require your command to restrain it."
Zhu Cheng grumbled in agreement.
Momentarily thereafter.
"Young Master Song."
A middle-aged man dressed in emerald green, seemingly stepping out from the trees, silently landed on the ground and approached Song Di and the others.
Upon seeing the majestic figure of General Wei behind Song Di, his expression grew solemn, stopping fifteen meters away from General Wei.
He had a premonition that if he got any closer, he would have no chance of survival if General Wei enraged.
"Village Chief Liu, we meet again."
Song Di dismounted gracefully.
A few days ago, Zhu Fu helped him make contact with the people of the Thirty-Six Bandits, who moved unnoticed and had sharp information, especially numerous in the mountain forest.
The person he was looking for, had already been found by the Thirty-Six Bandits, with Village Chief Liu being the guide.
"Young Master Song, the person you are looking for is ahead in the mountain's Jingming Temple; someone saw him climb the mountain with sixteen children four months ago."
Song Di nodded, indicating he understood.
"I will soon fulfill the promise to Sun Da Kuo, please inform Village Chief Liu."
Village Chief Liu nodded, moving further away as he felt intense threat from General Wei.
No one wished to be near such a beast that seemed ready to frenzy.
…
Going up the mountain naturally involved more than just the four of them.
A noble's child does not sit beneath the hall.
Song Di had status and position; although his strength likely wasn't weak, he still sought help from the Black Market, putting Village Chief Liu in action, accompanied by two extremely strong bald men and over ten robust Green Forest warriors.
This scene made Xu Guang feel increasingly uneasy, somewhat strange; why would a young member of the Song Clan collaborate with the Green Forest and not utilize family resources?
Perhaps…
This Song Di didn't have a high status within the Song Clan.
Xu Guang speculated inwardly but didn't pay too much attention; he was only here as a background character.
…
The low mountain wasn't tall, only densely packed with wild forest, like a beast devouring countless lives, vaguely visible was a strange Taoist Temple.
The temple was named Jingming Temple, once bustling with incense, but since Great Zhou's decline, the world fell into chaos, even the Divine Capital's incense ceased.
In the wild land, Green Forest was everywhere.
At this moment, within the temple's main hall sat a man wearing a spotless daoist robe; the man was handsome, bearing an exceptional demeanor, starkly contrasting with the eerie and decaying temple.
Oddly enough, the man faced the door with sixteen large mounds piled up at the entrance, swaying slightly as a gust of sinister wind blew past.
"It's almost done…"
"Nine years of patience, traded for an Eighth-Grade Celestial Register; I wonder if it's worth it."
Just then.
There was a commotion outside the temple.
The man abruptly stood.
"Wei Shuangnian? You sure know how to hide."
A man named Wei Shuangnian looked toward the outside of the ruined Taoist Temple, where shadows of dozens stood, all wearing dull yellow clothing, matching the hues of the winter vegetation.
However, a few days ago, snow fell, making them extraordinarily conspicuous.
The crowd slowly parted, and the dignified Song Di walked forward, eyes burning as he gazed at Wei Shuangnian, particularly lingering on the sixteen mounds in the temple courtyard.
Wei Shuangnian squinted his eyes; he did not recognize Song Di.
Yet he wasn't surprised, as being a member of the Celestial Destiny Sect, after his identity exposure, he was used to confronting those so-called justice-seeking renowned and righteous sects daily.
"Green Forest? Whose faction are you from? You must have paid a considerable price to summon so many Green Forest warriors?"
Wei Shuangnian was knowledgeable; from Song Di's attire and aura, he was clearly not a part of Green Forest.
Thus, the Green Forest followers behind Song Di must have been hired.
"No need for a dead man to know my identity."
Wei Shuangnian's eyes instantly grew cold, his gaze becoming icy.
"Heh-heh, truly young, yet so bold. But…"
"You cannot grasp what you're facing!"
```