Chapter 14: A Dark Figure Flashes By in the Secluded Mountains and Forests of Shu

  As time passed, the group of people also slowly walked into the mountains. Because there was no road, everyone went their separate ways, running in the direction they thought was the most shortcut.

  Before Zheng Yao and Liu Yan could think clearly about which direction to go, they found that the people around them had disappeared, leaving only a somewhat silly-looking short fat man with Zheng Yao and Liu Yan still standing there.

  The stout man looked around and said in his rough voice, "In my opinion, we will definitely encounter many difficulties on this road. Guan Zhen will think of ways to stop us from catching up."

  Don't look at the short and stout guy, he may not be handsome, but he is very down-to-earth. When it comes to Guan Zhen, this second-generation ancestor, the desire to win is indeed there. If he doesn't fight for first place, it's hard to stop. This kind of person is petty and loves face, so it's natural that they often do things that harm others and benefit themselves.

  "What this brother said is not wrong. I think there are signs everywhere here, and I think they were all made by Guan Zhen!"

  Zheng Yao looked around and saw some signs similar to road signs on many inconspicuous small trees and branches. If he wasn't mistaken, these were the so-called "directional signs" or indicator boards that led to the destination on the mountain. However, there were too many of these signs here, which made Zheng Yao feel suspicious.

  "It seems that all the contestants are only concerned with reaching their destination quickly, without careful consideration, thinking that the signs they see are correct, and therefore rushing forward without hesitation." Liu Yan couldn't help but shake his head, secretly admiring Guan Zhen's clever tactics.

  "Which way should we go?" Zheng Yao rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

  The short and stout man next to him looked around and seemed to have a plan, saying: "I think Guan Ding has blocked the shortcut that he took, so let's follow him, this way we definitely won't go wrong."

  "How wonderful! What this brother says is extremely right!" Liu Yan felt that the plan was feasible, and Zheng Yao on the side also nodded in silent agreement.

  The three of them then searched the forest for any obvious signs of obstruction, and indeed, within ten breaths' time, right in front of Yao's eyes was a clue: "Look, the cut marks on the ends of these branches are still very fresh. It seems someone deliberately cut them down from the tree to disrupt everyone's line of sight, and placed them here to block the real shortcut."

  The short and stout man and Liu Yan listened to Zheng Yao's words, took another look at the branches in front of them, and indeed it was so. The three of them moved the branches away with great effort, finally clearing the obstacle, and a clear small path appeared before them.

  The three of them didn't say much more and hastily rushed forward.

  The path is somewhat winding and has been walking for about 100 meters before it starts to circle around the mountain.

  It is said that the Shu Road is more difficult than climbing to heaven. Although the road walked by the three people was not as good as the Sword Gate Pass of the Shu Road, with steep cliffs on one side and deep precipices and the distant Min River on the other, it also took their breath away, and this was no laughing matter at all.

  Fortunately, the small path was not slippery, and the three people walking on it did not feel laborious. After walking along this one-meter-wide path for about a minute, the three of them had already arrived at the middle of the mountain. The scenery along the way was indeed more steep and precipitous, and these three talented scholars couldn't help but recite poetry again with a carefree and elegant tone.

  "Often dwelling in the mountains to appreciate the blooming flowers, how many people come through the small paths of the majestic pass? The great river flows eastward, overlooking the rise and fall of the world." Zheng Yao was also filled with enthusiasm, although the lines he recited were not from ancient poets, but they still reflected his unique style, involuntarily making Liu Yan and Ai Huazi applaud.

  Just as the three of them were in high spirits, Yao's sharp eyes discovered something unusual in the mountain.

  "What do you think those people want to do?"

  Zheng Yao immediately pointed to the forest on the upper left and said, "Look, there are dozens of people with unknown backgrounds, wearing black clothes, holding knives, and wearing white scarves. They are moving in an orderly manner through the mountains and forests, as if they are about to carry out some major task."

  Liu Yan and the short, stout man also involuntarily stopped in their tracks. Judging from this situation, it seemed that these people were not here to stop Zhang Yang and his group from going up the mountain with Guan Zhen's party. This must have some deeper meaning behind it. After a moment of contemplation, none of the three felt any ominous premonition.

  "He's gone!"

  The short and stout man suddenly let out a loud cry, but saw that the group of black-clad men from the mountain forest had all disappeared without a trace, which made the three people feel even more suspicious about the situation.

  "It seems that the newcomer is not good, I think this group of people must have come here with ulterior motives. Everyone should be prepared to take action at any moment." Liu Yan said anxiously, and in his heart, he was also praying that his guesses were just groundless worries.

  "Is there something fishy going on? There aren't any big shots in our Sichuan region, what could they possibly be after? Hmm, no, actually a big shot really did come!" Just as Yao was speaking casually, his words hit the nail on the head and startled both Liu Yan and Ai Huazi.

  "General Tranquil!"

  Three people spoke with one voice, and they really thought of the same thing.

  "It seems that this group of people really came for King Jing, which is not good. If it's true, wouldn't King Jing be in danger?" Zheng Yao's eyes showed a worried expression. This time, King Jing had come to Shu only for sightseeing, and he didn't have many attendants with him. Without any precautions, if... Zheng Yao dared not imagine the consequences.

  Liu Yanyou also felt that this matter was not trivial, so he immediately said: "Then let's hurry up and get on the road, if we're late there will be changes, it's best to let King Jing know about this as soon as possible!"

  After that, the three of them no longer delayed, a slow and long run had already entered the stage of full-speed sprinting, and they couldn't care about how rugged and winding the mountain road was, taking big strides and advancing at full speed.

  "Go for it! Go for it!"

  At this moment, the three of them had already walked out of the mountain forest and onto the mountain path. Within a hundred meters, they would reach their destination. However, on both sides of the road were crowds of people, and as soon as the three of them stepped onto the path, they were met with thunderous applause and cheers, welcoming them. This made the short and chubby one among them feel extremely pleased with himself, and he flipped his flowing long hair, aiming to dazzle thousands of young girls.

  And the one in front, Guan Zhen, had already unknowingly reached his limit, with a look of disdain and contempt in his eyes, as if to say that everyone else here was trash except for him.

  "Come on, Yūichi! Come on, Yūichi!"

  Even so, it couldn't stop some flower girls from having a crush on Liu Yan and chasing after him crazily, including Ning An who had been waiting aside early. A swarm of enthusiastic fans rushed over, shouting loudly, which actually added a few more lively touches to this originally quiet mountain top.

  Liu Yan greatly enjoyed this popular feeling, as if the whole person suddenly became much lighter, with a smile on his face rushing to the finish line. The short and fat one next to him was envious of this. As for Zheng Yao, he could only sigh: Alas, the world is really going downhill, there are many foolish women in this era, what can be done...

  Just as the three of them were about to reach the finish line, they didn't stop and instead ran all the way up to the platform where King Jing was, which suddenly alerted his attendants. Two burly men firmly blocked Zheng Yao's trio at the bottom of the platform.

  "What do you three want to do?"

  One of them, a big Han, said discontentedly.

  "Hmm? Let them come over."

  King Jing, who was sitting at one side, looked puzzled and glanced at the three of them, then waved his hand towards the two big men.

  Zheng Yao and the other two suddenly felt a bit out of place, so they immediately stepped forward, bowed their heads and saluted: "Greetings to Your Highness!"

  "Get up, you three! Why are you so flustered and losing your composure? Tell me in detail."

  King Jing's words were intimidating, and the short, fat man beside him began to tremble with fear, unable to speak. Liu Yan looked around nervously, unsure of how to respond.

  It turned out that Zhang Wuji was fearless, after all he was a modern man and such feudal ideas of fearing authority did not exist. Therefore, he immediately stepped forward and said: "Your Highness, just now the three of us were at the waist of the mountain when we saw a group of black-clad men rushing along, each holding short swords and daggers in an orderly manner. Presumably they came with ill intentions, we feared that they were heading for Your Highness, so we offended Your Highness's authority, please forgive our crime."

  When Zhengyao spoke, he didn't have the slightest fear in his heart, which made King Jing look at him with a different gaze. To know that an ordinary commoner, seeing the prince, would definitely be under pressure, even if it was Xīnán's number one talented scholar, Liu Yan, who had a hint of nervousness when facing King Jing, but Zhengyao was calm and composed, which made King Jing feel unexpectedly surprised.

  "Hmm, what's your name?" Jing Wang nodded and didn't mention anything about the black-clad group, instead asking Zheng Yao his name. Jing Wang's way of handling things was unexpected to Zheng Yao as well.

  "Reporting to Your Highness, I am Li He, courtesy name Zhengyao, a descendant of General Li Jinglong from the Jianwen era. Due to my great-grandfather's past mistakes, our family has been barred from taking imperial examinations and entering officialdom for five generations. Now, it is already the sixth generation."

  Zhengyao told the story of his own life, which naturally included a sense of grievance. It was expected that his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all well-read scholars, but due to a single decree from the imperial court, the Li family had declined for five generations.

  "Oh? Are you after Li Jinglong?" The King of Jing stroked his light beard, his eyes moved, and he was stunned for a moment before saying thoughtfully, "Wanting to take the imperial examination to serve the country is a good thing. I promise that if you really have talent and real learning, the court will certainly reuse you."

  "Yes! Your Highness."

  King Jing's gaze fell on Liu Yan again, lingering for about five seconds before he came back to himself. "So you're Liu Yan! I've heard of you too. Not bad. Who else is in your household?"

  Liu Yan did not expect King Jing to ask himself such a question, so he said: "Replying to the king, Liu Yan lost his parents in a shipwreck when he was young, so up to now, Liu Yan has been alone."

  Liu Yan's words can't help but have a melancholic tone, perhaps this question has touched the scars deep within his heart.

  "Oh, I didn't know there was such a thing. Alright, you can go down first. Other things, I have my own arrangements." After finishing speaking, King Jing's eyes flashed with a hint of loss, but it disappeared in an instant. However, this made Rong Yao look at him with confusion and puzzlement.

  "Yes, we will withdraw."