Though several people faced more than a dozen men in black.
However, those dozen men were their match, for everyone in their group was a master of martial arts. Thus, within an hour, the opposing dozen men were either injured or dead.
Wu Qing's attacks were fierce and deadly, showing no mercy. It seemed their young master was truly enraged.
Everyone knew this, but who dared to flinch?
Their master from behind was also a ruthless character; they would die whether they advanced or retreated, so they could only fight.
The remaining few men were no match for Wu Qing. Soon, they were defeated by Qing Feng and Ming Yue. Wu Qing then severed their wrist tendons and spoke slowly.
"You'd best find a place to live incognito and stop living a life where you risk your lives daily."
With that, he ascended the carriage. Mo Chou also entered the carriage. Qing Feng and Ming Yue folded their wheelchairs, leaped onto their horses, and rode away. As they passed by the men in black, they heard the leader softly say.
"Young Master, you cannot pass this way."
Wu Qing's brow furrowed. Since he said so, it meant even more formidable individuals awaited them ahead. Who would dare block their path? However, even if it were a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, they had to push through; they had to save Xiao Yu'er's life.
Everyone felt a knot of anxiety throughout the journey, unsure of what awaited them. Since the leader had warned them, there must be powerful figures lying in wait.
But as they neared Ling Shan, they saw no one. Everyone couldn't help but wonder if it was just a bluff.
Night fell, cloaking everything in darkness.
They had arrived at Ling Shan, but no one could have imagined the scene that greeted them.
Emerald green eyes, like small lanterns, flickered in the darkness.
At the foot of Ling Shan, the entire area was a veritable trap. It wasn't men, but ferocious tigers and lions; countless beasts formed a circle, guarding Ling Shan tightly, making it impossible to ascend.
Those lions and tigers, with their blood-red eyes, occasionally shook their manes. A single roar seemed to shake the entire Ling Shan.
Qing Feng and Ming Yue, seated in the carriage, took a long while to react.
These beasts weren't just tigers and lions; there were many wolves and leopards among them.
Innumerable of them prowled in the night, but they didn't scatter randomly. Instead, they maintained an orderly guard over Ling Shan. Upon seeing their carriage approach, their blood-red eyes glared at them, yet they didn't lunge forward. Instead, they bared their mouths, revealing rows of chilling white teeth, and occasionally let out roars.
"Young Master, what shall we do?"
Wu Qing lifted the curtain to look outside. He quickly took in the scene and realized that an extraordinary hermit was aiding them against these foes. It seemed his opponent was no ordinary person, or why else would they be so comfortably positioned on high?
Qing Yao also saw everything outside. Her face turned grim and cold, her slender brows furrowed. Must they watch Xiao Yu'er die helplessly? No, she would never allow such a thing to happen.
"Wu Qing, what do we do now? Even with your formidable martial arts, I fear you cannot defeat these tigers and lions. Moreover, these beasts seem to be controlled."
Wu Qing was momentarily stunned, a flicker of urgency in his heart. Although their martial arts were powerful, there were too many beasts. Furthermore, anyone who could control such a vast number of animals must be an exceptionally skilled individual. His zither might not easily subdue them.
"Shall we use the zither attack?"
Wu Qing suggested, deciding to try at least. With two zithers playing in unison, they might be able to repel these beasts.
"Alright, but I have a better suggestion," Qing Yao said, handing the Xiao Yu'er in her hands to Mo Chou.
"Anyone with extraordinary talent often has a weakness; their martial arts may not be as impressive, much like the Black and White Twin Fiends. We'll use the zither to attack these savage beasts. The person hiding in the shadows will surely reveal themselves to counter. Qing Feng and Ming Yue, seize the opportunity and apprehend that person."
As Qing Yao finished speaking, Wu Qing nodded and called out to the exterior, "Qing Feng, Ming Yue, did you hear that?"
"Yes, Young Master," the two responded, their bodies poised for action, cautiously observing their surroundings.
Even though it was winter and the scenery elsewhere was desolate, Ling Shan remained verdant and lush.
Wu Qing extended his hand, taking out the Phoenix Tail Zither and began to play. The initial notes were incredibly sharp. Qing Yao followed suit, joining in with a zither attack filled with hidden dangers.
The ferocious tigers and leopards seemed disturbed by the zither's melody, each one becoming agitated, pacing restlessly, and roaring at the sky. The entire Ling Shan seemed to tremble.
However, their zither music had only played for a short while before a faint tapping sound was heard, the crisp sound of willow branches striking the trees.
Though soft and slow, it remarkably soothed the savage beasts. They cast aside their previous agitation and obediently lay on the ground, remaining still.
No matter how Wu Qing and Qing Yao played, they couldn't sway them much, but the gentle tapping continued.
Qing Feng and Ming Yue finally located the source of the sound, which came from a tall, dense tree. The two exchanged glances, and in a flash, they leaped towards the thicket. Two sharp swords sliced through the air, and the tapping sound abruptly ceased.
Meanwhile, Qing Yao and Wu Qing continued their zither playing, and the tigers that had been lying docilely on the ground became agitated once more, roaring wildly throughout the mountain.
In the darkness of the night, the entire mountain seemed to tremble. This continuous range of Ling Shan peaks was home to many reclusive masters, and in an instant, many were disturbed.
Qing Feng and Ming Yue moved through the dense foliage with their swords, their skills exceptional. Coupled with their coordinated assault, they were far beyond the capabilities of ordinary individuals.
Just as Qing Yao had surmised, the person in the thicket possessed unusual abilities but was mediocre in martial arts. Soon, the two youths forced him to reveal himself, leaping down from the treetops.
It turned out to be a small, elderly man, clad in a blue robe, with white eyebrows and beard. As he fought, he angrily exclaimed.
"I won't fight anymore, I won't play! If you keep this up, I'm going to get angry."
Unfortunately, Qing Feng and Ming Yue seemed not to hear him, continuing their assault, forcing the old man into a position where he could not retaliate. He quickly retreated towards the pack of beasts, but those beasts, as if losing their patience and becoming demonized, no longer recognized their own master. They twitched their manes, suddenly opening their massive jaws as if to swallow the approaching old man.
The old man snorted in anger. The current situation was deeply humiliating for him.
These so-called reclusive masters valued their dignity above all else. Therefore, the old man, filled with both anger and vexation, drew upon his inner energy and shouted towards the sky, "Lu Old Man, your brother is being bullied, and you're not helping me."
His voice was soft, but amplified by his inner energy, it carried endlessly, sounding exceptionally clear in the night. Soon, a response was heard.