Seven hundred odd days and nights. What manner of arduous toil could transform a craven soul, who had fled without a fight, into the formidable warrior now sweeping away the monstrous beasts?

None could truly fathom it.

Jiang Wang and the others, guided by instinct, ascended the peak, following his steps upward.

Finally, they stood upon the very summit of Shubi Peak.

The mountaintop lay desolate and empty, save for a solitary tomb.

The tomb was small and unadorned. Before it stood but a single tombstone.

Jiang Wang approached, his gaze drawn to the inscription –

*Sun Heng, interred upon Shubi Peak.*

The characters were delicate, yet etched deeply into the stone, revealing a master craftsman’s hand.

“Sun Heng was the City Lord of Three Mountains City two years past. The one who erected this monument was his wife.”

Li Jianqiu spoke, his voice tinged with melancholy. “The rampant beasts were a scourge that Three Mountains City has faced since its very founding.

After Sun Heng assumed the mantle of City Lord, he diligently governed and actively fostered talent. Finally, two years ago, he assembled a force and launched an operation to purge the monstrous creatures.

The first target he chose was Shubi Peak.

Even with careful foresight, before the operation truly commenced, none could have conceived that so many beasts would gather on this mountain, numbering in the tens of thousands!

Whence came their sustenance? These beasts were enough to devour the entire domain of Three Mountains City.

When they descended into a frenzy, no defensive line could withstand them.

I fled at that time. But I heard that only Sun Heng stood upon the front line, never retreating a single step. Not only did he not retreat, he advanced.”

Li Jianqiu continued, “He, alone, from the foot of the mountain to the summit, right here, at the very place beneath our feet, personally slew the leader of that wave of beasts, the Yin-Yang Double-Headed Eagle. When the eagle’s cry, which had echoed for a month, suddenly fell silent, everyone knew what had transpired, and all began to counterattack with savage ferocity.

Shubi Peak was cleansed, but Sun Heng too, perished from exhaustion. It is said that when he died, as a powerhouse of the Inner Mansion Realm, his five mansions were depleted, and his entire Tongtian Palace crumbled.”

How magnificent!

Though they had not seen the man, only heard his name, a profound stirring filled their hearts.

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but ponder, only a man of such caliber could have fathered a daughter like Sun Xiaoman, could he not?

The group stood upon the peak, gazing out at the vast expanse.

The tranquility of this moment was built upon countless lives spilled.

Cultivation, cultivation. Was it merely the self being cultivated?

Did he bear responsibility for the nation and the home, and the burden of the weak?

The former City Lord of Three Mountains City, Sun Heng, had etched his answer with his very name.

Several individuals bowed deeply before the solitary tomb, then turned and descended the mountain.

On the journey down, Jiang Wang, struck by a thought, halted and approached the boulder. With a flaming sword forged from his condensed spiritual energy, he inscribed a line of characters below Li Jianqiu’s inscription, a spark of life in his heart.

Then Huang Azhan and Zhao Rucheng followed suit.

Upon the stone inscription, beneath the words “The defeated dog Li Jianqiu,” another line was written:

*Later generation student, Jiang Wang, comes to pay respects to the predecessor’s heroic spirit.*

*Later generation student, Huang Azhan, comes to pay respects to the predecessor’s heroic spirit.*

*Zhao Rucheng, the same.*

Presumably, that Wu Shan, who reveled in ostentation, would surely roar with laughter if he witnessed this scene?

After all, in such a desperate predicament, what he ultimately contemplated was carving words to boast of himself. His way of thinking diverged significantly from the norm.

It was not until they reached the foot of the mountain that Li Jianqiu, after seemingly enduring it time and again, finally looked at Zhao Rucheng with a peculiar expression: “Junior Brother Zhao, have you been beaten for being lazy?”

Jiang Wang burst into hearty laughter, slinging an arm around Zhao Rucheng’s shoulder, and said to Li Jianqiu, “You should pose that question to my Wild Tiger Brother. He’ll surely have much in common with you!”

“Get out, get out!” Zhao Rucheng shoved Jiang Wang away.

“What do we do next?” Huang Azhan asked, “The task we set before departing is complete, and Senior Brother Li’s wish has been fulfilled. Should we now return to Maple Forest City to claim the bounty?”

Li Jianqiu gripped his sword at his waist, his expression solemn. “To be truthful with you, junior brothers, I have resolved to journey to Yuheng Peak. After all, the conflict there is fierce; you may return first.”

Jiang Wang immediately stated, “I speak only for myself. Since I came with senior brother, I shall naturally go with senior brother.”

Zhao Rucheng rolled his eyes. “You’re heading to the battlefield, can I possibly sneak away?”

“Hey.” Huang Azhan shook his head and sighed. “I knew I couldn’t keep pace with you young folk, too reckless! If I don’t go, I’ll have no face to drink with Old Tiger Du in the future.”

Zhao Rucheng rarely glanced at him, and he was genuinely a little surprised.

Though Young Master Zhao usually presented a muddled appearance, he was in truth highly ambitious and held little regard for ordinary individuals. As for Huang Azhan, he had always looked down upon him, merely treating him as an object of jest and amusement. At most, he would allow him a small advantage out of consideration for Du Yehu.

Today, he finally understood. Why would Du Yehu be willing to befriend this fellow?

At this moment, Yuheng Peak was undergoing its second large-scale clearing operation.

Sun Heng’s tomb remained, and Wu Shan’s inscriptions had not been forgotten. Everyone knew how perilous Yuheng Peak was. It was not beyond possibility for the entire force to be annihilated.

Li Jianqiu, whether to atone for his sins or to prove something, choosing to go to Yuheng Peak was not surprising. Jiang Wang, he merely assumed he was hot-headed. But since Jiang Wang was going, he couldn’t help but accompany him, no matter how unwilling he was.

Only Huang Azhan’s choice was something he hadn’t anticipated. And it certainly did not align with his usual display of obsequious and cunning behavior.

“Excellent!” Li Jianqiu felt deeply content, and after two years of solitude, he seemed to have rediscovered the joy of camaraderie.

Raise a glass, and journey to the ends of the earth to repay a debt of gratitude.

“Let us go to Yuheng Peak!”

…

…

(After running naked for a week, I finally received a recommendation, please bestow upon me all the recommendations!)