Simultaneous travel: City, infinite evolution

Chapter 133 Encountering Chen Yulou, the Leader of the Unloading Ridge, and the Mystery of Ping Mountain
"Hey, brothers, don't misunderstand."

One of the men in the group, who appeared to be the leader, was carrying a fan, had a refined appearance, and wore glasses and a hat.

They stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "We are just itinerant merchants carrying goods from the mountains. We are just passing through your esteemed land and wanted to exchange some mountain products. Please do us a favor."

The villagers were stunned.

What day is it that so many traveling merchants are coming today?

However, since there is business to be done, the more the better.

These people in the group started doing business with the villagers.

The leader, accompanied by a group of people, walked towards Chen Hong.

"They were dressed in fine clothes, with skin as smooth as cream, and no calluses on their hands."

Its demeanor is exceptional, standing out like a crane among chickens, elegant and noble.

They must come from a wealthy family; they seem to be young masters and ladies from aristocratic families.

Why did you come to this desolate wilderness?
In the midst of war and chaos, aren't you afraid something unexpected might happen?

The scholar leader, who was holding a fan, asked tentatively.

Chen Hong smiled slightly and asked in return, "Is it not allowed for us to come here while sightseeing?"

"Furthermore, shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking someone a question?"

The leader, dressed like a scholar, was naturally arrogant and felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this.

"It was I who was presumptuous."

"My surname is Chen. We are all traveling merchants who are just passing through this place and doing some business on the way."

"Heh." Chen Hong chuckled coldly. "Since you are unwilling to reveal your real name, and we have no intention of making acquaintances, let's just leave each other alone."

After saying that, Chen Hong led Qin Yumo and the others away.

Watching Chen Hong and the others leave.

A woman standing next to the scholar leader, dressed smartly, with a voluptuous figure and striking good looks, spoke up:
"Chief, those people are not simple."

“I see.” The leader tapped his fan, his expression grave. “The others are nothing special, just a bunch of pampered young ladies and gentlemen.”

"But the one in the lead..."

"I can't see through it, I can't see through it at all..."

"What?" the woman exclaimed in surprise. "You can't even see through the leader?"

"Wouldn't that make him a top-tier figure in the martial arts world?"

The scholar sighed, "Alas, Hong Gu, the world is full of hidden talents and extraordinary people; it's not surprising that some strange and unusual individuals appear."

"As the leader of the Unloading Ridge faction, I, Chen Yulou, am confident that I am no less than anyone else."

"I just hope those people don't get in the way of our important matters."

"Hmph! Dare to block our path to wealth?" A rough-looking man in a yellow military uniform with a thick beard pulled out a pistol.

"What kind of aristocratic young master? No matter how powerful his background is, he's all bullshit in front of my gun!"

"Dare to block my path to wealth, I'll shoot him dead!"

Chen Yulou frowned slightly, somewhat disapproving of Luo Laowai's crudeness.

He was arrogant and aloof, a powerful and ruthless man, and deep down he looked down on Luo Laowai, an illiterate and uncouth warlord.

"Alright, enough talk. Let's gather some information first, then prepare to go down into the tomb."

Meanwhile, Chen Hong, along with Qin Yumo and the others, began gathering intelligence.

"Young friend, please."

Chen Hong cupped his hands in greeting to a teenager.

The child had most of his head shaved, leaving only a whip on top.

He nervously returned Chen Hong's greeting, "Young master, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Young friend, may I ask you if there is a mountain nearby called Ping Mountain?"

"Ping Mountain?" The boy was startled and asked nervously, "Why are you asking about Ping Mountain?"

"Take my advice and don't go to Ping Mountain."

"Oh, what's so special about this Bottle Mountain? Why can't we go?"

Chen Meijia asked blankly, scratching her braid.

"My grandmother told me that Ping Mountain is the burial site of a great general from the Yuan Dynasty."

That Yuan Dynasty general was ruthless, and the tomb he left behind was no benevolent place either.

It's teeming with miasma and all sorts of poisonous creatures and gases. Even the best herbalists in our village don't dare venture deep into that Ping Mountain.

Most importantly, there is a Xiangxi Corpse King in Ping Mountain that eats people.

Of all those who went in, none came back alive.

Even the corpses buried there would mysteriously disappear, devoured by the Corpse King.

We stopped burying the body there.

Even livestock, once inside Bottle Mountain, couldn't escape the Corpse King's pursuit and were all eaten.

So, whatever you do, don't go to Ping Mountain, you'll die a horrible death, a very horrible death..."

The boy stuck out his tongue, grabbed his neck, and made a face as if he had died a horrible death.

Chen Meijia screamed in fright.

Zeng Xiaoxian, who was timid, was trembling.

"Chen... Chen Hong, boss, it's so dangerous here, let's go back to the apartment, take a shower, eat, and sleep."

Why come all this way to this godforsaken place?
Please don't tell me we're going into...that Bottle Mountain thing, okay?

Chen Hong ignored the timid Zeng Xiaoxian.

Lu Ziqiao stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and then frowned.

"Why does the name Ping Mountain sound so familiar? I feel like I've heard it somewhere before?"

"And the description and the plot seem quite familiar," Lu Zhanbo added.

Hu Yifei's mind raced, and she seemed to have some guesses.

"Chen Hong, do you know who those people were just now?"

Chen Hong smiled slightly, "It seems you've discovered it."

"Yes."

"The one who spoke to me was Chen Yulou, the leader of the Unloading Ridge faction."

"The woman next to her is Miss Hong."

"That soldier's name is Luo Laowai."

"hiss!"

Hu Yifei gasped.

Everyone gasped in shock.

"So this is the world, then that means..."

"They're going to..."

"Grave robbing!"

Everyone shouted in unison, suddenly realizing what had happened.

"We're doomed, we're doomed, we're doomed." Zeng Xiaoxian's legs were trembling. "Brother Chen, Uncle Chen, let's hurry back."

"You're a genius, think of a way, let's go back quickly."

"This world is too dangerous." "We have to get out of here right away."

Chen Hong smiled and patted Zeng Xiaoxian on the shoulder.

"They come, the security."

"Aren't you a good man?"

"Now is the time to prove yourself."

"Let's go tomb raiding together."

"What?!" Zeng Xiaoxian was stunned. "Instead of getting us away from this awful place, you're actually thinking of taking us to a cemetery?"

"What's the difference between this and courting death?"

"Brother Chen, you haven't read the original novel, have you?"

"Don't you know how many demons and monsters are down there?"

"Of course I know." Chen Hong smiled broadly, patted Zeng Xiaoxian's shoulder three times, revealing a row of bright white teeth that reflected the sunlight.

"Don't be afraid, it's just poison. I'll protect you."

Chen Hong took out some materials and casually crafted several magical artifacts.

"Here, one string of five Emperor coins for each person."

"This is a high-end protective magic artifact. It will automatically protect the body and activate a defensive shield when encountering danger."

Those tiny poisonous creatures can't harm you.

After receiving the ritual implements, everyone felt somewhat at ease.

Lin Wanyu, on the contrary, showed an excited smile.

"Going into tombs and raiding graves—I never imagined I'd one day be doing something straight out of an adventure story. It's truly..."

That was so exciting!

Looking at the excited Lin Wanyu, Lu Zhanbo was speechless.

"Wanyu, you'd better be careful, this is no joke."

"When I watched this storyline, many years had passed, and I had long forgotten many of the details."

"Moreover, even if I remembered all the details, anything can happen in a real world."

"Moreover, it's the most dangerous cemetery, where you could lose your life at any moment."

"Alright." Chen Hong clapped his hands, and everyone quieted down.

Chen Hong looked at the boy and asked, "Child, do you know which direction Ping Mountain is in?"

"In that direction," the boy said without hesitation, pointing casually.

Chen Hong looked in that direction and could vaguely see a mountain peak that looked like a bottle.

"Bloodline Talent: Vacuum Serpent!"

In Chen Hong's perception, he released countless snakes that swam towards that direction at lightning speed.

Soon, the electrical signal from the Vacuum Serpent brought back everything it had seen.

Sure enough, we saw a mountain peak that looked like half a bottle stuck in the ground.

There is also a route map leading to Bottle Mountain.

Upon retracting the Vacuum Serpent, Chen Hong immediately understood.

He sensed that a faint trace of spiritual energy still remained in this world.

Ping Mountain is the most abundant in spiritual energy.

But there is not only spiritual energy there, but also endless poisonous gas and miasma.

Chen Hong did not act rashly, but instead asked the boy:

"Child, do you know where the best pharmacist in your village lives?"

"Yes, yes," the boy nodded repeatedly. "Are you talking about the old herbalist?"

“That’s right.” Chen Hong nodded. “I’ve heard that the medicines from your Miao village are the most effective, and I’d like to buy some.”

"Take us there, and these two packets of salt are yours."

"Okay, I'll take you there!" The boy accepted the white salt and happily led Chen Hong and the others there.

Arriving at a secluded spot in the village, there was a small, independent courtyard.

"Old herbalist, come out quickly, look, I've brought you business."

The boy was shouting loudly even before he arrived.

There was an old man dressed in Miao clothing, with a headscarf tied around his head and a short piece of cloth hanging down from the left side of his head.

A middle-aged man with a dark complexion, who looked quite old, walked out of the room.

He remained silent, merely observing Chen Hong and his group.

"The old herbalists are merchants from out of town who have come to buy herbs."

"Quickly, bring out your treasure."

The boy urged him on with a smile.

The old herbalist remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the group of handsome men and beautiful women, especially over the men Guan Gu Shenqi, Zeng Xiaoxian, and Lu Ziqiao.

Finally, the focus shifted to Chen Hong, who was in the lead.

Then he turned and left without saying a word or greeting anyone.

Chen Hong simply smiled and followed him to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard.

Qin Yumo and the others also sat down.

A short while later, the old herbalist came out of the room.

He tilted his head mysteriously and asked Chen Hong, "Is it you who wants to use it?"

"With her?"

The old herbalist gestured to Qin Yumo, who was sitting next to Chen Hong.

Qin Yumo and everyone else were completely baffled.

Chen Hong smiled and waved his hand, "I'm healthy and can manage on my own, I don't need to."

The crowd began to realize what was going on.

Qin Yumo's face flushed red as she recalled what the old herbalist had just said.

"Is that what he needs?"

The old herbalist pointed at Zeng Xiaoxian.

Chen Hong nodded, "He's weak, so it'll be good for him."

"Hey, hey, hey," Zeng Xiaoxian quickly retorted, "I'm perfectly healthy, I don't need it, I don't need it."

As he spoke, Zeng Xiaoxian even made the gesture of the David sculpture to indicate that his muscles were very well-developed.

Then he fell because he used too much force.

The old herbalist shook his head, "It's a weak chicken, it really needs some nourishment."

Hu Yifei couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, Zeng Xiaoxian, you really are a weakling. Even the old folks say you're no good."

"Who says I can't? Who says I can't?"

Zeng Xiaoxian got up from the ground and shouted loudly, bluffing.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

(End of this chapter)