Wandering Swordsman |

Shen Mo hid behind a large tree, observing the situation ahead through the dense foliage. His heart was pounding, his palms were slightly sweaty, but his eyes revealed a resolute determination. He knew this was the entrance to Black Wind Mountain. If he couldn't get through successfully, all subsequent actions would be in vain.

"What should I do?" Shen Mo asked himself, his brows furrowed. These guards were not only numerous but also extremely vigilant, leaving virtually no room for error. He had to find a way to evade their watchful eyes and ears.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, rustling the leaves and bringing a slight chill. Shen Mo's gaze inadvertently fell on a small hillside not far away. It was overgrown with weeds and bushes, the terrain complex and obstructing the view. A thought flashed through his mind—perhaps he could bypass the guards at the mountain pass from there.

With this in mind, Shen Mo quickly adjusted his plan. He quietly left his hiding place, moving through the woods and bushes. Every step was careful, trying not to make a sound. The surrounding trees and bushes provided him with natural cover, allowing him to blend almost seamlessly into the darkness.

Upon reaching the bottom of the hillside, Shen Mo stopped and carefully surveyed the surrounding terrain. Although this place was more secluded than the trailhead, it also meant facing more unknowns. He took a deep breath and decided to take the risk.

After confirming that everything was ready, Shen Mo began to climb the hillside. He used both his hands and feet, employing the lightness skill he had learned from the bookworm, moving as nimbly as a cat, silently ascending the hill.

Standing on the hillside, Shen Mo looked down at the scene below. The guards on both sides of Black Wind Pass remained steadfast at their posts. The darkness concealed his figure on the hillside, and the guards were completely unaware of his presence. Looking up, Shen Mo could vaguely see a magnificent complex of buildings halfway up Black Wind Mountain, which should be the location of the Black Wind Gang.

However, Shen Mo discovered that while going around the hillside to the mountain path would avoid the entrance, there were also two guards on the path. Entering the path directly from the hillside would inevitably attract the attention of the two guards.

"What should I do next?" Shen Mo fell into deep thought again.

Suddenly, a low bird call broke the silence. Shen Mo looked up and saw a nightjar circling overhead, seemingly searching for prey. This sight gave him a sudden inspiration—to use the nightjar as cover and quickly pass through the danger zone while it distracted the guards.

Without further ado, Shen Mo was glad that he still had a few pieces of dried meat on him. He took out the dried meat and gently tossed it into the night sky.

Upon smelling the scent, the nightjar swooped down and snatched its prey with deadly accuracy. At the same time, it let out a clear cry, attracting the attention of the two guards on the mountain path. They both looked up, trying to figure out what was happening.

Just as the guards were distracted, Shen Mo seized the opportunity and rushed from the hillside to the mountain path at an extremely fast speed. Before the two guards could return their attention to the mountain path, Shen Mo immediately sped towards the direction of the Black Wind Gang.

After a tense run, Shen Mo finally reached the edge of a forest halfway up the mountain. The trees here were tall and dense, forming a natural barrier. He stopped and hid behind a large tree, carefully observing the situation ahead.

The Black Wind Gang's gate stood imposingly, flanked by two guards dressed in black, their expressions cold. A wide road led directly into the gang's interior. Shen Mo knew this was the final hurdle to overcome when infiltrating the Black Wind Gang.

Just as he was pondering a solution, a guard suddenly spoke up: "Old Zhang, I'm going to the outhouse. Could you keep an eye on things for me while I'm there?"

After the other guard responded, the guard named "Old Zhang" turned and left.

Seeing this, Shen Mo was overjoyed; this was a rare opportunity. He held his breath, waiting for the perfect moment to arrive.

The night was as dark as ink, and the imposing gates of the Black Wind Gang stood majestically halfway up Black Wind Mountain. Shen Mo hid behind a large tree, carefully observing the situation ahead. Two guards dressed in black stood on either side, their expressions cold. A wide road led directly into the Black Wind Gang's territory in front of the gate. Shen Mo knew this was the final hurdle to infiltrating the Black Wind Gang.

Just then, fate seemed to smile upon him. One of the guards suddenly spoke up: "Old Zhang, I'm going to the outhouse. You keep an eye on things for me while I'm there."

After another guard responded, the guard called "Old Zhang" turned and left. Shen Mo was overjoyed; this was a rare opportunity. He held his breath, waiting for the perfect moment to arrive.

Not long after, the last remaining guard, having waited in vain for "Old Zhang" to return, gradually relaxed his vigilance. He stretched, yawned, closed his eyes slightly, and took a nap against the stone pillar of the gate.

Shen Mo was overjoyed. He quickly took out a black cloth from his person and skillfully covered his face, leaving only his sharp eyes exposed. He darted out from his hiding place and rushed into the Black Wind Gang's gate with lightning speed.

Upon entering the Black Wind Gang's territory, one is surrounded by high walls and a complex architectural layout. Many guards, carrying torches, patrol the various passageways, casting shadows that lengthen and shorten in the firelight, adding to the area's mystery and tension. Shen Mo moves like a ghost through the shadows, using buildings and trees as cover to avoid the shifting flames.

However, despite successfully infiltrating the Black Wind Gang, Shen Mo was unfamiliar with the exact location of the secret prison and could only rely on his intuition to find it. He was like a headless fly, aimlessly exploring this maze-like environment. Every time he encountered a patrol, he had to find a new hiding place, sometimes even having to lie on the ground to blend his footsteps into his own and avoid being discovered.

Just as Shen Mo was feeling somewhat lost, he caught a glimpse of a furtive figure out of the corner of his eye—a person also dressed in black, cautiously moving along the wall. The presence of this uninvited guest made Shen Mo's heart race, but it also brought a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this person had come for the same purpose? With this thought in mind, Shen Mo decided to risk contacting the other person.

He quietly followed the man for a short distance, making sure not to alert him and cause an attack, while also considering how to greet him safely. When the distance between them was close enough, Shen Mo took a deep breath and said softly, "Friend, please wait."