548: Lu Xueqi (25)

So you are all here.

The two turned around simultaneously.

They saw Su Han approaching.

Bi Yao immediately ran over.

“Su Han!

Have you finished Cultivating?”

Su Han nodded.

He looked at the two women.

He felt the atmosphere seemed a bit more harmonious than a few days ago.

He was slightly relieved.

He said to Lu Xueqi, “Junior Sister Lu.

Looking at your complexion,

your injuries should be stable now, right?”

Lu Xueqi said, “They are mostly fine now.

Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Su.”

Su Han pondered for a moment.

He said, “Since that’s the case,

we will depart tomorrow.

And head to Liu Po Mountain.

How about it?”

Lu Xueqi nodded.

“Alright.”

Bi Yao also said, “We should have gone a long time ago!

This time, we must catch the mastermind!”

Su Han’s expression was solemn.

“The situation at Liu Po Mountain is unclear.

The enemy is hidden, while we are exposed.

This journey will be extremely dangerous.

We must be extra careful.”

He looked at the two women.

“Rest well tonight.

And conserve your energy.”

That night.

The moon was bright, and stars were sparse.

The sound of ocean waves echoed.

Inside the wooden house.

Su Han spread a crude map on the table.

It was a topographic map of the area around Liu Po Mountain that he had drawn over the past few days, based on his memories from his previous life and information he had gathered.

“Liu Po Mountain is located deep in the East Sea.

It is still several days’ journey from here.”

Su Han pointed to a blurry area on the map.

“It is said that the area is shrouded in mist all year round.

With treacherous currents.

Ordinary boats find it difficult to approach.”

“We need to find a reliable boat.

And a boatman who is familiar with the route.”

Bi Yao leaned over to look at the map.

She frowned and said, “This place sounds ominous.

There must be something strange about it.”

Lu Xueqi stood quietly to the side.

Her gaze fell on the location of Liu Po Mountain marked on the map.

A hint of solemnity flashed in her clear, cold eyes.

Su Han continued, “According to the fragmented information we currently have,

Liu Po Mountain might be an ancient ruin.

Or rather,

a Sealed place.”

“Sealed?” Bi Yao was surprised.

“Sealed what?”

Su Han shook his head.

“I’m not sure.

It could be some powerful entity.

Or some forbidden power.”

“But one thing is certain.

Someone wants to use it.

Or unseal it.”

“The previous attacks,

were probably just the beginning.”

Lu Xueqi spoke slowly.

Her voice was clear and cold.

“Regardless of what is Sealed,

if its power is evil,

it must not be allowed to manifest.”

Su Han nodded.

“Indeed.

This is also why we must go to Liu Po Mountain.”

“Not only to uncover the truth,

but also to prevent potential disaster.”

The three discussed some more details.

Until late at night.

Before finally resting.

Su Han was still on night watch.

He sat outside the house.

Listening to the continuous sound of waves.

And gazing at the bright moon in the night sky.

His mind was filled with countless thoughts.

Liu Po Mountain.

This name held a special significance in his memory.

The information about this place from his previous life was fragmented.

But all of it pointed to ill omens.

This time.

Could he change something?

Protect the people he wanted to protect?

He clenched his fist.

A determined look flashed in his eyes.

No matter what.

He had to give his all.

The next morning.

Just as dawn was breaking.

The three quietly left the wooden house where they had stayed for several days.

And headed north along the coastline.

They needed to find a larger port.

To look for a ship bound for Liu Po Mountain.

Along the way.

Su Han once again disguised himself.

Posing as an ordinary young merchant.

Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao also used their Dao arts.

To conceal their exceptionally striking appearances.

To avoid any unnecessary trouble.

Several days later.

The three arrived at a town called “Wanghai.”

This town was much more prosperous than the small fishing village.

The dock was bustling with masts.

And people coming and going.

It was quite lively.

Su Han found a modest but clean inn to stay in.

Then he went to the dock alone.

To inquire about matters concerning Liu Po Mountain.

However.

The results of his inquiries were not optimistic.

He asked several shipping companies in a row.

As soon as they heard the words “Liu Po Mountain”.

They either changed their expressions dramatically.

Waving their hands repeatedly.

Saying they wouldn’t go no matter how much money was offered.

Or their eyes would flicker.

Claiming ignorance of the place.

It wasn’t until evening.

That Su Han found an old boatman drinking alone.

In a corner of a small tavern.

The old boatman had dark skin.

A face full of wrinkles.

And rough fingers.

One could tell at a glance that he had spent years making a living at sea.

Upon hearing Su Han’s subtle inquiries.

He squinted at Su Han through his drunken haze.

And hoarsely said, “Young man.

Why are you asking about that cursed place?”

Su Han’s heart stirred.

Knowing he had found the right person.

He quickly sat down.

And refilled the old boatman’s cup.

“Elder.

To be honest.

An elder in my family once encountered danger near there.

And left behind some belongings.

This Junior wishes to retrieve them.

To fulfill my filial duty.”

He had already prepared his excuse.

The old boatman snorted.

And took a gulp of wine.

“Filial duty? I think you’re looking for death!”

“Is that Liu Po Mountain a place one can go to? It’s shrouded in ghostly mist all year round.

With reefs like knives.

And currents that can swallow large ships!”

“How many good people have perished there.

Leaving no trace of their bones!”

Su Han remained calm.

He placed a silver ingot on the table.

And pushed it over.

“I beg you, Elder, to enlighten me.

This Junior will be eternally grateful.”

The old boatman’s eyes lit up when he saw the silver.

But then dimmed again.

After a long hesitation.

He lowered his voice and said, “Young man.

Seeing your sincerity.

Let this old man advise you.

Don’t go.”

“That place… is very eerie!”

“It’s not as simple as going and never returning.

I heard… I heard there’s something in that mist!”

“What thing?” Su Han pressed.

The old boatman’s face showed fear.

“I don’t know… I can’t see clearly… But the boats that went in.

Never came out again.”

“A few years ago.

Wang Dadan from this town didn’t believe in evil spirits.

Relying on his good boat and excellent skills.

He insisted on going in to see.

The result was…”

He shook his head.

“Both him and his boat.

Disappeared without a trace.”

“Later, someone found a wooden plank from his boat.

On a beach dozens of miles away.

It… was covered in deep, bone-deep claw marks!”

Su Han frowned tightly.

“Claw marks?”

“Yes!

As if scratched by some giant claws!”

The old boatman took another gulp of wine.

“So, young man.

Listen to this old man’s advice.

Don’t go.

Nothing.

Is more important than your life.”

Su Han was silent for a moment.

He said, “Thank you for telling me, Elder.

But this Junior’s mind is made up.”

“If you know anyone who dares to go.

Or have any relevant sea charts.

Please let me know.

The price is negotiable.”

The old boatman saw that he couldn’t dissuade Su Han.

And sighed.

“Alas… Since you insist…”

He leaned in closer.

His voice even lower.

“At the east end of town.

There’s a widower named Li.

He used to be the best boat builder in town.

And loved tinkering with those dangerous routes the most.”

“His son went into Liu Po Mountain with Wang Dadan a few years ago.

And never came back.”

“He might have.

What you are looking for.”

“But be careful.

That old man has a very strange temper.”

Su Han noted it down.

Thanked the old boatman again.

Left the silver.

And got up to leave the tavern.

Back at the inn.

Su Han informed Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao of the information he had gathered.

Bi Yao’s eyes widened as she listened.

“Claw marks? Are there monsters in the sea?”

Lu Xueqi said gravely, “If that’s true.

Ordinary methods might not be enough to reach it.”

Su Han nodded.

“So we need a more detailed navigation map.

And a sufficiently sturdy boat.”

“Tomorrow.

I will go meet that Boat Builder Li.”

The next day.

Su Han followed the old boatman’s directions.

And found the lonely courtyard at the east end of town.

The courtyard was dilapidated.

Filled with the smell of wood and tung oil.

An old man with white hair and ragged clothes.

Was sitting in the courtyard.

Staring blankly at a dilapidated model of a small boat.

His eyes were hollow. (End of this chapter)