27: Let me listen to Huang Rong's thoughts.

The mountain path of Iron Palm Mountain grew steeper as it ascended, the gravel crunching beneath their feet, while the wind, carrying the chill of pine needles, seeped into their collars. Xie Hui walked at the very front, clutching a freshly snapped branch, occasionally brushing aside the bushes blocking the path—when he had brushed past the Iron Palm Sect Disciples earlier, he had deliberately smeared some plant ash on their hems, and now he was tracking them by the traces of ash.

"I say, Seventh Master, can't you walk a bit faster? If we dawdle any longer, the treasure will be cleared out by others." Huang Rong wrapped her goose-yellow outer garment tighter, stomping her feet which were numb from the cold, her tone carrying a hint of coquettish complaint. The tit on her shoulder had long since flown off to who-knows-where, leaving only a few feathers stuck to her lapel, adding a touch of playfulness.

Seventh Hero Hong lagged at the very back, one hand steadying himself against a tree trunk and the other clutching his stomach while groaning: "What's the rush? This Old Beggar ate twenty beggars chickens last night and is still stuffed. Besides, those Iron Palm Sect people are as clumsy as bears; even if they find the treasure first, they might not be able to open it." Despite saying this, he quickened his pace, the wine gourd at his waist swaying as he occasionally brought it to his lips for a sip.

Mu Nianci walked in the middle, carrying a cloth bundle containing dry rations and water she had just bought from a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain. She looked at Xie Hui ahead and said softly, "Young Master Xie, the mist ahead is getting thicker. How about we rest for a while before moving on? To avoid getting lost."

Xie Hui was about to nod when he suddenly heard a 'clang' from ahead, sounding like iron hitting the ground. He immediately made a gesture for silence and lowered his voice: "Don't speak, someone is ahead."

The four of them moved forward stealthily for a few steps and parted the bushes to see. In a nearby clearing, several Iron Palm Sect Disciples were circling a stone chest half the height of a man. The stone chest was carved with complex patterns and held a bronze lock; the sound just now was made by a Disciple trying to pry the lock with a blade.

"This lock is really sturdy, I've been prying for ages and it won't budge!" a Disciple wiped the sweat from his forehead and cursed, "If I'd known, I would have stolen the Sect Leader's key."

"Are you crazy? How would you dare steal the Sect Leader's key?" another Disciple quickly stopped him. "I heard this stone chest contains a Treasure Trove from the previous dynasty. If we can open it, we'll be rich!"

Huang Rong's eyes lit up. She tugged at Xie Hui's sleeve and whispered, "Previous dynasty treasure? That sounds even more fun than my father's Peach Blossom Island! Let's think of a way quickly, don't let them beat us to it."

Before Xie Hui could speak, Seventh Hero Hong couldn't help himself. He suddenly jumped out and shouted, "Bold thieves! How dare you try to snatch the treasure! This Old Beggar has arrived!"

Those Iron Palm Sect Disciples were startled. Seeing Seventh Hero Hong, they immediately panicked—they had long heard of the great name of the Northern Beggar, Seventh Hero Hong. How would they dare fight him? The leading Disciple feigned composure and drew his steel blade: "Who... who are you? How dare you interfere in the business of our Iron Palm Sect?"

"This Old Beggar does not change his name or surname; I am Seventh Hero Hong!" Seventh Hero Hong stroked his beard proudly and suddenly moved, snatching the steel blade from the Disciple's hand and throwing it on the ground with a 'clang'. "With just this little skill of yours, you want to snatch the treasure? Scram quickly, or this Old Beggar will break your legs!"

Those Disciples didn't dare stay a moment longer, running away scrambling on all fours. Watching their pathetic retreating figures, Huang Rong couldn't help but clap and laugh: "Seventh Master, you're amazing! You scared them off with just a few words."

Seventh Hero Hong gave a proud huff, walked to the stone chest, and felt the bronze lock on it: "This lock is somewhat interesting, but it won't stump this Old Beggar." As he spoke, he pulled a thin wire from his robes, inserted it into the keyhole, and fiddled with it. With a 'click', the bronze lock opened.

"Wow! Seventh Master, you even know how to pick locks?" Huang Rong said in surprise.

Seventh Hero Hong's face turned red, and he quickly tucked the wire away: "This... this is a skill this Old Beggar specifically learned years ago to steal imperial meals. It's nothing much."

Xie Hui and Mu Nianci both couldn't help but laugh. Xie Hui stepped forward and carefully opened the stone chest. Inside, it was lined with a layer of red silk, upon which sat a palm-sized brocade box; other than that, there was nothing else.

"This is the treasure? Why is there only one brocade box?" Huang Rong frowned, somewhat disappointed.

Xie Hui picked up the brocade box and opened it. Inside was a jade pendant carved with a soaring eagle, crystal clear and obviously of great value. He was about to take the jade pendant out when he suddenly heard footsteps in the distance, accompanied by a gruff voice: "Who is running wild on my territory?"

"Not good, it's Qiu Qianren!" Seventh Hero Hong's expression changed. He quickly closed the brocade box and stuffed it into Xie Hui's hands. "Quickly put this away, this Old Beggar will deal with him!"

Just as Xie Hui put the brocade box into his inner universe, he saw a burly man emerge from the mist. He wore black tight-fitting clothes, had a long scar on his face, a fierce gaze, and held a pair of iron palms. He clearly looked like trouble.

"Seventh Hero Hong, so it's you!" Qiu Qianren gave a cold laugh. "Instead of staying in your Beggars Sect, you've come to my Iron Palm Mountain to snatch treasures. Are you tired of living?"

"Qiu Qianren, stop talking nonsense!" Seventh Hero Hong was not to be outdone. "This treasure is a relic of the previous dynasty; why should it belong to you? Besides, your Iron Palm Sect has committed many evils in the Jianghu. Today, this Old Beggar will act on behalf of Heaven and teach you a lesson!"

Qiu Qianren laughed out of extreme anger: "Fine! Since you're looking for death, I shall fulfill your wish!" As he spoke, he raised his iron palms and struck toward Seventh Hero Hong.

Seventh Hero Hong quickly met the challenge, and the two were instantly locked in combat. The sound of the iron palm wind and the palm wind of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms intertwined, shaking the surrounding leaves into a flurry of falling. Huang Rong and Mu Nianci watched with trepidation, but Xie Hui observed the battle from the side—while Qiu Qianren's iron palms were powerful, Seventh Hero Hong's Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms were superior. However, if the fight dragged on, Seventh Hero Hong might run out of stamina.

"Xie Hui, should we help?" Huang Rong tugged at Xie Hui's sleeve and whispered.

Xie Hui shook his head: "No need, Seventh Master can handle it. Let's watch the situation first; if Seventh Master is in danger, it won't be too late to step in."

Just then, Qiu Qianren suddenly used a Move called 'Iron Palm Shaking the Heavens.' The palm wind was sharp, pressing directly toward Seventh Hero Hong's chest. Seventh Hero Hong quickly dodged to the side but was still grazed by the palm wind, stumbling back a few steps as a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Seventh Master!" Huang Rong and Mu Nianci exclaimed simultaneously.

Qiu Qianren smiled triumphantly: "Seventh Hero Hong, you're old; you're no longer my match! If you're smart, hand over the treasure and kowtow in apology, and I might spare your life."

Seventh Hero Hong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and snorted coldly: "Don't get ahead of yourself; this Old Beggar hasn't lost yet!" Saying this, he prepared to step forward and fight again.

Xie Hui quickly stopped him: "Seventh Master, you rest for a bit. Let me do it."

"You?" Both Seventh Hero Hong and Qiu Qianren were stunned.

Xie Hui smiled and walked in front of Qiu Qianren: "Sect Leader Qiu, I've heard your iron palms are unrivaled under heaven. Why don't we give it a try? If I lose, the treasure is yours; if you lose, hand over the Iron Palm Sect's martial arts Secret Manual. How about it?"

Qiu Qianren sized Xie Hui up and laughed disdainfully: "Just a young lad like you dares to challenge me? Truly overestimating yourself!"

"Whether I'm overestimating myself or not, we'll only know after we compete." As Xie Hui spoke, he suddenly moved, throwing a punch at Qiu Qianren's chest. This punch utilized modern era combat techniques—fast, accurate, and ruthless. Caught off guard, Qiu Qianren was actually struck squarely and forced back several steps.

"You... what Move is this?" Qiu Qianren was both shocked and enraged.

Xie Hui didn't answer and continued his offense. He knew his martial arts weren't as good as Qiu Qianren's, so he specifically targeted Qiu Qianren's openings—striking his lower body one moment and his shoulder the next, making it impossible for Qiu Qianren to defend effectively.

Huang Rong watched with great interest from the side, occasionally cheering for Xie Hui: "Xie Hui, go for it! Hit his nose!"

Mu Nianci also watched nervously from the side, her hands tightly clutching the cloth bundle, fearing Xie Hui might get hurt.

Seventh Hero Hong nodded from the side, secretly praising in his heart: This kid might not have high martial arts, but his mind is flexible and he knows how to use clever force. He's much better than that silly boy Guo Jing.

Qiu Qianren fought for a long time without even touching the hem of Xie Hui's clothes, and his heart grew increasingly anxious. He suddenly used a Move called 'Iron Palm Throat Lock,' wanting to kill Xie Hui. Xie Hui was prepared; he dodged to the side and simultaneously stuck out his foot, tripping Qiu Qianren. Qiu Qianren lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Xie Hui took the opportunity to step forward and pinned Qiu Qianren's shoulder: "Sect Leader Qiu, you've lost."

Qiu Qianren struggled a few times but couldn't break free, so he had no choice but to say resentfully: "I've lost. Do with me as you will."

Xie Hui smiled and let go: "I won't kill you, nor will I harm you. As long as you hand over the Iron Palm Sect's martial arts Secret Manual and guarantee you won't do evil again, I'll let you go."

Qiu Qianren was stunned; he hadn't expected Xie Hui to let him go so easily. He hesitated for a moment but eventually pulled a blue-covered book from his robes and handed it to Xie Hui: "This is the Iron Palm Sect's martial arts Secret Manual. I promise I won't do evil again."

Xie Hui took the Secret Manual, put it into his inner universe, and then said to Qiu Qianren: "You may go."

Qiu Qianren stood up, glanced at Xie Hui, and then left in a pathetic state.

Watching Qiu Qianren's retreating figure, Huang Rong ran over and said excitedly: "Xie Hui, you're so amazing! You actually defeated Qiu Qianren!"

Mu Nianci also walked over, a gratified smile on her face: "Young Master Xie, are you alright? That was really dangerous just now."

Xie Hui shook his head: "I'm fine, thanks to Seventh Master's guidance just now."

Seventh Hero Hong patted Xie Hui's shoulder and said with a smile: "Kid, not bad at all. You have both courage and strategy. This Old Beggar didn't misjudge you."

The four of them tidied up and continued toward the mountain peak. The sun was setting, dyeing the sky a shade of orange-red, and the mountain mist gradually dissipated. Walking beside Xie Hui, Huang Rong suddenly whispered, "Xie Hui, actually, I was a little worried about you just now."

Xie Hui was stunned for a moment and turned to look at Huang Rong. He saw her cheeks were flushed and her eyes held a hint of shyness. He smiled: "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Huang Rong lowered her head and said softly: "I know you're very capable, but I still worry. Back on Peach Blossom Island, it was just my father and me. No one has ever been like you, accompanying me in my craziness, playing with me, and protecting me."

Xie Hui felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to pat Huang Rong's head: "I will always protect you from now on."

Mu Nianci walked behind them, watching their backs with a faint smile on her lips. Seventh Hero Hong was chuckling to himself on the side, muttering: "It's good to be young. If this Old Beggar had such good luck back then, I wouldn't have been single all my life."

The four of them talked and laughed, soon reaching the summit. Standing at the top and looking down at the scenery below, they felt a sense of sudden enlightenment. Xie Hui thought to himself: This trip to Iron Palm Mountain not only yielded treasure and a martial arts Secret Manual but also deepened his bonds with Huang Rong and Mu Nianci; it was truly a worthwhile journey.

Just then, Xie Hui's waist vibrated slightly, and the System's voice rang in his mind: "Congratulations to the host for completing the main quest. Reward: one random skill upgrade and one set of Iron Palm Sect martial arts Secret Manuals. Detected that the emotional bonds between the host and Huang Rong and Mu Nianci have further deepened. Side quest triggered: Travel to Peach Blossom Island to visit Pharmacist Huang. Quest reward: one set of Peach Blossom Island martial arts Secret Manuals."

Xie Hui was delighted. Peach Blossom Island? Pharmacist Huang? It seemed a new adventure was waiting for them. He turned to Huang Rong and said with a smile, "Huang Rong, how about we go to Peach Blossom Island next? I haven't met your father yet."

Huang Rong's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "Great, great! My father will definitely like you!"

Mu Nianci also nodded: "I also want to see Peach Blossom Island; I've heard it's very beautiful."

Seventh Hero Hong rubbed his belly and said with a laugh: "Peach Blossom Island? Good! This Old Beggar has long wanted to taste Pharmacist Huang's cooking; I've heard his Peach Blossom Soup is unrivaled under heaven."

The four of them looked at each other and smiled, walking toward the direction of Peach Blossom Island. The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over them, stretching their shadows long and leaving a trail of laughter in the mountains.