32: Chapter 32 Jade Emperor Mountain!

Saturday.

In The First Peoples Hospital, the rotating Standardized Resident Trainees who were off duty today finally welcomed a rare day of rest.

The young doctors, who were still on duty the night before, writing medical records and being singled out by their mentors to suture wounds, basically had only one common wish today.

To lie down.

And not get up no matter who called.

Early in the morning, the group chat was already filled with wails of exhaustion.

Wang Dandan posted a photo of herself wrapped in a quilt with only half her face showing, captioned: "Whoever disturbs my sleep today is my enemy for life!"

Wang Luo was even more direct: "I declare that today, my bed is my ICU. No one should even think about resuscitating me out of it."

However, looking at these messages, Su Ye felt full of energy.

A day off?

That was even more reason not to waste it.

It was a rare moment of free time for himself!

After looking up some guides, Su Ye finally decided to go mountain climbing. Moreover, it couldn't be just any ordinary mountain; if he was going to climb, it had to be a famous historical one.

[Yuhuang Mountain, Jiangnan Province, 352km from your location...]

Su Ye decided to go to this Yuhuang Mountain!

His cultivation had been deepening recently, and he increasingly felt that since the transcendent was about to be revealed, it would be beneficial to visit these famous Taoist mountains and historical sites. Places like Yuhuang Mountain had many legends, historical sites, and high popularity—what if he actually encountered something?

So, shortly after five in the morning, Su Ye left with his backpack and took the high-speed rail for over an hour, heading straight for Yuhuang Mountain.

...

Yuhuang Mountain wasn't exactly a towering peak that pierced the clouds, but it possessed its own profound sense of antiquity.

Su Ye looked up; the mountain wasn't particularly steep, but rather rolling and undulating, rising layer by layer like an Azure Dragon reclining in the heart of Jiangnan. The morning mist hadn't dissipated yet, and the archways, stone steps, and old pines at the foot of the mountain were shrouded in a thin layer of vapor, appearing hazy. Occasionally, a gust of wind blew, the treetops swayed gently, and the mist thinned out a bit, revealing the mottled eaves of Taoist temples and ancient stone walls halfway up the mountain.

This was a famous Taoist mountain, and its incense offerings had never ceased throughout history.

Climbing up along the path, one could see many remnants of historical sites: cliff faces carved with characters, stone incense burners blackened by incense smoke, and ancient pines of great age with bark cracked like dragon scales and branches slanting across, as if they had watched the sun rise and set here for hundreds of years.

"Quite a lot of people," Su Ye couldn't help but smile helplessly.

The foot of the mountain was bustling. Tourists, pilgrims, couples taking photos, college students in sportswear, parents with children, and internet celebrities live-streaming with selfie sticks crowded together like a temple fair. The air was filled with the mixed scents of fried skewers, milk tea, and incense. Vendors at the mountain gate shouted at the top of their lungs, "Mineral water, ten yuan a bottle! Walking sticks, thirty each! Incense that's been blessed! It'll be like you have divine help climbing the mountain!"

Just as Su Ye squeezed out of the crowd, he saw a group of young people gathered in an open space at the foot of the mountain.

He hadn't thought much of it at first, but as he drew closer, he was quite shocked.

A sign stood there, with characters written in a flamboyant, flowing style:

"20-year-old male college student, earning living expenses during the holidays, professional Climbing Companion. Strong and energetic! Don't have any fear of climbing! I'll even carry you on my back to the top of Yuhuang Mountain! Behold the beauty of Jiangnan! 599 per trip!"

Standing behind the sign was a male college student.

He was about 1.88 meters tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, wearing a black tank top and athletic shorts. His muscle definition was quite impressive, and his face wasn't bad either—sunny and handsome, clearly someone who worked out often.

Su Ye was startled.

This kind of thing makes that much money?

As a Standardized Resident Trainee, his monthly salary was only 4,500 yuan!

One climb with this college student was worth several days of his salary?

Su Ye couldn't help but look a few more times.

The college student noticed his gaze and felt a bit embarrassed. He coughed and said, "Ladies first."

Just then, a delicate-looking girl walked over, wearing a sun hat and a short skirt. Her voice was soft: "Handsome, 599 is a bit too expensive. Can you make it cheaper? It's my first time climbing, and I really do want a Climbing Companion."

Seeing her charming appearance, the student's ears turned slightly red, and he whispered, "Then... how about 499?"

Before the girl could react.

Suddenly, a powerful and resonant voice boomed from the side.

"499 for a Climbing Companion? I want that too! Handsome! What do you say?"

The surrounding air seemed to go still for a moment.

Su Ye instinctively turned to look, and his eyes widened in shock.

The newcomer was a "behemoth" in every sense of the word.

Standing about 1.5 meters tall and weighing conservatively over 200 pounds, she wore a pink tracksuit and stood there like a depth charge ready to explode, looking at the student with great anticipation.

The student's face darkened visibly.

"For you... 899."

The woman flew into a rage on the spot.

"What do you mean! Are you looking down on me? Why do I have to pay 899?"

The student kept a stiff face and rephrased: "I misspoke. I'm not doing it."

"1,000 for one trip! I must have you accompany me up the mountain today!"

The student crossed his arms and sneered, "You think I'm a gigolo? You can just order me whenever you want?"

"1,300!"

"Heh, you think you're the only one with money?"

"1,500!"

"Tch."

"2,000!"

"..."

The student's lip twitched slightly. His already upright posture straightened even more, and he then flashed a professional smile.

"Sister, let's spray some sunscreen. We can't let the midday sun irritate your delicate cheeks. By the way, when do we set off?"

Su Ye stood nearby, watching dumbfoundedly.

Before he could recover, a middle-aged man watching beside him burst into laughter, slapping his thigh. He said to Su Ye while laughing, "Ah, young college students, finally bound by money, heading up the mountain with his Kirby! In this world, is it easy for college students to earn some money?"

Su Ye almost couldn't keep a straight face.

He watched the student force a smile as he took the 2,000 yuan, and then saw the "depth charge" triumphantly hook her arm through his, looking disdainfully at the delicate little beauty. He suddenly felt a bit sentimental.

The world is truly getting more and more abstract.

However, these were just minor interludes along the way.

Su Ye then looked up at the mist-shrouded mountain path above.

So this is Yuhuang Mountain.

Then let's give it a try.

The spiritual energy here is exceptionally abundant; perhaps there really will be some novel discovery?

Thinking this way, Su Ye felt even more motivated. He exerted force with his feet, making the bluestone slabs beneath him creak. The middle-aged man nearby stared with wide eyes, looking at Su Ye in disbelief. But in the next moment, Su Ye vanished in a flash, moving so fast that the incline of Yuhuang Mountain seemed like nothing to him.

Kicking up a flurry of leaves.

"Holy crap, this young man is a beast."