“Young Master intends to go to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?”
The first to learn of Li Feng’s plan to head to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains was Zhong Shuhui. She controlled Eagle Eye, and Li Feng’s departure from Tianhai City required her prior knowledge, so he sought her out first to inform her of his intentions.
Upon hearing that Li Feng planned to go to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, surprise flickered in Zhong Shuhui’s eyes. “Why does Young Master wish to go there?”
“Because there is a golden cicada fruit in the Black Wind Forest of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.” Li Feng did not conceal it. Looking at Zhong Shuhui, he said, “The golden cicada fruit is a vital heavenly material and earthly treasure. Obtaining it will allow me to swiftly elevate my strength.”
“Golden cicada fruit? How does Young Master know of its existence in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?” Zhong Shuhui’s face changed slightly. As a martial artist, she naturally knew what the golden cicada fruit was, yet she was curious how Li Feng had learned of it.
“I heard it from someone, but whether the golden cicada fruit truly exists in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains or not, I must go and see. If it is there, I intend to claim it.” A sharp glint flashed in Li Feng’s eyes.
“Does Young Master know what manner of place the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains are?” Zhong Shuhui said gravely.
“It is a forbidden ground in China.” Li Feng replied.
“Precisely. The Hundred Thousand Great Mountains is a forbidden ground, one of China’s seven great forbidden areas. Vast and immense, spanning at least a million li, it is boundless in scope. Within lie numerous ancient ruins and tombs from the primordial era, or so legend holds. It is said to harbour descendants of Chiyou, along with myriad exotic birds and beasts. A paradise for martial artists.”
Pausing here, Zhong Shuhui continued, “It must be said that the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains teems with heavenly materials and earthly treasures: vermilion fruits, golden cicada fruits, mere low-grade ones. Legend speaks of a place called the Medicine Mountain, a site passed down from antiquity. Its slopes bear rare spiritual fruits, and the heavenly spiritual qi there is extraordinarily abundant. Yet from ancient times to now, not even Earthly Martial realm experts have breached it. Countless martial artists have perished there forever.”
“Young Master, I advise against going to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. It is fraught with peril. Though Young Master’s strength is formidable, the mountains are too dangerous. There is no need for Young Master to take such risks.” Zhong Shuhui looked at Li Feng and said gravely.
“Risk and opportunity coexist. As a martial artist, one must press forward courageously, not shrink back in trepidation.” Li Feng shook his head and said, “This journey to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains is imperative. Upon my departure, Tianhai City falls to you. I grant you authority over the Black Eagle Squad. Should anyone overstep during my absence, deal with them harshly.”
“Young Master, even the family elders dare not venture lightly into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Why must Young Master risk it?” Zhong Shuhui grew anxious upon seeing Li Feng disregard her counsel. In her view, Li Feng simply lacked worldly experience and knew not the gravity of it.
Little did Zhong Shuhui know, this was not Li Feng’s first foray into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. In his previous life, he had ventured there several times and understood its perils better than she.
“Enough. Once I decide, it is not changed.” Li Feng furrowed his brows. He somewhat resented having his decisions questioned, yet seeing it was Zhong Shuhui’s first time, he said nothing more.
“Yes.” Zhong Shuhui replied helplessly, pondering inwardly whether to inform Mu Chunfeng of this.
Li Feng dismissed Zhong Shuhui, then summoned Tian Lang to brief him before leaving the training base.
Yet no sooner had he driven into the city than his car was blocked.
“Who are you?” Li Feng furrowed his brows at the one who halted him.
“Li Feng? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mu Jiajia, delighted to meet you.” The one who blocked Li Feng was none other than Fu Yanxiong’s trusted advisor, Mu Jiajia.
“Mu Jiajia?” Li Feng paused, appraising this woman of voluptuous figure and bold attire who called herself Mu Jiajia. “Do we know one another?”
“Not before, but now we do. As a handsome fellow, will you not treat me to a cup of coffee?” Mu Jiajia swayed towards Li Feng’s car door, one hip at a time, smiling sweetly at him.
A whiff of perfume assailed Li Feng’s nostrils. He drew a deep breath. “Chanel. I did not expect Miss Mu to favour such a scent.”
“I never imagined Young Master Li to be versed in perfumes as well?” Mu Jiajia grinned at Li Feng, leaning her face close to his. Li Feng need only look up to glimpse the deep valley of her décolletage.
“I would not call it versed. One learns from familiarity.” Li Feng replied evenly. His words rang true: his predecessor had been a playboy, surrounded by women drenched in perfume. And Li Feng himself, in his prior life, for the sake of release, had encountered all manner of women and thus myriad scents.
“I never took Young Master Li for a philanderer.” Mu Jiajia tittered.
“And knowing I am a philanderer, you still wish me to buy you coffee?” Li Feng smiled at Mu Jiajia. In this era, he had yet to encounter a woman so provocatively attired. Though he knew not Mu Jiajia’s purpose in seeking him, a feast for the eyes was no hardship, and he would not mind should something transpire between them.
Yet though Mu Jiajia appeared wanton, Li Feng discerned the occasional shrewd glint in her eyes.
This woman was no simpleton!
“I would be delighted to entangle with Young Master Li.” Mu Jiajia cast him a coy glance, shielding her eyes with her hand against the sun. “Oh dear, such fierce sun. Does Young Master Li not pity this poor maiden baking here?”
What an affected creature. Let me see what you, Mu Jiajia, are after. Playing the field is no talent reserved for women alone.
Li Feng sneered inwardly, yet outwardly feigned deep remorse, pained as he said, “Look at me. Should Miss Mu’s flawless skin tan like an African’s, what then? Come, come, into my car first.”
With that, Li Feng opened the door, drew Mu Jiajia into his embrace, and grinned, “No wonder magpies chattered as I left home today. It must be on Miss Mu’s account.”
In drawing her close, Li Feng unceremoniously pinched at her bosom. As the saying went, to forgo a bargain was the act of a fool. Mu Jiajia’s affectations plainly masked some aim. Though he knew not her intent in approaching him, since she offered herself thus, Li Feng would not stand on ceremony. He was no gentleman. What was more, Hu Yuanyuan’s need to cultivate the Snow Jade Art had left his inner fires unquenched, and he had pondered seeking relief. That this Mu Jiajia delivered herself at his door was heaven-sent fortune. Whatever her designs, he would claim his due first.
Had Mu Jiajia known Li Feng’s thoughts at that moment, she would bitterly regret seeking him out. Yet now, enfolded in his arms, a flash of ire crossed her eyes. Recalling her purpose in coming, however, she did not lash out at once.
“Young Master Li jests.” Mu Jiajia subtly extricated herself from Li Feng and settled into the passenger seat. Surveying his car, she exclaimed in shock, “I never dreamed Young Master Li’s vehicle would be, would be…”
“A humble QQ?” Li Feng smiled faintly and said, “I am no young master; naturally, I cannot afford fine cars. If Miss Mu seeks some tall, rich, and handsome sort, I fear I am not her mark.”
“Young Master Li jests. I, Mu Jiajia, have an eye for people. I find Young Master Li quite extraordinary.” She spoke thus, yet inwardly sneered: You, Li Feng, are the great young master of the Li family, the foremost heir. Even should you be utter wastrel, how could you lack even for a car?
At the same time, wariness stirred in Mu Jiajia’s heart. She and Fu Yanxiong had plotted to wrest the batch of chemical machinery from the Feng Yuan Group via Li Feng, reckoning him a wastrel ripe for the plucking. Yet from this initial contact, Li Feng seemed at odds with the tales of incompetence.
Could the rumours be false?
Mu Jiajia inwardly shook her head. Rumours sprang not from thin air, and moreover, she had once verified Li Feng’s wastrel repute firsthand; it ought not err.
Perhaps this was his true nature?
Mu Jiajia had never dealt directly with Li Feng; her knowledge stemmed solely from intelligence. Thus she wondered: the reports painted him craven as a mouse. Was that in facing others? Before a beauty, what man did not transform timidity into boldness?
Men were all of a kind the world over.
Mu Jiajia cursed inwardly with venom.
Hahaha!
Li Feng laughed heartily and said, “I, extraordinary? Well said, Miss Mu. I must admire your discernment. In judging men, one cannot rely on appearances alone. Some may cut a dashing figure, suave and debonair, yet prove mere wax-headed lances: fair to behold, unfit for purpose.”
“Oh, right, Miss Mu, where shall we go?”
Li Feng eyed Mu Jiajia up and down, smiling as he said, “To a romantic café, or for a drive in the suburbs, a spot of al fresco dalliance?”
