Chapter 553 - 308: Entering Xiaohan Valley at Night
Chapter 553: Chapter 308: Entering Xiaohan Valley at Night
The terrain of the Little Cold Valley is quite peculiar.
On both sides are towering cliffs, the valley is low-lying, and the accumulated rainwater forms a lake.
The Little Cold Valley is built around the lake, but the water doesn’t stay there; it flows out and becomes a waterfall.
The cliffs are straight and towering, the rock walls are too smooth to grip, difficult to climb.
At the waterfall, it’s impossible to go against the current... the only way in and out is through the one entrance.
This entrance is now heavily guarded by the people of Little Cold Valley, making infiltration absolutely impossible.
Su Ningzhen put a lot of thought into how to infiltrate the Little Cold Valley, but even when Chu Qing decided to take action, she hadn’t come up with a good plan.
After they parted ways, she raised the issue with Chu Qing.
Finally, she said:
"Why don’t we find a way to get two sets of Little Cold Valley disciples’ clothes and sneak in?"
Chu Qing shook his head:
"No need to trouble ourselves, but you all have to endure a bit."
"Endure what?"
Su Ningzhen asked.
"Endure, and don’t breathe temporarily."
As Chu Qing spoke, he grabbed Gentle’s wrist with one hand and placed his other hand on Su Ningzhen’s shoulder.
While Su Ningzhen looked puzzled, Gentle took a deep breath and held it.
Her trust in Chu Qing was as natural as eating or drinking; since Chu Qing said not to breathe, she stopped her breath.
In comparison, Su Ningzhen was clueless and wanted to ask further, but before she could speak, she felt the wind rushing violently between her nose and mouth.
Everything around her became bizarre and fantastical.
It was such rapid speed that the surroundings retreated quickly, momentarily transforming into blurred lines of various colors.
She was wide-eyed, yet dared not speak.
Suddenly she closed her mouth, and when she came to her senses, she found the surroundings had returned to their original appearance.
Only the gust brought by Chu Qing continued to push forward haphazardly.
Su Ningzhen looked around, tried to speak, but swallowed so much wind, she felt slightly nauseous before uttering a word.
She forced herself to endure it, looked back at the entrance of the Little Cold Valley, and then at Chu Qing and Gentle who were curiously examining their surroundings.
Her astonishment had reached its peak.
His martial arts were indeed formidable and terrifying, reaching an inconceivable level.
Otherwise, how could he possess such methods?
Chu Qing looked at the buildings lined up around the lake, chuckled softly:
"The scenery inside Little Cold Valley isn’t bad, but do you know where Han Qiuyuan is?"
Su Ningzhen shook her head; she only knew Han Qiuyuan was inside Little Cold Valley, but she didn’t know exactly where.
"Why not ask someone?"
Gentle suggested.
Chu Qing thought it might not be a bad idea.
Given the number of buildings in Little Cold Valley, trying to check each room for Han Qiuyuan, even just a glance at each room, by dawn they still wouldn’t be finished.
Finding someone to ask could naturally speed up the search.
With that thought, he swiftly covered the mouth and nose of a young servant who was inexplicably still outside, and dragged him into the shadows.
The young servant struggled but couldn’t break free, frightened out of his wits.
Chu Qing’s voice traveled to his ear:
"Answer my questions, if you’re not honest, I’ll kill you with one palm."
The young servant nodded repeatedly, indicating he understood.
Only then did Chu Qing slowly release his hand from the servant’s mouth; sure enough, he kept his jaw clenched and didn’t call for help.
Seeing this, Chu Qing nodded in satisfaction and asked:
"Let me ask you, where does Han Qiuyuan live?"
"Who?"
The servant was taken aback:
"I don’t know, sir..."
Chu Qing’s eyes grew cold:
"Hmm? I’m giving you another chance... if the answer is unsatisfactory, you know the consequences."
The servant immediately kneeled:
"Hero, whatever you ask, I will surely answer truthfully...
"No one would risk their life.
"But this person you’re asking about, I really don’t know."
Seeing his expression wasn’t false, Chu Qing turned to glance at Su Ningzhen.
Su Ningzhen’s face darkened:
"Nonsense, I saw Han Qiuyuan entering Little Cold Valley myself, Han Yi treated him as an honored guest and welcomed him with a crowd. How could you not have seen him?"
"Well... when did this happen, lady hero?"
"Three days ago."
"Three days ago, a distinguished guest did arrive at the valley... but his status was too high, I had no chance to see him, nor heard of his whereabouts.
"However, if it’s an honored guest, they should all be staying in the guest rooms at Cloud Viewing Pavilion."
The servant pointed halfway up the cliff.
On the cliff’s mid-section were buildings, with materials embedded into the rock walls, encircling beautiful architectural houses, named Cloud Viewing Pavilion.
Staying there means you can observe the lake up close and clouds from afar.
The servant candidly said:
"Up there, given my status, I can’t go, so I really don’t know which room the person you’re talking about is staying."
Chu Qing pondered slightly, then smiled:
"Let me ask you, do you know where the Valley Master Han Yi lives?"
"Ah?"
The servant was startled, tears almost formed:
"I... I know..."
"Go on."
The servant pointed at the building facing the lake:
"The Valley Master resides in that largest compound, the innermost courtyard has a three-story building. The room at the top level of that building is the Valley Master’s quarters."