wild mountains
The vast forest seemed to have no end.
Upon entering this primeval forest, the light suddenly dimmed. The canopies of towering ancient trees intertwined to form an impenetrable dome, blocking out most of the sunlight and casting only dappled patterns of light on the thick layer of humus. The air was damp and chilly, filled with the rich scent of decaying plants and earth.
There was no path beneath my feet, only tangled tree roots, slippery moss, and a thick layer of fallen leaves accumulated over countless years. Each step was arduous, requiring immense effort. Thorns and prickly bushes were everywhere, easily tearing through thin clothing and leaving bloody streaks on my skin.
Gu Tieshan led the way, hacking away at the vines and branches blocking his path with his heavy broadsword, carving a narrow passage. His movements remained steady and powerful, but Shen Lanjun, following behind him, keenly noticed a subtle pause in the movement of his left shoulder as he swung his sword, and his breathing was slightly faster than usual. The wound there had finally taken its toll after the continuous fighting and trekking.
Xiao Chen walked at the back, not only keeping an eye on those behind him, but also occasionally helping the exhausted Xiuniang and the man named Shuanzi. Xiuniang's daughter was already too weak to walk, and most of the time Xiao Chen or Shuanzi took turns carrying her, the heavy burden forcing them to slow down.
Shen Lanjun walked in the middle of the group. Her Bagua footwork proved advantageous in this complex terrain; her steps were light and she always found relatively good footing. Besides keeping an eye on her surroundings, her gaze mostly lingered on the figure clearing the way ahead.
His slashing movements were concise and efficient, devoid of any unnecessary flourishes. Each swing carried a ruthless edge honed on the battlefield, aiming for maximum effect with minimal cost. His footwork, in particular, was as steady as a mountain, yet capable of unleashing astonishing speed and agility when needed, perfectly complementing his powerful and direct swordsmanship.
"This style... is definitely not your average martial arts technique," Shen Lanjun thought to herself. In Shanghai, she had met all sorts of people and even some so-called martial arts masters, but the pure, battle-hardened aura emanating from Gu Tieshan, and the subtle marks of hard-won experience he carried, were qualities none of those people possessed. Who was he before he lost his memory?
"Take a 15-minute break." Gu Tieshan's voice interrupted his thoughts. He found a small, relatively dry, sheltered rocky hollow.
Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon, almost collapsing to the ground. They took out their water pouches, carefully took a small sip, then broke off a small piece of hard biscuit and swallowed it with difficulty, using the cold water. No one spoke; conserving their strength was the only option.
Shen Lanjun walked to Gu Tieshan's side and handed him the water pouch. Gu Tieshan took it, tilted his head back, and took a large gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing. Sweat slid down his sharply defined jawline.
"Your injury..." Shen Lanjun said softly.
"It's alright." Gu Tieshan wiped his face, handed the water bag back, and looked deeper into the forest. "We must find a place to spend the night before dark. We can't stay in this forest at night."
After a short rest, the group set off again. The path became increasingly difficult, even requiring them to climb near-vertical rock faces. Gu Tieshan was the first to climb up, then used a rope to pull Xiu Niang's daughter up, before helping the others one by one. When it was Shen Lanjun's turn, she could have easily climbed up using her agility, but Gu Tieshan still extended his hand. His hands were large, covered with thick calluses and small scars, warm and strong. Shen Lanjun did not refuse, using his strength to climb up; the warmth from his fingertips brought a touch of warmth to her cold hands.
As dusk fell, the sky grew increasingly dark, a thin mist began to rise from the forest, and the temperature dropped sharply. Just when everyone was almost exhausted, Gu Tieshan, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped.
"arrive."
Everyone perked up and struggled to keep up. After passing through the last dense thicket of bushes, the view suddenly opened up before them.
They stood atop a mountain ridge. Below lay a relatively open valley, through which a jade-like river meandered, shimmering in the afterglow of the setting sun. At a bend in the river, nestled against the mountain and beside the water, were scattered dozens of low houses, their roofs covered with thick thatch or bark, from which wisps of thin smoke rose.
That place is Linjiangtun.
It appeared so quiet, even somewhat dilapidated, nestled peacefully amidst this vast landscape. However, both Shen Lanjun and Gu Tieshan knew that beneath this tranquil surface, unseen undercurrents lurked. Japanese soldiers, bandits, and various other forces were deeply entrenched; this remote village would not be the end of their journey, but rather the beginning of an even more perilous one.
"Go down the mountain, find a place to hide and observe, and then enter the village tomorrow." Gu Tieshan's voice carried a hint of imperceptible fatigue, but his eyes remained sharp, firmly fixed on the place in the valley that would soon determine their next fate.
The ordeal in the wild mountains has come to a temporary end, but the real challenge lies ahead.
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