Chapter 14: Secret Land_1

Following Situ Ping's horrified gaze, everyone saw on the right about forty to fifty feet away, a white skeleton leaning against a sour date tree, its dark skull eye sockets staring right at them. Everyone immediately felt goosebumps, gripping their weapons tightly.

Although Situ Ping was a part of the martial arts society and had seen many bloody scenes and engaged in violent acts, she was still frightened by the skeleton. In this environment - the notorious sour date grove, endless fog, and cold weather - combined with everyone's heightened nerves, she couldn't help but cry out. Yanming Hermit and the others stopped for a moment but didn't see any movement from the skull. They continued onward, Situ Ping feeling somewhat embarrassed. However, no one blamed her, as they understood the feeling of emotional distress in an unknown environment.

As the group continued deeper, they encountered more and more white bones, some even on their path. They didn't dare to avoid them and walked directly over them. There were numerous human bones and even more from various animals, presumably from creatures that had unwittingly entered this secret forest over the years. They were trapped in this unfamiliar and mysterious place and could not get out, eventually dying beneath the sour date trees. With this in mind, they became more cautious, and any curiosity about testing the power of the secret forest vanished. Chosen by their elders for their caution and fortitude, they wouldn't let curiosity cost them their lives.

The seemingly endless secret forest remained unchanged even after they had walked for a long time. If it weren't for the different white bones appearing along the way, they would've thought they got lost. Fortunately, they hadn't encountered any danger, and they set their minds on continuing forward to leave the secret forest as soon as possible.

After walking for a while, Situ Ping, who was familiar with the area, began to think about other things. Perhaps this was the meaning of "stillness leading to action." She wasn't sure about the others, but her thoughts had indeed been activated. Evil Tiger Group was based in Lu Town, and Stone Man Peak was within their territory. They knew about the dangers of Five Claw Peak but not how to enter the secret forest. Now that they know the method, it could become their backyard. The other four forces were much more significant than them, so how would they deal with this secret land? Would they be discarded after they lost their usefulness? Their lives might be at stake.

As Situ Ping was struggling with her hesitations, her foot suddenly got caught on a tree root, and she stumbled to the right. Just then, they were walking close to the edge between two trees. Feeling her body losing balance, Situ Ping quickly composed herself and kicked in midair, straightening her body and landing steadily on the ground. However, she had landed outside the range between the two trees, next to a sour date tree. The sudden incident made everyone else stop. Yanming Hermit, Ma Xiangyang, and Wen Wenhai all turned to look at Situ Ping. Ma Xiangyang glanced at the tree root on the ground, deep in thought. They waited for Situ Ping to come out from under the tree before moving forward together. But then, something strange happened. Situ Ping looked around, seemingly not seeing anyone, her face showing panic. She searched around, hesitating to take a step. She seemed to be calling out to them, but no one could hear her. Yanming Hermit saw this and quickly used a sound transmission technique to speak to Situ Ping: "Can you hear me? If so, nod your head." At that moment, Situ Ping's face showed elation, and she nodded repeatedly. Yanming Hermit continued: "Turn left, follow my instructions and stop when I tell you." Situ Ping nodded again and followed his instructions, walking towards the group. Strangely, after only four or five steps, she arrived where they were standing between the two trees and saw them clearly.

Yanming Hermit didn't ask Situ Ping about the cause of her fall, but instead asked, "What did you see just now?" Situ Ping, still frightened, said, "When I stood up, nothing seemed different, just sour date trees everywhere. But I couldn't see any of you, and no one responded when I shouted. If you hadn't spoken to me, I would've continued searching."

Yanming Hermit furrowed his brows and thought deeply, while Ma Xiangyang smiled and said to Situ Ping, "Gang Master Situ, be careful when walking. An accident could cost you your life, and the prosperity of Lu Town would be handed over to others. Take care." Situ Ping lowered her head and replied, "Young Master Ma, I understand, and I will be careful."

Everyone became even more cautious as they continued. They now knew that the secret forest was not as calm as it appeared on the surface. One misstep could lead to doom. Situ Ping didn't know that earlier, shouting would have been useless, and only sound transmission technique worked - a profound martial arts skill not everyone possessed. Relying on others' help was not as good as being extra careful.

After walking for another four or five incense sticks burning time, the number of white bones on the road gradually decreased, and the fog became thinner, indicating they were nearing the edge of the secret forest. Eventually, they saw light up ahead. Yanming Hermit continued to lead the group in a roundabout path according to the incantation, being extra cautious. No accidents occurred, and as they walked past the last tree according to the incantation, they safely left the secret forest, greeted by a sight that left them dumbfounded.

Before them was a warm, spring-like secret land of limited size. A lake occupied the center, shrouded with mist rising above its surface. By the lake was a stone house, surrounded by a few fields growing various plants, which they couldn't see clearly from afar.Under the guidance of Yanming Hermit, everyone stepped into this place untouched for hundreds of years.

Yanming Hermit said to everyone, "According to the booklet, there is no danger in entering the Secret Land, so everyone can walk around with ease. However, for safety, I suggest we still act together and follow me." He then led the way towards the lakeside.

As everyone reached the lakeside, a wave of heat hit their faces. They saw bubbles bubbling up from the lake. Yanming Hermit squatted down, first finding a tree branch and putting it in the water. Seeing no abnormalities, he wondered how to measure the temperature of the lake. Tan Wu came forward and took out an egg from his bosom, sheepishly saying, "I like to drink raw eggs. I had a few left over from yesterday. Now is a good time to test the water temperature." Then he wrapped the egg in a cloth and put it in the water. In no time, the egg was cooked. This idea dispelled everyone's intention to explore the water.

It seemed that the temperature in this land was vastly different from the outside world, and it was likely related to the lake water.

Everyone moved along the lakeside towards the only stone house, presumably where the treasure everyone was hoping for should be inside. They walked halfway around the lake without encountering any animals or dangers, and everyone's hearts were finally at ease realizing that the master's will and testament was not deceptive.

Several medicinal fields surrounded the stone house, most of which were unknown to them. After all, the group did not consist of specialized pharmacist from sects. Even the knowledgeable Yanming Hermit recognized only a few, such as Panax Notoginseng, Ginseng, Atractylodes, and Golden Sunflower. These ordinary herbs on the outside seemed to be extraordinarily precious here. Anything that grows for three hundred years or more would be exceptionally precious. Not to mention, other unknown medicines that have been lost for years. Leaving aside what was inside the stone house, the herbs in the medicine field were priceless treasures for various sects.

Everyone stared at these precious things, wondering how to bring them back. Yanming Hermit frowned and said, "I didn't expect to find such precious herbs here; it's quite surprising. We should explore the stone house first, then think of a way to take them when we leave. These herbs won't run away, so everyone doesn't need to be envious." Everyone smiled broadly and followed Yanming Hermit towards the stone house.

The stone house looked small from the outside, but once inside, everyone found that the area was quite large, like a hall rather than the living quarters they had imagined. The hall did not have a thick layer of dust on the ground due to its long absence of visitors. The lack of doors provided good ventilation, and there was no smell of dust in the room.

Opposite the hall was a smooth wall with nothing on it. It seemed that there used to be paintings or offerings on the wall. Below the wall was a long bench and a square table. An incense burner rested on the long bench, and there was a small, flat, square box far away from the incense burner. On the table under the long bench were four ornate, square boxes with patterns that were no longer seen today. Three chairs were casually placed by the side of the table, each with a cushion on top. There was nothing on the left-hand wall, which had an opening that was likely a window. The right-hand wall featured three paintings: one depicting a man in a brocade armor holding a knife and riding a horse; another of a white-robed scholar with a sword hanging at his waist, striding forward; and the last painting was of a woman with a white veil on her face, her figure graceful, holding a long whip, standing next to a small bridge.

After years of erosion, the three paintings were no longer very clear, and since there were no inscriptions on them, it was unclear what they meant. Everyone couldn't determine whether the One-armed Swordsman was in the paintings.