Mandate Of Heaven [BL]

After hours of trudging through uneven paths, Lie Zhanfeng finally reached the periphery of Westmount. He leaned against a crooked tree, catching his breath as he surveyed the scene ahead.

The forest was a wall of green, with towering pines and thick underbrush creating a dense, almost impenetrable appearance. The air carried the crisp scent of damp earth and pine sap, mingled with the faint tang of something metallic—probably from spirit beasts lurking deeper within.

Lie Zhanfeng clearly remember how it was mentioned in Conqueror Of Hearts And Realms that Westmount is close to Zhao Village, where the original owner lives.

Lie Zhanfeng wiped the sweat from his brow, muttering, "If this is what they call close, I'd hate to see what far away looks like. My feet are practically begging for mercy." He shifted the weight of his pack and adjusted his belt, mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead.

The moment he stepped past the first row of trees, the atmosphere shifted. The sunlight dimmed, filtered through the thick canopy above, leaving the ground dappled with fleeting patches of light. The rustling of leaves and occasional birdcalls were a stark contrast to the stillness of the village he'd left behind.

Westmount wasn't just any forest; it was a place where fledgling cultivators tested their skills, some hunting beasts to survive, others seeking treasures to advance their cultivation.

As he ventured deeper, Lie Zhanfeng spotted groups of cultivators. Some leaned against trees, discussing strategies, while others moved swiftly and silently, weapons at the ready. Their clothing and gear were far more polished than his patched-up robes and basic saber.

He approached a group resting by a small stream and cupped his hands in greeting. "Greetings, fellow travelers! The weather's fine today, isn't it? Perfect for... uh, not getting eaten alive."

The cultivators glanced at him briefly before returning to their conversation as if he were no more significant than the rocks beneath their feet.

Lie Zhanfeng scratched his head, chuckling awkwardly. "Right. Nice chat. Good talk."

As he turned away, he shrugged to himself. "Well, being ignored isn't so bad. At least no one's picking a fight with me. Quiet journeys are safe journeys."

In fact, some cultivators are actually curious why Lie Zhanfeng was in Westmount. Is it to deliver himself as food to spirit beasts?

Anyway, the deeper Lie Zhanfeng went, the more treacherous the terrain became. Gnarled roots jutted out of the ground like traps, and loose rocks turned every step into a gamble. At one point, he tripped over a vine and tumbled forward, landing face-first into a pile of damp leaves.

The dangers weren't limited to the terrain. A sudden rustling in the bushes made him freeze, his hand instinctively reaching for his saber. A shadow darted past, too fast for him to identify, but the low growl that followed sent a shiver down his spine.

"Okay, just a friendly neighborhood spirit beast," he whispered, backing away slowly. The growl faded as the creature moved on, leaving him to sigh in relief. "Thank heavens it wasn't hungry."

Later, while crossing a shallow stream, he narrowly avoided stepping into a hunter's trap concealed beneath the water. The mechanism snapped shut mere inches from his boot.

"Who leaves these things lying around?" he grumbled, stepping carefully over the trap. "I don't want to end up as someone's bait—or trophy."

Despite his clumsiness, he managed to avoid any serious mishaps, though his robes were now splattered with mud and his dignity had taken a few hits.

The forest eventually opened up to a rocky clearing surrounded by cliffs. The air here felt heavier, charged with an energy that made his skin tingle. This was the heart of Westmount, where the dangers—and rewards—were said to be the greatest.

Lie Zhanfeng paused to take in the view. The cliffs rose high on either side, their jagged edges casting long shadows over the clearing. Small streams trickled down the rocks, feeding into a shallow pool at the base. The faint roar of a distant waterfall added to the rugged beauty of the scene.

"Not bad," he admitted, brushing a leaf off his shoulder. "If I weren't here on serious business, I might actually enjoy this place. Maybe even sketch a tree or two."

His focus returned to the task at hand: finding the cave marked on the map. He circled the clearing, scanning the cliffs for any signs of an entrance.

As he searched, he overheard a group of cultivators speaking nearby. They didn't seem to notice him as he crept closer, their voices carrying over the sound of the waterfall.

"The Xie family was here earlier," one of them said.

"Yeah," another replied. "They left in a hurry. Probably heading deeper into the mountains."

Lie Zhanfeng's heart skipped a beat. The Xie family. The thought of them filled him with equal parts determination and unease.

He leaned against a tree, trying to process what he'd just heard. "The Xie family... so they were here. But was he with them?"

His thoughts turned to Xie Dongyi—the boy whose story he'd read and the one he'd vowed to help. He didn't know what Xie Dongyi looked like, only the descriptions from the book. A boy burdened by a cruel fate, neglected and exploited, but with a fire in his heart that refused to be extinguished. In fact, there wasn't any detailed description about his looks at all. What was written in the book was only a very short sentence saying, "He is handsome and dashing."

"I'll find you," he said quietly, clenching his fists. "No matter what it takes. Just wait. I won't let your story end like this."

Straightening his shoulders, Lie Zhanfeng looked back at the cliffs. If the Xie family had been here, it meant he was on the right track. The cave couldn't be far.

He adjusted his pack and took a deep breath. "Alright, Zhanfeng. Time to prove you're not just a clumsy oaf stumbling through the woods. Let's find that cave and see what all the fuss is about."

With renewed determination, he set off, his steps steadier despite the challenges ahead. The forest seemed to close in around him, but he welcomed the sense of purpose it brought. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it.