Chapter Twenty-Seven: Camelback Ridge

Camelback Ridge lies a hundred miles south of Yuyang City, its two towering, continuous peaks resembling the humps of a camel, hence its name. Ordinarily, few travelers ventured to Camelback Ridge, but recently rumors had spread of martial arts techniques hidden there, drawing numerous figures from the martial world.

Most who came were ordinary, unaffiliated martial artists—scattered practitioners with no backing, lacking any refined skills to cultivate. Hearing the news, they rushed over in excitement.

On this day, five swift horses burst from the northern gate of Yuyang City, veering southward along the official road. They galloped for nearly two hours without pause before reaching the territory of Camelback Ridge. Riding at the center, Yang Ze pressed his steed forward, his gaze now catching sight of the two lofty peaks ahead.

“Steward, Camelback Ridge is just ahead!” shouted the thick-browed man on Yang Ze’s left, familiar with the terrain, which was why Yang Ze had brought him.

“Very well, let’s go to the foot of the mountain first, and then enter together,” Yang Ze replied, flicking his whip to urge the horses faster. Along the way, he saw many others heading in the same direction and did not wish to delay further.

Soon, the five horses stopped beneath a willow tree at the base of Camelback Ridge. The five stood there as Yang Ze surveyed the mountain before them.

Camelback Ridge was not perilous, but its vastness was daunting; searching for a single person here was no different than finding a needle in a haystack.

“Yan Min, are you certain that person is dead? If not, after so many days, he could have left the ridge unnoticed,” Yang Ze suddenly asked.

“Our information says he died, and yesterday we heard that someone found blood stains on the northwest side of the ridge. Most people have probably gone there by now,” Yan Min replied.

“What was the purpose of spreading such news? Luring so many here—if the corpse is found, those who obtain the martial arts techniques could destroy the remains. If he doesn’t get them, there’s nothing he can do,” Yang Ze mused, not rushing to ascend, but thoughtfully considering the situation.

“Steward, I heard that whoever finds the corpse will be rewarded. That’s another reason so many have come. We shouldn’t delay any longer—if we’re late, it won’t go well for us!”

“You seem rather anxious, don’t you?” Yang Ze suddenly turned to Yan Min, whose gaze flickered with panic before Yang Ze looked away.

“Well, since we’re here, we must at least take a look. Let’s go,” Yang Ze said.

Hearing this, Yan Min lowered his head, a fleeting smile appearing at his lips, quickly vanishing before anyone could notice his unusual behavior.

The five ascended the mountain: the thick-browed man led, Yan Min and Yang Ze walked side by side, and two guards skilled in early-stage Qi Attraction brought up the rear.

As they moved along the mountain path, they occasionally spotted others—figures from the martial world, all keeping a wide distance from one another.

Yang Ze observed that most of these martial artists were at the early stages of Qi Attraction, with few at the intermediate level, and many who hadn’t even entered the realm of Qi Attraction had also come.

Yet, as they moved northwest, fewer people appeared, and the surrounding grass grew thicker, the road steeper, with rustling sounds from behind the foliage.

“Yan Min, are you sure your information is correct? Why are there fewer people the farther we go?” Yang Ze asked.

“Steward, the information I received is accurate. Perhaps the northwest side has already been searched. Let’s go a bit further and see,” Yan Min replied, wearing a puzzled expression, though inwardly he laughed: “You little brat, a newcomer to the martial world, do you really think you can outwit me?”

Yang Ze seemed oblivious, continuing, “Da Zhuang, are you familiar with the terrain in the northwest?”

“The northwest is the most treacherous part of Camelback Ridge. Even hunters rarely go there. By the time we arrive, it’ll be afternoon. It’s impossible to search the area before nightfall,” Da Zhuang, the thick-browed man, said, glancing at the landscape.

“Pick up the pace—we must leave Camelback Ridge before nightfall!”

Under Yang Ze’s orders, the group quickened their steps. Yang Ze understood well that, in this era, without lamps or exceptional skill, spending the night in the deep mountains was far from safe—especially in such a vast place, teeming with unknown beasts.

As they advanced, they were suddenly ambushed by a group.

A team of more than ten men, led by three early-stage Qi Attraction martial artists, confronted them—formidable by the standards of Camelback Ridge. Perhaps recognizing Yang Ze’s status, the group immediately charged without a word, intent on killing Yang Ze and his companions.

The others, who hadn’t entered the Qi Attraction realm, formed a circle, while the three skilled martial artists rushed forward, wielding blades, staves, and forks.

Yang Ze’s expression remained unchanged, not even inclined to fight. With a glance, the two guards at his side drew their sabers and charged.

The guards’ blades swept ceaselessly, blocking the three attackers. The rest, seeing their comrades held off, pressed forward, aiming for Yang Ze, whom they recognized as the leader.

If they captured Yang Ze, the guards would crumble.

Yet, as the attackers moved, one guard slashed horizontally, breaking from the fight to intercept the others. Against martial artists lacking Qi Attraction, he felt no pressure.

His saber flashed, each strike claiming a life; within moments, not one remained.

He turned to aid the other guard, who was still holding off the three martial artists.

The five clashed again, but seeing their comrades slain, the three martial artists lost their morale, quickly showing signs of defeat, and tried to flee.

In that instant, Yang Ze moved.

With a sudden leap, he blocked their path in mere breaths.

The three martial artists were shocked, realizing Yang Ze was the most deeply concealed, his skill far greater than expected.

But that was the end. Yang Ze struck three times, each palm crushing a heart; all three fell lifeless.

Dusting his hands, Yang Ze looked at the corpses. “You two, check if they have anything valuable.”

The guards searched and indeed found a few items, which Yang Ze had them carry. The group pressed onward, quickening their pace.

After passing through thick grass, they emerged into a clearing.

In the center stood a woman in red, beautifully dressed, her figure graceful, her features enchanting—Yang Ze’s group all blinked at the sight.

Yang Ze’s gaze quickly shifted beyond, spotting a cliff behind the clearing. On the other side lay the second peak; a fall from here would leave little hope of survival.

“You are Yang Ze?” the woman in red pointed at him with a jade finger, her voice soft and sweet.

“Who are you? How do you know my name?”

“Who am I? I am the one who has waited for you. I’ve waited so long, and now you’ve finally come.” The beautiful woman in red laughed behind her hand, making Yan Min and Da Zhuang beside her nearly swoon.

“So, you’re the one who spread rumors of martial arts techniques at Camelback Ridge. Yan Min, is she the person you wanted me to meet?” Yang Ze suddenly asked Yan Min.

Still entranced by the woman’s beauty, Yan Min was startled by the question and stammered.

“Enough. No need to deny it. With such crude deception, did you really think you could fool me? If I hadn’t wanted to see what you had prepared for me, do you think you could have brought me here?” Yang Ze continued, seeing Yan Min’s silence.

“Steward, how did you know I was deceiving you?” Yan Min, realizing he’d been exposed, tried to steady himself, but his feet began to shift quietly.

“I’ve said it before—your tricks are too poor. Xue Lun found me, then you got involved. I never trusted you, merely used you. Once we reached Camelback Ridge and you insisted on leading me northwest, I knew for certain you were deceiving me. I simply wanted to see what you were planning—so, is this woman your prepared surprise?” Yang Ze said mockingly.

“Hmph, Yang Ze, don’t be so arrogant. Knowing it was a trap, you still came—how bold. Madam Hua here was hired at great expense to kill you. If you kneel and beg me now, I might spare your life. Otherwise, this place will be your grave!”

With those final words, Yan Min stopped sneaking away and dashed toward the beautiful woman in red.