All the young slaves walked forward and started climbing the mountain one by one. They had no choice, this was their only way. Behind them stood Feng Jing, who appeared to be a martial master, as well as the caravan guards and Village Lord Chi Huan. In front of them lay the massive mountain, Though there was a chance they might not make it to the top of the mountain, they had decided that the better choice was to start climbing the stairs and reach the top.
They were slaves, they could only take the path that was given to them. Even though there was a chance that they might lose their lives while climbing this mountain, they still had hopes.
"Surely it won't be easy reaching the top of the mountain, but this is my only way out. If I reach the top of the mountain and learn martial arts, then I can change my life for the better."
This was the only thought that all the young slaves had in their minds as they climbed the mountain. The other youths could only watch as the slaves climbed the mountain; they could not interfere.
"Wait, Hao Jun,"
Hao Jun, the energetic-handome young man also started climbing the mountain, ignoring the young woman who called out to him. The young woman clenched her fists and bit her lips but followed after him soon.
"Sigh, what should we do now?"
The other youths who were left behind looked at each other as they sighed. Climbing this mountain was no joke; nobody knew what danger lay on this mysterious mountain. Even the woman who seemed to be an elder of the Jade Wind Sect did not provide any information; she simply told them to climb the mountain or leave.
Compared to the slaves, they were given a choice. If they climbed this mountain and ended up dead, then truly they could only blame themselves.
"Lord Chi Huan, what should we do now?"
"Sigh, there's just no way for us to climb this mountain."
The caravan guards were now put in a didifficult spot, Their job was done, and they wanted to be out of there, but Village Lord Chi Huan was reluctant to leave since his goal was to form business connections with the Jade Wind Sect. However, Feng Jing wasn't even planning to listen to whatever he had to say.
"Hmph, you guys can leave if you want to, you don't have to beat around the bushes."
Village Lord Chi Huan looked towards the guards and scoffed. He was beginning to grow tired of their complaints.
"No, Lord Chi Huan, we wouldn't dare leave without you."
"Yes, I will follow you wherever you take me."
The caravan guards immediately kowtowed towards Chi Huan to curry favor. The only way for them to make a living was by following behind Chi Huan. For people like them who came from a poor background, they had no other choice but to endure the harsh treatment. They were all following Chi Huan for their own benefit. If they were not poor, why would they ever follow someone like Chi Huan? In Village Lord Chi Huan's eyes, they were no different from the slaves. He fed them dry pieces of bread and water, while he alone stayed inside his carriage, feasting on the way to the Jade Wind Sect.
And in their eyes, Village Lord Chi Huan was nothing more than a stepping stone. If something were to happen to Lord Chi Huan and he lost his wealth, the caravan guards would no doubt abandon him and follow whoever could offer them a better future. There is nobody in this world who would do anything that didn't benefit them, everyone cares about what benefits them, and they were all here for their own goals.
Most of the youths left, while some still stayed. Reluctant to leave, they watched the slaves as they struggled to climb the massive mountain. A single slip of the hand meant certain death.
The youths below looked dispirited as they saw the slaves' struggles and were thankful in their minds that they were not born slaves. Feng Jing, too, was watching the slaves as they climbed the mountain, her eyes calm and quiet as the night...
One day had passed since the slaves started climbing the mountain, but they were still nowhere near the top. They were all thirsty and hungry. Some had decided to stop climbing and take a rest, some were fearful and stopped climbing, and there was no emotion on their faces, as though they had given up on life. But among them, there were still some who were climbing the massive mountain. Among them was a young man. There was nothing noteworthy about his appearance, he had long black hair that reached down to his waist. His looks were average, his cheeks were sunken, and his hands were all bones, trembling every time he reached to climb.
"I have to reach the top and change my life."
These were the only words on his mind. He had seen how Elder Feng Ming was feared and respected, he had seen how harsh the world was as a slave. He knew if he did not take this opportunity which the Jade Wind Sect had given him, then he would surely not be able to survive for long in this world.
"Martial masters are powerful; people drop down on their knees, kowtowing. People tremble and panic at their mere presence."
"So what if I was born a slave? Wouldn't I also be feared and respected if I become a martial master?"
"I will reach the top and change my life. If I die while climbing this mountain, then..."
Just as he thought to himself, a jade-green wind blew down from the top of the mountain, as if clearing all the things that were stuck on the mountain. The grass and trees on the mountain swayed, very evident the wind was strong. The slaves climbing the mountain immediately noticed and started to firmly hold onto the mountain.
"AHHHH!"
But one of the young slaves was too weak he couldn't hold on until the wind passed through, most of them were weak and only had dry pieces of bread to eat on their journey, the jade-green wind blew him away from the mountain, sending him falling to his death.
Everyone looked towards him but none dared try and save him, they all immediately continued climbing as if nothing was wrong