Ink-black night, icy wind cuts to the bone.

  A man in a black robe, with black long hair, carrying a divine sword on his back, the scabbard also black. However, his eyebrows were white, like two blades of a sword, and between his closed eyes, seemed to flash a hint of sword light. This cold and stern man in black robe and white eyebrows walked through the mountains and forests, with three people following behind him.

  Two men and one woman, all of them look very young.

  "The wind." The man in black robes with white eyebrows spoke up.

  Among the three people behind him, the young man who looked the most clever bowed and said: "Master!"

  "You have been under my tutelage for thirteen years." The black-robed, white-browed man said indifferently, "However, your cultivation progress is too slow. You are one of the three great disciples I chose, with a talent that is unparalleled among millions, and you also have various spiritual treasures to aid you, yet until now, you still haven't entered the Pre-Heaven stage!"

  The young man's face changed greatly, and with a thud, he knelt down, repeatedly saying: "Master, disciple is ashamed." He was the only one among his master's three top disciples who had not yet entered the Innate Realm.

  "Logically, I should abolish your martial arts and expel you from the school."

  Hearing this from his master, the young man was extremely nervous. He was very aware of his master's severity.

  "I'm giving you an opportunity."

  The man in black robes with white eyebrows showed no change in expression. "Three days ago, the Hu merchant group's caravan departed from the county town of Tiger Leap County. Tomorrow evening they should arrive at our place. I order you to blend into the caravan as a merchant." Then, the man in black robes took out a portrait from his bosom and threw it to his apprentice.

  That clever young man connected with him, carefully looking at the portrait. The person in the portrait looked very ordinary and seemed to be easy-going.

  "This man, named Qin Wei, is also a wandering merchant in this caravan." The black-robed white-browed man said indifferently, "However, that's just his disguise. His true identity is the Tuo Qing Mountain of the Guiyuan Sect!"

  "Mount Qing?"

  Not only the kneeling disciple, but also the other two disciples standing beside him were shocked. The three of them looked carefully at the portrait. Teng Qing Shan, that was a legendary figure. Although these three people were also geniuses, with spiritual treasures to aid them and powerful masters to guide them, they were full of pride in their hearts. But towards Teng Qing Shan, they couldn't help but feel admiration.

  At seventeen, I took the First Rank in the Imperial Examination!

  This alone makes countless warriors look up to him. From ancient times to the present, those who can be compared to him are probably countable on one's fingers.

  Now Qing Hu Island is chasing and killing him all over the world, with the help of the eight major sects... but still no news from Qing Shan.

  Do you know your own master?

  These three great disciples also knew their master's terror and understood the astonishing power behind their master.

  "The wind, your task is that when the Qingyun Mountain leaves the merchant group and enters the inn, you will immediately report this message to the people of Yu Huangmen. The people of Yu Huangmen will notify Qinghu Island themselves." said the man in black with white eyebrows.

  Although puzzled, the young man still respectfully said: "Yes, Master."

  "Master." The only woman among the three, a pair of captivating eyes stared at the black-robed white-browed man, "We don't have any relationship with Qinghu Island either, why should we help them?"

  "This is an order." The man in black robes with white eyebrows said coldly.

  At that moment, the three disciples did not dare to make a sound. The black-robed white-browed man continued: "Feng Er, this matter is of great importance and cannot be lost! Be careful, do not let Tuo Qing Shan discover it. Tuo Qing Shan's hidden abilities are extremely formidable... Once he discovers it, it will be difficult to escape again. If you complete this task perfectly, I will allow you to cultivate the highest ultimate skill of my sect, 'Round Mysterious Sword Classic'!"

  That clever young man was overjoyed and repeatedly said: "Yes, Master, I swear to complete the task with my life."

  ……

  Yu State, located in the center of the entire nine states. It is also the place where Yu Huang established his capital. Generally, the people of Yu State, especially those from Yu City, have a unique pride and are proud to be from Yu City. Some even look down on people from other states.

  Yu Prefecture was filled with goose feather-like snow that danced and fluttered in the air.

  A large merchant caravan was advancing in a majestic manner, which was the merchant group organized by the Hu family's commercial firm leaving Qingzhou Tiger Jumping County. However, the number of people in the caravan had now reached 900. Generally, every time they passed through a city, many idle businessmen would join them. At the same time, the caravan would also use the commission from the merchants to hire some guards.

  "This snow is really heavy, I don't know when it will stop?" The helpless voice came from the left side of Teng Qing Mountain.

  Hong Qing Shan was riding the Vermilion Fire Horse, advancing leisurely, but his entire being was immersed in that harmonious and unified realm. His 'divine spirit' also seemed to be growing continuously, like a small grass nourished by rainwater.

  "Qin Ge, Qin Ge." A shout came from beside him.

  Teng Qing-shan turned his head to look, beside him was a young man wearing a white fur-lined jacket and a leather hat on his head. Those lively eyes made the young man appear very agile. The young man's name was 'Sun Feng'. He joined the merchant group on the fourth day after leaving Hu Yue Prefecture. Sun Feng had a quick mouth, and among this batch of idle merchants, he almost knew everyone.

  According to Teng Qing Shan's understanding, this was Sun Feng's first time out running, so his family's old steward 'Wu Bo' also came along.

  "Brother Sun," Teng Qing Shan said with a smile, "This heavy snow is so big, let's just talk less and conserve our energy."

  "You also know mine, I'm too restless." Sun Feng said with a smile, "I reckon in another ten years, I'll be able to ride tens of miles without saying a word, just like Brother Qin."

  The old man beside Sun Feng smiled and said: "Qin brothers, my young master is just this mischievous, you have to be patient with him."

  "It's nothing."

  Teng Qing Shan smiled, "Younger brother Sun, you may not be tired from hurrying on the road, but I am. If you have something to say, just say it and I'll listen." After finishing his sentence, Teng Qing Shan looked ahead and leisurely rode his horse.

  Sun Feng pouted, but in his heart he couldn't help but sigh: "This is the Heart surname! Sitting on a horse for half a day without saying a word, if Master hadn't said so, I really wouldn't have thought that he's only seventeen. Oh... the annual festival is approaching too. By then, he'll be eighteen. But compared to me, he's still in his early teens. Teng Qing Shan, ah Teng Qing Shan, I really don't want you to get into trouble, but... there are orders from the sect, if I disobey, you might survive, but I'll be done for."

  Sun Feng's expression remained unchanged.

  Although his strength is not as good as that of his two fellow apprentices, he is much better at acting than the other two.

  ……

  27th of the twelfth lunar month, Wucheng in Yuzhou!

  On the official road.

  Teng Qing Shan is still in cultivation. For the current Teng Qing Shan, grasping every day for cultivation is a must.

  "Right ahead is Wucheng." Zhou Lao's voice spread throughout the entire merchant group, "Our merchant group will only have lunch here and continue on our journey. We'll strive to arrive at Yucheng before the annual festival! This is the last city before Yucheng. Those who want to leave the merchant group at Wucheng, come tell me. After lunch, we won't need to wait for you anymore."

  At once, many merchants summoned their guards and rushed towards Zhou Lao's location.

  Teng Qing Shan rode his horse to hurry over: "The next city is Yu Cheng... That's the old nest of Yu Huang Men, where experts are as common as clouds. I'll just leave the merchant group here."

  About the merchant group, Teng Qing Shan knew that if he arrived in Yu City, he would definitely have to stay there for a few days. Because after the annual festival, every household celebrates the New Year. Even merchants will take a break for several days. This is one of the most important times of the year. At that time, it's almost impossible to find a merchant group departing.

  No business trip, walking alone?

  That will be a lot of trouble.

  Stay in Yucheng for a few days? It's a mixed bag of good and bad people, too chaotic.

  And this Wu City, is a small city, and Yi City is of the same level. Not even a prefectural city. The population here is not large, and high-ranking officials are even fewer. After staying here for a few days, Teng Qing Shan felt at ease.

  "Oh, Qin Wei brother, you're also stopping here?" When Teng Qing Shan passed by, Zhou Lao exclaimed in surprise, "Aren't you going to Yan State? Wouldn't it be better for us to head directly to Yu City?"

  "I still have things to attend to in this city," said Teng Qing Shan with a smile.

  Lao Zhou didn't mind either and smiled as he struck off Ceng Qing Shan's name from the list.

  "Qin Ge, are you also resting in this Wu City?" A voice came from behind, Teng Qing Shan turned his head to look. It was exactly that Sun Feng and his subordinate Wu Bo.

  "Hmm, you too?" Teng Qing Shan smiled and said.

  Sun Feng nodded and said, "Yeah, in Wucheng, there's an old friend of my dad's. Before he left, Dad asked me to bring a gift over... But looking at the time, I reckon I'll be spending New Year's in Wucheng this year."

  The merchant caravan entered the city soon.

  A burly man with a big beard called out: "Qin Wei brothers, Old Tan, Sun younger brother... We are all stopping at Wucheng, there are only twelve of us in total. I'm treating you to lunch, give old Hou some face, how about we all go together?"

  "Let's go."

  "Old Hou, you're quite straightforward." Sun Feng laughed and said.

  No one refused, so Qing Shan naturally went with everyone else to a restaurant for dinner.

  Businessmen travel the world, making money between life and death, most of them are very generous. This lunch took an hour and a half to finish, by afternoon, that local surnamed Hou personally found a very good inn for those who had no place to stay.

  "This place is quiet, the food may not be as good as a big restaurant. But it's not bad either." The man with the surname Hou laughed and said, "The day after tomorrow is the annual festival. All of you brothers who are away from home can gather together and have some fun."

  "Come on, give me a high-five!"

  Merchants have begun to move their goods, but they will be staying here for several days. Some people's goods will even be sold to buyers while they are still here. Of course, the goods must be stored in one's own room to feel at ease.

  "Little second, you must take good care of our horses, we'll pay the money, if one horse is missing, you'll be in trouble." Teng Qing Shan said with a smile, while grabbing the rope and lifting the two boxes with some effort, then walked towards the lodging place.

  "Don't worry, old master."

  One of the stable boys laughed and shouted, "This horse can't be gone!" They all had a good eye for horses, like the Chi Yan Ma, which was worth nearly a thousand taels of silver. The stable boys only made a few dozen taels of silver a year, how could they afford to compensate? So of course they had to stare at the ground tightly.

  Just as Teng Qing Shan had carried the two boxes up the stairs to the second floor and was about to enter his room, he heard a voice.

  "Wu Bo, you watch the goods here, I'll go visit Uncle Shi."

  Sun Feng held a box and walked out of the guest room, heading outside.

  （）