Chapter 266 - 34: Seclusion in the Deep Mountains, Accumulating Strength

Chapter 266: Chapter 34: Seclusion in the Deep Mountains, Accumulating Strength

Legend has it that a disciple from Celestial Sword Manor, ignorant of the local customs, once offended them in the mountains. He was tormented to a state worse than death, ultimately fleeing in utter disgrace.

After that, Celestial Sword Manor established a rule: unless absolutely necessary, its disciples were forbidden from venturing deep into the Southern Wilderness Mountain Range, and under no circumstances were they to clash with these mountain people.

Over time, this area became a sort of no-man’s-land, beyond anyone’s jurisdiction.

These mountain people revered and worshiped the mountains, believing the blood of the Mountain God flowed through their veins, which was how they were able to thrive and multiply in this perilous range.

But these people were not inherently malicious. As long as you showed them no ill will, they would welcome you with the sincerest warmth.

They were especially welcoming to people like peddlers.

The paths leading to their villages were simply too difficult to traverse, so ordinary peddlers could never make it this far.

So when Chen Ye appeared at the village entrance with his carrying pole, the entire settlement erupted in commotion.

A large crowd quickly poured out of the village. When they got a clear look at Chen Ye’s attire, especially the iconic carrying pole on his shoulder, their faces lit up with delighted surprise.

"It’s a peddler! A peddler is really here!"

Then a burly, powerfully built man with painted markings on his face parted the crowd and strode up to Chen Ye.

He first sized Chen Ye up from head to toe, then spoke in a stilted but still fluent common tongue, "Guest from afar, welcome to our Kawa Village!"

As he spoke, he opened his arms and pulled Chen Ye into a bear hug.

Chen Ye was caught a little off guard by this sudden burst of enthusiasm, but he could sense that the man held not a shred of malice—only pure joy and welcome.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Chen Yuan, and I’m a peddler," Chen Ye said with a smile, inventing a name on the spot.

"Brother Chen! It’s an honor for our entire village to have you here!" the burly man exclaimed, grabbing Chen Ye’s hand. "Quick, come inside! We must give you a proper welcome tonight!"

And so, surrounded by a large crowd of mountain people, Chen Ye walked into the village known as Kawa.

Under the veil of night, Kawa Village was brightly lit and bustling with excitement.

A massive bonfire was lit in the clearing at the center of the village, its flames leaping toward the sky and illuminating the entire settlement as if it were day.

Everyone in the village—men and women, young and old—gathered around the bonfire, their faces overflowing with genuine smiles.

To welcome Chen Ye, the first peddler they had seen in years, they were holding a grand bonfire party.

Aromatic roasted meat sizzled over the fire, releasing an enticing aroma.

Large earthenware jars were filled to the brim with crisp, sweet liquor, and its intoxicating fragrance filled the air.

Treated as the guest of honor, Chen Ye was seated beside the village’s most respected elder.

The elder was ancient, the wrinkles on his face as deep as if carved by a knife, but his eyes were still bright and sharp, as if they could see into a person’s very soul.

As the party began, the men of the village lined up with bowls of wine to offer Chen Ye a toast.

"Brother Chen, my name is Shan! A toast to you! Thank you for bringing us things from the outside world!" a dark-skinned man declared before tilting his head back and downing the entire bowl of wine.

Chen Ye, swept up by the hearty atmosphere, smiled and raised his wine bowl. "Brother Shan, you’re too kind!"

With that, he also drained it in one gulp.

"Good!"

Seeing how readily he drank, the surrounding men all cheered loudly.

"Brother Chen, you can really hold your liquor! Let me toast you!"

Another man pushed his way forward.

Chen Ye accepted all challengers, downing one bowl after another.

His Tempered body’s ability to break down alcohol far surpassed that of an ordinary person. Even after more than a dozen bowls, his expression was unchanged and his breathing remained steady.

Now, the way the village men looked at him changed. Their initial welcome was now tinged with genuine admiration.

In the eyes of these mountain people, anyone who could hold their liquor was a true man and a friend worth making.

After a few more rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew even more fervent.

Some of the tipsy men stripped to the waist and gathered by the bonfire, beginning a raw and powerful dance around the flames.

Their steps were simple, yet they were filled with a primal Life Force.

The young women of the village laughingly joined them, their movements far more graceful, like butterflies flitting in the firelight. Their clear, melodious songs intertwined with the men’s shouts, creating a wild and beautiful symphony.

Chen Ye sat beside the elder, gnawing on roasted meat and drinking his wine, an unconscious smile spreading across his face.

But just as Chen Ye was lost in the spectacle, the elder beside him, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

"Guest, you are not a real peddler, are you?"

The elder’s voice was not loud, perhaps even a little hoarse, but it carried clearly to Chen Ye’s ears amidst the cacophony.

The smile on Chen Ye’s face froze instantly. He stopped gnawing on the roasted meat and turned to look at the old man beside him.

The elder’s face still held a kindly smile, his eyes clear, as if he had only asked a casual, everyday question.

But at that moment, Chen Ye’s heart sank.

He had no idea what the man meant by suddenly bringing this up, or whether his intentions were good or malicious.

Just then, the elder knocked out his pipe, then slowly raised his head, fixing Chen Ye with those eyes that seemed to see through everything.