Upon reaching Xia's mountain stronghold and finding the adjacent village, Zhong Shenxiu confirmed the route that Duan Mingyu and Jing Fan had taken into the mountains. He then gave his old horse to the stronghold and proceeded into the mountains on foot.
In fact, since embarking on his journey through Jianghu, he had changed mounts several times, but felt this old, alcohol-loving horse was the most suited to his temperament.
However, no matter what, horses can't climb mountains, especially not through the pathless, dense forest!
Therefore, Zhong Shenxiu had no choice but to rely on his Qinggong skills, as arduous as it was.
Fortunately, the two men and their guide had just entered the mountains not long ago, and some traces could still be found along the way.
Half a day into the mountains, Zhong Shenxiu stumbled upon a corpse, presumably that of the local guide, whose head had been smashed open, and his brain matter had been utterly scooped out.
