From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

"Yongqiu Mountain..."

In the study, Gu Tingshu sat in a chair, looking at Chen Shi standing opposite him, and pondered for a moment.

Although Yongqiu is a large area, the Qilin is a mythical beast that is naturally hostile to humans. Unless there is a special reason, it will avoid areas where humans are active.

Yongqiu Mountain is densely forested and overgrown with grass, rarely visited by humans, and is home to many exotic beasts, making it an ideal hiding place for the Qilin.

Despite mobilizing a large number of people and investigating for several days, there are still no clues. Gu Tingshu is actually wondering if the Qilin has hidden in Yongqiu Mountain.

Just as they were considering whether to send someone into Yongqiu Mountain to search, Chen Shi arrived at the perfect time.

Although Chen Shi is young, he is quick-witted and has been to Yongqiu Mountain several times, so he is quite familiar with the environment there. He is indeed a good candidate.

"Alright, then you can go to Yongqiu Mountain to investigate first."

Coming to his senses, Gu Tingshu nodded and then gave some instructions.

"If you find or discover any trace of the Qilin, report it immediately. Do not act rashly! The Qilin is agile; if it is startled and runs away, it will be difficult to find it again."

"Yes, I understand."

Chen Shi responded and, seeing that Gu Tingshu had no further instructions, left the study.

It's finally done!

On the way, Chen Shi smiled slightly, finally able to go to Yongqiu Mountain again.

As for the Qilin and such, what does that have to do with him? What he's looking for is the Chilong Cave Formation Diagram!

It is not too late.

Before coming to see Gu Tingshu, Chen Shi had already informed Cui Nong that things at home had been arranged.

Immediately afterwards, Chen Shi went to see Xiao Fengxiao and Mu Yunsheng to say hello.

Xiao Fengxiao and Yun'er were naturally reluctant to part, and bid each other a tearful farewell. By the time Chen Shi left the Marquis's residence, it was already afternoon.

Instead of going home, he went straight to the Flying Eagle Gang.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

In the courtyard, a group of people were already waiting.

There were twenty people in total, including five eighth-rank martial artists, including Zhang Sandao, who were among the martial artists who had previously chosen to continue following Chen Shi. In fact, there were three others, including a sixth-rank minor grandmaster, but Chen Shi had other plans for them and they were not included in this group.

The other fifteen were skilled fighters drawn from three gangs. Although they were only ninth-rank martial artists, they were all very clever, especially Zhao Ziliang, who was good at finding things.

Since the purpose of this trip to Yongqiu Mountain is to search for the array diagram, the more people the better. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that Yongqiu Mountain is full of strange beasts and extremely dangerous to ordinary people, Chen Shi would have loved to gather even more people.

"Set off!"

With everything in place, Chen Shi gave a shout and left the city before nightfall when the city gates closed, heading straight for Yongqiu Mountain overnight.

The group of twenty-one people each rode a fast horse, and they arrived in two days at breakneck speed.

"Steward Chen, please take a seat."

At the military camp at the foot of the mountain, Zhang Henian invited Chen Shi into the main tent, where fine wine and delicacies had already been prepared.

Chen Shi's twenty subordinates were taken to other places by Zhang Henian's deputy general and treated to fine wine and food.

"You're too kind, Lord Zhang."

Chen Shi smiled, offered a few words of modesty, and then sat down in the main seat.

Although he was a guest, given his current status, Zhang Henian would never dare to sit in the host's seat unless he did.

"Steward Chen is very busy. What brings you to Yongqiu Mountain today? There are still six months until the twelfth lunar month."

Zhang Henian poured Chen Shi a full glass of wine and casually asked him a question.

"It's just a small matter."

Chen Shi said something indifferently, without replying.

Zhang Henian smiled, knowing that Chen Shi was not comfortable talking about it, and tactfully did not press the matter further.

"Oh, right."

When the wine was half-finished, Chen Shi spoke.

"General Zhang has been stationed at Yongqiu Mountain for many years and is familiar with the mountain environment. Is there anything unusual about this mountain?"

"abnormal?"

Zhang Henian was taken aback, then smiled and shook his head repeatedly.

"The north wind blows and snow in the twelfth lunar month, and the snow covers the entire mountain. Isn't that unusual enough? Strange beasts roam the mountains. Which of them is normal?"

"I know that, of course; I'm referring to other aspects."

"Other aspects? Could you elaborate, Steward Chen?"

"For example, what places are different from other places, or what places are obviously man-made, or what places are easier to hide things in."

"This anomaly..."

Zhang Henian frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally shook his head.

"This humble general is indeed not quite sure."

"Does General Zhang have a more detailed map of the mountain terrain? I'd like a copy."

"That's easy."

Zhang Henian smiled and immediately ordered his men to bring over a latest topographic map.

Chen Shi took a look and saw that the markings on Yongqiu Mountain were extremely detailed.

They put the picture away and said nothing more. The two continued drinking until nightfall.

At Zhang Henian's earnest invitation, Chen Shi stayed overnight in the camp.

The next morning, he refused Zhang Henian's offer to stay again and led his men directly into Yongqiu Mountain.

"How to find..."

Looking at the topographical map of Yongqiu Mountain in his hand, Chen Shi couldn't help but frown. Searching for a map in this vast mountain range was no different from finding a needle in a haystack.

Unless there's some kind of hint, but what exactly is that hint...?

"Let's look for it first."

After staring at the topographical map in his hand for a long time, Chen Zhen sighed, unable to make any sense of it. Waiting idly wasn't an option; he had no choice but to start searching.

It's already June, and there are still six months until the deadline set by Chilong. I don't believe we can't finish searching Yongqiu Mountain in these six months.

Of course, it's unlikely that he'll be able to search for half a year, but for now, this is the only option.

"search!"

At Chen Shi's command, he immediately led his men to search.

According to the map, from the outside in, from the east to the west, we searched one mountain peak after another, one canyon after another, one stream after another, leaving no place unchecked.

His twenty men spread out and searched carefully, leaving no suspicious place unchecked, especially caves and tree hollows.

If anything unusual happens, report it to Chen Shi immediately.

Chen Shi stayed where he was, firstly so that he could provide support if anyone encountered any situation or danger, and secondly so that he could continue studying the topographic map.

Perhaps the clue lies within this image.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and nothing was discovered. However, they did manage to kill two strange beasts and had their subordinates smear their bodies with the beasts' blood to improve their cultivation.

Although Chen Shi was anxious, he had no other choice at the moment and could only think about it slowly.

"grown ups."

That noon, one of his men suddenly rushed over.

"But what was discovered?"

Chen Shi looked hopeful and quickly asked a question.

"no."

The subordinate shook his head and continued.

"We spotted a few people over there, acting suspiciously, they seem to be looking for something too."

"Poachers?"

There are many exotic beasts in Yongqiu Mountain, and these beasts are very valuable, which attracts many people to sneak in and hunt them, so it's not surprising.

"Ignore it and continue the search."

Chen Shi waved his hand, not caring.

Another day passed, and still nothing was found.

When everyone returned in the evening and the inventory was taken, Chen Shi frowned.

One is missing.