Kawai Matsutake looked at the panting Xia Liang and laughed. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"I didn't expect Mr. Kawai to have such good stamina."

Xia Liang nodded and also sat down as he spoke.

"It's just that I exercise more usually."

Kawai Matsutake casually replied, and Xia Liang smiled without saying anything.

After resting for a while, the group headed toward Cloud Platform Villa and quickly arrived at the top of the North Peak.

"Mr. Kawai, this is the top of the North Peak, the other side leads to the Middle Peak of Mount Hua. Which way do you want to go?"

Xia Liang asked Kawai Matsutake.

Kawai Matsutake looked around and then smiled slightly.

"Since we're here to climb high, naturally we should go to the higher place. Mr. Xia Liang, let's head to the Middle Peak."

Xia Liang nodded. Compared to going to the top of the North Peak, he also recommended going to the Middle Peak since it connects the East, West, and South Peaks, and has more attractions.

The group then headed toward the Middle Peak, walking about two kilometers, passing through Canglong Ridge, and arriving in front of Golden Lock Pass.

This is a stone arch-like gate built at the junction of the three peaks; it's the throat passage leading from Five Cloud Peaks to the East, West, and South Peaks.

Mr. Kawai, this Golden Lock Pass connects to Five Cloud Peaks in the north, controls Mount Hua's main peak in the south, and has deep ravines on both the east and west sides.

Standing here, you can see the strange rocks of Golden Rooster Guardian Jade Letter to the north and the tiger mouth scenery to the west.

On the way to the pass, the iron chains are covered in couple locks and safety locks. Taoists believe that Mount Hua is a land of immortals, and only by passing through the Tongtian Gate can you enter the fairyland. So, there's a saying, 'Once you pass the Golden Lock Pass, it's a whole new world.'"

Upon entering Golden Lock Pass, Xia Liang started introducing it to the group, not forgetting his professional duty despite being wary of these people.

Kawai Matsutake and his companions looked around, surrounded by ancient pines, unique rocks, and clouds circling above, indeed a blessed land. The iron chains on both sides were laden with couple locks and safety locks, red strings and colored ribbons fluttering in the wind, giving it a distinct flavor.

"Mr. Xia Liang, can we hang a lock here?"

Kawai Matsutake asked.

"Of course you can."

Xia Liang nodded, and the group bought safety locks nearby to hang on the iron chains.

After enjoying themselves for a while, the group continued walking and soon reached the Middle Peak of Mount Hua.

"The Middle Peak is also known as Jade Maiden Peak. It is said that in the Spring and Autumn period, a young man named Xiao Shi, skilled at playing flute, attracted the admiration of Shouyu, daughter of Duke Mu of Qin.

Shouyu forsook wealth and luxury to live in seclusion with Xiao Shi on Mount Hua, hence the name Jade Maiden Peak."

Looking at the Middle Peak, Xia Liang smiled and said.

"Jade Maiden Peak is shaped like a bird's head, with its beak down. At the top, there is a huge stone shell, shaped like a giant tortoise.

Later, to commemorate Shouyu, who was disinterested in wealth, Jade Maiden Temple was built on the tortoise's back. In front of the temple are five stone basins, said to be used by Shouyu for washing.

Beside the temple, there is a stone horse, said to have turned into the gallant horse that Shouyu rode into Mount Hua.

Behind Jade Maiden Temple is Fluting Platform and Phoenix-Inviting Pavilion, and on the cliff of the Middle Peak stands a solitary pine tree, its branches spreading in the air, with a glow... it's called Sacrifice Life Tree."

"Mr. Xia Liang, I didn't expect such a spot in your Dragon Country to have so many stories."

Listening to Xia Liang's introduction, Kawai Matsutake seemed quite amazed, noting that Dragon Country's history and culture are deeply profound, incomparable to their Sakura.

Surrounding forests were lush, the environment serene, with countless exotic flowers and grasses; tourists wandered among them as if they had entered a fairyland.

Especially when overlooking from here, the swirling clouds added to the scenery, giving a feeling of floating on clouds.

"Mr. Kawai, let's play a bit here, rest, and eat something, there's still quite some way ahead."

It was already past noon, and none of the group had eaten yet, and Xia Liang was feeling a bit hungry.

Kawai Matsutake nodded, and everyone took out the food they had brought to replenish their energy.

After resting for a while, the group continued and soon reached the top of the East Peak, also known as Chaoyang Peak, with a platform at the summit, offering a wide view from high above.

It is the best spot for watching the sunrise. Chaoyang Peak has many attractions, but the most famous is the Yaozi Turns Over.

Yaozi Turns Over is one of Mount Hua's renowned danger spots. The path is located on the inverted cliff of Chaoyang Peak, where looking down, you can only see iron chains hanging in the air, bottomless.

To pass, you need to face the wall and grip the iron chain, using your toes to search for stone sockets, and some steps require turning your body like an eagle to get through; hence the name.

"Mr. Kawai, it's extremely dangerous here, perhaps we should turn back and leave."

At the Yaozi Turns Over, Xia Liang said to Kawai Matsutake. If it were one person, it would be easy to pass, but carrying someone on your back is quite troublesome.

"No need, rare to come to such peril, how can we turn back."

Kawai Matsutake said as he grabbed the iron chain and moved on, others followed suit.

"Holy crap, look at that guy, he's actually carrying a person, isn't that courting death?"

"This is too reckless, it's dangerous enough here, carrying someone is asking for trouble!"

"Perhaps we should stay put for now to avoid any accidents pulling us in."

Many tourists were around, and seeing Kurokawa Motoishi carrying an old man crossing Yaozi Turns Over, exclaimed in disbelief.

However, the group paid no mind, stepping onto Yaozi Turns Over. The already slightly loose chains swayed even more.

But Kawai Matsutake and his companions remained calm and unaffected, even Kurokawa Motoishi, carrying the old man, held onto the iron chain tight.

Soon the group arrived at the first challenging spot, Kawai Matsutake flipped his body over with a Yaozi Turns Over-like maneuver, passing effortlessly.

Others followed suit without encountering trouble, including Kurokawa Motoishi, who despite carrying the old man, faced little hindrance due to his strength.

Xia Liang narrowed his eyes, realizing he'd underestimated Kurokawa Motoishi's capability, although strained, he avoided mishap.

Especially the old man on his back, despite the abyss below, remained completely unfazed, very calm.

"These people are quite interesting, indeed."

Thought Xia Liang, as the group successfully crossed Yaozi Turns Over, the trip so far had been thrilling but safe, with no incidents.

"Mr. Xia Liang, Yaozi Turns Over is quite intriguing, are there any more such places ahead?"

Kawai Matsutake curiously asked.