Chapter 273: Boulder Mountain

Although Lin Xiao’s heart burned with murderous intent, he didn’t show it.

After dinner, he spent some time helping Yuan Yu with her homework. Late at night, they returned to their respective rooms to rest.

The next morning, Lin Xiao woke up early. After splashing cold water on his face, he followed his usual routine, heading to a nearby park to practice his martial arts.

The Eagle Claw Technique he had learned from Duan Changhan and the Chen-style Fist taught by Old Master Chen required consistent practice to fully grasp their essence.

With each punch and move, Lin Xiao’s mastery of the two martial arts grew steadily.

An hour later, Lin Xiao inhaled deeply and threw a punch forward. This punch wasn’t part of the Chen-style Fist or the Eagle Claw Technique. Instead, it was a new strike he had created by merging aspects of both styles with his Thunderbolt Fist.

Every time his fist cut through the air, it produced a crisp, sharp sound.

After finishing his routine, Lin Xiao exhaled long and slow, a spark of clarity flashing in his eyes.

Although he had only fused a single move so far, its power surpassed his original Thunderbolt Fist, with significantly advanced intricacies.

Lin Xiao believed that once he fully integrated the two styles into his Thunderbolt Fist, his combat abilities would soar to new heights.

However, he knew such mastery required time and persistent effort. It wasn’t something that could be rushed.

***

Three hours later, a silver Porsche Cayenne roared along a narrow mountain road.

They had left Jinghai City far behind. Surrounding them were rolling hills of varying shapes—some steep and imposing, others lush and picturesque. Lin Xiao focused on driving while Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing sat in the backseat, enjoying the fresh mountain air through the open windows.

Cool breezes swept through the car, lifting the girls’ hair like fluttering banners. Their laughter, as bright and carefree as silver bells, echoed in the serene mountain setting.

Hearing their joy, Lin Xiao’s mood unconsciously improved, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Their destination was Boulder Mountain, located deep within the range.

Boulder Mountain was the tallest peak in the Jinghai region, standing over 3,000 meters high. From above, the mountain resembled a colossal boulder reaching for the heavens, towering above the surrounding peaks. Despite its rugged terrain, its stunning scenery made it a favorite spot for hikers.

According to legend, a temple lay hidden within Boulder Mountain, housing a portrait of a Great Stone Buddha. It was said that anyone who found the temple and made a wish to the Buddha would have their wish granted.

Whether the legend was true or not was impossible to verify. Over the years, no one had ever claimed to find the temple.

“This air is amazing.” Huang Caixing closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. A sweet smile lit up her face, dimples forming on her cheeks. “It’s been ages since I felt this relaxed.”

“You liar,” Yuan Yu said, poking holes in her statement without hesitation. “You’re relaxed every single day, whether at school or at home. You don’t feel an ounce of pressure.”

“Oh, you cheeky little princess!” Huang Caixing shot a glance at Lin Xiao, then raised her hands playfully, pretending to tickle Yuan Yu. “How do you know I’m not stressed? Are you a worm in my stomach or something?”

Yuan Yu rolled her eyes, unwilling to engage further.

Seeing Yuan Yu’s indifference, Huang Caixing grew bored. Her mischievous eyes darted around before she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Lin Xiao from behind.

“Big Brother Lin, I’ve got a request.”

“What is it?” Lin Xiao asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

“If I get tired hiking, will you carry me?” Huang Caixing asked with a cheeky grin.

Before Lin Xiao could respond, Yuan Yu interrupted coldly, “Keep dreaming! You wanted to hike, so you’d better hike. Even if you’re exhausted, you’ll have to keep walking. There’s no way Big Brother Lin will carry you.”

“I’ll make him carry me, hmph! You can walk on your own,” Huang Caixing said smugly, turning her head away in mock indignation.

“Alright, enough bickering, you two,” Lin Xiao said with a sigh. “We’re here to have fun, so let’s enjoy ourselves. Besides, we need to return early. Aunty Xin said there’s going to be a heavy storm today.”

Huang Caixing pushed open the car’s sunroof and poked her head out, shielding her eyes with her hand as she looked up at the clear sky.

Bright sunlight bathed the landscape, and not a single cloud marred the blue expanse. A gentle breeze whispered through the trees, with no hint of an impending storm.

“My mom’s worrying over nothing. Don’t listen to her,” Huang Caixing said, sitting back down. “And a storm could be fun! Big Brother Lin, you can shield me from the rain like a drama hero, you know? Taking off your coat to protect me.”

As she spoke, stars practically sparkled in her eyes.

Yuan Yu, watching Huang Caixing’s dreamy expression, couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

‘If anyone’s getting sheltered from the rain, it’ll be me,’ she thought silently.

Lin Xiao, unaware of either girl’s thoughts, said after a brief pause, “Auntie Xin probably has her reasons. Besides, the weather forecast did say there’d be storms over the next couple of days. If it does rain, being in the mountains won’t be safe.”

“You actually trust the weather forecast?” Huang Caixing leaned against Lin Xiao’s shoulder without a care, her breath soft and fragrant as it brushed past him. “If the forecast were reliable, pigs could climb trees.”

Yuan Yu let out a light laugh, unable to hold it in.

A faint smile tugged at Lin Xiao’s lips. He chose not to argue over something trivial.

“We’ll see. If it does rain, we’ll head back immediately. Got it?”

“Got it,” Huang Caixing replied half-heartedly. Then, she suddenly pointed ahead. “Brother Lin, we’re here.”

After more than three hours of driving, they finally arrived at their destination.

To Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing’s disappointment, Boulder Mountain wasn’t what they had imagined.

They had envisioned a serene and picturesque place, with pristine nature untouched by human activity.

Instead, the mountain’s base was bustling with people—locals selling specialty goods, hikers preparing for their climb, and food stalls set up to cater to the crowds.

Seeing the look of disillusionment on their faces, Lin Xiao chuckled and playfully tapped both their heads. “What’s with the silence?”

“This isn’t what I expected! Why are there so many people?” Huang Caixing pouted, her lips sticking out further and further.

Yuan Yu didn’t say anything but nodded emphatically in agreement.

“This is normal. Boulder Mountain is well-known in Jinghai, so it attracts a lot of visitors,” Lin Xiao explained, parking the car. “The base is always crowded, but the higher you go, the fewer people you’ll see.”

Hearing this, Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing perked up. They hopped out of the car and stood on either side of Lin Xiao, ready to begin their adventure.