Chapter 630: Climbing the Mountain with Li Jia

Cui Chengshan nodded very seriously.

I have made it clear; this matter concerns his official hat, and if something really happens, no one can protect him.

I believe that even if he had water in his brain, he couldn't make such a low-level mistake.

Having said what needed to be said, I don't need to arrange anything else.

I drank all the tea and then went back to the hotel to rest.

Yang Tao anxiously asked me at this moment how she should speak tomorrow.

I laughed and said, "Yang Tao, you are originally an outstanding actress; tomorrow you just need to reveal your true self."

In some people's eyes, a woman's appearance is more important than anything she says."

After hearing me finish, Yang Tao angrily said, "Zhao Jianqiang, you simply don't regard me as a good woman in your heart. I won't talk to you anymore. I'm so angry."

Yang Tao slammed the door and left.

I laughed heartily.

Originally just a chicken, yet I feel like a phoenix. I thought to myself.

The next morning,

Li Jia arrived.

I drove, taking Li Jia first to the ancient city wall of Ancient Xue Kingdom,

After walking around there, I saw people around the ancient city wall, indicating that Cui Chengshan had already arranged for protection.

Then I didn't need to worry about anything.

We then headed toward Beishan.

Entering Beishan from Xue County is equivalent to climbing the mountain from the other side.

There is only one cement road, which has also fallen into disrepair over the years.

The road is full of potholes. Fortunately, my off-vehicle performs well; these potholes are nothing.

After driving for about half an hour,

we reached the end of the cement road.

Li Jia pointed ahead and said, "Mr. Zhao, you see those business cars can only get this far; from here to Beishan it's still another half hour's journey."

I nodded,

then parked the car and got out.

Our parking spot was a small platform, overgrown with weeds all around.

Hidden among the weeds was a path leading up the mountain.

It was paved with sand and stones.

I said to Li Jia, "Let's go and try it; see if it's passable; if not, we'll have to enter the mountain from Xin Cheng."

Li Jia followed behind me.

We went one after another up the sand-and-stone path.

The mountainous area in October is truly very beautiful.

The mountain wind blew gently; on this side of Xue County, the mountain trees are relatively few,

they are mostly small shrubs.

The path up the mountain winds and twists.

These mountain trails were formed by people walking; no one designed them, making them very natural.

Morning mist swirled around the mountainside.

It seemed as if immortals dwelled there.

Li Jia and I walked quickly.

I thought Li Jia might not keep up with me, but her stamina is excellent; she followed behind without falling behind.

We finally reached a mountain summit,

After ascending the mountain, we looked at the distant rising and falling ranges.

I said to Li Jia, "From here, the entire Beishan area looks very beautiful,

we just need to lure Zhuang Shi to this position; we don't necessarily have to go to the actual site to see."

"Sure, Mr. Zhao, I know a road that leads directly to One Line Sky. We should bring them to see One Line Sky," Li Jia said.

"Is the road difficult to walk? Those people are all elderly," I said.

"It's not too difficult. We can give it a try," Li Jia said.

"Then it's fine; when you give the explanation, you should add some local legends to make these Beishan areas more valuable for development."

"Yesterday I already found some mythological stories to intersperse in the explanation," Li Jia said.

"Good. Then let's go to One Line Sky to have a look," I said.

I followed Li Jia along a sheep-intestine path, climbing up the mountain.

Since this area is undeveloped,

many scenes still retain their most primitive state.

Originally there were many reclaimed small terraced fields on the slope.

With the higher authorities' demand to return farmland to forest, plus high production costs,

no one plants them anymore.

They have all been planted with trees.

We walked for about an hour and finally reached One Line Sky.

I don't know this small path.

My former home was not far from One Line Sky, and I don't have time to go to Hulutao.

The formation of One Line Sky is due to crustal movement; the violent activity of two mountains created a natural fissure.

People standing at the bottom of the fissure can only see a sliver of clear sky.

So it is called One Line Sky.

Li Jia and I stood before the quiet mountain One Line Sky,

Inside, a faint light was revealed,

From within, cool air wafted out.

I asked Li Jia, "Have you ever gone inside?"

Li Jia replied, "I once went in with some fellow hikers, but it was too deep inside; we didn't reach the end."

I glanced at the time; it was already close to seven o'clock.

I said, "That's about enough, let's head back first.

We'll take this road in a while. They should arrive around ten in the morning."

Li Jia laughed and said, "They come here just to look. Let them see the autumn beauty of our mountain region, and then prepare some fruits that grow in the mountains.

They are all natural and pollution‑free, ensuring the officials have a good time.

In fact, modern tourism is no longer those heavily man‑made scenic spots; many people love to explore undeveloped scenery, and it doesn't even require a ticket.

I just like places like this, few people around. I can post on my social circle to show off."

"Not everyone likes it that way; what we should do is develop some parts and leave others undeveloped,

each can have its own preference."

"Let's go, we must rush back to Xue County by nine," I said as I walked.

Li Jia and I quickly returned to the car.

I was already panting heavily from walking, while Li Jia's breathing remained normal.

This shows that the woman is in good shape and exercises regularly.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, looked at Li Jia and said, "Your body is really great.

You should drive."

Li Jia smiled and agreed.

After Li Jia got into the car, she said, "Mr. Zhao, let me say something you may not like to hear: this isn't a mountain at all. In our northwest, only elevations over three thousand meters are called mountains.

We just crossed that ridge, its altitude was only a little over four hundred meters; to me, it's at most a hill."

I said, "You're right, only the northwest's peaks are called mountains. Here it's really not a mountain, but most of the area is plain,

and a little protrusion makes it stand out."

"Haha, Mr. Zhao, that makes sense. You're really humorous," Li Jia laughed.

The woman has a very open personality.

On our way back,

Li Jia asked directly, "Mr. Zhao, what relation is that Yang Tao to you?"

"She is my friend," I said.

"I see, it seems you two have an unusual relationship. She is truly beautiful," Li Jia said.

"Li Jia, women's beauty can be categorized in many ways; Yang Tao belongs to the charming kind of beauty."

"Then what about me? Which kind am I?" Li Jia asked.

"You are the majestic type of beauty. At a glance, you're like a fully bloomed peony," I said.

Li Jia laughed heartily.

Li Jia's driving skill is good; she drives much faster than I do.

You can tell from her driving that she carries the wildness of the northwest.

Unlike people here, whose driving is very restrained.

Truly, a land's environment nurtures its people.

We quickly returned to Xue County.

Just upon arriving at Xue County, Secretary Qin's call came.

"Mr. Zhao, how are the arrangements in Xue County going?"

I said, "Everything's arranged; you bring Zhuang Shi and the others over."

"How is the road up the mountain, how far can a vehicle go, and how long does it take on foot?" Secretary Qin asked.

"The mountain road is very primitive; a vehicle can only reach the foot of the mountain. Walking takes a little over an hour. I've already scouted the path. Safety is not an issue. It's just a matter of how Zhuang Shi and the others are physically; can they walk a bit over an hour?" I said over the phone.