Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 252 The Beginning of the Time Travel Journey

Wu Tao took a deep breath and unfolded the sheepskin map given by the mysterious old man on the table. The mountains and rivers were outlined with cinnabar on the map, but there was only one blank space with the word "source" marked in bright red ink.

"Is this the location of the energy source?" Hu Bugui's slender fingers gently stroked the blank area on the map, with a hint of solemnity in his tone.

"That's right," Wu Tao nodded, a trace of worry flashing between her delicate eyebrows, "But there is no specific location marked on the map. We can only follow the old man's instructions and look for a mountain with a peculiar shape. It is said that the energy source is there."

"Let's set off now without further ado." Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand with a firm look in his eyes.

In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, they decided to act secretly. After bidding farewell to their reluctant father and mother, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui took only a few trusted business partners and embarked on a journey to find the energy source.

Along the way, they crossed mountains and ridges, slept in the open air, and experienced hardships that ordinary people could hardly imagine. Wu Tao was originally a spoiled modern girl, but she showed amazing perseverance and courage in difficult situations, which made Hu Bugui look at her with more respect and feel more distressed.

Finally, after several days of traveling, they arrived at the edge of the blank area on the map.

"The Misty Forest is ahead," one of the companions pointed to the valley shrouded in thick fog and said solemnly, "It is said that there are dangers lurking in there, and few people who go in can come out alive."

"We have to go in," Wu Tao said firmly, "The energy source is deep in the forest. In order to return to the Tang Dynasty, we have no choice."

Hu Bugui clenched the sword in his hand, he knew that the road ahead would be even more dangerous.

They walked into the forest cautiously. The thick fog obscured their vision, and they could only vaguely see the tall trees and vines around them. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew, accompanied by a few strange bird calls, making the already tense atmosphere even more depressing.

"Everyone be careful!" Hu Bugui warned in a low voice, looking around vigilantly.

Just then, several dark shadows rushed out from the depths of the woods and headed straight towards them.

"It's them!" Wu Tao recognized them at a glance. These people were the criminals who had been following them. It seemed that their whereabouts had been exposed, and a fierce battle was inevitable...

"Protect Wu Tao!" Hu Bugui shouted and drew his sword to meet the enemy.

Swords flashed and shouts shook the sky. Wu Tao and his companions stood back to back, struggling to resist the enemy's attack. These criminals were clearly well prepared, and their moves were ruthless, intending to put them to death.

During the fierce battle, Wu Tao was accidentally forced to the edge of a cliff by the enemy. Just as he was about to fall off the cliff, Hu Bugui kicked the enemy in front of him away, flew over, and hugged Wu Tao tightly in his arms...

His warm embrace made Wu Tao's heart beat faster instantly, but she quickly calmed down and shouted anxiously: "Don't worry about me, go help others!"

Hu Bugui didn't say anything, but just looked at her firmly, then handed her to his companions behind him and turned around to join the battle again.

The fierce battle lasted for nearly half an hour, and finally ended with Hu Bugui's side winning by a narrow margin. The enemy fled in panic, leaving behind a field of wounded and cold bodies.

"We won..." one of the companions said breathlessly, his face was not happy but full of worry, "But, our whereabouts have also been exposed, what should we do next?"

"They should have accomplices," Hu Bugui said in a deep voice, his brows knitted tightly, "We must find the energy source as soon as possible, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous."

Wu Tao looked around and saw that the originally quiet forest was now stained with blood. The strong smell of blood filled the air, making people shudder. She knew that Hu Bugui was right. They were in danger now and had to make a decision as soon as possible.

"We will act separately," Wu Tao took a deep breath and said with a firm look in his eyes, "I will continue to look for the energy source, and you will be responsible for protecting the safety of your family and friends."

"No! This is too dangerous!" Hu Bugui refused without thinking. How could he let Wu Tao take the risk alone?

"Trust me," Wu Tao held his hand with a firm look, "I will be fine."

After a brief silence, Hu Bugui finally compromised. He knew that now was not the time to be willful, and they had to put the overall situation first.

"Be careful," Hu Bugui gently stroked Wu Tao's cheek, his eyes full of worry and reluctance, "I will find you as soon as possible."

Wu Tao nodded, turned around and walked towards the depths of the misty forest. Her figure gradually blurred in the thick fog and finally disappeared.

Wu Tao, alone, relied on his intuition and the guidance of the map to travel through the misty forest. It was terribly quiet all around, with only the occasional chirping of insects and birds, making it even more eerie and terrifying.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the mist in front of him gradually dissipated, and a mountain with a strange shape appeared in front of Wu Tao. The mountain was towering into the clouds, and the mountain was in a spiral shape, like a sharp sword piercing the sky.

"Could this be..." Wu Tao's heart moved and he quickened his pace towards the mountain.

At this moment, an old voice came from behind her: "Young man, you are finally here..."

Wu Tao turned around suddenly and saw an old man wearing coarse linen clothes, with white hair and silver beard, looking at her with a smile...

Wu Tao took a step back cautiously, looking at the mysterious old man who suddenly appeared in front of him. The old man had white hair and a childlike face, and his eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Wu Tao asked with a hint of wariness in his tone.

The old man smiled and said, "I am the guardian of this mountain. You can call me Xuanjizi. I know why you are here, and I also know the doubts in your heart."

Wu Tao was shocked. This old man actually knew her origin and purpose? She suppressed her inner shock and asked, "Do you know how to find the energy source?"

Xuanjizi nodded, pointed to the top of the mountain, and said: "The energy source is at the top of the mountain, but it is not easy to get it. You need to pass my test."

"What test?" Wu Tao asked.

Xuanjizi did not answer directly, but slowly spoke and told a story about the history of the Tang Dynasty and some secrets about Hu Bugui's life experience. Wu Tao listened attentively, and was more excited about the upcoming journey of time travel, and more determined to face everything with Hu Bugui.

Meanwhile, things were not peaceful for Hu Bugui. While protecting his family, he accidentally discovered a secret letter from the Tang Dynasty, which mentioned his life experience and a secret plan that had been hidden for many years.

"It turns out that my life experience is not simple..." Hu Bugui murmured to himself, with a complex light flashing in his eyes. He realized that this journey through time was not only for love, but also an opportunity to find the truth and change his destiny.

Under Xuanjizi's guidance, Wu Tao went through many hardships and finally reached the top of the mountain, where he found the legendary energy source, a gem that radiated dazzling light and contained powerful energy.

"Congratulations, you passed the test." Xuanjizi said with a smile, "Now, go back with the energy source. It will help you open the door of time and space and return to your beloved."

Wu Tao solemnly took the gem, bowed deeply to Xuanjizi, and turned to go down the mountain. However, at this moment, a cold laugh suddenly sounded, breaking the tranquility on the top of the mountain.

"It seems we are too late. The energy source has been found..."

Wu Tao's heart trembled, he clenched the gem in his hand, and turned to look in the direction of the sound. He saw a group of men in black slowly walking out of the woods, all of them with fierce looks on their faces and holding sharp blades, and it was obvious that they were not friendly.

“Hand over the energy source and I will spare your life!” The leading man in black had a hoarse voice, his tone full of greed.

Wu Tao knew the importance of this energy source and must not let it fall into the hands of these people. She calmly looked around, looking for a way to escape. However, the men in black had surrounded her, and she could not escape.

"If you want to snatch the energy source, it depends on whether you have the ability to do so!" Wu Tao said coldly, with a determined light flashing in her eyes. She urged the true energy in her body and prepared to fight to the death.

At this moment, a roar came from a distance: "Stop! Who dares to hurt Tao'er!"

Wu Tao's heart was shocked. It was Hu Bugui's voice! A glimmer of hope ignited in her heart, but she was also more worried about his safety.

Hu Bugui was seen holding a long sword and rushing into the crowd like a whirlwind. The sword flashed and his moves were fierce. In an instant, he knocked down several men in black.

"Bugui, be careful!" Wu Tao shouted anxiously.

When Hu Bugui heard Wu Tao's voice, he became even more anxious. He fought his way out, came to Wu Tao's side, and protected her behind him.

"Taoer, are you okay?" Hu Bugui asked with concern, his eyes full of worry.

"I'm fine, let's deal with them together!" Wu Tao said firmly.

The two stood back to back, jointly resisting the attack of the man in black. Hu Bugui's swordsmanship was sharp and his moves were exquisite, while Wu Tao was also agile and used the terrain advantage to cleverly dodge the attack.

However, there were a large number of men in black, and each of them was a well-trained killer. Wu Tao and Hu Bugui gradually felt exhausted.

"This is not a solution. We must break out as soon as possible!" Hu Bugui said, with a gleam of determination in his eyes.

He signaled Wu Tao to follow him closely, and then used all his strength to launch a fierce attack on the man in black. Wu Tao also seized the opportunity and used the hidden weapon in his hand to cooperate with Hu Bugui's attack.

Finally, they found a breakthrough and rushed out of the encirclement of the men in black. The two ran all the way until they were far away from the woods, and then they dared to stop.

"We are safe..." Wu Tao said breathlessly, with a look of relief on his face for having survived the disaster.

Hu Bugui held her hand tightly and said, "Let's go back."

The two returned home, only to find that the atmosphere at home was extremely solemn. Their entrepreneurial partners all looked livid, looking at them with eyes full of suspicion and disappointment...