Chapter 8 Blood Well: Mangshan

The source of pollution... has been found.

When the three arrived at Mangshan, it was sunset.

The dense foliage in the forest blocked out the sun, making the entire mountain forest appear gloomy and oppressive.

Following the map, the three headed toward one of the suspicious locations they had previously circled.

Halfway up the mountain, they encountered an old woodcutter carrying a bamboo basket hurrying downhill. Seeing that there were still people going up, he quickly warned them: "The sun is about to set, you three shouldn't go any further into the mountains. It's not safe in these mountains at night."

After saying that, he hurriedly left.

Tang Yu stepped forward, stopping him, and asked with a smile, "Excuse me, sir. Have you noticed any strange smells in the mountains lately? Like... rust, or the smell of metal?"

The old woodcutter was taken aback upon hearing this. After a moment of recollection, he replied, "The smell of rust is not unusual. There used to be an abandoned iron mine in these mountains, but it was sealed off after the war in the southern border region and has been abandoned for many years."

"Iron ore?" Xiao Fangliang seized on the key point in his words and immediately pressed, "Where is this mine now?"

"Go to Xiling, just through this forest." The old woodcutter pointed in the direction and then advised, "The road there is difficult to travel, and it's getting late, so the three of you should head home as soon as possible."

The group thanked the old man, exchanged glances, and tacitly walked into the depths of the forest.

The mountain road was rugged and uneven, overgrown with shrubs.

Xiao Fangliang had clearly never set foot on such terrain before, and even finding the right place to step seemed awkward. Wang Shanyue could only clear away the thorns blocking his path while turning back to help him.

Tang Yu was agile and moved through the forest and grass as if walking on flat ground, so she took the initiative to take on the important task of exploring the way.

Xiao Fangliang couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Su seems to live in the mountains."

“That’s right,” Tang Yu replied with a smile. “As I said before, I’ve lived with my master in the deep mountains of Sichuan since I was a child. I’m naturally familiar with the mountain paths and forests.”

With her guidance, the three quickly arrived at the abandoned iron mine.

The entrance was dilapidated, with rust stains on the stone walls, mixed with piles of broken planks and debris. A damp, cold, and fishy smell lingered in the air, mixed with the smell of rust, like blood, or perhaps the lingering stench of a decaying corpse.

The moment I stepped into the mine entrance, the tinder flickered in the wind. The dark mine entrance resembled a gaping maw, waiting for its prey to walk into its trap.

The sound of the wind echoed through the dilapidated well shaft, like whispers or weeping. Even though it was still bright, the group couldn't help but feel a chill.

"This place... must really be abandoned, right?" Wang Shanyue gripped his sword tightly, looking around warily, while also keeping an eye on Xiao Fangliang.

Xiao Fangliang suddenly raised his hand, signaling for silence.

Several people held their breath.

"Drip...tap..."

Deep inside the mine, the sound of dripping water could be heard intermittently, each drop extremely slow, like blood seeping from the cracks in the rocks.

Not having enough light, Tang Yu lit another tinderbox and groped along the wall until he found a flickering lamp on the stone wall. He tried it, and to his surprise, it still lit up.

A sudden burst of light illuminated the mine.

The stone wall was mottled with rust, like dried bloodstains, winding and twisting all the way ahead. Gravel blocked the way, leaving only a narrow gap through which a pool of dark brown water could be faintly seen behind.

Scattered around were some rotting animal carcasses, emitting a pungent stench.

Tick-tock.

Another sound, so close at hand.

The three of them stopped in their tracks.

Tang Yu looked up at the sound and gazed at the rock wall, where a bird, or perhaps a bat, was almost unrecognizable. Sticky, dark red liquid seemed to be dripping down its wings.

A scan of the ground revealed that no liquid had fallen to the ground.

Where does that "tick-tock" sound come from?

“Strange…” Tang Yu murmured, frowning as she looked at the dripping red liquid.

Why can't this drop of blood fall?

Suddenly, alarm bells rang in his mind, and he took a step back, hissing, "Back off! That's not blood, it's a Gu worm!"

Before the words were finished, the "blood droplets" that were dripping downwards suddenly seemed to be startled, defying gravity and rising against the rock wall, quickly disappearing from sight.

Tang Yu could see clearly that these dark red, blood-like insects eventually flowed into the black water behind the pebbles, making a "drip" sound as they entered the water, creating a barely perceptible ripple.

The water surface looked particularly eerie against the backdrop of the dim firelight.

The source of pollution... has been found.

Although they found the source, the three of them didn't know how to deal with the strange Gu worm.

Not daring to act rashly, they had no choice but to withdraw from the mine and return to the Xia Nan Prince's Mansion to report the matter.

After a long day of travel, the frail Xiao Fangliang looked somewhat tired. Upon returning to his residence, he found a carved mahogany chair and sat down. He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat before slowly speaking, "Your Highness, do you know the origin of that iron ore?"

“That is… the old mine of the former Nanzhao.” King Xia Nan’s expression changed slightly when he mentioned the old name.

"During the Battle of Southern Xinjiang, in order to prevent the enemy from holding it, it was ordered to be blown up and then completely sealed off, and was never used again."

“But that mine…” Xiao Fangliang lowered his eyes for a moment, his tone hesitant, “it looks like it was only abandoned in the last few months.”

"How could this be?!" King Xia Nan exclaimed in surprise: "After the war, I sent troops to patrol the area, but they abandoned it after seeing the severe landslide. It should be unused."

Xiao Fangliang shook his head and explained, "Although the path we took up the mountain was difficult, the grass near the mine entrance was sparse and the traces were fresh, which means that someone was active in the vicinity not long ago."

"Moreover, the abandoned timber outside the cave still retains its shape and has not been completely corroded. The battle in the southern border region lasted for more than ten years. If it had been abandoned for so long, given the dampness of Mangshan and the gnaw of insects and ants, the timber should have rotted away long ago."

Tang Yu nodded and continued, "What's even stranger is that oil lamp. The environment is so cold and damp, yet the lamp can still be lit. It's really illogical."

"Indeed!" Wang Shanyue slammed his hand on the table, only now realizing what was happening. "Unless it's a legendary ever-burning lamp made by the merfolk of the South China Sea, what oil lamp in the world could still be used after being stored for over ten years?"

Xiao Fangliang took a sip of tea without showing any emotion, and casually mentioned, "The two Southern Frontier people we captured in Ghost Cry Village might be related to this. Your Highness might as well send someone to interrogate them carefully; perhaps we will find something."

Upon hearing this, King Xia Nan's expression grew even more solemn.

He also thought of the Southern Frontier people who pretended to stay at the inn. They destroyed the caravan's horses and blocked their entry into Xia Nan. There must be a conspiracy behind it.

"Alas..." He sighed and said with concern, "After the fall of Nan Yue, the remaining small countries in the southern border were severely weakened and temporarily stabilized, but they were all eyeing us covetously. The remnants of Nan Yue have been hiding in various places for more than ten years, and their schemes have not stopped. In recent years, there have been signs that their dead embers have been rekindled."

He rose, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said solemnly, “I implore you two young heroes to report this matter to General Xie after you return to the capital, so that he may forward it to the court and prevent any further disturbances to this hard-won peace.”

The two men quickly rose to return the greeting: "Your Highness, rest assured, this matter concerns Xia Nan's safety, and we will certainly not dare to neglect it."

Xiao Fangliang paused for a moment, then slowly changed the subject: "As for the Gu worms in the mine... we laymen are really unable to deal with them. We need Your Highness to find a skilled Gu witch doctor to help us. Once the iron mine is cleared, the rumors about the blood well will surely be dispelled on their own."

King Xia Nan nodded solemnly and immediately ordered the blockade of the Mangshan mountain road, the temporary closure of nearby water sources, and the posting of notices to appease the people.

Tang Yu and his group stayed in Xia Nan for several more days, realizing that completely eradicating the Gu poison was not something that could be done overnight. Now that they had found a witch doctor and the source of the problem was clear, the people's hearts were somewhat at ease, and the situation had stabilized. It was not convenient to stay any longer, so they decided to return to the capital the next day.

*

At dawn, outside the Prince's Mansion, the escort team was fully prepared to depart.

Wang Shanyue loaded the last bag of luggage onto the carriage, while Xiao Fangliang had already gotten into the carriage and was writing in a notebook. Tang Yu lifted the curtain and peeked in, asking curiously, "What is Young Master Xiao writing down?"

Xiao Fangliang looked up, his expression gentle: "I have been frail since childhood and rarely leave the capital. It is a rare opportunity to come to Xia Nan, and I have seen and heard a lot, so I have recorded some interesting and unusual stories."

He lowered his eyes and smiled, his gaze holding a profound meaning.

This trip to Xia Nan is still shrouded in mystery, with Ghost Cry Village, Blood Well, Gu worms... Who knows what the final destination will be?

With the light sound of hooves and the rolling of wheels, the group set off northward, embarking on the old road back to the capital.

Tang Yu sat by the window, gazing at the distant mountains shrouded in mist, a hint of seriousness on her face.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Fangliang suddenly spoke up: "Brother Su, after you arrive in the capital, is there anyone you wish to see or any place you wish to go? If you don't mind, Wangyuan Escort Agency might be able to help you out."

“That’s right!” Wang Shanyue said excitedly, chewing his dry rations outside the carriage. “A Liang and I know Zhongjing very well. Just tell us and we’ll show you around!”

He suddenly slapped his forehead, his eyes lighting up: "Why don't you stay at our security company! It's spacious, and my mother is a great cook. I guarantee you won't want to leave!"

Tang Yu's eyes lit up; she hadn't expected to get into the Wangyuan Escort Agency so easily.

But Xiao Fangliang's next words made her excitement vanish in an instant.

Xiao Fangliang smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Excellent. I can also learn martial arts from A-Yue and his senior brother, which will make me feel more at ease when I travel the world in the future."

Tang Yu felt a chill run down her spine, and a sense of foreboding washed over her: "...Senior Brother?"

“That’s right!” Wang Shanyue, oblivious to the change in atmosphere inside the car, cheerfully introduced, “My senior brother, that year he led troops into the Southern Moon Holy Temple alone and captured the Holy Maiden alive. He was personally appointed by the Emperor as the number one young general of the Great Xia Dynasty, Xie Xingzheng, the third son of the Xie family.”

Upon hearing this name, Tang Yu's smile froze slightly, her fingers tightened, and she almost lost her composure.

Xiao Fangliang glanced at her seemingly unintentionally and chuckled, "How about it? It's not a bad deal to learn a couple of moves from General Xie, is it?"

Tang Yu forced a smile, but inexplicably read a hint of mockery in his eyes.

She lowered her head to hide her gaze, inwardly groaning: Why is it this Xie guy again?! He's like a persistent ghost, ruining my plans again!

It seems we must not be careless about our trip to Zhongjing.

*

Three days later, as the sun rose, the group had been away from Xia Nan territory for two days and arrived in Quzhou, Jiangnan.

This place is shrouded in mist and rain year-round, with distant mountains appearing like dark eyebrows and water vapor drifting in the air, resembling an ink wash painting. Its strategic location at a crossroads of land and water has attracted merchants and scholars from all over. Furthermore, it is renowned for the beauty of women from Jiangnan, described as having skin as white as snow and wrists as smooth as frost, making it a place many yearn for, comparing it to a paradise on earth.

I had just arrived at the inn. It had rained a few days ago, and the air was filled with the unique humidity of Jiangnan. There were still some water stains on the ground.

Wang Shanyue yawned, dismounted, and looked up at the gloomy sky. "In less than three days, we'll be back in Zhongjing. I'm already starting to miss my mother's cooking."

Xiao Fangliang put away the book in his hand and was helped down by Wang Shanyue as soon as he lifted the carriage curtain. However, he had been sitting in the carriage for a long time and his footing was unsteady. He stepped into the air and staggered before regaining his composure.

Wang Shanyue then smiled and reached out to Tang Yu: "Brother Su, let me help you."

Tang Yu waved her hand in polite refusal and nimbly jumped down from the carriage: "No need."

He didn't mind and immediately rushed off to help the bodyguards pack their luggage.

Watching his retreating figure, Tang Yu recalled her previous investigation: Wang Shanyue came from the Wang family, one of the nine prominent families in the martial arts world, and was also trained by a prestigious lineage, enjoying a good reputation both in the martial arts world and in the imperial court. She had heard that he was upright and righteous, and although some people occasionally said that he was "not very bright and easy to fool," Tang Yu did not take it seriously.

On the contrary, I feel that this person has a childlike heart, which is the most precious thing.

If she hadn't needed to find medicine for her brother, she might have already become friends with the two of them under her true identity.

While she was lost in thought, a small figure suddenly rushed in front of Xiao Fangliang, startling him so much that he instinctively took a step back.

Looking down for some inexplicable reason, I saw a little girl who was covered in dirt, with bright, round eyes that were curved like crescent moons.

She said in a sweet and crisp voice, "Brother, you are so handsome, you are like a jade tree, unique in the world."

After saying that, she stretched out her little hand to ask for something.

Xiao Fangliang, who was a germaphobe, frowned and subconsciously took a step back.

The girl's expression darkened upon seeing this, and she was about to withdraw her hand when, unexpectedly, several pieces of cold, broken silver appeared in her palm.

Holding the loose silver coins he gave her, the girl couldn't hide her joy. She looked up and praised him several more times before skipping away.

Tang Yu stared intently, then chuckled softly, "This little girl is quite clever."

Her gaze fell on Xiao Fangliang's simple, moon-white robe, with jade pendants hanging from his waist. He had an elegant demeanor, and as long as he was sweet-talking enough, he would undoubtedly be a generous young master.

Xiao Fangliang remained noncommittal, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The group followed the waiter inside. Wang Shanyue, carrying the luggage behind them, asked curiously, "Are all the beggars in Jiangnan so learned?"

Xiao Fangliang casually remarked, "Is it possible that you didn't study hard enough?"

When they were children, the two studied in the same school. One of them was always the naughty boy who was kept after school by the teacher and punished by having his hands slapped. Yet now he can still admire the knowledge of a beggar.

Tang Yu couldn't help but laugh, looking at Wang Shanyue scratching his head with a wry smile, his face full of guilt.

Xiao Fangliang casually asked the waiter, "Jiangnan has always been a prosperous place, so why are there still children begging on the streets of the city?"

The waiter sighed, “You three may not know this, but Quzhou originally had very few refugees, especially children. However, in the past month, a group of little beggars have flooded into the city.”

“Local wealthy businessmen have been setting up soup kitchens and sheltering refugees at the East Street Land Temple for many years, but these children never go there. Instead, they beg for money on the main street every day, and no one knows where they sleep at night.”

Xiao Fangliang was somewhat puzzled and was about to ask for details when he was suddenly interrupted by a piercing cry.

Outside the streets and alleys, the shrill screams of children could be heard, accompanied by the faint cracking sound of whips cutting through the air, as if striking people's hearts hard.

Tang Yu frowned, and before she could think any further, she rushed out of the inn.