As night fell, the fog was thick and the village deep in the mountains and old forests was shrouded in darkness. Apart from a few flickering candlelights and the occasional barking of two dogs, the place was extremely peaceful.

In the center of the village, in a courtyard house built of wood and bamboo.

The old man led Qin Ye and others into the house. As soon as they opened the door, a young girl ran out of the house:

"Dad! You're back!"

Huh?

Suddenly seeing so many strangers, I blinked curiously and looked around.

"My child, go ask your mother to cook more food to entertain the guests who have come from afar. This lady is the wife of the gentleman who arrived at noon."

Qin Ye looked at the girl and smiled gently, "Hello."

"I'm sorry to bother you so suddenly. I brought some small gifts as a token of my respect." She raised her hand, and Yue'er understood and took some of the silver and fine silk clothes she brought as gifts.

Ava took it with both hands, tilted her head, and kept her eyes on Qin Ye.

Observe.

Curious.

Unexpected.

The young man who passed by at noon was actually married? And his wife was still so pregnant?

However, that young man was handsome and noble, so why was his wife so ugly...

Without saying anything, he went to the kitchen with the gift.

The old man led the man into the house.

The furnishings in the house were simple, with only handmade furniture and woven items. There were two longbows hanging on the wall, as well as animal skins and dried game. There were also two freshly plucked, blood-dripping deer antlers hanging on the window.

During the brief conversation, they learned that this place was called Cangping Village, and the old man was the village chief. The village had always been isolated from the outside world, and the villagers made a living by hunting, and unless it was a matter of life and death, they would not go out for generations.

The old village chief said, "Madam, you are late. The person you are looking for went into the mountain two hours ago."

He pointed his finger out the window:

"Behind Cangping Village, there is a mountain that seems to have no end, Cangqiong Mountain."

Qin Ye sat next to the fire pit. The village was a little cold at night.

"There's no end?"

"Yes, this Cangqiong Mountain is endless and has no edge. Even our ancestors didn't know how long and how far this mountain is. I have lived for most of my life, and I have only been to the fifth mountain." The old village chief said, "The terrain inside Cangqiong Mountain is complex and rugged, and there are many poisonous insects and ferocious beasts. Most people don't dare to enter it easily."

I heard that deep in the mountains and forests, there are man-eating plants that are taller than humans, fish that are bigger than houses, and ferocious beasts that eat people.

"Your husband is determined to go into the mountains, so I will let Daniu go with him to lead the way."

"Um?"

"Oh, by the way, Daniu is my daughter Ava's fiancé. They grew up together. In two months, they will be able to get married."

Qin Ye smiled knowingly: "Congratulations, your daughter is very well-behaved, and I believe your fiancé is also very talented."

"Haha, thank you ma'am for your kind words!"

She stood up, walked to the window and looked into the distance. The mountains were shrouded in the night, with dark shadows so thick that she could not see anything clearly.

Zong Zhengchen entered the mountains at noon and no one knew where he had gone. Did he encounter any danger?

"Madam Wang, you are not planning to go into the mountains overnight?" Yue'er asked worriedly.

Qin Ye did have this plan...but now it's dark and he can't see the road clearly. It would be difficult to move even if he goes, but he would be worried if he doesn't go.

"Madam, you should rest here for one night and set off early tomorrow morning. Now that you are here, there is no need to rush. You should just take care of your stomach." said the old village chief.

Qin Ye narrowed his eyes slightly, touched his bulging belly, and hesitated.

"Yun Ying and Master Jing are walking in front. I believe they have already entered the mountain. Aren't you still worried with them leading the way?" Yue'er advised in a low voice.

Qin Ye rubbed his eyebrows and held his belly. He couldn't jump up and down like before, so this was the only way.

I just don’t know where they are going, whether they are in danger, and where King Feng and King Jue are planning to attack.

Sleepless night.