Chapter 34
"Tick, tick."
Rain is dripping from the eaves.
Just when I was feeling proud of myself, footsteps were heard in the woods.
I immediately became alert. Who would come to this desolate mountain in the middle of the night?
After a while, the group of people appeared in front of me. They were wearing straw hats and the rain had not dried on their bodies yet. They shone their flashlights at me. They did not expect that there would be a little girl at this time and place.
"Huh?" The leader asked in surprise, "Little sister?"
When I heard this voice, it sounded familiar to me.
He took off his hat, revealing a familiar face.
"Master Zhang!"
This person turned out to be Master Zhang, and the people behind him were all disciples of Baiyun Temple.
"Why are you here?" we both asked in unison.
"Let's go inside and talk." Master Zhang had just come from a long journey and wanted to go in and rest.
I followed them into the inn.
As soon as he entered the house, Master Zhang saw the ashes of the straw rope on the ground, then looked at the beams and said, "Mr. Liangshang?"
I nodded and said, "I just eliminated it."
When Master Zhang and the others heard what I said, they found a table and chairs to sit down, put their hats on the table legs to control the water, and then took out dry food and water from their bags.
My stomach growled at the sight of food. Only now did I remember that I hadn't eaten all day.
Master Zhang heard my stomach growling, chuckled, and said, "Sit down and eat together."
Ever since Grandpa disappeared, I've often sought out Master Zhang for advice on matters concerning demons and monsters. Over the years, he and I have become incredibly familiar with each other. The disciples at Baiyun Temple also know that Master Zhang has a close friend, regardless of age. I didn't hesitate, sitting on a stool and eating my rations. I ate so quickly that I choked on them. I quickly pounded my chest with my hand and drank the water.
Master Zhang and several of his disciples burst out laughing when they saw how anxious I was.
I don't care at all. They already know my tomboyish personality and they often make fun of me.
After finishing my rations, I began to survey the inn's innkeepers. Besides Master Zhang, there were his second disciple, Zhao Danxi, his third disciple, Liu Danchen, and the remaining one, a Taoist child from Baiyun Temple, known as Qingyun, who was even younger than me.
This scene was a rare sight. For the past few years, Master Zhang had been the head of Baiyun Temple, and he had long since withdrawn from worldly affairs. Usually, matters were handled by a few disciples, and he would only step in for difficult or important matters. But judging by this situation, it looked like the entire Baiyun Temple was mobilized.
I asked, "Master Zhang, why are you here?"
This must have been Master Zhang's doubt as well. He couldn't help but ask me, "I also want to ask you, why are you here?"
I told Master Zhang about my experiences over the past few days, including the encounter with the clay figurine in the dilapidated temple, how I got the map from the clay figurine and came here, and the hanged ghost I just met. I told him in detail.
He said in surprise: "Do you still have that map?"
I took out the map from my pocket and handed it to Master Zhang.
Master Zhang looked at the map, his astonishment evident. He studied it for a moment and exclaimed, "How is this possible?"
I didn't understand what he meant and looked at him in confusion.
He said slowly, "A few days ago, we in the Xuan Sect received news that there were ghosts haunting the village at the foot of Broken Soul Mountain. I sent Danyang to deal with it, but he's been gone for two months and there's been no news. I was worried, so I wanted to come and see for myself."
The Danyang Master Zhang mentioned, also known as Li Danyang, was Master Zhang's first disciple and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, would be the next abbot of Baiyun Monastery. Now that he was missing, it was no wonder Master Zhang had come in person.
"What does that have to do with you coming here?" I asked puzzled.
"You don't know?" Master Zhang looked at me in confusion.
I shook my head.
Master Zhang placed the map on the table and pointed at the inn, saying, "This is the only way for us to get to Broken Soul Mountain. If we take a car or the main road, it will take at least seven or eight days to get there."
Then he continued pointing along the road. I followed his hand and saw a few words vaguely written on the very edge of the map.
"This is Broken Soul Mountain. The place we are at now is called Shading Sun Mountain, and this inn is called Huiyang Inn. Usually, only people like us from the Xuanmen sect know about this place. I didn't expect you to stumble here by accident."
I looked at the mountain range that Master Zhang pointed to, and it turned out that the words were "Broken Soul Mountain". It's not my fault. Those words should be written in seal script, and I can't understand them at all.
"But I heard you say that this map was obtained from the clay figurine in the temple. I'm afraid the matter of Broken Soul Mountain is not as simple as it seems. No wonder there has been no news from Danyang for so long. It seems that I was careless." Master Zhang said worriedly.
"There's no time to lose, let's rest here for a while and then continue walking," I said.
"Are you going with us too?" Master Zhang asked.
"Of course. Since I knew Brother Danyang was in danger, how could I just stand by and watch?" Actually, I was more curious and wanted to go to Broken Soul Mountain to take a look. With Master Zhang and Brothers Danxi and Danchen by my side, what was there to fear?
"I don't know what kind of dangers we will encounter on this trip to Broken Soul Mountain. I can't let you take the risk." Master Zhang said.
"Don't underestimate me. You know my abilities." I am now determined and determined.
Master Zhang thought for a moment and said, "On the way, you must obey me in everything and don't act recklessly."
Master Zhang agreed, and I nodded quickly: "Okay, I'll do as you say."
So we rested for a while at Huiyang Inn, then packed up and continued on our way.
Master Zhang walked in front, followed by Senior Brothers Danxi and Danchen. I followed behind them, and Qingyun was at the end.
Walking in the woods, I could sense the shaggy-haired ghost following me. I looked to the side, and sure enough, there he was. He was all alone in the woods, spending his days with the animals. He had finally found a "peer" like me, someone he could play with and entertain him. He must have been reluctant to let me go.
After walking for two or three hours, we emerged from the forest. The two-day rain had stopped. I turned and waved back to the forest. This startled Qingyun; he didn't understand what I was doing. The disheveled ghost stopped at the entrance of the forest and also waved back.
Qingyun looked at me in confusion. After I said goodbye to the disheveled ghost, I shouted at Qingyun, "What are you looking at?"
My shout startled him and an innocent look appeared on his face.
Master Zhang and the senior brothers in front of me were used to my personality and knew that I was teasing Qingyun, so they ignored me and continued to move forward.
I hurriedly followed him, leaving Qingyun standing there in a daze.
When Qingyun saw me leaving, he hurried to follow me. He is young and timid now, a bit like Maomao when he was a child, which is why I often tease him.
We followed the map for two days and the journey was smooth.
On the third day, we saw a village. On the stone tablet at the entrance of the village were written "Broken Soul Village".
After such a long journey, we finally arrived at the Broken Soul Mountain.
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