Chapter 49 The Childhood Betrothal of a Miao Girl (Part 19)
Shui Mingsheng poured Xia Yi a glass of water. Xia Yi took a couple of sips and, with Jiang Yiqing's help, lifted her upper body...
Shui Mingsheng poured Xia Yi a glass of water. Xia Yi took a couple of sips and, with Jiang Yiqing's help, lifted her upper body. She leaned against the headboard, pointed to the bookshelf opposite her, and said, "Mingsheng, go and get that thing for me."
“Okay, Aunt Xia, where is it?” Shui Mingsheng came to the bookshelf and saw that it was full of academic books related to Miao territory, as well as a lot of research reports written by Xia Yi herself.
“It was tucked inside the book called ‘Illustrated Guide to the Biology of Miao Region,’ in the third compartment of the second row,” Xia Yi said.
Following Xia Yi's instructions, Shui Mingsheng opened the book and found a very old yellowed piece of paper used as a bookmark. If it weren't for Xia Yi's instructions, no one would have thought it was anything important. However, having seen the fragment of the Eternal Heritage, Shui Mingsheng could tell that the terrain drawn on this paper was very similar to that of the fragment, and an ancient map was faintly visible in the fading ink.
Shui Mingsheng handed the paper to Xia Yi, who waved her hand and said, "I estimate my days are numbered, you can keep this."
"Aunt Xia, what's wrong with you?" Shui Mingsheng asked with a hint of pain in her eyes.
“As an outsider, I’ve been deep in Miao territory for so long, how could I not have encountered some trouble? I’ve not only been to many places in Miao territory, but I’ve also collected a lot of experimental supplies. I’m only alive today because of it.” Xia Yi said, her palm turned into a tree trunk again, and the two of them saw a protruding capsule-like thing in the center of her palm, which looked like a dead tree. They could vaguely see the shape of a Gu worm inside.
That shelf full of research reports was undoubtedly Xia Yi's hard work. However, out of concern for Miao territory, she didn't dare to publish the research after it was completed. She was afraid of causing injustice in Miao territory and also afraid of being targeted by people with ulterior motives.
"Is it a tree gu?" Shui Mingsheng rarely saw such a vibrant tree gu, and asked upon seeing it.
Tree Gu is a very powerful Gu insect. It can mimic any habit of a plant, but the side effects are also very strong. The human body will be gradually assimilated. Skilled Gu masters who control tree Gu can live for more than a thousand years, but ordinary people can hardly bear the excruciating pain caused by the treeification of blood vessels and flesh. Living for more than ten years is considered a long life.
“Yes, Mingsheng.” Xia Yi closed her eyes, as if lost in memories: “I still remember that day when I entered the dense forest of Misty Wind Ridge and encountered the snake gu there. When I was almost bitten to death, it was this tree gu that saved me. Perhaps it shouldn’t be called saved. It also wanted to devour my body as its own nourishment, but at that time my willpower was very strong. I knew that I still had something to finish, so I made a deal with it. When I completed my wish, I allowed it to completely devour me.”
The willpower Xia Yi spoke of was a genuine curiosity about the Miao region and a strong academic desire, but no one knew any of this. Seeing Aunt Xia living in such a cramped room today, Shui Mingsheng felt ashamed of himself for not discovering sooner that Xia Yi had the tree worm.
“Mingsheng, you don’t need to feel sorry.” Xia Yi seemed to see through her thoughts and said, “I called you two here to entrust my last wishes to you. You must complete the things I didn’t finish.”
Xia Yi's eyes, which had been dull and empty, now showed a strange light: "Go and witness the grand spectacle of ten thousand Gu (poisonous insects) moving together during the Miao people's sacrificial ceremony a thousand years ago, and witness the legendary story of harmony between man and nature. I hope you can use this map to find the treasure left by the saintess a thousand years ago. If you two work together, you can definitely accomplish this."
Shui Mingsheng and Jiang Yiqing exchanged a glance, took out the fragments they had found earlier, and said, "Aunt Xia, we also found a fragment. Look, isn't the red dot on it the location of the treasure?"
Xia Yi stared unfocused at the dim map. Seeing this, Shui Mingsheng took out the Green Lamp Gu, its light instantly illuminating Xia Yi's gaunt face. A longing light shone on her face as she pointed to the map and said, "That's right, this is the place called Daobei Ridge. The paths within the ridge are winding and difficult to find, protected by restrictions left by our ancestors. Only those who have truly studied it diligently can follow the map and find the correct path to the treasure. You two, just follow the route I've drawn, and you won't go wrong."
After speaking, Xia Yi picked up the vermilion brush beside her, and with great effort, drew a winding road on the ancient map.
Originally, they didn't know the exact location of the treasure, but after Xia Yi's guidance, everything suddenly became clear.
"However, strange phenomena will inevitably occur as you approach this place. Many powerful Gu Masters are eager for this treasure but cannot obtain it, and they are eyeing it covetously. Once you take action, you will become their opponents, so you must be very careful," Xia Yi warned.
"Aunt Xia, don't worry, we won't act rashly."
“Speaking of which, tree worms with spirituality can talk.” Shui Mingsheng looked at Xia Yi’s palm, which had been restored to its original state, and said, “You should be able to too, so why don’t you talk to us?”
Xia Yi looked at her in surprise, seemingly knowing what Shui Mingsheng was planning to do. However, Shui Mingsheng's words caused the tree worm to suddenly spread its branches. Xia Yi controlled the tree worm to prevent it from acting violently and reassured it, saying, "I will not break my promise to you. Before that, if you break the promise, I will definitely not let you do as you please."
Shui Mingsheng turned to Jiang Yiqing and said, "Yiqing, do you remember the Gu Market we visited together? The immortal Gu there possessed sentience. They could use humans as nourishment for their cultivation, but they couldn't kill indiscriminately. The best way was to form a contract with a human. This tree Gu must have already reached the level of a half-immortal. The reason it formed a contract with Aunt Xia was because it valued the wisdom in her mind. With that, you should have a chance to become an immortal, right?"
"You little girl, you have quite a bit of knowledge." An old voice rang out in the room.
Xia Yi wasn't entirely clear on what Shui Mingsheng was saying. She had never understood why the tree gu had chosen her, but now she realized that the knowledge in her mind could be used by a gu. Gu immortals even possessed intelligence unique to humans.
"The Tree Gu has gained intelligence, but that doesn't guarantee you'll truly become an Immortal Gu. How about this: you and I go to Daobei Ridge to search for the Myriad Gu Inheritance. If we obtain the Hidden Immortal Gu, wouldn't you definitely be able to become an immortal? How could a little girl like me possibly be your match? What do you think of this idea?"
Jiang Yiqing listened from the side and thought Shui Mingsheng was clever, but would the tree worm fall for the trap? In any case, they couldn't just sit by and watch Xia Yi be devoured and die like this.
"You want to save her, don't you?" The tree worm chuckled. "Shui Mingsheng, you possess a powerful Gu worm that surpasses the limits of what someone your age and experience should have. You mentioned the Gu Market; could it be that you obtained some kind of opportunity there?"
It was unpleasant to have one's secrets exposed by the tree worm, but Shui Mingsheng didn't try to hide it and said cheerfully, "So what if it is?"
“I acknowledge your strength,” the tree gu said. “I can agree to go with you to find the Ten Thousand Gu Inheritance, but I have a condition: you must, like Xia Yi, sign a contract with me. Once you find the Ten Thousand Gu Inheritance, I can devour you.”
"Are you crazy, you old monster!" Jiang Yiqing, who was usually very reserved and composed, couldn't help but curse when she heard it speak so arrogantly.
"Little girl, what's your rush? Shui Mingsheng can't obtain the Ten Thousand Gu Inheritance herself, but you can. Sacrificing one of you allows the other to become the undisputed Holy Maiden of Miao Jiang through the Ten Thousand Gu Inheritance. Isn't that a good thing?" The tree gu retorted, "Or are you two lovers who can't bear to sacrifice yourselves for each other?"
"What a monster!" Jiang Yiqing wished she could pull it out of Xia Yi's body immediately. Gu worms are not only kind, but there are also cunning creatures that have become spirits. Jiang Yiqing felt this now.
Thinking of Xia Yi venturing alone into the deep mountains, unarmed yet possessing an unimaginable willpower, and yet facing an untimely death, Jiang Yiqing felt sorrow for her.
Shu Gu was not angry at Jiang Yiqing's accusations, but simply said, "These are my conditions, and everything else is off the table."
After saying that, it shrank back and remained silent.
Xia Yi advised the two, "You don't need to worry about me. Young people, you have your own destiny to take care of. Why bother with me? We're not related."
“Aunt Xia, how could Yi Qing and I stand by and watch you die? Besides, you have shown us the way, you are our true mentor,” Shui Mingsheng said.
Jiang Yiqing looked at her, afraid that she might suddenly become too loyal and act like a monster. Seeing Xia Yi being tortured so badly, Jiang Yiqing would absolutely not allow Shui Mingsheng to do that.
“The meaning of my life lies in finding this ancient map,” Xia Yi said. “I have entrusted it to you, and my mission ends here. You don’t need to worry about me. Take the things and leave now.”
"..." Seeing Xia Yi like this, Jiang Yiqing felt that she would be immediately devoured by the tree worm after they left.
"Do you have time for your appointment?" Jiang Yiqing asked. "Aunt Xia, we're going to search for the treasure right away. We hope you can wait for us to come back. We want you to see the results of your research with your own eyes."
The tree gu seemed to be moved by their persistence and said, "...Ten days is the limit. If you two girls have the courage to search for the Ten Thousand Gu Inheritance on your own, then I will give you a discount. I will not touch her within ten days."
Although they were heartbroken, Jiang Yiqing and Shui Mingsheng still left the building.
"We'll have to try our luck at the treasure trove," Shui Mingsheng said. "If we can find a very powerful Gu worm, maybe we can meet the requirements of the tree Gu and save Aunt Xia's life."
"I'll go with you."
"Then what about your studies?" Shui Mingsheng said, "Yi Qing, don't do anything foolish."
The deeper concern was that the trip was dangerous, and Shui Mingsheng was also worried about Jiang Yiqing going with him.
“…Ming Sheng, actually there’s a magic item in the system that can give me double the time. That way I can go to school, visit Teacher Xia, and go with you to Daobei Ridge to find the maze.”
"...Can't you afford that magic weapon now?" Shui Mingsheng immediately understood her concerns when she heard her say that.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
