As the white flag of Silent Valley rose amidst the dust storm, Xia Chuhe suddenly recalled the emperor penguins he had seen in the Old World Museum—those black and white creatures shivering in the blizzard, just like the city lord wrapped in foam padding at this moment.
She reached out and dusted off her combat uniform, a gesture that caused the Taotie army behind her to neatly put away their bombs. The sound of the shells colliding startled the silent mutated black crows on the city wall.
Xia Chuhe did not suspect anything amiss with Silent Valley's direct surrender.
After all, the rule of keeping silent... no, the rule of remaining silent is too domineering, even a mute person can hardly tolerate it!
Now that the enemy had surrendered, Xia Chuhe would not cruelly massacre the city. She let out a soft breath and asked the people behind her without much hope, "Does anyone know sign language?"
The evolved beings of Taotie City looked at each other, completely bewildered as to why their city lord's single bomb had caused the enemy to surrender.
Has the city lord become so powerful that a single action can reveal the dire consequences of the future?
No matter how outrageous the things these people imagine may be, Xia Chuhe's answer will not change—no one knows sign language.
Only Da Shan asked timidly, "Would it be helpful if I could read lips?"
"Alright." Xia Chuhe gestured for Dashan and Foam Pad City Lord to communicate.
The city lord moved his lips silently, and the mountain echoed in unison: "My name is Mo Yun. Many years ago, I happened to pass through Silent Valley and was unfortunately trapped there. Most of the residents in the city have similar experiences to mine. We are all forced to stay in Silent Valley because we are restricted by the rules. In order to leave this hellish place, we have tried to break the rules many times, but we have failed each time. If you can break the rules of Silent Valley, we will be extremely grateful and will be willing to serve you. We will be thankful to your ancestors for eighteen generations. If you are not confident in breaking the rules, please leave quickly and do not let more people fall into this hellish place."
Dashan is a simple and honest person.
Regardless of what Foam Pad City Lord's feelings were when he said these words, after Da Shan relayed them, they all seemed to come across as exceptionally sincere and kind, full of consideration for Xia Chuhe and the people of Taotie City.
"No need to trouble yourself, just lead the way."
Xia Chuhe waved to Wang Yan and Wang Mei and whispered a few words to them.
Da Shan continued translating: "Since you have decided to enter the Valley of Silence, please remember the following: 1. Never touch anything in the Valley of Silence, lest you automatically become a resident; 2. Under all circumstances, remain silent and try not to make any noise, including footsteps and fighting sounds; 3. If you accidentally make a sound exceeding the limit, immediately and sincerely confess your secret and write it down. Writing it on the confession wall is most effective; 4. Please bring as few people as possible into the Valley of Silence and the confession chapel. The more people there are, the noisier the noise, and the easier it is to get trapped in the Valley of Silence."
Xia Chuhe remained noncommittal about Mo Yun's suggestion; she was more concerned about the third point—that confessing the secret could alleviate the punishment.
No wonder the people of Silent Valley were able to survive under such high-pressure rules; it turns out they had a way to alleviate the punishment.
This also makes sense; after the tall woman bled from all seven orifices, her gesture of waving her right hand in the air suggested that she was writing a secret.
secret……
Xia Chuhe's biggest secret is her identity: she is a time traveler. Secondly, it's her superpower—not space manipulation, but a farm.
As for Mo Yun's suggestion not to bring too many people, Xia Chuhe had the same idea. She had just ordered Wang Mei and Wang Yan to lead the main force to guard outside Jingmo Valley.
Xia Chuhe took only Li Qiusheng and Dashan with him into the Silent Valley.
Li Qiusheng's supernatural ability facilitates escape; in critical moments, it allows him to protect himself while also unexpectedly creating opportunities for Xia Chuhe to flee. They brought Dashan along because they needed a translator.
After Mo Yun finished speaking, he pushed open the gate of Silent Valley completely, allowing everyone to see the situation in the city.
Silent Valley is small; one can see the Confessional Church in the city center at a glance, its Gothic spire appearing and disappearing in the wind and sand. Only a few people stand along the wide road, their eyes filled with expectation and worry as they look at Xia Chuhe.
Xia Chuhe took a few steps toward the confessional church and stopped at the city gate: "Is there anything else I need to be aware of?"
Mo Yun shook his head.
“Wish us luck.” Da Shan translated again.
Xia Chuhe looked at Li Qiusheng and Dashan: "Have you remembered the rules?"
The two nodded in unison.
Xia Chuhe, Li Qiusheng, Dashan, and Moyun entered the Silent Valley and walked lightly toward the Confession Church.
The residents along the roadside watched the crowd depart, their eyes filled with sorrow, as if bidding farewell to warriors who calmly faced their deaths.
Mo Yun led the three of them and pushed open the door of the confessional church.
The church was spotless, the sandstorms seemingly kept at bay by a mysterious force. At the center of the church stood a massive bronze bell, behind which stretched a solid black wall. The wall was covered in writing in white chalk, so numerous and overlapping that it was difficult to read.
Mo Yun picked up the bell pestle, intending to strike the bell.
Xia Chuhe stopped him.
She walked around the ancient bell, stood before the black wall, and carefully examined the inscriptions on it—
I confess that in the instance, I killed prisoners who had already surrendered.
I confess that I have tortured and killed countless animals, including a very beautiful long-haired cat with beautiful blue eyes, whose eyes I made into a specimen.
I confess that I fell in love with my own brother, and that I kidnapped and forced myself on him while wearing a mask.
I confess that I stole the food that a disabled family relied on for their livelihood.
I repent...
The secrets on the wall are filled with evil and violence; the words written in white chalk are darker and heavier than the black wall itself.
For some, even being trapped and dying in the Valley of Silence is only the lightest punishment.
Mo Yun walked to Xia Chuhe's side and typed a line of text: I repent. I locked the door of the safe house and did not open it for anyone who wanted to come in to avoid the mutated beasts.
Xia Chuhe nodded expressionlessly, pointing his finger at the ancient bronze bell.
Mo Yun picked up the bell pestle again, her lips forming the shape of "three times".
He struck the ancient bronze bell.
This bell is not bound by rules.
Even Mo Yun, who was closest to Zhong, was not harmed in any way.
When the bell rang for the first time, Xia Chuhe saw fine dust particles rise in the air. With the second chime, the saints on the stained-glass windows were bathed in sunlight. When Mo Yun silently struck the third chime, the black wall rumbled and split open from the middle, revealing an opening large enough for two people to pass side-by-side.
Mo Yun entered the cave first, followed closely by Xia Chuhe and the other two.
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