…
"What? Ah Lai has disappeared?"
Before Mu Achen and his companions even got close to Tongmu Ridge, Aqin, the head of the Qingque Guard, appeared from the shadows and gave a detailed report of what she had just seen.
Upon hearing this, Achen frowned deeply.
Amo immediately asked the grandmothers of the Black Miao and White Miao people to investigate what was going on.
Ah Ling also asked the local women from Xiangxi to look after her.
soon--
They arrived at the shore of a not-so-small lake diagonally in front of Tongmu Ridge.
Just as Achen was about to go over, he was stopped by Mi Aling from Xiangxi.
"We can't go there! There's witchcraft going on over there."
witchcraft?
Ah Chen looked around at the terrain and scenery. This area was indeed Tongmu Ridge. The two Miao women had already surrounded this area, and the Miao army was also on the outer edge.
But something feels off here.
When Achen looked back at the canyon waterfall, Amo was already instructing Siwei Amei to find the location where Buyi Alai had disappeared.
Ah Chen said, "Didn't Buyilang find a baby? Let's find out where the baby is. This area isn't safe. We don't want it to get carried away by bugs."
"I'll go find her. It's better for the Holy Maiden to stay with you."
As soon as the voice fell, Mi A-Ling stepped into the boundary protected by witchcraft.
Looking at the lush green grass on the lake shore, Ah Chen wondered why the witchcraft here, which should be powerful and intangible, would be set up here.
Furthermore, this location is at least five or six hundred meters away from the wooden house on the other side of the valley, and the surrounding terrain is also very steep. Putting aside the route at the end of the Yongzheng era, even now, entering the deep mountains of Miao territory is not an easy task.
If there really were gold and silver jewelry, how were they brought in?
Could it be that there are other paths here?
The more Ah Chen thought about it, the more likely it was to be true.
"Achen, what are you thinking about?" Amo asked.
Ah Chen didn't hide anything and voiced his doubts.
After hearing this, Amo frowned slightly and began to ponder.
A moment later--
She pointed to the main peak of Tongmu Village and said to Achen, "This mountain is like a pillar supporting the sky. It is the highest mountain in the southeast of the entire Miao Mountains."
“Northeast of Tongmuling is western Hunan, and slightly north of due west is eastern Guizhou.”
"Actually, there's a river connecting eastern Guizhou and western Hunan! But—"
Amo told Achen that the river connecting eastern Guizhou and western Hunan is called the Jiu Miao River!
In ancient times, the Jiu Miao River was used by the Miao people for transporting Miao people and goods. It was also a deep mountain river that traversed eastern Guizhou and western Hunan.
However, at least one-third of the Jiu Miao River is an underground river, with the deepest part reaching 500 meters.
The underground section of the Jiu Miao River is very dangerous, and other sections are also unsafe.
Therefore, when the Miao army retreated back then, in order to preserve the core forces of the two major Miao regions, they basically lived near the Jiu Miao River.
For over two hundred years, they have had very little contact with the outside world.
The Miao people living on both sides of the Jiu Miao River are even more prolific than the Miao themselves.
Amo also told Achen, "The Jiu Miao River passes by the foot of the main peak of Tongmu Ridge on the north side, starting from the oldest village in western Hunan and ending in the deep mountains of eastern Guizhou, just north of Jiuyou Ancient Village."
Ah Chen said, "I heard my grandfather mention the existence of the Nine Miao River years ago, but he didn't go into details. I never imagined that the Nine Miao River was so magical."
It's more than just amazing; it has many uses.
In ancient times, it was a vital military and defense route hidden deep in the mountains of the Miao people.
Amo also said, "The Jiu Miao River is nearly 400 kilometers long, and the entire length is hidden deep in the mountains. Do you know the railways that run from Hunan Province to our Guizhou Province?"
"Know!"
"Wherever the railway passes, the depth of this section of the underground river in the Jiu Miao River exceeds 300 meters, and in some places it is even close to 500 meters deep. The geological conditions are extremely extreme."
"But later, with the development of the times and the development of underground rock fissures, many places were damaged. A few years ago, A-Ling and I led a team to see it. In the deepest part, multiple underground river networks had formed."
Amo told Achen everything she knew, and Achen became more and more alarmed as he listened.
This shock wasn't just about the extent of the damage to the Jiu Miao River, but more so about the fact that A Mo had risked her life alongside Mi A Ling for the sake of the entire Miao region.
Amo also said that although the Jiu Miao River has been damaged to some extent due to the movement of the earth's crust, the people living along the river will check it from time to time and take a break from time to time.
Otherwise, given the current situation, how come the appearance of thousands of people from western Hunan in the deep mountains of eastern Guizhou didn't alarm the local governments along the way?
so--
After listening to Amo's account, Achen finally understood how the Miao people had transported those gold and silver treasures to this remote mountain area more than two hundred years ago.
"Amo, if that's the case, why don't we look closer to the Jiu Miao River?"
"It's no use, they've already searched that area, there's not a trace."
Have you looked for it?
There are still no traces?
That's really weird!
"If that's the case, it seems we'll have to focus on the location where Buyia disappeared."
"Yes! I've already spoken to the two great Miao witches and their sisters. Several elders and the Miao army are also keeping an eye on things from the outside. They won't let any clue slip by, so don't worry."
"Why---"
"What's wrong? We don't know how Buyialai disappeared, but it's good news for us. Why are you sighing?"
Ah Chen turned his head to look at Ah Mo's charming almond-shaped face and said, "I've found a wife who can do everything, knows everything, and has experienced countless life and death situations. It seems that there's really nothing left for me, Mu Ah Chen!"
"What nonsense are you spouting, young prince!"
"Amo--"
"Um."
Ah Chen called out softly, then fell silent, simply gazing at Ah Mo.
Amo habitually agreed to Achen's request, but upon seeing Achen's expression, she smiled, her pearly white teeth twitching slightly.
"Little brother, you know you're naughty! You always say such sweet and comforting things. Let me tell you, if you make your wife cry, she'll bite you."
Forehead--
Bite me?
Ah Chen tried to slip away, but Ah Mo grabbed him as soon as he turned around.
"Don't go over there yet, the old women haven't finished removing the witchcraft from this section." Amo held onto Achen tightly, afraid that Achen would run away.
It was at this very moment--
Several girls from western Hunan ran over and said to Ah Chen, "Brother Ah Chen, we've found the little baby!"
Where?
"The side of the cold pool on the left side of the lake!"
"Amo!"
Achen turned to Amo and said, "The place where Buyia disappeared won't be too far from this baby."
"Understood! I'll have the grandmothers search in a wide-ranging area centered on the baby right away."
Amo immediately gave the order.
Ah Chen wanted to run over, but the protective magic of their Miao family hadn't been removed yet, and Ah Mo wouldn't let him pass.
So he could only stand on the outer edge, anxiously waiting.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
