Chapter 63
The dead silence of the bay was broken by the morning light. A thin mist still lingered on the reeds, but it lacked the eerie charm of last night, leaving only the coldness of survival and the harshness of reality. The medicine in the purple bamboo medicine chest was indeed effective. After Gu Linzhi took the "Cold-Suppressing Pill," the sharp pain in his ribs and the bone-chilling cold, while not completely eliminated, were temporarily restrained by an invisible yoke, no longer raging wildly. He finally breathed and regained some strength to think. However, the price was extreme fatigue and a deep sense of weakness, as if the drug's effect had been purchased at the cost of overdrawing his already dwindling life force.
Mo Ya checked the other medicines in the medicine box and confirmed they were non-toxic. He then mixed the "Gu Yuan" powder with water and had Gu Linzhi take it. He applied a small amount of "pain reliever" to the minor scratches he had sustained from blocking the hidden weapon last night. His movements remained precise and calm, but a layer of unwavering solemnity hung between his brows.
"'Earth Flame Heart'..." Mo Ya spread out the plain paper, his eyes scanning the three words again, his voice low, "According to scattered ancient records, it is the condensation of the fire essence of the earth veins. It is extremely masculine and strong, shaped like a chicken egg and the color of molten lava. It is hidden in the extremely hot land of the far south and can only be obtained with great opportunity. If Doctor Ling pointed to this object, either she was teasing, or she knew of an unknown secret path, or... a place where this object could be born."
Chang Wu was stunned when he heard this. "The extreme south? That means we have to go to the mountains of southern Xinjiang. Three days? Forget finding anything, we won't even have enough time to get there!"
"So the deadline she gave didn't refer to arriving in Southern Xinjiang, but rather... a possible location she knew of." Gu Linzhi leaned against the edge of the boat awning, his face pale, his eyes sharp as he analyzed. "Doctor Ling has lived in Jiangnan for a long time, so the place she's referring to is most likely still in Jiangnan or its surroundings. Where in Jiangnan could there be a place that matches the conditions of 'earth vein fire essence' and 'tortuous heat'?"
The three of them fell into deep thought. The warm and humid water towns of the south of the Yangtze River seemed incompatible with the "scorching heat" and "underground fire".
"Volcanoes... There are no active volcanoes in Jiangnan." Mo Ya pondered, "But... there are several geothermal hot springs."
An idea suddenly struck Gu Linzhi, and he suddenly remembered that Su Wanwan had mentioned several unique landforms in Jiangnan during a seemingly casual conversation. One of them seemed to be... He spoke hoarsely, "...Qixia Mountain...Falling Star Valley?"
Mo Ya's eyes narrowed. "There are indeed hot springs in Qixia Mountain, but Luoxing Valley...rumor has it that it was the site of a former prince's villa who attempted to refine elixirs for immortality. It's long been abandoned. Because of the strange sulfur smell that occasionally emanates from the valley and the extremely hot summers, it's considered an ominous place by the locals and rarely visited." He paused and looked at Gu Linzhi. "What do you suspect?"
"Su Wanwan... once mentioned this place, saying that its aura was unusual and extraordinary," Gu Linzhi said. As a Purple Owl, Su Wanwan's seemingly innocent words could hold deeper meaning.
"Qixia Mountain isn't too far from here. We can reach it in two days, traveling by water or by road, non-stop day and night." Chang Wu estimated the distance, but his face showed no joy. "But that's government-designated territory. Although it's deserted, there are still occasional patrols by garrison soldiers. And...if that's really where the bell doctor pointed, I'm afraid it won't be very peaceful."
Mo Ya put away the plain paper and said decisively, "There is no better choice. Chang Wu, you are familiar with the waterways, so plan the fastest route. We will set off immediately."
"What about Mr. Luo and the box..." Chang Wu said worriedly.
"I can't take care of it for now." Gu Linzhi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "We have diverted most of the pursuers, and Luo Manzi and the others are safer. The most urgent task is to remove the poison from my body. Otherwise, everything is in vain." He must survive in order to continue to find the truth.
Chang Wu nodded heavily: "I understand! Lord Gu, don't worry, I will definitely lead the way!"
The small sloop set sail again, leaving the temporary shelter of the bay and reentering the perilous water network. To avoid possible capture, Chang Wu chose a more remote and winding tributary. The waterway meandered, its banks sometimes densely covered with reeds, sometimes steep cliffs, and the scenery was desolate.
Gu Linzhi spent most of his time drowsy, drifting in and out of sleep. The medication suppressed the cold, but it also left him mentally drained. In his brief moments of lucidity, he could see Mo Ya, like a statue, guarding the stern, one-armed, gun in hand, vigilantly watching for any movement behind or along the banks. Chang Wu, rowing furiously up ahead, his clothes soaked with sweat.
Occasionally, Mo Ya would pass over a water bag and dry food, his gesture silent but unyielding. There were no unnecessary words between the two, a subtle trust based on their current desperate situation and shared goals slowly building in silence.
The journey wasn't without its challenges. Once, while passing a sluice gate, they nearly collided with a patrol of canal guards. Fortunately, Chang Wu's alertness allowed him to hide his boat deep within a withered lotus pond on the shore, saving him from harm. Another time, as night fell, they heard the distinct rhythmic call of the East Depot's whistle in the distance, clearly demonstrating that the search network had not been withdrawn.
Every dangerous situation made Gu Linzhi more clearly aware of the danger of his own situation, and also made him place greater expectations on the "Earth Flame Heart" that he had never met before - that was his only hope to survive and continue to move forward.
The next afternoon, the sky darkened and a cold drizzle began to fall. The rain pounded against the boat awning, adding to the chill. Gu Linzhi's cold poison seemed to be stirring again in the damp weather. Even after taking the "Yihan Pill," he still felt the chill creeping into his bones.
Mo Ya took off his outer robe and covered Gu Linzhi with it. The robe was covered with moisture and a very faint, cold aura belonging to Mo Ya. It did not have much warmth, but it made Gu Linzhi slightly startled.
"We're almost at the Qixia Mountain border." Chang Wu wiped the rain from his face and pointed to the faint outline of the rolling mountains shrouded in rain ahead. "Falling Star Valley is on the south side of the main peak of Qixia Mountain. We need to find a place to abandon the boat and go ashore."
They chose a weed-covered riverbank to dock. Mo Ya was the first to disembark, carefully surveying the surroundings. After confirming it was safe, he signaled Chang Wu to help Gu Linzhi off the boat. When Gu Linzhi's feet touched the ground, he felt weak and could barely stand, relying entirely on Chang Wu's support.
"Can we leave?" Mo Ya asked, looking at Gu Linzhi's pale face.
Gu Linzhi gritted his teeth and nodded: "Yes."
He handed the outer robe back to Mo Ya. Mo Ya silently took it and put it back on. As he did so, Gu Linzhi caught a glimpse of what seemed to be thick bandages wrapped around his tights, faintly bloody—was it a wound from last night's fierce battle? He had been holding it in, never revealing a single ounce of it.
The three of them dragged the boat to a secluded place and hid it. Chang Wu also made some disguises. Then, led by Mo Ya, they left the riverbank and trekked towards the depths of Qixia Mountain along a woodcutter's path that was almost covered by wild grass.
The mountain road was rugged and slippery, the rain turning it into a muddy mess. Gu Linzhi struggled with each step, the wound under his ribs aching with the bumpy ride. The cold and weakness washed over him like a tide. Mo Ya led the way, while Chang Wu carefully supported Gu Linzhi from behind.
The rain trickled down my hair, blurring my vision. The forest was silent, with only the rustling of rain on leaves and the heavy breathing of the three people.
As we went deeper, the smell of sulfur in the air grew stronger, mingled with an indescribable, oppressive heat that formed an eerie contrast with the icy rain. The surrounding vegetation also began to grow sparse and strange, with some rocks taking on a dark red hue, as if burned by the intense heat.
"We should be almost there." Mo Ya stopped and cautiously observed a mountain pass ahead, half-hidden by vines and strange rocks. Hot steam rose faintly from the pass, mixing with the cold rain to form a white mist.
There is the entrance to Falling Star Valley.
However, just as they were about to approach, Mo Ya suddenly raised his hand to signal them to stop, and his eyes instantly became as sharp as a knife!
He lowered his voice, almost shoving it out through gritted teeth: "There's someone at the entrance of the valley! It's... Cao Wushang's 'Hunter'!"
Gu Linzhi's heart sank! Cao Wushang's men had actually found this place too?! Was it a coincidence, or... was Doctor Ling's guidance a trap?!
Through the veil of rain and mist, a few figures wearing straw raincoats could be vaguely seen at the valley's entrance, their waists adorned with East Factory-issued swords, vigilantly guarding the entrance. They were few in number, but they had the advantage of terrain.
The road ahead was blocked, pursuers might arrive at any time, and Gu Linzhi's condition was nearing its limit.
Desperate situation once again strangled them by the throat in a more cruel way.
Mo Ya slowly tightened his grip on the short-bladed spear in his hand, the muscles of his one arm tensed, and a cold murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
Chang Wu's face turned pale. He looked at Gu Linzhi, then at Mo Ya, and said in a desperate voice, "Master Mo...what should we do now?"
Gu Linzhi leaned against Chang Wu, panting heavily, the rain running down his thin cheeks. He looked at the foggy, murderous valley entrance, and felt the cold poison stirring in his body.
The heart of Earth Flame is so close, yet it is separated by the gate of life and death.
He slowly raised his hand and wiped away the rain in front of his eyes. In his cold eyes, the faint fire ignited a hint of unyielding fierceness in the desperate situation.
"Go in and kill them."
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