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墨書 Inktalez
In the darkness, the man shouted loudly, "Who are you? Why are you still here after sunset?"
Chunhua fumbled to protect Xiao Yun behind her, while Zhang Dashan nervously swallowed, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. He stood in front of Xiao Yun and his wife, his heart pounding like a drum, his mind in chaos as he tried to remain calm and think of a way to respond.
The man's footsteps gradually approached, the rustling sound echoing clearly in the dark. Zhang Dashan squinted his eyes, trying to see the man's face. Suddenly, in the faint moonlight, he caught sight of the man's eyes, which were hidden under a conical hat, glinting with a chilling light that was particularly terrifying.
"We... we are just passing through," Zhang Dashan stammered, trying to mask his inner fear. "It got dark and we lost our way. We didn't know there was a cliff ahead. Thank you for your warning."
The man stopped in his tracks, his cold gaze sweeping over the three of them, his tone laced with suspicion. "Passing through? It's so late; what exactly do you want?"
Chunhua tightly held Xiao Yun's hand. Xiao Yun sensed her mother's tension and dared not make a sound. She secretly observed the man before her; the eyes hidden beneath the conical hat sent a chill down her spine, reminding her of those terrifying nights in the past.
Zhang Dashan forced himself to calm down, pushing aside his thoughts. The most important thing now was to protect his family. "We just want to find a place to stay for the night; we really have no other intentions. Please believe us."
The man seemed not entirely convinced but showed a hint of hesitation in his gaze. He scrutinized them again and coldly said, "Fine, no matter who you are, this is not a place to linger. You'd better follow me; otherwise, it will be more dangerous."
The man's suggestion piqued their curiosity, but they still couldn't let their guard down. Zhang Dashan nervously asked, "Excuse me... sir, but who exactly are you?"
The man snorted dismissively. "Hmph... three people sneaking around in the mountains and still have the nerve to question me?" His tone carried a hint of disdain and contempt as if he found their suspicion laughable.
However, the man did not seem inclined to make things difficult for them. He rummaged through his belongings and then pulled out a fire stick and lit it. The sudden flame illuminated his rugged face and the scene behind him.
In the glow of the firelight, the man's face became visible. He was a middle-aged man with a resolute expression and an undeniable air of authority in his eyes. Behind him was a bamboo basket filled with wood, clearly indicating that he was a lumberjack working in the mountains.
Zhang Dashan carefully examined the man in front of him, trying to discern any clues from his face. Chunhua and Xiao Yun stood behind him, still filled with vigilance and unease.
The man looked at them and said coldly, "I have been logging in these mountains for many years and am familiar with every inch of this land. If you want to leave here safely, it’s best to follow me; otherwise, you may find it hard to escape."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Dashan felt a slight sense of relief. He knew that they had no other choice but to trust this stranger before them. He nodded and said to the man, "Alright, we will follow you."
The man nodded slightly and turned to walk ahead. The torch in his hand flickered in the darkness, illuminating the path forward. Zhang Dashan, Chunhua, and Xiao Yun closely followed behind him, still filled with doubts and unease.
In the glow of the firelight, the man's tall figure appeared particularly imposing. His steps were steady and powerful, each footfall firmly planted on the ground, as if he knew this forest like the back of his hand. His silhouette provided an inexplicable sense of security, yet also conveyed a subtle feeling of oppression.
The three silently followed the man, while sounds echoed in the surrounding darkness—rustling leaves, chirping insects, and the wind drifting through the valley. These sounds seemed particularly clear and eerie in the night, sending chills down their spines.
Zhang Dashan glanced back at Chunhua and Xiao Yun, noticing that they were still filled with vigilance and tension. He gently patted Chunhua's shoulder and whispered, "Relax a bit; we should be fine."
Chunhua nodded slightly, but the unease in her eyes had not dissipated. Xiao Yun also gently held Chunhua's hand, trying to offer her some comfort.
The man led the way ahead, the firelight dancing in the darkness as it illuminated their path. Zhang Dashan's family followed him, filled with doubts and expectations, hoping that this stranger could truly lead them out of this dangerous forest.
As the man skillfully navigated through the mountains, he coldly remarked, "You really are rare visitors... escaped from Baiyue Village, huh?"
His question stunned them all; they were unsure how he had guessed it and instantly became wary. Zhang Dashan tightened his grip on his hammer while Chunhua shielded Xiao Yun, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Without turning back, the man continued speaking, "Alright, alright! That's enough... Baiyue Village is full of fugitives; every time they have nowhere to go, they come running here. Just by that cliff you just fled from, countless fugitives have already perished."
His tone was filled with impatience and indifference, as if he had long been accustomed to such situations. Zhang Dashan's family exchanged glances, feeling increasingly tense, but they understood that at this moment, they had no other choice but to follow this stranger onward.
Zhang Dashan tentatively asked, "So how do you know we are from Baiyue Village?"
The man let out a cold laugh, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You fugitives carry the scent of Baiyue Village; I've sensed it for a while. Besides, your panicked expressions clearly show you're running for your lives."
Zhang Dashan's heart tightened, realizing this man was not easy to deal with, yet he forced himself to remain calm and said, "We are just innocent villagers who have been driven to desperation, which is why we came here."
The man scoffed dismissively and continued walking. "Innocent? There are so-called innocent people all over these mountains, but what’s the outcome? They still can’t escape."
Zhang Dashan, Chunhua, and Xiao Yun silently followed, filled with unease and fear. They had no idea where this stranger would take them or what fate awaited them next.
Xiao Yun sensed her parents' tension and squeezed Chunhua's hand, trying to offer some comfort. Her heart was also filled with questions and fears, but she knew that the most important thing now was to stay calm and follow the stranger's lead; perhaps they could find a way out.
The man led the way ahead, his steps steady as if he knew these woods like the back of his hand. The flickering light of the torch danced in the darkness, illuminating the path ahead, but this faint glow made the surrounding darkness seem even deeper and more terrifying.
The sounds around them continued to echo—rustling leaves, chirping insects, and the wind swirling through the valley—these noises felt particularly clear and eerie in the night, sending chills down their spines.
Under the man's guidance, Zhang Dashan's family continued through the unfamiliar forest, filled with confusion and anticipation. They hoped this stranger could truly lead them out of this dangerous wilderness and find a way to survive, but they also knew that everything was fraught with unknown variables.
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