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墨書 Inktalez
As we were about to leave, Liu Xiqiao and Xiaochan Xi accompanied us for quite a distance before turning back with deep gratitude. The villagers, however, had already waved goodbye to us at the village entrance. Their faces were also filled with gratitude, but alongside it was a heavy sorrow. Although their lives were spared for now, several had perished before our arrival. Old Man Gao was among them; he had rushed out with a shovel that night and never returned. Everyone waited until the next day to search for his body due to the darkness. Eventually, they found him at the bottom of a steep slope in a small grove outside the village, his arms torn apart but his body still relatively intact compared to those who had died earlier.
As we ascended higher, Mu Yan, Mingyue, and I carried large bundles on our shoulders—these included our own provisions as well as food prepared by the villagers. Additionally, I had a Peach Wood Sword and a kitchen knife strapped to me, along with some chicken blood and Black Dog Blood stored in small bottles. Though limited in quantity, they provided some reassurance. The last words of the Hu Family Immortal echoed in my mind: aside from her Fox Demon clan, there were other monsters in the Taihang Mountains that we needed to be cautious of. I had no doubt about her warning, which is why I chose to stay in the village an extra day to prepare.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, the trees grew denser around us, and the ground sloped steeply upward. Gradually looking back, I was startled to realize we were already over a thousand meters above sea level. Yet still, there was no sign of the pine wood or Yellow Cicada we sought, nor any trace of the Swamp Python. If I did encounter a Swamp Python, I would likely turn and run in fear!
By noon, fatigue set in as we continued our ascent. I glanced at Mingyue and Mu Yan before asking Mu Yan if she was tired. She shook her head. I then turned to Mingyue; she hesitated before scanning our surroundings and said, “Few come to this height above a thousand meters; the forest is dense. The pine wood and Yellow Cicada you’re looking for are likely up here.”
I replied, “But we need energy to keep going! It’s already noon; how about we take a break and eat something?” Mingyue nodded in agreement. We found a clean spot to sit down; I let Mu Yan sit first before taking my place beside her. We each pulled out some food from our packs and began to chew.
As for Mu Yan, she didn’t need to eat; despite appearing human, she wasn’t alive in the traditional sense. After eating, sunlight filtered through the trees above us, casting a lazy warmth that made me drowsy. I glanced at Mingyue; she sat there with her eyes slightly closed as if resting her mind. Not wanting to disturb her, I leaned against a large tree behind me and dozed off.
Before long, I fell asleep—but this nap nearly cost me my life. It felt like only moments had passed when I heard someone calling my name; it was Mu Yan and Mingyue's voices mixed with distant sounds of struggle. Their voices were close yet urgent, filled with anxiety.
I jolted awake and opened my eyes only to be engulfed in darkness as if I had been thrown into an endless void. What was happening? Hadn’t I just fallen asleep? Panic surged within me as I realized that even in this darkness, I could still hear the sounds of fighting nearby—faint yet close enough to feel real.
Suddenly, it struck me: it felt like I was rolling around inside someone else's belly. The word "monster" flashed through my mind like lightning. A more terrifying thought followed—I was inside a monster's stomach! My face paled at this realization.
I didn’t know why I hadn’t been digested yet; there was no time to ponder that as instinct kicked in. I reached behind me for my Peach Wood Sword and began slashing wildly in the dark. Each swing intensified the rolling sensation around me.
The Peach Wood Sword was known for its ability to ward off evil spirits; it must have been working because desperation fueled my frenzy. My sole thought was to break free from whatever creature held me captive. Thus, I swung my sword relentlessly in one direction.
I lost count of how many strikes I made until finally—light burst forth! The monster's belly had been cut open at last! I tumbled out onto the ground.
“Hiss…” As soon as I landed, a sound like a snake flicking its tongue echoed above me. Terrified, I looked up only to see a gigantic Yellow Flower hovering above my head—larger than a basin! Its petals expanded and contracted rhythmically while its center resembled a human tongue curling out towards me.
Behind it stretched long tendrils that twisted like snakes, writhing ominously. To my horror, I saw the section of tendril I'd just severed quickly rejoining without any visible seam.
“Damn it! I'm going all out!” Realizing that this creature had just swallowed me whole moments ago fueled my rage. Gritting my teeth, I lifted my Peach Wood Sword again and charged toward the gaping maw of the Yellow Flower.
But as soon as I raised it high above my head, something unexpected happened—the sword wouldn’t descend! Confused and alarmed, I turned around only to witness an even more terrifying sight: two massive roots extending from a tree behind me like hands reaching out to ensnare my sword tightly.
Before I could react further, my arms shook violently as the Peach Wood Sword slipped from my grasp entirely. Darkness enveloped me once more as despair washed over me—I realized that once again, I was about to be devoured!
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