nucmednet Chapter 344 Deep Mountains of Southwest China
Chapter 344 Deep Mountains of Southwest China
At a deserted fork in the road leading southwest, similar scratches were found on the back of a half-buried, broken boundary marker. They looked as if they had been hastily carved with sharp stones, and could be vaguely discerned as a combination of "9" and another number.
Then, further away, beside a stream, there were ashes from a campfire. On the bark of an old tree beside the stream, there were also markings, as if they had been scratched out with fingers. Some were clear, some were blurry, and the locations where they appeared were quite hidden, not on main roads. They pointed vaguely and intermittently to the southwest, towards the rolling hills and deep mountains where people were becoming increasingly sparse.
This is the news that Liu Liu brought back!
The clues are connecting! This is no coincidence or a prank. It is highly likely that Mu Yao, during the forced migration, risked her life to leave behind clues in a way that only they could understand.
"...Our people have only tracked down to this remote mountain area in the southwest. The rain is too heavy, making it difficult to investigate. Judging from the tracks, they were left about half a month ago, before the rainy season. The roads into the mountains should have been easier to travel then!"
“Deep mountains in the southwest…” Mu Qingcheng unfolded the simple map she carried with her, her finger moving along the trajectory of the marked area, finally landing on that vast mountainous region, her heart heavy.
The area is mountainous and densely forested, with treacherous roads. After the rainy season, the terrain becomes slippery, making the environment extremely harsh. If Mu Yao is truly trapped there…
Without further hesitation, she stood up abruptly: "The itinerary remains unchanged. Let the carriages continue to the next designated town. The caravan will return to Jiangzhou as planned. Once we reach Jiangzhou, we will send a message to Yun Qing! All the guards, come with me to that deep mountain in the southwest! Bring enough supplies, medicine, and dry rations."
Liu Liu felt this was inappropriate and said urgently, "This is too dangerous. We should send the guards on horseback to inform His Highness and ask him to send someone to rescue them!"
Mu Qingcheng shook her head, her expression becoming even more resolute: "There's no time to spare. I'm afraid Mu Yao can't wait, and the situation in Jiangzhou can't wait either!"
Liu Liu wanted to persuade her again, but Mu Qingcheng's eyes shone with determination; this time, she was determined to go herself!
It was a deep worry for that bright-smiling girl who once called her "sister." And for the innocent people of Jiangzhou, who should not have had to endure the ravages of war!
"Don't tell Sister Su about this yet. Wait until the rain stops tomorrow, then have Zijing change into my clothes and go with Sister Su and the others!"
Seeing that Mu Qingcheng's mind was made up, Liu Liu stopped arguing and left directly! Having experienced a lot during this time, she gradually understood that to become a true bodyguard, one must first learn to obey orders!
Mu Qingcheng looked out the window at the continuous rain curtain, listening to the howling wind tearing at the trees, which was then drowned out by the pattering rain.
"Mu Yao, if it really is you, you must wait for me... No matter what, I will find you."
The rain poured down all night, but thankfully the sky cleared up the next morning. Mu Qingcheng had breakfast with Su Qingyan, then went back to their room to pack their things. The two of them then boarded the carriage hand in hand.
Mu Qingcheng hid in the shadows, watching the convoy drive away. She then led Liu Liu and eight bodyguards, all ten of them, dressed in camouflage uniforms she had designed herself. Each of them carried a hiking backpack containing clothing, food, climbing ropes, wilderness survival tools, and a simple tent.
From a distance, they looked just like a well-trained modern jungle expedition team! They mounted their horses and headed into the depths of the vast mountains.
Su Qingyan sensed something was wrong when she saw "Mu Qingcheng" come out of the inn. Although the girl was wearing Mu Qingcheng's clothes, she was not as tall as Su Qingyan, her face was covered with a veil, and her hands were much rougher than Mu Qingcheng's.
She didn't expose her on the spot because she saw Zi Pei give her a look, so she suspected that the masked girl might be Zi Jin.
Sure enough, after getting into the carriage, Zijing took off her veil and handed her a letter from Mu Qingcheng, and only then did she understand the reason.
"This is too reckless! What if something goes wrong?" Su Qingyan was anxious and wanted to go back to stop her.
But Zijing stopped her: "Our young lady said we must never turn back, or we'll alert them and they'll be in even greater danger! Now, the only thing we can do is hurry back to Jiangzhou to report to His Highness!"
It seems this is the only way!
The mountains and forests, washed by the rain, were filled with the earthy and decaying smell of soil and leaves, yet it was also exceptionally clear.
Mu Qingcheng and her group abandoned their horses and ventured on foot into the dense, verdant wilderness. There was no path beneath their feet, only slippery moss, tangled tree roots, and a layer of humus softened by rain. Each step required them to use their swords to clear away the crisscrossing thorns and vines. Fortunately, their clothes were specially made and hadn't been soaked through by dew and mud; otherwise, the wet, clinging fabric would have been incredibly uncomfortable.
"Master, be careful!" Liu Liu quickly caught Mu Qingcheng, who almost slipped, her brows furrowed. "This road is getting harder and harder to walk on."
Mu Qingcheng steadied herself and sharply scanned her surroundings.
"I'm fine. Search carefully again. There must still be some marks left by Mu Yao."
The guards scattered, like the most keen hunting dogs, searching for the hidden marks on tree trunks, rocks, and even the base of fallen, decaying wood.
Time passed slowly, and the sun moved across the top of the dense forest, but the light in the forest remained dim and unclear.
As night fell, the chill of the deep mountains quietly spread. They found a sheltered rocky hollow and pitched their makeshift tent. To prevent the firelight from being seen, they arranged the tent in a circle, lighting only a small campfire in the center.
The orange flames flickered weakly, barely dispelling the heavy darkness around them.
"These deep mountains and forests are sure to be frequented by wild animals at night. Everyone be alert and take turns keeping watch." Liu Liu lowered her voice to give instructions. She was already a qualified leader and her actions were quite methodical.
Mu Qingcheng sat alone by the fire, hugging her knees and gazing absently at the flickering flames. The crackling of the firewood seemed far away. Liu Liu called her name several times, but she didn't respond.
"Master?" Liu Liu had no choice but to approach and gently touch her shoulder.
Mu Qingcheng's shoulders trembled slightly as she snapped back to reality, a lingering sense of unease still present in her eyes.
"...What? Is there some noise?"
"You've been daydreaming." Liu Liu sat down beside her and handed her a piece of warmed dry food. "What are you thinking about, so engrossed?"
Mu Qingcheng took the dry rations, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the warm edges. She was silent for a moment, her voice as soft as if afraid to disturb the night: "Just now... I suddenly remembered last year, also in these deep mountains, I picked up someone..."
The firelight flickered, illuminating her profile. A silent tide of memories washed over her—back then, he was deaf, mute, and devoid of all senses, lying dying in the cave…
Now, far away in Jiangzhou, he is strategizing and planning, yet he is also surrounded by dangers. Time and space subtly overlap in the night of the mountain forest, and worries and concerns are quietly linked by this similar scene.
She didn't say anything more, but simply rested her chin gently on her knees, watching the flames gradually transform into flickering spots of light. Weariness washed over her like a tide, and her eyelids closed heavily.
However, Mu Qingcheng did not sleep well that night.
In a daze, the howling mountain wind intertwined with the dream, as if that person's pale face and furrowed brows floated in her dream! In the chaotic dream, the chill and longing in her heart could not be dispelled.