In the end, Shao Xuan turned around and came back to help Gongjia Heng with some of the bags. This way, they could both leave the monkeys’ territory as soon as possible.
The monkeys here were not friendly. Although they were not large, they were difficult to shake off. They ate human brains too, he found several dead people in this area with their skulls cracked open.
And anyone who could reach this place was no weakling.
That was why fighting the monkeys with brute force was a no-go, you would only suffer huge losses. Running away as soon as you can was the best solution. Since they were both together, it was best they helped each other.
In the beginning, Heng thought that Shao Xuan, as a young man here for the first time, would have a hard time being here. He thought he would need to save Shao Xuan, that way he could get back some of his dignity and even scold the kid. However, everything was in reverse now.
That was why as they both ran, Heng’s expressions were very forced. He didn’t know what to say. When he thought about the excuse he used to tag along, his face reddened. All he could do was stammer a word of thanks.
They heard the disgruntled monkey’s screeches and tree branches snapping behind them. The monkeys were angry they did not catch a single human. They didn’t even get to touch the humans!
After leaving the monkey territory, both hurried along their journey. Here, Shao Xuan did not have to look- Gongjia Heng led the way since he had been here many times.
There were a few streams around them similar to the one at the Flaming Horn’s hunting grounds. During the dry season, the riverbed could be seen too. Not sure where these streams were from or where they led to.
There were smaller crocodiles and other aquatic animals here. It was not the dry season yet so they could often hear noises made by the animals in and around the river.
A python was taking a lazy stroll amongst the riverside bushes. It did not care for the animals here because it was full. When Shao Xuan passed it, he saw a huge, expanded section on its body. Based on its shape, the python had just swallowed a crocodile.
In the beginning, Gongjia Heng had already told Shao Xuan what he should be aware of. That was why Shao Xuan safely avoided all the hiding predators without needing Heng’s reminders.
Shao Xuan was a model student. He did not look like a first-timer at all. Heng hadn’t even gotten a chance to teach Shao Xuan something, he realised how useless the excuse he used to tag along was. Secretly, he was frustrated. All he could do was heave a sigh. The tribesmen who lived in the forest were, after all, adapted to move in a forest.
Two days after they left.
“At this speed, we will arrive at the resting spot before dark,” said Heng.
Since he came often, there were several designated spots for him to rest. The first time he came looking for Gongjia Mountain, he had discovered a cave in a mountain that was suitable as a resting spot. At the time, there were many insects and snakes inside so he had to use some medicine as a pesticide. After that, every time he left he would put some medicine in there to prevent pests from building their nest inside while he was gone.
Before sunset, they both arrived at the mountain. The face was steep, with all kinds of wet moss on its walls. While it was slippery, it wasn’t a problem for both of them.
“We’re here!” Gongjia Heng looked around the boulder blocking the mouth of the cave. There were still traces of green powder. That was the pesticide he used, they hadn’t completely disappeared yet. This meant there shouldn’t be any pests inside.
“Hold this. I’ll move the boulder.” Gongjia Heng passed his bag to Shao Xuan and rolled his shoulders. With both arms on the boulder, he pushed with all his strength. This boulder was heavier than a crocodile, it was still difficult.
Suddenly, he felt all resistance disappear. The boulder was shoved aside.
“Sigh, didn’t I ask you to hold the stuff, you don’t…” Heng wanted to nag at him, for he had told Shao Xuan to watch his stuff.
They had limited material so the weapons inside were precious. There were many curious ?animals in the area that liked to steal. He should never put down their bags to push the boulder. However, Heng turned to see Shao Xuan holding both their bags in one hand (he did not put them down), and the other hand pushed the boulder.
“Al–Alright.” In the end, Gongjia Heng could only force himself to say a word. So what if he was strong?!
However, as a partner, with Shao Xuan here, Gongjia Heng did find the journey to be much easier.
In the past, his journey to this point required at least 3 days. They had arrived in two. HEng had to admit that this kid was strong.
After lighting a fire, they took the opportunity before it went completely dark outside to hunt a small fierce beast. After cleaning it, they roasted it over the fire in the cave.
“In the beginning, I wanted to build a house here but after that I found a cave to be more convenient,” said Heng as he roasted the meat.
“We stay in caves too when we leave the tribe to hunt.” Shao Xuan described their hunts.
In the past, Gongjia Heng wasn’t familiar with life in a forest. However, now that he had lived there for twenty years, he was not interested and hence did not ask questions.
The night was chilly. There was a strong breeze blowing outside and the cave was not deep. Their fire flickered in the wind. Shao Xuan walked to the mouth of the cave and moved the boulder so the gap would be smaller. This was to prevent the breeze from entering and blowing out the flame.
Gongjia Heng was not happy to see Shao Xuan move a boulder so easily. “You Flaming Horn people, are you all this strong?”
“Yeah, our tribesmen are physically stronger.”
“Suitable for forging. Then again, I think I’ve heard of your tribe’s name before. It’s been a long time, I can’t remember much.” In the past, Gongjia Heng mainly focused on forging so he merely knew what other people mentioned and never asked questions. After that, when he started looking for the Mountain, he was even more cut off from the outside world.
After a full meal, Gongjia Heng extinguished the fire to rest. However, he saw Shao Xuan take out the glowing crystal, an animal skin scroll and a peculiar pen. He was drawing on the animal scroll.
“What are you writing?” asked Gongjia Heng.
“Filling in the map,” said Shao Xuan.
“What for? How many times do you plan to come here?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’ll be great if you even make it back alive. Don’t overthink it. I’m a true Xia, yet I haven’t found it after twenty years. You think you can find it in one trip? But it doesn’t matter if you don’t, just treat it as training,” said Heng in a comforting tone. Actually, he was looking forward to finding the Mountain too. However, after so many rounds of failure, he had prepared for this to be a long fight. He was not going to give up though. If it wasn’t for the convenience in getting materials from trading with the tribes nearby, he would have chosen to stay here.
However, he was still very curious, leaning in to read the map. Shao Xuan showed him the map he got from deciphering the cloud patterns. In the beginning, it was just a rough sketch but by now, it was filled with the places he had passed- the monkey forest, the swamps, woody forest, plus mountains were indicated too.
“Why is this part empty?” Gongjia Heng pointed.
“I haven’t been.”
“I have! Let me tell you…” Gongjia Heng started talking nonstop as he pointed at the empty spot on the scroll. Although it had been a few years since he had been there, he had a vague idea.
When he finished, he said, “When we get back, lend me your map. I want to make a copy.” Heng loved Shao Xuan’s efficient and simple markings on the map. He wanted one too.
“Sure.” Since Heng liked it, Shao Xuan was generous too. “I’ll just draw another one for you.”
When he heard Shao Xuan, he was satisfied. At this point, Heng was tired too.
“Sleep early, or you’ll suffer tomorrow!” They had been hurrying through their journey for the past two days, their minds and bodies were tired. It felt like he had been forging for ten days in a row. Yet this kid was still planning to stay up?
“Alright.” Shao Xuan continued studying his map.
Heng did not speak another word. The kid was going to regret it.
However, when he woke the next day, he noticed Shao Xuan was more energetic than he was. Shao Xuan had even gone hunting and brought back breakfast.
Heng was about to say something when Shao Xuan asked in surprise, “Master Gongjia, why are there two suns?!”
When they arrived yesterday, it was sunset and there was only one sun. Shao Xuan had only seen one. However, there were two this morning! Where did the other one come from?
Heng no longer thought about why Shao Xuan had such astonishing rejuvenating powers. He smirked mysteriously. “There are two suns and you’re already so afraid? If later we see even more suns in the sky, what will you do?”
Shao Xuan fell silent, then probed curiously, “Illusion?”
Gongjia Heng was surprised. Other people would ask more questions- if they weren’t already terrified, but he hadn’t expected Shao Xuan to guess it right.
“Sort of.” Gongjia Heng walked out of the cave and looked up at the two suns in the sky. He sighed. “If Gongjia Mountain was that easy to find, then there wouldn’t be so many deaths here.”
Not just the people in the forest, even the people in the slave masters’ cities all used the sun to pinpoint directions and time. However, what happens when the sun’s movements are erratic? Right now, two suns did not affect their journey too much but the further they travelled, the more illusions there would be. It would become more and more difficult to pinpoint directions and one’s travels would be greatly disturbed.
Although the two suns in the sky were not far apart from each other, anyone who was not familiar with this phenomenon would still struggle to make out the time.
“Do you know which one is the real sun?” Gongjia Heng asked in delight. However, when he thought of Shao Xuan’s knot divination skills, he got a little curious too. “Why don’t you use your divination to find out?”
Gongjia Heng went looking for some rope but Shao Xuan just closed his eyes. Then, he opened them and pointed at the sun that was slightly to the left. “That’s the real one.”
Heng was about to hand him the rope excitedly, expecting to watch his divination process again. However, he paused and then tossed the piece of rope.
“Why do you say that?”
“I guessed.”
“...”