I didn't respond to Huang Jiu right away, instead looking up at the sky.
The night sky was filled with stars, but under my spiritual vision, there were faint lights in the dark forest as well. It was these insignificant glimmers that prevented me from sinking completely into the darkness.
Soon, I cleared away the negative emotions and stood up, looking at Huang Xian'er. "Sister Xian'er…"
I wanted to ask her for a favor—wait until tomorrow afternoon to release Liu Changxuan.
But then I remembered she had already done so much for me, and now with the corpse gone, the promises I made could no longer be kept. The words I wanted to say stuck in my throat.
And before I could speak, Huang Xian'er's face showed clear signs of impatience.
I awkwardly laughed and forced myself to say, "Sister Xian'er, before she left, she transmitted a message to me. She said she would come find me soon, and when that happens, all the promises I made will be fulfilled."
Huang Xian'er's expression didn't change much, but she seemed tired as she said, "I can keep these two old devils until tomorrow morning. Do what you need to do quickly."
With that, Huang Xian'er returned to her half-human, half-beast form and turned to walk toward the ancient tomb.
Huang Jiu looked at his wife's back and tried to comfort me, "Don't take it to heart. My wife has a sharp tongue but a soft heart."
But when Huang Xian'er heard him talking to me, she turned and shouted, "Aren't you coming back yet? Do you want us all to be turned into skeletons?"
Huang Jiu awkwardly looked at me, and I gave a light smile, saying, "Go ahead! I'll handle my own affairs."
Huang Jiu patted his chest in gratitude. "As brothers, it's all in the heart."
I was a bit speechless. Was he watching too many gangster movies?
But I couldn't help but feel a little warmth inside.
The ancient tomb was Huang Jiu's home, and I couldn't go in.
Huang Xian'er had made it clear that whatever happened in the past was over. From now on, we would each go our separate ways with no more connections.
After a brief rest, I didn't concern myself with Liu Changxuan and his disciple. Since Huang Xian'er had promised to take care of it, she would see it through.
By the time I left the forest, it was already the late hours of the night.
Looking at the quiet wilderness, the emptiness inside me seemed to magnify infinitely.
I felt lost, unable to see any light at the end of the tunnel for my future.
People have thousands of ambitions, but the overwhelming aura emanating from the black-clad men had become like a shackle, locking away my will.
Even recalling it made me feel powerless.
Back at the old house, I stood and shouted angrily into the wilderness, releasing the pent-up frustration inside me.
After venting, my emotions calmed a bit. I took the wooden token out of my pocket to examine it.
It was made of black wood, so dark it seemed to absorb the light.
The front was carved with a lifelike five-clawed dragon.
On the back was a simple character: "Bai." Apart from that, there were no additional embellishments.
I gripped the token tightly, thinking back to the cold, proud tone of the black-clad leader. My anger finally broke through the mental shackles.
So what if it's Mount Ten Thousand? How high could it really be?
At the very least, I could take the first step.
And Mount Laoshan would be the guiding stone for me to take that first step.
But I couldn't let them find me in the village—that would put my parents in danger.
Going to the city became my only option.
I took out the address my second uncle had left for me:
Provincial Capital, Qingning Street, No. 85.
At dawn, I shouldered my grandfather's box and left the mountain early.
I had planned to avoid my mother and leave her a note telling her I was going to find my second uncle.
But my mother was sitting under the eaves, staring blankly.
They say a mother and child's hearts are connected. Though my mother hadn't seen everything that happened to me in person, she might have already sensed it.
When she saw me, my mother snapped back to reality and hurried to take the bundle off my shoulder.
I pretended to be calm, smiling lightly. "Mom, tell Dad when he gets back that everything's been settled."
My mother froze for a moment. "What about that girl?"
"She left with her family last night," I said, forcing a smile. Even though I tried to sound casual, how could I hide it from my mother?
She helped me dust off the grass and tried to comfort me. "She's gone, it's no big deal. When we sell the family's cows, I'll help you find a good girl to marry."
Hearing that made me a little embarrassed and melancholic.
People in the mountains marry young. My peer, Xiao Pang, became a father last year.
If I hadn't finished middle school, I might have been like him.
After chatting for a while, my mother went to the kitchen to make me some noodles.
Taking this opportunity, I packed my grandfather's items, the yellow talisman I had taken from the little Taoist, and the short knife into my bag.
I also packed a few clothes that looked decent enough.
After all, I was going to the city, and I couldn't afford to look too shabby.
When my mother brought the egg noodles, she paused for a moment when she saw my backpack.
I stood up, took the noodles from her, smelled them, and then devoured them hungrily. After eating a few bites, I noticed my mother was still standing there, so I casually said, "Mom, I want to go find my second uncle!"
When she heard this, her fist visibly clenched. "Yangyang, has something happened? Tell Mom, I'll help you find a way."
My second uncle had told me that if anything happened, I should go to him.
My mother misunderstood.
I explained the situation, and she seemed half-convinced. She went back to the back room.
When she came out, she had a handkerchief tightly wrapped around something and pressed it into my hand. "This is the money I saved from selling eggs. Take it with you to the city, find your second uncle, and let me know you're safe."
As she spoke, my mother couldn't stop wiping her tears.
I wasn't good with words, so I quickly smiled and said, "Mom, what are you doing? Every year, people from the village go to the city to work. I'm just going to find my second uncle, so don't worry."
I took the money.
Since I didn't have a single coin, and I couldn't even afford the fare, I had no choice but to accept it. If I didn't, my mother wouldn't be at ease.
My mother, afraid she would cry in front of me, quickly went back inside.
As I walked out of the house, I couldn't hold it in any longer, and tears streamed down my face.
The three simple brick houses, though old, were filled with the warmth of everyday life.
I had often imagined that this might be my home for the rest of my life—that I would get married here and live a simple, ordinary life.
But once I took this step, I would never be able to return.
Perhaps I would never find this feeling again in my lifetime.
I wondered if every person who left their home felt this way.
That's all I could think about at that moment.
I didn't hesitate, and I didn't dare look back.
Once I left the village, the wind dried my tears, and I rubbed my face to gather myself.
As I climbed over Niutou Slope, I suddenly heard some movement behind me.
I turned around and saw Huang Jiu, wearing floral shorts, carrying a flashy floral bag, running breathlessly.
I looked at him in surprise.
Huang Jiu caught his breath and grinned. "Big brother, how can you go see the outside world without your old buddy?"
My brows furrowed immediately.
This time, Huang Jiu didn't seem like he was following me on an assignment. It looked more like he was running away from home.
Huang Xian'er was a ruler in her own right, and I didn't want to get involved with her.
I kicked Huang Jiu aside and said, "Go play somewhere else!"
With that, I ignored him and continued walking toward the mountain's exit.