It seemed that even a few-month-old male infant knew how to favor the fairer sex. Just months ago, Hou Dayong and I had tried every trick, but he refused to leave Wang Jue. Now, Auntie Huagu, that beautiful woman, merely clapped her hands, and the little fellow practically delivered himself to her arms.

Alas, I shook my head with a look of utter helplessness. Wang Jue had suffered enough from the Ghost Infant, making her a bit wary, afraid he might latch onto Huagu next, so she was reluctant to hand him over.

However, that little killer monster clearly didn't find Wang Jue's embrace comfortable anymore. As soon as Huagu reached out, he instantly stretched out his tiny hands and tumbled right into her lap. It was only then I realized how much he had grown. When we first saw him in the Sea of the Departed, he was like a newborn baby, his little hands and feet barely managing to wiggle in place. Now, he could already sit up straight in Wang Jue’s arms, clearly demanding Huagu hold him. All that blood I supplied from my severed limb must have given him quite a boost of nourishment.

Huagu held the Ghost Infant, cooing and soothing him with gentle, repetitive sounds, treating him not like a monster at all. Perhaps this was simply the inherent nature of women when nurturing the young.

Wang Jue and I settled down at the dining table, feeling quite ravenous. Ah Li quickly brought over two plates of dumplings and handed us each a pair of chopsticks.

We immediately seized the chopsticks and began devouring the food greedily. The dumplings were delicious, though the vinegar was a touch too sweet. This was the first proper meal we’d had since leaving Miao Village—a welcome, comforting experience. It was clear then that having the two women come to Wang Jue’s place was absolutely the right decision.

The two plates of dumplings were swept clean in a matter of moments, as if by a whirlwind. I patted my stomach, feeling a wave of satisfaction, like quenching a deep thirst, rise from my core. As I rubbed my belly, I suddenly remembered: I’d been inside for a while now, and the map was still tucked into my waistband. So, I pulled the map from my waist and spread it out carefully across the dining table for study.

This map was ancient, drawn onto cloth. It depicted towering mountains and winding rivers. Nowadays, where could one even find such an original, untamed landscape? With the cities having changed so drastically, I seriously doubted whether this relic could guide us to Silent Mountain.

The two young beauties, seeing me pull out something strange, drifted over to look. I explained to them that Wang Jue and I needed to head to Silent Mountain to rescue my elder sister. Upon hearing about the rescue mission, Ah Li became quite animated, insisting loudly that she must come with us.

Wang Jue and I exchanged a glance; we both understood implicitly that whatever dangers lay ahead on this journey, Ah Li and Huagu absolutely could not be brought along.

I remained silent, letting Ah Li enjoy her excitement unchecked. Wang Jue pulled down a modern map from the bookshelf and began comparing it to the map of Silent Mountain.

To be honest, finding common ground between two maps separated by several centuries was no easy task. Wang Jue and I stared at them for ages without making any headway. The two maps depicted entirely different worlds, and I started to feel beads of sweat prickling my skin, showing faint signs of losing my nerve.

Huagu studied the Silent Mountain map for a moment. Finally, she pointed to a few mountains and rivers on the old drawing and asked, “Are these mountains and rivers still on the new map?”

That made perfect sense! I slapped my thigh. Mountains are the most primitive geographical markers; unless they're entirely excavated, they remain unchanged over hundreds of years!

We began searching for the mountain locations on the modern map. On the old map, Silent Mountain was situated precisely in the center, surrounded by four mountains to the north, south, east, and west, forming a distinct cross shape with five peaks. Wang Jue marked every mountain near Xiangcheng on the new map but couldn't find five peaks arranged in a cross. However, there were four mountains marking the four cardinal directions of the same general area. But between these four peaks was a school—there was no Silent Mountain where we expected it to be.

We looked at each other, slightly bewildered. Should we investigate the school? I pondered internally, feeling irresolute.

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