The next morning, as I was drifting in and out of sleep, I vaguely felt a hand gently stroking my stomach. Subconsciously, I assumed it was Qin Bing'er, that bold girl, daring to touch my belly. Just as I was settling in to enjoy the sensation, a thought flashed through my mind: Why is Qin Bing'er’s hand so rough? Realizing something was terribly wrong, I startled awake. The first thing that greeted my eyes was Man Niao Niao’s face, twisted into a wicked grin, two enormous, yellowish-brown eye boogers hanging precariously from the corners of his eyes. I shrieked in fright, rolled sideways, and tumbled off the bed.

“Wolf, you’re awake?” Man Niao Niao was still smiling maliciously. He reached down and hauled me up from the floor, his eyes locked intently on my face as he spoke.

At that moment, Man Niao Niao was unclothed, save for a pair of brief shorts barely concealing his modesty. His entire body was a landscape of bulging muscle knots, making him look incredibly robust and powerful.

Seeing his roguish smirk and feeling his grip on my hand, I was deeply shocked when he called me “Lang.” I violently shook off his hand and snapped back at him, “What are you planning? Did you learn to swing that way after working outside for a few years?”

“What’s ‘swinging’? I did hard labor, hauling earth and moving bricks every day. I never did any of that ‘swinging’ stuff.” His reply left me speechless and frustrated. I had to explain, “Swinging means being homosexual.”

“Why didn’t you just say toads climbing pepper trees—nailing nail to nail? Why use flowery language? You intellectuals just love being vague. Who would be interested in your whole body of sour-smelling meat anyway?” He adopted a look of sudden realization, his mouth stretched into a grin that reached the back of his neck.

“Then why did you call me ‘Lang’? That’s an intimate word,” I countered. He froze for a second, then burst into booming laughter. “Did you think I meant ‘Lang’ from ‘Lang Jun’ (gentleman)? Ha! I meant ‘Lang’ from ‘Se Lang’ (lecher/wolf)! Don't go reading too much into it!”

Hearing that, I cursed myself for letting Qin Bing'er’s green-fur image scramble my brain to the point of such a low-level common sense error. I mumbled sullenly, “Stop talking nonsense. How am I lecherous? Don’t sully my pure soul!”

“You’re pure? Hmph. You’re the pick of the pure ones. Look at your pointy nose—you’re a lustful immortal. Look at your darting eyes—you’re a scoundrel. Look at your wide mouth—you’re a sex fiend… And you call yourself pure? Don't waste those two characters!” Man Niao Niao pouted, squinting at me as he spoke.

I jumped up instantly, not caring if I was his match or not, and swung my fist at his well-developed pectoral muscle, laughing and cursing, “You dead Niao Niao! My looks were given to me by my parents, not something I chose. What does that have to do with being ‘lecherous’? I think you’re the one with the lecherous look.”

Seeing my reaction, Man Niao Niao didn’t retaliate. He pursed his lips and grinned wickedly, saying, “Saying you’re lecherous must have a reason—did you go into the next room last night… hehe!” Hearing that, I instantly realized he knew I had gone to Qin Bing'er’s room!

I was greatly embarrassed. Although I already knew Qin Bing'er and Man Niao Niao weren't lovers, men have a default setting; Man Niao Niao had known Qin Bing'er longer than I had, so he might naturally harbor a sense of proprietary claim. Maybe he even thought I was committing an unforgivable sin by seducing his ‘auntie’!—Was that what his almost inaudible sigh last night meant?

Stuck in a dilemma, unsure how to begin, Man Niao Niao assumed he had hit my weak spot—I was guilty conscience personified. He glanced at me, then became serious. “That… that’s very normal. Nobody’s laughing at you. We have an old saying around here, right? A bull must plow, a horse must be ridden; people gain strength only after they’ve done that thing. It’s normal, absolutely normal! Isn’t a man’s entire life just about two ‘curves’?”

Hearing him become increasingly outrageous, I quickly kicked him in the stomach and hissed angrily, “If you have nothing better to do, go suck your own family jewels and shut up, alright? If Qin Bing'er hears this, what will she think? She needed to tell me something important last night; it wasn't what you’re imagining!”

“In the dead of night, a lone man and woman, dry wood and fierce fire… could there be anything else?”

Seeing Man Niao Niao pulling the topic further and further astray, I worried Qin Bing'er might overhear. I had already misunderstood her once; if she then heard Man Niao Niao spewing nonsense, she might think: What kind of men are the Tujia people? Coupled with what I had seen and heard last night weighing heavily on my mind, I quickly changed the subject. “Uncle Bird, what evil did you run into in Anle Cave when you were little?”

Man Niao Niao’s expression grew serious when I suddenly mentioned ‘Anle Cave,’ and he asked in surprise, “Why are you suddenly asking about Anle Cave?”

“Because I’m going to find the master who dispelled the evil for you!”

“Are you talking about… An Ren?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you looking for An Ren?” Man Niao Niao asked curiously.

I gave a bitter smile, pointed to my forehead, and said, “Just because of this ‘Tu’ (Earth) character on my forehead!”

Man Niao Niao stared at my forehead, examining it for over ten seconds, then burst into laughter. “Oh ho! There really is a ‘Tu’ character on your forehead! I really never noticed before.”

“You didn’t notice, but someone else did! And she noticed the moment she saw you!” I added with another wry smile.

“Are you talking about Qin Bing’er? No wonder her eyes lit up when she saw you. Did you two talk about the ‘Tu’ character on your forehead last night?”

“Exactly right.”

“What’s the story?”

“Sigh, I can’t really explain it clearly. Let’s wait until we get back to Xiama Kou Village and find my foster grandpa, then I’ll explain in detail!”

“…Alright!”

Man Niao Niao and I got dressed, washed our faces, and prepared to see if Qin Bing’er was awake. When I opened the door, I found Qin Bing’er standing right outside, just about to knock. Seeing my haggard face, Qin Bing’er gave an apologetic smile. Before she could speak, she noticed Man Niao Niao standing behind me, smiling meaningfully at her, and her face instantly flushed crimson.

“Let’s go! We need to return to Xiama Kou Village immediately!” I quickly urged Qin Bing’er.

“Wait, let me say something first. Man Ying Ying—she should technically be called Uncle Man Ming—but she’s older than Man Ming. Even though I’m a few years younger than you two, I don’t want you guys acting aloof around me. So, I’ll call Man Ming ‘Niao Niao,’ and Man Ying Ying ‘Ying Ying.’ You two can just call me ‘Bing’er.’ That way, the three of us won’t seem distant…” Qin Bing’er explained to Man Niao Niao and me.

“Deal, deal! I strongly agree.” Man Niao Niao was delighted by Qin Bing’er’s suggestion and laughed heartily.

I stood there, unsure whether to laugh or cry. This silly girl still didn't know the origin of the nickname “Man Niao Niao.” But I didn’t know how to tell her, so I just shot Man Niao Niao a harsh glare. He turned away, chuckling secretly.

On the car ride back to Xiama Kou Village, Qin Bing’er sat beside me, her lips tightly pressed together, her body trembling slightly, her expression shifting constantly. My eyes felt gritty, but I couldn't sleep, my mind filled with the image of the green-fur diagram on Qin Bing’er’s back; my own expression probably wasn't much better. Man Niao Niao was whistling cheerfully, showing not a hint of homesickness.

“This day is just crazy! Damn it all!” The driver suddenly cursed loudly, and the car screeched to a halt.

“What happened? Did the car break down?” people in the car asked each other.

“Ying Ying, look! Isn’t that the thing we saw when we were kids?” Man Niao Niao suddenly shot up, looking alarmed as he spoke to me.

I lowered my head and looked through the windshield. On the peak of a mountain stood a gigantic, vaguely humanoid monster that seemed constructed entirely of black cloud. That mountain was Tianjiao Mountain. The creature only showed its upper half, and Tianjiao Mountain looked like a pillar supporting its belly.

The others in the car had also seen the bizarre monster and rushed out to get a closer look. Man Niao Niao and I jumped out too, mingling with the crowd to observe it.

After getting out, I noticed our vehicle had stopped at a place called Yanjing Ao (Salt Well Hollow). Judging by the name, this place was certainly a saddle point in the terrain, flanked by high mountains that created a valley shape. To get from Xidu City back to Xiama Kou Village, we had to climb up one side of the saddle and descend the other; the village was just beyond the downhill slope. From this vantage point, Tianjiao Mountain was clearly visible.

I widened my eyes to scrutinize the enormous monster. Right now, I could only call it a monster because, although its shape resembled a human, its body appeared to be composed of masses of black clouds.

The creature was towering, its two gigantic black hands waving wildly in the air. The small hills surrounding Tianjiao Mountain looked as insignificant as phlegm it had spat out. Most peculiar was its enormous head, which swayed left and right, thrusting forward and retracting, seemingly searching for something. It possessed a discernible face with eyes, nose, and mouth, yet its features and facial structure were utterly inhuman—unspeakably ugly and bizarre. Wisps of black vapor, expelled from its two dark nostrils, curled in front of it before slowly rejoining its body.

The straight-line distance from Yanjing Ao to Tianjiao Mountain was no more than a kilometer, yet the monster’s hideous, terrifying face seemed only an arm’s length away from us.

The people who had disembarked exploded into chatter, exclaiming repeatedly, “What the hell is that thing? How is it so huge? How is it so ugly?” A chaotic din erupted. Several young women were already crying in fear, trembling uncontrollably behind a few men, their faces deathly pale. A few of the braver men pulled out their cell phones, tried dialing for a long time, but got no response whatsoever. I tried mine too; sure enough, I couldn't make a call—it seemed there was absolutely no signal.

A thought sparked in my mind: I decided to photograph the monster. But when I aimed my phone at the creature, the lens showed nothing—just pitch black. Thinking it was a focus issue, I quickly adjusted the settings and tried again, but the result was the same: solid black.

“This is utterly bizarre! Damn it all!” The driver had also gotten out, staring nervously at the monster and cursing spasmodically.

Although Man Niao Niao feared ghosts, this was broad daylight, so it didn't immediately trigger his superstitions. He stood at the front of the crowd, gesticulating and chattering incoherently with a few other men.

Strangely, this road should be a provincial highway, frequented by many vehicles and pedestrians. Yet, at this moment, only our one vehicle was stopped here. There were no cars approaching from ahead, none following behind, and not a single pedestrian in sight!

I glanced around the crowd, couldn't spot Qin Bing’er, and was about to head back to the car when the people standing in front of me suddenly surged toward my position with a roar. I looked up; the monster’s head was swooping down toward where we stood. Its long, slender arms seemed ready to embrace all of us, including the mountains flanking Yanjing Ao. Its dark, gaping maw instantly rushed toward us, and its two strange eyes shot out an eerie red glow.

A mass of black cloud instantly enveloped me, bringing with it a chill that sank deep into my bones. The previously clear sky immediately grew dim; nothing was visible beyond a few meters.

My mind went numb, and I spun around, scrambling toward the vehicle cabin. A young woman clinging to the hem of my shirt behind me tried to climb into the car too, but she was shoved forward, ending up wedged right beside me at the doorway. Seeing this, I braced my hands against the doorframe, pulled my waist back, and let the girl slip inside first. The people behind, seeing an opening, squeezed past me one after another to get into the cabin.

In the chaos, my glasses were knocked off, and my vision immediately blurred. Just as I was about to jump out to search for them, a strong hand shoved my back, pushing me deeper into the cabin. I stumbled forward, falling onto a man, who shrieked, “Momma!” before his expression softened slightly when he realized it was me.

I turned to look at the person who had pushed me—it was Man Niao Niao, holding my glasses. Even at a time like this, he couldn't resist teasing me: “Four-eyes is always trouble. If I hadn't picked these up for you, who knows what fate awaited you!” By then, my legs were already weak with terror, and I ignored his jibes.

This process felt long, but in reality, it lasted only a few seconds. The driver scrambled into the car, managing in the pandemonium to turn on the interior light. The women and children inside the cabin were already sobbing hysterically, hands covering their eyes, bodies trembling. The men were either calling out for their wives or herding their children, their faces etched with anxiety and terror.

Once I put on my glasses, I saw Qin Bing’er sitting upright, hands folded neatly on her lap. Her face was ashen, her eyes wide open and vacant—she wasn't crying or screaming.

My mind seized up. I wondered if Qin Bing’er had suffered a spiritual shock—had her soul left her body? I quickly signaled Man Niao Niao to help, paying no mind to the situation outside; the only sensation was that it felt like deep night, the world utterly black.

Everyone inside the cabin had huddled together in the aisle, too scared to remain in their seats. Everyone was shaking, unsure if it was from fear or the bone-deep cold. Seeing Qin Bing’er’s state, Man Niao Niao and I disregarded our own feelings and desperately squeezed toward her. We tried pinching her renzhong point and shaking her repeatedly. After a long moment, she finally let out a loud, sudden cry, stood up, and threw herself into my arms, her body beginning to shake like a sieve. As she shook violently, I started trembling too. Man Niao Niao saw this, spread his arms, and pulled both Qin Bing’er and me into a hug.

Relieved, Man Niao Niao and I held Qin Bing’er tightly as she wept in my embrace.

I held her fast, then turned to look out the window.

Outside, black mist swirled, and the sky was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Thankfully, the headlights still cast a faint glow inside the cabin, but we could only see about a meter outside the windows; beyond that, it was inky black, without a single speck of light. The movements of the people inside cast shifting shadows on the walls, making them look like dancing specters. Pockets of cold air blew in through the windows, turning everyone’s lips blue and faces pale. Embraced by Man Niao Niao’s strong arm, I shivered so hard I got goosebumps, and Qin Bing’er trembled even more violently in my arms.

Strangely, the strands of black mist outside the windows danced around like ghostly hands but didn't drift into the cabin with the gusts of cold wind, giving the desperate people inside a sliver of hope. We could no longer see the colossal monster; it was as if we had already been swallowed by it.

The wails of the women and children inside grew louder, and the men were just as helpless, trembling all over, no one daring to get out to investigate, all huddling inside, exchanging terrified glances.

“Turn on the headlights!” Man Niao Niao suddenly yelled at the driver. The driver snapped out of his daze and frantically reached for the headlight switch. But after several tries, the lights refused to come on. The driver knelt anxiously on the hood, violently stomping the button with his foot. “Damn it all! I just fixed these lights today—damn it all!”

“Shut your crow’s mouth! Still going on about hitting ghosts! Haven’t you hit enough ghosts?” Man Niao Niao roared at the driver. The driver flinched, slapped his own cheek, “Beat that jinx-mouth of mine! It really is damn…” He caught Man Niao Niao’s glare and quickly clamped his hand over his mouth.

The driver pulled out his phone again, fiddling with it uselessly. Still no reaction. There was still not a single car or pedestrian on the road. Aside from the crying and shouting inside the cabin, no sound could be heard from outside the windows; those black mists continued to coil around the vehicle in circles.

Just as I was looking down at Qin Bing’er, there was a thud as an unidentified object struck the roof, causing everyone inside to scream in unison. Qin Bing’er flinched, burrowing deeper into my embrace, shaking even harder. Several women disregarded propriety, clutching their children and trying to squeeze into the arms of men, known or unknown.

Before we could react, there was another thud, this time against a side window. The glass shattered loudly. Before the commotion subsided, the thud-thud sounds hitting the windows and roof grew faster and more frantic. Amidst my terror, I looked up, trying to locate the objects striking the vehicle, and noticed the sky seemed to have brightened slightly, and the black mists swirling outside the windows were slowly receding.