chsdbacks Chapter 235 Possible Clues
Chapter 235 Possible Clues
On the evening of the seventh day, the setting sun dyed the rainforest canopy a fiery golden-red. Nie Lingfeng finished his afternoon meditation and stood in the open space outside the bamboo house, gazing at the magnificent yet fleeting sunset, his brows slightly furrowed. His internal strength, after seven days of nurturing and honing, had recovered to about 80%. More importantly, his foundation was more solid, and his control and understanding of the Qilin's power had also improved slightly. Nie Lingfeng now believed his combat strength was no less than before, and if he could fully recover, he could even defeat two of his former selves. Chen Duo had recovered even better; her face was rosy, and she was full of energy. Her control over the Phoenix True Fire was becoming increasingly skillful. Although her strength was still far from its peak, self-defense and basic movements were no longer a problem.
It's time to consider the next step. Hiding here indefinitely is not a long-term solution. The shadow of the "Parliament" hangs like the Sword of Damocles. They need to take the initiative, gather more information, and find a way to counter it. Moreover, Chen Duo's phoenix bloodline remains a significant hidden danger and temptation; a proper solution or enhancement must be found as soon as possible.
"Thinking about leaving?" Azan Ki's hoarse voice, like a ghost, sounded behind Nie Lingfeng. He appeared at the doorway without anyone noticing, holding something wrapped in fresh banana leaves.
Nie Lingfeng turned around and nodded: "Yes. Thanks to our teacher for taking us in, we have almost recovered. The outside world is about to turn stormy, and we can't stay here forever. Besides, we still have things we must do."
Azan Ki handed over the banana leaf wrapping: "This is for the little girl. Inside are several kinds of medicinal herbs to strengthen her body and calm her heart fire. They've been ground into powder and can be mixed into her food. It'll be good for her. Use it sparingly; I don't have much left."
Nie Lingfeng took it; it felt heavy in his hand, carrying the fresh scent of earth and herbs. "Thank you, teacher. We..."
"No need to thank me, it's just a mutually beneficial arrangement." Azan Ki interrupted him, his deep, abyss-like eyes looking at Nie Lingfeng. His tone was calm, yet pointed. "You carry a 'great karma' and a 'great trouble' on your shoulders. Leaving here is inevitable. However, before you go, there's something I feel I should tell you."
"Please go on, teacher."
Azan Ki looked up, gazing into the depths of the rainforest to the west, where the mountains stretched further and the border stretched out. "Three days ago, I was gathering herbs on the edge of the 'Savage Mountain' to the west when I sensed an unusual 'qi' aura. It was faint, very subtle, but… it carried a kind of unsettling, almost sinister, 'sweet-smelling' odor, similar to that found in the 'Nammu Cave,' yet it was more refined, more ordered." He paused, lowering his voice. "It wasn't something naturally occurring, nor could it be something a half-baked amateur like Yan Ben could conjure. It was like… some carefully crafted signal, used for 'location' or 'marking'… The source of the signal seemed to be moving towards Kachin State in northern Myanmar."
Signal? Marker? A sinister aura similar to that of "Nammu Cave," but more "refined and orderly"? Moving towards northern Myanmar?
Alarm bells rang in Nie Lingfeng's mind! Could it be people from the "Council"? After clearing out the failed or exposed "node" of Yanben, were they recovering or transferring some important "thing" or "sample"? Or were they remnants of the "Yaoxing Society" preparing to join the "Council" with "research results" obtained from "Nanmu Cave" or Yanben?
Either way, this could be a key clue in tracing the "Parliament" and "Seed" programs!
"Can the teacher pinpoint the exact location? Or is there any further description of the characteristics of that 'signal'?" Nie Lingfeng asked urgently.
Azan Ki shook his head: "The exact location is difficult to pinpoint. The signal is intermittent and seems to be counter-tracking. As for the characteristics..." He paused for a moment, "besides that evil, sweet, and bloody smell, I also vaguely sensed that the signal seemed to contain a very faint, metallic, and bloody coldness, as well as... an indescribable, fanatical spiritual remnant, like the whispered prayers of countless people."
The coldness of metal and blood? The whispers of fervent prayer?
In an instant, Nie Lingfeng's mind flashed the sophisticated instruments and incubation tanks in the Yaoxing Society base, as well as the blasphemous symbols and sacrificial scenes on the Yanben sacrificial platform! And the "Council's" insane plans regarding "Holy Blood," "Divine Body," and "Key"!
This description is a perfect match!
"Teacher, this news is extremely important!" Nie Lingfeng said solemnly. "We must investigate! It's very likely directly related to the mastermind we're tracking down!"
Azan Ki glanced at him, his eyes seeming to say, "I knew you'd say that." He turned and walked back to the bamboo hut, and a moment later, he came out with an extremely rudimentary map drawn with charcoal on rough bark paper, and handed it to Nie Lingfeng.
"This is a rough map of the general direction from the edge of the 'Savage Mountain' to Kachin State in northern Myanmar. I can only mark the approximate area where I last sensed that signal. It's a huge area, and it's a truly uninhabited zone, teeming with poisonous insects, miasma, ferocious beasts, and all sorts of bizarre things you can't even imagine. It's ten times more dangerous than Mong La Town. If you go, you're on your own." Azan Ki's voice remained calm, but Nie Lingfeng could hear the implicit warning within it.
"I understand. Thank you, teacher!" Nie Lingfeng took the map, examined it carefully, and memorized it. Although the map was rudimentary, the key rivers, ridges, and the dangerous area marked by Azan Ki were all clearly visible. This was undoubtedly a timely help.
"Also," Azanki pulled out two thumb-sized whistles, carved from some kind of black wood, with strange and ancient shapes, and handed them to Nie Lingfeng, "take these. If you encounter an insurmountable danger, or get lost deep in the rainforest, blow them. The sound is very special; it can travel very far, and only specific 'ears' can hear it. If there are any of 'us' within a hundred miles, they might hear it, but it might also attract something else. Use with caution."
Nie Lingfeng took the wooden whistle; it felt warm and heavy in his hand, carrying a faint herbal scent similar to that of Azan Ki. He thanked him again solemnly. Although Azan Ki was mysterious and unpredictable, his help over the past two days and this gift were undoubtedly a genuine act of kindness.
"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. You should leave first thing tomorrow morning. I don't keep guests here." Azan Ki waved his hand, turned and walked back to the bamboo house, saying no more, his figure quickly disappearing into the dimly lit house.
Holding the map and wooden whistle in his hand, Nie Lingfeng stood in the deepening twilight, his eyes calm and resolute.
The Savage Mountains, Kachin State, mysterious signals, possible clues to a "parliament"...
The road ahead is destined to be even more treacherous and unpredictable.
But I have to go.
He turned and looked at the bamboo house. Inside, Chen Duo was lying on the bamboo couch, using the last rays of sunlight to try her best to draw something crookedly on the ground with a small twig. It seemed to be a kind of herb that Azanji had taught her to recognize that day. Her little face was adorably serious.
Nie Lingfeng smiled slightly, a warm feeling and boundless strength welling up in his heart.
To protect this purity, to uncover the shadows that shroud this world, he will walk no matter how dangerous the path.
"Duoduo," he said gently as he entered the house, "we're leaving for a new place tomorrow. It might be farther away, more difficult to travel, and there might be new 'stinky things' there. Are you scared?"
Chen Duo looked up, her emerald eyes sparkling in the dim light. She put down the small branch, thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head and said crisply, "Don't be afraid! You're here. Besides, my 'fire' is much more obedient now! If we encounter anything 'stinky,' we'll burn it!" (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
Nie Lingfeng smiled, walked over, and ruffled her hair.
"Okay, then go to bed early tonight and get plenty of rest. We'll set off tomorrow."
Night fell, completely enveloping the small safe house in the rainforest.
But a new journey and unknown storms have already quietly opened their ferocious jaws in the darkness of night.
The darkness before dawn was as thick as ink that couldn't be dissolved, carrying the damp chill unique to the depths of the rainforest, as if you could wring water out of it. Azan Ki's bamboo house stood silently in the darkness, with only a few strings of dried herbs and animal bones under the eaves making a soft, whispering clattering sound in the barely perceptible night breeze.
Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo were ready to set off. Their backpacks had been reorganized and filled with dried meat, long-lasting tubers, and several key medicinal herbs—a gift from Azan Ki—enough to last them several days. Their water bladders were filled with cool stream water. Chen Duo changed into her "adventure outfit," which Nie Lingfeng had simply modified from highly resilient tree bark fibers and animal hides, making it more suitable for long journeys and harsh environments. Although the stitching was rough, it was sturdy and durable. A small pocket had been sewn into her waist to hold the medicinal powder Azan Ki had given her and her beloved panda doll (which she had carefully wrapped in oil paper and tucked into the innermost part of her backpack). She carefully put on her slightly crooked straw hat, her small face displaying an expression of anticipation and seriousness, as if she were about to embark on a "new adventure."
Azan Ki did not come out to see them off. The door of the bamboo house was tightly closed, as if no one had ever lived inside. Only on the stone steps at the entrance were two steaming food packages wrapped in fresh lotus leaves, emitting a mixed aroma of rice and meat, clearly a farewell breakfast prepared for them.
Nie Lingfeng silently clasped his hands and bowed deeply towards the direction of the bamboo house. Then, he picked up the food package, gave one to Chen Duo, ate it in a few bites, identified the westward direction indicated on the map of Azan's base, took Chen Duo's small hand, took one last look back at the secluded bamboo house that had given them seven precious days of rest, turned around, and stepped into the deeper and more unknown darkness of the rainforest ahead.