CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 57: RETURN TO BLACK MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

The time left for Sang Que is only one day and one night. Luckily, her mom is around, ready to prepare all sorts of necessities for her.

As for her, she only needs to handle the issue with weapons and some miscellaneous tasks.

The instructions on how to examine the functions of those two keys are clearly marked in the materials her mom gave her, which requires using the soul candle within the soul lamp.

The auxiliary materials needed to make the soul candle are easy to solve in the modern era, but obtaining the corpse oil is problematic. She can only wait until she reaches Black Mountain Village to see if the soul lamp she left in the Liu Family’s house is still there, and then check the function and cost of the keys.

In the afternoon, Sang Que made a trip to Jiang Zao’s house to pick up some items.

Together, they had created various hidden weapons based on television and novels, like the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle, Thousand Mechanism Umbrella, Flute Sword, Bracelet Knife, and also attempted complex foldable crossbows.

However, most lacked sufficient lethality and required further modification and sharpening.

Time was tight, and it was certainly too late to address it this time. Sang Que could only leave Jiang Zao with a list of requirements, asking her to work on it when she had the time.

Jiang Zao was puzzled, but Sang Que couldn’t tell her the truth, continuing to make up stories.

She said her mom had a cultivation novel that caught the eye of a benefactor who wanted to make a film. The trashy prop team created props that were just for show and not functional, so she wanted to showcase the skills of non-heritage inheritor Jiang Zao.

Jiang Zao was coaxed into agreement, feeling delighted.

Before leaving, Sang Que told Jiang Zao she’d be out for a few days to visit an old martial arts master and that the mountain might have poor signal, promising to contact her upon return.

Sang Que often did this during holidays, sometimes even bringing Jiang Zao along. However, the mountain’s ascetic lifestyle was too bitter and dull, making Jiang Zao reluctant to join again after the first time.

Leaving Jiang Zao’s house, the sky darkened, and while on her way home, Sang Que called Xu Yichao.

Learning that he had persuaded Xu Shufen to help him rescue the Paperman, Sang Que felt relieved. She reminded Xu Yichao of the rules of believing and seeing, cautioning him that once he entered the supernatural world, it might be impossible to escape, urging him to be vigilant in the future.

Afterward, Sang Que went home to immerse herself in ancient knowledge, repeatedly studying the materials her mom organized for her.

Time swiftly moved to August 16th. During the day, Sang Que visited Xu Shufen, delivering the method to make the Ghost Soldier Talisman and subtly inquiring about ways to disrupt sacrifices.

The matter of moving wasn’t urgent for now. If Xu Shufen wanted to learn more about the lost art of talisman production, she would eventually seek her out.

At 7 PM, night fell, and the small town at the mountain’s base was deathly silent.

Sang Que and Sang Wan finished unpacking all the parcels, organizing everything neatly.

Sang Wan, sitting on a stool with her prosthetic, watched as Sang Que was dressed in a complete black ancient attire, carrying a hunting bow and an arrow quiver, her hair loosely tied and fixed at the back with a simple silver hairpin.

She looked heroic and robust, like a genuine ancient heroine, marred only by an unhealed neck wound covered with a black cloth, portraying a battle-scarred heroine.

This time, she didn’t need to deliberately conceal her identity or appear unattractive. She would travel under the name of heroine Sang Mulan.

Sang Que fastened a new multi-functional paracord bracelet to her wrist, prompting Sang Wan to remark, "This field truly touches on my knowledge blind spot. I didn’t know such conveniences existed. I even got you a specialized flint."

Sang Que glanced at Sang Wan and smiled, "I need to bring the flint as well. This paracord bracelet includes a small, high-precision compass, a stainless-steel blade, and a waterproof flint. The disassembled bracelet is three meters of paracord, convenient for emergencies."

As she spoke, Sang Que pulled open her robe to show Sang Wan the chain armor she wore underneath.

"Made from modern materials, handcrafted. When crafting this chainmail by twisting the iron rings, it almost wore our hands out. With ancient smelting techniques, not even god weapons could cut through this piece of armor."

Sang Que then pointed to the silver hairpin on her head, "The surface of the hairpin is silver, capable of testing poisons. Inside it hides a very sharp steel needle, and the circular ornament on top harbors a thin steel wire, capable of easily severing various objects."

"For the hunting bow, I’m taking a wooden bow this time. The arrows are fitted with real feathers, and I blackened the arrowheads to resemble the material used in farm tools from the realm. Remembering to retrieve them afterward will suffice."

Sang Wan nodded; they had analyzed earlier that since Yan Daozi represented a certain force in Black Mountain Village seeking the temple priest’s daughter, it was likely that the force behind Yan Daozi was aware of the Yansheng coin’s existence.

Plus, given that the Yansheng coin was likely in Sang Que’s biological mother’s possession, her ability to inform Kou Yushan and point out how Sang Que differed from Black Mountain Village people indicated that her biological mother knew of the modern world and could traverse realms.

In such uncertain circumstances, Sang Que must not reveal her modern identity.

After tidying her garments and hair, Sang Que secured the machete from Black Mountain Village in a custom leather sheath at her back. She had re-sharpened the machete to achieve razor-sharpness.

Sang Wan picked up the black cross-body cloth bag she had sewn by hand, "You’ll be back by the 19th at the latest, right?"

Sang Que nodded, taking the cloth bag from her mom and slinging it across her body. Such bags existed in the past, and she secured the pig-killing knife and keys inside, along with the flint, essentials, and food her mom prepared.

Compressed biscuits, chocolate, and dried meat were stripped of packaging, wrapped in clean coarse cloth and bound with hemp ropes; some emergency medications were placed inside a hollowed-out small gourd and sealed with wax.

Inside were also the remaining five Ghost Soldier Talismans and Yan Daozi’s Exorcism Red Candle.

Sang Que took one Ghost Soldier Talisman to place inside her robe. Her mom’s meticulousness was undeniable; she thought of everything, sparing Sang Que any worries.

Sang Wan advised, "Although I’ve already been very cautious, you still need to carry this bag with you. Do not lose it. Even in ancient times, there were many smart people. Never underestimate anyone, and always be extra cautious, avoiding preconceived judgments about a person."

"Got it, Mom."

Mother and daughter both looked towards the wall clock; it was already seven-thirty. By now, everyone in Black Mountain Village must have returned to their homes.

No one would dare live in the kind of place like the Liu Family’s, so even if she appeared suddenly, it wouldn’t draw attention.

"The cloth bag has glutinous rice and vermillion, and I’ve prepared a live crucian carp for you, in the kitchen sink. You should carry it with a plastic bag to see if other living beings besides yourself can pass through. Remember to destroy the bag afterward..."

Sang Wan detailed her instructions meticulously, and Sang Que listened attentively.

The Black Cat Xuan Yu lounged in the dog bed originally prepared for the Little General, lazily swishing its tail and curiously observing the mother-daughter pair.

The Little General eagerly carried a tennis ball to Xuan Yu, placed it down, sticking its behind up and wagging its tail.

Xuan Yu gave it a swat, sending the tennis ball rolling away. The Little General, hopping excitedly, leapt after it, retrieving it and bringing it back for Xuan Yu, endlessly entertained.

At eight o’clock, with nothing more to say, Sang Wan took a deep breath, removed a ring from her right index finger, and handed it over.

"This is a pair of titanium steel rings I bought with my first manuscript fee at fifteen, actually it’s just stainless steel, not worth much. But it’s inscribed with both your Aunt’s and my names – one for each of us. I’m giving this to you, hoping you’ll always remember who you are."

Sang Que accepted the simple brass-like ring inscribed with the character ’Wan’ inside.

She understood her mom feared she might have to mimic the Yin Child’s behaviors and could lose herself. This ring served as a grounding point for her identity, akin to the Daoist robe for Yan Daozi.

"Alright, go now; the sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll return. Stay safe."

Sang Que put on the ring, hugged Sang Wan without saying anything, fearing any words might become a flag. Xu Shufen’s contact information had already been provided to her mom, who trusted her, so Sang Que too had to trust her mom to take care of herself.

Ruffling Xuan Yu and the Little General’s heads, Sang Que went to the kitchen, bagged the crucian carp, picked up the bag of glutinous rice, and arrived at her bedroom door.

Taking a deep breath, Sang Que pushed the door open with her right hand, revealing not her bright bedroom but impenetrable darkness.

Sang Que walked in without hesitation, disappearing inside.

Meow~

In the instant before the door could shut itself, a shadow darted in like lightning.

"Xuan Yu!"

Bang!

The door closed tight, as Sang Wan gasped, covering her mouth, while the Little General stood puzzled with a tennis ball, staring at the now-empty dog bed.

*

Sang Que emerged from the darkness; behind her was the wooden door of the Liu Family’s main house in Black Mountain Village, wide open. Ahead lay the tranquil little mountain village, nestled beneath majestic peaks.

Amidst the silent night, dense fog enveloped all. Sang Que sensed something amiss.

At this time, Black Mountain Village was without a single lit lamp. The fog was unnaturally thick, and the surrounding silence was such that not even the faintest sound could be heard.

A biting cold seeped in, and Sang Que, dropping her belongings, raised her hand only to be stunned by the realization that her body was slowly turning translucent, the fish she held flapping wildly and rapidly becoming see-through, eventually vanishing completely, leaving only a water-filled empty bag.