Chapter 186: Ten Thousand Lanterns

“There are only three lonely graves here. This mudstone giant exists merely to guard the graves.”

“Please, everyone, return…”

A gentle voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

Before they could react, a refreshing breeze swept toward them.

In the next moment, thousands of people, gathered in one spot, were swept away by this “gentle breeze,” carried into the sky.

But in the blink of an eye, those who hadn’t even fully blinked were instantly sent soaring over the valley!

The soldiers responsible for guarding the camp were startled when they saw everyone “flying” up!

“General Gao! What… what happened here?”

“How did you all get up here?”

“Master Qi! Is there really something strange beneath?”

The curious soldiers crowded around, asking questions.

General Gao shoved aside the soldiers in front of him and sprinted towards the edge of the valley!

When he reached the valley’s edge, he knelt and gazed down into the valley!

At this moment, the once radiant glow had disappeared, and even the massive mudstone giant was nowhere to be seen!

“Vanished! All the phenomena have disappeared!”

“Such a massive creature, how could it disappear without a trace?”

“Who was the one who spoke just now?”

“Why did they send us up here?”

“A grave? What kind of person is buried there that such an evil spirit is guarding it?”

A multitude of doubts filled Gao Zhenjiang’s mind, and he couldn’t help but murmur to himself.

The voice from earlier seemed to be Mr. Gu’s… Qi Yuan walked to the edge of the valley, gazed down for a while, and then said, “Let’s go. The phenomenon is gone, and now we know what’s inside.”

“Being able to leave alive is already a fortune.”

“But… those hundred or so brothers of mine… they died inexplicably…”

Gao Zhenjiang slammed his fist into the ground and said sternly, “I want to go down and investigate further. I want to ask that person for answers!”

“If it’s a grave, why didn’t they come out sooner?”

“If it’s a place with an owner who doesn’t want anyone to enter, why didn’t they come out and explain it to us earlier?”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan helplessly responded, “Let’s not say they might not even know you’re here… Even if they did know, and if someone had come out to speak with you… saying this place is a grave and you can’t enter… would you really listen?”

“That…” Gao Zhenjiang froze for a moment, unable to say anything for a long while.

“Let’s go. We’ve accidentally touched someone’s family tomb…”

“If they didn’t hold it against us, it shows their magnanimity…”

“If we keep being stubborn, it’s not only us finding death, but it’ll also cause trouble for the court…”

“Also, for those fallen soldiers… compensation will be given at triple the standard, and they will be posthumously honored as loyal martyrs…”

At this point, Qi Yuan turned around and loudly ordered the soldiers behind him, “Break camp, return to the capital!”

The mountain forest under the moonlight was tranquil and serene, with the pure light of the moon casting shimmering patterns on the stream’s surface.

The water flowed gently, crashing against the rocks, creating a melody that refreshed the soul.

During this cold winter month, it’s rare to see a stream that hasn’t been frosted over.

Mu Sheng squatted by the stream, her fair face reflected in the clear water, her bright eyes blinking. “Mr. Gu… After the dream appeared again, I seem to have this feeling… I feel like I need to find something.”

Beside her, Gu Ning’an, who had been gazing up at the sky, smiled and responded, “Do you know what you’re looking for?”

“I don’t know… I just have a feeling, but my heart is racing, and I want to find it immediately…”

“Alright, then this carriage is yours…”

“Don’t you want it, Mr. Gu? It’s been paid for…”

“I need to head back quickly, and carrying the carriage would be inconvenient.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Sheng stood up, cupped her hands toward Gu Ning’an, and said, “Thank you, Mr. Gu… In two hours, it will be the New Year…”

“May you have a healthy and prosperous New Year.”

Gu Ning’an returned the gesture with a smile, saying, “Happy New Year. I wish you find what you’re looking for soon.”

“Mm!” Mu Sheng nodded vigorously, then took the horse reins and said with a smile, “Mr. Gu, please hurry, your destination, Lexiang County, is quite far. Even with your speed, it will take some time.”

“I’m not in a hurry,” Gu Ning’an smiled, continuing, “Do you know what you’re looking for?”

“I don’t know.” Mu Sheng added, “But I guess it’s a tomb.”

“A tomb?”

“Yes! In my dream, it’s all about tombs, so what I’m looking for must be a tomb…” Mu Sheng said seriously.

“That makes sense,” Gu Ning’an laughed helplessly, then cupped his hands and said, “Go ahead. Follow this stream, and you’ll find people… The mountains are high and the road is long. Safe travels.”

Mu Sheng returned the gesture, saying, “Safe travels to you too, Mr. Gu. If I pass through Xiangzhou, I will visit you…”

“Always welcome.” After that, Gu Ning’an leaped into the air and gradually disappeared into the horizon.

Mu Sheng, after gazing at the sky for a moment, took the reins of her horse and set off on her journey to find the “thing” she felt destined to seek.

Although Gu Ning’an flew quickly, he could not reach Lexiang County in less than two hours.

As it happened, while passing through a county city still over a thousand miles away from Lexiang County, the New Year arrived as scheduled!

The sound of firecrackers crackled suddenly, and from high above, the dark county city flickered with countless sparks, lively and festive.

“Happy New Year!”

“Chasing the Beast Nian! Watch my big fireworks!”

“Little brat! Put down the firecrackers!”

“Beast Nian, die!”

“Congratulations and prosperity! Uncle’s giving out red envelopes!”

In the county’s streets and alleys, children who should have been asleep by now were incredibly excited. Some were holding firecrackers, “attacking the Beast Nian,” while others, scared, covered their ears and shrank their necks, but couldn’t help watching the adults set off fireworks.

“New Year’s Eve, no matter the dynasty or era, is always the most lively and peaceful time,” Gu Ning’an strolled through the sky, observing the small moments occurring in the county below.

After taking in the scene, he suddenly froze, then, using his spiritual powers, hurried toward Lexiang County.

How should he put it? Seeing the thousands of lanterns and the perfect scene of flowers and the full moon, he suddenly understood the feelings of the wandering travelers from his past life, eager to return home.

No matter how far apart, no matter how busy they usually are, when the eve of the New Year arrives, all those who have wandered away will “make every effort” to buy a ticket home, filled with excitement, and head back to their hometown.

Even with thousands of mountains and rivers in between, the scenery of the hometown during the New Year is the most touching!