Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 223 The Saintess Appears

The investigation into the "unique man surnamed Lan," who might be knowledgeable about the southwestern barbarians and skilled in identifying herbs and repelling snakes and insects, quickly yielded results. This man, named Lan Ke, was indeed an old man who had followed Chen Xing in his early rebellion. He came from a hunter's family on the border of Lingnan and Miao territory, and his ancestors seemed to have some connection with a small tribe. He was quite skilled in the ways of the mountains and fields, able to identify various herbs and repel common poisonous insects. During the campaigns in the northern frontier, he repeatedly assisted the army in solving problems such as water supply and identifying poisonous creatures. However, he was eccentric and disliked constraints, and had not achieved any outstanding military exploits, thus holding a low rank in the army. After Xingqi established his kingdom, he was placed in a sinecure position in the "Hundred Crafts Institute" under the Imperial Workshop, responsible for identifying exotic flowers, herbs, and mineral specimens presented as tribute from various regions, and occasionally accompanying exploration teams on expeditions.

Upon hearing the report, Chen Xing immediately issued an imperial edict, ordering Lan Ke to be summoned from Chang'an to the Southern Expeditionary Camp by express courier.

While awaiting Lan Ke's arrival, Yang Zheng's troops' predicament did not improve. Although the subsequent reinforcements of two thousand mountain soldiers arrived and strengthened the defenses, the invisible and mysterious intrusion did not cease; on the contrary, it seemed to become more active due to the increase in outsiders. The eerie whistling and women's laughter in the fog appeared more frequently. Although no longer causing large-scale casualties, it put the soldiers on high alert, causing sleepless nights and an increase in non-combat casualties. In Yang Zheng's military reports, anxiety and helplessness were almost palpable.

Chen Xing had to temporarily slow down the detailed analysis of the final assault on Caishiji, focusing more on the thorny issues in the southwest. He ordered Lin Wan'er to search through all available ancient texts, travelogues, and even local chronicles about the Miao and Baiyue peoples of the southwest, attempting to piece together a clearer picture. At the same time, he strictly ordered Yang Zheng not to venture further or provoke any further conflict, prioritizing holding the position and awaiting reinforcements while ascertaining the situation.

Five days later, Lan Ke arrived at the Flying Tiger Pass camp, travel-worn. He was an elderly man who appeared to be in his fifties, thin and dark-skinned, with remarkably clear eyes. He wore a faded, old-fashioned military uniform and carried a bulging backpack that exuded a strange, herbal scent. When he met the emperor, his etiquette was somewhat awkward, but his attitude was respectful.

Without much small talk, Chen Xing had someone bring Yang Zheng's military report, the poison sting sample, the pattern sketch, and the relevant materials compiled by Lin Wan'er to Lan Ke for his review.

Lan Ke examined it very carefully, especially the poisonous stinger and the pattern sketch. He observed them repeatedly, even sniffing them close, his brows furrowing more and more tightly.

"Your Majesty," Lan Ke said after a long silence, putting down his things, his voice hoarse, "this poisonous thorn is made from the sharp thorns of a vine called 'Ghost's Sorrow,' which grows in the damp, shady places of the deepest mountains in the southwest. The poison quenched on the thorns is a mixture of the saliva of at least seven or eight kinds of venomous snakes and insects, and the juice of several hallucinogenic herbs. Those who are poisoned will immediately become numb, and the ulcers will be difficult to heal. This pattern... I saw something similar on the rock paintings on the outskirts of several isolated villages when I was young, when I went into the mountains with my father to collect herbs, but it wasn't exactly the same. It's more like... a more ancient and secret tribal totem."

He paused, a rare solemnity and awe on his face: "As for the sentry songs in the fog, the invisible intrusions, the control of insects and snakes described in the military report... these are things that ordinary mountain people or shamans could not accomplish. I heard from the elders of my tribe many years ago that deep in the Cloud Mist Ridge, there is a legendary ancient tribe that calls itself the 'Mountain Spirit Remnants,' who worships the 'Mother of All Spirits.' Their leaders have all been women, known as 'Holy Maidens,' who possess the ability to communicate with the spirits of the mountains and forests, control insects and snakes, and concoct strange poisons and medicines. They rarely have contact with the outside world, regarding the deep mountains as sacred lands, and are extremely resistant to outsiders entering. If General Yang's troops have indeed mistakenly entered their 'sacred land' or have been deemed 'blasphemers' by them, then it is not surprising that they encountered these methods."

"Mountain Spirit Remnants? Holy Maiden?" Chen Xing tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Lan Ke, in your opinion, is there any way to resolve this matter? I have no intention of encroaching on their ancestral land; I only request passage or non-aggression. Can we communicate with them?"

Lan Ke gave a wry smile: "Your Majesty, it's difficult. These 'Mountain Spirit Remnants' are extremely proud and xenophobic, and their language is completely different from that of the outside world, making communication extremely difficult. Moreover, they firmly believe that their 'Holy Maiden' can communicate with the gods, and they act only according to 'divine pronouncements' or the Holy Maiden's will. If an ordinary person goes there rashly, they'll probably be trapped before they even have a chance to speak. Unless..." He hesitated for a moment, "unless we can see that 'Holy Maiden' and... obtain the right to speak in a way that they approve of."

"What methods do they approve of?" Jia Wen asked.

"I've only heard about it," Lan Ke recalled. "It's said that if outsiders accidentally wander into this place, or if they come to us on their own initiative, they sometimes set up tests. Those who pass the tests can gain the right to talk or even leave; those who fail... become sacrifices to the mountains and forests. The tests are incredibly varied, and may involve their expertise in poisons, insects, illusions, martial arts, and even the human heart."

Silence fell once more within the camp. It sounded like a supernatural tale.

"Your Majesty," Lin Wan'er suddenly spoke softly, "since ordinary means of communication are ineffective, and General Yang's troops are in dire straits, with the southwest route blocked, could we adopt a two-pronged approach? On one hand, could we ask Mr. Lan to carry tokens that can prove his identity and express goodwill, attempting to approach and find an opportunity for communication? On the other hand, could our army temporarily bypass the core area of ​​Yunwu Ridge and find another route? Or, could we demonstrate greater military strength, forcing them to acknowledge our power and resolve, rather than resorting to unorthodox methods of harassment?"

Chen Xing remained silent, deep in thought. Finding a new path was no easy task. The southwest was a mountainous region with countless treacherous passes; if this local tyrant wasn't dealt with, the consequences would be endless. Should they display greater force? Against such an elusive opponent who relied on terrain and trickery, a large army would be powerless. Should they set the mountain on fire? That would be the worst possible strategy, with far-reaching consequences.

Just then, a guard outside the palace suddenly announced loudly, "Your Majesty! General Yang Zheng has sent an urgent military report! There's also... a strange 'token,' specifically requested to be presented to Your Majesty!"

"Bring it here!"

Soon, a messenger was brought in, presenting a sealed copper tube and a small package wrapped in fresh banana leaves and bound with some kind of vine. Inside the copper tube was Yang Zheng's latest military report, written in a more urgent tone. It stated that the fog had intensified last night, and more than ten soldiers had experienced severe hallucinations and were killing each other. Although the attack was stopped, morale was on the verge of collapse.

The banana leaf package, carefully opened, contained no letter, only three items: a venomous thorn, thicker and longer than before, its color gleaming black; a small, still slightly wriggling, brightly colored, eerie worm; and… an exquisitely crafted hairpin adorned with five-colored bird feathers and tiny silver bells. At the end of the hairpin was carved a more intricate and elaborate insect-snake totem, remarkably similar to the previous sketch.

On the innermost banana leaf, a simple pattern was drawn with some kind of dark red sap: a mountain with a crescent moon atop it, and below the moon, an abstract female silhouette. Beside the pattern were several distorted, unrecognizable symbols.

"What... does this mean?" Chen Wei frowned as he looked at the wriggling worm.

Lan Ke stared at the hairpin and its design, his expression changing slightly. He exclaimed in a low voice, "The mountain moon is the witness, the silver bell the token... This hairpin, this design... these are the 'Holy Maiden's' keepsakes! Is she actively... contacting us? Or rather, is she 'declaring' her existence?"

"Contacting us proactively?" Chen Xing picked up the hairpin; it was slightly cool to the touch, and the silver bell emitted an extremely subtle yet seemingly heart-stirring tinkling sound. "In this way? Attaching poisonous stingers and insects, is it a show of force? And this hairpin and its design..."

"Perhaps it's a 'ritual' that serves as both a warning and an invitation." Lin Wan'er stared at the pattern of the woman's profile. "She's telling us that she knows we exist, knows who's in control. She's drawing boundaries in her own way, and at the same time... perhaps she's waiting for a response."

Chen Xing toyed with the hairpin, feeling the slight vibration of the silver bell, his eyes gleaming. The other party was not only mysterious and dangerous, but also intelligent, bold, and even carried a condescending, scrutinizing air about him.

"Interesting." Chen Xing suddenly smiled, but there was no contempt in his smile. Instead, it carried the interest of someone who had encountered a worthy opponent. "It seems that this 'Holy Maiden' doesn't want to keep singing in the fog forever. She wants to see just how capable I, the 'Emperor of the Northern Dynasty' who has stirred up the world, really am."

He gently placed the hairpin on the table and said to Lan Ke, "Lan Ke, given your understanding of Miao customs, if I were to respond to this... 'invitation,' what should I do? How about I personally go and meet this 'Holy Maiden'?"

Lan Ke was shocked: "Your Majesty is of inestimable health, how can you personally venture into such a dangerous place! The depths of Cloud Mist Ridge are truly..."

"A dangerous place?" Chen Xing interrupted him, his gaze sweeping over the poisonous thorns, insects, and hairpins on the table. "Where in this world isn't dangerous? The battles of Jiangnan are dangerous, and the mysteries of Miao territory are dangerous too. Since she has laid down her path, I will go and meet her. I want to see just what kind of person this 'Mountain Spirit Saintess,' who can control insects and snakes and conjure mists and miasma, truly is! Lan Ke, you will accompany me as my guide and advisor. Also, Dian Xiong!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Norio, who had been standing by his side, immediately clasped his hands in greeting.

"Select two hundred of the bravest, most fearless, and most alert elite soldiers to accompany me into the mountains. No large force, just the best. Prepare medicines for poisoning, insect repellent, and clean water, as well as sufficient crossbows, torches, and ropes. We are not going to war, but to… keep an appointment."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Jia Wen and Chen Wei urged almost simultaneously.

Chen Xing waved his hand: "My mind is made up. The general offensive at Caishiji will proceed as planned. Chen Wei will be in full charge until I return, with Jia Wen assisting him. Lin Wan'er will continue to oversee the pacification efforts. I will be right back."

His gaze fell once again on the exquisite hairpin, as if through it he could see that mysterious and proud figure deep in the clouds.