Chapter 136: Newly promoted human forbidden zone!!

Full blockade!

Just four short words, yet they felt as heavy as a thousand jin, and they coincided exactly with Wang Xuehao's thought.

The original purpose of establishing the 749 Bureau was to guarantee public safety and resolve all special crises and potential threats.

They had solved many cases, but the Longyuan Mountain case was the first unsolved mystery in history, one even they could not crack.

If they, as humans, cannot resist the power of this mysterious force, then they can only isolate it from the world.

Such places are not many; they can be called human forbidden zones.

The Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum counts as one, Lop Nur counts as one; across the world, such places number no more than ten. Inside them have occurred a series of events that science can comprehend but cannot explain, and they have caused casualties.

In the end, they could only abandon exploration and list these places as human forbidden zones, lest anyone else enter and meet misfortune.

Now, Longyuan Mountain also counts as one!

A newly promoted human forbidden zone!!

……

However, the Longyuan Mountain forbidden zone is different in another way.

Other forbidden zones, while also mysterious, mostly manifest in their geographical environment, and at worst can still have a scientific explanation.

But Longyuan Mountain's strangeness is something even science struggles to understand, because it already carries a superstitious tint, which other human forbidden zones completely lack.

……

Shortly after, the 749 Bureau immediately contacted the Wu Du municipal government, produced superior documents, and expressed the idea of closing the mountain.

The Wu Du leadership attached great importance to this, after all, even the superior red-headed documents had come down; although the other party was the National Secrets Bureau, this is a third department independent of military and political affairs, wielding great power, so the mayor had to respond cautiously and personally received them.

In the meeting room, aside from the 749 Bureau personnel, were the core members of the Wu Du government.

Mayor Song couldn't help but vent his feelings.

"Actually, when the Longyuan Mountain development project was underway earlier, I had already heard rumors of those strange events; later, when Li Minghai and others met with accidents, I also heard about it, but back then I thought it was merely an accident and didn't take it to heart, never expecting it would reach this point."

"If I had known the outcome would be like this, I should have stopped it from the start."

The area around Wu Du is mountainous, and Longyuan Mountain's location is too remote from the city center—one could say it's as far as heaven is from the emperor.

With the government having to handle so many matters each day, how could it possibly notice the existence of Longyuan Mountain?

To them, it was like countless tiny grains of sand on a beach; Longyuan Mountain was just one among myriad such grains, not something they would specially pick up to examine.

But now that grain of sand has become a boulder-like presence, hard to ignore.

Wang Xuehao shook his head. "Mayor Song, you don't need to blame yourself too much; some things are beyond our ability to stop."

Just considering the events that have occurred on Longyuan Mountain, even if the government intervened, it would likely have no effect; otherwise, the 749 Bureau wouldn't have been stumped by it.

Now that things have come to this point, saying anything else is meaningless; all we can do is try to make amends.

Mayor Song was quite sincere: "Since it's a mountain closure, we will definitely support it fully; in the future, any development projects around that area will not be approved."

After detailed negotiations with the Wu Du government, the 749 Bureau personnel rushed to Longyuan Mountain, preparing to begin the blockade plan.

At the same time, online public opinion also began to subside.

At this moment, the state's administrative efficiency was displayed in full measure.

The initial heavenly fire, later the wind-gathering column team, and the recent video segment—all were suppressed.

The hot searches were also removed, replaced by other news.

It was as if an invisible pair of giant hands wiped away Longyuan Mountain's existence; the massive machinery began to operate, burying everything deep beneath the iceberg, while also releasing a great deal of smoke grenades.

A new round of explosive news in the entertainment circle spread out, quickly seizing the headline of hot searches; netizens, always chasing novelty, soon had their attention drawn to fresh matters.

With a two-pronged approach, netizens did not notice that news about Longyuan Mountain had quietly dissipated, mistakenly thinking it was just a natural decline in heat.

Blocking is not as good as guiding; the authorities did not choose to directly suppress it, but instead shifted the direction of public opinion.

The previously uproarious matter was like having a basin of ice-cold water poured over it—instantly chilled through, it began to emit a continual hissing of white steam.

On the contrary, some netizens noticed something off, since the matter disappeared too thoroughly; they wanted to post on Weibo to inquire, but because the heat was low, only a few people responded.

"Who can explain what exactly happened? Why do I wake up feeling that the entire internet has changed?"

"Earlier, the several items hanging on the hot search were all about that mountain; now they vanished without a trace—did they buy a water army?"

"That's quite normal; with so many fans' top idols crashing, the hot search being taken down is no surprise—it's just a big mountain, after all, how could it compare to a top-tier idol?"

"I am a blogger who previously went to Longyuan Mountain; I can't say too much about the specifics, but I can only tell you that someone has made a move."

"Besides the state, who else could achieve this?"

"The more I think about it, the more terrifying it becomes—what exactly is on that mountain? Could it be that all those internet celebrities and bloggers were telling the truth?"

"As the saying goes, what the higher-ups let you know is only what they want you to know."

"You can't say that either; in fact, a few pieces of information can still be found, though they are scarce—maybe they were accidentally deleted, not as exaggerated as the original poster claimed."

"You're just worrying needlessly, scaring yourselves, turning baseless things into something you speak of with conviction."

Humans are curious creatures, possessing curiosity, but they also know the saying 'curiosity killed the cat'.

Earlier, this mountain had already shown all kinds of extraordinariness; now this situation arising undoubtedly further confirms certain things.

Some things are not for them to probe; humans have an instinct for danger, knowing which danger zones to step on and which to avoid.

Current hot topics forever keep emerging; soon the broad netizens' attention was again occupied by other things, and this matter gradually faded from public view.

Apart from a minority who have personally experienced it, most people no longer actively seek it out, after all, daily necessities are what truly matter.

But for that minority, this matter will forever remain preserved deep in their memories.

……

Layers of green mountains overlapped with the clouds and seas at the horizon; mist swirled, golden light boiled, as if dragon scales flashed into view, and a golden dragon could be vaguely seen roaming the four directions, yet unable to pierce this vast mountain range.

At the mountain's foot, the village rose with thin cooking smoke, seeming like a utopia beyond the world, filled with harmony and tranquility.

Ye Qin stood at the highest point of the terrain, looking down over the mountain base; his gaze was deep and distant, his dark-green snake body almost blending with the surrounding vegetation.

"Now everything has calmed down, and it's time for me to leave the mountain."

Having learned from the previous lesson, I believe no one will dare to trespass anymore; even if someone does, Ye Qin need not worry, for the formation he set up will protect the safety of the entire mountain and bless the living beings within it.

Ye Qin has already infused sufficient Heaven and Earth Qi into the formation, enabling it to operate spontaneously and sustain for a long period.

These days he has been consolidating the golden core within his body; now the power inside is completely solidified, and further cultivation will bring no further refinement.

Cultivating in the deep mountains and old forests is indeed free from disturbance, which is a great benefit, but venturing into this world is likewise a form of training.

Constantly secluding oneself to cultivate brings little gain to one's cultivation level.

Ye Qin has a vague premonition that worldly cultivation can only achieve true perfection by entering this vast red dust.

Moreover, he still has many things to do: the contemplation object after entering the golden core, seeking the mottled fragments of time, and the origin of that strange monk—whether he will appear again—Ye Qin must clarify all of this.

He originally thought cultivation was a simple matter, but as the sole lone wanderer on Earth, the more he engages with it, the more he discovers it is an endless expanse, seemingly without end.

Ye Qin also does not know whether he can successfully reach the other shore, but as long as he remains in this world for a day, he will advance resolutely.

The hazy mist, dotted with specks of golden light, spreads outward; Ye Qin's vast spiritual power instantly blankets the mountaintop and continuously diffuses outward.

At this moment, the animals in the mountains seem to sense something; they all stop what they are doing, converge into countless black streams, and run toward where Ye Qin is.

Countless animals gather here, devoutly gazing at Ye Qin, like stars surrounding the moon.

The golden light on the mountaintop shines upon him, and his emerald-green scales all over are coated with an extraordinary hue, as if a deity has descended.

"I am going out for training; I do not know when I will return. You, though born of egg or womb, covered in hair and feathers, still unenlightened, have been cultivating by my side for a long time; your spiritual wisdom has awakened, you possess spirituality, and you must seize this opportunity well."

"The formation is set; the spiritual qi in the mountains is growing, and it has already become a cave-heaven blessed land. You must cultivate wholeheartedly, help me guard this land, and not disappoint my earnest efforts."

Ye Qin's spirit can establish a certain connection with these animals, so most of them can understand what Ye Qin wishes to express.

Upon sensing that Ye Qin is about to leave, they suddenly whimper and mourn, seeming reluctant; even the pupils of their eyes glisten with tears.

Ye Qin tarries not; the mist envelops him, occasionally streaked with hints of golden light, leaving behind endless mystery and legend.

Those animals follow behind him; the black river surges again, flowing down the mountain base to see him off on his final leg.

Ye Qin does not stop them, after all, it is also the animals' heartfelt intention.

Today's parting, I do not know when I will return, so I also do not know when we will meet again.

Perhaps when I return again, upon meeting, these animals may have made some progress, or they may have turned into white bone.

Worldly affairs are always full of uncertainties, especially cultivation, but as long as one keeps moving forward, one will surely carve out a path of one's own.

Ye Qin can be regarded as the animals' guide; calling him a demonic ancestor is not an exaggeration. The opportunity has already been bestowed, and how far they can go on this path depends entirely on their own fate.

If someone were here, they would certainly find that all the living beings in the mountain have gathered together, following a mysterious mist, yet the pressure emanating from that mist is chilling to the bone.

On the other side of the mountain, the winding mountain road continues, with several cars traveling along it, occupied precisely by the members of the 749 Bureau.

Compared to the mood when they first arrived, everyone's feelings now can be described as extremely complex.

Gazing at the scenery constantly receding outside the car window, Longyuan Mountain is within easy reach; not far off, the verdant green mountains appear lush and peaceful, yet they are filled with many mysteries.

Hu Xiaocao, Sun Zhenbang, Daoist Priest Qingwei, Professor Zhang, Li Minghai, and so on… their words still linger in the ears.

Moreover, those past events have become an inseparable mysterious veil on this great mountain, possibly impossible to lift in this lifetime.

Now, as the blockade plan unfolds, some secrets will remain forever buried beneath the green mountains, becoming a forbidden zone inaccessible to humanity; perhaps this is the best destination.

The car soon stopped at the village entrance.

The village chief saw Wang Xuehao and company arrive again, his eyes somewhat surprised, thinking they were not resigned, wanting to re-enter the mountain—perhaps the previous lesson was not enough?

"Are you going up the mountain?"

Wang Xuehao seemed to see his thought, smiling and shaking his head: "This time we are not here to enter the mountain, but to close it off."

It's also his fault for not speaking clearly; the village chief misunderstood, so startled that his pipe fell from his hand.

"What?! Close the mountain! What do you intend to do to Longyuan Mountain?!"

Seeing the village chief's strong reaction, it seems that if they were to act against Longyuan Mountain, they would fight desperately.

Xu Tiancheng found it both laughable and lamentable, and hurried to explain clearly.

"Captain, you really are; saying a few more words wouldn't hurt, look how you've frightened the village chief."

After hearing Xu Tiancheng's explanation, the village chief finally understood, and involuntarily sighed in relief: "So you want to block off the surroundings to prevent anyone from entering this great mountain again?"

Wang Xuehao nodded: "Online public opinion has been suppressed; I believe there will no longer be sightseers coming to disturb us, and even if a few remain, this is still insufficient."

To prevent anyone from accidentally entering later, closing the mountain is the best decision.

The village chief was overjoyed, strongly approving this decision, smiling so broadly he could hardly close his mouth.

After all, he also felt that constant intrusions by outsiders on Longyuan Mountain were not good, as they easily disturbed and offended the Mountain God; although the villagers wished to stop them, they lacked the authority.

Because Longyuan Mountain is not private property, things are different now; the state has spoken, granting them legitimate authority to keep outsiders from entering the mountain.

"This is a good thing; our entire village supports it."

Soon the members of the 749 Bureau began to act, setting up yellow lines and fences all around the perimeter, and even many villagers came to help.

Warning signs were erected at every mountain entrance.

"【Many dangers and wild beasts in the mountains, Wu Du forbidden zone warning sign: No entry!】"

The red large characters look shocking.

Behind the sign lies lush verdant forest; the red and green colors form a stark contrast, extremely eye-catching.

By the way, village chief, I have a favor to ask: Longyuan Mountain is remote; sometimes we are unable to reach it. If anyone later enters the mountain, please have you report it promptly; if there are any special circumstances, also notify the local government immediately, at which time someone will handle it specially.

The village chief nodded, patting his chest with a bang-bang sound: "That's natural; you can rest assured."

"Rest assured, I won't let you work for nothing; I will send a dedicated person to liaise with you, just like forest rangers, and the state will pay you wages."

These words exactly hit the village chief's heart; they used to do this before, but it lacked proper justification. Now with official backing and pay, they can be said to be full of vigor.

As the day grew late, the mountain peak under the setting sun, bathed in the afterglow, left only a blurred outline.

The mountain closure work proceeded orderly, just as everyone was working with great enthusiasm.

The pillars in the village, however, came rushing out in a panic.

The pillar in the village, however, ran out in a flustered hurry.

Not good! Not good!

He was running so fast he didn't even notice losing a shoe, and the village chief frowned, saying, "Zhuzi, what are you doing, all flustered? Your soul's about to fly away."

Zhuzi was panting, "Village chief, hurry back and have a look—something's happened in the village!"

Hearing that, the village chief also grew anxious, "What happened?"

"I can't explain it right now—hurry back to the village and you'll see."

Upon hearing that something had happened in the village, the 749 Bureau personnel dropped their work and followed over to see if they could help; the mountain closure work here was nearly done, only a little finishing work left.

However, as soon as they reached the village entrance, they heard cattle lowing and dogs barking, rising and falling, unlike ordinary calls—it actually sounded somewhat sorrowful.

They howled toward the sky, their cries unceasing.

Most importantly, these livestock now imitated humans, placing their forelimbs on the ground and all kneeling in the same direction, as if bowing in worship.

Moreover, every household's livestock, without exception, maintained the same posture.

Chickens, ducks, geese, dogs, sheep, cattle, pigs, horses—all wailed and knelt.

Even the well-informed 749 Bureau had never seen such a spectacle.

Xu Tiancheng stared, speechless, "What, what is going on? Why are all these animals kneeling toward the southeast?"

The village chief seemed to think of something, smacking his forehead, "Isn't the direction to the southeast exactly Longyuan Mountain? Could something have happened inside the mountain?!"

Just as everyone was bewildered, a faint rumbling sound could be heard, seeming to come from the mountain side.

Everyone forgot about the strange livestock in the village and hurried toward Longyuan Mountain.

The sunset sank among the mountains, leaving only half its outline; a dim red glow shrouded the endless ridges, making them seem ever more mysterious.

Lush forests were steeped in a half‑red, half‑black hue, through which a black river could be seen beginning to flow down from the mountain.

Wang Xuehao's breathing suddenly grew rapid, "This is—"

As the black river drew nearer, everyone finally saw it clearly.

It was formed by hundreds, even thousands of animals gathering together.

Animals big and small came down from the mountain—field mice, rabbits, hyenas, jackals, and so on; whether herbivores or carnivores, they mingled in an inexplicable harmony.

And leading them were a weasel and a fox!

You know that within the same species there are always struggles, let alone natural enemies present here, yet they acted as if they didn't see each other, running side by side.

The villagers had seen similar scenes before; this time they were surprised, but it was still alright.

The 749 Bureau personnel were all wide‑eyed, staring in disbelief at the scene before them, faces full of astonishment.

Everyone had also heard the villagers tell stories about the mountain, including 'Hundred Beasts Worship the Moon' and 'Gathering in One Hall,' but they had never taken them seriously, dismissing them as villagers' exaggerations.

Only now, seeing it with their own eyes, did they realize how magnificent and awe‑inspiring the scene was, striking straight at their hearts.

Even the villagers' earlier descriptions had been rather modest; the actual sight was far more shocking.

This black river flowed endlessly, with no visible beginning or end, and no one knew what it was meant to do.

The villagers and others felt uneasy, recalling the strange omens in the village: "Could it be that the livestock's sudden odd behavior is related to this?"

"Could something else have happened deep in the mountain?"

"Is the Mountain God angry?"

"We sealed it off to keep outsiders out; if the Mountain God knew, he should be pleased, right?"

The villagers murmured among themselves, not knowing what was going on and daring not to act rashly.

The 749 Bureau personnel were the same; even though they were highly skilled and had brought many people, facing so many animals they were still utterly inadequate.

Rather than provoke them, it would be better to wait and see what they intend to do.

At this moment, the multitude of animals showed no chaos; instead, they were remarkably orderly, the vast formation almost silent, their furry faces filled with an indescribable expression that inexplicably conveyed sorrow.

In a daze, everyone had the illusion that the direction the animals were gazing held… a person!

(End of chapter)