Chapter 299: Side Story: Joy Record Fourteen (Supplement Update)

Side Story: Joy Record Fourteen (Supplement Update)

Only Jiang Ping'an didn't know that Pei Yaoguang had already consulted the map and naturally knew the situation. Moreover, if they descended the mountain now, they wouldn't be able to find any clues, so when Jiang Ping'an asked, Pei Yaoguang immediately decided to camp out on the mountain road tonight and continue traveling tomorrow.

After Pei Yaoguang said that, Jiang Ping'an fell silent. He responded respectfully and ordered them to find a safe place to spend the night. Upon hearing this, the local guide who had been with them immediately replied that there was a spot not far ahead suitable for an overnight rest.

With a local leading the way, everything proceeded much more smoothly. Dusk fell, and the forest grew increasingly eerie and gloomy; although torches lit the path, it was still not like daytime. Fortunately, among the group the only woman, Shui Yun, was not a frail person, and although Pei Yaoguang and Jiang Ping'an were scholars, they were still capable. So after a short while they indeed arrived at a relatively flat spot.

The Yamen Runner and the guide began gathering dead branches for a fire, and now, to outsiders, Shui Yun was Pei Yaoguang's wife, so the two naturally stayed together. When it was time to eat, Shui Yun took out the leftover flatbread from noon.

At this moment Pei Yaoguang and Shui Yun, like at noon, sat a short distance away from Jiang Ping'an and the others, even lighting a fire on their own. But when he saw Shui Yun pull out the flatbread, Pei Yaoguang, whose temper had eased over the afternoon, instantly darkened with anger!

"I'm telling you, I won't eat that!"

Pei Yaoguang struck first. But upon hearing that, Shui Yun didn't even acknowledge him; from her expression it was clear she had no intention of giving it to him!

Not wanting to eat or disliking it is one thing, but Shui Yun's refusal made Pei Yaoguang even more angry. He stared straight at her for a good while, then, in a fit of spite, turned his head aside.

Pei Yaoguang was angry and also spiteful, yet even so he hoped that soon Shui Yun would speak to him. He waited and waited, but after a long while he still hadn't heard a single word from her.

Now Pei Yaoguang's temper flared again; he snapped his head around and saw Shui Yun already halfway through the flatbread, resting against a large stone nearby. Seeing this, his anger surged, his eyes widened, and he couldn't help but shout

"Hey, I, the master, haven't eaten anything since this morning; didn't you know?"

Pei Yaoguang's face turned ashen. Yet upon hearing that, Shui Yun didn't even give him a glance.

"Didn't you eat this morning?"

"... but I didn't eat at noon, and just now... just now I didn't eat either!"

"Who told you not to eat?!"

"You... why didn't you say your flatbread was harder than a stone!"

The argument went round and round, ending up back at the flatbread. At that moment, Shui Yun's eyes flashed sharply as she lifted her gaze toward Pei Yaoguang.

"You find it hard, so why not prepare your own? If you want to eat, eat; if not, fine—do you expect me to beg you?"

"You..."

Shui Yun is usually terse, but every word she says can make Pei Yaoguang so angry he could spit blood. Of course, Pei Yaoguang also gets angry at Shui Yun often, but most of the time she simply ignores him.

Nevertheless, Pei Yaoguang is proud and won't admit defeat after this loss; he kept thinking of how to speak to turn the tide. But before he could finish his retort, Shui Yun already stood up, brushed the dust from her clothes, and turned toward the nearby woods.

Seeing this, Pei Yaoguang, who was still fuming, was taken aback.

"Where are you going?"

Although Shui Yun's martial skill was formidable, Pei Yaoguang instinctively asked. Shui Yun ignored him, gave a swift kick with her foot, and vanished. Instantly, Pei Yaoguang felt uneasy, his eyes fixed on the spot where she had just disappeared. At that moment, Jiang Ping'an, not far away, seemed to notice the commotion, casually said a few words to the nearby Yamen Runner, and then rose and walked over.

"Lord Pei, is there something? Just now I was watching the lady and it seemed..."

Jiang Ping'an was not familiar with Shui Yun, and since she was not talkative, Pei Yaoguang gave no further introduction, so Jiang Ping'an found her mysterious. Yet being a man, he didn't feel comfortable probing directly; even though they traveled together, he couldn't stare at her constantly. It was late at night in the mountains, and Jiang Ping'an had just seen Shui Yun disappear into the woods when he finally rose to ask.

But at that moment Pei Yaoguang's thoughts were entirely on Shui Yun, leaving him no inclination to attend to Jiang Ping'an; when Jiang asked, he merely waved his hand and didn't even bother utter another word.

Jiang Ping'an grew increasingly puzzled, then followed Pei Yaoguang's gaze to glance at the dark woods nearby, hesitating in his heart. Before he could say anything, a figure emerged from the forest.

Seeing it was Shui Yun, Jiang Ping'an politely tried to speak, but the Shui Yun who had just arrived simply flung something from her hand onto Jiang Ping'an's.

"Let the brothers eat!"

Shui Yun's voice was soft, and at that moment, as Jiang Ping'an saw her toss something, he reflexively reached out to catch it. After hearing her words, he looked down and saw that what she had thrown were three plump rabbits!

Instantaneously Jiang Ping'an's eyes widened; he glanced up at Shui Yun, then at the rabbits in his hand, instinctively wanting to ask where they came from, but held his tongue. He simply offered a polite thank you and walked away.

After Jiang Ping'an left, Shui Yun finally thought of Pei Yaoguang, but as soon as she turned her head, she met a pair of blazing eyes.

It turned out that as Shui Yun walked back from the woods, Pei Yaoguang had been staring at her the whole time, his anger already simmering. Seeing that the previously indifferent Shui Yun had given Jiang Ping'an three plump rabbits only intensified his displeasure!

Thus, after Jiang Ping'an left, Pei Yaoguang felt his blood boil, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say, so he fixed his blazing gaze on Shui Yun to vent his frustration.

Unfortunately, while others feared him, Shui Yun was not afraid. So when she considered saying something, seeing his stare, her red lips pursed, and she turned to sit by the fire, then skewered a plucked, neatly prepared mountain chicken from her hand onto a branch and began roasting it.

Shui Yun remained silent, and Pei Yaoguang, who constantly employed the "killing gaze" technique, stared at her presenting the mountain chicken, his face momentarily stunned, then after a moment his angry expression softened, even showing a faint hint of pride.

The plump mountain chicken sizzled softly over the flames, its tempting aroma spreading within moments. By now, Pei Yaoguang, who had been hungry since noon, felt his hunger grow, yet he restrained himself, sitting silently beside it to maintain his composure.

He stayed silent, and Shui Yun didn't rush to attend to him. After a while, Shui Yun drew a dagger and stabbed the chicken twice; instantly the fragrance intensified, then she roasted it a bit more, ensuring it was cooked through. She then sheathed the dagger, stood, and turned to look at Pei Yaoguang.

At this point Pei Yaoguang's complexion had improved; his expression wasn't exactly friendly, but he kept glancing at the chicken. Seeing his reaction, Shui Yun felt both annoyed and amused, rolled her eyes at him, then reached out, tore off a drumstick, and tossed the remaining whole chicken toward him.

Pei Yaoguang caught it in one hand, ready to bite, but he first glanced up at Shui Yun. Before he could speak, Shui Yun had already sat beside him, focusing on eating the drumstick in her hand. Pei Yaoguang, not one for flattering words, stopped trying to force conversation, and proudly began eating.

After devouring the mountain chicken Shui Yun handed over, Pei Yaoguang finally felt full. With his stomach satisfied, his mood improved further.

Yet Pei Yaoguang remained proud; after his earlier outburst, he couldn't suddenly become gentle, so he held back, though his eyes kept flicking toward Shui Yun to see what she was doing.

Shui Yun, as always, after eating leaned against a side and closed her eyes to rest. Seeing this, Pei Yaoguang, who had been watching her for a while, merely pursed his lips, said nothing more, and also closed his eyes to rest.

After that, nothing more was said; the next day arrived in a flash.

After spending a night in the mountains, it was still not as comfortable as lying on a bed. Here, because the Yamen Runner was on night duty, it was relatively safe. So at daybreak, the group went to the nearby stream for a quick wash, then continued on their way.

The mountain path remained treacherous, and Pei Yaoguang was aware of it. As they walked, nearing noon, the group ahead halted. Pei Yaoguang, puzzled, looked up toward Jiang Ping'an and the others ahead.

"What's going on? Why did we stop?"

We hadn't reached a rest point yet, so we shouldn't have stopped. Just as he finished speaking, Jiang Ping'an turned and walked over.

"Lord Pei, the guide said the road ahead is impassable."

"Huh? Impassable? What does that mean?"

"Um, this..."

Actually Jiang Ping'an wasn't quite sure himself, hesitated a moment, then called over the several local guides and directly asked on Pei Yaoguang's behalf. At that moment, the guides replied:

"Sir, it's not that we are unwilling to guide; the road ahead truly cannot be traversed."

"Yes, sir. We locals have been roaming these mountains for years and know them best. From here onward is deep mountain; inside there are many fierce beasts and giant insects, and in recent years no one dares to go in."

"Indeed, I heard it myself; a couple of years ago, several outsiders hunters ignored the warnings and forced their way in, and none of them came out. Later, a few human bones were found... tsk tsk, it was terribly tragic!"

"Yes, I've heard that too. Moreover, I've also heard that besides beasts, this mountain has been haunted by ghosts. It is said that during the previous dynasty's wars, a wealthy family fled into the mountains for refuge. Later a passerby arrived; the family's head, being a good person, saw it getting dark and offered the traveler lodging. The traveler, seeing the family's wealth, grew malicious. That night he killed the entire family and threw their bodies into the deep mountain! The family's unjust death could not be left undone, so they turned into ghosts, causing trouble in the deep mountain... So it's not that we are unwilling to guide you, sir; the path is simply impassable!"

A few local guides, all men in their forties with dark skin and sturdy builds, looked plainly simple, and as they spoke in a down‑to‑earth manner, Pei Yaoguang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"So, does that mean no one goes into these deep mountains?"

"Of course! As far as I know, everyone in Huizhou knows what's inside these mountains. Moreover, Huizhou is surrounded by mountains; even hunting only gets you to mid‑slope, which is already far, so why risk the deep mountains? Besides, the hauntings and ferocious beasts are real, so no one goes there!"

The local guides all shared the same opinion. Yet at that moment Pei Yaoguang's sword‑sharp eyebrows lifted, he reached into his chest, pulled out a gold ingot, and tossed it straight into the speaking guide's hand.

"Keep moving!"

Pei Yaoguang's tip was substantial, but even so, the fear of these deep mountains has remained deeply rooted over the years. Thus, despite the generous tip, two of the four local guides refused.

Pei Yaoguang didn't press the matter, sent the two away, and then proceeded with the remaining two guides toward the deep mountains.

As the earlier guides had said, once they entered the deep mountains it started off fairly ordinary, but after only a short while the surroundings grew increasingly treacherous; the primeval thicket felt indescribably dangerous. Towering ancient trees blocked the sky, making the light grow ever dim and hazy.

Everyone instinctively sensed a dangerous aura. The forest intermittently produced animals—rabbits, wild boars, and even distant wolf howls could be heard.

They pressed on despite their nerves. Coincidentally, soon the previously clear sky darkened, and after a brief moment a steady drizzle began.

The raindrops pierced the thicket and fell on them; within moments everyone's heads and bodies were soaked. At that point the guide ahead stopped and asked whether to take shelter; Jiang Ping'an looked up briefly, then whispered an order to keep moving.

The path grew wet and increasingly muddy and slippery. After another half‑hour's walk they finally found a stone cave on a cliff edge. Jiang Ping'an went ahead to glance, then turned and walked to Pei Yaoguang's side behind him.

"Lord Pei, this rain doesn't look like it'll stop soon. There's a stone cave ahead; perhaps you could take shelter first, and after the sky clears we continue—how does that sound?"

Jiang Ping'an said so, and given the circumstances there was no reason to refuse; Pei Yaoguang nodded, and the group hurried into the cave for shelter.

Afterwards, a group of Yamen Runners and the two guides gathered dry firewood around the cave and lit a fire, intending to dry their clothes. While everyone was busy, Pei Yaoguang stood at the entrance looking outward.

"What's outside? A cliff?"

Pei Yaoguang said this to Jiang Ping'an. Hearing it, Jiang Ping'an, who had been talking with several Yamen Runners, turned his head and replied respectfully.

"Yes, sir, it looks like a cliff."

"And what's below the cliff? A valley?"

"Um… I don't know, sir; after all, this is my first time in this place…"

The locals all know these deep mountains are terrifying, with ferocious beasts and hauntings, so they never venture in. If Pei Yaoguang hadn't insisted on coming today, Jiang Ping'an and the others wouldn't have followed. Upon hearing this, Pei Yaoguang's habitual eye twitch occurred, and he stepped out of the cave, heading straight for the cliff.

Seeing this, Jiang Ping'an immediately followed. When they reached the cliff edge, Pei Yaoguang boldly stuck his head out to look.

"How high is it down there from here?"

"Um… I don't know…"

Answering the call, Jiang Ping'an stepped forward, and at that moment Pei Yaoguang frowned, trying to see more clearly… but then his waist was suddenly shoved, and in an instant his body plunged toward the cliff.

"Lord Pei!"

Jiang Ping'an shouted loudly, and at that moment Shui Yun, who was arranging things at the cave entrance, heard the sound, snapped his head up, and the instant he saw everything before him his body reflexively lunged outward, then he also jumped down.

"Yaoguang—!"

In that instant, Shui Yun's mind went blank. Even though he rose into the air, he then fell down the cliff. At the moment of the plunge, Pei Yaoguang, who had fallen first, suddenly heard a shout, opened his eyes, and saw a shadow lunging toward him!

For a moment the already stunned Pei Yaoguang's eyes widened. Meanwhile, the descending Shui Yun used the nearby cliff as leverage, swooped down in an instant, and grabbed Pei Yaoguang, holding him tightly!

But human strength is limited; ultimately the two fell together into the bottomless abyss…