C37 (1/2)

”Pock, when did this place have a castle?”

”This is the first time I know this. Before, it was all hunting here, so I just paid my respects by the lake and then hurried off. I've never been to Mt. Tuji before, but it seems to be quite some time. Should I take a look?”

”Little sister, did you lure that hairy man to this castle?”

”It's possible. The plan might as well change. I saw smoke coming from inside. Maybe someone should go in and ask around!” As he spoke, the pockmark climbed up the mountain.

The smoke was coming out of the castle through a window in the second and third floor.

”To light a fire in the house? ”Most of the materials in this castle are made of wood. Aren't you afraid of fire?” I looked curiously at the pockmark.

”Why are you still so stupid? Don't you need to think normally when things go wrong? Haven't you figured it out in the past few days? Anything that fits with the norm won't appear in this old forest. Here, why don't you just come as you please? Go and have a look!” As he said this, he tightened his grip on the blowtorch around his waist and dove into the doorway.

He took off the lock, pushed open the door, and saw that the creaking old wood was making an ancient noise. The inside was simple and unadorned, and on the opposite side of the door was a small window, which should have been seen outside the castle earlier, a square table with a few memorial tablets on it. The dusty offerings were mountain grass, wild walnuts, and dates.

”Who are you people? How did you come in?”

”Uncle, I'm sorry. We were the last one to go hunting in the mountains. We lost our way because we were chasing an injured deer. We saw some blood on the snowy mountain just now, so we came looking for you!”

The old man looked at the guns on our bodies. It must be a letter. Furthermore, we are not lying. We are indeed hunters.

”Which way did you come from?” the old man asked again, standing on the spot.

”It's a tree entrance on the right, from the frozen lake below!” We looked at each other, wondering what the old man was asking. Was there more than one door here?

” ”Then follow me, don't wander around in the village, every house here is independent, but they are all connected, if you randomly enter or move something, you might be trapped here!” The old man turned around.

” Great sir, you said the village just now? ”Could this be a village?” Scabbers and I asked as we followed the old man out of the house and closed the door behind us.

”Of course, what do you think it is? A family? ”

” ”There aren't many people in that village. My lord, we are hunters in a village, but I've never heard of a village in this forest. May I ask, what is the name of the village?” The pockmarked old man and the old man slowly chatted, but they didn't directly say that we were from Yanzi Village, so they were also on guard.

” Young people, don't ask what you shouldn't ask. If you say it out loud, I'm afraid that your hearts will not be happy! ” The old leader led us forward.