sjar Chapter 293 The Club's Long Legs Run
Chapter 293 The Club's Long Legs Run
He patted the Lu brothers on the shoulder beside him and said, "If we follow the team, there won't be enough to go around. Let's explore deeper into the mountains; maybe we'll make some new discoveries." The Lu brothers exchanged a glance. No words were needed; their tacit understanding had been deeply ingrained through countless life-and-death experiences together.
They followed closely behind Li Ju'an, stepping into the mountain valley behind Wild Boar Forest. This was an old, long-abandoned trail leading to the old work area. This was a mountain path rarely used by hikers like them. Passing through a dense forest bursting with flowers and fluttering butterflies, the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and flowers. Beneath this tranquility lay a secret unknown to others.
Li Ju'an led his hunting dogs for five li (approximately 5 kilometers) before a vast expanse of wetlands stretched out before him like a mirror. Occasionally, a few water birds skimmed across the surface. He stopped, carefully observing the wetlands, inwardly marveling at their beauty.
Here, the soil is fertile and the water is plentiful, making it undoubtedly a paradise for plant growth. He first looked around, not missing an inch of land or a single leaf, trying to capture a clue from the subtle details of nature.
Lu Zhiqiang stopped and turned to Lu Jinyang, who was following closely behind, teasingly said, "Hey, Jinyang, did we bring the red string? If we didn't, even if we run into that legendary 'club,' it'll be useless. We can only watch it get away."
His tone was somewhat playful, but it couldn't hide the slight trepidation he felt about stepping into this mysterious mountain forest.
Lu Jinyang smiled, patted Lu Zhiqiang on the shoulder, and retorted, "Zhiqiang, Zhiqiang, you're supposed to be educated, how come you believe in these old people's superstitions? All that talk about demons and monsters, or that a magical stick can run away, it's all nonsense. We need to be scientific and practical. Seeing the ginseng fruit is the only thing that matters. Otherwise, even if we exert all our strength here, it'll just be a waste of time."
Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, dappling the two figures and adding a touch of mystery to their mountain adventure. The village elders often gathered together to tell ancient legends about wild ginseng that had become spirits and could grow two legs to run through the forest.
It is said that only by carrying a red rope, and upon discovering the incomparably precious club, quickly untying the red rope from your waist and tying it to the club, can you ensure that this magical treasure will not escape and will be obediently carried away by someone.
However, the young people in the village usually just laughed off these old sayings, preferring to believe their own eyes and hands rather than those vague legends. Nevertheless, a ripple of emotion stirred within Lu Zhiqiang. He secretly glanced at the cloth bag at his waist, where a specially prepared red rope was hidden. Although he verbally joined Lu Jinyang in mocking the superstitions, deep down, he couldn't help but feel a touch of awe for this ancient custom.
In this ancient and mysterious mountain forest, what is impossible? The two continued on their way.
Standing on the land shrouded in thick fog, Li Ju'an's voice pierced through the hazy mist, tinged with anxiety and bewilderment, as he shouted to his two companions beside him, "Look at this fog! It's like it came straight from hell! It's so late and it still won't dissipate. This ginseng-finding journey is going to be incredibly difficult!"
His eyes gleamed with determination through the hazy mist, yet a barely perceptible hint of unease lingered. The ancient art of finding wild ginseng was performed with an almost artistic flair by Li Ju'an. He knew that this precious medicinal herb was as selective about light and humidity as a nobleman's choice of dwelling. They often hid among seemingly ordinary bushes and ancient trees, quietly awaiting discovery by a destined finder.
Li Ju'an thought to himself, "If we can find those specific trees and shrubs, like the key to solving the puzzle, then the wild ginseng is most likely hidden among them." At this moment, the Lu brothers also noticed this unusual place where light and shadow intertwined. The fog was so thick it seemed you could wring water out of it, completely enveloping everything around them. A gloomy feeling settled over them, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
"This place has an inexplicable eeriness to it; it looks exactly like the lair of the weasel."
Lu Zhiqiang lowered his voice, his tone tinged with uncertainty. His eyes scanned the mist, as if he were ready to face any unknown dangers that might arise. "Yeah, are the weasels having another big meeting? I remember last time we accidentally disturbed them, and the scene... tsk tsk, just thinking about it still sends chills down my spine."
Lu Jinyang replied, his voice trembling slightly, clearly indicating that his previous experience had left a deep impression on him. Images of those cunning weasels involuntarily surfaced in his mind, swarming together, their eyes gleaming with intelligence and cunning, as if ready to launch a silent protest against humanity at any moment.
The surrounding fog seemed to thicken even more, as if time itself was being swallowed up by this mysterious force. Li Ju'an and the Lu brothers exchanged a glance; no words were needed, their eyes filled with determination and courage.
While Li Ju'an chatted with the two men, his attention was drawn to the bushes at his feet. Those seemingly inconspicuous bushes might be hiding the key to their journey.
He crouched down, gently parting the branches and leaves with both hands, his eyes sharp as he meticulously examined each plant. Time passed second by second, sweat trickled down his cheeks, dripping onto the damp soil, but it did nothing to diminish his focus and dedication.
In the distance, several water birds skimmed across the water, while a group of people walked along, scanning every inch of the land with sharp eyes, hoping to find something on this legendary treasure land.
Suddenly, Lu Zhiqiang stopped in a patch of withered grass. He squatted down and carefully parted the weeds, revealing two rusty iron clips. They lay there quietly, like orphans of time, telling stories of the past.
"See him? Li Ju'an!" Lu Zhiqiang excitedly ran towards Li Ju'an, who was intently observing the terrain not far away, carrying the wire rope he had taken off the iron clamp.
His slightly childish smile was now gilded with admiration. "This is a good thing. Take it back, burn it to remove the rust, and it can still be used!"
Upon hearing this, Li Ju'an looked up at Lu Zhiqiang, a slight smile playing on his lips, but with a hint of mockery in his eyes: "Look at you, so happy to find a broken iron clamp. We're here to search for treasure, don't let these little things distract you."