"Second brother, are we really leaving?"
On the way home, Little Stone was in a low mood and no longer excited as before.
"No, wherever second brother goes, I go. It’s just that I’m a bit reluctant to leave Brother Xiu. We planned to build snowmen together in winter, and it hasn’t even snowed yet!"
When the two fled to Black Mountain County, it was just early autumn, and now it’s only winter solstice, so it will take some time before it snows.
Zhong Lin patted Little Stone’s head and stayed silent; he didn’t know how to persuade him.
"We will return in the future, there will be plenty of opportunities."
After reluctantly comforting Little Stone, Zhong Lin had no other way.
The three days passed quickly, and Zhong Lin spent most of his time practicing at home. He had few friends to bid farewell to, as he was acquainted only with Old Man Xu and Old Zhou.
That day, Zhong Lin packed his things, holding Little Stone’s hand in his left hand, and walked to the government office.
"Greetings, Master Yin."
Zhong Lin bowed respectfully.
Little Stone also hid behind Zhong Lin, timidly calling out.
Master Yin nodded without speaking much, but Mei Weixuan smiled and said, "Brother Zhong, is this your younger brother? Such a tiger-headed kid. Come, call me brother."
Little Stone sweetly called out.
"Good boy, take this, it’s for you."
The smile on Mei Weixuan’s face widened as he reached out, took off the jade pendant from his waist, and handed it to Little Stone.
Little Stone didn’t take it but instead looked at Zhong Lin.
Zhong Lin waved his hand to refuse. The jade pendant Mei Weixuan presented was smooth and delicate, like white grease, with vivid sculptures—a clearly precious item.
"It’s not for you, take it."
With that, he forced it into Little Stone’s hands, giving him no chance to refuse.
"My name is Zhong Shi, but everyone calls me Little Stone."
"Then I’ll also call you Little Stone from now on."
With just a few words, Little Stone’s initially low mood lifted, and a smile appeared on his face.
Zhong Lin sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"It’s nothing, let’s go!"
A very spacious carriage was parked in front of the County Government, pulled by three tall, elegant horses—not just any cart horses.
The carriage was spacious, appearing simple from the outside, but inside it was luxurious, with an unknown animal skin carpet, a small fixed table adorned with exquisite pastries, and bedding in the corner.
This wasn’t just a carriage; it was a small mobile home!
"Can you drive a carriage?"
"Great," Mei Weixuan said joyfully, "Finally someone to take turns. Little Stone, go in and sit. Your brother and I will drive outside. There are pastries inside, eat whatever you want."
Zhong Lin quietly instructed, "Be quiet and don’t disturb others."
"I know, second brother."
Little Stone, with his short legs, climbed into the carriage, greeted Gu Yourong with a cold face as "sister," then sat in a corner and eagerly read a book from a small bag tailor-made by Zhong Lin.
The carriage slowly moved, and the group headed out of the city.
"Isn’t this road not going to Tianyang County?" Zhong Lin asked, puzzled.
At the city gate, there were two divergent paths, yet Mei Weixuan drove the carriage onto another road.
"Oh! The plan changed; first, we’ll stop by Heavenly Eagle Castle, invited by a friend of Master Yin’s."
"Heavenly Eagle Castle?"
"Yes, in Wuling County, Heavenly Eagle Castle of the Shen Family, led by Family Head Shen Hongyu, a Third Grade Inner Breath Realm Martial Arts Grandmaster. Their family excels in eagle-raising, training, and collaborates closely with the Court, the Sect, and major clans, ranking first in strength in Wuling County."
Mei Weixuan briefly explained Heavenly Eagle Castle.
Zhong Lin felt it deeply—only by leaving the small place of Black Mountain County could one see the vastness of the world. Previously, he’d never even heard of Heavenly Eagle Castle or the Shen Family.
"Is Wuling County far?"
"Our carriage is fast; it should take half a month."
"Brother Mei, this is my first time leaving Black Mountain County, and I know little about Great Chen, especially about Hundred Herbs Hall. Brother Mei, could I ask you to enlighten me?" Zhong Lin requested.
"Of course, we are idle anyway, like beating kids on a rainy day. Since the founding ancestor overthrew unrighteousness and established Great Chen..."
"What book are you reading? Can you read characters?"
In the carriage, Gu Yourong, seeing that Little Stone hadn’t moved for an hour, felt curious. Kids were usually restless, and Little Stone was only five or six. Could he read characters while hiding in the corner? This intrigued her deeply.
"Does sister want to see?"
Little Stone raised his head, cluelessly looked at Gu Yourong, and instinctually handed over the book.
"Can you read characters? Understand it?"
"There are no characters."
Gu Yourong shifted, bent over to look at the book in Little Stone’s hand.
Indeed, there were no characters but a series of pictures, with a strange style—sketchy lines forming human images, all with big heads and small bodies.
"What kind of drawings are these?"
"Second brother said it’s a comic book."
"Second brother? You mean Zhong Lin? So, do you have an elder brother?"
"Yes! But the elder brother is dead, only second brother and me left. Sister, do you want to see? It’s interesting."
Speaking, Little Stone directly climbed up, sat beside Gu Yourong, and opened to the first page of the book.
The picture showed a gourd-shaped mountain, and at the mountain’s foot lay an anteater with adorable big eyes.
"This is the story of the Calabash Brothers that second brother used to tell me. Sister, I’ll tell it to you too. Long, long ago..."
Little Stone, as if finding a sharing friend, happily retold the Calabash Brothers story Zhong Lin used to tell, matching the characters in the story with their identities in the comic.
Initially indifferent, Gu Yourong was instantly drawn in. The Calabash Brothers’ story was already captivating, and coupled with the comic, it was a mental revelation for ancient people with a sparse spiritual life.
Especially the odd lines and magical style in the comic...
Mountain God, demons, magical treasures, calabashes, old grandpa...
Not only Gu Yourong, even the previously meditating Yin Daoyan was drawn over, though he focused not on the story but on the divine skills and magical treasures.
"Water Spraying, Fire Spitting, Far-Sight Eyes, Sharp-Hearing Ears... Jade Ruyi, Seven Star Pill..."