Volume Two: The Secret Burial in the Cliff Valley — Chapter 106: At Each Other's Throats from the Start

I gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Old Ma, you're a real one."

Ma Su replied, "I’ll get my things ready. Let me know when you're heading out."

I was truly grateful to Old Ma. After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, I left his place. It was past ten at night by the time I returned to the company. The lobby on the ground floor was brightly lit. Upon entering, I found both Third Uncle and that thin, bamboo-like man there. The thin man was wearing a large, conical bamboo hat.

Seeing me return, Third Uncle stood up hurriedly and asked, "Yangzi, where have you been? Why do you smell of alcohol?"

I waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Third Uncle. I'm fine. Just had a couple of drinks with a friend."

Third Uncle tried to persuade me, "Yangzi, if you don't want to go to Nanliu Village, then don't go. Those things Chu Liuyan said to manipulate you were just meant to scare you; he wouldn't actually report you."

Chu Liuyan also stood up, his spindly frame swaying as if a strong breeze could knock him over. He walked over to me and said, "Yangzi, your Third Uncle and I are fellow disciples, and I consider myself your elder. I’ve thought this over carefully, and it was indeed wrong of me to force you. I was just too anxious. Let me apologize to you here. Your Third Uncle is right—if you don't want to go, you don't have to."

With both Chu Liuyan and Third Uncle saying this, I felt ashamed to back out. I wiped my face, straightened my chest, and said, "Who said I wasn't going? I’m a man of my word. If I say I’m going, I’m going."

"Are you sure?" Chu Liuyan asked.

I waved my hand. "Don't talk nonsense. I don't have the time to play games with you. Tell me, when are we leaving?"

Third Uncle said, "Nephew, rest assured, we won't let you risk this alone. I’ll be going with you. If it weren't for Old Chu’s poor health, he would surely be coming along too."

I was stunned. "I'm not going alone? Didn't you say that I’m the only one who can enter the mysterious Nanliu Village?"

Third Uncle nodded. "That's true; only you can find that hidden village. However, there is a great deal of preparatory work to be done before we reach it, and we will handle that together. When the critical moment arrives, I’m afraid you will have to be the one to step up."

I finally understood. It was the same routine we used when dealing with haunted houses, only this time, I would be the lead actor when the climax hit. Since Third Uncle was coming, most of my anxiety vanished. We settled on leaving the morning after next.

Having had a bit too much to drink at the eccentric professor's place, I went upstairs to sleep. Chu Liuyan and Third Uncle stayed in the lobby, researching and discussing things for the entire night. It was nearly dawn when Chu Liuyan finally left.

This guy really didn't dare to show his face during the day, and even at night, he had to wear that huge hat—he was hardly a normal person.

During the day, Third Uncle was busy packing. Chen Tao noticed we were heading out again and asked where we were going this time. I only told him we were going to Guangxi and asked him to keep an eye on things at home.

Chen Tao agreed, but then asked if we could take Tiezhu with us. The dog was a handful and wouldn't listen; he really didn't want to be responsible for it anymore.

I waved a hand. "You don't have to tell me; I was going to take Tiezhu anyway. Honestly, I wouldn't be at ease leaving him behind."

I called Ma Su and told him to meet at the company tomorrow morning to head out. Although Third Uncle was coming, I felt Ma Su’s experience would be useful, and having him along might make things easier. However, I didn't dare tell him that my Third Uncle was coming, or the eccentric professor would surely have a lot to say about that.

According to the map, we were several hundred kilometers from Niuyang Mountain. Since we had to carry a lot of supplies, we had to drive. Besides, with Tiezhu in tow, public transport was out of the question.

Third Uncle had prepared quite a lot for this mission—camping gear, food, water, and various ritual implements. We stuffed the entire trunk full.

Just as we were finishing up, Ma Su arrived at the company by taxi. When Third Uncle looked up and saw him, he froze and shouted, "You old freak, what are you doing here?"

Seeing Third Uncle, Ma Su waved his hand. "You stinking Taoist, I’m not here to talk to you. I’m not looking for you; I’m looking for your nephew."

I quickly said to Third Uncle, "Third Uncle, I forgot to mention, Old Ma has been to Niuyang Mountain before. He’s familiar with the terrain and has jungle experience. I asked him to join us to help find Nanliu Village."

Third Uncle was stunned. He slapped my arm. "What? Who told you to ask him? He’s nothing but a pile of old bones; he’ll just be a burden! No, absolutely not."

Ma Su heard this and shouted at me, "You brat, didn't you say you were going alone? If I had known your unreliable Third Uncle was coming, I wouldn't have come even if you carried me in a sedan chair!"

Third Uncle pointed at Ma Su. "Who are you calling unreliable?"

Ma Su wasn't about to back down. The two of them stood face-to-face, red-faced and necks straining, ready to brawl. I was caught between laughter and tears, desperately playing peacemaker until I finally managed to calm them down.

I pulled Third Uncle aside and briefly explained Ma Su's experience at Niuyang Mountain. Third Uncle rolled his eyes and waved his hand. "So you're saying the poison that Chu Liuyan and I contracted might have been caused by this 'Earth Dragon' thing? Fine, let him come. But remember, you were the one who invited him, not me."

I shook my head; there was truly no dealing with these two old characters.

After everything was ready, I sat in the driver's seat to start the car. To my dismay, no matter how many times I turned the key, the eight-hand-me-down Santana refused to cooperate. The exhaust pipe sputtered out thick clouds of black smoke, wheezing and failing to ignite.

"What's wrong with this car?" Third Uncle cursed.

I replied impatiently, "Third Uncle, how can you even ask? You were the one obsessed with saving money. Do you have any idea how many owners this heap has had? It’s a miracle it didn't break down on the way to Linjiang. It’s definitely given up the ghost."

Third Uncle slapped the dashboard, fuming. "Damn it, isn't this going to hold us up?"

I finally gave up. "It's no use, Third Uncle. Why don't I get it repaired today, and we'll leave tomorrow?"

"No. I checked the almanac; we must reach Niuyang Mountain today."

Ma Su laughed bitterly. "To hell with the almanac. If the car is dead, do you expect to crawl there?"

Third Uncle was so angry he looked ready to start another fight with Ma Su, when suddenly, a car horn sounded. I turned to see Liang Yue pull up in an off-road vehicle, coming to a screeching halt beside us.

Liang Yue hopped out of the car, waving at us with a look of mischievous glee. "Oh? Everyone's here, are they? I heard you're heading to Niuyang Mountain. I'm in a good mood today, so come on—hop in my car."