Chapter 496: Danger in the Mountains!

Book:Fallen Heir Rising Published:2024-8-29

The voice was gentle yet mischievous.
Quentin smiled slightly, “Cerys, I recognized you right away.”
“Hehe, Quentin, you’re amazing. Can’t sleep tonight?”
Cerys released her hands and smiled playfully, her eyes resembling crescent moons.
Quentin nodded and took a deep drag from his cigarette.
“Quentin, are you missing your family in the southeast region?” Cerys asked.
“Yes, it’s been a few days, and I can’t help but miss them.”
Quentin took another deep drag from his cigarette and sighed heavily.
“Don’t worry, Quentin. You’ll reunite with your family soon.”
“The person you’re missing must be very important to you,” Cerys comforted him.
“Yes, very important. Thank you, Cerys.”
“It’s getting late. You should rest. We have to go to Five Poison Mountain tomorrow.”
Quentin smiled.
“Alright, Quentin, you should rest early too.”
Cerys smiled sweetly, got up, and left, feeling a bit reluctant for some reason.
The sky gradually brightened.
Around the mountainous area, hundreds of sturdy Miao houses stood tall. On the extended balconies, Miao women sang as they collected clothes, their voices natural and beautiful. Some men had already risen early to tend to the fields and cattle.
Quentin and his companions packed their belongings, preparing to depart for Five Poison Mountain.
“Cerys, be careful on the road and come back soon.”
“Quentin, please make sure to protect them,” Aimee said worriedly.
“Auntie, don’t worry. We’ll be back soon,” Quentin replied.
“Mom, we’re leaving now. Don’t worry,” Cerys said with a smile.
Quentin and his group set off, with Henry and Aimee standing at the door to see them off.
As they walked through the village, the villagers cast curious glances at Quentin and Eileen, the two outsiders.
“Good morning, Elder Ahmed.” As they reached a crossroads, a dark-skinned, gaunt old man approached. Harry greeted him.
This man, with a sly look and deep-set eyes, was Ahmed, the elder of White Miao Village.
“Oh, Harry, I heard you brought these outsiders?” Ahmed asked disdainfully, eyeing Quentin and Eileen with contempt.
“Yes, they are my friends,” Harry replied.
“Hmph, most outsiders are deceitful. Be careful not to get tricked. I have to go now; I’m meeting the chief for a drink,” Ahmed said arrogantly as he walked past Quentin and his group.
“Take care, Uncle Ahmed.”
Ahmed was furious but didn’t dare retort. After all, Ahmed was an elder of Miao Village and his senior; respecting elders was a must in Miao Village.
“Quentin, Eileen, don’t be angry. Elder Ahmed can be harsh with his words. Don’t take it to heart,” Cerys said, fearing that Quentin and Eileen might get upset and cause a conflict.
“It’s fine. Let’s keep going,” Quentin said with a faint smile.
He didn’t bother arguing with Ahmed unless he crossed a line; otherwise, he wouldn’t waste his energy on it.
The four of them continued along the rugged path. Eileen held Cerys’s hand as they walked together.
After a while, they finally reached the foot of a large mountain.
The mountain was densely forested, surrounded by a turbulent river that was extremely dangerous. Falling into it could be fatal.
Quentin and Eileen weren’t afraid, but for Cerys and Harry, who were ordinary people, it was quite perilous.
“Quentin, there’s no bridge near this river.”
“The current is too swift. A small boat would be uncontrollable and could easily capsize,” Cerys said worriedly.
“Yes, Quentin, how do we cross the river now?” Harry asked.
“No problem. Follow me.”
Quentin calmly grabbed Harry’s hand and leaped into the air. The wind whistled past their ears, and in an instant, they landed on the other side.
Harry was stunned; he couldn’t believe people could fly!
“Sis, we’ll wait for you here!” Harry shouted to Cerys from across the river after regaining his composure.
Cerys was still shocked by what she had just witnessed! The river was nearly ten meters wide!
Eileen held her waist, ready to leap across as well.
“Wait, Eileen, are we… are we going to jump like them?”
“What if we fall into the river!” Cerys trembled slightly.
“It’s okay, Cerys. It’ll be quick, just a moment.”
“Hold on tight.” Eileen smiled and leaped across the river with Cerys in her arms.
Cerys clung tightly to Eileen, burying her face in her chest with her eyes closed the entire time.
They landed gently on the other side. Cerys was still too scared to open her eyes as she clung to Eileen.
“Cerys, we’re here,” Eileen said with a smile.
“Really?” Cerys slowly opened her eyes, looking frightened like a timid little girl who had been startled.
“Haha, Sis is so scared!” Harry teased her with a playful face.
“Harry! Don’t laugh!” Cerys stomped her foot in anger.
The siblings’ antics made Quentin and Eileen laugh.
Cerys distributed food and water to everyone and also brought along several antidotes for various poisons.
Aimee had personally prepared these early in the morning for them to take along in case they encountered any dangers on Five Poison Mountain.
Additionally, they brought some moxa incense made from dried mugwort and sulfur, which Miao people used to repel snakes and insects.
After getting ready, the four of them headed up the mountain.
Inside Five Poison Mountain, it was eerily silent and dark as night. However, it wasn’t as foggy as they had expected.
A chilling wind howled like ghostly wails, making it terrifying.
Quentin and his companions stayed close together, holding torches as they moved forward.
The flames flickered like fireflies in the pitch-black Five Poison Mountain, attracting many poisonous insects that were repelled by the scent of moxa incense or killed by Quentin and Eileen if they got too close.
Gradually, the siblings began to relax.
But despite their efforts, they found nothing along their path.
“This White Dragon Beard is really hard to find,” Harry sighed as everyone felt helpless.
“We need to find a place with water inside the mountain. The damp environment might have White Dragon Beard.”
Cerys suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement and continued patiently searching every corner of the mountain.
As they passed by a large tree, they suddenly heard a sound. The four of them stopped and cautiously observed their surroundings.
“Quentin, over there…” Cerys said fearfully as she hid behind Quentin and pointed upwards with trembling hands.
Quentin looked up to see a giant python several meters long coiled around the tree. It flicked its tongue and lunged at them!