Thick fog swirled around, surrounded by cliffs on all sides, this valley was called Wu Feng Valley.
In the valley, wisps of white mist cascaded down like an untouchable veil, lazily draping over the steep rocks. Looking out, beyond two narrow natural stone paths, there was a paradise. The lush green meadow stretched upwards, with a towering water column flowing down, creating a dreamlike heavenly scene. Only a simple wooden house stood, hidden in the darkest corner of the mountain.
The wooden door creaked open.
A young girl walked out from inside, no more than fifteen years old. She wore plain clothes made of coarse fabric, her long hair pinned up with a bamboo hairpin. Her body was not as delicate and weak as a Jiangnan woman, but strong and powerful from years of farming. She had an ordinary appearance, but a red mark from her right eye to her ear made her look even more peculiar. However, the girl never worried about this, as she had followed her grandmother to live in seclusion in the valley since childhood, and more than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Her name was Xi Fuhong.
She rubbed her sore eyes and yawned a few times. She had stayed up late reading the legendary book her grandmother brought back from outside the valley, losing track of time. By the time she finished and started feeling sleepy, she heard birds chirping outside the window, and when she opened the door, the sky was already light.
Looking at the familiar mountain scenery she had seen since childhood, Xi Fuhong took a deep breath of the valley’s fresh air. Despite the fatigue from staying up late, she hadn’t forgotten her duties in the valley. She turned and walked to the side. The small grass shed was filled with farming tools, and Xi Fuhong skillfully picked out a wooden bucket and headed towards the water source.
The sound of water trickling was clear and pleasant to the ear. Xi Fuhong removed her shoes and socks, carefully stepping onto the slightly mossy slippery stone. She bent down to immerse the wooden bucket in the water, holding her breath for a while before pulling the heavy bucket ashore. After a simple wash by the pool, she picked up the bucket and headed back.
Watering the vegetables was how she started her day, the same routine for ten years. Ever since her grandmother saved her from the brink of death, she had been responsible for taking care of the vegetable garden. In fact, she had to handle all the affairs in the valley. Honest as Xi Fuhong was, she didn’t dare slack off, even though her grandmother had been out of the valley for over half a year.
Humming a little tune, Xi Fuhong looked at the water droplets on the vegetable leaves, feeling quite happy. She thought, if her grandmother saw how well the seedlings were growing when she returned, she would surely praise her. But then her face fell, as her grandmother hadn’t said anything before leaving this time, and had been gone for so long. She felt lonely staying in the valley alone.
Lost in thought, a sudden piercing bell sound reached her ears.
In an instant, Xi Fuhong’s body stiffened, her expression serious. She furrowed her brows, her eyes fixed on the only stone path in the valley, as it was the bell trap set to prevent outsiders from entering. She thought to herself, this is bad. The Wu Feng Valley was surrounded by stone formations and multiple traps, and no one had ever broken through them over the years. How could it be that something happened just when her grandmother wasn’t in the valley?
With nowhere to hide, Xi Fuhong decided to go out and see what was happening.
Maybe it was just a pig?
Unfortunately, it turned out that a pig alone couldn’t navigate the maze of stone formations, couldn’t cross the sharp barriers, let alone dodge the 232 poisoned bell needles flying horizontally and vertically. Even a divine pig might not succeed. So when Xi Fuhong hid behind a stone pillar and saw a petite figure brushing off the sand and stones, she immediately decided to make a run for it.
Things didn’t go as planned.
“Stop!” The voice was clearer than a silver bell, yet unusually domineering.
Frightened, Xi Fuhong ran desperately down the stone path without looking back.
“Hmph! You think you can run from me?” The girl leaped, her toes tapping the stone wall, her body spinning, and in two steps, she blocked Xi Fuhong’s path. She was slightly taller than Xi Fuhong, exuding an air of arrogance, her sharp eyes scanning Xi Fuhong from head to toe.
Now Xi Fuhong had nowhere to escape, so she resigned herself to standing straight. But when she looked up at the other person, it was as if an electric current ran through her body. Her round eyes widened, her lips parted slightly, and she stammered, unable to utter a word.
She had only ever seen her grandmother and herself, thinking that the appearance of women in the world was nothing special. But the person in front of her truly opened her eyes, and a phrase she had read in a book not long ago flashed through her mind: Little Fairy.
Little Fairy had flawless, tender skin, her eyes sparkling with intelligence, her lips forming a subtle smile. Her long hair was tied with ribbons on both sides, the ends swaying in the wind. She wore a light yellow dress with delicate plum blossoms embroidered on the chest, the sheer fabric elegantly fluttering, and a captivating fragrance wafted over.
“You’re staring, but why are you drooling?” Little Fairy teased with a playful smile, her previous arrogance gone.
Embarrassed, Xi Fuhong quickly turned her head to wipe her mouth, but after wiping for a while, she realized there was nothing there. She had been tricked by Little Fairy, feeling both ashamed and embarrassed. She braced herself to try and bypass the other person, but Little Fairy stepped to the side, blocking her path.
“I ask you, is the gravekeeper Gui Po in the valley?” Little Fairy asked seriously.
Xi Fuhong lowered her head without speaking, took a step to the right intending to leave, but Little Fairy blocked her path again.
“I’m asking you, is Gui Po in the valley?” Little Fairy raised an eyebrow, wondering if the person in front of her was mute. Xi Fuhong tried several times, but Little Fairy wouldn’t budge, so she finally said helplessly, “The old woman is not here.”
“Oh? Where did she go?” Seeing that the other person wasn’t mute, Little Fairy smiled.
Xi Fuhong looked up and saw the other person smiling beautifully, her cheeks instantly flushed, and she quickly lowered her head. Little Fairy noticed her silence, and her previously pleasant demeanor gradually took on a hint of worry. Her plans were usually spot on, and she had hoped to get ahead, but unfortunately, Gui Po had escaped.
“Little girl, be kind and tell me where Gui Po went?” Little Fairy asked sweetly, almost pleading.
“I said I don’t know.” Xi Fuhong frowned impatiently.
This time, regardless of whether she would bump into Little Fairy, she resolutely stepped forward. The other person deftly sidestepped and followed closely behind Xi Fuhong. In less than the time it takes for incense to burn, the scenery before them opened up, and seeing such a unique landscape, Little Fairy exclaimed in surprise, looking around as if she were on a leisurely tour.
“The old woman is not in the valley, please leave.” Having never hosted guests before, Xi Fuhong spoke awkwardly.
Little Fairy seemed not to hear, continuing her self-guided tour for a while, finally circling back in front of Xi Fuhong. She observed that Xi Fuhong was familiar with the valley.
