Huo Lei's movements were swift, and it was evident he held Mu Changxi in high regard.
By the time they returned to the General's Estate, news had arrived that the person they were looking for had been spotted!
The guard reported that someone had seen the individual heading south, then disappearing down a small path within the dense Mao Mountain. That particular path led to only one destination: An Yize.
"An Yize?"
Song Chaoyu had never heard the name before. "What kind of place is that? It doesn't sound like the name of a town!"
Unexpectedly, Mu Changxi knew the place. "An Yize was originally a vast swamp. It's located in Mao Mountain, within Qinzhou City. Because of the swamp, there was water, and many small villages sprang up around An Yize. The gathering of these villages was later collectively referred to as 'An Yize'."
So that was it.
Even Huo Lei, seeing how clearly Mu Changxi understood An Yize, couldn't help but praise, "I didn't expect you to know so much about these matters. It seems you're heading to An Yize."
Mu Changxi nodded, not intending to linger. "Pack up now, and prepare to depart!"
At the same time, Tan Xing, who had been following Song Chaoyu, stepped forward and whispered to her, "The place we're going to is also in An Yize."
That was great!
At least they wouldn't have to run around aimlessly.
But with Tan Ye and Cong Fei also heading towards An Yize, was this just a coincidence?
Song Chaoyu's heart was still unsettled. She knew that perhaps when they reached An Yize, all their questions would be answered!
—
They didn't really have much to pack. Song Chaoyu's greatest concern now was for Cong Fei and Dong Shuang.
So, they quickly ate a meal at Huo Lei's place and then set off towards An Yize.
Although there was a road built by the government within Mao Mountain, it was still a difficult path through the mountains and forests.
Therefore, Song Chaoyu and her companions traveled light, not carrying too many belongings.
They also left their carriage in Qinzhou City and traveled only by horseback.
Mu Changxi seemed very concerned about Song Chaoyu, so they rode on the same horse, and their speed was not slow.
Upon entering Mao Mountain, everyone's movements became exceptionally cautious.
According to Tan Xing, and as Mu Changxi knew, although many people from Qinzhou lived in An Yize, it wasn't exactly a paradise.
Changes in terrain and topography, along with unusual weather patterns in recent years, had caused the swamp water in An Yize to shrink day by day.
The exposed land had regrown with many shrubs and trees.
As a result, those who originally lived in the villages of An Yize had gradually moved out.
After the swamp water in An Yize decreased, people discovered a cave beneath it.
Tan Xing said that the cave led to a village unknown to anyone!
However, the village appeared to have been abandoned years ago, and it was filled with traces of fire and the remains of dead bodies, so very few people visited it now. The people of An Yize had even filled in the cave.
Song Chaoyu realized that the undiscovered village was very likely where Tan Ye's clan had lived.
Later, that place was discovered by the Consort's uncle and aunt, who murdered everyone in that village.
And this matter had now become a secret, known to no one!
Song Chaoyu wondered, with Tan Ye still living near An Yize, so close to that village, what kind of feelings he must have in his heart.
If he felt no hatred, it would surely be a lie.
—
The further Song Chaoyu and her group traveled, the more they noticed that as they got closer to An Yize, the surrounding people became sparser.
Tan Xing said that An Yize was actually sparsely populated now.
Those with means in Qinzhou all wanted to move to other prefectures.
In the entire Qinzhou, only Qinzhou City was more suitable for more people to live in.
An Yize, being in Mao Mountain, was already remote and difficult to access, and it was often subject to floods.
When the early Xiaotian Kingdom still existed, there were about a dozen villages around An Yize. Now, it would be good if only three or four remained. Tan Xing had also left An Yize many years ago and didn't know how many people were left in An Yize now.
However, on the way to An Yize, he also said to Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi, "Alright, there's one more thing I need to tell you. When we get to An Yize, I'll take you to see Tan Ye. You can investigate whatever you want. I'll say you're my clients, and I owe you a lot of money, and I've come back to collect it. What do you think?"
Tan Xing's eyes flickered. He had his own plans.
"Alright."
Mu Changxi agreed to Tan Xing without hesitation. "Good. We don't want Tan Ye to know our identities anyway. We'll play it by ear then. We'll help you with whatever you need."
If what Tan Xing said was true, then even Song Chaoyu felt that Tan Ye had been too harsh on Tan Xing.
Since consensus had been reached, the rest of the journey was much more relaxed.
The mountain roads were difficult to navigate at night, so they rested for two hours and continued on their way as dawn broke.
Despite their hurried travel, they did not encounter the person who had taken Dong Shuang and Cong Fei.
However, the tracks of that person's movement became increasingly clear.
The three of them seemed to be on two horses, with one horse's tracks being deeper, likely carrying Cong Fei and Dong Shuang together, while the other person rode alone.
The horses headed towards An Yize as if guiding them. Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu followed the hoof prints without hesitation.
By dusk, they had finally traversed the valley and saw the full panorama of An Yize—
An Yize was much larger than Song Chaoyu had imagined.
The once vast swamp had now become more than half dry and desolate.
Around the remaining smaller half, there didn't seem to be many villages.
The only thing visible to the naked eye was a relatively large village to the north of An Yize, in the basin below them.
"Huh?"
Tan Xing looked around. In the twilight glow, his eyes held no joy of returning home, but rather a look of deep concern. "It seems those few villages are gone too. There should only be one village left now, with everyone gathered together."
Yes, if there were still scattered villages, it was better for everyone to gather together.
Song Chaoyu heard Tan Xing sigh, "This place seems to have changed a lot, yet it also seems like nothing has changed."
Song Chaoyu stepped forward and patted Tan Xing's shoulder. "Let's go! Whether it has changed or not, we'll only know by going in to see!"