Mo Wen and Little Hong, while secretly relieved, found themselves at a crossroads. Little Hong firmly insisted they head downhill.
"This is a warning from the mountain spirit. We can't go any further!"
Although Mo Wen dismissed such superstitions, his experience in this strange world had planted seeds of doubt about many things. Reluctantly, he agreed, and they decided to follow the stream downhill.
The stream meandered through steep ridges, the terrain rugged and awe-inspiring. The descent proved even more treacherous than anticipated, forcing them to climb, clutching at branches and rocks for balance. The crisp mountain air was laced with the earthy scent of moss growing on the stone walls. As they moved forward, the path grew more perilous—almost vertical against the mountain face, with one misstep potentially sending them plummeting into the gorge below.
Mo Wen paused to examine the way ahead. The stream disappeared into a cavern, its entrance surrounded by slick, wet rocks. He scrutinized the walls and crevices nearby as the rushing water surged into the darkness.
"There might be an exit through here. Should we go in?" Little Hong leaned over and asked.
Before Mo Wen could reply, a familiar buzzing sound filled the air above them.
"Could it be those bees again?" Little Hong's voice quivered, still haunted by their encounter days earlier.
"Impossible!" Mo Wen retorted. "Bees are territorial; they wouldn't follow us here."
Yet, a swarm of massive yellow wasps circled the trees near the cave entrance, clearly unwelcoming. Their intrusion had stirred the hive into a frenzied, high-pitched buzz as the wasps launched a vicious attack.
"Just our luck! Run!" Mo Wen barked. Little Hong, quick and nimble, darted into the cave. But the wasps pursued relentlessly, their buzzing echoing loudly in the confined space as the two fled deeper into the darkness.
The narrowing cave and dimming light made Mo Wen dizzy, his vision blurring.
"Jump into the water! Bees hate water!" Little Hong shouted, leaping into the rushing stream without hesitation. But he had underestimated the current's power. With a startled cry, he was swept away in an instant.
Mo Wen froze in shock but didn't have time to think. He plunged into the icy stream. The freezing water bit into his skin, the slippery rock walls offering no footing. The current seized him like a force of fate, hurling him downstream.
The river plunged sharply, and after several hard collisions, Mo Wen lost consciousness, carried along until he washed up on a gravel bank deep within the cave.
---
When Mo Wen finally came to, he was sprawled over a large boulder, a puddle of yellowish water beneath him. Wincing, he tested his limbs. They still worked. Not far away, he heard the sound of retching. Turning his head, he saw Little Hong lying nearby, flailing like an overturned turtle. A weak smile tugged at Mo Wen's lips.
But their relief was short-lived. Footsteps echoed nearby. Mo Wen looked up and froze in astonishment.
A dazzling vision greeted them.
Before a backdrop of weathered green stone walls, a crystal-clear mountain spring cascaded from above, forming a shimmering curtain of water that gently veiled the cave's entrance. Sunlight filtered through wispy clouds, dappling the hanging vines with golden light. Each leaf glimmered like a precious gem, nature's own masterpiece.
The sound of flowing water mingled with the faint rustle of leaves, creating an ethereal symphony. Misty droplets danced in the air, their translucent forms swirling and vanishing like a fairy's veil.
In the heart of this dreamlike scene stood a 14-15year old girl, holding a sprig of herbs. She examined the intricate veins of the leaves under the sunlight. The mist, caught in the sunlight, formed fleeting rainbows that danced around her, crowning her with colors as though bestowed by the heavens.
The tranquility was profound, broken only by the murmur of water and the whisper of the breeze, as if the entire world held its breath, watching her every move. Her elegant motions blended seamlessly with the natural beauty surrounding her, an embodiment of grace.
"My Goddess" Mo Wen stammered, his balance faltering as he collapsed to the ground. Little Hong, startled, rolled over clumsily, his posture resembling that of a helpless turtle.
The girl turned at the commotion and approached with a playful smile. Seeing their bedraggled state, she couldn't help but chuckle, her eyes glinting mischievously.
"You're finally awake?"
"You… You saved us?" Mo Wen asked.
The girl smirked, recalling the scene. "Saved you? You almost dragged me in with you!" Though her words carried a teasing scold, her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Mo Wen scratched his head awkwardly, struggling to his feet and bowing deeply. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
Hands on her hips, the girl tilted her head. "So, how do you plan to repay me?"
"Uh…" Mo Wen froze. Weren't people in ancient times supposed to help others selflessly? His fumbling search for words only made him realize their embarrassing state—both were dressed in nothing but their underclothes. His face flushed crimson.
The girl burst into laughter, waving her hand dismissively. "Relax. Your clothes are drying outside. I'll go fetch them." She darted off, leaving Mo Wen watching her retreat, struck by an odd thought: *Even the way she walks is beautiful.*
---
After retrieving their slightly damp clothes, the girl handed them a bamboo flask. "Here, fresh mountain spring water. Drink up!"
The icy, sweet water refreshed their spirits. Mo Wen noticed the remnants of a vine net by the narrow stream, now torn and tattered. He realized it must have stopped them from being swept away entirely.
"Are you hungry?" The girl pointed to a bamboo basket by the bank, where several large, lively fish flopped about, clearly caught in the same net. "Come help me!"
"She is not treating us like injured people at all!" Little Hong grumbled but quickly set to work, gutting the fish and laying them on a flat stone.
The girl kindled a small fire beneath a makeshift stove and placed the stone slab on top. She unwrapped a leaf package containing animal fat, which sizzled as it melted, filling the air with a rich aroma. Adding a handful of fresh herbs, she stirred the mix as the scent grew even more tantalizing.
Meanwhile, she brewed herb tea in a bamboo tube, the fragrant steam wafting through the cave.
"Drink this to warm up!"
The two devoured the tender fish and gulped the herbal tea, the hearty meal leaving them utterly content.
"Immortal lady, what's your name?" Little Hong asked sweetly, sidling up to her.
"Sora," she replied with a soft smile. "And you?"
"I'm Little Hong, and this is my brother, Mo Wen—'Mo' as in 'don't ask'!" he quipped, earning a laugh from Sora.
"And where are you two headed?" she inquired.
"We've nowhere to go. Immortal lady, let us follow you!" Little Hong eagerly chimed in.
"I'm gathering herbs in the mountains. I won't return to the village for half a month," she said hesitantly.
"That's fine! We'll help you!" Little Hong said quickly, pinching Mo Wen to stop him from objecting.
"Alright, but first, fix my fishing net!"
Grumbling, the two waded into the stream. Little Hong muttered under his breath, "She doesn't see us as people at all!"