In the early morning, with the faint mist, sparkling dewdrops, low chirping of insects, and an occasional breeze, the entire Xiangshan Mountain was eerily tranquil.
As the first light of dawn gently bathed the mountaintop, a house at the peak flickered to life, signaling the start of a new day, and the entire small mountain began to stir.
When the daylight illuminated the entire hill, a few fully-armed figures began descending from the mountain. Step by step, they moved with unwavering determination, heading towards another nearby peak.
In their tight, streamlined attire, armed and stern-faced, they looked as though they were marching to the battlefield.
At Tianma Mountain, Zhao Lun had arrived for the second time.
A thin layer of mist surrounded the mountain, and the shape of the mountain, resembling a galloping celestial horse, appeared as though a mythical steed was racing through the clouds. Truly deserving of its name "Tianma."
The group followed a narrow path, mounted horses, and advanced from the "horseback" to the "head of the horse." In just a few steps, they entered a new, magical realm.
On the slope, an octagonal pavilion stood, the soft chime of wind bells ringing in the air. A stone path ran beyond the pavilion. Without stopping, the group proceeded directly along the path.
The mist grew thicker on the other side of the path, and the temperature dropped further. Aside from the small path, everything else seemed desolate, until they reached a small town—Xuanjie, named after the mountain that loomed beyond it.
They continued along the path, stopping in front of a stone gateway.
A low hum emanated from the stone gate, and soon, two men in long, traditional "Republic of China" garb appeared. Their faces were grim, and they seemed to have no patience.
"What do you want?"
"Did you not know this place isn't open to just anyone?"
"Oh, it's you. Didn't know the rules of entering?"
The two men, with noses raised arrogantly, appeared not to see the newcomers, speaking in rough, gruff tones, seemingly eager to stir trouble.
"Step aside!" Mulan produced an item and coldly reprimanded.
"Eh!" The two men, initially poised to block the way, seemed to choke, awkwardly retracting their hands and clearing the path.
Leading the way, Mulan entered.
"Hmph!" Maria snorted, making a face, and quickly followed.
Beyond the door lay Tianma Town, which held no particular danger. The townsfolk appeared to be ordinary people. On the streets, vendors were selling fruits, vegetables, rice, and noodles. The town was bustling with the day's lively market.
In addition to these vendors, there were also small food stalls, and as they walked past, the aroma of food wafted through the air.
Among the group, only Maria secretly drooled, eyeing the food, while the others, following Mulan, continued without pause, walking through the busy market, past an alley, and arriving before a grand estate.
A large estate, with three sets of steps leading up to a massive door flanked by two lifelike marble lions. The ancient gate was framed by a plaque, though it was covered in dust.
As they ascended the steps, an old woman suddenly appeared. She leaned heavily on a cane, her presence imposing like a mountain, filling the air with pressure.
"This is private property. No entry without permission!"
Her eyes were cloudy, her voice frail yet powerful, causing a chill to run down their spines. As she spoke, they all felt a sense of unease.
The group was startled, carefully eyeing her. Even those with little experience could tell that this elderly woman was not to be trifled with.
Among them, only two remained composed: Zhao Lun, confident in his strength, and Mulan, who was certain of her power.
Mulan remained silent, pulling out the object she had earlier. The old woman waved her hand, and the object in Mulan's hand flew toward the gate, embedding itself in the massive door.
The gate glowed, instantly clearing away the dust, and with a loud rumble, the door swung open.
Looking around, the stone lions seemed to come to life, letting out roars, their eyes now vividly lifelike, an extraordinary sight.
The three sets of steps, like jade, and the ancient, fragrant door, set against the deep courtyard, made the plaque visible once again—"Mu Mansion."
The characters on the plaque were engraved, and only Mulan and Zhao Lun recognized them.
As for the old woman, she was like a fleeting shadow, vanishing as silently as she had appeared. It wasn't until they entered the courtyard that they realized she had gone.
"Is this Mulan's home?"
Upon entering, the group was left in awe by the grandeur of Mulan's family estate. It was as though they were witnessing an aristocratic manor—like an ordinary village house compared to a luxurious mansion in the heart of a thriving city. Zhao Lun felt as if he were witnessing a cheat code to life.
"Truly a hidden realm!" Angela exclaimed in awe, marveling at the grandeur of the estate, which seemed both regal and advanced beyond its time.
Since entering, Mulan had been silent, almost as if enchanted, moving deeper into the mansion. The group quickly noticed her odd behavior and instinctively followed her.
...
Mulan was a rather aloof person, most at ease when researching vegetables at home. Yet, since entering her estate, she had remained silent, not preparing food for them until evening.
At the dining table, the atmosphere was even more somber than when they had arrived. Aside from the clinking of cutlery, no one spoke a word.
It wasn't until they had nearly finished eating that someone finally spoke up.
"Sister Mulan, we're leaving tomorrow."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
"Maria will miss you."
Maria, with her sensitive heart, could always tell who cared for her.
Mulan, with her cold demeanor, didn't warm up to anyone easily, yet her heart was kind and warm. She kept her distance simply because she wasn't accustomed to closeness and occasionally sought refuge in solitude.
"I can't go with you."
Her words, like her tone, were faint, somewhat detached and chilling to hear.
"Can't you?"
The group had grown accustomed to her demeanor and didn't react much.
Maria, however, gazed at her with a pitiful look, reluctant to part. She didn't understand why she felt such a strong attachment to Mulan.
Nicole and the others felt the same, though they didn't voice it, they were all secretly reluctant to say goodbye.
"I can't."
There was a rare pause.
"But I might visit you after a while."
The last sentence made Maria, who was on the verge of despair, doubt the possibility.
"Visit us after a while?"
Mulan nodded.
"That's great!"