Urban Oddities: Soul Contract

Chapter 24 Ghost Mountain Maze

The bus into the mountain only leaves once a day, and there are not many people in the bus, which are sparse.

Huo Minghai was looking at the map, and his thoughts drifted to the handwriting without knowing it. It was like a flash in the pan. During the 40-hour drive, the handwriting never appeared again.

Huo Minghai was taken aback by being patted on the shoulder. He turned his head to look, and a skinny mountain man winked at him: "Young boy, go play in the mountain nest?"

Huo Minghai hummed, and explained: "Taking advantage of the holiday, come out and walk around."

"Yes, the city is heavily polluted. It's better to be in the mountains. The air is so fresh!" The mountain dweller is very good at observing words and expressions, and he can see at a glance that Huo Minghai is a newborn calf with no experience. Unlike cities, where there are roads and stop signs, it’s easy to get lost if you take a wrong turn!”

"Brother seems to be very familiar with this place?" Du Jiajun asked.

"I live nearby and walk often. Which mountain here haven't I been to?" I circled the map with my finger, "I'm used to walking these mountains. You see, we are also destined, so I will bring you one." Cheng?"

Du Jiajun didn't play around with him, and asked directly: "How much?"

The mountain people failed in their business many times. Seeing the big fish immediately took the bait, they felt happy, rubbed their hands, and laughed: "It's not easy for us to enter the mountain, and the road is not easy. Let's be friends at that time. This Price……"

The mountain man stretched out eight fingers.

Huo Minghai: "This is...how much?"

"880, Fa Fa Fa, let's try to be lucky!"

General Chu Gan couldn't help but said, "Damn! Is it black or not? It's just a walk. Is it so expensive?"

The mountain man lowered his voice and said mysteriously: "Of course you don't know that you come from the city. To tell you the truth, a team of TV stations came to the mountain a few days ago. They don't need a guide to enter the mountain. They haven't seen them yet!"

Huo Minghai thought to himself, the tour guide they don't want is actually you.

After chatting for a while, the bus got off the expressway and drove into the Panshan Highway. Outside the window, there are large expanses of mountains and forests. At first glance, it looks like a boundless green ocean. If there is no one to guide the way, it will take a lot of effort to go into the mountains.

What's more, Lushui Village is deep in the mountains, and there is no mark on the map.

The bus stopped at the station and several travelers got off.

"The car only stops at four stops along the way, which stop do you get off?" the mountain people were unyielding.

"Stand in front." Du Jiajun said.

"What a coincidence, I also..."

"Cheaper." Du Jiajun said.

The mountain man hesitated, and stretched out seven fingers.

Du Jiajun shook his head.

"Then... five hundred?"

Du Jiajun stretched out two fingers.

"Oh, this..." The mountain man slapped his thigh, and was about to complain, when he saw that the guests all ignored him and turned their heads to look at the scenery with the same expression, the mountain man immediately changed his words, "Okay! Two hundred is two hundred!" Said Then, stretched out a hand, "Old rules, money first!"

Du Jiajun took out a [-] pat and put it in his palm: "This is a deposit, don't think I don't know the rules here, if it goes well, I'll add it to you!"

"Which mountain are the youngsters going to?" The mountain people collected the money and patted their chests and said that even if it was the ends of the earth, they would take them there safely.

"Green Water Village."

"What? Lushui Village?!" The mountain people were taken aback. Du Jiajun saw that his face was not right, so he pushed a few hundred more, but they were all pushed back by the mountain people.

"I don't take that place with me."

"Why?"

The mountain people stopped talking to them, and sat far away by the door. When the bus arrived, another group of tourists got off. This time, only Huo Minghai and the others were left on the bus. Huo Minghai opened the car window, and the mountain people happened to be watching them too.

"That mountain is very evil, there is no return, that's what happened to those people on the TV station, Uncle advises you, just take a look at the foot of the mountain."

The car moved slowly, and the mountain people watched them from afar at the station.

Du Jiajun sat in the front seat, and the driver glanced at him, knowing that he had something to say, so he took the initiative to answer: "That man is from the mountains, and he often solicits passengers in the car."

Huo Minghai also sat down and asked curiously: "He said that there are evil gates in the mountains, what's the matter?"

"A lot of people have disappeared in the mountains, isn't it evil or something?"

"Is there a village at the foot of the mountain?"

"Yes, it's called Luojia Village. There is also a small hotel in the village. You don't have to worry about accommodation, but I heard that the village is going to be relocated. It's next to the evil mountain. Who will live at ease? In fact, the relocation application was reported a few years ago. As a result, it was only approved this year, and I think you young people are the only ones who dare to go to that place."

Going around, when the bus arrived at the terminal, it was completely dark, the bus waited at the platform for a while, saw no passengers, turned around and drove away.

There is no village in front of the station and no shops behind. To go to Luojia Village, you have to climb a small hill!

Huo Minghai didn't expect the mountainous area to be so remote. When he climbed the hill, Huo Minghai was exhausted. When he saw the signboard of the hotel from a distance, his eyes immediately lit up!

The hotel is called Jin Fulai, with a domineering name, and it is actually a two-storey private villa. After washing, Huo Minghai went downstairs to eat, and the proprietress was the only one busy in the lobby. Only after chatting did I find out that her husband had gone to the city to buy goods.

"Want some wine?" Seeing them shaking their heads, the proprietress took the initiative to refill their tea. Huo Minghai's "backpack" was put aside, and the shiny beads reflected the proprietress.

"Sister, it's really not easy for you to look after the shop alone." Chu Gan will start the topic.

"No one is usually busy, so it's not very busy." The proprietress sat next to her and asked with a smile, "Is it to your taste? Our food here is light, not as good as the one in the city."

"Where is it! It tastes so good!" Huo Minghai was full of praise. After N hours of ups and downs, the ordinary Chinese cabbage tasted like delicacies from mountains and seas.

Du Jiajun was the first to finish eating, and put the bowl aside: "Sister, is there any good guide in the village to introduce?"

The proprietress looked at him suspiciously: "Are you going into the mountain? Go east or west?"

"The mountains to the west."

The proprietress heard this and waved her hands again and again: "That mountain is haunted. No one dares to go there. Want to find a guide in the village? I advise you not to think about it."

Huo Minghai and Du Jiajun looked at each other, and Huo Minghai asked, "What kind of haunting method?"

"The mountain to the west is called Ghost Mountain. It is bounded by a small stream. Let's call it the separation of Yin and Yang. This side is the human world, and the other side is the land of ghosts. It is said that even ghosts will get lost if they enter it!"

The people who replied in the supernatural forum were lucky, and they didn't cross the creek. Huo Minghai suddenly remembered the people from the TV station mentioned by the mountain people. Did they also enter the ghost mountain?

"Oh, they said they were just going to take pictures of the creek." The proprietress glanced at the calendar, "I don't know what's good to take pictures of the creek. I went to the mountain a few days ago and haven't seen it since."

They chatted for a while, and after dinner, the three of them went back to their room to sleep.

Huo Minghai looked at the dim ceiling, thinking that it would be great if he could have a guide.

Lushui Village is deep in the ghost mountain. The proprietress has heard of it, but she really doesn't know how to get there.

No one in the village dared to enter the ghost mountain, and it was impossible to find a guide.

The figure of Zheng Chuanchuan suddenly appeared in Huo Minghai's mind.

"It would be great if Zheng Chuanchuan was here." Du Jiajun wanted to be with him.

"Unfortunately, Zheng Chuanchuan has already crossed the bridge." Huo Minghai sighed.

"Tomorrow, I can only take one step at a time." A certain sword spirit said in a relaxed tone, not afraid at all, and pushed Du Jiajun, "Go to sleep."

Du Jiajun pushed Huo Minghai: "Go to sleep."

"It's stuck to the wall." Huo Minghai burst into tears.

The room is simple, with only two beds and a simple table and chairs. The air conditioner is hanging type, and the air outlet is aimed at the bed, so the big spider is always lying on the bed to blow the air, leaving three big men pitifully crowded in the other room. A cot.

At night, it was raining crackling outside, Du Jiajun's breath was in his ears, those strong arms wrapped around Huo Minghai's waist at some point, Huo Minghai, who had been insomnia all night, finally survived until dawn, unexpectedly Du Jiajun General Chu Gan and General got up first, and the two went to the balcony, murmuring for some reason, and when Huo Minghai got up, they walked in as if nothing had happened.

The proprietress prepared some steamed buns and pickles for them, and also sent some chalks, saying that they could be used as markers when going up the mountain.

Before going out, Du Jiajun asked a strange question.

"Sister, are you two alone in the store?"

"Hehe, we still have a son." The proprietress looked at Guishan faintly, "He is very playful. If you meet him, tell him that Mom and Dad are waiting for him to come back at home."

After a night of rain, the mountain road became muddy. Huo Minghai was panting like a cow, with his hands on his knees. The short distance seemed to have walked for a century. The big spider patted his face with its claws and told him to cheer up.

There was the roar of a motor at the foot of the mountain, and a man drove a tricycle into the small yard of the hotel, without asking his wife to come out to help.

There is no road on the mountain, and weeds are densely packed at half a person's height. It is only possible for Chu Gan to split them with his sword to move forward. The surface is extremely humid, and the evaporated water vapor forms a hazy fog. Thick, white smoke fluttering, like a fairyland on earth.

After walking for nearly two hours, the sound of rushing water rang in my ears, and weeds were pushed away, and a small stream more than five meters wide appeared in front of my eyes.

The creek is the boundary, Yin and Yang are separated, this side is the human world, and the other side is the land of ghosts.

"We are now on the outskirts of Ghost Mountain. Starting from the front, we have to mark every section of the road." Du Jiajun told everyone to rest, and planned to wait for Huo Minghai to catch his breath before leaving.

Chu Gan held the stream water to wash his face. The big spider followed suit and scooped up the water with its claws, but it couldn't pick it up, so it cleverly buried its head directly in the water.

Chu Gan laughed at the big spider. If there were fish, he would definitely be scared away by it, but...

"Strange, why is there no fish in this water?" General Chu Gan pulled the bottom of the water with his sword.

Not only is there no fish, there is not even a single aquatic plant!

The stream was stirred into chaos, and a strange color emerged from the sand, as if a cup of coffee had been spilled, and strands of dark brown rushed away along the current. After a while, the bottom of the water became clear again.

Huo Minghai gnawed on the steamed buns while looking around, thinking of meeting the legendary Yin soldiers.

but.

In addition to the sound of water, there is only the sound of wind blowing through the forest.

When did it start, no more birds and insects?

"Let's go." Du Jiajun stood up, and at this moment, Chu Ganjiang let out an exclamation.

"Someone!!!"

"Where is it?!" Du Jiajun immediately became alert. Who else would come in the ghostly mountain, which is so taboo by the villagers?

General Chu pointed at the bottom of the water.

In the turned up mud, a white thing was faintly exposed.

Chu Gan continued to shake the sand with his sword, and after the dark brown liquid washed away, a complete arm bone appeared in sight.

Someone died in the creek!

Huo Minghai still wanted to drink some stream water, but now his face turned pale.

"It's nothing to see, it's just a drowned person." Du Jiajun stepped on the rocks out of the water first, and beckoned them to follow.

Chu Gan stepped forward a few steps and stood side by side with him.

"Do you think that man was drowned?" General Chu asked in a low voice.

Du Jiajun shook his head indistinctly.

Although the bones buried in the mud were not completely washed away, it could be seen that the bones were very complete, and the deceased was lying on the bottom of the water in a strange posture.

Like being entangled by something, dragged into the water.

Under the calm water, I don't know how many skeletons like this are still there.

"Could it be a water ghost?"

"Not like." Du Jiajun frowned, "I think it's more like a kind of biological predation."

After going ashore, the two discussed in whispers for a long time, and suddenly remembered something, and both of them were shocked at the same time.

They walked too fast, Huo Minghai hadn't caught up yet!

Turning his head to look, Chu Gan will not know whether to laugh or cry.

"What are you doing, follow up!" General Chu Gan shouted.

Huo Minghai squatted on the side of the road, beckoning them to come over.

The path stepped on by people extends into the depths of the woods.

"There are about eight people." Chu Gan looked forward along the path, and weeds piled up, covering his sight.

"It seems that people from the TV station have also come here." Du Jiajun said.

"Are you going to find them?"

"No." Du Jiajun shook his head, "The footprints were left a few days ago, and they have faded away. I don't know where they are now, and I can't find them if I want to."

Huo Minghai drew a mark on the tree, and the three of them continued to move forward. Du Jiajun and Chu Gan walked lightly, as if they were shopping, and walked three or four miles. Huo Minghai poked his hands on his knees again, panting from exhaustion , The physical exertion of climbing the mountain on foot is too great, three steps and one slippery, the big spider saw that the mount was lazy, and stabbed his ass with its claws, Huo Minghai jumped up immediately, clutching his buttocks and rushed for a long way, waiting for the rest , Huo Minghai sneaked around, good guy, it’s like getting an injection through his pants, the pants are not torn, but his butt still hurts!

"No bleeding?" Du Jiajun wanted to laugh.

With Zhu Lang guarding him, Du Jiajun is not worried that Huo Minghai will have an accident, but if he gets separated, Du Jiajun will still be worried. For the next road, Huo Minghai's face is always red, because his hands are being held tightly by Du Jiajun. in hand.

The mobile phone can't connect to the Internet, and there is no signal. Chu Ganjiang looked at the time. It was 05:30 in the afternoon. It was going to be dark. The three of them quickened their pace and walked. Suddenly, the big spider pulled Huo Minghai, and even Du Jiajun paused.

"What's the matter?" General Chu Gan, who opened the way, asked in bewilderment.

As soon as the voice fell, there were some faint sounds in the forest ahead.

It's like... the sound of children playing?

"Hide-and-seek, hide-and-seek, tiptoe quietly, you hide well, I hide well..."

There are children playing games in this deep mountain and old forest?

The three looked at each other.

"Go, go and have a look!" Chu Gan raised his sword to open the way.

The children's laughter became more terrifying in the dark woods.

A little boy was lying on the tree trunk, muttering something.

"Catch a mouse and report it, report that the mouse is caught by me... It's about to start! 1—2—3—!"

When the game started, the little boy raised his head. Du Jiajun and General Chu looked alert, while Huo Minghai's eyes widened in disbelief.

Apparently, the little boy didn't expect anyone to come. When he saw three strangers, he was startled at first, but quickly calmed down. He made a silent gesture to signal them not to speak, and then ran away lightly, walking around. I went to find a partner.

When Huo Minghai came back to his senses, the little boy had already disappeared without a trace.

"Let's go!" Du Jiajun's tone revealed a trace of uneasiness. Huo Minghai was dragged by him to trot all the way, but he didn't run very far. The forest was completely dark, and it was blurred a few steps away. Chu Gan said anxiously, "Turn on the flashlight!"

Huo Minghai took out the flashlight and turned it on, General Chu was speechless.

"Just this?"

The orange light only illuminated a few steps away, outside the light, it was still as black as ink.

Daily necessities, household flashlights, or the small one...

When General Chu Gan was adjusting the light depressedly, a cluster of strong white light was like a lightsaber in the dark, illuminating the big tree more than ten steps away!

Military glare flashlight, wolf eye tactical light!

"Good guy!" General Chu was full of praise for Du Jiajun's wolf-eye flashlight, which can be used as a searchlight!While playing, the strong light hit his eyes, making Chu Gan blind for a while.

Huo Minghai's heart beat heavily, and he looked towards the place where the light swept.

Just now... I seem to have seen something?

With his heart pounding violently against his chest, he slowly moved his family-sized flashlight upwards.

The dim yellow light swept over the weeds and moved up the tree trunks.

There, a face was looking at him!

Immediately afterwards, the strong light of the wolf-eye flashlight shone straight over, making the man's face white!

That face didn't hide or dodge, and even the expression on his face didn't change.

A chill ran down Huo Minghai's back, and even Du Jiajun was sweating all over.

That person approached silently, but they didn't notice it at all?

"Damn... this... what the hell is this?!" Chu Gan will be numb from the man's laughter. He has never seen such an ugly expression. Walking over step by step with the sword in hand.

"Hello, who is it?" General Chu Gan asked.

The strange thing is that the man was quiet, and when he saw Chu Ganjiang approaching, he remained motionless. As Chu Ganjiang approached, he couldn't help laughing, calling them to come and have a look.

After taking a closer look, Huo Minghai discovered that it turned out to be a stone sculpture in the shape of a human. Leaning against the tree, looking from a distance, it looks like a person leaning out from the trunk.

"Should it be the Zhenshan Stone Buddha?" Chu Gan has been with his brother for a long time, and he knows some archaeological things more or less. Some people like to build stone Buddhas in the mountains. They have different shapes, some are land gods, and some are Bodhisattvas. , climbers meet, have to go to worship.

"This thing laughs so horribly. It's a bit weird that the Buddha statue is built like this." Du Jiajun patted the stone sculpture, but he didn't expect that the stone sculpture suddenly shattered and a large piece collapsed.

Du Jiajun peeled the cracks a little wider, and the roots in the stone carvings were entangled and crowded.

This tree actually emerged from the body of the stone sculpture!

Du Jiajun held the broken shell thoughtfully, suddenly, as if thinking of something, a horrified expression appeared on his face.

"This is not Zhenshan Buddha statue!"

"Not from Zhenshan?" Chu Gan was at a loss, "Then what are they used for?"

"If I'm right, we're really in trouble this time!" The hand holding the fragments was clenched into a fist, and gray powder fell from his fingers. Du Jiajun's face had never been so serious before.

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