After a few pleasantries, everyone set off.
Old Master He Yunsong was well-prepared, not only hiring drivers and bodyguards but also arranging a guide for Bulong Mountain in advance.
Two cars sped towards the mountains outside the city.
"The mountain range is complex, with mountains and lakes crisscrossing, resembling several intertwining dragons from afar, hence the name Bulong Mountain."
In the car, Old Master He squinted at the distant, faintly visible mountains.
"Legend has it that the place where the dragon landed is on one of those mountains. Without a local guide, it would be very difficult for us to find the right place."
"There's a Bulong Village in the mountains. I asked someone to find a guide in the village. I've heard that many people have gone to Bulong Mountain in search of treasure."
Lu Fei couldn't help but nod, "I've also heard that there are quite a few strange things about Bulong Mountain. As the saying goes, when a dragon falls, all things come to life. The fact that so many people are attracted to it suggests that a real dragon has indeed appeared there."
"Whether or not there really is a dragon, it's not up to us to decide; we still need to rely on our old friend." He Yunsong retracted his gaze and patted Duan Tiankui on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, Old He. After a lifetime of feng shui, I still have some discernment," Duan Tiankui smiled at Lu Fei, "But finding the Dragon Breath Elderberry will depend on you, young Lu."
The Dragon Breath Elderberry is a legendary evil object that can only grow under certain coincidences, even if a true dragon has appeared in this area, it may not necessarily grow here.
But now, just setting out, how could Lu Fei say something discouraging?
"Seniors, rest assured, no matter what, I will do my best."
"We naturally trust you to handle things," Duan Tiankui said, glancing at his granddaughter munching on snacks beside him and couldn't help but shake his head.
"You greedy girl, you should spend more time learning from Lu Fei and not just eating. The purpose of bringing you along this trip is to broaden your horizons."
"I understand, Grandpa! We haven't arrived yet, once we get there, I will definitely be serious."
Duan Lingyue blinked playfully, then passed a pack of snacks to Lu Fei in front of her.
"Brother Lu Fei, you should eat too, you need energy to work!"
"Thank you."
Lu Fei accepted the snacks and continued chatting with the two elders.
While Jing Jian was dozing off in the passenger seat, his head was tilted and drool was running down his chin.
The scenery on both sides gradually became desolate.
The mountain road wound around in circles, almost making those in the car dizzy.
It was noon.
Ahead of the car, the outline of a small village finally appeared.
Screech——
However, just as they were about to reach the village entrance, the car in front suddenly braked sharply, and the two cars nearly crashed into each other.
The people in the car tumbled about.
"What's the driving like?" He YunSong straightened up and frowned at the driver.
"Sir, there's someone blocking the road ahead." The driver looked helpless.
"Stop the car?"
Everyone couldn't help but feel puzzled and looked out the window.
"Seniors, I'll go down and check it out." Lu Fei opened the car door and got out.
Jing Jian, who had been dozing off, also woke up and got out of the car with a few bodyguards. They followed Lu Fei to see what was ahead.
Sitting in front of the car was a foul-smelling, shabby old man.
His white hair was a mess, like a bird's nest, and most of his face was obscured. He was wearing multiple layers of clothes, so dirty that their original colors were unrecognizable.
What was even more revolting was that his skin was covered with black scars of various sizes, layered one on top of the other, making it look as if he were covered in scales.
"Kind-hearted passersby, please have mercy and give me some water to drink."
The scruffy old man held a broken bowl in his bony, withered hand and gave a grin at Lu Fei and the others, revealing sparse, yellowed teeth.
Good heavens!
Lu Fei thought that Jia Banxian was already quite unkempt when he first came back, but compared to this old man, it was like comparing a lesser wizard to a grand one.
"Drink water? Not trying to scam us?"
Jing Jian was extremely cautious, carefully observing the unkempt old man.
There was still half a meter between the old man and the front of the car. He wasn't lying under the wheels, nor was he wailing in agony.
He just held his dirty and tattered bowl, looking at Lu Fei and the other person with a pleading expression.
"Please, give me some water!"
"Brother Jing, give him a bottle of water." Lu Fei gestured to Jing Jian.
Since it wasn't a scam, the bodyguards also relaxed.
Jing Jian went to the car, fetched a bottle of mineral water, and handed it to the unkempt old man, but he refused, extending his bowl toward Jing Jian and shaking it.
"Please, give me some water!"
"Didn't I just give you water?" Jing Jian was greatly puzzled, is this old man out of his mind?
At that moment.
"Crazy You, you're going crazy again!"
A middle-aged man rushed over from the village and explained to Lu Fei and the others.
"You must be guests from the city, right? Don't mind him, he's just an old madman!"
Then he sternly rebuked the scruffy old man.
"Don't you get out of here? If you scare our village guests, I'll make sure you regret it!"
The scruffy old man seemed not to hear, persistently holding out his broken bowl to beg for water.
"Kind-hearted people, please give me a sip of water! Just one sip..."
"Get lost!"
The middle-aged man, filled with anger, started swinging his fists at the slovenly old man.
The slovenly old man, seemingly not new to being hit, hurriedly covered his head and ran away.
"Folks, sorry about that. This old man goes crazy every day, begging for water from everyone! There's water all over our Baling Mountain, he's not short of it, just not right in the head!"
"No wonder, he wouldn't take a bottle of water when I offered, just kept shaking his broken bowl." Jing Jian shook his head.
"Just ignore him! Everyone, come in, we've already prepared tea for you." The middle-aged man enthusiastically directed the two cars into the village square.
After parking, He Yunsong and his grandson Duan Tiankui got out of the car.
Duan Lingyue, who had never been to a mountain village before, looked around curiously with her bright, expressive eyes.
"You must be Mr. He, right? You can call me Shuanzi. I'm here to guide you into the village." The middle-aged man warmly shook hands with He Yunsong.
"It was a long journey. Let's go into the village first to have some tea and rest your feet."
"Tea is not important; can we enter the mountains today?" He Yunsong looked around, somewhat anxious.
"Old man, it's hard to say. Here we have a rule: before entering the mountains, you must first pay homage to the Dragon God. Only if the Dragon God agrees can you go." The middle-aged man explained with a smile.
"Pay homage to the Dragon King?"
Everyone became curious and turned their gazes toward him.
"Our entire Eight Dragon Mountain is blessed by the Dragon God to have good weather and bountiful harvests. If outsiders enter the mountain without the Dragon God's consent, and disturb it, everyone will suffer." The middle-aged man was very serious.
"Lao He, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. It's proper to pay respects to the local deities when you arrive at a new place," Duan Tiankui nodded to He Yunsong.
"Alright." He Yunsong no longer hesitated.
The group followed the middle-aged man into the village, not giving much thought to the slovenly old man blocking the road.
Lu Fei always felt that there was something odd about the slovenly old man and took a glance back.
He noticed that the old man stood pitifully outside the village entrance, watching them from afar.