My Dreams Connect to Ancient Times-Chapter 127 - 2: The Old Ox with a Slap Mark on Its Face
After leaving the bounds of Wutong City, the Hovercar stabilized. It descended from the sky and sped forward, hugging the ground.
Although Wutong City was the financial center for two Provinces, development had not extended toward the Kongtong Mountain Range. Thus, the farther they traveled, the more scenic the landscape became, with pristine mountains and clear waters, lush green grass, and canopies of trees overhead.
Occasionally, they could even spot small creatures darting through the grass with incredible speed and nimble grace.
The middle-aged guide turned back and said in a soft voice:
"The Kongtong Mountain Range is vast. At least half of it has never been explored by anyone. Unless we travel day and night without stopping, we won’t reach the center of the range in just a day or two."
As the guide spoke, Lu Xuan looked up and asked calmly:
"By the way, are there any Daoist Temples or Daoist Palaces inside the Kongtong Mountain Range?"
The guide was taken aback for a moment. He thought about it before replying:
"There are, actually. I recall there are Daoists on the main peak at the very center, but they don’t receive outsiders..."
Lu Xuan nodded and said no more, though he glanced at the young couple from time to time.
’Whether it was his own deductions and analysis or the premonition from his Innate Spiritual Sense, everything was telling him... this trip was likely to be fraught with complications.’
’The behavior of Xu Linda and Xu Qingqiu was just too strange. The former was suspected of being connected to Sakata Heavy Industries, and just a while ago, they had frequently encountered Celestial Humans from Sakata Heavy Industries on patrol, seemingly searching for something.’
’If I’m not mistaken...’
Just as Lu Xuan was pondering this, the middle-aged guide sitting at the front spoke again:
"We’ll reach the edge of the Kongtong Mountain Range today. We should arrive at the central area tomorrow or the day after... There happens to be a small town on the edge of the range. It’s quite unique, a place you all might enjoy experiencing."
"Oh?" The question came from the young man who had been standing next to the wealthy woman earlier. He looked to be in his twenties, likely from a younger generation of her family.
He asked curiously:
"Unique? How so?"
The guide thought for a moment and explained:
"It isn’t connected to the secular world. There are no technological products or anything of the sort. The town’s residents have lived there for generations, and few ever leave." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
After a pause, he added:
"So it still retains a certain ancient charm. Some experts investigated it once and said the town existed during the Old Calendar Era, or perhaps even before. It was untouched by the Third War, but unfortunately, no historical records or documents were preserved there."
Lu Xuan’s heart stirred. ’A place like that still exists?’
’How interesting.’
The wealthy woman, Zhong Muhua, now also asked with curiosity:
"What’s the name of that little town?"
"Gouxian Town."
"Huh? Gouxian? Is the ’Gou’ the character for ’dog’? Do they worship dogs there or something?"
"No, no." The middle-aged guide gave a wry smile. "Not that ’gou,’ a different one..."
He traced a character on his palm. "These remote towns always have strange names, and this one is especially unique... But there is, in fact, an obedient big black dog in town. I even brought some bones for it on this trip."
Zhong Muhua nodded, seeming to half-understand, and didn’t ask any more questions. The car fell quiet, the only sound being the continuous munching of chestnuts from Xiaoyan and the little girl, Zhong Xiaoyu.
One was taking small, delicious bites, savoring each one, while the other was stuffing handfuls into her mouth, puffing up her tender little cheeks until they were round.
"Xiaolu, open up!"
Yan Jiangxue swung her little feet leisurely, her soft hand holding a meticulously peeled chestnut that she popped into the young man’s mouth.
While she herself ate them slowly one by one, she was eager to stuff them into Lu Xuan’s mouth. In just a moment, Lu Xuan looked almost no different from Zhong Xiaoyu beside him, his cheeks puffed out with chestnuts.
He was torn between laughter and exasperation but didn’t say anything, quietly enjoying being fed by Xiaoyan. Outside the window, the landscape was serene, with endless forests, clear streams, and perfect sunlight.
Everything was just right.
The Hovercar drove on slowly. Zhong Muhua, holding Zhong Xiaoyu and feeling bored, decided to strike up a conversation with Lu Xuan.
"You two aren’t from Wutong City, are you? What made you suddenly decide to visit the Kongtong Mountain Range for fun? It’s not a very famous place."
Lu Xuan smiled and replied politely:
"Yeah, we heard about it by chance. My friend and I talked it over and decided to come right away, since it’s summer vacation and all."
Zhong Muhua nodded and pointed to the two young men sitting in front of them.
"I live in the Prefecture City of Langya City now, but my family is originally from Wutong City. These two are from my side of the family—one is my nephew, and the other is my younger brother."
The two young men in the front, who looked to be around the same age, turned around with polite smiles on their faces.
"Zhong Dacheng."
"Zhong Muxuan."
At that moment, Zhong Muhua added with a smile:
"We’re all Zhongs in my family, even my husband... Xiaoxuan, where are you two from?"
"We’re from East Sea City," Lu Xuan replied with a smile. "Actually, after summer vacation ends, we’re supposed to be heading to Langya City for university."
"Oh?" Zhong Muhua’s interest was piqued. "What a coincidence! Let’s exchange numbers. When you get there, give me a call, and I’ll be sure to treat you to a proper welcome."
Lu Xuan didn’t refuse and exchanged phone numbers with the wealthy woman.
The group grew more familiar with one another and started to chat idly. Xiaoyan didn’t say much, just quietly watched the young man banter with the others, a faint, happy expression on her face.
As they talked, Lu Xuan’s gaze shifted to the couple surnamed Xu, who had been silent the whole time. His heart stirred, and he asked tentatively:
