Obscuris Labyrinth

After a day and a half of travel, Zhao Yuxuan arrived at Xiling on this early morning. At this time, his face was bruised and swollen, and his whole body was covered with purple and blue marks, which were the traces left by his previous experiences.

Before setting off to this place, Zhao Yuxuan had already carefully searched for relevant information about Xiling on the Internet. Xiling, located in the northwest of Jiangnan province, is like the "northwest gateway" of Jiangnan province. Its geographical location is very special. It borders three provinces and municipalities, namely Beihu province, Guishan province, and Yudu. It has always been regarded as the "throat" of Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, and Guizhou. On this land, multiple ethnic groups live. Besides the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, there are also a small number of Yao, Hani, Wa, Bai, and other ethnic groups living here. The population here is mainly composed of ethnic minorities, and the Han people only account for a small part.

When Zhao Yuxuan strolled in Jiyang, the capital of Xiling Autonomous Prefecture, a very strong exotic atmosphere hit him. On the streets, apart from Han people wearing various clothes, at least half of the people were men and women dressed in ethnic minority batik cloth. Such a scene was almost the same as the pictures he had seen on the Internet before. Here, the differences in men's clothing were not very obvious, and it was not easy to distinguish them. However, women's clothing was relatively easy to identify. Tujia women prefer to wear hats, and the colors of their clothes are mostly rather dull; Miao women coil their hair into a bun and then cover it with a net. The colors of their clothes are more vivid and dazzling. However, it seems that women of these two ethnic groups have a common hobby, that is, their love for silver jewelry. Whether on their ears, necks, or wrists, silver jewelry that shines brightly can be seen almost everywhere. These silver ornaments sparkle with a charming luster in the sunlight.

However, Zhao Yuxuan did not plan to stay in Jiyang for too long. He had a clear purpose in his heart, which was to find Li Ruize. According to the address left by Li Ruize, Tianwang Fort was located in the Miao ethnic group - inhabited area in the south of Xiling. So, he went straight to the long - distance bus station and embarked on a southward journey.

He took the bus and after several hours of bumpy rides and one transfer in the middle, he finally arrived at a small town. After arriving, Zhao Yuxuan inquired around and learned that Tianwang Fort was still more than ten kilometers away. Moreover, the journey to Tianwang Fort was not easy. It was necessary to cross two high mountains. What was more troublesome was that there was no road at all. He couldn't help but be secretly surprised in his heart that Li Ruize, who looked as gentle as a professor, actually lived in such a remote place.

However, in Zhao Yuxuan's heart, Li Ruize was the only clue closely related to the death of his parents. Even if there were ten - mile mountain roads ahead, or even hundreds or thousands of miles of difficulties and obstacles, he was determined to reach there.

In the small town, Zhao Yuxuan first found a place to have a meal to replenish his strength. Then, he bought biscuits and mineral water for the needs on the road. Considering that there might be some unknown dangers during the following journey, he also deliberately bought a dagger. After everything was ready, Zhao Yuxuan set off. He asked the residents in the small town about the route to Tianwang Fort and learned that there was only one way. As long as he followed the mountain road on the north side of the small town all the way forward, he could reach the destination.

Coming to the north side of the small town, Zhao Yuxuan carefully confirmed with passers - by once again and finally found that mountain road. Carrying his travel bag, he hurriedly stepped onto this mountain road. This mountain road was located between high mountains. However, the road surface was all paved with brand - new blue stones, which was relatively flat and could even allow four or five people to walk side by side. Judging from the newness of the stones, this road should have been rebuilt not long ago.

Along the way, Zhao Yuxuan met many people, all dressed as Miao people. Whether men or women, every one of them carried a basket on their backs without exception. This was a custom of the Miao family. Seeing such a scene, Zhao Yuxuan couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and respect for the customs and culture of this ethnic group in his heart.

However, there was one thing that made Zhao Yuxuan a bit depressed. He had always thought that he was young and strong and walked very fast. However, those Miao people he met were like light - footed birds. As long as the Miao people were behind him, they could easily overtake him soon. What made him most frustrated was that he met an old woman. This old woman seemed to be wearing a homespun flower - patterned dress. She was short and small, her hair was already gray, and her face was full of deep wrinkles. Her basket was full of fish, oil cans, and other items. Judging from her appearance, her age was definitely not less than sixty years old. It was such an old woman. When she passed by him, her speed was astonishingly fast. Zhao Yuxuan was a bit unconvinced in his heart. He secretly competed and sped up his feet again, wanting to leave this old woman behind. But to his great surprise, after only twenty minutes of strenuous acceleration and rapid walking, his legs began to feel sore, painful, and weak, as if all his strength had been drained. He could only watch helplessly as the old woman, who was two or three heads shorter than him, gradually disappeared at the mountain bend ahead, while he himself had to sit wearily on a stone by the roadside, sweating all over and gasping for breath.

He didn't know how long he had walked. Zhao Yuxuan only felt that the altitude was constantly rising, and the surrounding trees were becoming more and more lush. Those ancient trees with huge girths could be seen everywhere. They were like the guardians of this mountain forest, standing there quietly, witnessing the passage of time.

At this time, he saw the fiery red sun gradually moving towards the west. The warm sunlight shone obliquely on the entire high mountain. It was the late spring and early summer season. The green grass on the mountain was shiny, as if it were a green carpet carefully woven by nature. All kinds of mountain flowers were in full bloom, presenting a scene of prosperity. Colorful flowers dotted among the green grass, like a beautiful picture. The mountain breeze blew gently, bringing bursts of sweet fragrance. The fragrant smell filled the air, making people feel relaxed and happy. Above the blue sky, the golden - yellow clouds seemed reluctant to let the sun go, still trying hard to hold it back. Under the reflection of the sunset glow, every plant and tree in the mountain seemed to be dyed with a rose - colored light, just like the charming blush on a beauty's cheek, full of vitality and energy.

Not far away, wisps of blue - gray cooking smoke were rising slowly behind a cluster of trees. The cooking smoke rose slowly into the air, then gradually faded away, and finally disappeared into the sky. Seeing this cooking smoke, Zhao Yuxuan's spirit immediately lifted because he knew that Tianwang Fort was about to arrive.

Just at this moment, a song came into his ears. The song was clear and gentle, like a nightingale singing on a branch. It came gently with the evening wind, like a wonderful sound of nature. Zhao Yuxuan couldn't understand the lyrics at all. He knew that it must be sung in the Miao language. However, the voice was so beautiful, as clear as the pure spring water in the mountains, flowing slowly into his heart.

Zhao Yuxuan quickly judged that the song came from a verdant forest on the left. Almost without thinking, as if attracted by the song, he involuntarily searched in the direction of the song. The song was like an invisible string, firmly pulling him, leading him through that forest.

Deep in the forest, there was a clear stream. In the stream, he finally saw the owner of that heavenly voice. To be exact, what he saw first were just a pair of feet, a pair of feet exposed from behind a huge rock, slightly immersed in the stream.

Zhao Yuxuan was not a person with a foot fetish. However, when he saw this pair of feet, his heart couldn't help but start beating wildly, and his eyes seemed to be attracted by a magnet and couldn't be withdrawn for a while.

What kind of feet were they! The ten toes were like tender lotus root buds, delicate and exquisite. Each toe was like a carefully carved work of art. Those feet were as white as jade carvings, emitting a charming luster. The calves were long, slender, and round, with smooth and delicate skin. Pearls - like drops of water were slowly rolling down along the beautiful, white, and smooth curves of the legs, like a dynamic picture full of endless beauty.

Zhao Yuxuan couldn't help but think of Chen Shihan's feet in his mind. Chen Shihan's feet were also very beautiful, and she also spent money on dyeing each toe with a bright flower, which looked very gorgeous. However, compared with these natural, unmodified feet in front of him, it was like the works created by two Chinese painters with different attainments. One painter used a lot of pigments and painted in a rich and gaudy way. Although it looked colorful, it was unavoidably vulgar; while these feet in front of him were like the work of another painter. With just a few strokes, it could reach a state of extraordinary refinement, full of an otherworldly temperament, as if not in the mortal world.

The song was still floating in the wind. Zhao Yuxuan saw several stones on the stream. His heart was full of curiosity and expectation. He wanted to see the owner of the song and the owner of these feet immediately. He really wanted to know so much, only hoping not to be disappointed. So, without hesitation, he stepped over those stones and walked towards the direction of the huge rock.

He quickly climbed onto that huge rock and then couldn't wait to look down. At this instant, he seemed to be almost suffocated by the scene in front of him.