Volume 1 Chapter 7: The Mysterious Forbidden Land

  Last night when I came here, I vaguely knew that Furong Fortress was built on the mountain, but I didn't expect it to be so grand in scale. In front of me, no, I should say under my feet, the houses are layered and staggered, extending along the mountain all the way down to a place I couldn't see.

  In the vicinity of about half a mile, surrounded by towering stone walls, inside the stone wall should be the inner castle of Furong Castle. The houses in the inner castle are almost all brick and wood structures, with large and small buildings neatly arranged within the castle. Each place is adorned with gardens, flowers, trees, small bridges and flying waterfalls, elegant and pleasant.

  Further out is a winding and wide slope that extends downward, with cars and people coming and going. The houses on both sides are built with stone blocks, with rough and simple lines, and there are gate towers and gates along the way. On both sides of the main slope, there are also branch roads extending out, and both sides are lined with houses. What is this if not a fortress, but a city, a mountain city? This mountain city exudes an air of heroic grandeur that dominates one side.

  I turned around and looked back, the house I am in now is built on a slightly flat terrain at the highest point of the entire Furong Fortress. As soon as you step out of the door, you can see the whole view of the fortress. But I didn't have the heart to admire the builder's spirit, I could only shake my head and sigh, in such an environment, it would be harder for me to escape than to reach the sky.

  Rou Wei misunderstood my bitter smile and said with a "good understanding of people's intentions": "I was also surprised like you on the first day I entered the castle, but don't worry, Madam. All the big and small matters in the castle are handled by specialized personnel, each level is managed and supervised layer by layer, and various rules and regulations are very strict. There shouldn't be too many things that will bother you, besides, isn't there still the castle master?"

  This little girl quickly became familiar with me like an old friend and spoke without any reserve.

  I smiled and thought for a moment: "Is there any altar-like place in this fort?"

  Ruo Wei's face changed, her expression shifting as if she wanted to speak but hesitated. I knew she had something on her mind, and in my heart, I couldn't help but wonder what made this straightforward little girl so cautious about speaking up, especially after seeing the grand hall rise from the ground last night.

  "Do you know?" I smiled at her.

  She hesitated for a moment, stepping on the pebbles on the ground, before stammering under my encouraging smile: "Madam, this...this...actually everyone knows, it's just that no one will mention it in public."

  She hesitated for a moment, looking at me, and said: "I also used a catty of osmanthus sugar, it was Xiao Lizi from the kitchen who told me." After finishing speaking, her face turned slightly red.

  I smiled at her and continued to encourage her: "You tell me. I absolutely won't tell anyone else."

  Ruo Wei's expression was complex, as if she had been struggling with her thoughts for a long time. She spoke cautiously: "This altar is the most sacred and secretive place in Furuong Fortress. Except for the fortress master and Pingyang True Person, no one else is allowed to enter. It's said that it's related to the lifeblood of our Furuong Fortress."

  "What is the lifeblood of survival?" I was somewhat surprised. How could such a large mountain city be controlled by just one mysterious altar? Was it again those sayings about Feng Shui, Dragon Veins and the like that I saw in my past life? These ancient people were so devoted to gods and Buddhas. It must have been a lie fabricated by Ling Yi to deceive people's minds, a false doctrine to control the thoughts of the people in Furong Fortress. Otherwise, how could he, at such a young age, make all the people in the fortress believe in him and willingly follow his orders?

  "Madam, I don't know about this." Ruo Wei said in a low voice.

  I smiled indifferently. I was actually full of curiosity about this altar. The night before, I came out from there. I didn't quite understand what its mysterious place was. However, since the Pingyang True Man who captured my soul was there, I had to go see him. I wanted to ask him how to bring back Gu Qingying's soul and how to switch back to my original body.

  "Yue Wei, where is this altar?"

  "I heard it's in the back mountain." Ruo Wei looked at me with an uncertain expression, glancing to my left side before quickly withdrawing her gaze.

  "Alright, I'll go take a look now." I took in Jove's expression, smiled and turned around, then headed towards the back of the house.

  Ruo Wei was shocked and pale: "Madam, the altar cannot be entered casually. If the castle owner finds out, it would be a serious crime of betraying the castle."

  "Rou Wei, you don't have to go, I'll find it myself. If anyone asks, just say you don't know." I ignored her fear and continued walking towards the back of the house.

  "Madam, you really can't go." I heard Yvette stamp her foot.

  "Go back to your room and pretend you didn't know." Nothing can stop me from going to this altar.

  "Milady, milady..." A faint rustling sound came from behind, and Yvette arrived at my side, her small face tear-stained as she begged: "Milady, please don't go."

  I reluctantly stopped in my tracks and looked at her, saying: "Ruo Wei, don't worry, I won't implicate you, don't follow me, go back quickly." If Ling Yi really wants to hold Ruo Wei accountable, I think I should be able to protect her.

  "Madam." Ruo Wei's face turned red, and she bit her lower lip tightly, as if making a firm decision: "If Madam must go, then let me accompany you."

  I was taken aback and shook my head, saying: "Since this altar is a serious matter, Yufei, you can't go even more." I really didn't want to implicate her.

  "Madam, I know you're fond of Ru Wei, but the path to the back mountain is rugged and winding, with poisonous insects lurking about. Ru Wei wouldn't be at ease if you went alone." Her slightly flushed face suddenly became resolute.

  "So you've been there?" I asked in surprise.

  Ru Wei bit her lip and nodded, "Yes, when Ru Wei first entered the fortress, she got lost once and accidentally walked to the altar area, but there was no one present. Madam, you mustn't tell anyone."

  I hesitated for a moment in my heart and nodded: "Okay, let's sneak away quietly, take a look and come back immediately, without letting anyone know."

  The path to the back mountain was indeed winding and tortuous, with ups and downs, but I didn't see any poisonous insects that Ruo Wei mentioned. Ruo Wei held my arm tightly all the way, her body slightly trembling. I smiled and comforted her: "Ruo Wei, don't be afraid, you came last time and returned safely, didn't you? We'll be fine."

  Ruth nodded vigorously, but still couldn't help trembling. I smiled and shook my head, feeling a little moved in my heart.

  As I walked forward again, there was no road ahead. I stared blankly at the cliff hidden in the strange rock and tree cluster in front of me, looking down into an unfathomable depth. A thick fog that couldn't be dispersed floated in the middle of the mountain, and I had no idea how high this mountain was.

  "Madam, this way." Ruo Wei called out from behind her.

  I turned back, and saw Yu Wei standing in front of a pile of tall and strange rocks. The strange rocks were surrounded by dense weeds, and upon closer inspection, I found that there was a hidden path among the weeds. Looking at Yu Wei's agile figure leading the way in front of me, I felt somewhat puzzled - why wasn't she afraid again?

  Before I could continue thinking, my footsteps had already passed by the strange rock group, and the scene in front of me suddenly stunned me.