[Chapter Twenty-Seven] The Alps Region Part Two: The Perilous Journey
Father John’s group had traveled only a few kilometers from Hunter Village when they were already detected by scouts of the wolf clan among the half-beasts, being followed along the entire route. Father John, of course, was no fool. He immediately noticed, from the faint reflections on the wolf teeth and the wolf hair shed beside muddy footprints, that they were likely being tracked and monitored by the wolf-clan half-beasts.
These wolf-clan half-beasts, Father John had read about in historical texts: their upper bodies were wolf-like, their lower bodies human, tall in stature, extremely fierce and formidable. Yet encountering them on this mission was something he had not originally anticipated.
Father John immediately transmitted the information telepathically to Lin Xiaoyang, and of course, Huang Minhwa, whose thoughts were aligned with Xiaoyang, received the same message simultaneously. Xiaoyang recalled the continuous howling of wolves the previous night; it was likely that the keen-scented wolf clan had already detected the presence of strangers, passing warnings among different families, raising their vigilance against this group of unfamiliar visitors.
The group slowed their pace. Father John gestured and sang songs, subtly embedding a few warning cues within the lyrics. He wanted everyone to maintain a cheerful mood, like a schoolchildren’s excursion. The companions obliged, and soon the group walked briskly and happily, singing along. This scene, however, left the wolf-clan scouts monitoring them utterly perplexed.
Nevertheless, the knives and swords in Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhwa’s backpacks, and the metallic reflections on the sword hilts, still triggered the wolves’ caution.
Gradually, the group’s singing faded; their throats were hoarse, yet their steps did not slow. By noon, they dined under the shade of a large tree. Everyone huddled together, taking turns to stay alert while eating, because they noticed that the number of eyes watching them seemed to be increasing.
Father John reminded the companions: “We must reach the next village for shelter before nightfall. I am worried that after dark, the wolf clan may launch a full-scale attack.”
Lin Xiaoyang said, “Then we should not delay any longer. Let’s move quickly.”
After a hurried lunch, the group did not dare linger and set out again. Huang Minhwa endured the numbness and soreness in her legs, allowing Xiaoyang to support her along the way. She knew she could not let her own condition put the companions in danger.
As dusk approached, they arrived at a small marketplace, and the scene before them surprised them. Most of the villagers attending the market were nearby half-beasts, including members of the wolf and bear clans. They brought deer hides, deer antlers, deer meat, and mutton, trading with a few human merchants using gold and silver as currency. The market was nearing its end; the half-beasts gradually departed, and the merchants began tallying and packing their goods.
Father John approached a middle-aged man and asked, “Brother, may I ask if there is an inn here where we can stay overnight?”
The man said, “Walk to the far end of the market and turn the corner. There is Mother Bear’s Inn there. They provide lodging, meals, and hot water.”
The group then followed Father John to that inn. Upon entering, they all finally exhaled in relief.
Mother Bear’s Inn was run by a female bear, stout and dignified in appearance, yet she greeted her guests with warmth and kindness.
The group sat around the dining table enjoying hot food, chatting and laughing; their moods seemed fairly good.
Father John briefly explained the purpose of their journey to the hostess and inquired about the route to the “Nether Valley.”
Mother Bear’s expression grew serious. She said, “Even we half-beasts have never approached that valley. If you insist on going, you must first pass through Hell Valley and then cross the terrifying Monster Forest.”
Father John immediately took out the map from his bosom, and indeed, the map marked Hell Valley and the Monster Forest.
Father John asked, “Is there any other route that bypasses Hell Valley and the Monster Forest?”
Mother Bear shook her head and said, “No!”
Lin Xiaoyang, curious, asked, “What is Hell Valley like?”
Mother Bear said, “I’ve never been there myself, but according to the elders, it is a volcanic terrain. On the mountainside, there are vents that continuously spew lava, releasing sulfur gases and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide settles at the bottom of the valley. Humans and animals passing through the valley floor can suffocate due to lack of oxygen. Moreover, the springs at the valley bottom contain deadly poison and cannot be drunk.”
Lin Xiaoyang asked again, “And the Monster Village, what is it like?”
Mother Bear said, “There, not only are there various man-eating monsters, but huge snakes, centipedes, spiders, and scorpions appear at any time. Your group’s obvious presence makes it hard not to be noticed by them.”
After hearing this, the companions exchanged glances. The cheerful mood instantly became serious.
Father John said, “On our way here, we felt as though we were being followed by the wolf clan, but they did not show themselves to stop us.”
Mother Bear said, “You must have come in from the western mountain trail, passing through the Hunter Village. This foothill area is the wolf clan’s traditional hunting ground. They have been monitoring you along the way to see whether you have hostile intentions or pose a threat.”
Father John said, “I see.”
Mother Bear said, “The wolf clan rarely attacks humans proactively. They keep their distance from humans, unlike our bear clan, which is closer to humans and has frequent business exchanges. Nether Valley is not a place for you to go. No one has ever known what it is like inside because it is said to be completely inaccessible. I advise you to turn back and take the southern mountain path. The south is our bear clan’s controlled territory, and our people can ensure your safety.”
Father John cupped his hands respectfully and said, “Thank you, Mother Bear, for providing this information. We have a mission to complete, and we must enter the Nether Valley.”
Mother Bear looked around at the group and sighed. “Ah! You are all still young; there’s no need to go to such a place!”
After a night of rest, the next morning, Father John and his group prepared their food and water and left Mother Bear’s inn. On the way to Hell Valley, they were continuously monitored by the wolf clan. Lin Xiaoyang, scanning the mountain scenery along the trail, gradually felt a sense of déjà vu. Huang Minhwa thought it was the serene scenery attracting him.
When Father John’s group reached the entrance of Hell Valley, a group of twenty or thirty wolves blocked their path, led by an old male wolf with gray-white fur, Lon.
“Which one of you is the leader?”
Father John stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. “That would be me.”
“It seems your destination is Nether Valley?”
Father John said, “Yes, Chief.”
“I am Lon, the overall leader of the wolf clan.” Lon’s gaze fixed on Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhwa.
“Pleasure to meet you, Chief Lon.”
Lon said, “We have observed you for several days. We boldly hypothesize that you might be the ones we have been waiting for.”
Father John, puzzled, asked, “Oh? You’ve been waiting for us?”
“Yes.” Lon walked up to Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhwa. “You are David, right?”
Lin Xiaoyang, surprised and honored, asked, “Chief, you recognize David?”
Lon reached out with both hands, holding Lin Xiaoyang. “I have been waiting for you here for over three hundred years. I always believed you would return.”
Lin Xiaoyang then remembered a scene from his dream: “You… you are Archie Lon? My wolf brother.”
At this moment, Lon’s shoulders trembled, and his eyes glistened with tears. Lin Xiaoyang instinctively embraced him.
Not only Father John and Styron were confused, even Huang Minhwa was bewildered by the scene.
“Archie, Father Wolf and Mother Wolf…” Xiaoyang’s eyes also welled with tears.
Lon wiped his tears and said, “Father Wolf passed away over two hundred years ago. Mother Wolf waited for you but could not see your return and passed away a hundred years ago.”
Xiaoyang asked, “Archie, how did you recognize me?”
Lon smiled through his tears: “By that unique musk scent on you!”
Xiaoyang sniffed his armpit and asked, “But after I was reincarnated in the East, the scent was gone.”
Lon said, “You can’t smell it yourself, but my sense of smell can. Last month, someone named Rufus passed by and I stopped him. He told me you had reincarnated as an Eastern man and that you would return.”
Father John’s group gradually understood the relationship between the two as they listened to their private conversation.
Xiaoyang said, “Yes! I have an important mission now. I never expected to reunite with you here. No wonder I felt a sense of déjà vu along the way.”
Lon said, “Rufus said he was your friend, heading to Nether Valley, so I sent people to escort him through Hell Valley.”
Xiaoyang said, “I see.”
Lon asked, “Brother, what mission are you going on in Nether Valley?”
Xiaoyang said, “I am going to meet Tanya, the daughter of Ghost King Andre.”
Lon, puzzled, said, “Tanya? I’ve never heard of her. Are you sure she is in Nether Valley?”
Father John said, “Rufus’ letter said Tanya should be living in seclusion in Nether Valley.”
Lon asked, “And this one?”
Xiaoyang said, “He is my senior brother, Father John, a priest from the Roman Curia.”
Lon actively shook Father John’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you, senior brother.”
Lon said, “Since you’ve decided to go to Nether Valley, I will take a group of my children to accompany you.”
Xiaoyang said, “But isn’t the Monster Forest very dangerous?”
Lon said, “Even if it is a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair, I will accompany you, because you are my brother, David.”
Father John smiled: “Chief Lon, your brotherly bond is truly moving!”
Lon asked, “And this remarkable woman by your side is your wife, right?”
Xiaoyang said, “Yes!”
Lon smiled: “You have good taste, brother.”
Huang Minhwa, pleased by Lon’s praise, felt happy.
Lon cupped his hands in greeting: “Sister-in-law, I may look scary, but I am easy to get along with.”
Archie Lon, the wolf clan chief, led a group of strong young warriors to guide Father John’s party into Hell Valley. They avoided the deadly path along the valley floor, instead taking a treacherous trail along the mountainside. On one side of the trail was a cliff, on the other a steep slope. They carefully avoided vents intermittently spouting lava and sulfur.
Large eagles circled in the sky, occasionally diving to attack, but Lon’s subordinates drove them off with bows and arrows.
The group saw scattered corpses of foxes, wild boars, and birds on the valley floor. They noticed that aside from being dehydrated, the bodies showed no obvious signs of decay or being gnawed on by other animals.
Huang Minhwa, puzzled, asked, “Chief Lon, why are the animals and birds on the valley floor so intact? What is the reason?”
Lon explained, “The valley floor is filled with poisonous gases. Even fast-flying eagles dare not descend to take the carcasses. Moreover, bacteria cannot survive there, so the bodies remain preserved.”
Huang Minhwa understood: “I see! No wonder it is called Hell Valley.”
At this moment, the two young wolves at the front of the group signaled for everyone to stop. Lon, sensing a situation ahead, quickly moved to the front.
“Chief, at the corner of the mountain path, there are two Lizardman sentries watching us,” said the young man, Shapo, pointing at the corner. “Just in the shadow of the turn, two pairs of eyes.”
Lon frowned: “It seems we have alerted these Lizardmen. Later, when we exit Hell Valley and enter their territory, we must be more vigilant.”
Shapo, worried, asked: “Chief, what if they refuse us passage?”
Lon said, “This time, by bringing humans through their territory, we indeed break the long-standing mutual understanding. When we reach Limestone Forest Mountain, if they block our path, we negotiate terms. If it fails, we force our way through.”
Shapo said, “If they mobilize all their forces, we might…”
Lon angrily interrupted, “Might what? Even if we all die in Limestone Forest Mountain, we must ensure my brothers pass safely.”
Shapo, resigned, said, “Since the chief has decided, we will not be cowards!”
Lon said, “Shapo, notify the brothers to raise their alert and protect my brothers completely.”
“Yes, Chief!” Shapo immediately turned to the group, using low wolf howls to alert the others.
The Lizardman scouts continued to monitor the group relay-style, but took no action on the treacherous mountain trail.
