Chapter 26: The Procession of the Divine Offering
Tang Yu had already mapped out the route in advance. From the map, the road to Fossil Village was full of twisting turns, and even required traversing mountain paths. Without a vehicle, it would have been impossible.
Gu Hansheng went straight to the driver’s seat.
“Everyone, buckle up!”
Seeing everyone naturally settle into the back seats, leaving only the front passenger spot vacant, Shi Yi pursed her lips and took her place beside Gu Hansheng.
Today, Zhou brought over a compact SUV.
Compared to the unforgettable, foul-smelling van from the other day, this somewhat shabby SUV felt incomparably comfortable to them.
Mi Chen happily hummed a tune, opened the sunroof, and stuck her head out to gaze ahead.
Shi Yi glanced at Feng Ming, curiosity in her voice.
“Feng Ming, do you really know the customs of this ethnic group, or were you just bluffing Zhou?”
Feng Ming put down her map and looked at her gently.
“I learned about them in school. They’re quite unique, holding fast to the traditional division of labor between men and women, and preserving ancient sorcery. Yet, they aren’t isolated; they encourage villagers to venture out, expand their community, and believe the mountain god’s power will protect them and help their sorcery flourish. Truly, they’re a fascinating minority worthy of study.”
Tang Yu calmly added from the side, “As long as we’re careful with our words and actions, and with the captain here, nothing will happen.”
Gu Hansheng, seeing Shi Yi’s furrowed brow and anxious expression, whistled.
“Do you remember what my ability is, Captain?”
Shi Yi blinked, puzzled.
“Controlling puppets, right? Why?”
She seemed unsure why he asked.
The others in the back laughed knowingly, and it took Shi Yi a moment to catch on.
“Controlling... Oh! Controlling! So you can even control the sorcery insects?”
Gu Hansheng gave her an enigmatic look, but didn’t answer directly.
With nonchalance, Gu Hansheng pressed the accelerator, following the national highway through the small city until he turned onto a side road.
[Please continue straight ahead for 3 kilometers.]
The navigation system announced coldly in the car, and Shi Yi looked at the narrow path ahead in surprise.
---
Calling it a road was generous; it was merely two faint tracks worn into a desolate stretch, hardly worthy of the name.
“Is the navigation correct?” Shi Yi began to doubt.
Just then, the sound of drums and festive horns drifted in through the window, reaching their ears.
Feng Ming quickly opened the window and glanced behind them.
“It should be right. There’s a procession forming behind us, and it looks quite festive. People are wearing all sorts of colorful clothes—probably the path of the mountain god’s festival.”
They had already done their homework last night and asked Zhou for directions. Although Fossil Village was hard to find, as long as they were on the right track, it wasn’t so difficult.
Fossil Village was a secluded settlement built against Panlong Mountain, nestled at its foot.
Moreover, Zhou had given them the correct navigation before their departure.
Snatches of conversation and laughter drifted in from behind, as people passed by their car.
“The mountain god festival is lively this year. We must pray for good weather and harvest!”
“Absolutely. This year, the Mi tribe even gifted a snow leopard to the mountain god. Their chief really went all out.”
“Who would’ve thought? Usually, the Tian tribe has the best offerings, but now the Mi chief stole the show. Maybe they’ll get the mountain god’s first blessing and have a lucky year.”
...
The group sat in the car, listening to the cheerful chatter as young women passed by.
They exchanged glances, and soon after, something caught their eye: a massive creature carried by several burly men. Shi Yi frowned.
“Isn’t the snow leopard a protected species? How did they get it? Are they offering it to the mountain god? How?”
Silence fell inside the vehicle.
How would the offering be made? The answer was all too clear.
Gu Hansheng tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, pulling the car to the roadside.
They watched the long procession in their varied ethnic garb, likely representing all the local groups.
At the end of each group’s procession, there were all sorts of live animals.
The most common were pigs, cows, and sheep.
---
But just as those girls mentioned, the Mi tribe had a snow leopard.
Not only that, but among the processions, they also spotted red-crowned cranes, giant salamanders, and green sea turtles, tied up like pigs and carried on racks.
Feng Ming and the others felt deeply uncomfortable.
“This is outrageous. They’re offering protected animals to the mountain god? If the mountain god knew they were sacrificing such precious creatures, he’d be furious!”
Mi Chen angrily clenched her fists and punched the seat.
“Captain, should we call the police?”
Gu Hansheng spoke gravely. “Is the mountain god festival always such a grand affair? They’re even sacrificing rare protected animals. Besides, some of these are from plateaus or deep seas—how did they catch them?”
That was Shi Yi’s question as well.
These animals lived in disparate regions, some not even within the country.
How could the residents of this remote town procure such rare creatures?
Shi Yi’s gaze darkened, and Gu Hansheng understood her look.
“You suspect the mayor?”
Shi Yi shook her head.
“I just think the mayor has no real authority here. No one listens to him. If this gets exposed, it’ll be headline news.”
Yet, in this isolated and impoverished town, the presence of so many rare animals remained a lingering mystery in their minds.
Mi Chen dug out some snacks from her backpack and began crunching away.
“Speaking of which, we’ve been here two days and still haven’t met the mayor. Is he really that busy? We’re experts from the capital, after all. Came all this way to help with their case, and he hasn’t shown up once?”
Mi Chen grumbled as the lively procession gradually moved on, and Gu Hansheng started the car again.
[Ding ding ding~]
Suddenly, their phones rang in unison.
They picked up their devices and saw a message in the group chat from Wang Zhiyuan.