The path out of the mountains was anything but smooth. In some places, the vine frame couldn't pass through, so Mei Lin had to half-drag, half-carry Murong Jing He across the rough terrain, eventually abandoning the vine frame altogether.
However difficult the journey was, after five full days, they finally reached the edge of the forest just as Murong Xuan Lie's gyrfalcon appeared in the sky once more.
But when they saw the military camp stationed outside the forest, they had no choice but to retreat back into the woods.
"It's the Lucheng Army," Murong Jing He said, closing his eyes briefly before continuing in a calm tone. Although he didn’t elaborate, Mei Lin could guess that the Emperor had likely ordered the blockade of Zhong Mountain. Who else would dare mobilize the military without imperial command? This also implied that all other exits from Zhong Mountain were probably sealed as well.
A bitter smile flashed across Murong Jing He’s lips, quickly replaced by a look of determination. Father, you've gone to great lengths to keep me under control, he thought.
Mei Lin wasn’t well-versed in court affairs, but she knew that trying to leave under these circumstances wouldn’t end well. So, she quietly dragged Murong Jing He back into hiding. He didn’t object, likely sharing her concerns.
"What should we do?" Mei Lin asked as they huddled in a crevice between the rocks.
"If I don’t return soon, they’ll begin a large-scale search of the mountain. We can’t stay here for long," Murong Jing He said, deep in thought.
Mei Lin furrowed her delicate brows, considering the situation before replying, "I can get you to the edge of the forest, but I won’t go any further." With Muye Luo Mei around, she feared she had already become a top fugitive and didn’t dare to walk into a trap.
Murong Jing He’s usually half-lidded, sleepy eyes immediately widened. "You wouldn’t dare!" After several days of friction, he had finally stopped calling her a "wretched servant."
"I think I might," Mei Lin couldn’t help but laugh.
Murong Jing He fell silent, then moved his hand slightly, grabbing hold of her ankle, which was conveniently placed next to him, just as he had done that day. Yet, he said nothing.
Mei Lin’s irritation faded in an instant.
"I recall a legend about Zhong Mountain," Murong Jing He began slowly, his expression thoughtful. "It’s said that someone once got lost in Zhong Mountain and stumbled into a mountain crevice. After passing through it, they somehow ended up in Anyang."
"Anyang?" Mei Lin was taken aback, then shook her head, dismissing the legend as nonsense. Anyang was over two hundred li away, a journey of several days by carriage. How could anyone cross a mountain crevice and end up there?
"It’s not impossible..." Murong Jing He murmured, noticing her skeptical expression. What she didn’t know was that in his desperate attempts to escape the gilded cage of Zhao Jing, he had investigated every possibility, even this seemingly absurd legend.
Seeing the look on his face, Mei Lin couldn’t help but shiver, realizing that they might actually have found a way out.
After gathering some wild fruits to eat, they followed Murong Jing He's directions, carefully avoiding the gyrfalcon in the sky as they made their way toward the legendary stone forest.
The so-called stone forest was a barren rocky expanse in the southwest of Zhong Mountain, known as the Fireburned Grounds. The blackened stones, devoid of any vegetation, appeared as if they had been scorched by a great fire, giving the place its name. It was backed by Zhong Mountain's highest peak, Zhishi Mountain, and faced an endless expanse of dense forest, standing out starkly amid the lush greenery. However, whether they were curious explorers or seasoned hunters, people tended to avoid the area, reluctant to go near. The legend claimed that anyone who entered the Fireburned Grounds never came out again. Some even said that the Fireburned Grounds was a maze; those who entered would quickly lose their way and eventually starve to death.
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