Meng Jinsong had come to tell her about this matter.

Last night, shortly after going to bed, he had received a call from Old Ga saying that Jiang Lian had rescued a woman from the back mountain. This woman had been attacked by a mysterious person, then assaulted by Ma Biaozi. Her injuries were severe and required professional medical treatment.

Since it was too late to disturb Meng Qianzi, Meng Jinsong made arrangements himself: he sent a car to Ba Hang Village to pick her up, summoned people with medical backgrounds from Gui Mountain Retreat, brought necessary equipment over, and temporarily set up a medical room at Cloud Dream Peak. After the injured woman arrived, they were extremely busy. By the time they had nearly finished, it was already this hour.

Meng Qianzi’s mind stirred: “You suspect that mysterious person is connected to Liu Sheng’s matter?”

Meng Jinsong nodded; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so attentive: Liu Sheng was killed, and the murderer escaped through the back mountain. Right afterward, that woman was injured by a mysterious person on the same back mountain—such a thing seemed too far-fetched to be a coincidence.

“How badly is the woman injured?”

“Covered in blood, looked frightening, but the doctor said it’s not serious. After getting stitches and medication, she woke up once and is now sleeping again.” At this point, Meng Jinsong lowered his voice. “When the woman was awake, I asked her personally, and she said she saw the person’s face.”

The good news came too suddenly. Meng Qianzi felt no joy, only growing suspicion: “Did you send someone to investigate where this woman was found?”

No, Meng Jinsong pointed outside the window: “It wouldn’t help anyway. It rained heavily in the latter half of last night. Whether blood stains or footprints, after such a downpour, they would have little reference value.”

“Ma Biaozi, is that the beast that even tigers fear?”

“Yes.”

“Ma Biaozi have nearly disappeared in recent years and rarely leave their caves. How would one appear so close to the village? Moreover, such beasts rarely attack humans.”

Meng Jinsong shrugged, indicating he couldn’t answer: he wasn’t an expert on Ma Biaozi, how could he know what was in its mind?

“And if that mysterious person is the killer who could finish Liu Sheng with one knife, why would this woman only suffer ‘not serious’ light injuries? And she even encountered Ma Biaozi—beasts that tear out intestines and eat internal organs—yet they were so polite to her?”

Meng Jinsong had anticipated this question: “We got lucky. An ordinary woman would have stood no chance… but this woman was at your banquet yesterday. Her name is Bai Shuixiao, a Fallen Flower Cave Woman.”

Meng Qianzi was silent for a while before finally murmuring: “That explains it.”

Fallen Flower Cave Women, along with Gu Poison and Corpse Driving, were known as the “Three Evils of Xiangxi.”

Xiangxi was a place described as “nine parts mountains, half part water, half part fields,” indicating its mountainous terrain. With many mountains came many caves. The ethnic minorities living there had deeply rooted supernatural beliefs since ancient times, believing that all things had spirits and nothing was without strangeness: there were tree spirits, flower spirits, and naturally cave spirits too.

Young, beautiful, unmarried women could not casually approach mountain caves. When beautiful brides were being transported in bridal sedans, firecrackers were forbidden when passing cave entrances—if the cave spirit was disturbed and took a liking to the bride, capturing her soul, she would become insane, foolish, and absent-minded, meaning she had “fallen into the cave.”

When this happened, parents would be extremely anxious and invite Miao shamans to the cave to “call the soul back,” but most times they couldn’t retrieve it—who dared defy a god’s will?

Women chosen by cave spirits were generally not sought after by men. Of course, a woman who could marry a god naturally looked down on ordinary men and waited wholeheartedly for the cave spirit to come and take her as bride.

It was said that after falling into the cave, Fallen Flower Cave Women would become increasingly introverted and quiet, loving cleanliness and grooming themselves, gradually developing an otherworldly quality. Their eyes would become clearer, their faces often wearing gentle smiles, and their bodies emitting a strange, faint fragrance. They felt immersed in the happiness of being in love with the cave spirit and didn’t even want to look at other men. Fallen Flower Cave Women would die within three to five years after falling into the cave, but this wasn’t considered “death”—rather, they were taken away by the cave spirit as brides. Parents couldn’t grieve but should happily prepare abundant dowries to burn at the cave entrance, blessing the couple with a hundred years of conjugal happiness.

Shen Congwen wrote about fallen cave women in his book, saying “Xiangxi women in three age stages are prone to becoming poison women, witches, and fallen cave women—the poor and elderly easily become poison women; those around thirty easily become witches; those between sixteen and twenty-two or twenty-three, beautiful with introverted personalities and unsuccessful marriages, easily fall into caves and die.” He further analyzed that fallen women were a social tragedy of women in old times, being extremely repressed sexually. Those delirious women, tormented by love and depressed inside, could only use the excuse of being chosen by cave spirits to escape reality’s shackles through death.

More people believed that the Fallen Flower Cave Women were a Xiangxi superstition, similar to ancient sacrifices of virgin boys and girls to river gods, sacrificing those poor mountain girls to worship imaginary cave spirits.

What was the truth? Outsiders couldn’t know. Meng Qianzi frequently entered mountain caves but had never been favored by any cave spirit. Perhaps cave spirits only dwelled in Xiangxi, or perhaps her appearance wasn’t to their liking.

Meng Qianzi was lost in thought before remembering Jiang Lian again: “That Jiang Lian…”

“He came with the car, saying he was worried about his friend and wanted to visit. I didn’t dare make the decision myself, so I came to ask your opinion.” Meng Jinsong gauged her expression. “You don’t need to be too particular—this matter with Bai Shuixiao, we have him to thank…”

His tone suggested she might be petty. Meng Qianzi snorted coldly: “Let him see her. Reward for merit, punishment for fault, each matter is separate. I’m clear about that.”

After a pause, she couldn’t help but boast: “If I hadn’t pressured him, would he have worked so hard?”

Detaining people was a bit tyrannical, but some people in this world were like donkeys—they wouldn’t move without a whip.

Kuang Meiying and Wei Biao shared a room, reportedly at their request to look after each other. Modern young men and women, especially those who had known each other since childhood, weren’t so rigid—one slept on the bed, the other made a pallet on the floor.

Kuang Meiying’s spirits were fine, but Wei Biao was listless. Before entering the room, Liu Guanguo had already warned Jiang Lian: last night, after Wei Biao woke up, he had been raging and howling. Annoyed, Liu Guanguo had given him some medicine.

Jiang Lian wasn’t angry at all: letting Wei Biao suffer a bit was good. This way, he would understand that when under others’ control, no matter how physically strong or how loudly he could shout, it was useless. Even a tiger’s roar could make the valley winds fierce and summon clouds from all directions, but what use was that when caught by hunters?

He smiled as he sat down in the chair opposite the sofa.

Wei Biao lounged crookedly on the sofa, his face waxy yellow, yet his domineering air remained strong: “Who are these people anyway? Bringing us here, what’s the meaning?”

Jiang Lian glanced at the door: it was open, with two guards standing outside, but at this distance, they shouldn’t be able to hear clearly if they spoke softly.

He said, “What does it matter? Mountain area gangsters. Look how they beat me up. Fortunately, it was a misunderstanding, all cleared up now.”

Wei Biao lifted his eyelids: “So we can leave?”

Jiang Lian smiled: “Why are you so eager to leave? Isn’t this nice? Beautiful scenery, food, drink, and lodging—just like a vacation. If you find it cramped, ask for another room. It’s all free anyway.”

He asked Kuang Meiying: “Is the food good?”

Kuang Meiying nodded: “They’re quite polite, they bring menus for you to order from.”

Jiang Lian made an affirming sound, offering guidance: “Order the expensive items.”

Kuang Meiying wanted to laugh but couldn’t: “What about you? Are you okay?”

Jiang Lian said, “What could be wrong with me? I’m just running errands for them…”

Wei Biao let out a cold snort like air blasting from a bull’s nostrils. Jiang Lian felt somewhat impressed: for him to snort with such force, Liu Guanguo’s medicine must have been quite restrained.

He looked around the room: “You’re doing well here. The accommodation is much better than at Old Ga’s place—that broken water heater never worked properly… and it’s safe. I see more than thirty guards upstairs and downstairs. So, Brother Biao, since we’re here, we might as well make the best of it. It’s not too late to leave in a few days.”

Wei Biao let out another cold laugh, mostly out of defiance. Jiang Lian instructed Kuang Meiying: “Keep an eye on him.”

Kuang Meiying nodded, glanced at the door, suddenly leaned closer to him, and spoke quickly in a low voice: “Jiang Lian, tell me the truth. When they ask you to do things, do you just do them obediently? Are you planning to sabotage them secretly?”

Jiang Lian looked up at her: “Who said that? Since Master Gan taught me that honorable people don’t do things in the dark, I now sabotage openly to their face.”

Kuang Meiying stamped her foot in frustration: “I’m serious!”

This man was never earnest. Even the most urgent matters were brushed off with a casual “It’s nothing” or “It’s fine.” If pressed further, he would laugh lazily, with the kind of mischief that infuriated her. Kuang Meiying didn’t like him this way at all—she could never fathom his true thoughts. Wei Biao made her feel more secure.

Jiang Lian was still smiling, though his attitude finally seemed more proper: “Meiying, let me ask you, if a person carelessly smashes a pearl, what does that indicate?”

“It means the pearl has no value to her.”

“What else?”

“Or the pearl is bad, irritates her when she looks at it, she doesn’t like it, her temper is bad, she’s taking out her anger on the pearl, and also…”

Kuang Meiying couldn’t think of anything else at the moment.

Wei Biao said in a deep voice: “Wealthy, willful, has many pearls! Someone with a basin of pearls won’t care about breaking eight or ten.”

Jiang Lian murmured: “That’s what I thought too.”

As for this mirage pearl, he didn’t know if it was valuable. However, if it was unique—the only one in the world—even the most volatile person wouldn’t destroy it so casually, right? Moreover, after Liu Sheng was killed, Meng Qianzi had listened to his lengthy self-defense from beginning to end—her temper couldn’t be that explosive.

Mountain ghosts called lanterns with pictures “Mountain Mirage Towers” and had specialized tools for “fishing mirage pearls,” yet after obtaining one, they casually destroyed it…

This might mean that mountain ghosts had more mirage pearls, perhaps not just one. And he happened to desperately need a Mirage pearl.

Given Old Ga’s portrayal of the mountain ghosts’ influence, stealing or forcibly taking one seemed unrealistic. Therefore, establishing a good relationship with Meng Qianzi became necessary.

If she asked him to do something, he would do it—eagerly, actively, cooperatively, impressively. Without solid friendship paving the way, how could he comfortably ask to borrow one?

Meng Qianzi, accompanied by Meng Jinsong and Xin Ci, was heading to the medical room. As they descended to the second floor, they encountered Jiang Lian.

Jiang Lian was a bit surprised but quickly smiled, politely raising his hand in greeting: “Good morning, Meng…”

Meng Qianzi acted as if she hadn’t seen him, walking stiffly past. The two behind her naturally wouldn’t stop either. Jiang Lian felt as if a small whirlwind had passed by, with the side of his eye closest to her slightly narrowing from the chilly aura.

Nevertheless, he completed his wave to the empty air, even inclining his head slightly in acknowledgment, as if Meng Qianzi had politely returned his greeting.

Meng Jinsong was accustomed to Meng Qianzi’s behavior, but Xin Ci felt somewhat embarrassed, forgetting the head-smacking pain from the night before yesterday: “Qianzi, isn’t this a bit impolite?”

Polite?

One corner of Meng Qianzi’s mouth twitched: “Have I ever been friendly to him?”

Xin Ci answered truthfully: “No.”

“Then that settles it. Being good to someone is mutual. I’m not good to him, his swollen face hasn’t even healed yet, so why is he eagerly trying to be nice? Unsolicited favors are either treacherous or thieving.”

Xin Ci wanted to say that perhaps he was being magnanimous, but swallowed his words: taking sides with an outsider while on Qianzi’s payroll would show unclear loyalty.

The medical room was at the end of the first floor, heavy with the smell of medicine. Two guards patrolling the corridor saw Meng Qianzi approaching, stepped aside, and bowed their heads until she passed before continuing. Though they didn’t whisper to each other, their expressions were rich, continuously exchanging glances, presumably silently critiquing her.

The door was open. Inside, all irrelevant furnishings had been removed, replaced with various medical equipment. Though small, it was fully equipped, probably cramming ear, nose, throat, internal, and external departments together. Besides the bed where Bai Shuixiao lay, there was a mobile operating table—fully equipped overnight, showcasing not only the miraculous power of money but also the clever efficiency of the Gui Mountain Retreat people.

The attending physician inside hurried to the door: “She’s still unconscious, currently receiving IV fluids to prevent infection.”

Meng Qianzi looked toward Bai Shuixiao lying on the bed: “I heard she woke up once. What was her condition then?”

“Extremely weak, speaking feebly, having difficulty moving.”

Meng Jinsong said quietly, “As long as she can speak, that’s fine. She saw the mysterious person’s face. When she wakes up, I want to arrange for a sketch to be made.”

A criminal sketch? This seemed like a technical job. Meng Qianzi frowned slightly: “Do we have such professionals?”

“We have a simulated portrait expert, though not locally. We can do it remotely, but he said face-to-face communication would be best. He suggested finding someone here who can draw, to sketch based on Bai Shuixiao’s description first, while he uses professional software to assist from his end—it would be more efficient. I asked Jiang Lian…”

“Him?”

With his scribble-like devil writing?

Meng Jinsong laughed: “Actually, with divine eyes pasted, he can draw very precisely, but only things he’s seen personally. So, he recommended Kuang Meiying, saying the girl has drawn since childhood, has practiced hundreds of portraits, and should be up to the task.”

Seeing the conversation was going well, the physician tactfully retreated into the room.

The doorway had been quite blocked before, with Meng Jinsong and the physician both being large men. Xin Ci, blocked in the back row, couldn’t see much even on tiptoes. Now with one person gone, the view suddenly cleared…

His heart skipped a beat, and he blurted out: “It’s her!”

The way he said it, Meng Qianzi thought he was surprised about Kuang Meiying. Following his gaze, she realized he meant Bai Shuixiao and asked curiously: “You know her?”

Xin Ci realized his inappropriate reaction and stammered an explanation: “No, I don’t know her. Yesterday she came… came to the dinner, right? I just saw her, don’t know her, never spoke to her, just… she looked familiar, so I recognized her.”

Xin Ci normally spoke so fluently, yet now his tongue was tripping—utterly unprecedented—and his explanation was incoherent…

Meng Qianzi glanced at him, noticing him licking his lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and a slight flush on his face.

She made an “Oh” sound, withdrew her gaze, and said coolly: “If any little flame is sprouting in your heart, extinguish it early. This woman isn’t suitable for you.”

Xin Ci absently made an affirmative sound, then realized what he’d done: “No, I just saw her yesterday, have a slight impression, what are you talking about?”

Meng Qianzi ignored him, but Meng Jinsong placed a hand on his shoulder, nodding toward Bai Shuixiao: “The one she’s following, you can’t compare to and can’t compete with. Pull back from the cliff’s edge, don’t fall in.”

Xin Ci shrugged off Meng Jinsong’s hand with a lowered shoulder: “How boring.”