“It’s all mountains, what’s the difference?”
Chen Feng deliberately provoked Mu Chiwangmu.
“Chen Feng, you’re a university student, you should know that the Miao ethnic group in China is very mysterious,”
Mu Chiwangmu replied dismissively.
“Mu Chiwangmu, are you implying that there are taboos in the Miao mountains?”
Chen Feng asked tentatively.
“That’s exactly what I mean. For ordinary Miao taboos, the problem isn’t too big. The village chief and I, as the deputy county magistrate of Jiuniao County, can help you resolve them. However, for some evil taboos, the village chief and I are powerless.”
Mu Chiwangmu continued with a look of terror.
Jiuniao County has many mountainous areas, but some of them are like primeval forests, with no one having ventured in.
Strictly speaking, it’s not that no one has entered.
Rather, many people have entered and never come out again.
The village chief said it was likely due to encountering forbidden evil蛊 (gǔ).
“Mu Chiwangmu, are you talking about the forbidden evil蛊 of the Miao region?”
Chen Feng asked tentatively.
“Yes, that’s what I mean. Chen Feng, you mustn’t take it lightly. Miao蛊 is real. I even know a little about Miao蛊 myself. Of course, my Miao蛊 isn’t very evil; it just gives you a stomachache, and then after drinking my antidote, the pain will subside. However, the forbidden evil蛊 in the primeval forests of the Miao region are lethal.”
Mu Chiwangmu continued to advise Chen Feng.
“Miss Mu Chiwangmu, you believe in deities, and I am an atheist. If I can’t convince you, and you can’t convince me, then let’s just agree to disagree. And you don’t need to worry so much. I’ll be accompanying the geological team to explore the primeval forests of the Miao region, and nothing major will happen.”
Chen Feng comforted Mu Chiwangmu.
During his university days, he had read a few novels about the Miao territory, which described it as incredibly mystical. In reality, it wasn’t that fantastical. This time, it was a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: firstly, to see if there were any small coal mines in the Miao region, and secondly, to personally test if the so-called Miao蛊 truly existed!
“Since you insist on going, then so be it. Think about it, you have so many people accompanying you, and I heard the geological team even has guns, so it should be alright.”
Mu Chiwangmu’s heart settled a little.
Firearm control in China is quite strict, and ordinary people do not have access to firearms, let alone own them. The geological team is an exception. The geological team conducts fieldwork in the wilderness year-round and must possess firearms to deal with wild animals. Anyone who has spent some time in the political arena knows this.
“Mu Chiwangmu, actually, this time, the geological team accompanying me into the primeval forests of the Miao region not only has firearms, but also many of them, and they are powerful. I specifically applied for them from higher up. Primeval forests are different from ordinary wilderness; there are many wild beasts and supernatural occurrences. Without sufficient safety protection, I wouldn’t dare to go in, to be honest.”
Chen Feng continued to reassure Mu Chiwangmu.
“Deputy County Magistrate Chen, perhaps I should accompany you into the mountains as well?”
Mu Chiwangmu asked tentatively.
“Miss Mu Chiwangmu, I understand how you feel. Moreover, with you as a local guide, it would indeed be twice as effective with half the effort. However, you have more important matters to attend to. You need to communicate with the village chief’s side, so that the Miao and Han people do not conflict. Only when Jiuniao County is stable can development become possible. As for a guide, you don’t need to worry about us; once we enter the mountains, I’ll hire an old hunter as a guide, which should be sufficient.”
Chen Feng explained.
Upon hearing this, Mu Chiwangmu was completely relieved. Although Chen Feng appeared young and inexperienced, their conversation revealed him to be sharp-minded, composed, and organized. Having someone like him come to Jiuniao County was definitely good news for the county. Furthermore, Jiuniao County was too small, and he wouldn’t stay there forever. He would likely be promoted to Nanmiao City soon due to his excellent performance.
After Mu Chiwangmu made her arrangements, Chen Feng immediately led the geological team into the mountains. As per the original plan, they also brought along an old hunter.
It had to be said that having an old hunter lead the way made the journey incredibly safe. The firearms brought by the geological team were not fired even once. This earned the admiration of the entire geological team for the old hunter. Previously, even during geological surveys in relatively safe wilderness areas, they had to fire a few shots. However, under the old hunter’s guidance, they encountered no danger at all along the way. He was truly an experienced old hunter!
Chen Feng, however, thought differently from the geological team; he was somewhat anxious. After a round of searching, they hadn’t found any sign of a small coal mine. Without the development of small coal mines, it would be difficult for Jiuniao County to achieve outstanding political achievements. Without outstanding achievements, it would be hard to be promoted from Jiuniao County.
“Master Feng, after looking around, we haven’t found anything. How about we go to the depths of the primeval forest?”
Chen Feng asked tentatively.
“Deputy County Magistrate Chen, the depths of the primeval forest are absolutely off-limits.”
The old hunter replied with great alarm.
“Why is it off-limits?”
Chen Feng continued to probe.
“The harsh environment is secondary. You all have plenty of people and well-equipped gear, so dealing with the harsh environment shouldn’t be a big problem. The key issue is that the depths of the Jiuniao County primeval forest are inhabited by a group of primitive Miao people…”
As he mentioned the primitive Miao tribes, the old hunter’s expression grew increasingly anxious.
“Master Feng, you are Miao yourself. If you encounter Miao tribes, you should be able to communicate, right?”
Chen Feng asked with curiosity.
“Deputy County Magistrate Chen, you are not Miao, so you might not understand certain things about the Miao. To put it this way, the Miao are generally divided into two main groups: one is the ‘good蛊’ Miao, and the other is the ‘evil蛊’ Miao. Most of the Miao people in Jiuniao County, including myself, belong to the ‘good蛊’ Miao. We only use蛊 to control people, but we do not harm their lives. However, the ‘evil蛊’ Miao are different. Their Miao蛊 is extremely insidious and vicious; it kills upon contact. Therefore, one must absolutely not provoke the ‘evil蛊’ Miao.”
The old hunter explained with great fear.
“Master Feng, this is a civilized and lawful society. Killing people with蛊, isn’t that a bit too exaggerated?”
Chen Feng asked with a smile.
“In Jiuniao County, it’s not that exaggerated anymore. With most Miao people in Jiuniao County lifting themselves out of poverty and having enough to eat, the ‘evil蛊’ Miao have gradually disappeared, and society is very stable. At most, they might use Miao蛊 to play pranks on others, but no one truly dares to kill with蛊. However, the depths of the primeval forest are outside the law, and the ‘evil蛊’ Miao there don’t care about such things. Generally, those who enter their territory do not come out alive. A few years ago, several Western exploration teams insisted on going in, and they all died inside.”
The old hunter continued to explain with a look of terror.
“Master Feng, if it were for some other reason, I wouldn’t go into the depths of the primeval forest. Because what you’ve told me is true and not a joke. However, this time, my purpose in coming to Jiuniao County is to bring about a drastic change. The depths of the primeval forest undoubtedly contain vast amounts of small coal mines. I cannot just let such a valuable project lie dormant in the mountains; I must find a way to develop it. Therefore, I must go into the depths of the primeval forest.”
Chen Feng said with firm resolve.
“Deputy County Magistrate Chen, I understand your vision. Otherwise, to be honest, I wouldn’t have brought you into the primeval forest in the first place. The primeval forest is fraught with mortal danger, a path of nine deaths out of ten. However, when I thought about it being for the sake of the people of Jiuniao County to escape poverty, I gritted my teeth and took the risk. At this point, if you want to enter the depths of the primeval forest, I truly cannot support you. No one dares to undertake something with a one-hundred-percent chance of death. You don’t need to be so persistent. You’ve done your best for the economy of Jiuniao County, and no one will say a word against you.”
The old hunter explained with utmost seriousness.