South of Moyi, the mountains stood high and the marshes ran deep.
Thick fog filled the valleys, obscuring the bottoms of the ravines. A group of fast horses galloped down the muddy mountain road, flinging mud in all directions.
The deeper they went into the Majestic Mountains, the harder the path became. Ancient trees and vines blocked out the sunlight. Apes shrieked and swung from branch to branch alongside the mounted party, while Black Panthers hid among the trunks, their bloodthirsty eyes sweeping over every living thing.
The farther they ventured into the forest, the more they could sense danger lurking everywhere.
Seeing that riding any farther would be difficult, Zi Qi, the governor overseeing Moyi's military affairs, wore a grave expression atop his horse.
"How much farther?"
"Governor, follow the markers ahead. Cross another two mountains, and we'll be there."
"Good. Dismount. We must arrive tonight."
The lightly equipped experts dismounted. Relying on their skills, they moved through the forest as though walking on level ground, crossing rushing mountain streams and passing through forests thick with Poisonous Miasma. The dozen or so swift riders had clearly come through once before, leading the family head safely past each danger. They crossed the steep cliffs without incident, despite several scares.
There were almost no signs of human activity here. Poisonous insects were impossible to guard against, and their bodies were covered either in welts or red spots.
The air in the stifling forest was damp and oppressive, making them deeply uncomfortable.
They reached a rift in a gorge.
When they arrived at an open area along the gorge's edge, the cool valley wind finally eased their burning lungs. The wind blew away the Poisonous Miasma, and there were far fewer of those hateful snakes, insects, mosquitoes, and flies.
"Governor, look! Those