The little animals weren't afraid when they saw a living person arrive.
Their mung-bean-sized eyes sized up Hu Xiaocao, seemingly judging whether the newcomer posed any danger.
Being watched by so many pairs of eyes, Hu Xiaocao wasn't unafraid. But she couldn't retreat. Thinking of her mother's critical condition, she felt boundless courage rise within her.
With a thump, she fell to her knees. Her voice choked as she said, "I mean no harm. I'm here to see Grandpa Mountain God."
The little animals cocked their heads. Hu Xiaocao didn't know whether they understood her; they simply continued watching her in silence.
Seeing that they had no intention of attacking, Hu Xiaocao dragged the woman along and hurried forward.
The animals then disappeared into the grass beside them. They hadn't left, however, and continued observing from the shadows.
They weren't very dangerous individually, but if they all swarmed her at once, they still couldn't be underestimated.
Before long, Hu Xiaocao also saw Ye Qin lying on the stone. Having finally gotten her wish and met the mountain god, she released the rope in her hands and hurriedly turned around.
"Mom, look. This is the mountain god."
However, all Hu Xiaocao saw was the woman's pale face and tightly shut eyes. Her breathing was almost nonexistent, coming in broken intervals. If not for that last breath keeping her alive, she would probably have already departed this world.
Hu Xiaocao's voice was hoarse as she gently shook the woman's body and pleaded, "Mom, open your eyes and look."
The woman's breathing grew weaker and more hurried. Once she could no longer draw that final breath, it would be the moment she died.
Hu Xiaocao had no time to wipe away her tears. She could only hurry over to Ye Qin and kowtow,