The four of them wasted no more time. Once they had gathered their things, they descended the slope and continued southeast.
After nearly another hour in the mountains, Zhang Yan stopped first. He looked ahead and said, "Going by the map we saw earlier, this should be about the place."
Deng Qing followed his gaze. Among the hills ahead stood a peculiar peak, with one side jutting out near the top. From a distance, it looked like someone raising a hand in greeting.
It was Wave-Hand Mountain, marked on the map at the Merit Office.
The search area the bearded man had assigned them really was here.
Chen Kong said, "Brother Zhang, activate the Image Recording Needle. Let's get started."
Zhang Yan touched the needle on his chest. "It only works for a limited time each time it's activated. I think we should scout around first.
"Wave-Hand Mountain is right ahead anyway. As long as we record it, we'll have proof we came here."
Chen Kong nodded.
Song Que clapped Chen Kong on the shoulder and grinned. "Senior Brother Chen, time to show us what you can do. Didn't your Ghost Familiar smell that half-drop of Wasteland Blood? Have it search. It'll do better than the four of us stumbling around blind."
Chen Kong took out a bell and gave it a gentle shake.
With a chime, a mass of shadow sprang out. The air around them chilled.
Chen Kong shook the bell twice more. The shadow slipped into the woods ahead and vanished.
The four waited where they stood.
Suddenly, leaves and branches stirred ahead, and the shadow flew back.
It circled Chen Kong once, hung motionless, then took the shape of a finger pointing south.
Everyone brightened.
They hurried in the direction the Ghost Familiar indicated. The mountain