The hills of Dragon Mound were not particularly high, but the path was rough. After the rain, the mud was slick and sticky, squelching under their shoes.
The bamboo groves on either side were so dense that no light could get through. When the wind blew, the leaves rustled overhead like someone whispering.
Moontrace jumped down from Yang Wanqing's arms and ran ahead along the muddy path, sniffing here and there, tail wagging like a little fan. After a few steps, Moontrace stopped, looked back at Chen Hao, and let out a cry, as if saying, "Hurry up."
"Moontrace, don't run too far!" Yang Wanqing called from behind.
Moontrace ignored her and ran a little farther, then suddenly stopped. Ears pricked, Moontrace stared deep into the bamboo beside the path and let out a low whimper.
Chen Siyao's heart tightened. "What's wrong with Moontrace?"
Chen Hao glanced in the direction Moontrace was staring. His gaze sharpened slightly, and he walked over, bent down, and picked Moontrace up.
Moontrace quieted in his arms and buried that little head in the crook of his elbow. He handed Moontrace to Yang Wanqing and patted Moontrace's forehead, settling the little creature down.
"Let's go," Chen Hao said.
After another ten minutes or so, the path began winding uphill. Moss covered the stone steps, and the weeds on either side were almost knee-high. Clearly, no one had come this way in a long time.
Chen Siyao looked up the hill. Among the trees halfway up, she could just make out the outline of a building.
"Brother, there's a temple over there." She pointed toward it.
Chen Hao nodded. He had sensed it long ago—not the temple, but what lay beneath it. An indescribable energy rose from underground, pulsing like a heartbeat, heavy and slow.
"Come