Chen Hao walked at the front, with Chen Siyao and Yang Wanqing following behind.
Xiao Yue poked her head out of Yang Wanqing's arms and gazed at E Mountain in the distance, her ears standing straight up. She showed neither fear nor agitation, simply watching in silence.
At the foot of the mountain, Cao Shoujun stood beside the cordon, watching Chen Hao's group disappear along the mountain path into the depths of the forest. He remained motionless for a long time.
"Chief Cao, they've gone in," the young team member beside him reminded him quietly.
Cao Shoujun nodded, took a cigarette pack from his pocket, pulled one out, and lit it.
The smoke scattered in the cold wind. He narrowed his eyes at the gray-white outlines of the buildings in the distance and said softly, "Watch the livestream."
The mountain paths on E Mountain were difficult to navigate.
The Special Affairs Bureau had hastily cleared a route. Calling it a path was generous; they had merely cut down the shrubs blocking the way and pried out the protruding rocks, exposing the ground beneath.
Loose stones dug into their feet, the soil was wet and slippery, and branches on either side occasionally brushed their faces.
Chen Hao's steps were as steady as if he were walking on level ground. Chen Siyao followed behind him, holding up her phone and slowly sweeping the camera across the dense woods on either side.
Mist drifted through the forest, turning the distant tree trunks gray-white.
A thick layer of fallen leaves covered the ground, rustling beneath their feet as though something were whispering underfoot.
In the livestream, comments raced across the screen:
[Xiao Ke]: The mist is so thick. This feels like some remote wilderness. I've got goosebumps—it's like a horror movie set.
[No Cilantro]