"This tree..." Zeng Mu stepped over as well and looked down at the little tree. "There really is something strange about it."
"What exactly is this black smoke? The leaves aren't burning, so why are they giving off thick black smoke shaped like gourds?" Yenaier couldn't make any sense of it or find a single clue. To her, this looked like something that could only happen in a dream.
"If only Lingya were here. With her knowledge, she should be able to figure out something about this strange little tree."
Those words clearly rankled Yenaier. Before she knew it, she blurted out, "Not necessarily. But if Uncle Kiddon were here, he'd probably know where this little tree that gives off black smoke came from."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Going back and forth would be too much trouble. I say we pull this strange little tree out and take it back to the waystation for him to look at. Then we'll know what kind of tree it is."
"Hmm..." After considering it, Zeng Mu nodded. "That makes sense. He goes to bed early, so he's probably just finished his bath. It wouldn't be right to go back and ask him to come out now. Taking the tree straight back would be best."
"Exactly. Let's do it now." As she spoke, Yenaier stepped closer to the little tree and grabbed its trunk.
Zeng Mu also stepped forward and gripped the trunk with both hands. Between the two of them, they had more than enough strength to uproot this little tree with its bowl-sized trunk.
"Three, two, one!"
At the shout, both pulled at once. Veins bulged on Zeng Mu's arms, and Yenaier's brows knitted tightly, yet the little tree didn't budge.
"Put some strength into it! This isn't the time to