My girlfriend is a Miao demon.

Nomads Go on a Party (South Wind's QQ name) 2012.01.01 00:01

"Climbing Shounan Mountain on Christmas Eve was her idea. I initially disagreed, thinking that climbing wild mountains at night in winter was dangerous, and she also insisted on rejecting my plan to camp in the mountains, even disagreeing with me bringing camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags. Looking back now, she probably really had other plans."

Shounan Mountain, located in the southern suburbs of Wangshan City, is the city's natural oxygen bar. Our city is called Wangshan City, and the name "Wangshan" means to look out over Shounan Mountain.

Long before the advent of the modern industrial age, the people living in Wangshan were not as fortunate as they are today. China is located on the eastern coast of the continent in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, every summer, the southeast monsoon brings warm and humid air currents from the Pacific Ocean to the inland areas, which nurtured the ancient agricultural civilization of China.

Xunzi said, "Accumulated soil forms a mountain, from which wind and rain arise." However, the boundless blessings brought by high mountains are only for the southern slopes of the mountains. Cities like Wangshan City, located at the foot of the northern slope of a high mountain, have always been forbidden places in feng shui.

In summer, the mountains south of the city block the rains and warm currents from the Pacific Ocean, making the land south of the mountains fertile and the land north of the mountains barren. But when winter comes, the mountains south of the city block the cold currents from Siberia, making the land north of the mountains icy and snowy, while keeping the land south of the mountains warm and spring-like.

For thousands of years, the people living at the foot of the northern slope of Shounan Mountain have always faced the barren land and sighed towards Shounan Mountain. The city of Wangshan got its name from this.

Shounan Mountain stretches for over a hundred miles, with its central section consisting of towering, steep cliffs that are rarely visited and difficult to climb. Therefore, although it occupies more than half of the land area of ​​Wangshan City, for ordinary people, this mountain, which can be seen by simply looking up, has never lost its veil of mystery.

When Xiang Nanfeng was still in middle school, whenever he was feeling down, he would go for a walk alone on Shounan Mountain. His footprints can be found on several mountain peaks near the city.

Standing atop the mountain, gazing north at the ever-changing city and overlooking the prosperity of civilization, but if you wish to look back, look south. In the vast mountains, the boundless sky, and the endless natural world, all the troubles of growing up will seem as insignificant as a speck of dust in the deep mountains.

Xiang Nanfeng often recalls that time when he didn't know his background or whether he truly belonged to the city, but he felt that he belonged to that mountain, where there would always be a place that belonged to him.

"Luyao, do you know? Back then, time always seemed so long, and there was never any smog in the sky. It was always so clear. I remember one year during a spring outing, when I was still in junior high school—oh, no, it wasn't a spring outing, it was summer vacation! The teachers at the orphanage organized an outdoor trip for all of us brothers and sisters."

"Are you also here to climb Shounan Mountain?"

"Yes! Back then, there were so many of us, at most more than 80 people! Imagine, more than 80 people, and on this one narrow path, more than 80 people lined up in a long, winding line. Sometimes, when we came to a small hill, the people at the front of the line were already halfway up the hill, while the people at the back of the line had probably not even started climbing yet."

"So, are you in front or behind?"

"Pretty forward. It's not like you can just put them wherever you want; it's basically based on age. Older people climb the ranks faster, so they're placed at the front."

"I was in junior high school at the time, so I was a bit older."

"By the way, there's a big, flat rock on this mountain. Someone carved words on it. Later, we also carved our names and dates on it as souvenirs. After more than 80 of us finished carving, you can see that the rock was completely covered. People who came later had to find other rocks to carve on."

"Haha. That's hilarious. You can still find the stone, and the writing is still there?"

"We'll definitely find the stone, and the inscription will definitely still be there. Back then, my brothers and I promised to come back when we grew up. A couple of years ago, we started using QQ groups, and many people gradually joined. Although we've never organized a large gathering of over 80 people, we often have small gatherings. I think I even participated in one in 2008, when we came to climb Shounan Mountain. We found the stone inscription from back then and engraved the new date after our names. Then we also had everyone else's names traced and engraved again."

"At that time, I saw that some people already had new dates after their names, so there must have been more people coming over. The characters must still be there, and I guess when they saw them later, they would trace our names again."

"So, we'll see that big rock you mentioned later?"

"I don't know. But I doubt it. You led me this way, and I've never walked this path before. These mountains are so big, I don't think we can make it to the top. By the way, Luyao, you led us down this path, so you need to know it! Don't turn back and get stuck; that's no joke!"

"Don't worry, there's only one road leading into the mountains from Loujia Village, there are no forks in the road, I take this road all the time."

This was a new route, and Xiang Nanfeng had specifically researched some mountain climbing guides beforehand, especially routes for winter hiking and night climbing. However, Gui Luyao rejected all those plans for various reasons. She insisted on going into the mountains on Christmas Eve, and insisted on taking the route behind Loujia Village.

That afternoon, Xiang Nanfeng went to Gui Luyao's house to pick her up. Before leaving, they had dinner at Grandpa Hexiao's snack shop. After dinner, Luyao even watched TV for more than ten minutes in the snack shop. It wasn't until about 6 p.m. that they took a side road from the west side of the unnamed alley at the end of Loujia Village South Road and walked onto the mountain path.

"How did you find such a secluded path?"

Xiang Nanfeng asked Luyao, but at that moment, she only smiled and remained silent. The two walked less than twenty meters out of the alley. The hustle and bustle of the world was still incessant, but the lights of Loujia Village were quickly swallowed up by the night of Shounan Mountain.

Xiang Nanfeng felt excited, but this excitement stemmed more from the pressure of nature. This made him admire Luyao even more; he had never imagined that beneath her delicate appearance lay such extraordinary courage, surpassing even that of men.

Heading south from Loujia Village, the road is a steep, straight slope that climbs rapidly but is fortunately not difficult to traverse.

There was indeed a path leading into the mountains, and just as Luyao had said, there were no forks in the road. Xiang Nanfeng held Luyao's hand and walked ahead. Because the altitude increased rapidly, the path was well-preserved and accurate, and since the two of them had only just begun their actual climb and were in excellent physical condition, they barely had time to talk while walking this section of the path.

About half an hour later, as their strength waned and the terrain on either side noticeably rose, they slowed their pace again. By then, their headlamps were being used solely for lighting the way, and Xiang Nanfeng, relying only on the extremely faint starlight of the night, vaguely sensed that the surrounding vegetation was becoming sparser and shorter, and the wind was picking up. He stopped and looked up:

"Nanfeng, look, that tall mountain in front of us is called Penholder Mountain. Look, its shape is like a penholder."

Luyao draped her arm over his shoulder, and following the direction of her finger, the curve where the sky and earth met turned into a horizontal wave. The sky was faintly bright, and the mountains were pitch black. Sure enough, a tall mountain shaped like a pen holder blocked their way within a hundred feet ahead.

"Hey, it really is. The mountain peaks on both sides are exactly the same height, and their shapes are quite symmetrical. Where does this path we're on lead? Do we need to climb to the top?"

"There are paths to the summit, on both sides, but they're too steep and the wind is incredibly strong, making it impossible to climb at night. When we see a fork in the road, we'll take the right one first, then the left. Basically, we just keep going straight and pass through the valley between these two mountains. Once we've passed through, we'll officially be in the mountains."

"Hey, you really know this place! It's windy, move closer to me."

"Okay. Let's go!"

After setting off again, the two climbed less than 100 meters before reaching the mountainside of the eastern peak of Bijia Mountain.

Sure enough, there was a fork in the road. According to Luyao, if you walk a few dozen meters to the left, you will reach a winding path leading to the summit. The wind is strong and the rocks are dangerous. The two of them took the right path and quickly entered a pleasant, flat road. They chatted and laughed for more than ten minutes and before they knew it, they were standing on the ridge between the two peaks of Bijia Mountain.

At that time, the vast night sky hung low like a fur coat, and this shallow mountain ridge seemed to be the boundary between the world of man and nature. Looking north towards the city that never sleeps, the neon lights of the city, the river of lights from the traffic, and the Christmas light show of the skyscrapers gave the tiny wanderer of the universe the excitement and courage to embrace nature. But once you cross this shallow mountain ridge, the industrial civilization behind it suddenly turns into an insignificant halo, and in less than three steps it is devoured by the greedy night sky.

The cloudless night fell at the edge of the vast mountains, towards the belly of Shounan Mountain.

Luyao didn't want to look at the scenery from the ridge, but since they had walked on flat ground for more than ten minutes and their strength had recovered, the two of them didn't stop on the ridge and continued south. Headlamps and walking sticks, each with two constantly burning light sources on their bodies, these hundred or so LED beads formed four white beams of light, barely illuminating the small patch of mountain path under their feet and in front of them.

Xiang Nanfeng sensed that the section beyond the ridge was a winding, rugged path, gradually descending in elevation, clearly indicating they had entered a valley between the two northern peaks of Bijia Mountain. This section was difficult to traverse, but fortunately, their steps were light. Their hands, which had been clasped together, quietly separated, though Nanfeng remained in front and Luyao behind, the distance between them not diminishing despite the parting.

After an unknown amount of time, the mountain path in the valley split into three, indicating that they had entered the valley floor. One path led straight ahead, while the other two led east and west, respectively. The path leading forward showed signs of rising in elevation within the light, clearly another uphill path. The remaining two paths continued to meander through the valley floor, leading to other unknown mountain ranges and ravines within the mountain's interior.

"Which way, Miss?" Xiang Nanfeng stopped and looked around, trying to find a flat rock for Luyao to rest on. "Why don't you rest your feet here?"

"No rest, no rest. It'll get cold if we stop."

Gui Luyao answered, but her feet never stopped. As she spoke, she had already overtaken Xiang Nanfeng from behind, stepped onto the middle path, and become the guide between the two.

In the depths of winter at Shounan Mountain, all things are weary and withered. Although the temperature in Wangshan City is not actually bitterly cold, and the deep mountains at night are by no means a land of ice and snow, the cold wind rustles through the fallen leaves, and the desolate sound echoes in the dark and unknown valley. This scene is enough to make one shiver.

The young couple, no longer having time for words, traversed three or four mountains, the terrain undulating and unpredictable. Because it was nighttime and there was little light, their limited attention and the lights focused on the path just a few meters ahead, causing their sense of direction and ability to judge their surroundings to gradually diminish.

Xiang Nanfeng only remembered from his senses that the two of them sometimes walked into valleys and sometimes walked up mountain ridges, and for a long time they were trekking, but they never climbed to the peak.

And so, relying solely on Gui Luyao leading the way, the two walked for a long time without realizing that the mountain path beneath their feet was becoming increasingly blurred. By the time they realized it, the path had long since disappeared from somewhere.

"We can't go any further! We can't go any further!" Xiang Nanfeng muttered repeatedly from behind. "We really can't go any further, Luyao! Do you even know the way? There's no road left. I don't think we can ever get back!"

"How could that be? Didn't you bring a compass? Besides, it's better if we can't go back. I didn't plan to go back the way we came. Didn't we bring a lot of food? After it gets light, we'll watch the sunrise and then head north. Anyway, no matter which way we go, as long as we head north, we'll eventually get back to the city."

"Goodness, that's true, but... I only realized today how incredibly brave you are! You're amazing, a true heroine!"

"Isn't this what you're here for? Don't tell me you're scared first!"

"Me? How could that be! When I was interning, I spent a month in the primeval forests of the south with a wilderness survival film crew. Shounan Mountain is nothing compared to that. The vegetation coverage there is much higher; two people five meters apart might be completely hidden by trees. Besides, there are snakes there. Here in Shounan Mountain, at least there are no snakes in winter, and no large wild animals either, so it's much safer."

"And then? Did they get lost and become wild men?"

"That's right! I also found a female savage, and after we slept together, she gave birth to three little savages. Our film crew had more than twenty people, and each of us married a female savage, and each of us had three little savages. Isn't that amazing!"

"That's amazing. Where did you film that program? Will it air?"

"It would be amazing if it could be broadcast."

Being young lovers in the throes of passion, the two laughed and joked, forgetting where they were. The tense atmosphere vanished, and Gui Luyao continued to lead the way. The so-called path was barely there, mostly stones with few trees, and it was the season of withered grass. Using her cane to part the fallen, dry grass and shrubs, she made sure she could walk.

As we continued ascending and descending, shifting left and right, the lights on our trekking poles cast narrow, blinding beams of light, suddenly projecting two round windows, each about half a meter in diameter, onto the dark mountainside opposite us.

There are mountains ahead.

Xiang Nanfeng raised his head, and the beam of his headlamp moved towards the round window on the opposite mountainside, making the hazy mountainside clearer. Beneath the white light, a dazzling white shone in the darkness. What was that? It was still hard to see clearly. Luyao, walking ahead, also stopped, and all four beams of light shone towards it:

On the mountainside opposite, a white stone wall with an irregular shape but an extremely smooth surface came into view.

"What's that? It's so smooth! Look, Luyao, that over there looks like a stone tablet!"

"Yes, it really is!" Gui Luyao's voice changed from calm to cheerful, and it was clear that she was excited. Xiang Nanfeng thought that she must have remembered the story he had told her earlier about carving a message as a souvenir during the orphanage's spring outing, and that's why she said so happily, "Great! Great! Let's go over there and carve a message too!"

"Should we go over there? The mountain we're standing on seems to run from northeast to southwest, not due south or north. To get over there, we'll have to find a way down into the ditch first, and then feel our way across. That's not a short distance! Besides, it's so dark. If we take a long detour, we might not be able to find our way back."

"Trust me, you'll find it! You definitely will!"

Luyao was right. The two stumbled and staggered along the ridge under their feet for a short distance before finding a strip of gravel that appeared to be formed by years of weathering among the bushes. Xiang Nanfeng led the way, with Luyao following behind. The two crouched and sat low, and soon slid to the bottom of the valley.

In the valley below, tall trees grew densely, making it impossible to see the stone tablet from before. Xiang Nanfeng had long since given up hope, simply resigning himself to fate by randomly finding a few easy-to-climb rocks and using both hands and feet. He would then detour around steep slopes and climb gentler ones. But who knew that after winding his way through several pines and cypresses, the view suddenly opened up before him:

Mao Xigu Master 2012.01.01 00:22

"You found that stone wall? But even if you saw a stone wall that looks like a stele, what's wrong with that?"

Nomads Go on a Party 2012.01.01 00:23

"No, it doesn't look like a stone tablet. At first, I also thought it just looked like a stone tablet, but I'm sure it was a stone tablet! If we hadn't gone to look for that stone tablet, none of this would have happened, and Luyao wouldn't have been in trouble."

Mao Xigu Master 2012.01.01 00:23

"But what does this have to do with a stone tablet? Even if it is a stone tablet, so what?"

Nomads Go on a Party 2012.01.01 00:24

"How could anyone erect a monument in the belly of Shounan Mountain, in such a place!"

Mao Xigu Master 2012.01.01 00:24

"So you mean...that stone tablet?"

Mao Xigu Master 2012.01.01 00:24

"No, where exactly did she have the accident? Where was the last place you saw her?"

Nomads Go on a Party 2012.01.01 00:25

"I think that place must be an ancient tomb, and that stone tablet is probably a tombstone..."