Someone began entering data into the computer and building a model. Before long, someone cried out in surprise:
“Over the past three years, the drowning rate along this section of the Yangtze River basin really has been significantly higher than before! Plus, news reports about 'water monster attacks,' 'giant water monsters,' and the 'Yangtze River Monster' have gradually increased as well!”
“So its actual hunting grounds must lie outside Stone River, but for some reason, this time it suddenly chose Mulian Village near its lair.”
This colossal creature had been hiding in Mulian Lake for nearly three years!
Zhang Jin felt as if all the clues in her mind were connecting into a new picture:
“Earlier, we were wondering whether the anomalies in Mulian Village came first or the toxic miasma. Now it seems very likely that some unknown change occurred around the Mulian Village scenic area, which provoked the water monster and forced it to hunt outside its lair.”
But what was this change?
That remained unknown.
Yet if not for this sudden incident, this colossal creature might have stayed hidden in Mulian Lake forever—just as Ma Lanhua had said, for years, decades, or even centuries longer.
—By then, that thing wouldn't be something a few torpedoes could easily handle.
Wait.
If the orange trees of the Shi family in Mulian Village were blooming and bearing fruit repeatedly because of this wondrous change...
Could this change actually be positive?
Besides the strange fish, were the animals in the mountains affected as well?
“Apply to higher-ups for recent satellite maps of the area around Mulian Village scenic site! Ideally a comparison map over the past few years!”
Zhang Jin's breathing hitched.
Almost at the exact same moment, Zhuang Sinan raised his head:
“Director Zhang, I believe there might be a spiritual pulse or something rich in spiritual energy nearby. That's why the water monster couldn't wait any longer and came ashore to target the villagers—”
Another flurry of activity ensued.
The command room remained lit throughout the night. No one noticed that the white fog, which had risen outside the tent at some unknown point, quietly dispersed.
As if it had never existed.
...
...
On the fifth day.
Broad daylight broke.
Military heavy trucks rolled into the camp. Blue-and-white cordon tape encircled the lake at a radius of over ten meters. Heavy cranes drove in slowly, while field surveyors in camouflage green gestured:
“Back it up, back it up, back it up...”
The military took this mission with utmost seriousness. The officer in charge of taking over was a remarkably young Colonel. Wearing a crisp olive-green military uniform with neat, ear-length short hair, her name was simple and direct:
Yu Lan.
“Director Zhang, my unit has received two objectives: First, ensure the physical safety of the fifteen missing persons. Second, capture the lakebed monster fish alive with minimal losses. To protect the life and property of the people, my unit is authorized to open fire if necessary.”
After brief pleasantries, she outlined the deployment plan:
“I reviewed all the data on the way here. The underwater conditions are complex, and sending divers down carries too high a risk, so we must control the lakebed monster fish first.
Our proposed operational plan is as follows: First, use radar to pinpoint the monster fish's location. Then, entice it with live cattle and sheep, using torpedoes to drive it toward the middle section of Stone River.
We will lock down the upstream area of Stone River in advance. Once the monster fish enters the designated river section, we will use giant harpoons, spears, darts, or similar tools via shooting or throwing to inject anesthetics into its body, aiming for a live capture. Finally, we will send divers down to rescue the people.”
“Similar to whaling operations abroad?”
Zhang Jin pondered for a moment, picturing the scenario in her mind, and could not help but frown:
“I'm sorry, but we don't know much about the monster fish and cannot provide more information. Currently, we only know that it can produce a certain toxic gas that maximizes the fear deep within human hearts.
In the words of the experts from the Jingbei guidance team, it's something similar to Buddhist 'karmic hindrance.' Furthermore, this fish has likely survived in Mulian Lake for several centuries, and over the past three years, it began hunting humans to feed on human souls.
So, please be extremely careful.”
“Understood.”
Yu Lan nodded knowingly. She did not comment on the new terms mentioned by Zhang Jin, merely giving a cold laugh toward the lake surface:
“Although my mission is live capture, if lives or property are threatened, I am authorized to open fire. Don't worry, we have plenty of ammunition. If one shell can't solve it, two will.
I also brought newly developed munitions that won't leave a single splinter of bone behind once exploded. It might just make sample collection a bit more troublesome.”
Within range, no matter what kind of monster or ghost it was, as long as it had a physical form, truth lay firmly in their hands!
Zhang Jin: “...”
Should she remind her that there were still living people at the bottom of the lake who couldn't survive an artillery barrage?
Should she say 'as expected of a soldier'? Her methods were aggressive indeed.
...
The satellite maps requested by Zhang Jin were quickly brought to the operations table, categorized by year, month, and day. Under ultra-high resolution, everyone noticed something wrong without even needing explicit markers.
“Qingmeng Mountain... Where is this section? Why has it been constantly obscured by clouds and mist?”
“It should be the Huyue Gorge area. Half a month ago, a white fog began blanketing this region continuously. Why do I feel like this fog is somewhat similar to the miasma produced by the monster fish at the bottom of the lake—”
“The weather station specifically tested it. This fog is just ordinary mountain mist—aside from its inability to disperse, it's harmless to the human body.”
“There's a century-old monster fish in the water, but surely there can't be mountain spirits and wild monsters in the peaks too? What on earth happened to Mulian Village? Swimming in the water, running in the mountains—even the orange trees behind people's houses have turned into spirits!”
“What's going on? The flowers, plants, and trees around the perimeter of this mountain mist seem to grow unusually well. Look, they're a shade greener than anywhere else.”
As the group voiced their opinions, Zhang Jin looked around. Seeing no sign of Zhuang Sinan, she turned her gaze toward Ma Lanhua. The latter stretched, yawned, and said:
“He said staying here wouldn't help with catching catfish anyway, so he went off with the olive-greens to launch a drone.”
A drone?
Hopefully, it would uncover the cause of the anomaly in the Mulian Lake scenic area.
Zhang Jin shook her head and continued confirming the details of the operational plan with Yu Lan.
—Every minute delayed could cost another citizen their life.
...
Huyue Gorge got its name from a precipitous canyon. Legend had it that the gorge was so extraordinarily treacherous that only the king of beasts could leap across it, thus earning the name "Tiger's Leap."
Outside the mountain, autumn colors were already visible, but inside the gorge, lush greenery met the eye everywhere in deep, vibrant blue-greens. Withered vines wrapped around ancient pines as they climbed up the rock face, appearing all the more vigorous.
Elegant old trees rooted before hollows, their pine needles distinct and sharp, their tips brushed with a touch of dark hue, resembling splashed ink in a landscape painting.
Clouds and mist coiled above, making everything hazy and obscure. Yet one could hear faint bird calls, clear springs flowing over rocks, and long howls of apes. Orchids encircled the gorge, and moss grew everywhere along the cliff walls.
The drone that strayed into this realm was as abruptly out of place as a flaw on fine jade.
“It's too beautiful. Spiritual energy radiating outward and nourishing heaven and earth—a superb, tranquil place for cultivation. If other practitioners found this place, eighty percent of them would fight tooth and nail over it.”
Staring at the feed sent back by the drone, Zhuang Sinan couldn't help muttering to himself, “Wait, did the fog disperse a bit?”
Earlier, the fog had been as thick as milk, threads of cloud visible to the naked eye as if tangible to the touch. Now, however, it had grown noticeably thinner.
Had some change occurred?
“It seems so.”
Staring at the screen, the operator was completely entranced, though he remembered to answer:
“Just now, the fog was too heavy and the magnetic field was chaotic, so we couldn't fly at all. Luckily, the fog cleared up a bit, allowing us to get somewhat closer and capture some footage.”
“Can you get any closer?”
Zhuang Sinan pointed at a spot and said, “Is there something over there?”
It was a sleek, agile leopard. Judging by its size, it was an adult.
Carrying a dead deer in its mouth, it slowly approached a cave entrance. Respectfully dropping the prey from its mouth, it lowered its head to the ground and crawled backward to leave.
Nearby, three black bears of varying sizes walked through the flowering bushes. Once the leopard departed, they immediately followed, placing massive honeycomb painstakingly harvested at the cave entrance.
Atop a tree stood a golden-feathered falcon, perched quietly on a branch. A pair of sharp, keen eyes scanned the surroundings, its massive, pointed beak gleaming with a cold glint.
In its beak, it held a rabbit that had long breathed its last.
A grey-furred alpha wolf led a pack, weaving through the forest with soft movements. Stealthily creeping toward the cave, it bared its teeth at any small beasts attempting to draw near, low growls rumbling in its throat:
“Wuuu... Rrrr...”
The commotion quickly ceased.
A giant python coiled around a pine tree, its dark grey eyes staring intently at the spot. Flicking its red tongue slightly, it spat out a handful of jade-green herbs.
—All these giant predators gathered together, yet none interfered with the others. It was as though they had all agreed, making a pilgrimage to face this wonderland-like cave entrance.
“What in the world? This is bizarre! So many animals are acting like humans, taking turns to bring offerings here!”
The operator couldn't help drawing a sharp breath as he steered the drone closer to get a clearer view. Zhuang Sinan also held his breath.
Finally.
The mist outside the cave slowly dissipated completely. All the beasts froze, respectfully lowering their heads in an attitude of submission.
As the fog at the cave entrance gradually thinned, a tall silhouette emerged outside the cave.
It was a giantess with beast ears and a human body, boasting snow-white skin and black hair.
She was completely naked, yet her presence inspired not the slightest hint of profane thought. Standing upright at nearly two meters tall, a thick white tail curled proudly from below her spine.
The beasts outside the cave shuddered uncontrollably, yet not a single animal chose to flee.
Absolute majesty, absolute obedience.
Looking down upon the world, the master of all beasts.
The distinctively featured white tiger woman suddenly raised her head, staring expressionlessly at the drone in midair. An overwhelming pressure crashed over them like an ocean wave—
Golden, sharp—a signal belonging to a wild beast displayed plainly and nakedly.
It was the gaze of a predator.
No one doubted whether, in the very next second, she would pounce without hesitation and tear everyone's throat open with her sharp claws.
Everyone who witnessed this scene froze in place, numb all over, taking every ounce of strength not to cry out in terror:
“!”
“!”
“!!”
Zhuang Sinan felt it most intensely. That gaze seemed to pierce through the screen straight into his soul. He felt his spirit platform wobble and his mind buzz noisily. Reaching under his nose, his hand came away covered in blood.
He let out a bitter laugh:
It seemed he had found the reason behind the anomaly.
But whatever that thing was, it was definitely not a tiger!
Rate on N.U.
