Uncanny Valley - Chapter 31
“The High Priest of Sotulan will come to see me. But usually he only comes once every few years.” To make things clear, Xu Xiaowen began to explain her situation in detail. “Perhaps I can call myself an unfortunate child. My mother died in childbirth when she gave birth to my sister and me. When I was three years old, my father also died of illness, leaving my sister and me as orphans.”
Luo Fei didn't speak, but he conveyed his sympathy and care through his eyes. Xu Xiaowen clearly sensed his emotions, and she smiled with relief, continuing, "The former saintess adopted us. In my memory, she was a kind and gentle woman who took care of us like a mother. When we turned six, she decided to choose one of us as her successor."
"I'm sorry, you weren't chosen?" Luo Fei shrugged.
“Regret? No, you’re mistaken, you don’t understand…” Xu Xiaowen looked at Luo Fei solemnly, “It was my sister who took on that suffering on her own initiative.”
“Suffering?” Luo Fei really didn’t understand. The Holy Maiden’s revered status in the Hamo tribe was obvious to all. Could that be a kind of suffering?
“Yes. Although I don’t know what that suffering was, it must have existed.” Xu Xiaowen’s gaze shifted to the window, her thoughts drifting, and she said softly, “Even today, I still remember what happened. It was a night, right here in this room, when the Holy Maiden called us both to her side…”
Luo Fei listened silently. In the tranquil atmosphere, time seemed to rewind to more than ten years ago, and the scene that had happened before was replayed once again:
The saintess was old; faint white hairs could be seen at her temples. Standing before her were two adorable little girls, their eyes sparkling with innocent light; clearly, at that moment, they were unaware of the fate that awaited them.
"Children, you now have a choice." The saintess's gaze held a mixture of affection and helplessness. "I will train one of you to become the future saintess. Which of you is willing?"
The two children didn't answer; they just stared wide-eyed. "Saintess"—what could that mean?
The saintess sighed: "You need to think this through carefully. The chosen one will bear immense suffering, which will accompany you throughout your life and continue to be passed down through your hands."
The children may not fully understand the meaning of these words, but the solemn expression on the saint's face already told them: being chosen would be a bad thing.
Good or bad—this is the simple sense of right and wrong that exists in a child's mind.
“Let me do it, I’m the older sister,” Yakuma said earnestly. Although she was still young, she already knew that an older sister should take care of her younger sister.
The saint smiled with satisfaction, stroking Yakuma's head and praising, "Good child." Then she looked at her younger sister standing beside her and said, "I will try my best to give you the best life to compensate your sister for the sacrifices she made for the people. You never need to return to this village, but I hope you will never forget your sister."
Young Xu Xiaowen looked at the saintess, then at Yakuma, and nodded as if she understood.
...
"So, you left Hamo Village later?" Luo Fei guessed based on Xu Xiaowen's account.
“Yes, High Priest Sotulan brought me to Kunming.” Xu Xiaowen turned her gaze away from the distant night. “There was a scholar there who specialized in the customs of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities and was also a friend of the Hamo people. The High Priest entrusted me to this scholar, and I became their adopted daughter. My adoptive parents treated me very well, and I received a good education and went to university. I lived a very happy life. As I grew older, I began to understand that all of this was because my sister had paid for it with her own suffering. I often missed the village, the Holy Maiden, and my sister, but when the High Priest came to visit me, he always brought a message from the Holy Maiden, telling me not to go back. Until two weeks ago, when he came for the last time, his attitude changed completely.”
"Two weeks ago? So, that was after we went to Kunming?"
Xu Xiaowen nodded: "Yes, it was three days after you left Kunming. The high priest found me. He looked sad and told me that some changes had happened in the village in the past six months and that I needed to go back quickly."
"What exactly did he say?"
“He said that the tribe’s sacred object had been stolen, the demon had broken free of its restraints and was wreaking havoc in the tribe, and had even killed Yakuma.” Xu Xiaowen paused for a moment, then emphasized, “But these are not the most serious things. What’s even more terrifying is that the spiritual pillar of the tribe is being shaken, the village is in a state of panic, and some people have even fled the mountains.”
Luo Fei sighed softly: "So Sotulan needs you to go back and take on the role of the saintess to rekindle the courage of the people to fight against the 'demon'?"
Xu Xiaowen paused for a moment, then asked in return, "Don't you understand? I'm a highly educated person, how could I believe in things like 'demons'?"
Luo Fei didn't answer, but just looked at her curiously. Xu Xiaowen continued, "Actually, I don't believe it. I came back here only because my people need me. My sister has already given her life, and I must do something for my people. Although I don't know what the 'demon' is, I believe that the warriors of the Hamo tribe are brave. As long as their spirit doesn't collapse, even the fiercest enemy will be defeated by them."
When Xu Xiaowen spoke these words, her emotions were sincere and devout, and Luo Fei was moved by her, a hint of approval appearing in his eyes. Then he thought of a question: "You left the village at such a young age, so how much do you know about the legend of the 'demon'?"
“I knew almost nothing before. When I was there, the Holy Maiden never told us anything about ‘holy war’ or ‘demons.’ What I know now is what High Priest Sotulan told me not long ago.” Xu Xiaowen’s answer was somewhat unexpected by Luo Fei. She also explained, “So when the patient in Kunming mentioned ‘uncanny valley’ and ‘demons,’ I didn’t understand what it meant at the time.”
"But he called out the name 'Yakuma'!" Luo Fei asked, somewhat surprised. "Didn't you find that strange at the time?"
Xu Xiaowen shook her head: "I only know my sister's nickname."
Luo Fei felt relieved: That's right, the sisters were only six years old when they were separated, and they usually addressed each other as sisters, so it's normal that they didn't know each other's real names. Then he continued to ask, "How long have you been back in the village?"
Xu Xiaowen did a quick calculation and replied, "This is the eighth day, right? These days, the high priest has been teaching me some of the saintess's rituals, all so that I won't be exposed when I meet my people tonight."
"Your demeanor is indeed quite different from that of the student in Kunming," Luo Fei said with a smile. "But you're still not very confident in yourself, which is why you wear a veil?"
Xu Xiaowen smiled, which was considered an admission of Luo Fei's guess.
However, this relaxed atmosphere was quickly broken by Luo Fei's next question: "Why did you kill Shui Yidi?"
Xu Xiaowen gave a bitter smile: "This was not my wish. I had never even met this person before. It was just that the Anmi chief and the high priest Sotulan told me to do this. They said that it was Shuiyi Di who colluded with a Han Chinese man to steal the sacred object, causing the demon to be reborn. My sister was killed by the demon when she went to the 'Valley of Terror' to retrieve the sacred object."
"The 'Han Chinese man' you just mentioned is the one in the Kunming mental hospital," Luo Fei explained.
"Really?" Xu Xiaowen's eyes widened in surprise. "No wonder he said those things. The so-called 'devil' must be related to him. What exactly did this person do?"
“This is precisely the most crucial issue right now.” Luo Fei tapped the table lightly with his fingers and pondered, “That man has gone mad, and Yakuma is dead, so the only person most likely to know the inside story is Shui Yidi. Fortunately, you failed to kill him today.”
Xu Xiaowen seemed somewhat embarrassed: "Yes, we acted a bit rashly... I was convinced he killed my sister, so I harbored a preconceived hatred. But now, my feelings have changed..."
"Why?" Luo Fei looked at the other person intently.
“I met his gaze on the altar, and I will never forget his eyes, filled with concern and loyalty. I believe that this feeling was genuine and could not be faked. Even after I announced his punishment, that feeling remained unchanged.”
Luo Fei's eyes flickered: "But he later put a knife to your neck."
Xu Xiaowen answered very confidently, "That's because he has already realized that I am not the real Yakuma."
Luo Fei went over the situation in his mind again, and then he nodded: "Yes. He seemed to have mentioned the 'suffering of the Holy Maiden's inheritance,' and you failed to give the correct answer... I'm willing to trust a woman's intuition... In this light, it's unlikely that Shui Yidi wanted to harm your sister."
“So there must be more to my sister’s death, including the loss of the sacred object, than meets the eye.” Xu Xiaowen looked at Luo Fei expectantly. “I hope you can help me unravel the mystery. You have the ability, and you are a trustworthy person.”
Luo Fei's heart skipped a beat. The woman's gaze gave him a peculiar feeling, a feeling he had experienced before in Kunming—a sense of déjà vu and unspoken understanding. Although it was only their second meeting, this woman seemed to know him very well.
"Why?" Luo Fei finally couldn't help but ask, "To your race, I am just an outsider. We have very little contact, so why do you... trust me so much?"
“I know some of your stories.” Xu Xiaowen smiled playfully and proudly. At this moment, she transformed back into that youthful and lively college student. “Although you seem serious, you have a kind heart, and you are good at helping others uncover long-hidden secrets.”
"My story?" Luo Fei was even more confused. "What do you mean?"
“There’s someone you should remember.” Xu Xiaowen opened her eyes wide and then said a name, “Meng Shaohui.”
"Meng Shaohui?" Luo Fei was suddenly taken aback. "You know him?"
“He held an art exhibition in Kunming, and I was moved by his paintings.” Xu Xiaowen raised her hand to support her chin, staring at the flickering flame in the oil lamp, and said softly, “The love and longing revealed in those paintings are unforgettable, for his mother, his younger brother, and his lover. This stirred up my feelings for my hometown, so we talked for a long time, and he told me about your experiences on Mingze Island.”
"Love and longing..." Luo Fei's thoughts were also drawn back. He had also seen Meng Shaohui's paintings, but those paintings only contained sadness and despair.
After a moment, he asked, "Have you ever seen a painting like this? A mother holding a baby and a child standing in endless seawater..."
“I know about that painting, but I haven’t seen it,” Xu Xiaowen replied. “He said he would never open it again.”
Luo Fei smiled with relief, revealing two deep lines at the corners of his mouth: "Then he should be doing very well now."
"He traveled all over the country, holding touring art exhibitions. Of course, the more important purpose of his visits to each city was to find someone. I wonder if he has found him yet?" Xu Xiaowen looked up at Luo Fei with a smile. "Perhaps he should ask you for help again."
Luo Fei's heart skipped a beat, and he avoided the other person's gaze. He knew all too well who Xu Xiaowen was talking about, and he also knew that Meng Shaohui's search would never be fruitful.
Is it better to have no result than a cruel one?
Luo Fei was unwilling to continue, so he coughed lightly and changed the subject: "So now, the key is to find Shui Yi Die."
“And we must find him before Chief Anmi.” Xu Xiaowen’s expression also became serious. “You know, Anmi and his people are determined to kill Shui Yi Die: they believe that Shui Yi Die has betrayed his race, and if he lives, my identity could be exposed at any time.”
Luo Fei stroked his chin, lost in thought for a long time. When he looked up again, his eyes held a newfound composure and confidence.
“Finding Shuiyidi might not be difficult. However…” He looked at Xu Xiaowen, “Can you write Hamo script?”
Yes, I will.
"That's good!" Luo Fei clapped his hands. "I need you to write a note pardoning Shui Yidi."
"Pardon Shui Yidi?" Xu Xiaowen asked hesitantly. "Do I have that authority?"
"Of course!" Luo Fei answered with certainty. "Don't forget, your current identity is not Xu Xiaowen, but the esteemed Saintess Yakuma."
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Imprisonment
It was late at night, and the mountain forest was pitch black. The occasional howls of animals and chirps of insects added to the eerie atmosphere. Luo Fei walked alone on the mountain path leading to the Valley of Terror. Due to his unfamiliarity with the terrain, even with a flashlight, his progress was extremely difficult. The dense and deep jungle, the slippery and winding path, and the mysterious "demon" that might be lurking in the darkness all undoubtedly made this journey full of unpredictable dangers. Luo Fei had to be extremely vigilant, with all his senses—sight, hearing, smell, and taste—working at an extremely high level. Although he was in the cold, dark night, his clothes were already soaked with sweat.
Luo Fei didn't ask anyone else to accompany him because his purpose in this journey was to find Shui Yi Die, who had fled into the mountains. For someone in a desperate situation, his vigilance would undoubtedly be extremely high. In this circumstances, the appearance of any superfluous person could potentially disturb the other party, thereby disrupting Luo Fei's carefully laid plans.
After a difficult journey over mountains and valleys, Luo Fei finally arrived at his destination—the cave where Li Dingguo's tomb was located. He rested for a while at the cave entrance, and after regaining his strength, he turned on his flashlight and carefully stepped into the cave.
The cave was silent, filled with a suffocating atmosphere of death. For over three hundred years, the "demon" Li Dingguo, who struck fear into the hearts of the Hamo people, was buried here, but his cursed soul has never found peace.
Luo Fei shone the beam of light onto the ground, and after a brief search, he made a discovery: the excavated grave pit was still in the same condition as before, without much change. However, on the soft soil around the grave pit, another set of footprints appeared. These footprints were smaller than the "Nike" footprints next to them, and the soles of the shoes did not show any obvious patterns; they were probably the kind of flat cloth shoes commonly worn by the Hamo people.
Luo Fei was overjoyed: Shui Yidi had been here! It seemed his judgment was correct!
...
Six months ago, Li Dingguo's tomb was dug up and his remains were nowhere to be found. This matter had already spread throughout Hamo Village and should be known to everyone.
But why was this pit in front of us only recently dug?
When Luo Fei and Sotulan explored the Valley of Terror, Anmi's two attendants were always by their side, never leaving their side for even a moment. Why were they deliberately left outside the cave when everyone else entered? Could there be some secret hidden in this cave? Sotulan knew this secret, and Dilga, who entered the cave, should also know it, but to keep it from even Anmi's closest confidants suggests that the stakes involved are far from ordinary.
What kind of secret could this be?
Xu Xiaowen, impersonating Yakuma, will inevitably reveal flaws in her daily life, no matter how well she disguises herself. These flaws may fool others, but they will never fool her personal guards. Given this situation, what does it mean that Dilga is suddenly appointed as a new Holy Maiden Guardian?
Six months ago, the Blood Bottle was stolen, Li Dingguo's tomb was dug up, and the "power of the devil" reappeared in the Valley of Terror. Yakuma went to the Valley of Terror to retrieve the Blood Bottle, only to be killed by the "devil." Her death was concealed by Anmi and Sotulan; clearly, Yakuma's body wouldn't be brought back to the mountain stronghold for burial. The most likely scenario is that she will be buried in a safe, undisturbed place nearby.
...
These were the very thoughts Luo Fei had had while pondering in the Saintess's cabin not long ago. Following this line of thought, he easily concluded that the person buried in the cave over the past six months was not Li Dingguo, but the deceased Saintess Yakuma. This secret was likely known only to Anmi, Sotulan, and Dierga within the entire Hamo tribe. This explained their surprise and panic when Sotulan and Dierga saw the tomb unearthed.
Considering the original significance of this cave, we can make further speculations: perhaps Yakuma died in this cave, and something unusual must have happened here half a year ago.
From Shui Yidi's perspective, the first thing he would do after discovering that the Holy Maiden had been impersonated was to search for clues and find the real Yakuma. As one of the most direct parties involved in the incident six months ago, he would never miss such an important location as the cave.
Now, the footprints prove that Shuiyidi was indeed here. Luo Fei squatted down and gently picked up a small clump of soil from the footprints with his fingers. It felt slightly cool to the touch—the water brought in by the cave dweller had not yet dried.
Luo Fei's heart skipped a beat: He hasn't gone far; he should be nearby! In the vast jungle and endless darkness, finding him was obviously impossible. The only way was to get him to come out on his own.
Luo Fei got up and walked out to the open space at the cave entrance. Here stood a platform protruding from the mountain peak; it was on this platform that Li Dingguo had stood, commanding over a hundred battles, large and small. Who could have imagined that, centuries later, this place would once again become a stage for joy and sorrow?
Facing the vast mountains, Luo Fei mustered his strength and suddenly shouted, "Yakuma—"
The shout pierced the silent night, echoing eerily through the rolling valleys for a long time. If anyone was hiding nearby, the sound must have resonated in their ears. Luo Fei took two more steps forward, reaching the edge of the platform. He then held his flashlight upright at his feet, the beam pointing upwards and illuminating his figure. In the darkness, this spot instantly became the most conspicuous place.
Luo Fei spread his arms out to his sides, wanting the entire Terror Valley to see that he was standing alone and unarmed on the edge of the cliff, and that he would be powerless to harm anyone who came at this moment.
A moment later, accompanied by a slight rustling sound, a figure emerged from the bushes near the cave. Luo Fei kicked his flashlight, turning the beam of light around and illuminating the night: the newcomer was none other than Shui Yidi. He held a curved sword in his hand, maintaining an extremely vigilant posture, and walked towards him step by step, his face showing surprise and confusion.
The distance between the two drew closer and closer, and finally Shui Yidi could see Luo Fei's face clearly. He exclaimed in astonishment, "Luo?"
Luo Fei smiled and nodded, raising his hands above his head to indicate that he had no hostile intentions.
Shui Yidi stopped about three steps away from Luo Fei, held his knife horizontally in front of his chest, and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Although Luo Fei couldn't understand the Hamo language, he could easily guess what the other person meant. He didn't say much, but simply uttered the name again softly: "Yakuma".
Shui Yidi focused her gaze on Luo Fei's eyes, her expression full of inquiry.
Luo Fei slowly extended his right hand in front of Shui Yidi. In his palm was a note, which he had instructed Xu Xiaowen to write in Hamo script in the wooden house.
Shui Yidi took the note and was about to glance at it when he suddenly saw Luo Fei move. He became alert and his right hand flashed out like lightning, already at Luo Fei's neck. Luo Fei quickly pointed to the flashlight on the ground. After the other party's hostility subsided slightly, he bent down, picked up the flashlight, and shone the beam of light onto the note.