Chapter 046: Visiting the Old House in the Mountains

After Yang Tianshu lied to his parents and left home, he never returned. With no other options, the couple decided to call the police.

When the investigator arrived, he forced open the door and began searching the house. In Yang Tianshu’s desk, he discovered a diary, which contained detailed accounts of the bizarre events involving Wu Liangjin and his peculiar method of burying children to make them taller.

It was only then that Yang Tianshu’s parents finally understood the full story.

Li Tianque listened intently to their account and found the whole affair truly strange. After leaving Wu Liangjin, Yang Tianshu took all the pocket money he had saved over the years, and even stole his mother’s jewelry box. He handed all this to Wu Liangjin, begging him to bury him in the mountain hollow of Gashi Mountain in hopes of growing taller.

He lied to his parents, claiming he was going camping with classmates, and of course, didn’t mention Gashi Mountain as his destination.

Normally, Yang Tianshu was an obedient and sensible child who never caused trouble. His parents, trusting as always, thought nothing of it and assumed he had simply gone out to play with friends.

But when Yang Tianshu did not return home, and after they read his diary following the police report, they panicked, frantically searching for their son.

By the time they reached Gashi Mountain, unexpectedly, a landslide had just occurred. The site was sealed off, and no one was allowed to enter.

The couple wept bitterly, utterly devastated.

Their emotions were so unstable and difficult to console, and since the case involved some supernatural elements, it was transferred to Lu Mou for proper handling.

Now, as the couple finished recounting everything, tears streamed down their faces and their voices were hoarse with grief.

Yang Tianshu’s mother clutched Li Tianque’s hand tightly, pleading desperately, “Comrade Investigator… please, I beg you, you must save my child! He’s such a good boy—excellent in character and studies, obedient and thoughtful. He shouldn’t be harmed like this. Please, you must save him…”

Li Tianque felt as though his hand would be pulled off, but he was deeply sympathetic toward the parents and had no choice but to give a reluctant promise: “Auntie, don’t worry. We will do everything in our power to investigate and find a way to bring your child back!”

Yet the couple, clearly shaken by the sudden calamity, still wouldn’t let go of Li Tianque, clinging to him and muttering incoherently through their tears.

It was only after both Duan Xiaoyu and Wu Miaoran took turns persuading them that Li Tianque was finally able to extricate himself. The three of them hurriedly left the hotel.

Once outside, Wu Miaoran, panting and with a lollipop in her mouth, said, “From the looks of it, this kid’s chances of survival seem slim…”

Duan Xiaoyu immediately refuted her guess, “Not necessarily. Based on the information we have, if this is truly an insect-related incident, this core parasite is likely a symbiont, and has probably resided in the mountain for a long time. If what that mountain taster said is true, and he’s buried many children in the mountain before and they all came out safe, then there’s no reason for something to happen to this one suddenly.”

“Huh? What kind of logic is that? That’s like saying just because a road hasn’t had a traffic accident in two or three years, it’ll never have one,” Wu Miaoran countered.

“Don’t twist my words. What I mean is, this parasitic core insect rarely leaves its host, so it should always be in the mountain. Moreover, if it can help these kids grow taller, it’s probably doing so as part of some exchange—maybe to absorb energy or something. The mountain taster acts as its intermediary, drawing energy for the parasite, which helps the children grow, and in return, the taster gets paid. So, if the core insect wants to keep absorbing energy, it won’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,” Duan Xiaoyu explained.

“Let’s stop guessing in the dark. Once we get to the mountain and track down the radioactive traces left behind, we’ll know exactly what we’re dealing with!” Wu Miaoran said.

Li Tianque paused in surprise. “What? We’re heading up the mountain? Isn’t it already sealed off?”

“Of course! Why else are we here? Are you stupid?” Wu Miaoran scoffed.

Scratching his head, Li Tianque felt reluctant, but he had no way out now—especially since he’d already been paid in advance—so he could only push forward.

The new guy, what’s your take on this?” Duan Xiaoyu suddenly asked.

Li Tianque, distracted, replied as they walked, “My take? Well… I think this is seriously weird…”

“Asking him is pointless. Before we head up the mountain, let’s check out this Big Tongue’s therapy shop and film a review video while we’re at it!” Wu Miaoran said.

So, after leaving the hotel, the three drove to Sanniang Temple Village in Tiepishan Town.

Tiepishan Town was extremely remote. Years ago, because it was close to a provincial highway, its red-light district business flourished for a while. But with the advent of the expressway and a crackdown on illicit trades, the town gradually declined. The whole area was impoverished, and Sanniang Temple Village was even more dilapidated.

Fortunately, thanks to government support, construction of a new road had begun, but because of ongoing work, the route was rough and difficult. Their car jolted violently along the way, and heavy trucks carrying gravel and asphalt frequently passed by.

On those narrow paths, big and small vehicles passed each other with heart-stopping closeness.

By the time they reached Wu Liangjin’s old house at the foot of the mountain, their car was nearly stuck in mud. In its current state, even a car wash wouldn’t accept two hundred yuan to clean it.

Wu Miaoran climbed out of the driver’s seat, pulled on boots, changed into a practical windbreaker, and began having Duan Xiaoyu film her.

She adjusted her angle, smiled at the camera, and began her introduction:

“There are countless shop review videos out there, but the best are always from Miaoran! Dear fans, it’s been a while. With advances in technology and healthcare, many difficult conditions can now be treated, and people’s quality of life has improved greatly.

“Of course, as life improves, people seek more than just health—they want perfect bodies as well. For flaws in appearance and physique, many hope to turn to cutting-edge solutions.

“So, numerous cosmetic surgery clinics, weight loss camps, and therapy houses have sprung up. But among all these places promising to improve your looks and figure, it’s rare to find a shop that can make you taller. The reason is simple: height is influenced by many factors, especially genetics. Even the wealthiest heirs can hardly buy more height.

“But the world is full of wonders, and today Miaoran will show you an incredible place—a mysterious therapy shop that claims to help people grow taller!”

After recording her opening, Wu Miaoran played it back, found no issues, and continued.

She walked backward toward the ramshackle hut, narrating as she went:

“We’re currently in a village in Tiepishan Town, where there’s a Master Wu said to have the power to make people taller. And no, don’t get it twisted—though many fans know my surname is also Wu, this Master Wu is no relation of mine, and this is definitely not a paid promotion.

“Rumor has it Master Wu’s techniques are extraordinary, and he’s helped many people increase their height. However, because his practice is so remote, few know about it.

“We’re now at the door of this shop. Follow our lens as we pay a visit to this legendary master.”

With that, the three continued filming as they trekked through the muddy path toward the little house.

(End of chapter)