Chapter 264: The Human Basin

Chapter 264: The Human Basin

Xingxing, being young, couldn't hear clearly and only caught Ruan Shi's excited call of "Yaya."

However, Yamei'er remained slumped on Ruan Shi's shoulder, not waking up.

Xingxing, filled with worry, whispered to Daxisipo, "Grandma Da Xi, why hasn't Yamei'er woken up even though her mother is calling her? Is Yamei'er sick?"

Daxisipo smirked, "Little one, your ears aren't as sharp as mine. That woman wasn't calling for Yamei'er, but for Yaya... However, it is indeed strange that Yamei'er hasn't woken up despite such loud calls."

Xingxing, still concerned, took a few steps forward.

Daxisipo and Huai Geer also moved forward a few steps, finding a hidden spot to continue observing.

The door of the dilapidated house creaked open, revealing a pale, extremely thin girl who had just called out "Mother." Ruan Shi immediately urged with concern, "Yaya, you're not well, don't stand here for long, go back and lie down."

The girl obediently responded but then started coughing violently. Ruan Shi, frantic with worry, quickly embraced the girl and took her inside.

The door closed, and Xingxing grew anxious, wondering what was wrong with Yamei'er.

Huai Geer took a careful look at the small house.

The house was clearly used by hunters for occasional stays during deep mountain hunts, not very large, with windows built slightly higher to protect against wild animals.

Huai Geer found a suitable spot, picked up Xingxing, and quietly approached the window.

The window, freshly papered, blocked their view but let them hear what was happening inside.

Anyone near the window could feel a slight warmth, indicating that the house was well-heated with charcoal.

Daxisipo pursed her lips and slowly followed.

Xingxing was so anxious that she almost pressed her little ear against the window.

From inside came another bout of severe coughing.

Ruan Shi gently patted the girl's back, and after a while, the girl recovered.

"Here, Yaya, drink some warm water," Ruan Shi spoke softly and slowly, as if afraid of startling the girl.

Xingxing, eavesdropping, felt somewhat dazed.

She used to treat Yaya the same way...

The girl named Yaya, her voice hoarse from coughing, asked, "Mother, how much longer do I have to wait?"

Ruan Shi's voice remained gentle, yet with an inexplicable eeriness, "My dear, just today, you won't have to wait anymore—after today, you won't have to worry about illness anymore, you'll have a perfectly healthy body..."

The girl named Yaya was clearly delighted, "Really, Mother? I've waited so long..."

But before she could finish, she started coughing violently again.

Ruan Shi continued to soothe her softly.

Xingxing and Huai Geer were puzzled, but Daxisipo sensed something was off.

She frowned, listening closely, hoping to catch more clues.

"...Later, we'll go to the altar in the mountains, can you hold on?" Ruan Shi asked worriedly.

The girl named Yaya laughed hoarsely, "Mother, after father passed away, grandfather and grandmother first drove you out of the house, intending to sell me off as a child bride. Seeing that I was seriously ill, they also drove me out. You brought me to live in this mountain cabin, bringing me food every day... I have endured all this, what else could I not endure?"

Ruan's voice was choked with sobs, "My dear Yaya, you've suffered so much..."

Xingxing couldn't understand what the two were saying, she was just anxious, why hasn't Yaya made any movement yet, is she really sick?

There was a rustling sound from the room, Ruan was holding the unconscious Yamei'er in her arms, with a bundle tied to her arm.

Yaya, cloaked in a cape, her face pale and her steps unsteady, was supported by Ruan with one hand, as the mother and daughter slowly moved forward together.

Xingxing was anxious, Huai Geer gently patted Xingxing's back, signaling her not to worry.

This time, without Xingxing needing to speak, even Daxisipo became curious, wondering what the mother and daughter were planning to do.

She now had a rather bad feeling.

She hoped it wasn't true.

Huai Geer carried Xingxing, led by Daxisipo along a more hidden path, following the mother and daughter at a distance, heading deep into the mountains.

The mother and daughter arrived at a cave entrance covered by vines, Yaya leaned against the side gasping slightly, Ruan laid the still unconscious Yamei'er aside, pulled away the dry vines covering the cave entrance, clearing a path.

Ruan then picked up Yamei'er again, freeing one hand to support Yaya, and entered the cave.

Huai Geer carried Xingxing, and with Daxisipo, followed Ruan and her daughter into the cave.

After walking dozens of steps into the cave, they found a somewhat spacious area.

Ruan took out a flint from her bosom, fetched a few pieces of charcoal from the bundle, found some kindling nearby, and started a fire.

Yaya's pale face was illuminated by the firelight, finally gaining a bit of color.

Ruan laid the still unconscious Yamei'er on the ground beside her, and went to the other side to clear away the weeds on the ground.

Huai Geer carried Xingxing, and stood with Daxisipo in the shadows of the cave's narrow passage.

Daxisipo frowned as she watched, seeing the ground Ruan was clearing gradually revealing some marks, which clearly formed some patterns.

She surmised it must be the "altar" Ruan had mentioned.

Daxisipo's frown deepened.

Ruan's behavior was already somewhat bizarre, and with the mention of an "altar," it all seemed very suspicious...

Ruan cleared the area for a while, finally revealing a square pattern about ten feet wide on the ground, she gazed at it with joy, clasped her index fingers together, made a strange gesture, and prayed devoutly, "May the ancestral gods bless, this altar can still be used."

The fire from the charcoal and dry branches was burning brightly, and in the shadows, Xingxing clearly saw the somewhat eerie smile on Ruan's face.

Little Xingxing shivered in fear, burying her head in Huai Geer's neck.

Huai Geer gently patted Xingxing, signaling her not to be afraid.

"Mother, will it really work?" Yaya suddenly coughed out.

Ruan said gently, "My dear, of course it will work... You don't know how much effort I've put into finding a healthy vessel for you, if it doesn't work, wouldn't all my efforts be in vain?"

Ruan looked at the unconscious Yamei'er on the ground, her expression gentle yet fanatical, "Fortunately, heaven helps those who help themselves, I have finally found this vessel for you."

Xingxing's eyes widened with shock.

A vessel? What is a vessel?

Why is Yamei'er's mother looking at Yamei'er and talking about a vessel?!

Could it be that this vessel means...