by Mi Lei
Fang Mu was in no hurry. Sitting in his jeep, he lit a cigarette and watched the people of Suijing City pass him by.
You are a sensible, worldly city; don't you see the countless crimes born in your dark recesses?
Why do you good people choose to remain ignorant and apathetic to the horrors that fester right beneath your feet? Do you remain silent just because they haven't touched your lives?'
Don't you realize that when that dark river bursts from the depths, it will drown the heavens and cast you all into eternal darkness?
He had come to know this city. His first visit had brought him professional victory and more than one happy ending; the second visit had seen him cower as he suffered his worst defeat yet. Where would this visit take him?
Fang Mu threw the butt of his cigarette into the ashtray and clutched the steering wheel. He wouldn't let Lu Haitao's sacrifice be in vain.
He had used his final moments on this world to give Fang Mu a vital lead.
Now, it was Fang Mu's turn to ensure that the efforts of that brave, upstanding man did not go to waste.
Fang Mu started the jeep's engine. Back on the road, he headed toward the shopping district. First, he needed to find an outdoor supplies shop.
* * *
Fang Mu had returned to Dragon Tail Cave.
It was winter now, but that had done nothing to stem the stream of visitors coming to see the cave.
Like last time, he would enter as a tourist among the masses; everything else would be different.
In the boat, Fang Mu pulled a map and a GPS tracker from his backpack.
The underground river wound its way through the rock. At times, it was a wide river, while at other times a narrow, rushing stream. The only thing it never was, was straight. And these strange and wondrous depths changed with every twist and turn, revealing one breathtakingly bizarre vista after the next.
The tourists "oohs" and "ahhs" grew especially loud as they passed the strangely lifelike Jade Elephant and picturesque Snowy Mountain. Every moment was a sight to behold, leaving all aboard spellbound. Above them, the stalactites glittered and shone in the light of the ceiling-mounted lamps, while a shimmering fog clung to the glowing waters below. It really was a heaven on Earth.
Fang Mu bent over the side of the boat and scooped up a handful of the crystal clear water. He let the cold liquid slip between his fingers. In the soft glow of the underwater spotlights, the trickling water glinted and sparkled like a million stars.
Even though his mind was heavy with worry and anxiety, he had to admit that it was a place of true beauty.
The boat reached its turn-around point. Beyond, there was no light, no awed tourist voices; only darkness and silence. For a moment, Fang Mu stared into the inky blackness. Then, he looked down at his map and marked his current position.
The boat had completed its turn and headed back to the safety of the dock. Fang Mu turned back one more time to watch that hidden dark recede behind them.
Heaven and Hell—on one river.
The sun was setting as he left the Dragon Tail Cave. Fang Mu got into his jeep and drove along a narrow road to the other side of the mountain. He stopped at the same spot from where he had started his last journey up the Dragon Tail. After a quick meal, he checked his new equipment one more time. Satisfied, he reclined his seat, laid back and closed his eyes.
He gave up after just a few minutes. There was no way he would find rest; not with the image of that eleventh photo burned into his mind.
That dark, cold night atop the Dragon Tail it had been a complete mystery to him where Lu Haitao could have been hiding. He knew that the range for a Bluetooth connection was limited to somewhere around 50 feet. It was such a small area, yet he had not found even the slightest trace of him. That was just one of the questions the eleventh photo had answered.
It was a picture of a miserable group of young girls, huddled together. They were all looking at the camera. The flash had turned their terrified eyes blood red. Behind them, almost hidden in the darkness, loomed an upside-down forest of stalactites.
Lu Haitao had been right beneath his feet, somewhere along the underground river.
There was no doubt in his mind that Lu Haiyan had tricked him. Lu Haitao simply must have sent him this picture as well. But while he was searching the trees for her brother, Lu Haiyan had deleted the picture from his phone.
And there was also what Lu Haitao had said in the ancestral hall. "When we were little, my sister and I often played in there…"
He recalled her words clearly. It all made sense now. He had been talking about the very place that Lu Haiyan had led him that night. She must have known that her brother would be hiding there. But even after Lu Haiyan had learned the truth of what her brother had seen, she had decided to keep Fang Mu in the dark. She had even told him to stop looking for Lu Haitao.
It all boiled down to one thing: There was another entrance to the Dragon Tail Cave. And he must have almost stumbled right into it during their night on the mountain.
Just after midnight, Fang Mu's wristwatch began to vibrate. He turned off the alarm and picked up his backpack. Quietly, he slipped out of the jeep. The temperature was below zero and a biting cold wind blew through the trees. Its howl sounded like a siren, warning the mountain of the approaching invader.
Fang Mu pushed his glasses up against his nose and strode toward the tree line.
It was a starless night, but the moon shone brightly. Under its light, Fang Mu made his way up that narrow mountain path. The first challenge would be to not get lost again. Without precise coordinates, he had to rely on his memory and sense of direction.
The mountain was covered in deep snow, making each step a tiring slog. Fang Mu soon felt the air burn in his lungs. Every few hundred feet, he had to lean against a tree or rock to catch his rasping breath. As soon as he regained the strength, he pushed on again.
He would have killed for a smoke right at that moment, but he couldn't risk the light of a cigarette exposing his position. He remembered all too well what Lu Tianchang had told him about returning to his village.
Finally, he made it out of the trees and onto a sloping path. Fang Mu recognized it from his truck ride with Lu Sanqiang and Lu Dachun. He was on the right track.
Even though it was downhill to the village, ice had made the path slippery. Anxious and eager, Fang Mu failed to watch his step. Over and over again he ended up sprawled out in the snow. Fighting for every breath and with pain shooting up his elbows and back, he felt his mind attempt to rebel.
Will you find the cave entrance?
Will you see this through?
Why did you rush off into danger without backup again?
Why ever did you accept responsibility for this entire mess?
Is any of this worth it?
No. He fought back. Not one of those questions is worth an answer.
Lying on his back again after falling again, Fang Mu smiled as he wiped the frost from his eyebrows. He reached into his backpack and took his collapsible walking stick from its case. He pulled it out to its full length and dragged himself back to his feet.
Move. You are still you, so get up, he told himself. Get up and go.
He slipped and slid down to the bottom of the path. Ahead was another thicket of trees. After a quick check, he was confident this was the place he and Lu Haiyan had started their trek up the mountain.
With a careful eye on the tree line, Fang Mu approached the Dragon Tail. He was walking slowly now, stopping between steps to listen for any sign of movement. Once he was certain that he was alone, he found himself shelter behind a large boulder and took a short rest.
From down here, the mountain looked insurmountable. Judging by the depth of the valley and considering the elevation of the Dragon Tail Cave, he was sure that the cave entrance would have to be halfway up the mountain; just at the elevation to which Lu Haiyan had led him. It was all coming together. He wiped the sweat from his brow, straightened h
is hat and gloves, got up and began his ascent.
Walking uphill amongst the trees, he strained to remember the path Lu Haiyan had taken. Every few steps, he was forced to stop and regain his bearings. Finally, he found a large branch lying in the snow. He snapped his flashlight to his headband and flicked it on. In its light, he carefully examined the branch. This was the place; he could still see strands of Lu Haiyan's hair wrapped around the branch. Fang Mu felt his spirits soar. He knew that she had walked up a westward path from that very spot. Compass in hand, he continued up the mountain.
He knew the way, and unlike last time, he even had the moon to light his way. As its light reflected off the snow, the entire mountain was bathed in a soft glow. After an hour, he stopped to check his progress. By his estimate, he was already closing in on the area where he and Lu Haiyan had spent the night. He wiped the sweat from his face and then carefully scanned the mountainside.
Now he just needed to find the cave they had used for shelter.
He turned around in a circle, but he saw only trees, snow and mountain. After a few moments of calculations and considerations, he decided not to climb any further, but to stay at that elevation and continue his search for the cave.
He had just started to head west, when he spotted something unusual up ahead. Awash in silvery moonlight, he could make out a crevice in the mountainside. He pulled his night-vision goggles from his backpack and took a closer look. At the very least, he had found a cave.
Fang Mu rushed toward it as fast as his tired feet would carry him. The moment he stepped inside, he breathed a deep sigh of relief.
It was the one; the burnt up stump of their torch on the ground left no doubt.
After another short rest, he began searching the nearby mountainside for an entrance to the Dragon Tail Cave. Considering that Lu Haitao had been able to send him the photos, he had to be almost right on top of it. But even his most careful search brought up nothing. He ended up turning almost every stone and looking behind every bush within a good hundred feet of the cave, but there was no trace of an entrance. Fang Mu looked down at his watch. It was 2:15. In another five hours, the sun would be up.
Was this the wrong place after all?
Feeling somewhat deflated, Fang Mu sat himself down on the ground. Immediately, he felt an icy draft sneak its way into his collar and freeze his sweat-drenched shirt below. Shivering, he hurried into the cave.
Inside, he was sheltered from the chilling wind. He crouched on the cold stone and looked down the tranquil mountainside. Nothing but the wind moved as far as the eye could see. Sure that it would be safe, he lit a cigarette and began to ferociously suck down the smoke. His craving satisfied, he closed his eyes and let the smoke escape slowly. He could feel the exhaustion ooze from every pore of his body.
The blue smoke curled from his nose and mouth. Soon, it blew back into his eyes and past face. Then its strands drifted off, deeper into the cave.
Fang Mu pictured himself, cloaked in smoke, hidden from the world. He couldn't help but wonder: If someone stumbled upon him now, would they see an immortal, meditating in his cave?
Suddenly his heart jumped.
He quickly pulled a match from his pocket and lit it. The small flame leapt to life. Then, it began to waver.
There should have been no wind there.
Fang Mu stared down at his cigarette. Most of the smoke had dissipated, but he could still make out faint wisps; they were all drifting in the same direction.
Fang Mu followed them with his eyes, feeling his heart pound in his chest
He took out his flashlight and with trembling hands shone it into the cave. The hollow was small, extending only a few feet into the mountain. It was all barren rock inside, except for a thick patch of dry grass in one corner.
He scooted over to the patch. He put the cigarette to his mouth and inhaled deeply. Then he slowly exhaled.
The smoke was almost immediately sucked down, below the dried grass. He pulled the grass aside. There was a deep hole, hidden beneath.
Fang Mu stared down into the abyss. He had badly misjudged Lu Haiyan; this whole case really was clouding his judgments. Even after seeing her murder Lu Haitao, he would have never guessed that she was brazen enough to lead him straight into the very cave that her brother was hiding in. While he had huddled here for the night, Lu Haitao had probably cowered just a few feet below him, trembling in fear.
Shaking the past from his mind, Fang Mu pointed the flashlight down the hole. The opening was about three feet in diameter. Its walls were covered in thick moss. Here and there he could make out finger-marks on its surface. From the looks of it, the entrance into the mountain had remained the siblings' secret. Almost all of the moss was undisturbed; Lu Haitao was probably the only person who had climbed down there in ages.
The narrow tunnel down took a turn after six feet, concealing its true depth.
Fang Mu killed his cigarette and stood up as far as the cave would allow. Turning to the entrance, he gave the moon one final look.
Perhaps, it would be the last time.
He took a deep breath and descended into the hole.
The moss was much more slippery than he had imagined. Barely past the entrance, Fang Mu lost his footing and fell. Only the bend in the tunnel stopped his slide. Shrugging off the pain radiating from his legs, arms, back, and the many scratches across his face, he reached out for his flashlight which had landed a few inches away from him. Its light revealed a long black tunnel, maybe five feet high, that stretched onward as far as the beam would carry. After switching the flashlight to its lowest setting, he stooped down and entered the tunnel.
A faint, rather unpleasant odor hung in the air. The tunnel's surface felt wet and slippery and every few steps he could hear something snap below his feet. Shining his flashlight down, he saw that he had stepped on a filthy-looking black lump. White fragments were embedded in the lump. They looked like pieces of animal bone. Before he could examine it more closely, Fang Mu noticed movement around him. It was followed by a flurry of flapping sounds.
And suddenly he was caught in a storm of unseen creatures. He threw his hands up to shield himself, but he could still feel the beat of wings against his face and the sting of sharp claws against his body. Then they were gone, vanishing down the tunnel in the blink of a shocked eye.
His mind reeling, Fang Mu steadied himself against the cold rock walls of the tunnel. His heart was racing fast enough to burst straight from his chest. Taking deep breaths in and out, he forced himself to calm down.
Obviously, he'd just disturbed a swarm of bats.
As the shock subsided, he was left with a new worry: He had no idea how long the tunnel was and he had even less inkling if anyone was in it. Would the bats betray his presence?
He turned off his flashlight and crouched down. Holding his breath, he listened out into the darkness. The seconds ticked by, but nothing stirred from within the cave. After a minute, he switched the flashlight to its medium setting and turned it back on. He continued down the tunnel.
A few hundred feet on, the tunnel branched out. From there he could head straight on, turn left or go right. Fang Mu stopped and took out his notepad. Holding the flashlight between his teeth, he quickly sketched a map. Then, he took the center tunnel.
Soon he discovered that the path he'd chosen was a dead end. He doubled back and took the left tunnel. It too quickly ended in a wall of solid rock. This time, however, he also found a deep pool at the end of the tunnel. He bent down and scooped up some of the water. It was crystal clear. The little pool had to be connected to a source of running water. He probed the depth of the water with his collapsible walking-stick, but he couldn't reach the bottom.
Again, he headed back. This time he took the right tunnel. It was another dark passage through the mountain, no different from the other two. But Fang Mu was more careful now; he had no desire to accidentally step into a bottomless pool. Ten minutes down the tunnel, he heard the rush of water. His
heart sank. If this tunnel ended in another pool, he would be left with no safe way forward.
He raised his flashlight. Its beam didn't reveal another rocky dead-end. Instead, the light fell into a wide, cavernous space. He had found his entrance to the Dragon Tail Cave. He immediately turned the beam to its lowest setting. He slowly began to inch forward.
Judging by the sound of the water and what the weak glow of his flashlight could reveal, he estimated that the underground river was about 10 feet below him.
Fang Mu shone the soft beam of his flashlight down the rock face. There was moss on the wall and again he could make out the telltale signs of someone having climbed there. Following the tracks, he spotted many good hand- and foot-holds. Climbing down would be daunting, but hardly impossible.
He felt the rush of excitement. He had really found it.
But he needed to be careful. He squatted down next to the rock face and listened. After about a minute, he was satisfied that no one was waiting for him at the bottom. He clenched his teeth and began his slow and careful climb down to the river.
He made it down safely. The rock face had taken him to the bank of the underground river, about a foot away from the water. Checking his GPS, he confirmed that he was in the part of the Dragon Tail Cave not yet open to the public.
Fang Mu looked around. Without the warm glow of the lamps, the Dragon Tail Cave was a grim, disturbing underworld. In the dark, its stalactites, millions of years old, looked like claws, reaching down from a black heaven. The silent river below seemed to be a lightless abyss, ready to swallow the world.
As he saw what lay before him, he shuddered. In the face of this primordial realm, his 28 years on this planet were less than meaningless. It had been thousands of years ago when mankind first had set foot in this cave. But for this underground river, even those millennia were a mere blink of an eye. The cave just was. All human works, all their ambitions, all would fall to dust. And in millions of years even that dust would have turned to nothing.
But this silent cave would still stand and the silent river would still flow through it.