Chapter 347: The Land of Peach Groves at Abyss River

Past Heaven’s Gate Mountain lay a place like a secluded paradise. Cities stood tall here, and people lived in peace, rarely disturbed by the outside world before now.

Ancestors once climbed over the mountains to venture out. Upon seeing the outer world, they brought back tales of all they’d witnessed, along with various kinds of knowledge.

Then, a sexagenary cycle (60 years) ago, Everview Mountain was opened, connecting this place to the outside world. From then on, it blended directly with the world. Traders came and went here, bringing gradual novelty and liveliness.

People visiting for the first time were astonished by the sheer cliffs and precipitous peaks, dubbing this place—Abyss River.

Existing within the world yet secluded within an abyss, it truly was a hidden paradise.

Chen Changsheng glanced at the land within the abyss, then stepped forward, following the footsteps left by those before him, descending towards this ‘secluded haven’.

Even before reaching the District-Town…

Chen Changsheng spotted a Peach Grove at the mountain’s base. The trees were laden with peaches. A sweet aroma filled the air, making one’s mouth water at the sight.

“It really has been a long time, indeed, since I last tasted a peach,” he remarked.

Chen Changsheng looked up and saw how exceptionally vast the Peach Grove truly was.

He walked amidst the peach trees, gradually moving forward.

He reached out and plucked a deep red peach, taking a bite.

“Not bad.”

Chen Changsheng nodded with a slight smile, then continued onward, nibbling on the peach as he went.

After passing through the entire Peach Grove…

He finally caught sight of the distant District-Town.

Just in front of the grove stood a simple wooden hut. A maiden, adorned with silver ornaments, sat before it. Her attire was reminiscent of the Miao tribe women from a past life.

Hearing rustling sounds behind her, the Peach Grove keeper glanced back.

She saw a man emerge unexpectedly from within the depths of the grove.

The girl froze momentarily, then quickly stepped forward to block his path.

She spoke, but her words came out in her native dialect.

Chen listened, momentarily confused. “I come from outside,” he said, “I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch what you said, miss.”

“Ah! Right!”

The girl realized, adapting. “You… are… from… outside.”

She spoke haltingly, clearly struggling with the language.

She asked again, “I ask… you… where… you… come from?”

Chen Changsheng looked at her. “Heaven’s Gate Mountain. Are you the owner of this Peach Grove?”

The girl shook her head. “I… am not. Father… is. Father… near… back. You say Heaven’s Gate Mountain… where? Not… from… path there?”

“There is a path by Heaven’s Gate Mountain,” Chen Changsheng replied with a smile.

The girl mumbled, confused, “I… didn’t know.”

Chen Changsheng inquired, “I would like to ask, miss, how much for one of the peaches from your grove?”

The girl collected herself. “I… I don’t know. Must… ask Father.”

Just then, the braying of a donkey sounded.

“Father!”

The girl called out and hurried toward the sound, lifting her skirt.

A man, skin darkened by the sun, his head wrapped in a blue cloth, arrived with a donkey cart. He explained he’d been delivering peaches all day and was just now returning.

The girl spoke quickly to her father.

Soon, the man strode over.

He spoke much more fluently. “You just came from Heaven’s Gate Mountain?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Quite so.”

The man said, “When I was very young, my own father used to speak of that path. I went to look for it too. Never thought someone actually could walk it.”

“Ah, right! My name is An Long, though people just call me An Long.”

Chen Changsheng introduced himself, “My name is Chen, styled Changsheng. I come from Autumn Moon Market, in the Southern Region.”

“Autumn Moon Market…”

An Long shook his head; the name was unfamiliar.

He pulled Chen Changsheng to sit down, then asked his daughter to bring out some peaches.

After sitting, Chen Changsheng asked, “Are most people within Abyss River domain of your tribe?”

An Long shook his head. “No, no. Our village came here long ago to escape war. We… migrated. People here… speak different words. Our tribe… not many left.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “I see.”

“Changsheng, try this peach. My grandfather planted the trees in this grove himself. That was many, many years ago.”

Chen Changsheng said, “I tasted one earlier. I was indeed just asking the price.”

“If you enjoy it, just eat! So many peaches go rotten unsold each year. Free. Please, Changsheng, have more!”

An Long was exceedingly warm. Though his speech was smoother than his daughter’s, it still had its rough edges here and there, though it was easy enough to understand.

His hospitality was undeniable. Unable to refuse firmly, Chen Changsheng ate another peach. The conversation turned to the mountain path near Heaven’s Gate Mountain.

An Long confessed he wanted to climb it but was scared, fearing the dangers.

As they talked, An Long began speaking of his daughter, not missing the chance to grumble about her being a poor host.

Chen Changsheng could only agree politely, adding a few favorable words about the girl.

Often, such comments are just courtesy, but Chen Changsheng sensed An Long’s chatter stemmed purely from simple, genuine hospitable nature.

Before long, An Long insisted on Chen Changsheng staying for dinner.

“I couldn’t possibly trouble you like this.”

Chen Changsheng tried declining, but An Long firmly held onto his arm.

Chen Changsheng protested his departure several times, yet An Long refused to let go, his enthusiasm unwavering.

In the end, Chen Changsheng had no choice but to accept.

During the meal, An Long formally introduced his daughter again—the girl he’d met earlier.

Her name was Long Qing, though people called her Aqing. She had inherited the name elements from her grandfather and father. An Long’s own name came similarly.

“Aqing,” An Long addressed his daughter. “You must learn more about speaking properly from Changsheng here. Can’t stay cooped up tending peaches forever.”

Long Qing (Aqing) seemed impatient, replying in their tribal tongue as if saying, “I know, I know.”

Chen Changsheng then asked An Long, “How old is your daughter now?”

“Seventeen,” An Long answered.

Chen Changsheng gave a slight nod. His expression turned thoughtful. “An Long,” he began, “in my travels long past, I heard rumors that your people possess unique arts… techniques practiced by revered figures known as ‘Holy Maidens.’ Is there truth in these tales?”

An Long looked utterly confused. “Changsheng, where did you hear such things? What… what is this ‘Gu Insect Art’?”

Chen Changsheng paused. “Perhaps I… misremembered.”

It seemed the stories did not quite match reality here.

Aqing (Long Qing), however, seemed intrigued. She asked Chen Changsheng, “What is… ‘Ancient Worm Art’?”

“Gu Insect Art,” Chen Changsheng gently corrected her explanation. “It’s a method, a way of raising and controlling specific insects.”

Aqing’s eyes widened slightly. Recognition seemed to flicker. “Grandmother… she used to raise insects long ago. Was it… the one you named?”

“Gu Insect Art,” Chen Changsheng supplied again.

“Yes!” Aqing nodded.

An Long joined in. “Her grandmother raised insects mostly for medicinal wines. Probably not the same thing you speak of. Still, this Gu Insect Art… I’ve never heard of it myself. Changsheng, could you… explain?”

Chen Changsheng obliged. “The Gu Insect Art, essentially, involves methods to tame, train, or command particular insects. It’s… fundamentally similar to how we domesticate beasts—dogs, oxen, horses.”

Aqing leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity. “Insects… obey… human words?”

Chen Changsheng offered a small shrug. “That, I cannot say for certain. My knowledge comes only… from hearsay.”