Witnessing the scenes before us, we have reason to suspect that something is amiss in Black Mud Ridge's Bottomless Pit.
And this disturbance might be significant.
It is highly probable that internal conflict has erupted.
Otherwise, why would these rats be tearing at each other?
Along the way, we’ve seen countless rat corpses, scattered across the mountains and plains, a rather horrifying sight.
"Uncle-Master, back in my hometown.
I’ve also seen rat packs fighting each other, to the death.
The village elders used to say it was the rat pack changing its king.
The new king must kill the old king, including any rats that threaten them.
Look at all the rat corpses we've seen along the way, fighting each other.
Something is definitely wrong in the Bottomless Pit, perhaps it's also changing kings?"
This is merely my speculation, I can't be a hundred percent certain, but it feels like the only explanation for the current situation.
Uncle-Master also frowned and said:
"It's possible. The Undying Mother has reigned for hundreds of years.
If a new king were to emerge, wanting to replace the Undying Mother, this situation could indeed occur.
Especially since Shu Gui Fang has been living in the Southern Mountain Cemetery for twenty years.
Yet, he recently left to return to this Black Mud Ridge.
It’s quite possible that this is what’s happening…"
Uncle-Master shared his thoughts as well.
As soon as he finished speaking, Old Mo chimed in:
"Then if there’s a new king, wouldn't our ties with the Undying Mother be severed?"
"Master, should we go or stay?"
Xiao Yao also asked.
Uncle-Master looked towards Black Mud Ridge and said:
"We've come this far, we can't turn back. Let's go up and see!"
Uncle-Master made his decision, and we quickly hurried up the mountain.
Black Mud Ridge, true to its name.
The soil and stones here carry a hint of black, likely due to some special mineral ore.
All along the way, rat corpses were everywhere.
The further we went, the more rat corpses we found.
There were also more elder rats, but they were all unintelligent young rats, constantly biting and fighting.
The "squeak squeak" of rats also grew more pronounced.
We hurried forward, and on the mountainside of Black Mud Ridge, we encountered a large group of rats fighting.
This group of rats was clearly larger.
Divided into two factions, each side had over a thousand rats locked in combat.
"Squeak, squeak" noises were constant, and the rats were fierce, not stopping until they had ripped each other’s guts out.
"These rats are truly vicious!"
Old Mo remarked, watching them.
After a few glances, I noticed a particularly large rat amongst the swarm.
As big as a cat, and exceptionally ferocious.
With a pair of red eyes, even covered in blood, its tail bitten off, it fought amongst the other rats.
And the group led by this rat was clearly at a disadvantage.
It was being chased and bitten by a white-furred rat.
I watched from a distance, not moving.
The group of rats also saw us but continued their fight.
However, the more I looked at the injured black rat, the more familiar it seemed.
It looked… somewhat like Rat Auntie's son?
Just as I was observing closely, the injured black rat suddenly started squeaking loudly towards us.
The sound, the rhythm, was quite familiar.
My heart suddenly jolted upon hearing it.
This guy, it's Rat Auntie's son.
"Brother Rat?"
I spoke out directly, calling to it.
Having interacted with this large rat many times, I felt a sense of familiarity.
Old Mo exclaimed:
"This, this is Rat Auntie's son?"
The next second, I saw the black rat squeak a few more times towards us.
And within its squeaks, a vague human voice emerged:
"Qin, Qin Ze…"
The voice was strange and very unclear, accompanied by the rats' squeaks.
But I was certain it was the pronunciation of my name.
After uttering this sound, the blood-covered black rat was bitten twice more by the white rat, a small piece of skin on its back torn away.
If I had only suspected before, now I was a hundred percent certain.
This was indeed Rat Auntie's rat son.
"Uncle-Master, it's Rat Auntie's son."
"Master, what do you say?"
Uncle-Master’s brow furrowed, and he immediately ordered:
"Save him!"
With that, Uncle-Master charged forward.
Old Mo and I didn't hesitate, and we also quickly rushed forward.
Regardless of whatever was happening in the Bottomless Pit.
Just based on our relationship with Rat Auntie, and our connection with her son, seeing him like this, we couldn't just leave him to die.
Back then, facing the headless ferocious spirit, it was this large rat that bit the spirit’s eyes, allowing Old Mo and me to escape that dilapidated house…
"Don't be afraid, Brother Rat, I'm coming to save you!"
I shouted.
Drawing out a talisman, I immediately flung it forward.
Forming a seal with my left hand, I muttered:
"Heaven and Earth are boundless, Yin and Yang borrow the law, Charge!"
The talisman shot towards the white-furred rat with a "swish."
The white-furred rat was agile. Seeing my talisman approaching, it quickly dodged.
When I released the talisman, it didn't manage to kill it.
It only sent it flying back.
However, Uncle-Master had already advanced, unleashing a palm strike.
A powerful gust of wind surged out with a "buzz."
The white-furred rat couldn't dodge at all.
With a "bang," it was struck, and before it could even cry out, its entire body was hit by the gale, exploding into minced meat…