Chapter 438: Chapter 402: First Contact
Walking through the long, dark passage, Sang Que made a pushing motion in front of the group, and a door slowly appeared in the darkness, with a dim light streaming in from outside.
The group followed Sang Que out in single file, a fresh mountain breeze hitting their faces, carrying the mixed scent of earth and straw, with the rustling sound of leaves echoing in their ears.
After a moment of disorientation, the group looked around at the huts made of thatched grass and wood.
"Is this the Otherworld? No industrial pollution, the air quality is really good." someone exclaimed.
The researchers put down their things and looked around curiously.
The members of the Guard Team led by Jia Liang had no time to appreciate the scenery of the Otherworld. After setting down the various equipment they brought with them, they immediately spread out to both sides, holding guns to protect everyone in the middle, taking a defensive stance.
Zhao Yunshu was also quietly scanning the surroundings. She had a film camera hanging around her neck and occasionally raised it to take photos of the surroundings.
Sang Que said, "You don’t need to be nervous, I’ve had this village cleared out to serve as your temporary base."
As Sang Que finished speaking, footsteps were heard from the front, causing everyone to tense up immediately, with the researchers retreating behind Sang Que.
Soon Liu Tianyou, Yu Da, Yao Zhen, Cheng Ge, and Nine Songs appeared, carrying lanterns, and stared in astonishment at the strangers outside the thatched houses and the strange equipment on them.
Seeing people from the Immortal Country with their own eyes, everyone was really excited.
Liu Tianyou immediately took the lead, bowing with cupped hands in respect to the group.
"The people of Bright Moon Mountain welcome the guests from the Immortal Country!"
Sang Que introduced Zhao Yunshu and Jia Liang to Liu Tianyou, Yu Da, and Yao Zhen, so that they could get acquainted with each other.
"Sister Yun Shu, Brother Jia, if you have any needs, just let them know. These people here are the ones I trust the most on this side, and they will do their best to assist you."
Zhao Yunshu instinctively extended a hand, "Please take care of us."
Noticing Liu Tianyou and the others looking at her gestures with confusion, Zhao Yunshu awkwardly realized that handshakes were not a custom in this world and was about to withdraw her hand when Yao Zhen suddenly extended a hand and shook Zhao Yunshu’s.
"No need to be polite."
Zhao Yunshu and Yao Zhen smiled and nodded at each other. Yao Zhen was full of curiosity about everything modern and had been observing Zhao Yunshu, presumably trying to learn from her.
Jia Liang was busy with his tasks and didn’t chat with the others.
While the door was still open, he needed to run multiple tests to log the time taken for the transit and return, and also to run a cable from the modern world to verify if the equipment using new materials to shield electromagnetic interference could function properly here, and whether data transmission between the two worlds could be completed when the door was open.
With a heavy workload and tight schedule, Jia Liang and his team were busy, while the researchers couldn’t wait to take photographs of everything around them with their film cameras.
Liu Tianyou quietly said to Sang Que, "I’ve arranged a welcome banquet..."
Sang Que glanced at the busy people and said, "No need for that now, let them settle down here first tonight, and we’ll deal with other matters tomorrow morning. Also, you don’t need to prepare food for them yet, they won’t be consuming anything here for the time being."
Liu Tianyou nodded in understanding, as it was indeed a strange place.
Yao Zhen was chatting with Zhao Yunshu.
Yu Da was tugging on Xia Chan’s backpack, refusing to let go. "Let me see, I just want to see what good stuff you brought back."
"No! This belongs to Little Chan; you can’t take it, Xuan Yu, scratch him!"
Meow!!
Liu Tianyou stood there awkwardly, while Cheng Ge, Qiao Ling, the Ghost Vendor, and Master Jing Lan stood together, exchanged a look, and silently left.
In an initial encounter, it’s best for everyone to remain somewhat guarded and keep a certain distance.
Xia Chan was dragged away by Yu Da, and Liu Tianyou left ahead to arrange the next day’s affairs, leaving Yao Zhen as the representative of Bright Moon Mountain to stay and liaise with Zhao Yunshu.
Just as everyone was busy, a sudden scream pierced the night, drawing everyone’s attention.
Sang Que looked over and found a researcher sitting on the ground in horror, pointing at the dark alley between two thatched houses, where they saw a person standing in the shadows, their appearance unclear.
The scream shattered the night’s silence, and rustling sounds came from outside the village, followed by one "person" after another approaching from all directions, jumping over the village’s fences to approach.
Among them were several Flying Heads, flying with a trail of organs swinging behind them.
Everyone was so terrified by this scene that their faces turned pale, but they remembered Sang Que’s previous instructions, and tightly covered their mouths, gathering together without making any noise.
The Guard Team members also watched in horror, aiming their guns at the approaching "people" and those Flying Heads, fingers poised on the triggers, waiting for a single command from Jia Liang to open fire.
Jia Liang was at a loss, aware of the formidable power of those "people" and Flying Heads, realizing they were beyond his control. Meanwhile, the ghost within him had already plotted an escape route, urging him to flee quickly.
Zhao Yunshu was initially tense too, but upon noticing that Yao Zhen beside her was merely observing with folded arms, she gradually relaxed.
Sure enough, Sang Que stepped forward and commanded one of the Flying Heads, "Leave!"
The Flying Heads, receiving the order, immediately turned around, departing the village with the "people" in tow.
"What were those? Luotou Clan and zombies?" asked a researcher focused on folk ghost studies, wearing thick glasses and having a distinctly scholarly air, who was the grandson of Professor Gu Yun, a renowned Huaxia expert in folklore, named Gu Hongwen.
Sang Que nodded, "Yes, what you just saw were zombies and the Luotou Clan. They usually stay in the Corpse Nourishing Land in the valley during the day and patrol the mountains at night to drive away evil spirits and ghosts. Generally, night is when the evil spirits roam, and the local people absolutely do not leave their homes at night, except here in Bright Moon Mountain, you can move around within the range of the village at night."
Listening to Sang Que’s explanation, Gu Hongwen’s previously pale face quickly flushed with excitement. He adjusted his thick glasses and stepped forward, "Can I closely observe those zombies and the Luotou Clan? It’s my first time seeing a living zombie!"
Living zombie?
Such an odd term made Sang Que scratch his head but indeed, in Huaxia, there are no zombies that can move autonomously.
Kang Mingxiu, a brilliant student of the great medical scholar Professor Zhuo Wenli, was also quite excited, "Can I dissect one to see? I want to understand why a zombie that has lost life can still move."
Other biologists collecting various biological samples here were also intently looking at Sang Que, eager to start their research immediately. Despite the terror, this place had a deadly allure for them.
Sang Que smiled wryly, "I understand you’re all eager, but don’t rush. You’ll have plenty of time for research later. As long as it’s available here, and doesn’t harm others, I’ll ensure you have enough to study. For now, the primary goal is to set up camp and establish the initial base."
Jia Liang also came back to his senses, quickly instructing the Guard Team to put away their weapons and continue fiddling with the equipment.
This night was destined to be busy.
