The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 43

With a light and cheerful rhythm, the entire Tarpo Forest came alive. The vines hanging from the Tarpo Trees twisted and danced, swaying in perfect rhythm as they glided toward Yan Ningjin, or more precisely, toward Qin Xiao. Cautious and coy, the vines tentatively reached out, then shyly withdrew, circling the two of them again and again, just like bashful young girls in love.

Carrying Qin Xiao in her arms, Yan Ningjin strode forward. It felt as though the forest had gained awareness. The Tarpo Trees parted slightly to open a narrow path, just enough for one person to pass. What had been a somewhat broad trail was now tightly occupied by the vines, so densely packed that even a glance made one’s scalp tingle.

The sight left the seasoned men trembling. Even hardened veterans like Brother Mi and Ironhead were barely maintaining their composure. Liu Jiang and Su Shu were already petrified with fear. Su Shu even stepped back twice, her voice trembling.

“No, I don’t want to keep going. This is too dangerous.”

Mu Yan snorted in disdain. “Then leave.”

Amy had nearly fainted when she saw Qin Xiao and Yan Ningjin entangled by the vines. She could barely stand, let alone make her way through these dancing tendrils.

“Dancing” was no exaggeration. With the music continuing from Qin Xiao’s mouth, the vines stood upright with joy. Some twisted back and forth on the tree trunks as though wrapping the trees in a tight embrace. Others dangled in midair like willows, the tips arching playfully.

Mu Yan crouched and spoke stiffly to Amy. “Climb on. I’ll carry you.”

Brother Mi and Ironhead exchanged an urgent look toward Liu Jiang and Su Shu. Brother Mi scolded impatiently.

“You should’ve known this would be dangerous. This is only the first stage, and you’re already thinking of retreating. Honestly…”

Ironhead tugged on Brother Mi. “Let them go if they want to. If they fall behind at a critical moment, they’ll drag us all down.”

Mu Yan urged again, displeased. “Stop wasting time arguing. Aya and the Boss left us a path. Hurry up.”

Amy had no other choice. The vines looked like tiny serpents slithering in motion. The entire forest was thick with them. Just one glance made her wish she could truly faint. After a moment of mental struggle, she gave in and climbed slowly onto Mu Yan’s broad back. A strong wave of sentinel aura hit her face, and she frowned slightly.

“Thanks, Brother Yan.”

Mu Yan gave a gruff acknowledgment. When he stood again, his dark face was flushed red, though luckily his skin tone hid it well.

Liu Jiang tugged Su Shu and gave her a subtle signal. “Sorry. Su Shu was just joking. Since we’re here, of course, we’ll stick it out.”

Su Shu looked displeased but did not argue.

Brother Mi and Ironhead exchanged a glance. They no longer bothered with the two outsiders and hurried to catch up.

…

Yan Ningjin sensed the others had fallen behind. Her hurried steps gradually slowed. The lighthearted music from her little Guide had also calmed her nerves.

It wasn’t just her. The surrounding vines, after their frenzied celebration during the music’s climax, slowed their movements with the rhythm.

That was when Yan Ningjin finally realized that these animated Tarpo Trees liked music. Their affection showed in a very peculiar way as they simply kept following them.

After playing two songs, Qin Xiao collapsed in Yan Ningjin’s arms.

The vines still followed, but they no longer attacked. Yan Ningjin looked at her little Guide in surprise.

“Xiao Xiao, how did you know they liked music?”

Qin Xiao had just caught her breath when she noticed her legs had been constricted so tightly by the vines that they were bleeding. The pain was intense. She had no idea she had grown so delicate.

“We should thank the adventurers from the Beast System planets.”

“Hm?”

“Tarpo Forest isn’t as terrifying as you all think. These trees have a strong sense of rhythm. They’re like tone-deaf people who love to dance. Didn’t you notice before? They love showing off their figures, especially when touched. They get even more excited and… well, I think they’re trying to connect with outsiders, strengthen bonds between plant and human.”

“…”

“That must be it,” Qin Xiao nodded confidently.

Yan Ningjin had visited the Tarpo Forest twice. The first time was long ago, not long after she became an adventurer. She had been just a teenager, still a child in their world. On her first visit, she was the sole survivor.

Few survived after being entangled by the vines. The instinct to struggle, then panic, then resist violently, was a natural human response.

But the Tarpo vines were most dangerous when resisted. The more one struggled, the more aggressive they became. They would tighten, fight back harder, and in the chaos… tear people apart.

Back then, Yan Ningjin had survived purely by accident. Knocked unconscious after hitting a tree trunk while being wrapped up, she never resisted. When she woke, the forest remained untouched, but her team had all died in a bloody mess.

From then on, every adventurer venturing into the Tarpo Forest remembered one vital survival rule: never let the vines entangle you. If they do, use a sharp blade to cut off the bound limb.

Qin Xiao was stunned by the tale. Her bright almond-shaped eyes blinked at Yan Ningjin.

“So… someone actually did that?”

Yan Ningjin looked embarrassed, feeling strangely judged by her Guide.

While they rested, Brother Mi, Ironhead, and the others caught up. Seeing the two of them leaning against a Tarpo Tree made them shiver.

“You’re… that close? Is it safe?”

Qin Xiao whistled twice. The vines dropped eagerly, chasing her five raised fingers like playful sprites dancing on her fingertips. There was no trace of malice.

“As long as you don’t attack them, you’ll be fine.”

The group all shuddered. None of them would dare risk their lives attacking a vine.

Qin Xiao even plucked a leaf from the tree and played the same cheerful tune again. This time, the notes were clearer, and the melody flowed with a joyful serenity.

The vines danced wildly, intertwining in midair like a swirl of enchanted creatures.

Yan Ningjin quickly accepted her Guide’s theory. With no signs of violence and everything in harmony, she asked, “Auntie Amy, Xiao Xiao’s legs are hurt. Do you have anything for bleeding?”

Amy, still dazed from the series of shocks, finally snapped to attention.

“Yes, yes. You’re both hurt? Luckily, I brought medicine.”

Yan Ningjin’s wound was deep, almost to the bone. She had struggled with all her might, and if not for Qin Xiao’s quick response, the outcome would’ve been far worse.

Qin Xiao’s legs were cut but not deeply. Her pale skin made the purple-blue welts and bruises look worse. Amy teared up.

Qin Xiao gave her an odd look, then lazily lay down on the interwoven vine net, her legs resting on Yan Ningjin’s lap. Yan Ningjin tended to her carefully. After the music ended, Qin Xiao rested a bit before playing a warm, soothing tune.

The melody flowed like water, with a sleepy tranquility that gently lulled the senses.

Su Shu yawned first. She leaned against Liu Jiang, rubbing her eyes.

“That’s strange… I suddenly feel sleepy.”

Amy, too, felt the weight of exhaustion. After a day of frights, now that she relaxed, she leaned against the vines and fell asleep.

Brother Mi, Ironhead, and Mu Yan exchanged uneasy looks.

“Boss, are you getting sleepy too? I really want to find a place to nap.”

Yan Ningjin frowned subtly. The three had already sat in a triangle, trying hard to resist the drowsiness. Liu Jiang and Su Shu were already fast asleep.

“Don’t listen to Xiao Xiao’s music. It has a hypnotic effect. Look at the Tarpo Trees around us.”

At some point, the rustling had faded. Even the vines had quieted, hanging gently in the air. The entire forest was still, as if time had stopped. Not even the wind stirred.

Qin Xiao had played the tune four times. Seeing the desired effect had been achieved, she curled up lazily in Yan Ningjin’s arms.

“The vines are asleep. We need to quickly discuss how to find the Tarpo Gu Vine.”

Yan Ningjin held her tightly.

“How long will they sleep?”

Qin Xiao had infused a touch of spiritual energy into the lullaby. She was getting sleepy herself. Peeking with one eye at Yan Ningjin, who seemed unaffected, she mumbled,

“As long as no idiot wakes them up, they’ll stay asleep.”

Brother Mi and the others, fighting off sleep, gently woke Amy, but they left Liu Jiang and Su Shu sleeping.

Yan Ningjin glanced at them, puzzled. It was Mu Yan who explained their earlier retreat.

“They were recruited from the Star Network. Can’t handle pressure.”

Yan Ningjin only nodded. They gathered in a circle. Amy took out Eva’s old notes.

“The Tarpo Gu Vine grows deep within the forest. It only appears on the tribal tree acknowledged by the Tarpo Trees. Eva’s notes say they stumbled on it by accident, and their path seems different from ours…”

Qin Xiao reached out.

“Let me see. What does this Gu Vine look like?”

It was a poisonous vine, different from the others. Thin, short, about a meter long, and gleaming black-red. Finding it in this dense forest would be nearly impossible.

Qin Xiao had just closed her eyes briefly. Sitting up on Yan Ningjin’s lap without realizing it, she stared at the notes.

“Poison vine?”

Amy nodded.

“The poison in Duannian is intense. Without fighting poison with poison, there’s no way to suppress it. The Gu Vine’s toxin is only one-tenth as strong. It causes hallucinations and madness that last about a week.”

Qin Xiao rubbed her fingers together.

“How do we harvest something so poisonous?”

Amy flipped through the notes.

“There’s a way. Eva had me bring something—”

Yan Ningjin suddenly hushed them. Brother Mi, Ironhead, and Mu Yan stood instantly.

“Who’s there?”

Three figures emerged from the shadows. The one in the center spoke with a warm tone.

“Sorry. We weren’t eavesdropping. We heard the music from afar and got curious.”

Brother Mi’s eyes widened.

“It’s you?”

Qin Xiao rested her head on Yan Ningjin’s shoulder, eyes curious. It was the same team from the Beast System who had followed them into the forest. The vines had gone berserk back then because two of them attacked, triggering the chaos. Yet… they were still alive.

The trio looked battered, their clothes and skin scarred from the vines, but they bore no fatal wounds. The man in the middle smiled at Brother Mi.

“We meet again.”

“Hmph—” Qin Xiao made a small sound. “Why are you here in the Tarpo Forest?”

As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere turned tense.

Yan Ningjin stood, holding Qin Xiao, her voice icy.

“Why are you here?”

Brother Mi and Ironhead moved closer. Mu Yan stepped in front of Amy protectively. The air grew sharp, and a confrontation seemed imminent.

The two on the side were tense. Only the middle one remained smiling.

“Naturally, we’re also here for the Tarpo Gu Vine.”