In the depths of the forest, fog coiled like ghosts, and the wind cut like knives.
Bai Wanyi stood at the edge of the forest, her cloak snapping in the wind. Her eyes were cold, brows deeply furrowed.
Behind her stood a fully armed rescue team, awaiting her command.
Why had she come here?
Three hours earlier, she had received a secret message.
Not a location pin, not a voice note—just a scrap of paper.
[Target escaped. Direction: Guya Ridge.]
It was Shao Song's handwriting. She recognised it instantly.
He had risked his life to send this message.
She wouldn't let that effort go to waste.
"Search the forest," she ordered, her voice low but commanding.
Zhong Yan was the first to step into the woods and the rest followed him.
This forest, which was known as Guya Ridge, had been abandoned for decades, shrouded in rumours and fear.
Some who entered lost their minds. Others vanished for months before turning up miles away. And some... never returned.
But Bai Wanyi didn't care.
Her son was inside.
Even if the forest had devoured countless lives, she would tear it open to bring him back.
"Search every inch of the forest," she said coldly. "I refuse to believe he simply vanished."
The search lasted for five full hours.
Infrared sensors, tracking dogs, and drones were deployed. The team swept forward in a tight net.
But Zeyang had seemingly vanished from the world.
"This doesn't make sense," Zhong Yan muttered. "There are blood traces, signs of struggle—even pieces of clothing…"
"But no body. No footprints. No heat signature."
Bai Wanyi's nails dug into her palms.
She refused to believe the worst.
"Impossible," she murmured. "He wouldn't die in a place like this."
"He's still alive."
Her tone brooked no doubt— but there was a faint trace of fragility.
She scanned the team. "Keep searching."
"Dig up the earth if you have to. Bring him back to me."
Night crept in. The woods grew colder. Thick fog rolled in, shrouding all in white.
The search team neared a steep valley. Suddenly, the drones went dark.
The dogs grew restless, tails tucked, whimpering low.
"Madam, something's wrong up ahead," Zhong Yan whispered.
Bai Wanyi paused, then ordered, "Fall back. Protect the team."
She wasn't afraid. She simply knew—
If Zeyang was alive, he would find his own way out.
But just as she turned, a black crow flew from the mist and landed on a branch, letting out a sharp, shrill caw.
She looked up. The crow stared at her, eyes cold and still.
Her heart sank.
A formless dread crept into her chest.
As if...
He was already gone from this world.
"Seal off the forest. Guard every exit," she commanded quietly.
"If he comes out…"
"Notify me the moment it happens."
She stood at the forest's edge, unmoving, like a frozen statue.
Until the moonlight pierced the mist and touched her cheek.
A single tear slid down her face.