Chapter Sixty-Four: Journey to the Forbidden Land

After a fierce internal struggle, Ben finally decided to accept Xie Qingtang’s request and take her to the forbidden zone, regardless of his family’s strong objections.

“Don’t worry. I’ve made thorough preparations for this trip to the forbidden zone. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure Ben returns safely,” Xie Qingtang promised, seeing the worry in Ben’s family’s eyes.

Ben went home to gather some essential tools, then set out with Xie Qingtang, striding out of the village. Word quickly spread among the villagers about their venture into the forbidden zone, and all were stunned.

Xie Qingtang gave little thought to what the villagers might think. She and Ben had already embarked on the journey, walking nearly two hours before reaching a patch of woodland.

Upon arrival, Ben suddenly stopped, swinging his knife at the side. A small green snake, cut in two, writhed on the ground.

“Doctor Xie, you must be careful here. Once we enter this woodland, these little snakes are everywhere. If bitten, your whole body will be paralyzed, covered in deadly red rashes. Without prompt treatment, death is certain,” Ben warned, his tone serious.

Xie Qingtang nodded, then took some medicinal powder from her black backpack and sprinkled it on her head, neck, and exposed wrists before handing some to Ben. “This is my snake-repelling powder. It works against snakes, insects, and rodents. Put some on.”

“Thank you,” Ben said without hesitation, applying the powder all over himself. With a wife and a child on the way, he valued his life greatly.

Once they were ready, they entered the woodland. It wasn’t large, and after about ten minutes, they emerged on the other side. During this time, Xie Qingtang noticed the abundance of small green snakes throughout the woods. Without the powder, they would have had to rely on Ben’s knife alone to get through.

After leaving the woodland, Ben stopped again and pointed to a broken stone monument not far ahead. “Doctor Xie, beyond that monument, it’s about five more minutes to the forbidden zone. Upon entering, you’ll feel uncomfortable—I’m not sure if that’s the toxic barrier you mentioned.”

“Alright, I’ll take a look. Wait for me here, don’t go any further,” Xie Qingtang said earnestly. She took a gas mask from her black backpack, took a deep breath, and walked forward. Ben, lacking a mask, stayed behind to wait for her return.

Crossing the monument, Xie Qingtang, through her gas mask, saw a faint mist ahead. The mist lingered in the mountains and forest, absorbing the medicinal and poisonous vapors emitted by the surrounding herbs and toxic plants, forming a unique toxic barrier.

Wearing the gas mask, Xie Qingtang felt no discomfort as she entered, but stopped at the boundary, wary of the dense toxic barrier that might overpower even her mask.

“What is Doctor Xie doing?” Ben could barely see her silhouette and stood there, frowning in concern.

Xie Qingtang pulled out various bottles and jars from her backpack, sprinkling powders and liquids ahead of her, their purpose unclear. As she scattered another batch of powder from a small bottle, the toxic mist before her seemed to retreat, as if confronted by a nemesis. Though it soon returned, the effect made her eyes light up.

Without hesitation, Xie Qingtang applied the powder all over herself, took a deep breath, determination flashing in her eyes, and strode forward.

“Doctor Xie, don’t go to the center of the forbidden zone! It’s even more dangerous there!” Ben shouted anxiously from outside the monument, but Xie Qingtang, masked, didn’t hear him.

After about twenty steps, Xie Qingtang’s brow furrowed. She found the mist inside the forbidden zone thick as milk, almost tangible. Her hand passed through it, and it seemed she could scoop it up in the next moment.

“I never imagined the toxic barrier would be even worse than I thought,” she murmured, already feeling short of breath. The powder shielded her from the toxins, but it wouldn’t last much longer.

She quickly turned her attention to the ground, searching for the four-leaf ghost needle grass Ben had mentioned.

She searched amid the dense toxic fog for a long time, but found nothing. She could feel trace amounts of toxins in the air seeping through her mask, making her dizzy.

Without hesitation, Xie Qingtang hurried out of the forbidden zone and returned to Ben’s side, removing her mask and gasping for breath.

“Don’t come over yet—I’m still covered in toxins,” she warned Ben as he tried to help her.

She took off her outer layer of clothing, sealed it in a plastic bag, and stowed it in her backpack. Her expression was stern as she gazed at the forbidden zone, now ethereal as a fairyland, and said to Ben, “Let’s go.”

With that, the two returned to the village. The villagers gathered to see them, astonished that both had returned unscathed.

“Ben, did you not enter the forbidden zone?” some curious villagers asked. Ben shook his head and replied, “I didn’t go in, but Doctor Xie did.”

“What? Doctor Xie went in and came out unharmed? How is that possible?” Suspicious eyes swept over Xie Qingtang, many unable to believe she had emerged from the forbidden zone untouched.

Xie Qingtang didn’t linger. She went to Ben’s house to bid farewell, as dusk was falling. Ben’s father said, “Doctor Xie, the last bus has already left for today.”