After the rain, the mountains <b>were </b>shrouded in mist.


    As James had mentioned, there were quite a few bugs in the forest, but fortunately, they were all harmless.


    Before they came, Shermaine had applied DEET on herself and also gave Joshua some. The scent kept the bugs at bay.


    20


    At that moment, Joshua was holding a basket, while Shermaine, armed with a hoe, squatted on the ground digging for herbs. She wore gloves and worked quickly. In no time, the basket was already filled with quite a few.


    The deeper they ventured into the mountains, the more valuable herbs they found. James hade to Xenhall to find Bianca but hadn’t found any trace of her. Instead, he developed a phobia of bugs.


    So, Shermaine simply told James not to follow them further. After all, Joshua would help her.


    Along the way, they did encounter vigers from Xenhall. Many of these local residents had never been exposed to the outside world and were very simple and kind–hearted.


    One man saw Shermaine heading southwest and said in Mysonnian, “It’s very dangerous over there. Miss, you’d better not go.”


    Shermaine spoke severalnguages, but not Mysonnian. She knew he was talking to her, but didn’t understand, so she frowned in confusion.


    Seeing that she was having troublemunicating, Joshua said, “He said it’s dangerous over there and told you not to go.”


    “Can you understand Mysonnian?” Shermaine asked, curious.


    “I know many dialects,” Joshua replied.


    Shermaine looked up at him and asked earnestly, “Teach me.”


    Joshua nodded with a smile.


    “Thank him for the warning,” she said.


    Joshua ryed her message as she had instructed.


    The man was slightly surprised to find that Joshua spoke Mysonnian. “You’re wee,” he said before leaving.


    For ordinary people, a ce considered dangerous was no big deal for Shermaine and Joshua. So, after the man left, the two of them continued heading southwest.


    Shermaine was still missing one herb and hoped to find it.


    The fog grew thicker. Within a radius of a hundred feet, one might not be able <b>to </b>see another person. But the <b>two </b>of them weren’t worried about getting lost.


    However, the bugs were bing more numerous. Some were even unafraid of the DEET scent, flying over andnding on Joshua’s clothes.


    Joshua seemed unfazed. He was helping Shermaine shoo away the bugs. <b>So </b>far, none had managed tond on Shermaine.


    After obtaining thest herb, Shermaine tossed it into the basket. Seeing that it was gettingte, she said, “Let’s go. We can head back now.”


    <b>6:38 </b><b>pm </b>DXDD


    Shermaine noticed some bugs perched on Joshua’s jacket. She raised an eyebrow and waved them away for him. “Thanks,” she said.


    Joshua looked at her. “Is there a reward?”


    Shermaine was taken aback for a moment, unable to imagine such a reserved person asking for something in return.


    “What kind of reward do you want?<b>” </b>she asked.


    Joshua extended his hand. His gesture spoke volumes. ‘If holding hands was necessary going up the mountain, it should be the same going down,‘ he thought.


    Shermaine pursed her lips, then took off her left glove and.took Joshua’s hand. “Let’s go.”


    They hadn’t walked far when Shermaine encountered a pleasant surprise.


    A 1,000–year–old ginseng was growing in a hole under arge tree. Shermaine spotted its roots protruding.


    Her eyes lit up. She let go of Joshua’s hand, grabbed her hoe, and was about to dig it up when an elderlydy approached. She seemed to have noticed the ginseng <b>as </b>well.


    20


    Thedy, carrying a basket and with her hair turning gray, had bright, spirited eyes. She looked at Shermaine, sized her up, and instead of speaking Mysonnian, she used Wallingtonian. “You folks are outsiders<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    “So what if we are?” Shermaine replied, thinking, ‘Do the things in this mountain only belong to the locals? That’s just unreasonable.


    Thedy said, “We have a rule here.”


    “Please, <i>go </i>ahead,” Shermaine said.


    “Anyone has to give up precious herbs that a Mysonnian doctor has their eye on,” thedy exined.


    “There’s such a rule? Even if there is, I won’t give it up,‘ Shermaine thought. ‘It’s like a robber’s logic. Just because you’re a Mysonnian doctor with some medical skills doesn’t mean I have to give you all the good stuff.”


    Shermaine smiled, “Funny you should mention that. I happen to know a bit about medicine, too.”