“Now let me introduce our plans for the future.” She took out a hand-drawn map and spread it out in front of me and the fat guy, saying, “In a few days, the two of you, along with me and a German, will begin the real journey into the snowy mountains. We will find the places where our clan leader used to stay, understand everything that happened there, and retrieve the things he left behind. I think everyone agrees on this premise.”

I looked at Zhang Haixing and asked, “Do we really need the German?”

“Yes,” Zhang Haixing replied. “We have reached a consensus with the Germans. My brother knows the specifics better. Right now, I need to give you a basic understanding of the entire route. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Zhang Haixing, and I am a senior mountaineering instructor. All of your actions during this expedition must follow my instructions because this is a snowy mountain, and it’s an uninhabited area. This place is completely different from anywhere you’ve been before. We have no rescue options and no chances of survival. A single mistake could lead to death. Therefore, everything I, Zhang Haixing, say must be followed word for word.”

I waved my hand at Zhang Haixing. I was no longer the Wu Xie who could be easily manipulated. I said to her, “We are equal partners in this cooperation, so it’s not right for one person to have the final say. That’s the first point. Second, we need to formally understand everything that has happened before we consider going with you. No matter what we discussed before, the conditions have changed, so I can clearly tell you that I won’t listen to whatever you say at the moment. I only want to hear what we want to know. Please tell me, what exactly is going on? What did you discuss with the Germans? Who are those Germans? If you can’t explain, have your brother come over immediately.”

Zhang Haixing glanced at the door, and Zhang Haike walked in. It seemed he had been eavesdropping outside.

Zhang Haixing said to him, “This guy isn’t as obedient as I imagined.”

Zhang Haike stood next to me and said, “It’s best if you don’t know about the Germans. They are a nonexistent organization, and their purpose for coming here is different from ours. We are both seeking our own interests, and they have been studying us for a long time. I think you must have encountered Jude Kao and know about his company. After Jude Kao died, his company was restructured, the corporate shell was auctioned off, and all the data was obtained by investors. I can honestly tell you that our relationship with this group of Germans has been maintained for a long time, and both sides have been secretly making moves, but all of this has nothing to do with you. We have just reached an understanding with the Germans, and the purpose is to ensure your safety. If you insist on making things difficult for us and want to know everything, the consequences may be something you can’t bear. You might have to drift along with us for the rest of your lives.”

I asked Zhang Haike, “Is this a threat?”

Zhang Haike said, “Sometimes stating facts can sound a lot like a threat, but you know, I’ve been mimicking you and studying you for a long time. I’ve seen all your transformations, and I know that in this situation, you’re not easily fooled. But please understand that all the pain you’ve experienced in the past came from your quest for the truth, and those questions are fundamentally unrelated to you. Now, you find yourself trapped in a big mystery that concerns you; unless you choose not to believe it and continue to seek answers, instead of gathering more strange and horrifying information. I can tell you clearly that this information has nothing to do with your desire to prove yourself. The wisest thing you can do right now is to see the Germans and us as one group of people.”

The fat man was not fully awake yet; his eyes were fixed on the hexagonal bell in Zhang Haixing’s hand. Zhang Haixing shook it near his ear, and only then did he slowly come around.

I said to Zhang Haike, “So can I choose not to go? If this isn’t a threat, I should have the freedom to choose.”

Zhang Haike replied, “You know I could easily take you with me, but many things afterward require our cooperation. An unfriendly relationship can lead to disaster in many cases, so I will persuade you. I will do everything I can to convince you to go, even tell you many secrets. If you agree, you can ask me any questions within my ability to answer, and I will answer truthfully.”

I said, “I always feel that the questions I want to ask fall into the category of things you can’t answer.”

Zhang Haike shook his head and said, “You’re wrong. I’m not like the people you’ve interacted with before. There are many things I can tell you directly. For example, your friend, the Silent Oil Bottle, our clan leader—I can tell you everything about him because, for us, keeping secrets about him has no significance.”

I looked at the fat man, and he said, “You’re not making this up, are you? The little brother hardly says anything. How could you know everything about him so easily?”

Zhang Haike replied, “He doesn’t speak because of his own issues; for us, his background is not a secret. Do you want to hear it?”

The temptation was too great. I took a deep breath and scratched my head: Surely this guy hasn’t concocted a perfect story waiting for me, but then I thought it unlikely. Given what I know about the Silent Oil Bottle, if they were to fabricate a story, I should be able to spot the flaws. After thinking it over, I nodded and said to them, “Alright, if I can really obtain the information I need, I will cooperate fully with you and help you with everything, and I promise not to ask any more questions.”

Zhang Haike nodded, “You really are a reasonable person; now I find your face a bit more pleasing. Alright, what do you want to know?”

I asked, “Do you know the little brother?”

Zhang Haike nodded, “Of course, we lived together for a long time.”

I was taken aback by this first answer. I asked, “How long? Longer than the time I spent with the little brother?”

Zhang Haike smiled and said, “I met the so-called little brother when we were both two years old. Do you know how many years ago that was?”