Chapter 6: Exploring the Mountains in Search of Treasure

It turns out that pupils really do dilate when a person is surprised. Perhaps it was the multitude of shocking events this morning that left Sui Chi momentarily speechless.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything? You’re not thinking of backing out, are you? You signed the contract!”

Sui Chi glanced down at the little creature, who was anxiously hopping around.

Well, after all, it’s just a talking monster. What’s there to be so shocked about?

“I’m not backing out. I was simply pondering why you can speak.”

“What’s there to ponder? I’ve always been able to talk; the difference is whether you can understand me.”

With that, the little creature leapt onto Sui Chi, grabbing her clothes and effortlessly climbing up to her shoulder like a flowing stream.

Sui Chi’s only thought was: this very outfit is now her change of clothes, and it just ate a meat pie without washing its hands. She thought this and accidentally said it aloud.

Instinctively, two little holes appeared on her face.

“Ouch,” Sui Chi touched the two tiny punctures on her left cheek that the creature had suddenly made by bristling its quills—not serious, no blood, but painful nonetheless.

“I think we should add a clause to our contract: Party A must not harm Party B’s safety, or I have the right to claim compensation!”

The little creature, feeling somewhat apologetic, curled up on Sui Chi’s shoulder and laughed nervously, “Next time, for sure, next time.”

Good, it’s already thinking there will be a next time.

Sui Chi fought to suppress a twitch at the corner of her mouth, sighed, and asked, “What should I call you? ‘Mountain Hedgehog’ is just your species… alright, alright, species. Do you have a name?”

Seeing its quills gradually rise, she quickly changed her words.

“Call me Momo. My mother used to call me that.”

“You still have a mother?” Sui Chi exclaimed.

“Obviously. You don’t have one.”

Sui Chi quickly turned her head, dodging Momo’s suddenly erect sharp quills. She had to admit, when relaxed, her mouth could be a bit sharp, but the existence of the monster was truly challenging her understanding of the world.

---

“Sorry, I was wrong, I was wrong. We’ll have dumplings tomorrow; today we’ll just eat meat pies first. Please take me for a walk up the mountain to find something sellable. As a poor Party B, I’m really broke right now.”

Momo grunted at Sui Chi’s sincere apology, no longer pursuing the matter. It licked its softening fur. “If you want to make money, I can give you two of my quills. They’re said to be quite valuable. Many people have tried to trade food for my quills before.”

“Did you give any away?”

“Why would I give them if they taste so horrible?”

Suddenly, Sui Chi began to doubt her earlier assumption. Maybe Momo didn’t really like eating shepherd’s purse after all.

“Since your meat pies are pretty good, and I’m going to stay with you for ten days, I’ll reluctantly give you two. You said you just arrived here, and there’s nothing on the ranch. Do you need any helpers? I can take you to meet some.”

Sui Chi’s eyes lit up immediately, and without hesitation she asked, “Do you have any that are icy cold all over, that can lower the surrounding temperature to help preserve food, and are strong enough to help with plowing?”

Momo tapped its chest with its claws. “Of course. I’ve lived in this mountain for three years and have seen all the monsters here. I guarantee I can find you the right one.”

Saying this, it settled on Sui Chi’s shoulder and began to give directions.

Sui Chi stared at it in silence for a moment, ultimately suppressing the urge to roll her eyes and started moving in the direction it pointed.

She really didn’t want to walk anymore.

The mountain west of town was tall, blocking the entire settlement and becoming the biggest barrier between the town and the outside world. Moreover, it was home to many animals, including fierce beasts and large birds of prey, not to mention dangerous monsters. So whenever someone mentioned going into the mountain, the townsfolk warned Sui Chi to stay near the foothills until she could protect herself.

This time, with Momo the little monster by her side, and relying on its familiarity with the mountain paths, they avoided several dangerous beasts’ habitats. Yet the deepening, shadowy surroundings still made Sui Chi’s breathing grow heavier.

“M-Momo, are you really sure there are suitable monsters nearby?”

Pushing aside the branches blocking her way, her voice grew anxious from the constant trekking.

“Of course. Don’t worry, I know this place like the back of my paw. If I say there are, then there are.”

Though she signed the contract, Sui Chi remained skeptical about its terms, wondering if she could add a clause about protecting Party B’s personal safety.

After walking so far, her heart was beginning to waver.

“It’s too far into the mountain. Maybe we should—” For safety, Sui Chi decided to turn back. But a casual glance led to a new discovery.

Beneath a big tree, a cluster of lush, cylindrical green leaves.

---

Wild onions.

“Wait, what are you doing? Not that way!”

Ignoring Momo’s shouts, Sui Chi moved closer and began gathering them. The shepherd’s purse she had dug earlier was already tied with vines on her back; she had a hedgehog on her shoulder and a bundle of wild vegetables on her back. Essentially, she was carrying a heavy load uphill, yet hadn’t collapsed—perhaps thanks to yesterday’s “training.”

Because the hoe was too heavy, Sui Chi hadn’t brought it, only a sickle. But since the wild onion’s rhizomes could be transplanted directly, cutting them with a sickle was unsuitable. For the happiness of having fresh onions in the future, Sui Chi chose to dig them out by hand.

As she worked, her mind began imagining where she could plant them. She was so happy that she hummed a little tune softly.

“Um, Sui Chi…”

“Yes? What is it?”

“I think the monster I mentioned is coming…”

Hearing Momo’s voice in her ear, and recalling the morning’s strange encounter, Sui Chi’s understanding of monsters was limited to cute, intelligent, communicative creatures. She didn’t even look up.

“Wait, let me finish digging this clump. Right away.”

Upon hearing this, Momo swallowed nervously and said dryly, “Um, I think you’d better look up soon.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Hiss… hiss… hiss…”

Suddenly hearing that sound made Sui Chi’s hair stand on end. Of course—wild onions thrive in high-altitude areas, and she had already been climbing the mountain for some distance.

She was now deep in the mountains. Though Momo kept insisting it was fine, their size and speed were different; Momo being fine didn’t mean she was.

In such deep mountains, a hissing sound like that couldn’t be the kind of creature she hoped it was, could it?

Tense, Sui Chi froze, uncontrollably feeling the prickling of her scalp and trembling as she spoke.

“Momo… Tell me, what kind of suitable helper did you mean exactly?”