Chapter 8 【Chapter 4】The Burning Mountain
This is the real panorama!
Yuxi shouted from the top of a camphor tree that was thirty meters high.I sat on a lower branch, feeling the vast sky and the wind blowing on my face.
We came to the mountainside of Xishan to prune the branches of the cypress.
Even on the same mountain, cedars and cypresses are planted at the same time depending on the sunlight and soil conditions.The environment with poor soil and poor sunlight is suitable for the growth of fir trees, so they are usually planted below middle and high altitudes.Conversely, junipers, which are more cold and snow-tolerant than cedars, are planted on hilltops in sunny, well-drained areas.
If it is planted near the top of the mountain, more labor is required for maintenance and felling. It takes a long time to climb the mountain to reach the job site, which increases the risk of work.Even if he was injured, he couldn't return to the village immediately. Except for the team members, in the deserted mountains, he had to work carefully and tense his nerves.
of course there are exceptions.That is Yuxi.Yuxi is more excited when the altitude is higher and the risk is higher. He likes to prune juniper trees near the top of the mountain.He was so happy that he even stayed on the tree during his lunch break and refused to come down.Because he said that he still needs to cut branches after eating, and it is very troublesome to climb up and down.He tied a rope around his waist, tied it to a juniper tree, and hung in mid-air like a coir worm.
Don't worry about him, Father Sanlang said, he is Ha Yin Tuo Gu Meng.
Hayintuo Gumeng is the word of God, which means that things are not practical.Ah Saw looked at Yuxi who was dangling above his head, and wagged his tail at Brother Qingyi, signaling that he wanted to drink water.After he helped Ah Saw fill the stream water in a container made of bamboo leaves, it snorted and drank.Ah Saw knows more rules than its owner.
Climbing a tree on a slope is much more terrifying than climbing a tree on a flat place. When I first started cutting branches, I was trembling.Cedars and cypresses have no branches to stand on, because the purpose of pruning is to remove unnecessary branches.Moreover, there is almost no need for auxiliary ropes to support the body, because constantly tying and removing several ropes will affect the progress of the work.
But I got used to it very quickly.The mountain is very large, and there are countless juniper trees on the mountain, and all these juniper trees must be branched.When concentrating on homework, there is no time to talk about fear.
After gradually getting more comfortable, on this day, at the instigation of Yuxi, I climbed up the big camphor tree with him.There are cedar and cypress trees planted on the mountains of Kamigo Village, but there are occasional broad-leaved trees such as camphor trees on the ridgeline.When planting trees, a broad-leaved tree will be specially planted, or the broad-leaved tree that originally grew there will be left as a mark of the boundary.
The slope to the east of the camphor tree in Xishan belongs to a forest landowner in the central area. Due to his advanced age, he is unable to work on the mountain by himself, so he entrusts Brother Qing's company to maintain it.Forestry work requires physical strength and experience. Everyone supports each other, and generations of landlords have also cooperated with each other and established a relationship of trust.
The huge camphor tree has lush branches and leaves, and you can climb up it in two or three strokes.Moreover, this camphor tree exudes a fresh fragrance. I gently rubbed the leaves with my face, looking at the tidy green sea and the shining roof tiles in front of me.
The sky was blue and the wind was blowing with the temperature of autumn, no one wanted to swim in the river anymore.Koushan will soon be full of red leaves, and the persimmons will soon turn red.
The animals on the mountain are also busy preparing for hibernation.After Ah Saw noticed the animal's movement, he barked desperately towards the grass, and his curled white tail swayed frequently in the grass.
Ah Saw, okay, got it.
Hearing what Yu Xi said on the top of the camphor tree, Ah Saw was a little quiet, and dissatisfiedly pawed at the soil with his front feet, as if to say: Is there any movement in the grass?Do you really need to ignore it?But it couldn't hold back soon, and barked at the grass again.
Yuxi no longer stopped Ah Saw, and leaned against the trunk of the camphor tree.It was thirty meters above the ground, and he was as calm as if he was lying on the sofa in his living room.
I adjusted my posture carefully.If you want to become one with the tree, you must never look down.Once he finds out his height, the eggplant is guaranteed to shrink back in fright.
Ah Saw is very conspicuous on the mountain, its fur is very white.
People in Shenqu Village never bathe dogs. Before, Yuxi laughed when he saw a dog in clothes on TV.Ah Saw is also wild. To be honest, compared with the dogs seen in the city, it is really a bit dirty.However, once inside the mountain, it bursts with divine white light.
The smart white dog is the treasure of the mountain people. When in the forest, even at night, the white dog is easy to spot. Even if I am unable to move in an accident at work, the chances of others finding me based on the color of Ah Saw will increase greatly. .
Right.
I can't help but feel admiration, but it's impossible for Yuxi to have thought so thoroughly when deciding what dog to get.
But what about winter?Once it snows, Ah Saw becomes one with the snow scene.
At this time, hold it to keep warm.In a pinch, it can also be boiled and eaten.
Too cruel.However, I know very well that even if Yuxi really encounters a critical situation, it is impossible to cook Ah Saw to eat.On the contrary, he may feed Ah Saw with his own meat. Although he will not help Ah Saw to dress up, I believe that no one loves his dog more than him.Although people in the mountains and dogs will not get tired of being together, their hearts are connected. I often feel the eyes of Hexi and Ah Saw looking at each other
Pruning went very well.
I am more experienced than before, and I will no longer say that it is a pity to cut off the branches that have grown with great difficulty.If you want no knots on the wood, branching is very important work.Cutting off excess branches can avoid the dispersal of nutrients, and also allow all trees to be exposed to sunlight, and can control forest fires to a minimum
Forest fires often occur on forested mountains, because when people enter the forest to work, it is inevitable that they will start a fire or smoke. Spreading branches can be effective in preventing the spread of fire to some extent.Once a fire breaks out in an unmaintained forest, it can spread quickly due to the proximity of dying tree branches to the ground.
Once a forest fire occurs, decades of hard work will be wasted.Uncle Yan said, courage, you have to be careful of fire and candles, and you must also do a good job in the maintenance of the forest, and you must do these two things thoroughly.People in the mountains must never forget that they are borrowing land from the gods on the mountain.
The juniper tree in Xishan is about twelve meters high, and we are cutting down the branches that are seven or eight meters high from the ground.The diameter of the roots of the branches is about seven centimeters, and these branches should be cut down.
But it's not a mess, isn't the root of the branch a little bulging?If the bulging part is also cut off, it will cause damage to the trunk and affect the value of the wood.Therefore, according to the shape of the branches and the trunk, we must start from an appropriate angle and keep the bulging part of the roots of the branches.It is very exhausting to do this work lying on the branch eight meters above the ground, the arm is also very sore, and the rope is stuck in the flesh and it hurts terribly.
I always use a saw to cut branches, and of course Yu Xi still walks around the world with an axe. He hangs in the air and keeps swinging the ax to knock down the branches with precision.Moreover, after finishing the branching of a tree, he threw the rope to the branch of the next tree, and the whole person also swung to the next tree.Climbing up and down trees takes excess energy, he said.This is simply not something that ordinary people can do.
Do I look like Tarzan?Very handsome.
He doesn't take himself seriously at all.I think he is simply a flying squirrel with a murder weapon in his hand.
After I finished my homework, of course I obediently walked down the ladder, and then put the ladder on the tree next door to climb up.This kind of ladder is called a centipede ladder. A whole thin stripped log is nailed with many scattered wooden stakes to facilitate standing. The centipede ladder is framed on the tree trunk and tied with several ropes to fix it.
The sun sets earlier and earlier, and after five o'clock, the sky has already darkened.The crows croaked, the mountains in the distance were dyed red, and our day's work was over.The evening wind blows on the body, taking away the body temperature, only the achievement of working hard today turns into heat, which stays deep in the body.There is both a sense of relief that I can finally go home for dinner, and a sense of loneliness.
West Hill is basically complete.
Brother Qing Yi said when he was at the foot of the mountain.
Didn't expect it to be faster than originally expected.Uncle Yan, who was carrying the centipede ladder, looked back at me and said, thanks for having the courage to join.
I was very happy when I heard it, but felt embarrassed, so I pretended to be cool and said: No such thing.Unexpectedly, Yuxi nodded and said, "Yes, that's not the case."If he doesn't speak, he will die.
What about tomorrow?Do you want to go up the mountain in the morning?
Master Sanlang asked Brother Qing, ignoring Yuxi and me who were fighting.
No, rest tomorrow morning.
ah?Why?
Ask with joy and dissatisfaction.
Did you forget it?There will be a meeting tomorrow to discuss the Dashan God Festival.
Uh, I interjected tremblingly and asked: What the hell is the mountain god?
All eyes were on me.
By the way, how should he deal with it?
Asking with Xi, Uncle Yan and Papa Sanlang looked at each other.How to deal with it?Well what does that mean!Seeing my displeasure, Brother Qing told me in a stern tone:
Dashan Gijin is the god of Kamigo, who lives in Kamigo Mountain.
That day, everyone gathered at Brother Qingyi's house for a meeting, and they were extremely busy from early in the morning.
The women in the neighborhood gathered in the kitchen to help cook, as for what the men were doing.Brother Qing was busy receiving the villagers who came one after another, Uncle Yan and Father Sanlang were in charge of arranging cushions and serving meals for everyone, and as for Yuxi, he actually smoked in the courtyard.He's such a slob, and he's completely useless for anything other than going up hills.
I run back and forth between the kitchen and the living room, helping serve the guests with food and drinks.I thought Naoki would come too, but I didn't see her.After thinking about it carefully, I realized that it was not a holiday.Naoki is a teacher at school, of course it is impossible to appear.
Almost all the men from the lower and middle areas of Shenqu Village and from the Shenqu District were present to attend the meeting convened by Brother Qingyi.Everyone came in a pickup truck, and some people sat on the back of the pickup truck.I don't know how the road traffic law in this village was formulated.The pickup trucks filled the courtyard of the Qing family, and there was a long queue even under the bridge.
After the paper sliding door is removed, the large living room of about 20 square meters is full of uncles and grandpas. The scene is super spectacular.There were no women in the living room, and when the meeting was held to discuss matters related to the festival, those men with strict wives finally had the opportunity to be the masters of the house.
This year, the day of offering sacrifices to the God of Mountains is approaching.
After everyone had finished eating and the wine was almost drunk, Brother Qing opened his mouth. Moreover, this year is a big festival every 48 years. I hope everyone will work together to hold a lively festival.
Several uncles stood up staggeringly, talking about the situation of the last festival, and spread out the scrolls that looked very old, not knowing what they were discussing.
After arranging the program of the day, the detailed division of labor was determined according to different regions.Because I couldn't understand the situation, I sat in the corner of the living room and dozed off, while Yuxi lay next to me and snored loudly.
After a three-hour meeting, I finally got a general idea.
In the end, everyone has no objection to the fact that Yuxi is the head of the project, right?
Brother Qingyi looked around at everyone in the living room, and Yuxi who was still asleep a moment ago jumped up suddenly and said:
No!
The people present didn't know whether they were frightened by Yuxi's aura or agreed with Yuxi's strength. No one expressed any objection.Although I still don't know what Mutu is, but seeing Yuxi's contented appearance, I feel indifferent.
My boss, Uncle Yamane who was sitting in the middle of the living room seemed to have finally made up his mind, facing Brother Qingyi who was sitting in the upper seat, he said: What about your trainees?
Is Hirano brave?Of course he will attend the festival.
There was commotion in the living room.
I can't agree with that.Uncle Yamane stammered, with a disapproving expression on his face. If outsiders were allowed to participate in the festival of Dashan God, and it was a big festival, the god would be offended, and the consequences would be disastrous.
It doesn't matter whether you participate in the festival or not, but Uncle Yamane's attitude of not daring to look me in the eye made me inexplicably angry.He usually has this face, I have always held the attitude of being friendly and neighborly, but even if I greet him when I meet him on the road, he always ignores me and treats me like a ghost or a person in the air. Moreover, he Speak bad things about brother one and our team everywhere, saying that they hired laymen.
Don't think these words won't come to my ears, damn it.
The people gathered in the living room all looked at Uncle Yamane, some at Kiyoichi, and sometimes sneaking glances at me, but immediately looked away.What's the matter?If you have anything to say, just say it.
Yuxi was smoking a cigarette, folded his arms, and exhaled from his nostrils.
Do not whisper, and those who oppose raise their hands.
No hands were raised.Although Yuxi told everyone to raise their hands, he glared at everyone in the living room with vicious eyes, so no one dared to raise their hands.However, from the atmosphere at the scene, it is not difficult to detect that some people do not want me to participate.
Well, Brother Qingyi sighed, whether you want to participate in this matter is reserved for the time being, please start preparations according to the division of labor arranged today.
That night, I was so angry and annoyed that I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.Uncle Yamane is already very old, and he actually said something with a serious face that would offend the gods. The consequences are unimaginable. It really makes people angry, but the villagers who don’t express any opinions and refuse me to participate in the festival also make people angry.
Oh, I'm so pissed off.I left the bed and gently opened the paper door.I wanted to chat with someone, but Grandma Fan was already sound asleep, and the goldfish in the glass goldfish bowl next to her pillow didn't move at all.
I walked to the courtyard from the floor-to-ceiling windows of Grandma Fan's room.It was chilly in the courtyard, and there was silence all around.Ah Saw who was sleeping in the kennel raised his head, and when he saw it was me, he buried his face in his front legs again and closed his eyes.
Wonder what your parents and friends in Yokohama are doing now?No matter how long I stay, the people here seem to be unable to accept me, so I might as well go back to my hometown as soon as possible.I sat on the veranda and looked up at the dark sky.Before I came to God and Village, I never knew how painful it was to be treated as an outsider.
The sky is full of silver stars and thin gray clouds, and the ridge line of Shenqu Mountain cannot be seen tonight.The rice with heavy ears rustled in the farmland.Insects sang in the night, drowning out the sound of the river.
I sighed heavily, the door of the next room opened, and Xi came to the outer corridor.
What are you doing?
I didn't answer.Yuxi sat down beside me and lit a cigarette.He wore a bathrobe instead of pajamas, and sat cross-legged, showing his hairy legs.
let you see something?
Yuxi pointed to his bedroom.I don't know what's going on, but at his urging, I press my face against the glass.
There were two quilts in the bedroom, and Miki's sister was lying on one of the quilts, but her feet were on the pillow, lying on her stomach in a big character, and the quilt was lying on the side near her waist.
Wouldn't she have trouble breathing like this?
Does she sleep badly?Yuxi smiled, she did this every day.
I look towards the courtyard again.Yuxi and I were silent for a moment, listening to the sound of God going to the village at night.
The rubbing sound of the leaves on the mountain, the bright eyes of the beast, accompanied by the breathing of the sleeping human beings.
When you first transfer schools, it is usually difficult to integrate into the environment, right?
Yuxi put out the cigarette in the outer eaves.
I don't know I never transferred schools.
I haven't changed schools either.Where is there a school in this village that can be transferred?I mean the usual situation.
oh.
Shenqu Village is like a school that hasn't had any transfer students for hundreds of years, so some people have a lot of opinions.
Um.
But you don't have to worry, Qingyi is the class monitor, and I'm the most mischievous one in the class, if anyone dares to keep talking, I'll take care of him.
I thought he was joking, but when I turned around, I found that his expression was very serious, as if he was not just trying to comfort me.My mood eased a little.
In fact, Uncle Yamane is not a bad person.
Yeah?
Yes, almost two years ago, Uncle Yamane also mentored a trainee.That person quit his job and said he wanted to join the forestry industry, but he ran away within half a year.Uncle Yamane tutored the trainee very seriously, so he was very hurt.
Although it's not that I can't understand his mood, he shouldn't confuse me with that trainee. Why can't he understand my determination to devote myself to forestry without evasion?
Boom, boom, there was a low hum like the sound of ocean waves coming from the ground far away.
what sound?
Shanming.The sound of the mountain that God Qushan sends out.
Feeling that something was going to happen, Yuxi stood up on the outer porch, muttering with a rare serious expression.
Yuxi and I were not the only ones who heard the sound from the mountain, Brother Qingyi and Uncle Yan also woke up when they heard the sound.Father Sanlang is fast asleep, not to mention Grandma Fan and Sister Meishu.
The next day, the whole village was discussing the Shanming. Whenever the villagers met, they talked about the strange singing late last night.Some say it's a bad omen, some say it's a good omen, and some say it's a natural phenomenon, so don't worry about it.
Then, the villagers did not discuss any results, and quickly forgot about it.
A week has passed since the mountain cry.
That day, when we were pruning branches on Dongshan Mountain, Yuxi suddenly said:
Have you ever smelled it?
Everyone stopped what they were doing and sniffed hard.It does have a burnt smell.
Yuxi untied the rope around his waist, and climbed up the cedar tree in two or three strokes.His figure disappeared among the leaves, and he was immediately heard shouting:
It's on fire!The back mountain of Shenqu Elementary School is on fire!
Yuxi, quickly use your mobile phone to notify the fire brigade and the village office.Brother Qing Yi nervously issued instructions, and we also went to put out the fire.
Everyone rushed down the mountain together, and the minivan drove all the way to God to go to the elementary school.The villagers had gathered on the campus a long time ago, looking anxiously at the mountain behind the school building.
Near the mountainside, white smoke rose into the sky.There was the sound of cracking cedar trees on the mountain, and the tops of the cedar trees burst into flames.
The onlookers suddenly screamed.
The situation is very bad, Brother Qingyi said, the wind blows down from the mountain.
If you don't act quickly, the whole school will be burned down!
Yuxi yelled, ran to the drinking water place in the corner of the campus, and drenched his body from head to toe with water.
No way?I was muttering in my heart, and Yuxi really yelled:
Let's stop the fire from spreading!
He planned to rush into the flames to fight the fire.I do not want it!Although I thought so in my heart, firefighting is also a duty for mountain people.Many uncles who stopped their work and came from the mountains in all directions responded to Yuxi's call:
right!
real or fake?
The rescue team ran over with the water hose.They pumped water from the river and sprayed it on the roof of the school building.When the only fire engine in the village arrived, the volunteer fire brigade handed over the school to the firefighters, and carried the water hose into the mountain again.They plan to release water into the burning forest at close range where fire trucks cannot go.
Now, of course, I can't back down.
I made up my mind and poured water over my head, soaking my clothes.
Our group was responsible for felling downwind trees.
After discussing with other groups, Brother Qingyi came back to us and said.In order to prevent the spread of the fire, each group cut down the trees around the fire point.
The primary school students are all assembled on the playground and after school, the teachers calmly explain the precautions to the students.Naoki was among them.
Can't you run out to play? The fire on the mountain will be extinguished soon. Children don't have to worry, they should go home immediately.
I saw her figure out of the corner of my eyes, and then rushed towards the back hill of the school.
I run up the slope.The smoke has not diffused yet, but the burnt smell is very pungent.Birds screamed in the sky, and fleeing hares and squirrels ran past us.Ah Saw kept barking.
Unusual events made the air of the forest turbulent.
Start cutting almost from this area.
Father Saburo said.
good.
Brother Qingyi nodded and gave instructions.Fell down with the wind, lined up horizontally, and greeted before cutting.
Felling operations are dangerous and usually not done in a row because fallen trees may crush people, but speed is the priority right now.There was the sound of chainsaws everywhere.In a team of two, one of them is responsible for cutting the tree, and the other observes the direction of the falling tree to confirm safety.
cut!
Good!
The voices representing "To chop" and "No problem" rise and fall on the slope respectively.
The cedar tree creaked and then fell to the ground with a thud.At this time, because of the forest fire, I had to cut down the trees that had been planted for many years. It was very heartbreaking, but if they were not cut down in time, the fire would spread rapidly along with the branches.
While we felled the trees, we climbed up the slope. The white smoke gradually drifted over, and the burnt smell had reached its peak. I coughed hard, and Uncle Yan, who was in my group, stopped the chain saw and said:
I'm afraid it has reached its limit.
Firefighters holding water hoses rushed out from the smoke screen.The volunteer fire brigade established by the villagers usually conducts fire drills to prevent forest fires.
boss!One of the members of the firefighting team ran to Brother Qing, and there was probably nothing he could do.
What about the helicopter?
I heard that it will reach the sky in twenty minutes.
OK, then try to hold on until the helicopter arrives.
Following Brother Qing's order, we jumped over the felled trees, temporarily retreated to the downwind place, and used water to wet the felled trees as a fire barrier.
The fire gradually approached, and the burning trees made a crackling sound.The emerald green fir trees standing upright on the slope float down countless sparks.
Villagers used buckets to bring water up from the bottom of the mountain in a relay way, and the pumps pumped water with maximum horsepower. Several water pipes sprayed water at the same time for rescue, and the flames were still raging.Because some trees were felled to form a small open space, the fire could not continue to spread, but it did not become smaller.
Still can't solve the problem.
He smashed his mouth with hi.Uncle Yan's face was already blackened, and he was pouring water from the bucket onto the surrounding grass.Brother Qingyi comforted the members of the other groups, and pointed out the places that needed to be flushed.Unwilling to give up, Father Sanlang silently cut down trees not far away.
Yuxi and I spray water from the hose.
Courage, I'm going to spray water closer.
ah?But too dangerous.
Sprinkling water in such a place is simply adding fuel to the fire.
The correct statement should be a drop in the bucket, not helpful at all.
It's not important.Yuxi cried out, anyway, I want to rush in.
He took the hose and stepped over the felled trees to the approaching flames.
Hold on, I'm coming with you!
As much as I hate it, I can't let Yuxi take the risk alone.
We walked across the water-soaked barrier, and the hot wind blew up, taking moisture from our clothes and hair.
So hot.
Tongues of red fire licked the trees, sparks rained down on the fallen leaves.The cedar tree whose leaves were on fire and whose trunk was also blackened slowly fell down.
and hi!courage!Come back quickly!
Brother Qingyi yelled loudly, but we didn't look back.We hugged the powerful water pipe together. The thick white water pipe pulsated like a blood vessel, and the river fish gleamed silver and sprayed out together with the water.
Ah, wonder if it will turn into grilled fish.I thought about it calmly.
We extinguished the flames running around one after another with water. Although Yuxi and I didn't talk, we knew the next target of the water pipe even if we didn't have to talk.Of course, it was also because the heat was so close that he couldn't open his mouth to speak.My lips were tingling, and my eyes couldn't help squinting, and the smoke made me cry.
When I came back to my senses, I found that we were standing on the slope with the water pipes that were no longer in our hands.
Red helicopters circled the autumn sky, dropping firefighting agents.
Why can we see such an open sky even though we are on the mountain?At this time, my brain finally felt the scene in front of me.
In front of him was a scorched forest, and sporadic fir trees on the slope were burned into black pillars.
Half of the Xibantian slope on the mountain behind the elementary school was burned, and 500 fir trees were burned. It took three and a half hours for the fire to be finally extinguished.
After an investigation by the fire department, it was found that cigarette butts were the cause of the blaze.That morning, the residents of the town went to the forest to pick mushrooms. Those who were not familiar with the situation on the mountain did not understand the horror of the forest fire, so they would casually throw away cigarette butts.
They don't know how much work and time it took to cultivate this forest on the mountain.
However, no villagers blamed and complained, and no one went to track down the perpetrators.The fire has already broken out, besides, this is where the gods go to the village.
Everyone looked at the bare back mountain, speechless.
When we set foot on the way home, it was as if we had experienced a big explosion, and our entire face and clothes were black.
After Yu Xi drove the pickup truck into the courtyard, sister Mei Shu rushed to the door.Yuxi, who got out of the pickup truck, looked at Sister Miki's face, and muttered:
Oh shit.
Then, he lowered his head and bit his lips tightly.Sister Miki walked over and hugged Yuxi gently.
I stood by, my nose a little sore.Granny Fan walked over staggeringly, holding on to her crutches.
You have worked hard.
She patted my waist.She's supposed to want to pat me on the back, but she just doesn't have long hands.
I couldn't help the tears that I suppressed, and a drop fell down.
The fire is terrible, and it hurts to watch the fire consume the forest and do nothing.I really want to cry out loud, but of course it is impossible to do so for the sake of face.
It turns out that as long as Grandma Fan is willing, she can walk.
I looked up at the stars in the sky that were beginning to blink, and deliberately kept myself from thinking about the fire.
Ah Saw has been listless these days.
After the forest fire was successfully extinguished, Ah Saw came down from the mountain in a dirty and black body, with his tail drooping weakly, and sat on the back of Yuxi's pickup truck, and returned home with us.
After that, it hid in the dog house in the courtyard and stayed at home.
That fire must have been an extremely terrifying experience for Ah Saw. Even Yuxi and I were depressed for several days. We were deeply shocked by witnessing the fire scene and the burnt fir forest up close.Of course Ah Saw couldn't figure out why there would be a fire, and his inner fear must have multiplied. He might feel that when he was on the mountain, he was chased by a monster with high temperature.
It hardly eats dog food. Sister Meishu was very worried about Ah Saw's condition, and went to the supermarket in the town to buy Ah Saw's favorite high-end dog food. Ah Saw just snorted melancholy and turned his head to the side.Yuxi greeted Ah Saw in the kennel all day long, but he just shook his dog's tail that was exposed outside. It was hard to imagine the joyous figure of it jumping around on the slope before.
Ah Saw was almost never like this before.
Said with Xi.
What does almost mean?
Almost two years ago, I fell off a cliff on Higashiyama.
Although Dongshan has planted forests, it has not been maintained for decades. That was the first time Yuxi went to Dongshan.The owner of the mountain forest entrusted Zhongcun Forestry to manage it, so Yuxi went to the mountain to investigate first.Ah Saw also followed him up the mountain.
There is a lot of moss growing on the mountain, the leaves of the cedar trees are too dense, the light in the forest is very dark, and I heard that there are bears.To be on the safe side, I let Ah Saw go in front.
Not long after walking, Ah Saw suddenly turned around and walked back.Yuxi thought there was a bear in front of him, and looked around nervously, but he didn't notice the movement of the beast.It turns out Ah Saw just peed on the root of a cedar tree.Yuxi's mood relaxed, but he didn't expect to fall off the cliff after walking a few steps.There was a drop of almost three meters, but it was covered by moss, so Yuxi couldn't see it.
I thought the bones in my butt were broken. Yuxi recalled the scene at that time and said that the pain was terrific. Although it was only three meters, I crawled for nearly an hour.
Ah Saw wagged his tail apologetically when he poked his head out from the edge of the cliff.After that, Ah Saw couldn't eat for three whole months.
Why?Wasn't it you who fell off the cliff?
I also don't understand what the dog is blaming itself for?
Although Yoo-hee said don't worry about it, it will recover soon, but I'm worried.
Should I take it to the vet?
When Brother Qingyi came to see Ah Saw, I asked him.Brother Qingyi nodded slightly and looked at Ah Saw with a hum.Under the shouts of everyone, Ah Saw finally walked out of the dog house, but lay on the ground without moving.
Shantai who came with Brother Qingyi stroked Ah Saw's back and asked:
Ah Saw, what's wrong with you?
Ah Saw pressed his chin to the ground, drooped his ears, and looked up at Shantai, but then closed his eyes lonely, as if to say: Oh, the young master of the Nakamura family is here.I'm sorry, but leave me alone.
Could it be that the wildfires caused its trauma?
This is also one of the reasons why Brother Qingyi thought for a while and said: Okay, Yuxi, you come to help.
Brother Qingyi found Yuxi who was cutting his nails on the verandah, and explained his battle plan.
Can this make Ah Saw cheer up?Yuxi is dubious.
It's worth a try.Brother Qing Yi persisted confidently.
In order to prepare for the winter, Yuxi's family piled up a lot of firewood.The kitchen of Yuxi's house is made of mud, so it is very cold. In winter, firewood is used for heating.Firewood and logs cut into 50 centimeters were piled up under the eaves to the height of a person.
Those twigs and firewood don't matter, so the logs are free.
Yu Xi showed embarrassment, but Brother Qing said disapprovingly:
Don't worry, those logs are fully dried and light.
No matter how light it is, try to press down a dozen or twenty logs, what if you get injured!
Yuxi, what, what, I said solemnly: Don’t you love Ah Saw?
I love myself too!
Brother Qingyi ignored Yuxi's protest and said, "Everyone take your place!"Just hide behind the house.Shan Tai and I also hid with Brother Qing Yi.
Only Yuxi stayed in the courtyard.Ah Zaoming knew that Yuxi was there, but he still didn't raise his head.
Uh, ahem.
Yuxi coughed deliberately, huh?The firewood seems to be falling down, so let me rearrange it.
Shantai and I, who were peeking behind the house, saw that Yuxi's acting skills were so poor, so we couldn't help but glanced at each other and snickered.Yuxi walked past Ah Saw, and stretched out his hand to the firewood under the eaves.
Wow!
All the firewood fell down with a clatter.To be precise, it was overthrown by Yuxi.Lie on the ground with hi and fallen firewood.Ah Saw sensed the situation and stood up vigilantly.
help.
You Xi pressed on some firewood, moaning weakly.I can't move, Ah Saw, come and save me!
The faithful Ah Saw ran over and pushed Yuxi's arm with the tip of his nose, but Yuxi still didn't stand up.
It's over, I'm dying.
Yuxi struggled like a dying insect, and begged Ah Saw to find someone quickly.
Ah Saw was at a loss and turned around beside the fallen Yuxi, sometimes biting Yuxi's overalls and pulling it out desperately, and sometimes licking Yuxi's face.Then, suddenly, it barked like a storm.
Ah Saw seldom barks at ordinary times, even if Shantai pulls its ears or grabs its tail, it doesn't make a sound.Unexpectedly, when seeing its owner and Xi in trouble, it will show its loyal dog side.
Seeing the anxious figure of Ah Saw, who wanted to find someone quickly, barking in a painful voice.I was deeply moved. I wondered if I felt that Ah Saw was screaming too miserably. Yuxi ignored the arrangement of the plot and hurriedly stopped and said: Hey, Ah Saw.No need to call it so hard.
Almost there.
When Brother Qingyi was about to walk in the direction of Yuxi and Ah Saw, the entrance door was forcefully opened, and sister Meishu rushed out of the room.
Ah Saw, what?
Sister Mei Shu hadn't finished speaking when she saw Yu Xi lying on the ground with a lot of firewood on her body, and she yelled: Husband, what's wrong with you!
Sister Mei Shu hugged Yu Xi and shook him vigorously, Yu Xi, you must not die!
It doesn't seem so good.I looked back at Brother Qingyi.
Forgot to tell Sister Miki that we were acting.
Well, let's take another look.
After the unknowing Mei Shu joined in, the drama suddenly became more real.Yuxi was shaken so hard that his teeth almost reached his tongue.Ah Saw also barked vigorously, as if wanting to encourage and delight with Sister Meishu.
Wait, wait a minute, Miki, I'm fine.If you shake it so hard, I will be knocked unconscious by you.
Yuxi finally stopped sister Meishu from shaking vigorously, and hugged Ah Saw tightly in her arms, Ah Saw, thanks to you, I got my life back!You are the best loyal dog in the world!
Yuxi's acting skills are still rough and exaggerated, but Ah Saw proudly wagged his tail vigorously under Yuxi's stroking and praise.Ah Saw sniffed Yu Xi's scent, and after confirming that he was fine, he looked like he had finished a big job, but he returned to the dog house with a tired expression on his face, and chomped down on the dog food in the bowl.
Ah Saw is alive!
Shanta clapped his hands.
Why did it get better all of a sudden?
I tilted my head in wonder, and Brother Qingyi explained to me:
Ah Saw felt that he hadn't been able to help during the forest fire before, so he lost his confidence.
ah?How can a dog put out a fire? It's none of its business.
But Ah Saw thought it was a member of our group, so his self-esteem was hurt.
It turned out to be such a thing.Ah Saw (thought) succeeded in rescuing Yuxi, and won back the face of being a member of the group, and thus regained his confidence, and finally his appetite increased.
I can't help but feel admiration.It turns out that for dogs, working with everyone on the mountain is also a kind of pride.
Sister Miki yelled at Yuxi in the courtyard:
What are you doing?It made the whole family feel uneasy.
Don't you need to explain?I asked Brother Qingyi, and Brother Qingyi said:
Don't worry about them.Ah Saw regained his confidence, and Yuxi also felt Miki's concern for him, which really kills two birds with one stone.
Although Yuxi was scolded by Miki's sister, he looked smug.Shantai ran after Ah Saw.
Ah Saw, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have lied to you, but luckily you’re alive and kicking again.
Brother Qing Yi and I re-stacked the messy firewood.The top of the leisurely towering Shenqu Mountain is gradually dyed red, and several red dragonflies are flying on the farmland with golden ears of rice hanging down.
Maybe I've fallen in love with this village where grown-ups play for a dog.
Ah Saw was not the only thing that changed after the forest fire, the villagers looked at me differently.
Although most of the villagers have accepted me before, some people still treat me as an outsider and don't give me a good face.Needless to say, of course it is Uncle Yamane's group.
或許是因為我在山林大火中英勇救火奏效，山根大叔的態度逐漸軟化。在路上遇到時，總算願意向我打招呼了。所謂的打招呼，就是當我對他說你好時，他重重地點一下頭而已。以前他都對我視而不見，所以，當他第一次向我點頭時，我有一種終於馴服了難纏的野生猴子的感覺，暗爽了半天。
午休的時候，我們坐在陽光充足的斜坡上聊著這件事。
猴子？你這小子真沒禮貌。
巖叔笑著說。
因為他真的很像，這也沒法子啊。
與喜難得同意我的意見。在樹後撒尿的三郎老爹拉起褲子拉鏈走了回來。
之前山林大火時，勇氣表現得很勇敢，那個小毛頭沒資格說三道四的呢哪。
山根大叔在三郎老爹口中也變成了小毛頭。
不管怎麼樣，勇氣應該可以參加祭典了。
清一哥拿了一根香腸給阿鋸後說。
全村正靜悄悄地在為大山祗神的祭典做準備，雖然我仍然搞不清大山抵神是什麼，也不知道要舉行怎樣的祭典，但村裡每天都有地方在祭神。如果祭典當天是總統大選，之前的這些小型祭神活動就像是選前造勢。
這些祭神活動神不知，鬼不覺地開始，又悄悄地落幕。全村的各個小神社都漸漸清理乾淨了，有一天，神去河邊突然拉起了稻草繩，負責各項工作的村民都漸漸完成了自己的分內事。
把神社打掃乾淨，代表清潔全村的意思。巖叔告訴我，在河畔拉起草繩是防止壞東西進入村裡。在準備就緒，一切都清理乾淨後，大山祗神祭典就可以開始了。
我感到驚訝，覺得太大費周章了。祭典在十一月中旬舉行，但各種小型祭神活動要持續一個多月，身為東家的清一哥必須監督一切，整天忙得不亦樂乎。
最令我驚訝的是在剛割完稻子的農田裡突然建了一個望樓。十月中旬的星期六，剛好不用上山工作，我跑去望樓觀看。望樓的四周懸掛著一綑綑稻草，望樓上有一個大鼓，卻不見人影。
我感到納悶，中午過後，全村都響起了鼓聲。我急忙跑去門外一看，發現有十名左右的男男女女跟著節奏，圍著望樓打轉。他們手舞足蹈的樣子有點像中元節跳的盂蘭盆舞，卻沒有歌聲，所有人都面無表情、默然不語，緩緩地舉起雙手，然後又放下。而且，所有人都一身白衣。
very scary.This is how the same thing?
這是豐年舞。跑來看熱鬧的三郎老爹說，每次看到豐年舞，就覺得祭典的腳步近了。
為什麼沒有唱歌和拍手？
Why?
簡直就像是召喚幽浮的儀式，讓人看了心裡發毛。
這是奉獻給神明的舞蹈，當然要很嚴肅呢哪。
嗯，我難以理解。我以前只看過村、里組織主辦的盆舞，通常都用擴音器大音量地播放音樂，而且都在中元節的時候跳。
神去村的豐年舞沒什麼觀眾，那些一身白衣的村民結束圍繞望樓打轉後，也沒有人為他們鼓掌。那天傍晚，連望樓也拆掉了，好像什麼事都沒有發生過。
What exactly is going on?
村裡不斷舉行各種莫名其妙的祭神活動，最後，終於要迎接了祭典的來臨。
祭典當天的一大清早，不，正確地說，是深夜兩點，我就被叫醒了，然後接二連三地參加了祭典的各項儀式。中途的時候，我好幾次都差點說：我想退出，我甘願繼續當一個外來客吧。
說到祭典，通常不是都會覺得是一場吃吃喝喝、唱歌跳舞的盛會嗎？但大山祗神的祭典完全不是這麼一回事。神社的夏日廟會只是神去村的表面文章，大山祗神的祭典才是神去村的真面目，充分展現出村民的本性。
所謂村民的本性，就是哪啊啊哪精神和破壞性。我在那場祭典中吃盡了苦頭，那是我有生以來第一次發自內心地以為自己活不下去了。
但在說這些事之前，我先寫一下直紀的事。
如果要問她送我金魚的那天晚上之後，我們有什麼進展令人遺憾的是，完全沒有進展。
我並不是沒有努力，直紀經常來清一哥家玩，所以，我每次聽到機車引擎的聲音。即使沒事，也會去清一哥家。雖然與喜經常拿這件事調侃我，但誰理他啊。
直紀經常和山太一起著色畫畫或是折紙，有時候還會幫忙祐子姊，在廚房煮栗子。我把山太扛在肩上，不時去偷看直紀。直紀假裝沒有看到我，目光總是追隨著清一哥的身影。
清一哥總是彬彬有禮地和直紀保持距離，始終貫徹妳是我太太的妹妹，所以也是我疼愛的妹妹的態度。不知道他有沒有察覺直紀的態度？他這麼精明，想必早就發現了。
儘管發現了，卻假裝不知情。清一哥無意回應直紀的愛慕，我雖然鬆了一口氣，但也覺得難過。事實明明擺在眼前，卻被當作沒這回事發生。只要想像一下直紀內心的感受，就忍不住感到難過。因為這就像我對直紀的感情。
問題在於祐子姊，她察覺妹妹愛上了自己的丈夫嗎？
我仔細觀察了祐子姊的動向，還是無法得出結論。祐子姊很聰明，總是面帶笑容，從她的全身都可以感受到對清一哥的充分信任。她不會像美樹姊那樣情緒激動地嫉妒，也不會像直紀那樣暗暗單相思，所以反而讓人搞不清楚狀況。
我跟你說，清一的老婆心裡當然很清楚。與喜說，她之所以這麼鎮定自若，是因為她有足夠的自信。像她這種好女人，有足夠魅力可以吸引男人的心。
美樹姊用力擰了滿臉奸笑的與喜的大腿。
對不起，我沒有足夠的魅力可以吸引男人的心呢哪。
好痛好痛，我沒這個意思。
與喜家吃飯時候，幾乎整天都會上演夫妻戰爭，我已經習以為常了。
話說回來，我插嘴說：不怕一萬，只怕萬一。祐子姊不會擔心有什麼閃失嗎？
Impossible, impossible.
與喜和美樹姊不約而同地搖著頭。
清一在這方面太有原則了，就像神去村所有的山頭不可能被夷平一樣，他也不可能對他小姨子動心。
而且，直紀也是個好女孩，絕對不可能做讓山太和祐子難過的事。
他們說的很有道理。這麼說，直紀連表白的機會也沒有，只能永遠守護清一哥一家人嗎？這也太痛苦了。
有時候，人要懂得看開一點。始終聽著我們聊天的繁奶奶喝了口茶說，至於會不會在看開之後和勇氣結婚，又是另一回事了。
結、結婚？
Hey hey.繁奶奶笑了起來，你首先要在祭典上表現得像個男子漢呢哪。
好主意，與喜拍著手，託我的福，你在祭典上也有大顯身手的機會。
為什麼是託你的福？
我不是被選上目途嗎？和目途同一個組的人是祭典的核心人物，你千萬別錯過這個機會，要表現得像個男子漢，知道嗎？
目途到底是什麼？況且，時下的女生會因為男生在祭典時表現得很像男子漢就動心嗎？我太存疑了。
直紀曾經在我面前小聲嘀咕說，姊姊太奸詐了。
那時候，她正忙著用小刀削栗子皮。廚房裡除了她以外，剛好只有我一個人，但直紀或許只是在自言自語。
你知道清一哥為什麼很少說神去話嗎？聽說是不想讓從東京嫁過來的姊姊感到孤單，很蠢吧？
我沒有答腔。直紀坐在泥土房間的長椅上，把裝了剝好栗子的盆子夾在腿上。昏暗的廚房內，只看到直紀手上的刀子靈巧地閃著光，她的腳下都是栗子皮。
姊姊總是這樣，很懂得操控男人。
我覺得這些話反而傷到了直紀自己，無法繼續保持沉默。
但是，妳並不討厭妳姊姊吧？
對啊，我並不討厭她。
直紀停下剝栗子皮的手笑了笑，早知道我應該當男人，就可以像你一樣，和清一哥同組在山上工作。
直紀起身離去洗著被栗子弄髒的手。
啊啊，我到底在說什麼啊，忘記我剛才說的話。
我當然不可能忘記。我因此而愣在廚房，直到山太找我玩才回過神。
我當然不可能也不願意說我會讓妳忘記這一切這麼誇張的話，只希望大山抵神祭典可以成為一個契機，讓直紀從此不再悶悶不樂。我會朝這個目標努力。
因為祭典不就是興奮狂歡到臨界點，一種宛如獲得新生的盛事嗎？
我把這份決心埋藏在心裡，迎接了祭典到來的這一天，但這份決心好幾次都差點崩潰。
深夜兩點時，法螺的號角聲響徹全村，與喜猛然推開了紙拉門，闖入我的臥室。
get up!祭典開始了！
沒人告訴我祭典要在三更半夜開始！
與喜把睡迷糊的我從被子裡拉了出來，等在客廳的繁奶奶遞給我一個包裹。
What's this?
行水結束後要換上這個。
行水？我的一種不祥的預感。
你們都要活著回來喔。
美樹姊說著，在門口敲著打火石送我們出門。向來剛強的美樹姊眼中泛著淚光。
美樹姊，活著回來是什麼意思？
別理她。美樹總是大驚小怪的。
與喜硬是拉著還搞不清楚狀況的我走向神去河。與喜穿著代替睡衣的浴衣，我穿著四角褲和T恤，就這樣出門嗎？神去村有十一月中旬已經是冬季了，夜晚的時候，吐出來的氣都是白色的。
so cold.我渾身發抖地走過百貨店附近的那座橋，發現全村的男丁都聚集在那裏，其中有幾個人拿著的白色燈籠在黑夜中搖晃。
清一哥用嚴肅的聲音宣佈：
今年的目途是神去地區的飯田與喜，由中村清一組輔佐，中地區的雲取仁助組見證。下地區的落合強組負責開道，各位可有異議？
No!
所的男丁都異口同聲地回答。這是在幹嘛？在演時代劇嗎？當我驚訝地張大了嘴時，儀式（？）繼續進行著。
大家開始拍手唱歌。
蛇哪啊，扭啊扭啊。兔子哪啊，蹦啊蹦啊。神去的神明哪，來啊來啊，哪啊哪啊，嘿哪，哪啊哪啊，嘿哪。
男丁們唱著歌，接二連三地走進了神去河。與喜當然一馬當先地下了水，真的假的？ !現在是十一月，水多冰啊。
我愣在原地，三郎老爹和巖叔抓著我的雙臂，我穿著鞋子，被拉進了水裡。
ah!so cold!
要忍耐呢哪。
如果不洗乾淨，就不能上神去山。
不上神去山也沒有關係。我眼淚頓時飆了出來，正打算逃走，卻被拉到更深的水裡。腰部以下全部都浸在冰冷的水中。
我的心臟都快停了。流動的河水根本不是一個冷字可以形容的，冰冷刺痛了皮膚。接著是麻痺，然後就失去了感覺。
全身都忍不住發抖，轉眼之間，肌肉開始痠痛。電視購物不是經常在賣那種減肥腰帶嗎？就是那種一分鐘可以震動三千次的腰帶。只要泡在冷水裡，效果絕對超過那種腰帶，只可惜無法擔保性命安全。
我在河中央啊哇啊哇啊哇地叫著。因為我根本沒辦法說話。其他人叫著哪啊哪啊，嘿哪，有的整個人都鑽進水裡，也有人用帶來的小水桶豪爽地把水從頭上淋了下來。
嘿哪！嘿哪！
叫得最大聲，不停地沖水的當然是與喜，他簡直瘋了。
勇氣，加油啊。巖叔叫道，再忍耐一下子。
有沒有覺得水溫稍微上升了了？三郎老爹說，我剛撒了一泡尿。
呃，好髒！三郎老爹，你太沒品了！我很想抗議回去，但嘴裡只能發出啊哇啊哇啊哇的聲音。
雖然我覺得行水好像過了好久，但實際應該不到五分鐘。
哪啊哪啊，嘿哪。快去拜見大山祗神。
唱完歌後，所有人都爭先恐後地上了岸，脫下衣服，用潔白的毛巾擦拭身體。與喜用毛巾拚命摩擦身體，身體簡直快被他擦出火了。
燈籠的火光下，皮膚上冒著的熱氣宛如陽光下蒸騰的煙靄。
繁奶奶給我的包裹裡放了一套修行僧的白衣。之前去山上找遭到神隱的山太時，就是穿這套衣服。我吸著鼻水，穿上了衣服，手一直發抖，無法順利綁好綁腿的帶子。
等一下要幹什麼？
我小聲地問，巖叔對我噓了一聲。
到神去山之前不能說話。
下地區的落合組拿著錫杖走在最前面，我們和中地區的雲取組跟在後面，後方還有負責各項工作的各組成員，總共大約有四十個人。神去村身強力壯的男丁都來參加了。
夜色中，隊伍向神去山出發了。雖然開車子一下就到了，但從山下走到神去山大約要一個小時左右。
銀色的星星在天上閃爍，冷風帶著落葉的味道從山上吹了下來，零零星星的每戶人家都鴉雀無聲，不知道哪裡湧出了泉水，還有魚兒蹦出水面的聲音。
走過墓地後，就完全看不到房子了，我們走在沒在鋪著平柏油的碎石路面，腳上只穿著平時穿的忍者膠底鞋，踩在地上的每一步都很自在。行水的衝擊已經漸漸平靜，身體也不再顫抖。兩旁的杉樹樹梢黑壓壓地遮蔽了天空。
沒有人說話，無言的隊伍走在夜色中。
穿越樹影婆娑的林道，終於來到了神去山的登山口。小祠堂亮著燭光，兩棵杉樹綁上了新的稻草繩。鬱鬱蒼蒼的神去山斜坡上，只有一條很窄的獸徑。時間應該剛過三點半。
隊伍在祠堂前的小廣場停了下來，身後是水量豐沛、水流湍急的神去河。
Hard work.
黑暗中，有一個人對大家說。抬頭一看，發現一名很眼熟的中年男子站在廣場。他就是我初來神去山村時，負責指導我林業進修的那位大叔。他的身旁堆滿了上山工作時使用的工具。他一個人搬上來的嗎？難怪他可以把山豬都甩拋出去。
與喜走上前，從大叔手上接過斧頭。在與喜的示意下，我也走了上去，我平時用的鏈鋸也在那堆工具裡。什、什麼時候拿上來的？
我們這一組的人分別拿著平時在山上工作時用的工具，不祥的預感越來越強。
清一哥代表聚集在廣場上的所有人，向祠堂和神去山拍了拍手。
我等恭敬地向神去山的神明大山祗神報告，瓦伊拉那卡臺多，雅斯其希奧，梅格米他瑪旺那，阿裏格他庫，其尼可梅呼里呼里，雅瑪尼米波羅波羅。
ah?完全聽不懂他在說什麼？Um.因為我也聽不懂，清一哥念著這種無法寫成文字的奇怪咒語，念了有一分鐘左右。
希多多凱摩諾多，雅瑪諾其奧，多可西艾尼瑪摩里，大山祗神，西茲瑪里他瑪艾那哪啊哪啊。
其他人也都異口同聲地大叫：
嘿哪！
我嚇了一大跳。清一哥再度拍著手，其他人同時低下頭。三郎老爹用力推我的後腦勺，我也跟著神去山鞠躬。
應該可以回去了吧？我抱著一線希望，動作快呢哪！如果天亮了，就太對不起神去的神明了！
他的話音剛落，已經衝向神去山的獸徑。
Go!
三郎老爹發號司令，自己也撥開斜坡上的草往上衝。
這裡是戰場嗎！我才不想衝哩！
雖然我這麼想，但看到前一刻還閉口不語的眾人紛紛吼叫著衝上斜坡，只有我一個人還在廣場上拖拖拉拉，突然，一個白色的東西掠過我的視線，一路跟過來的阿鋸緊跟著與喜，也消失在獸徑上。
Oh shit!我不能連隻狗都不如！
我下定決心，單手拿著鏈鋸走上斜坡。
但是，我仍然搞不懂為什麼要上神去山，也不知道山上到底有什麼。
森林又黑又深。
只有開道組和見證組的人手上拿的十個燈籠照亮黎明前的神去山，從遮蔽天空的樹葉縫隙中，不時看到冬天的星星，但根本無法照亮黑夜。
只能靠著一起爬上斜坡的其他人的呼吸聲和隱約的體溫知道前進的方向。與喜走在前面，當他邁開步伐時，不時看到他忍者膠底鞋的橡膠底。我看著他的鞋底，拚了老命走在稱不上是路的獸徑上。隊伍幾乎一直線地爬上斜坡，向山頂挺進。
斜坡很陡，急促的呼吸變成了白色的霧飄散在冰冷的空氣中，就連與喜也不再喊叫。他用手上的斧頭不停地砍掉擋住去路的藤蔓和雜草，阿鋸在他的腳下搖著尾巴，彷彿在向我招手。
雖然天還沒亮，但鳥兒似乎被我們驚醒了，牠們在巨大的橡樹的樹枝上對著突然出現的我們發出尖銳的警告聲，不知道是野兔還是鼬鼠在草叢中逃竄。夜晚的山上充斥著各種聲音，樹木、鳥兒和動物都靜靜觀察著我們這些入侵者的動向。
但是，好安靜。搖動樹葉的風聲、鳥聲和我的呼吸聲似乎都被形成這片森林的數年歲月吸收了。
在斜坡上走了一個小時左右，身體滲著汗，卻開始微微顫抖。肉體和靈魂似乎漸漸碎裂，化為森林的養分。山裡的空氣震撼了我，讓我不知道自己是誰，身在何處，到底要去哪裡。
勇氣。就在這時，清一哥在背後叫了我一聲，你看，很美吧？
我順著清一哥鏈鋸所指的方向望去，發現有一棵一個大人才能勉強環抱的巨大杉樹砍伐後留下的殘株。長滿青苔的腐爛殘株周圍沒什麼林木，旁邊有一株大約兩公尺高的樹木伸展著枝葉。纖細的樹枝上，樹葉已經掉落，但結出無數紅色的小果實，宛如柔和的火焰，又像是遠眺的街燈。
這種樹名叫衛矛。清一哥說：山上並非只讓人心生畏懼而不敢靠近，即使沒有人看到，這棵樹上每年都會結出這麼漂亮的果實。
清一哥知道我第一次正式進入神去山，所以特別呵護我。多虧了他的照顧，我的心情終於平靜下來，我回頭看著清一哥，微微點頭說：我沒問題了。
天色漸漸亮了起來，彷彿染上了衛矛的紅色火焰。原本